Welcome to Geelong
As Victoria’s second-largest city, Geelong is a proud town with an interesting history and pockets of charm. While Melburnians love to deride their little cousin as a boring backwater, in reality few of the knockers have veered off its main thoroughfare enough to really know what makes the town tick. Geelong’s new bypass means travellers can skip the city and head straight to the Great Ocean Road; however, there are lots of reasons to make a stop here.
Top experiences in Geelong
Amazing hotels and hostels
We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
Recent articles
Travel guides
Starting at $38.99
Geelong activities
Great Ocean Road Day Tour
Your tour starts with prearranged pickups in Melbourne. You will travel over the Westgate Bridge and along the Princes Highway to Geelong, where we stop for a Coffee and a toilet break. You begin your Adventure on the Surf coast section of the Great Ocean Road via Torquay . Kangaroos are found near Bells Beach and surfers are often seen at our many stops on the Coast. You will hear stories including, the history of The Great Ocean Road, how the coast line was formed and the story of the Loch Ard shipwreck, to name a few. Join our experienced guides in conversations about Australia and its Indigenous people. How life was like during the 1800’s and 1900s’ in Australia and Melbourne and many more fascinating subjects. You will coast through Anglesea on your way to Aireys Inlet where you will see the Split Point Lighthouse. Fairhaven is just around the corner and some of the coastlines most spectacular coastal homes are in view along with the spectacular Fairhaven beach. Memorial Arch is next for a photo stop of the Great Ocean Road Sign. Your journey continues over Big Hill and a beach view stop awaits in Lorne. Stunning coastal views are the order as you travel through Separation Creek and Wye River. Koalas at Wongarra are often a highlight and another photo stop. Hold your breath as you visit Cape Patton Lookout and get that camera out again. You will see beautiful Apollo Bay. Stunning Mountain views are in abundance as we head to Lavers Hill for our Home Cooked Cafe Lunch. Sit back and enjoy a selection of Home Cooked Meals for Lunch at your Cozy Mountain Café. We finish off the Otway Ranges with a short drive befitting any Australian bush location. Awaiting you after lunch is the Stunning Twelve Apostles. Visiting the viewing platform, the famous Apostles and history will get you so close you can almost feel the ancient structures and coastline. A short ride along the road will get you to Loch Ard Gorge, where you will have plenty of time to explore, the Razorback and Natural Arch walkway, the Shipwreck Walkway with views into Loch Ard Gorge and even a stroll on the beach to visit Toms Cave plus the magnificent Limestone Stalactites. Time to head back The drive back inland to Melbourne takes you through farmland and magnificent views of the Victorian Volcano Region , the Colac Lakes and historic towns of Colac and Winchelsea arriving back to Melbourne by 5pm.( approx) Your Day Tour includes; Breakfast/snack-pack A selection of Home cooked meals for lunch including Barramundi, Giant Burgers, Quiche, Aussie Beef Pies and more Pickup and drop off (conditions do apply) Wifi Cold Bottled Water Sunscreen, hand sanitizer, and bug spray All entrance fees and Taxes
Overnight Great Ocean Road Tour from Melbourne Including Memorial Arch, Twelve Apostles, and Loch Ard Gorge
Day 1: Melbourne – Beacon Point (D)After departing Melbourne in the morning, begin your 2-day tour with the drive through the vast volcanic plains on the way to Geelong, where you can stroll along the beautifully transformed waterfront. Continue to Torquay, where your journey along the Great Ocean Road starts; you'll stop at various places along the coast including Bells Beach. Travel along a particularly scenic section of the road, and visit sites such as the Memorial Arch, where you'll hear the story of this incredible road.After lunch in Lorne (own expense), continue along the road, stopping at scenic spots including Kennett River, where you can look for koalas and colorful native birds in the wild. Traveling through Apollo Bay, head into Great Otway National Park for a 0.6-mile (1-km) guided walk through a cool temperate rainforest gully to see some of the world’s tallest flowering plants, prehistoric trees and ferns, and interesting features such as ‘yabbie chimneys.’ Your accommodation for the night is a private, self-contained villa at Beacon Point, set high on a hill overlooking the Southern Ocean. Enjoy a couple of hours to relax before your 2-course dinner at Chris's Beacon Point Restaurant, the only local restaurant to be awarded a Chef's Hat; it boasts an extensive menu that utilizes local produce in modern, Greek-Australian cuisine.Overnight: Beacon Point Ocean View VillasDay 2: Beacon Point – Melbourne (B)Your second day starts with breakfast at Bay Leaf Cafe, a local favorite. Then travel through the Otway ranges and on to the Shipwreck Coast, where you'll stop at Castle Cove overlooking the Aire River valley. Next up is the Twelve Apostles, where you'll arrive as the limestome rock formations are lit up by the morning sun, offering less crowds and great photo ops. After hearing about the creation of the stacks and holding some of the limestone rock, you can explore the boardwalks or even take a helicopter flight along the coastline, if you wish (own expense). Then visit Loch Ard Gorge, the site of a famous 19th-century Australian shipwreck. Listen to the entire story, from the calm voyage to the tragic wreck to the survivors and their ultimate fate. While hearing the tale, you can see and hold some original artifacts, photos, and documents from the Loch Ard.Port Campbell is your lunch stop for today (own expense); the fishing village of just 350 is set in a natural port and is home to cafes and restaurants for food and views. After lunch, travel to a lesser-known but highly impressive area of the Great Ocean Road, west of Port Campbell. This section takes in London Bridge, Bay of Islands, Bay of Martyrs, and Boat Bay before you start the return journey to Melbourne, driving inland and traveling through open farmland. Your tour ends when you arrive back in the city for drop-off.
Melbourne Airport Private Transfer to Geelong
Your driver will Monitor your flight arrival, no need to worry if early or delayed, our driver will be there for your arrival.Driver meets you in the Arrival Terminal at the designated Chauffeur Meeting Point.Signage of your name will be displayed. You will be ushered to waiting vehicle for transfer from the Airport precinct to your Geelong destination. The travel time from Melbourne Airport to Geelong is estimated at just over one hour if traffic conditions are good.Vehicles are prepped for your arrival, child seats if required are fitted and bottled water is available. Convenient door to door drop off ensures you are arrive at the address destination.Drivers are industry accredited experts with informative local knowledge of Melbourne and its surrounding areas.
Ocean Grove Surf Lessons
Arrive at least 15 minutes before the start time at your Ocean Grove location on the coast ready to go with bathers and a towel. You'll meet at the trailer right next to your beach location. Your fully qualified instructors will run through a session briefing outlining the lessons details. Next, it's time to jump into one of the many wet suits and apply sunscreen. You will learn how to carry the surfboards appropriately and head down to the beach . The instructors will teach you about surf safety and awareness to help you with your confidence and safety. Learn how to paddle, choose and catch waves and definitely how to wipe out! Find the best standing up technique that works for you to ensure maximum fun. Next it's time to get out in the water with close up water coaching and enjoy the surf. Once the water session has finished you will head back up to the trailer and debrief and change
Geelong and Queenscliff Trike Tour for Two from Melbourne
This sightseeing tour takes you to the magnificent waterfront precinct of Geelong, then skirts part of Corio Bay from Portarlington to St Leonards before reaching historic Queenscliff. Experience the rush of Geelong's magnificent waterfront precinct where we stop for morning tea. Take some time to explore artwork from artist Jan Mitchell - who has created many characters that have shaped Geelong's history - on the Baywalk Bollard Trail. Take in Cunningham Pier, the Carousel and Eastern Beach before we head off again to Geelong's Botanic Gardens on the way to Portarlington. The wonderful seaside village of Portarlington is famous for its Australian Blue Mussels, celebrated by the Portarlington Mussel Festival on the second Saturday in January. We pass through this village so we can skirt Corio Bay from Portarlington to St Leonards before reaching historic Queenscliff. This route gives you panoramic views across Corio Bay and on a clear day Melbourne's skyline is visible. We follow this esplanade through Indented Heads to St Leonards before heading inland slightly and on to historic Queenscliff - a holiday destination since the 19th century and with significant maritime and military history.The picturesque Queenscliff Harbour is our destination and lunch stop. Surrounded by the Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park you can explore the views across Port Phillip Bay to Point Nepean, over Queenscliff Pier to the Rip - our notorious entrance to Port Phillip Bay - or to other parts of the Bay from atop the 360 degree tower. Watch the Queenscliff - Sorrento ferry arrive or depart or explore the boutique shops at the harbour. Some great shops are also in the town's shopping precinct or take in a walk around Fort Queenscliff.
Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast Trike Day Tour for Two from Melbourne
This sightseeing tour leaves Melbourne and takes you through the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula, then on to the wild Surf Coast areas of Victoria and west down the first part of the Great Ocean Road. It's Melbourne’s favourite summer playground. Experience the rush of Geelong's magnificent waterfront precinct next as you head into the Bellarine Peninsula. Take some time to explore the artwork - many sculptured characters that have shaped Geelong's history – on the Baywalk Bollard Trail. Walk through Cunningham Pier, the Carousel or Geelong’s Botanic Gardens and take in the vistas of Corio Bay. From here, beautiful Queenscliff is your next stop. Its historic Fort and magnificent marina provide spectacular elevated views across the mouth of Port Phillip Bay and over to Point Nepean – and views of Melbourne if the conditions are right. Nearby Point Lonsdale provides an opportunity to walk on the beach that is at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay. Experience the Rip – one of the world’s most notorious harbour entrances – and visit the lighthouses that guide the ships through the Heads. You'll sample a winery on the way to the idyllic seaside resort of Barwon Heads and then head to the true Surf Coast. The Surf Coast has magnificent beaches and wild surf when conditions are right. You'll stop at Torquay (the home of Australia’s surf industry) to explore the beginning of the Great Ocean Road, then check out the surf at Winki Pop and Bell's Beach – home of the Rip Curl Easter Surf Classic. Depending upon the tours' progress and your preferences, Point Addis is a lookout option prior to visiting the seaside location of Anglesea, or you may have time to head to the Lighthouse at Split Point for some more views of the coast. The Memorial to the Great Ocean Road at Eastern View may be an option also before returning.