GEELONG & THE BELLARINE
A cosmopolitan city with a dazzling waterfront, charming industrial past and a beautiful, beachy backyard.
Geelong is just an hour’s drive from Melbourne yet boasts a laid-back vibe. The waterfront sparkles with quirky bollards, a circling promenade, twirling carousel and a buzzing restaurant strip.
Geelong’s effortless charm is easy to love, from casual city-central Eastern Beach to the lush and shady botanic gardens, all within strolling distance. Just uptown the CBD has a thriving arts and cultural precinct and more than 100 National Trust listed buildings. Age-old industrial sites are being transformed into funky new spaces.
A 20 minute drive beyond Geelong, the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula entices with seaside villages, rural charm, golf resorts, grand old hotels, lighthouses and beaches. It’s a food-lover’s paradise with boutique wineries, eateries, pubs and bars, all championing the abundance of fresh and seasonal local produce. For an overnight stay in the pretty village of Queenscliff try BIG 4 Beacon Resort or Lon Retreat & Spa an exclusive luxury retreat at Point Lonsdale.
MUST DO EXPERIENCES
Food & Wine
Enjoy a sun-kissed afternoon at a Bellarine winery or cidery. Flying Brick Cider House, Jack Rabbit Vineyard, Oakdene Estate and Leura Park Estate headline a chorus of possibilities. Head to Little Creatures Brewery, housed in a huge refurbished factory site for craft beer tastings and a casual dining menu that never disappoints.
Golf
Tee-off at one of Australia’s Top 100 Golf Clubs. Play a round on the Par 72 course at Curlewis or smash them out on a state-of-the-art 18-bay driving range.
All Aboard
Welcome aboard the Q Train, Australia’s premier restaurant for a delightful moving feast – a six-course degustation dinner showcasing the Bellarine’s best produce (and views).
Wildlife Adventure
Let Echidna Walkabout tours show you a wild time as you witness koalas, kangaroos and native birdlife in natural bushland habitats.
Wool Museum
At Geelong’s National Wool Museum, tap into the history and heritage of an amazing fibre in a city once known as the wool centre of the world.
Indigenous Culture
At award-winning Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre, delve into Aboriginal culture, artworks, Dreamtime stories and artefacts, and tuck into bush tucker.
