Best of Geelong
Free Things to Do in Geelong: Art, Coast and Parks
Geelong has a strong collection of free activities. The Geelong Art Gallery on Little Malop Street is free to enter and holds significant works from Australian art history. Eastern Beach swimming enclosure is free to use. The Geelong Botanical Gardens are free and include a significant collection of mature trees and sculptures. The Barwon River trail and Balyang Sanctuary near Newtown are popular free walking routes, with bird life including cormorants and herons commonly seen. The waterfront foreshore walk from Eastern Beach to St Helen's Foreshore Reserve covers several kilometres at no cost. The Barwon Bluff reserve at Barwon Heads (30min) is free to walk and offers bay and ocean views from the headland.
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- 1
Geelong Waterfront Boardwalk
A 1.5km waterfront promenade from Steampacket Place to Eastern Beach, with heritage bollard sculptures, free swimming at Eastern Beach and city views.
- 2
Geelong Art Gallery (Free)
The fourth-largest regional gallery in Australia, with a permanent collection including Frederick McCubbin's Holiday and a strong Aboriginal art collection.
- 3
Eastern Beach Reserve
An Edwardian bathing pavilion and free tidal pool at the eastern end of the waterfront, with lawn areas, a diving platform and a children's pool.
- 4
Lara Wetlands Walk
A tranquil wetlands walking circuit north of Geelong, with abundant waterbirds and views across the You Yangs range.
- 5
You Yangs Regional Park
A distinctive granite range visible from Melbourne 50km north, with the Big Rock summit walk, mountain biking trails and wildlife including echidnas and wedge-tailed eagles.
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