Discover Geelong: art, gardens and history

Geelong combines public art along the waterfront with galleries, gardens and places where the city’s history comes to life through collections and buildings. You can focus on visual art, stories from the past or outdoor experiences. For families, there’s also MoPA and family-friendly events at the Geelong Arts Centre. The right holiday rental as a base depends on which of these sides of Geelong you’d like to focus on during your stay.

Art by the waterfront and in the gallery

The Geelong Bollards form a popular art trail along the waterfront, telling stories from the city’s past. More than 100 painted bollards stand between Rippleside and Limeburners Point. Each figure represents a person or character connected to Geelong’s history—including early explorers, local families and community members. The works bring public art together with specific historical connections.

The Geelong Gallery offers another way to experience art. Over more than 125 years, it has built an important collection of Australian and European painting, sculpture, prints and applied arts. The collection includes works by Eugène von Guérard, Clarice Beckett, Emily Kame Kngwarreye and Frederick McCubbin. The Gallery is in Geelong’s Cultural Precinct, overlooking Johnstone Park; its exhibitions offer engaging art experiences. The waterfront art trail and the established collection provide different points of focus: here, figures connected to the city’s history; there, a broad range of artworks.

Gardens, water and time outdoors

The Geelong Botanic Gardens cover 200 acres and were established in 1851. The grounds include the 21st Century Garden and various sculptures. Entry is free, and the gardens have level, paved walking paths and easy access. Check the latest practical information before your visit.

Eastern Beach Reserve was originally developed in the 1930s. Its facilities include an enclosed sea-water swimming pool, a promenade, diving towers, a children’s pool, floating islands, terraced lawns and a playground. This gives the reserve a different focus from the botanic gardens: water facilities and play opportunities shape the experience here, while the gardens—with their expansive grounds, 21st Century Garden and sculptures—offer their own setting for time outdoors.

History and family experiences

The Geelong Gaol Museum is housed in a 19th-century colonial prison, considered the best-preserved of its kind in Victoria. At the museum, visitors can experience the harsh conditions of confinement over the prison’s 138-year history, see exhibitions about the history of the three-storey bluestone prison and view crime-related artefacts from across Australia. Find the latest opening details on the City of Greater Geelong’s heritage page; check them before your visit.

MoPA: Museum of Play and Art is housed in one of Geelong’s oldest buildings. Its immersive exhibitions and experiences are designed to keep children entertained all day. The Geelong Arts Centre also offers a wide selection of family-friendly events. It is located at 50 Little Malop Street, and events take place at several venues. If you’re planning to attend a specific event, check the venue listed for it.

Getting there and choosing a base

Regular V/Line train services run between Melbourne Southern Cross Station and Geelong. Check the current timetable before travelling. When choosing your holiday rental, it helps to first prioritise the experiences that matter to you: art and city history, gardens and grounds, or family activities. Then consider the locations of the places you’d like to visit and plan your journeys accordingly.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Anglesea, Batesford, Torquay, Point Lonsdale, Queenscliff, Portarlington, Ocean Grove, Broadford.

For the main travel overview: Victoria.