The Best Activities For Kids In Geelong

With its great location right by the water, there is no shortage of things to do in Geelong. We've found the best thrills and spills (and a few relaxing places) in the area to make a great family day out. 

MoPA: Museum of Play and Art

Full of beautiful, immersive exhibits and creative, interactive art experiences, kids will have a fun, engaging and educational day at MoPA. 'Free Play' sessions include unrestricted access to the Museum so kids can go wild exploring the vibrant space. Visitors choose to arrive during morning, midday or afternoon sessions but there is no time limit on your stay so you can play all day!

MoPA is a carefully designed play-based learning environment for young children aged 1 - 8 years, however, there is so much in this amazing museum to inspire the whole family. Plus, it is equipped with a range of family-friendly facilities including a healthy cafe, feeding and change rooms, pram parking and low-sensory spaces.

Where: 51 McKillop Street, Geelong
When: Open Tuesday to Sunday 9.30am - 4.30pm.
Cost: Adults $10; Children $14; Infants under 12-months FREE; Family Pass $44; Memberships From $39. Bookings essential.

Geelong Botanic Gardens 

It's one of Geelong's best-kept secrets – and it's FREE!

Connect with nature among a collection of plants from all over the world at Geelong Botanic Gardens. Let the kids explore the colours and scents of this amazing location in a fun, hands-on surrounding. Meanwhile, you can relax on the lawns and spread out picnic blankets in plenty of open spaces ideal for the little ones to explore and run around in.

The Gardens offer school visits and a Bugs Holiday Program, where kids can go hunting for bugs and help build a cute little bug hotel for them. For a splurge, try afternoon tea at The Tea House.

Where: 1-49 Garden St, Geelong VIC 3220
When: Open every day of the year 8am - 5pm (open until 7pm during daylight saving)

Adventure Park 

For a day full of thrills and spills, head over to Victoria’s biggest waterpark. There is something for everyone at Adventure Park, with wet and wild games and fast rides for the ultimate thrill-seekers. There’s also plenty of slow rides for the little ones, including the Red Baron plane ride and the all-time favourite Ferris wheel. 

Adventure Park is generally open Spring to Summer and closes during winter.

Where: 1249 Bellarine Hwy (B110) Wallington, Geelong
When: Opening hours are seasonal and subject to change. Check the calendar for current opening hours. 
Cost: General Admission (120 cm or over) $46.50; Junior Admission (90-120cm) $36.50; Child Admission (Under 90cm) is free.

Fairy Park

Take a wander around Fairytale Land, Camelot Playground and the Elephant Rock Picnic Grounds when you visit Fairy Park, a place of myths and legends. Indulge your inner historian and immerse yourself in ye olden days with King Arthur and his Knights, or have yourself a cup of tea with Alice and friends at the Mad Hatter's Tea Party. 

You can also check out the handcrafted animated scenes that come to life with the push of a button – Cinderella is fabulous at the ball and Baby Bear is too cute in the Goldilocks scene.

For the adrenaline-junkies, there are a few rides, but they are mostly low-key like the carousel and the giant slide.

Where: 2388 Ballan Rd, Anakie
When: Opening hours are seasonal and subject to change. Check the calendar for current opening hours.
Cost: Adults (from 14 years) $22; Children (3-13 years) $12.00; Under 3s are free .

Rollerway Newtown 

Rain or shine, take the kids for a classic family outing to Rollerway Skate Centre in Geelong. This is one of Australia’s longest operating skate centres, where everyone can enjoy rollerskating and rollerblading to funky music and a groovy light show. The centre also offers inline skating and hockey sessions. It's perfect for a family-friendly day out where you can spend time together building skills, getting exercise and having fun. 

Rollerway also has an indoor skate park suitable for skates, skateboards and BMX cycles offering beginner features to high-end challenges. You can browse through the centre skate shops for special deals on rollerskates, rollerblades and ice skates. 

Where: 6 Lambert Avenue, Newtown
When: Opening hours vary. Check the calendar for current opening hours.
Cost: Standard Entry $12

A Maze ‘N’ Games 

A Maze ‘N’ Games is home to Australia’s largest timber maze. And when we say ‘largest,’ we mean MEGA. In fact, comprised of 15 linear kilometres of timber, this maze is said to be one of the trickiest in the country.

The aim of the game is to locate the four coloured flags within the castles and then find your way out again. And if there’s someone in the family (not naming any names), who thinks their sense of direction is first-rate, this could really put them to the test.

There is also mini-golf, playgrounds and barbeque facilities available at A Maze ‘N’ Games.

Where: 1570 Bellarine Highway, Wallington, Bellarine Peninsula
When: 10am - 6pm Daily (6:30pm during January)
Cost: Maze and golf - Adult $17; Children (5-15 years) $13; Child (3-4 years) $9

Jirrahlinga Koala And Wildlife Sanctuary

At Jirrahlinga Koala and Wildlife Sanctuary, it’s all about conservation and nurturing animals back to health. When you visit, you are playing a vital role in supporting this incredible work.

Spread over five acres of land, about 20 minutes’ drive from Geelong, the sanctuary was originally created as simply a safe haven for injured animals. There are plenty of wombats, birds and even a few snakes, foxes and dingoes housed in secured enclosures. But the highlight for any kid would be the chance to get super close to the kangaroos and emus in a large walk-through enclosure. There is also an interactive Koala experience where you can get up close and personal to these sleeping beauties.

Where: 170 - 200 Taits Rd, Barwon Heads
When: Open every day from 10am - 5pm 
Cost: Adults $20; Children (3-15 years) $10; Under 3s are free 
 

More Adventures From Melbourne

Take a Sunday Drive (and Ferry!) To French Island
Best spots for Bushwalking With Kids In & Around Melbourne
Family Fruit Picking Near Melbourne
 

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