Melbourne Day Trips – Melbourne to Geelong

Melbourne Day Trips – Melbourne to Geelong, Victoria, Australia  

Melbourne is a fantastic city that charms anyone lucky enough to visit. Considered one of the world’s most liveable cities, it has a hip and artsy vibe with cool cafes and world-class dining, galleries, and museums and loads of festivals.

While it might be hard to tear yourself away, there are some equally amazing places worth visiting nearby Melbourne, Australia. From stunning coastlines to country town’s and Aussie bush the state of Victoria is full of unmissable sights. And there are terrific opportunities for weekend getaways that are not too far from Melbourne. If you are looking for the best Melbourne day trips then Geelong is a perfect weekend escape since it is one of the closest places from Melbourne.

One of the best and closest places to visit from Melbourne is the city of Geelong. Not well-known internationally, Geelong tends to fly under the radar with overseas tourists which is a shame as the town has a lot to offer. Geelong is a popular destination and one of the best day trips from Melbourne for domestic travelers who visit from all over the country to enjoy all the things to do in Geelong.

Geelong – A Weekend Escape From Melbourne

About Geelong, Australia

Geelong is a beautiful waterfront city with friendly locals and a laid-back small-town vibe.

Ideally situated on the shores of sparkling Corio Bay Geelong’s waterfront is a landmark tourist destination. The cosmopolitan area is chock full of restaurants and cafes, sculptures and artwork, landscaped gardens and incredible views.

And just like in Melbourne, visitors to Geelong’s CBD can discover tiny laneways filled with graffiti art, industrial spaces and hidden cafes and bars.

Keep reading below to discover what you can do on a weekend trip to Geelong.

Melbourne Day Trips – A weekend trip to Geelong

Take In A Festival

The Geelong region is home to a full calendar of festivals and celebrations that are fun for the whole family. The spectacular foreshore is host to some of the biggest celebrations throughout the year and most are free to attend. From Australia Day festivities to sporting events, auto shows and festivals and fairs there’s something for everyone.

We recommend planning your weekend in Geelong to coincide with one of the many events the city has to offer. Accommodation tends to fill up around these times so it’s best to book well in advance.

Some must see festivals include:

The Pako Festa   

Pakington Street in Geelong West is transformed into an extravaganza of sights, smells and sounds for the annual Pako Festa. The vibrant street festival is a multi-cultural celebration of ethnic diversity, that culminates in a dazzling street parade. It features beautifully decorated floats and hundreds of performers from local ethnic groups. Food vans, market stalls and street performers add to the festive atmosphere.

The Festival of Sails   

Held on the Australia day weekend the Festival of Sails is one of Geelong’s biggest festivals. Over 100,000 visitors flock to the foreshore to enjoy one of Australia’s oldest sporting events. The family-friendly event offers thrilling yacht races, water activities, a community market, food vendors and live entertainers. A highlight of the weekend is the iconic Australia Day fireworks display when the whole town comes out to see the dazzling show.

Geelong After Dark 

See Geelong through a different lens with Geelong After Dark. This curated artistic event uses the inner city as its canvas and transforms it with unique art using existing buildings, places and hidden spaces. Explore Geelong’s laneways, streets, and parks and see it transformed with interactive art, projections, installations and street performers.

Unwind on the Waterfront

Overlooking the sparkling Corio Bay, the Geelong foreshore is one of the most impressive waterfronts in Australia. Its natural beauty draws countless visitors every year and it’s easily Geelong’s biggest tourist attraction.

With wide expanses of greenery, picnic areas, cafes restaurants, and gorgeous scenery it’s a great spot to chill-out and relax. There is a multitude of activities on offer from Harley Davidson rides to helicopter trips, SUP lessons, boat charters, and even Ferris wheel rides.

We love taking a morning walk along the water’s edge before stopping for coffee and breakfast at our favorite café, Sailors Rest. If you’re lucky enough to have breakfast here be sure to ask for the Jack Sparrow. You won’t regret it.

One of the best places to visit in summer is the iconic Eastern Beach. Found on the eastern edge of the waterfront it’s a must for any visitor to Geelong. Here you’ll find impeccably manicured lawns, sea baths, picnic and barbecue facilities, and the stunning promenade. A favorite with families, kids have been sliding down its steep embankments on boogie boards for decades.

There are heaps of other activities for kids to do on the waterfront as well. They’ll enjoy the historic Geelong Carousel, Poppy Kettle Playground, Youth Activities Area, water activities and amusement rides. There’s also a cute Thomas lookalike train for the littlies that runs along the foreshore.

Walk the Geelong Bollard Trail

Scattered along the waterfront are quirky pieces of art that chronicle the city’s past. They are the creation of local artist Jan Mitchell who was asked to transform old piles from a damaged city pier into unique artworks.

Each piece represents a different character from the past who helped form the city of Geelong. From 1930s bathing beauties to lifesavers, a Koori family and English explorer Matthew Flinders who first spotted Corio Bay from the You Yangs in 1802. The Bollards have become just as much a part of Geelong as the bay they overlook.

The Bollard Trail stretches from Rippleside Park to Limeburner’s Point and the Geelong Botanical Gardens. There are more than 100 of these brightly painted characters at 48 different sites. See if you can find all 104 of them as you walk the trail enjoying stunning views across the water to the You Yangs.

The walk takes two hours to complete one way, longer if you stop for coffee and snacks. If this is too long for you then concentrate on the area from Steampacket Gardens towards Rippleside in the west, where the majority of Bollards are located.

This is a fun activity for the whole family not just for the kids, as adults find the Bollards amusing and usually love posing for a photo with them

Tip: Try to spot the hidden rabbits lurking around the Bollard’s feet!

Learn About Aboriginal Culture

Many overseas visitors think Australia has only a short history, however, Aboriginal people have occupied this country for over 60,000 years. Geelong and its surrounding area have been home to the Wathaurong Tribe, part of the Kulin Nation for over 25,000 years.

Visitors to Geelong have the chance to learn about this fascinating culture at the Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre.

Narana is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to foster an understanding of Aboriginal history to people from all walks of life. Here you’ll learn about Connection to Country, Dreaming Stories, spirituality and even how to throw a boomerang! A must-do activity for any visitor to Australia.

Narana boasts one of the largest collections of Indigenous Art in the state of Victoria. From traditional, to modern and abstract styles the gallery is a leading promoter of authentic local and interstate Australian Indigenous art.

Most of the artworks on display are for sale. Each piece comes with a certificate of authenticity and the story behind the paintings and the artist. I can’t think of a better Australian souvenir, can you?

But if the artwork isn’t your thing then I recommend checking out the gift shop. Here you’ll find boomerangs, didgeridoos, bush herbs and spices and other handmade items for sale.

Although Narana is in the Geelong suburbs, it has a beautiful bush setting. Spread out over more than four acres the complex sits amongst native trees, wooden walkways, gardens, and a small lake.

Visitors are free to wander around on their own and meet the resident wildlife. Several indigenous animals call Narana home including emus, wallabies and kangaroos. A highlight of any visit is the chance to pat Kangaroo Jo. She was born and raised at the property and loves nothing more than meeting guests to her home.

Finish your visit with some tasty indigenous food at the Narana Café. It’s a bright and modern café with a distinctive ceiling mural that tells of the impact of colonization on the world’s indigenous people. Sit by the cozy open fire and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee with scrumptious wattle seed scones and lemon myrtle cream.

Geelong Information

Location And How To Get There

Geelong is located just 75 kilometers south-west of Melbourne. Making it ideal for a quick side-trip for a few days. If you have a car it’s an easy one hour’s drive along the Princes Highway. But if not, there are regular V/Line train services departing from Southern Cross Station in Spencer Street Melbourne.

Weather And Best Time To Visit Geelong

Geelong enjoys warm summers, glorious springs, mild autumns and crisp winters.

Summer is the dry season with heatwaves and cooling afternoon breezes. June and July are the coldest months and October are the wettest.

Honestly, when it comes to the best time to visit, any time is a good time. But summer is when all the fun and action happen with lots of festivals taking place throughout the region.

March is a good month to visit too, and it’s my favorite time of year with warm days and cool nights.

Where To Eat In Geelong

From fancy restaurants to cool cafes, Geelong has some of Australia’s best regional dining. In fact, it’s so good a few of Melbourne’s big culinary names have left the city to set up shop in Geelong.

Here are a few for you to choose from:

• For breakfast, you can’t go past the “Jack Sparrow” at Sailor’s Rest. The corn fritters at 9 Grams in Pakington Street deserve a special mention too.
• For lunch head to The Boat House for fish and chips with a view.
• For a nice juicy steak, Geelong locals wouldn’t go anywhere else but Parker’s Steakhouse.
• For fine dining head to IGNI where every course comes with a story.
• For seafood Fishermen’s Pier has the best food and the best views. For something casual try takeaway paella from the Mussel Boat.

If you want to plan a trip then book flights and hotels here.

Where To Stay In Geelong

From luxury apartments to hotels and heritage houses to simple B&Bs, Geelong has a wide variety of places to stay and there’s something to suit all tastes and budgets.

Quality Hotel Bayside Geelong: Located on Geelong’s Esplanade, The Quality has the waterfront foreshore as its front garden and it’s only a 15-minute stroll into Geelong’s CBD.

Rydges Geelong: Situated on the edge of the CBD, Rydges Geelong is a small hotel with guest rooms, suites, pool, spa, and gym. Close to Kardinia Park, the hotel is only a few minutes’ walk from the vibrant foreshore.

Nireeda Apartments: A hidden treasure, the Nireeda Apartments are located within 300 meters of the Waterfront and are handy to Westfield and Market Square shopping centers.

Sabina On Little Myers: From Sabina’s front door it’s only a short walk to Geelong’s inner-city and waterfront attractions. This gorgeous three-bedroom Victorian house accommodates up to six guests.

Where to stay in Melbourne

If you are on a holiday in Melbourne then you can plan your Melbourne city accommodation. For the best hotels or the best Melbourne accommodation, we suggest checking out our favorite sites to book here. We always use these sites to book our stay. Hotel booking can be done through TripAdvisor or Cleartrip or  Booking.com to save huge and get best deals on booking your stay.

Geelong Guided Tours / Melbourne Guided Tours

Geelong points of interest are many and if you are wondering what to see in Geelong or what to do in Geelong, then book Geelong guided tours to enjoy the beauty of Geelong. You can plan and prebook the best Melbourne tours.

If you found this post on Melbourne day trips useful, we recommend you to read the following posts on Australia that have day trips and road trip suggestions:

Day Trips from Melbourne, Australia
Day Trips from Perth, Australia
Best Road Trips in the NSW Area
Day Trips from Cairns

Hope you liked this Geelong blog and found it useful. Do share your feedback in the comments section.

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