16 Best Things To Do in Geelong with Kids in 2024

Geelong is Victoria's second most populous city and only an hour away from Melbourne when heading through Werribee or a few hours if heading south on the Mornington Peninsula and via the ferry from Sorrento to Queenscliff.

The city, like Melbourne, is on the Port Phillip Bay and so has a similar temperate climate, but can sometimes miss the wet weather when Melbourne gets it and vice versus which makes it a good destination to keep in mind for a last-minute day trip or a weekend getaway with your kids.

Many people think of Geelong as a great place to use a basecamp for other day trips – which it is – but it's also an awesome destination city in its own right.

Once you're inspired to visit Geelong – then lock in the best family-friendly accommodation in Geelong for your holiday.

Other great destinations within 1.5 hours from Melbourne are Ballarat, Daylesford and Macedon.

16 Best Things To Do in Geelong with Kids in 2024

1. Splash, swim, and sight-see at the Geelong Waterfront

The Geelong Waterfront is one of the main sunny day attractions in the city. Here you'll find history, culture and seaside fun!

Eastern Beach Sea Baths with a glimpse of the children's pool in Geelong, Victoria. (Image: Visit Victoria)

The Eastern Beach is the main place to swim and play on the sand on a hot day. To the right of this beach are the sea baths (pictured above) where your kids can enjoy swimming and you can remain in the knowledge they can't float away from the enclosed sea bath. A boardwalk sits atop the border of the baths and has ladders to climb up out of the water, while dedicated dive boards and a diving tower offer great places to jump in.

On the land near the baths is a large blue-tiled, childrens' pool with a fountain in the middle. This is shallow and keeps the water warmer on cooler days than the sea, as well as being great for your smallest kids.

Kids playing by the fountain at Eastern Beach, Geelong (Image: Visit Geelong)

Metres away inland is another fountain with a set of stairs lined with palm trees. The stairs, fountain, children's pool and middle of the sea baths line up perfectly, making it a great place for taking memento photos.

Walking to the east of the children's pool, you'll find the Eastern Beach Playground with play equipment for toddlers and older.

Even further east and along the shoreline, there's a footpath that leads to a tap where you can taste the water from the Eastern Beach Mineral Spring that runs underground.

Bollards on the Geelong Bollards Trail along the Geelong Waterfront. (Image: volvob12b/Flickr)

Travelling in the other direction, you'll come across the Geelong Bollard Trail Walk. This trail is lined by wooden bollards that are sculpted and painted to represent characters and elements of Geelong's history.

The Giant Sky Wheel on the Geelong Waterfront. (Image: shivan/Flickr CCBYSA2.0)

Also, next to the Eastern Beach is the ferris wheel known as the Giant Sky Wheel where you can get panoramic views of the waterfront for miles in either direction.

The Carousel Pavilion on the Geelong Waterfront. (Image: volvob12b/Flickr)

Kids watching and riding the Carousel at Geelong Waterfront (Image: Visit Victoria)

Heading past the Giant Sky Wheel and the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, you'll arrive at The Carousel Pavilion. This building houses a set of restored carnival items with the carousel being the centrepiece. It took more than 3 years to restore all of the items which date back to 1892. One of these – also on display in the building – is the original steam engine that powered the carousel.

If the weather is fine, look out for the Eastern Beach Train Tours. This Thomas the Tank Engine lookalike runs along the foreshore each day from 10 am (weather permitting). $9 for a 20 minute return trip. You can hop on the train from the Carousel Pavillion, the Giant Sky Wheel ferris wheel or Eastern Beach Pool.

Also near the Carousel Pavillion are the Geelong Bungy Trampolines at Steampacket Gardens. During the school holidays and weekends in summer and autumn, you can jump up to 7 meters high on trampolines as you're strapped to bungee cords. Each 5 minute session is $15 (or bounce for longer if there is no queue).

Should your teens get bored, then minutes away is the Geelong Waterfront Skate Park with a unique waterfront location and design that'll keep them occupied. Nearby is Cunningham Pier Playground with a crows nest, tunnel slide and climbing ropes.

Geelong Waterfront Skate Park (Image: Visit Victoria)

2. Play with art and be inspired at the Museum of Play and Art and Geelong Gallery

The Museum of Play and Art (known as MoPA) is both a museum for children and an activity centre. MoPA aims to encourage child development through creative exploration and play. The many changing activities often feature playing with paint and solving physical puzzles – think of moving a ball through a series of PVC pipes. MoPA is designed for kids 1 to 7 years old but is still engaging for older kids and adults.

The front of the Geelong Art Gallery (Image: Geelonggallery/Wikimedia CCBYSA4.0)

Not far from Eastern Beach is Johnstone Park, which is the home to three of Geelong's great cultural institutions, each with lots of things to see and do with kids.

The Geelong Gallery (above) is at the heart of the Geelong Cultural Precinct. The gallery, established in 1896, hosts artwork from the 19th and 20th centuries. The gallery has an ongoing program for kindergarten-aged groups and regularly runs a free Gallery Tots session to inspire and engage kids in art. See the Geelong Gallery's Learn website for activities for kids based on the art in the Gallery, such as how to draw your own face.

Dome and tiled windows at the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre, Geelong, Victoria (Image: Moby Dick/Visit Geelong & Bellarine)

Around the corner on the same block, you'll find the awesome architectural dome building of the Geelong Library And Heritage Centre. The first floor (Level 1) is dedicated to children's & youth books and activities. It has lots of places to sit down and read books, and a wet area for messy arts and crafts. Head up to Level 5 and you'll find a balcony with great views across Geelong.

View of Johnstone Park to the Geelong Waterfront from the Geelong Library, Victoria (Image: Visit Victoria)

Near the Geelong Library is another great gallery – the Gordon Gallery – where you can often see exhibitions by TAFE students from The Gordon. Seeing the works and being able to meet the young artists can be a great inspiration for kids and adults alike.

Gardens and Bandstand in Johnstone Park, Geelong, Victoria (Image: Visit Victoria)

For some outdoor time, head outside into the perfectly groomed landscaped gardens of Johnstone Park.

3. Splash about at the Geelong Adventure Park or jump around and climb at BOUNCEinc

Drive 20 minutes along the Bellarine Highway towards Queenscliff and you'll find the Geelong Adventure Park. The theme park is the largest water theme park in Victoria with rides for kids of all ages, rides for families and several rides and activities for when you don't want to get completely soaked, like mini-golf, a ferris wheel and a mini-roller-coaster.

Adults and kids sliding down waterslides at Geelong Adventure Park, Victoria (Image: Visit Geelong Bellarine)

BOUNCEinc Geelong (formerly known as Supatramp) is an indoor trampoline and rock climbing centre in the south of Geelong (on the way back into the city). It's the perfect place for your family to burn up energy and have lots of challenging play. There is also an indoor playground for toddlers (kids aged 5 and under).

Kid climbing up a brightly coloured climbing wall at BOUNCEinc Geelong (Image: Visit Victoria)

4. Playtime and bat spotting in the Eastern Park

Set in the middle of Eastern Park on the Geelong waterfront are the Geelong Botanic Gardens.

Map of the Geelong Botanical Gardens (Image: City of Greater Geelong)

The Gardens have an egg-shaped 21st-century garden at the main entrance, then lead on to the rose garden and branch out into a large set of distinct lawns and conservatories featuring oaks, ferns, walnuts and more.

Plants and pond in the Conservatory at Geelong Botanic Gardens, Victoria (Image: Mariko Akagi/Unsplash)

As you walk around the Botanic Gardens Geelong, you'll find more bollard sculptures as the Bollard Trail continues into the gardens (pictured below).

Sculptural Bollards at Geelong Botanical Gardens. (Image: Paul Carmona/Wikimedia CCBYSA3.0)

A footpath in the Geelong Botanical Gardens. (Image: silince/Flickr CCBY2.0)

The Botanic Gardens are a great place to get some space away from the crowds on the waterfront. They are a surprisingly unknown gem in Geelong.

Once you're all done relaxing and exploring the flora, you can leave the Gardens and head northeast in Eastern Park to find the home of hundreds of flying foxes; look for the "Flying fox roost" on the map of Eastern Park.

Map of Eastern Park (Image: City of Greater Geelong)

Flying foxes are a type of megabats and are some of the largest bats in the world. Along with many other places around Victoria, they have made this part of the park their home. You can often see them resting in the daytime and actively flying about at night. They're generally safe to be around, but be aware that they can carry rare and potentially fatal diseases so avoid touching them.

Flying Foxes hanging in a tree at Eastern Park, Victoria (Image: René Riegal/Unsplash)

In between the fruit bat roost and the gardens, you'll pass the Geelong Play Space. This is a great little playground for small kids around toddler age. There are many areas in the space, each helping kids explore different stimuli and physical challenges.

Howard Glover Reserve Playground is a great playground for primary school-aged kids. You'll find it on the southern edge of Eastern Park.

Also in the park is the weekly Eastern Gardens Parkrun. This is a great event for active kids, or to encourage activity.

6. Get active and catch a footy match at Kardinia Park

Once you're done playing indoors, you can head down to Kardinia Park Playground for an outdoor picnic and more play. In the southern part of the park, you'll find the Kardinia Aquatic Centre with half a dozen outdoor pools (one pictured below) for humans of all ages and all swimming abilities.

Kardinia Aquatic Centre in Geelong, Victoria. (Image: Marcus Wong Wongm/Wikimedia CCBYSA3.0)

Across the road from the playground are a set of netball courts, ovals and the site of GMBHA Stadium – the home of the Geelong Cats AFL team. If you're in Geelong during the football season, you'll see lots of navy blue and white - the Cats colours - as the locals are very proud of their footy team.

There is usually a footy match each weekend from January to September and ticket prices to the AFLW, VFL and VFLW matches at GMBHA Stadium are usually around $10 (or sometimes free). To help adults and children with sensory processing challenges while at a match there is a Sensory Zone and you can ask for a free sensory backpack full of lovely things to help while watching the footy.

View onto the football field at an AFL match at GHMBA Stadium at Kardinia Park, Geelong (Image: David Jackmanson / Flickr CCBY2.0)

Otherwise, your family can also get the footy fever by visiting for free the Gartland Heritage Centre and be encouraged to get active and healthy through activity sheets provided by the Geelong Cats, including colouring sheets, a Where's Wally type activity, "Healthy Heros Bingo", a choose your own adventure activities game, and a recipe book aimed at kids. (We are not actually Geelong supporters but like their efforts here.)

7. Connect with the region's Indigenous history at the Narana Aboriginal Centre

A short 15 minutes drive south of Geelong centre is the Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre. The centre aims to develop a shared understanding of Aboriginal culture through deep listening and activities.

Aboriginal guide and emu at the Narana Aboriginal Centre, Geelong, Victoria (Image: Visit Geelong & Bellarine)

During the week, the centre runs a 2-hour session – Dreaming for Kids – aimed at kids kinder through to Grade 3 where they can be guided through the galleries and gardens, and participate in activities, including:

• Boomerang throwing

• Traditional Aboriginal games

• Learn about bush tucker and traditional medicines

• Feed the animals

• Dreaming story and dance

• Tools and weapons presentation

Boomerang painting at Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Geelong (Image: Visit Victoria)

8. Wander around Geelong's city centre

Walking through the streets of Geelong you may come across murals and other street artworks. Some are commissioned on commercial buildings, while others are on large walls that feature a rotation of work.

Street art at Little Malop Street, Geelong (Image: Go Beyond Melbourne)

9. Be entertained at the Geelong Arts Centre

Head to the Geelong Arts Centre (formerly the Geelong Performing Arts Centre or GPAC) to see one of the family-friendly or kids shows on during the "Family Magic 2022" show season. The list of events aimed for under 12s and their families includes:

• Jams For Juniors: Swan Lake

• Emil and the Detectives

• Guess How Much I Love You

• Whoosh!

• Edward The Emu

• There's A Sea In My Bedroom

To get more inspiration for cultural activities and sights, check out the Geelong Arts, Cultural & Heritage Trails App

10. Have fun by the Barwon River

The Barwon River runs from the Otways through south Geelong and into the sea at Barwon Heads. There are many parks on the banks of the river throughout Geelong.

Jetty at Yollinko Wetlands on Barwon River in Geelong, Victoria (Image: DJ Paine/Unsplash)

Some of the parks by Barwon River in Geelong have walks through wetlands, such as Balyang Sanctuary in the suburb of Belmont. On the edge of the Sanctuary are the Yollinko Wetlands.

Family walking and cycling along the Barwon River at Geelong, Victoria (Image: Visit Victoria)

Near the Sanctuary is Barwon Valley Park which has lots of public facilities – BBQs and toilets – and a very good playground at the Barwon Valley Fun Park. The playground is well spread out and is divided into several spaces with equipment for ages for toddlers and up. Several of the spaces have large sand pits so even the bubs can get lots of stimuli. There is a flat path by the river perfect for walks or bike rides.

If you're after a bite to eat, five minutes drive along the river you'll find the family-friendly Little Creatures Brewery. The brightly coloured Canteen foodhall at the Brewery has a kids menu ("little creatures") with a good range of options and if you sit outside the kids can walk around and look at the planter boxes with herbs and flowers. Adults can try a range of beers and ciders on tap from Little Creatures and its sister brewery White Rabbit Brewery which is also on site - ask about the tasting paddle.

Families eating outside at Little Creatures Brewery, Geelong, Victoria (Image: Visit Victoria)

Back to the Barwon River. The lovely waterfall Buckley Falls on the Barwon River is 6 mins drive from Barwon Valley Park in the suburb of Highton and is well worth a look. The lower lookout walk from the Buckley Falls car park is a fun walk for kids as you can go rock-hopping on the river. Keep an eye out for the Night Heron with its beautiful red plumage, which breeds at Buckley Falls.

Buckley Falls waterfall in Geelong, Victoria (Image: Stephen F Segrave/Wikimedia CCBYSA4.0)

Night heron flying at Buckley Falls, Geelong, Victoria (Image: Stephen F Segrave/Wikimedia CCBYSA4.0)

11. Learn about Australia's wool history at the National Wool Museum

Back in the city centre, you can learn about the development of the wool industry in Geelong and its impact on lives at the National Wool Museum.

The National Wool Museum building in Geelong. (Image: denisbin/Flickr CCBYND2.0)

The museum regularly runs activities aimed at kids (for 0 to 5-year-olds) as part of the Museum Explorers programme, including sessions such as:

• Mini Makers (sensory play)

• Sensory Stories and Rhymes (storytime with objects to keep little hands busy)

Admission is $30 for a family ticket.

Family looking at shearing statutes and wool at the National Wool Museum, Geelong, Victoria (Image: Visit Victoria)

12. Get spooked at the Geelong Gaol Museum

For older kids, you can take them on a Geelong Gaol Tour to see the jail conditions for convicts of the past. Most of the tours are a little creepy/scary and are aimed at over 8s with an 8 pm start.

Inside the Old Geelong Gaol in Geelong, Victoria. (Image: jimjanuary/Flickr CCBY2.0)

13. Take a bird's eye view of the peninsula

When the budget is not the limit, then a helicopter ride with Geelong Helicopters or a hot air balloon flight with Liberty Balloon Flights Geelong can be some of the most memorable ways to see Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula. Some of the airborne experiences will also take you along the coast with views of the Great Ocean Road and its many sights.

Helicopter in flight at the Geelong Foreshore, Victoria (Image: Troy Mortier/Unsplash)

View of Geelong's Waterfront from Helicopter (Image: Visit Victoria)

For more of a "sitting-down bird's-eye-view", the Wandana Heights Lookout in the west of Geelong has panoramic views over all of Geelong and the You Yangs.

Panorama of the You Yangs from Wandana Heights, Geelong, Victoria. (Image: cafuego/Flickr CCBYSA2.0)

14. Go free-range on the trails at the You Yangs

The You Yangs Regional Park, 30 minutes drive north of Geelong, has some of the highest peaks in the region. The park is popular for mountain biking the steep trails and hiking through the many trails.

Family riding mountain bike trails at the You Yangs, Victoria (Image: Parks Victoria)

The You Yangs also has walks suitable for kids of all ages. The short walk to Big Rock from the Big Rock car park and the longer 3km Big Rock Walk from the park office car park are both pram friendly gravel paths with a couple of steps. There are also lots of nice spots for a picnic.

Woman and kid walking near the Big Rock at the You Yangs, Victoria (Image: Parks Victoria)

Family having a picnic at the You Yangs Regional Park, Victoria (Image: Parks Victoria)

For a flatter terrain for your kids' two wheels, you can head to the Bellarine Rail Trail which starts in South Geelong. The 8km section to Leopold is generally flat (see map below).

Map of the Bellarine Rail Trail (Image: City of Greater Geelong)

15. Ride the railways – big, small and tiny

A steam engine train on the Bellarine Railway. (Image: nzsteam/Flickr CCBY2.0)

The Bellarine Railway is a not-for-profit organisation that operates steam engine trains from Queenscliff to Drysdale; Queenscliff is a 30 minutes drive from Geelong. They have scheduled train rides specifically aimed at kids, including the "Day Out With Thomas", where the engine is modelled after the famous Thomas the Tank.

For a smaller train experience in Geelong, you can find the Eastern Beach Train Tour at the Waterfront that will take you on a mini-train from one end of the waterfront to the other.

However, if you're after the absolute miniature train experience then the Portarlington Bayside Miniature Railway will be the perfect thing for you. Portarlington is also a 30-minute drive away and is a great day trip destination in itself with a cute beach near a long pier and the typical seaside town high street shops.

16. Find the hidden gems in Lara

Kangaroos at Serendip Sanctuary, Lara, Victoria. (Image: paweesit/Flickr CCBYND2.0)

On the northern outskirts of metropolitan Geelong is the small town of Lara. On the northern side of the town is Serendip Sanctuary. At Serendip, you will find a large wetland reserve where animals, like emus, can free-range. You'll also find smaller reserves that are home to kangaroos and wallabies and several aviaries.

In the town centre is the Lara Aquatic Centre. While it's not quite a water theme park, it does have several water slides and water play spaces.

Across the road from the aquatic centre is a nice picnic spot next to Lara Lake at the Lara Lake playground.

17. More day trips out of "the Pivot"

Throughout its history, Geelong has had many names. During the time of industrial development, Geelong became a hub for western Victoria with train lines heading west and the port on the Port Phillip bay accessing the rest of Australia and the world – causing the city to be nicknamed "the Pivot".

Geelong is full of attractions, but it's also within an hour driving range to several great destinations on the peninsula.

Point Lonsdale

Point Lonsdale is a small township near Queenscliff which sits on the headlands which are about 3.5 km away from Point Nepean across the water. Together, these points on the land, form the entrance of Port Phillip.

The Lighthouse at Point Lonsdale, Victoria. (Image: flying_cloud/Flickr CCBY2.0)

The lighthouse at Point Lonsdale is open to visitors and if you climb the 120 steps, then you can often clearly see across The Rip all the way to the other side.

Barwon Heads

Barwon Heads Beach at Barwon Heads, Victoria. (Image: sara_h638/Flickr CCBYND2.0)

Barwon Heads is on the coast where the Barwon River (which travels through Geelong) reaches the Bass Strait. On the western side of the bridge that joins the town with Ocean Grove, the river has formed a shallow beach that's perfect for small children to splash around. On the reserve next to the beach is a small, yet fun playground with a beach theme.

North of the town is a wildlife rescue centre at Jirrahlinga Koala & Wildlife Sanctuary. Here you can see all sorts of Aussie native animals and birds, as well as get to hold pup dingos and koalas.

The Bellarine Taste Trail

For the foodie families, you can use the Bellarine Taste Trail as a checklist for day trips. The trail features destinations where you can indulge in the food and beverage produced in the peninsula.

10 best things to do in Geelong with Kids when it's raining

1. Play arcade games and laser tag at LaserQuest Geelong (formerly known as Time Zone)

2. Throw boomerangs at the Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre

3. Get creative at the Geelong Art Gallery

4. Develop the senses with the Museum Explorers sessions at the National Wool Museum

5. Get creeped out at the Geelong Gaol Museum

6. Trampoline and climb the day away at BOUNCEinc Geelong (formerly known as Supatramp)

7. Play the rain away at the All 4 Kids Play Centre

8. See a movie at Village Cinemas in the centre of Geelong or Readings Cinemas in Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre

9. Hunt through the vintage toys, books and clothes at the Mill Markets Geelong

10. Visit the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre and watch the rain across Geelong from the top floor

Vintage stalls at the Mill Markets Geelong, Victoria (Image: Visit Victoria)

9 best things to do in Geelong for free with kids

1. Splash at the kids swimming pool and sea baths at the Eastern Beach

2. Spy the Flying Foxes and relax at the Geelong Botanic Gardens

3. Develop the senses with the Museum Explorers sessions at The National Wool Museum

4. See emus run at a million miles an hour at Serendip Sanctuary

5. Walk and bike in the You Yangs

6. See the whole city from the Wandana Heights Lookout

7. Play by the river at the Barwon River Fun Park

8. Get paint on you at a Gallery Tots session at the Geelong Art Gallery

9. Learn to dream at the Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre

More things to see and do in Geelong

More Good Playgrounds in Geelong

• Thomson Recreation Reserve Playground

• Highton Reserve Playground

• Hopetoun Park Playground

• Richmond Oval Playground

• George Ticky Playground

• Kids Playground by The Sea

• Sladen Park Playground

• Seaview Park Playground

• Cameron Park Playground

Swimming Beaches in Geelong

• Eastern Beach (most popular) (north facing)

• Western Beach (east facing)

• Rippleside Beach (east facing)

• St Helens Beach (north facing)