Built in 1849, HM Prison Geelong may have closed its doors in 1991, but this old bluestone jail remains as terrifying as ever. You'll see its grim cells set over three levels, plus the shower block, watchtowers and gallows. Each exhibit is accompanied by audio, explaining anything from contraband of crude homemade weapons to former inmates such as Chopper Read (cell 39). Ghost tours are also run here.
Old Geelong Gaol
Geelong
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
19.91 MILES
Commanding expansive ocean views, this windswept national park on the peninsula’s western tip was a seasonal base of its traditional owners, the Boon…
25.94 MILES
Scale the 136 steps to the top of the beautiful 'White Queen' lighthouse for sensational 360-degree views. Built in 1891, the 34m-high lighthouse is still…
Australian National Surfing Museum
12.22 MILES
The perfect starting point for those embarking on a surfing safari is this superbly curated museum that pays homage to Australian surfing. Here you'll see…
13.23 MILES
Set up by a local family who know their stuff, this gin distillery produces everything on-site and has a tasting room to sample the goods, accompanied by…
0.74 MILES
Geelong's botanic gardens (established in 1851) are the fourth oldest in Australia and make for a peaceful stroll or picnic. Aim to get here for a…
0.68 MILES
Geelong's sparkling revamped waterfront precinct is a great place to stroll, with plenty of restaurants set on scenic piers, plus historical landmarks, a…
18.1 MILES
Home to the last lifeboat to serve the Rip (the treacherous stretch of water linking Port Phillip Bay to Bass Strait) , this recommended museum has…
1.33 MILES
Down an industrial street off Pakington St, Boom's warehouse space in an old woollen mill shows contemporary works by Melbourne and local artists. It…
Nearby Geelong attractions
0.55 MILES
Making up part of Geelong's scenic waterfront are this sandy beach and art deco bathing pavilion. There's classic European-style enclosed bay swimming,…
0.63 MILES
More interesting than it may sound, this museum showcases the importance of the wool industry in shaping Geelong economically, socially and…
0.65 MILES
With over 6000 works in its collection, this long-established gallery features celebrated Australian paintings such as Eugene von Guérard’s View of…
0.68 MILES
Geelong's sparkling revamped waterfront precinct is a great place to stroll, with plenty of restaurants set on scenic piers, plus historical landmarks, a…
5. Geelong Waterfront Carousel
0.72 MILES
A prominent feature along Geelong's waterfront is this ornate 19th-century hand-carved carousel, housed within a slick 21st-century glass pavilion.
0.74 MILES
Geelong's botanic gardens (established in 1851) are the fourth oldest in Australia and make for a peaceful stroll or picnic. Aim to get here for a…
0.8 MILES
At this different kind of play area for kids, in Geelong's Eastern Gardens, near the Botanic Gardens, there's a pirate ship, a musical bridge, sandy areas…
1.33 MILES
Down an industrial street off Pakington St, Boom's warehouse space in an old woollen mill shows contemporary works by Melbourne and local artists. It…