Day Trips from Geelong 2026, Best Day Trips and Weekend Getaways Near Geelong

Day Trips from Geelong 2026, Overview

Geelong's position at the top of Corio Bay, between Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road, makes it one of Victoria's best-positioned cities for day trips. The Great Ocean Road begins at Torquay, 30 minutes south, and the Bellarine Peninsula, Queenscliff, Point Lonsdale and Ocean Grove, is 30 minutes east. Here are the best day trips from Geelong in 2026.

Great Ocean Road (30 minutes to the Surf Coast)

The Great Ocean Road begins at Torquay (30 minutes south of Geelong). The first section, Torquay, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet (Split Point Lighthouse) and Lorne, is a magnificent half-day coastal drive. Anglesea's golf course has resident kangaroos. The Twelve Apostles are 3 hours south on the Great Ocean Road, an excellent full-day destination from Geelong. visitgreatoceanroad.org.au

Bellarine Peninsula (30-45 minutes south-east)

Queenscliff (heritage Victorian seaside village, the Fort Queenscliff military museum, the historic Queenscliff Hotel), Point Lonsdale (lighthouse and surf beach), Portarlington (mussels festival), Ocean Grove and the magnificent Barwon Heads. The Queenscliff-Sorrento Ferry links the Bellarine to the Mornington Peninsula for a scenic bay-crossing day trip loop. tourismbellarinepeninsula.com.au

The Grampians (2 hours north-west)

Victoria's most spectacular mountain range, Halls Gap township, the Balconies (iconic Grampians rock formation), Mackenzie Falls, Mount William summit and the extraordinary Aboriginal rock art sites. Best as an overnight stay but doable as a very long day from Geelong.

Melbourne (1 hour north)

By V/Line train (50 minutes, frequent services from Geelong Station) or car via the Princes Freeway. South Bank, Federation Square, the MCG, Queen Victoria Market and the Docklands waterfront are all excellent Melbourne day-trip destinations from Geelong.