Take a Sunday Drive... to Geelong

An hour away, by the bay, lies Geelong - an exceptionally great place to take the family on a slow Sunday soujourn.

Geelong is actually Victoria's second-largest city, and as such is packed with things to do, see, and eat. It will be hard to fit it all in to one day! The foreshore is a popular place to go, though, and well worth a visit. But for what else the city has to offer, read on...

How to Get There

Geelong is 75 km south west of Melbourne, via the M1.

What to See in Geelong

SO MUCH. Choose from:

• The foreshore, of course. 
• Eastern beach, with enclosed sea bath
• Watch the surfers out on Thirteenth Beach
• Swan Island
• Geelong Art Gallery
• The historical buildings on the waters' edge
• The National Wool Museum
• Buckley's Falls
• Fountain of Friendship Park
• The Old Paper Mills
• Newtown Lookout
• Zillah Crawcour Park

What to Do in Geelong

SO MUCH. You'll have to stay overnight or go for a day two when it comes to Geelong attractions. It's best to choose a couple before you go to save time!

• The Geelong Botanic Gardens
• Rippleside Park Adventure Playground (soon to be renovated!) 

• When the weather is great, water fun at Adventure Park is an absolute highlight
• Step into another world at Fairy Park, where you can have tea with the Mad Hatter or hang out with Goldilocks and the Three Bears
• Sparrow Park
• Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park
• A Maze'N Games - an obvious choice but it's popular for a reason! The timber maze is actually quite difficult, but very doable and a lot of fun
• Eastern Beach Reserve Playground
• Visit the You Yangs - absolutely breathtaking
• Jirralingah Koala and Wildlife Sanctuary
• Geelong Playspace
• Lake Connewarre

Where to Eat in Geelong

Where NOT to eat in Geelong? Much the same as what to do and what to see, there's choice galore for good eats. Whether you want simple fish and chips by the water or something fancier for a special occasion, head to one of these family-friendly spots:

• Groove Train
• Cafe Moby for cool back yard playground fun
• Little Creatures Brewery (the pizza! Get the pizza!)
• Cafe Botticelli with Jabi's Garden - a fun play area for kids
• Bear and Bean, a cafe designed totally for families,
• Denny's Kitchen for Italian yummies
• Sailor's Rest for throwback history
• Telegraph Hotel for a counter meal
• Geelong Boat House Fish and Chips

What do you love to see when you head down south?