Family-friendly activities for your next trip to Geelong

Travel onboard Spirit of Tasmania straight to this coastal city by arriving at our newly opened Geelong terminal at Spirit of Tasmania Quay. Once settled at your accommodation, get a head-start on a list of activities everyone will enjoy. From getting close to wildlife, taking on the great outdoors, and jumping on exhilarating rides to enjoying culinary delights — Geelong will keep you and the family busy with an action-packed agenda. Here are our top picks for the city bursting with family fun.

Make a splash with the dolphins

Swimming, snorkelling and sightseeing — you can do it all with See All Dolphin Swims. Located at Pope’s Eye renowned marine park in Queenscliff, the expert crew offers stellar experiences for all ages. This award-winning wildlife hub hosts a range of tours to get up close and personal with marine creatures including seals, dolphins, whales and penguins. They even offer a three-day school holiday program for the budding marine biologist in your family.

Spot native animals and waterfalls

Buckley Falls is a top spot for family-friendly, off-road adventures in Geelong’s West. Tucked away in an idyllic riverside reserve, it's packed with trails, wildlife and waterfalls to explore. With the option to walk or drive from Queens Park, be met with rainbow lorikeets, gang-gang cockatoos, swamp wallabies and tawny frogmouths along the way. Once up top enjoy stunning waterfall views before heading back through River Red Gum Walk and the Barwon Aqueduct River trail. If your family prefers journeying on bike, Buckley Falls also has excellent bike tracks to ride too.

Spend an afternoon at this iconic waterfront spot

Strolling along Geelong’s pristine waterfront is a must when you visit. What’s even better is staying for a few hours longer with some fun at Eastern Beach Reserve. Located right on the city’s water edge, it’s a hub of family fun and relaxation. Take a dip in the fenced outdoor public pool or shark-proof sea bath with floating islands, surrounded by an art-deco boardwalk and diving towers. Fire up the barbeque, bring a picnic to enjoy sea views, and even see Geelong from above on the Ferris Wheel.

Go bush on this easy family trek

A 40-minute drive northeast of Geelong takes you to the Brisbane Ranges. Known for its abundant wildlife and native wildflowers, the family can get a taste of nature together on the Anakie Gorge Walk. It’s a beginner-level hike on the dry gorge and is perfect for wallaby and koala spotting along Stony Creek, with plenty of birdlife flying around and an iconic duck orchid to come across. A family-friendly walk in the great outdoors has never been more leisurely, and so rich in nature.

Spend a fun-filled day at Victoria’s biggest theme park

A waterpark, mini-golf and carnival rides? Adventure Park Geelong has it all for endless hours of play for the whole family. Only 15 minutes from Geelong, it’s an excellent one-stop shop for every flavour of fun. Take a break between rides and slides with plenty of food options and shaded areas for relaxation. Pro-tip: book a locker or shaded cabana as a base to meet and keep your gear. And bring lots of sunscreen.

Navigate through a lush hedge maze

Near Ceres in Geelong’s West is a garden packed with wonder and cognitive play to bring the whole family together. Weave through the hedges at Barrabool Maze Estate to find two lookouts, offering bird’s eye views of this stunning garden estate. Also home to unique Australian natives, succulents and foliage, it’s a spot of wonder to stroll around its 1.6 hectares of immaculate gardens. After moving through the maze and enjoying the grounds, wind down with refreshments and relaxed country-style dining at Duck Duck Goose café. 

Grab a bite at the dining spots.

Geelong is a family-friendly city, so they’re not short on places to eat with the kids. Head to King of the Castle’s large dining hall with family-sized booths, serving up a locally sourced menu that kids will love. Renowned Little Creatures brewery does more than make good beer and tasty sharing plates — it’s designed for families too with kids' entertainment and fun festivals all year round. Known as the community hub of Geelong, The Pavillion situated opposite the iconic waterfront is a great meeting spot with a delicious extensive menu. 

Find out more about Spirit of Tasmania's new Victorian home, Spirit of Tasmania Quay.

Information included in this blog is correct at the time of publishing. Please contact individual operators for further information.