Start from 45 curated places around Geelong, AU, then choose the recommendations that fit your guests.
Restaurants & cafés
Yum Sing Chinese Restaurant
A Newtown institution since 1969 — Cantonese-Australian comfort food in a red-vinyl dining room that hasn't changed decor in decades. The salt-and-pepper squid and Mongolian lamb are the dishes every Geelong family orders without looking at the menu.
Hot Chicken Project
Nashville-style hot chicken from a hole-in-the-wall on Little Malop Street — choose your heat from plain to evil, served on white bread with pickles and a slaw side. Tiny room, regular queue, and the single best fried-chicken sandwich in regional Victoria.
Trails & outdoors
Barwon River Loop Trail
The 9.5km sealed loop along both banks of the Barwon River through central Geelong — flat, shaded in parts, with bridges at Queens Park and Princes Bridge to make shorter circuits. The locals' running, cycling, and dog-walking spine.
You Yangs Regional Park - Flinders Peak
The 3.2km return climb to Flinders Peak in the You Yangs — 364m granite summit with 360-degree views over the Bellarine, Geelong, and on a clear day Melbourne's skyline. The standout day hike north of Geelong, just inside the 25km radius.
Things to do
Geelong Performing Arts Centre
The city's main performing arts complex on Little Malop Street — two theatres hosting touring Australian theatre, dance, comedy, and the Geelong Symphony Orchestra. Recently renovated, the only venue of its scale outside Melbourne in southern Victoria.
National Wool Museum
Three-floor museum in the heritage Dennys Lascelles wool store covering Australia's wool industry, with a working 1910 Axminster carpet loom, rotating textile and design exhibitions, and a children's hands-on space. The country's only museum of its kind.
Landmarks & sights
Eastern Beach Reserve
The 1930s art-deco sea baths and promenade arc that defines the Geelong waterfront — a tidal swimming enclosure with diving platform, sun deck, and the famous painted bollards lining the foreshore. Free, always open, and the place every local takes a first-time visitor.
Geelong Waterfront
The kilometre-long curve of Corio Bay foreshore from Cunningham Pier to Eastern Beach — restored carousel, painted bollards, restaurants in old harbour sheds, and the Boom Gallery's pop-up. Sunset walk territory; the entire orientation strip is here.