School Holiday Planner

With a complete makeover in late 2019, the new main playground has been designed to increase the range of play choices for children of all ages with a balance of traditional play equipment alongside nature-based and imaginary play opportunities. Features include a dry creek bed and water play, balancing logs, climbing ropes, swings, a trampoline and a flying fox. Close by are BBQ’s and space for picnicking. Click here for further details.

Portarlington Pier was built in 1859, and has been popular among local fishermen even today. It hosts commercial fishing vessels, as well as Portarlington Ferries to take you to Melbourne Docklands. The first Pier was deemed dangerous so it was recently rebuilt and expanded. It extends across the bay and walking along pier is a must-do tourist attraction in Portarlington. The port forms the shape of an “L” ), but the plain concrete is replaced by an aesthetically appealing wood-built boardwalk. The Pier is accompanied by a nearby boat ramp to dock your boats or Jet Skis at.

The National Wool Museum is the only comprehensive museum of wool in Australia and aligned with Geelong’s UNESCO City of Design designation. Explore the regions 60,000 years of human endeavour and industry, from Australia’s first Nations living culture and heritage to emerging and advanced industries of today.

Add to the above there are always other exhibition showing at the National Wool Museum such as the Wildlife Photography and Pako Festa Exhibitions.

The gardens are free to enjoy and only a short walk from where the ferry pulls into Geelong’s Waterfront on weekends.

Perhaps one of Geelong’s best-kept secrets, the Botanic Gardens (located in Eastern Gardens) is a colourful plant collection full of amazing scents and textures. A renowned regional garden with peaceful surroundings and perfectly groomed lawns – it’s worth the walk. Featuring a great tea house where you can have a cuppa or a meal.

There’s something magical about the beautifully restored Carousel… that when you see it in real life it sparks the ‘kid’ in your heart. A whimsical ride on these hand-carved horses and chariots is a must-do for the kids (both big and little).

Get up close and personal with the locals… well at least 104 of them on the Waterfront’s famous Bollard Walk! From bathing beauties to a city surveyors and life savers too… don’t forget your camera for a group photo or two! Click here for details.

Take the 35, 70 or 75 tram to Stop D3 Marvel Stadium/Bourke Street Docklands.

Once you disembark at the Docklands ferry terminal the free Melbourne Loop CBD tram service is located directly across the road. You do not require a MYKI card if traveling within the CBD free tram network.

Visiting Geelong with kids? You simply MUSN’T miss out on visiting MoPA: Museum of Play and Art – one of Australia’s most acclaimed children’s museums. Based in one of Geelong’s oldest buildings, MoPA is home to a huge range of immersive exhibits and experiences that will entertain the kids all day.  To learn more and book your tickets, visit the MoPA website click here. Conveniently, many of MoPA’s play sessions align well with the ferry schedule Thursday to Sunday – so why not make a day of it!

We challenge you to find a more fun playground around! The Play Space and Sound Garden (in Eastern Gardens) is super fun for the little ones. Will oversized musical instruments, bamboo gardens and pirate ships with working audio systems… the fun never stops! Click here for details.

Situated in the heart of District Docklands, ArtVo offers everyone the chance to experience the traditional art museum in a whole new way. You can not only touch the art but be the art by simply striking a pose in front of the camera. Australia’s first immersive, 3D ‘trick-art’ gallery. Explore the interactive gallery with over 11 themed zones.