It may be the second largest city in the state, but that doesn’t necessarily render Geelong inferior to Melbourne—despite the common rhetoric that the waterside metropolitan lives in the shadow of its capital city counterpart.
Geelong At A Glance:
After residing in Melbourne most of my adult life thus far, I recently made the decision at the ripe age of 26—much to the horror of my longtime city-dwelling mates—to move nearly 80km away from the cultural capital of Australia and put down roots in G-town.
Yes, there’s nothing quite like Melbourne coffee. But if you know where to look, you’d be surprised to find plenty of cafes that would rival even the best inner-north spots. In lieu of nights out bar hopping in the urban jungle, I’ve also discovered plenty of cracking things to do in Geelong, from visiting local markets to hitting up trendy eateries in the culinary laneway of Little Malop Street.
Despite what the naysayers may believe, my cultural appetite has remained well satiated in the regional city I now call home. Below, find some of my top recs for where to stay, eat, drink and keep yourself busy in Geelong whether you’re visiting for a weekend, an extended stay, or looking for a seachange like me.
Things To Do In Geelong
There’s stacks of things to do in Geetroit, but if you’re just popping down for a night or two, these are the absolute highlights. Aside from cruising Little Malop Street for food, these are a couple of essential must-see sights.
Eastern Beach Reserve
95 Eastern Beach Road, Geelong
Image: Eastern Beach Reserve | Visit Victoria
If you’re passing through Geelong in the warmer months, Eastern Beach is a must-visit, particularly if you’ve got little ones in tow. Perhaps a miss for the crowd-averse, the heaving aquatic playground and sea bath was originally built in the 1930s and remains a favourite among locals and tourists alike today. Perfect for those who might not want to rough it among the waves of the ocean, an Art Deco-style boardwalk wraps around an enclosed sea bath complete with a 10-metre-high diving tower and smaller diving boards, plus a kids pool at the forefront, just metres from the Pavillion cafe. There’s life guards patrolling in summer, too. Park at the Botanic Gardens for a leisurely walk before heading down for a coffee and a swim—St Kilda beach and its newly renovated pier will be long in your rear vision.
Visit The Markets
Various Locations
Pick up a gift, peruse the knick knacks or maybe even snag a vintage outfit at one of the many offerings in the Geelong market precinct. Pakington Street is a good starting point (and a hub for some of the best cafes in town), where you’ll find a plethora of local op shops and second-hand stores. Over in Newcombe, check out The Amazing Mill Markets for vintage goodies including clothing, furniture, artwork, decor, jewellery, books, records and more. On Sundays, a giant car park on Barwon Heads Road in Belmont transforms into a trash-and-treasure trove full of eclectic stores and food trucks (think sausage sizzles, breaky rolls and coffee). You might find clothes, collectables, or even stumble upon a chat with one of the local stallholders. Just make sure you come with a gold coin for entry. Or, if you’re up for a bit of a drive, take a day trip out to Portalington on a Sunday and check out the local market after a guided tour of the famous mussel farms, complete with tastings of fresh caught seafood.
National Wool Museum
26 Moorabool Street, Geelong
Image: National Wool Museum | Visit Victoria
In the heart of the city on Moorabool Street, you can’t miss the historic Wool Museum. The gallery is another kid-friendly must-do, located within a restored 150-year-old bluestone building that was once home to the second largest woolstore in Victoria. There’s two curated galleries inside including the award-winning On the Land exhibition where you can learn more about the Australian wool story, past, present and future, as created by Wadawurrung people Corrina Eccles, Byron Powell and Deanne Gilson. Of course there’s also opportunity to purchase quality woollen garments and specialty gifts, or visit one of many nearby eateries – like the newly opened Woolstore restaurant and bar, found in another century-old woolstore building in Newtown.
Where To Eat In Geelong
Yeah yeah, we all know about Melbourne’s food scene, but what’s awesome about Geelong is they have all of the same stuff, it’s not even a case of knowing where to look. Sit yourself down at some top tier Vietnamese at Pholklore, hang out at Hot Chicken Project in Little Malop, or treat yourself to a bougie deg at Woolstore. For more of Geelong’s best restaurants, head over here.
Pholkore
238 Pakington Street, Geelong West
Local Geelong
175 McKillop Street, Geelong
Woolstore
400 Pakington Street, Rutland Street, Newtown
Where To Stay In Geelong
Myers Manor
142 Myers Street, Geelong
One of the most beautiful places to rest your head after a day of swimming and exploring local markets and eateries is Myers Manor—a historic rendered brick mansion originally built in the 1880s, featuring eight private studios. Book one or take the entire house with a large group. It’s right in the centre of Geelong so within walking distance to plenty of restaurants and local attractions. The manor is oozing with period charm with features like original fireplaces and a decorative cast-iron veranda, plus a grassy picnic area and stunning views across the city.
Warehouse Apartments
5 Little Ryrie Street, Geelong
For more of an industrial vibe, Geelong’s warehouse apartments are chic, comfortable and quiet, despite being right on the fringe of the CBD. There’s three apartments fitted out with a New York-loft aesthetic, complete with polished concrete floors, soaring ceilings, exposed brick and timber roof trusses and plenty of natural light. Each suite also comes with a fully-equipped kitchen and sleek bathroom. There’s even a washing machine and terrace, and it’s within walking distance to amenities like the Geelong Gallery – one of the oldest regional art galleries in Australia.
Tanglewood
Belmont, Geelong
Image: Tanglewood | Airbnb
Over in the neighbourhood suburb of Belmont, Tanglewood is a guest favourite on Airbnb for a reason, it’s brimming with character, charm and artistic flair. Meander down a stone pathway to reach this three-bedroom converted barn, where stained-glass windows and timber carvings by artist-owners, Leigh and Gracie, add to the homey feel. Unwind in a private bathhouse with a stone tub while enjoying the peaceful surroundings and dappled sunlight through leadlight windows. Permaculture gardens add to the whimsy, and there’s even a meditation enclave within one of the bedrooms, complete with a salt lamp wall. At the end of the day, ascend the spiral timber staircase to a cosy loft.
After more on Geelong? Head over to our Best Restaurants In Geelong to check out what else is on offer.
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