A Post COVID Guide to Geelong

Now open to explore, Geelong is ready and raring to give you the grand tour of its wonderful sights and delights. Starting with just a few (because there are many), enjoy the delectable cafes, outdoor spaciousness and adventure awaiting you in G-Town.

The Coffee Scene

First and foremost, let’s get you some much-needed sustenance for your day of exploration… coffee!  Playing host to an abundance of great cafes equipped with expert baristas, Geelong’s coffee scene is well worth a wander and a sip.

Coffee Cartel Roasters is found in the very hip ‘Little Malop’ precinct.  With a mission to educate and rock coffee, they do just that (and then some) with their offering of beans sourced from the world over.

Full of flavour and absolutely freck-a-licious, Freckleduck’s coffees are enjoyed every which way; poured over ice, creamed with milk, long, short and everything in between.

Hucksters & Co bring it with their range of brews.  Their speciality, inhouse barista makes it to order; big, bright, fruity, spicy, rich – these guys know their blends. ⁠

📷 credit @cartelroasters (via Insta)

The Botanic Gardens

Perfect for a picnic, play or both, The Botanic Gardens in Geelong is strewn with stunning statues, sweeping lawns, towering trees, themed gardens, flowing fountains, historic buildings, flourishing flowers and so much more.  Weave your way around the 17 acres of manicured magnificence, complete with pathways that meander through the 21st Century Garden, Conservatory, Rose Garden, Forgotten Garden, Temperate Garden and Curiosity Cabinet. Each section presenting something new to explore and discover.

Also set amidst the lusciousness of the Botanic Gardens is the award-winning Geelong Play Space; an imaginative adventure playground that features a plethora of play equipment designed to spark curiosity and ignite the senses, including (but certainly not limited to) a wooden pirate ship, bamboo tunnel, talking tubes, climbing wall and musical bell bridge.

📷 credit @lensflare.photography (via Insta)

The Waterfront

Docking into the Geelong Waterfront, Port Phillip Ferries lands you into the heart of fun and frivolity.  We are talking a carousel, giant Ferris wheel AND a water adventure playground!  Geelong’s dynamic waterfront is an absolute hive of exciting and extremely entertaining activities.

Climb aboard your steady stead at The Geelong Carousel.  The artfully restored c.1892 Armitage-Herschell portable steam-driven carousel is lovingly sheltered within a spectacular floor-to-ceiling glass pavilion, smack bang on the waterfront.  While you ride the carousel you can take in the breathtaking 360 degree views of Geelong without even turning your gaze.  Amazing!

Take a ride on THE largest travelling Ferris wheel in the Southern Hemisphere!  Geelong’s Giant Sky Wheel is perfectly placed on the foreshore, affording you an exceptional expanse of bay, beach and beautiful buildings.  Climb aboard, enjoy the ride and the view!

A water utopia, Eastern Beach Geelong is home to an enclosed sea bath, boardwalk, diving towers, pier, hamster wheel, floating tower and so many more splastastic endeavours.  Patrolled by lifeguards during the summer months and equipped with picnic tables, Kyosk and change rooms, this FREE facility has everything you could need for a fantastic day out by the water.

📷 credit @zlp.66 (via Insta)

The Art Scene

Wind your way through the open streets of Geelong and take in the vivacious, vibrant and FREE public art scene.  From statues to murals to art installation, Geelong mightily and magnificently showcases talented artists across its great city.

Spend the day introducing yourself to the charming characters of the Bollards Trail, there are over 100 iconic individuals to meet; check out the sculptures, light instalments and interactive art pieces of the Waterfront Art Trail; and be wowed by the sizable scope of the Central Geelong Wall Art Trail that sees soaring artistic interpretation lining walls, buildings and alcoves.  For more deets of where to go and what can be seen, check out Geelong’s Creative Scene Guide.

📷 credit @daniellesartwork (via Insta)

We’ve been eagerly awaiting your return!  Absolutely delighted to have you back on board, Phillip Ferries cannot wait to transport you to the sensational and spirited Geelong.