Geelong's Top 10 Family Activities: Waterfront, Zoo, and Railway Adventures

Geelong's family activity landscape has developed well in recent years, with the Waterfront precinct's investment, the Bellarine Peninsula's range of rural and coastal experiences, and the proximity to both Melbourne's cultural institutions and the Surf Coast's outdoor activities making the city a genuinely good family base. The heritage carousel at the Geelong Waterfront is a Geelong family institution that every resident child knows.

Geelong Waterfront and historic carousel, the Geelong Waterfront's Eastern Beach restoration and the Geelong carousel (a restored 1892 carousel, operating since 2000, one of the world's oldest working carousels) provide a free and low-cost waterfront destination for families with young children. The Eastern Beach Baths (restored Art Deco sea baths) and the foreshore playground complete the waterfront precinct.

Werribee Open Range Zoo, the Werribee Open Range Zoo (50 minutes north-east of Geelong, closer from Geelong than from Melbourne CBD) has the spectacular savannah safari bus tour with rhinoceros, hippopotamus, zebra, and giraffe in an open landscape that replicates the African environment far more convincingly than a traditional zoo habitat. The safari bus tour is genuinely exciting for children aged 5-15.

Bellarine Railway, the Bellarine Railway heritage steam train operates on Sundays and school holidays between Queenscliff and Drysdale on the Bellarine Peninsula (40 minutes from Geelong). The steam train experience is specifically appealing to children aged 3-10 and the heritage carriages are genuinely authentic 1950s-70s Victorian rolling stock.

Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre, the Narana Creations Aboriginal Cultural Centre at Grovedale (10 minutes from central Geelong) has cultural experiences, kangaroo and emu encounters, and the Narana art gallery providing an engaging aboriginal cultural experience for primary school-age children.

Queenscliff Maritime Museum, the Queenscliff Maritime Museum on the Bellarine Peninsula has the historic pilot vessel Queenscliffe, lighthouse tours, and the Fort Queenscliff heritage fortification (one of Australia's most intact 19th century coastal fortresses) that appeals to history-minded children and teens.