Planning a family day out can be a bit of a balancing act. The kids want somewhere fun, the adults want a decent coffee, and nobody wants to hear “I’m bored” before you’ve even finished lunch. Thankfully, Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula have plenty of places where everyone can find something to enjoy.
If you’re planning a visit, here are 7 family days out around Geelong that are worth adding to your list.
1. Spend the Day at Adventure Park
Adventure Park in Wallington is Victoria’s biggest water theme park, with more than 20 rides and attractions for different ages. Generally open during the summer season, the park welcomes families to cool off on water slides, splash around in dedicated play areas for younger children and tackle bigger rides with older kids. For a little friendly competition, challenge the family to race down the six-lane Aqua Racer, or take on the Tornado, a thrilling waterslide that plunges riders 7.5 storeys through a giant funnel. There are dry-land attractions, too, including the Crazy Coaster, a spinning roller coaster that lets the whole family ride together.
Adventure Park also hosts seasonal events, including its Christmas Festival of Lights, which features illuminated displays and festive attractions. Check the event dates and opening hours before you go, as these differ from the regular water park season.
2. Let Little Imaginations Run Wild at the Museum of Play and Art (MoPA)
Not every family outing needs to involve running around outdoors. If you have younger children who love making things, getting hands-on and asking a million questions, the Museum of Play and Art (MoPA) in central Geelong is worth a look.
Rather than asking children to stand quietly and look at exhibits, MoPA encourages them to interact with creative installations and play-based activities. Little ones can experiment with colours, textures and imaginative spaces while parents join in or watch their ideas take shape.
MoPA is designed mainly for children aged 1–7, so it’s particularly good for families with toddlers and younger primary school children. Make sure you book your session before visiting, as both adults and children need tickets in advance.
3. Meet Native Wildlife at Serendip Sanctuary
Located in Lara, around 20 minutes north of Geelong, Serendip Sanctuary is a free wildlife reserve where families can spot native animals and learn about Victoria’s wetlands and woodlands. Kangaroos, wallabies and emus roam the grounds, while the wetlands attract a variety of birdlife, including Cape Barren geese, whistling kites and yellow-billed spoonbills. The sanctuary is also home to or visited by around 150 bird species, so bring binoculars so the kids can spot different birds in the wetlands and surrounding grasslands.
Several short walking trails make it manageable for little legs, with viewing areas and bird hides where you can pause to watch wildlife without disturbing it. The Sensory Garden is another highlight, with spaces designed to encourage visitors to engage with nature through sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch. Children can look at native plants, listen for birds and bees, learn about traditional edible bush foods and explore different natural textures.
Before visiting, check Parks Victoria for current opening hours, trail access and facility updates, as maintenance works may affect parts of the sanctuary.
4. Enjoy a Classic Family Day on the Geelong Waterfront
Sometimes the best family days out are the ones that don’t require much planning, and Geelong’s waterfront is ideal for this.
Start with a ride on the historic Geelong Carousel, a hand-carved wooden carousel dating back to the late 19th century. Then take a stroll along the foreshore and let the kids look for the colourful bollard sculptures dotted around the waterfront.
On warmer days, take the kids for a swim in Eastern Beach Reserve’s enclosed sea baths or let younger children splash around in the children’s pool. Afterwards, enjoy the playground, spread out a picnic on the lawns or grab lunch nearby.
Check swimming conditions and lifeguard hours before heading down, as supervision at Eastern Beach is seasonal. Children under five must remain within arm’s reach of a supervising adult in the water, while children under ten require active supervision.
5. Challenge Everyone to Mini Golf at Bellarine Adventure Golf
Mini golf is one of those activities that can get surprisingly competitive once the scorecard comes out. Bellarine Adventure Golf in Wallington gives families two themed 18-hole courses to tackle, set among gardens, creeks and waterfalls. Both feature clever obstacles, multi-level greens, water hazards and ball runs that put a little twist on the usual putting game.
The two courses have different challenges, so you can choose one to suit your group or play both for all 36 holes. The Mill is the more sheltered option, with a multi-level layout and several holes under cover, making it a good choice when the weather turns. The Mountain, on the other hand, offers a more challenging course for anyone keen to test their putting skills.
6. Take a Walk and Spot Fairy-Tale Characters at Fairy Park
Fairy Park in Anakie, about 30 minutes from Geelong, brings classic fairy tales to life with miniature scenes, storybook characters and castle displays set among the rocky hills. It’s a fun family outing for younger children who recognise stories such as Cinderella, Pinocchio and The Three Little Pigs.
Follow the paths around the park and stop at the different displays to see familiar characters and scenes from children’s stories. The animatronic displays and storytelling elements give kids more to engage with than static figures alone. Parents can join in by reading the story scenes with younger children or asking them to guess which fairy tale comes next.
Fairy Park has entertained Victorian families for generations, making it a nostalgic outing for parents who visited as children themselves. Check the official website for current opening days, admission prices and any seasonal changes before making the drive to Anakie.
7. Let the Kids Bounce, Climb and Play at BOUNCEinc Geelong
If your children have energy to burn, BOUNCEinc Geelong in Grovedale is an indoor activity centre with trampolines and active challenges that can keep them active whatever the weather. The main trampoline area has interconnected jumping surfaces and banked walls, while additional attractions include dodgeball, a climbing wall, giant air bags and a ninja warrior-style course.
There are different activities for different ages and heights, so check the requirements before booking. Children under 110 cm must use the dedicated miniBOUNCE zone, while those taller than 110 cm can access the Wall Climb, provided they wear closed-toe, lace-up shoes. The High Ropes Course has a higher minimum height of 125 cm, and participants also need closed-toe, lace-up shoes. Both the Wall Climb and High Ropes have a maximum weight limit of 120 kg.
Planning a Family Weekend Around Geelong
If you’re planning to stay a little longer, Geelong and the Bellarine also make great choices for a kid-friendly weekend getaway in Victoria. With beaches, wildlife, family attractions and outdoor activities close by, it’s easy to fill a couple of days without spending too much time in the car. Pick an activity that suits your crew, pack a few snacks and leave a little room for the unexpected. Those unplanned moments often become the stories everyone remembers later.