ACTIVITIES GEELONG

Discover the past, present and exciting future of Ford Australia at the Ford Discovery Centre. You can learn how Ford designs cars in the specially constructed mock design studio. Ford Discovery Centre is open for group tours, functions and meetings.

The laser skirmish guns shoot harmless beams of infra-red light, they work both indoors and outdoors, make lots of noise and have sensors on the target lighting up to show a ‘hit’. Each hit reduces available health points, until the player gets “killed or retired” from the game.

There are several different weapons on offer including short-range sub-machine guns through to long-range telescopic sniper rifles, each with its own tactics and uses.

Many different tactical missions and scenarios are battled out and are to be won or lost.

Teams must work together on their planning and strategy to achieve their aims and objectives.

Geelong Cats know how to put on a great performance - on and off the field. For food, functions and fun you can't go past Club Cats. 

Boasting 6 unique function spaces, multiple executive suites and a dedicated and innovative functions team, we can cater for your next event. Whether it be a Conference, Wedding, Launch or Social Event, Cats Hospitality is committed to your success.

Located an easy 60 minute drive from Melbourne CBD, minutes from Geelong CBD, 15 minutes from the award winning Bellarine and Moorabool Valley Wineries and 20 minutes from the beautiful Surfcoast, why not make Simonds Stadium your next destination?

For a more comprehensive overview of Geelong Cats, contact out team today.

Blackgate Lodge Alpaca Stud is located near Torquay at the start of the Great Ocean Road. Drop in for a visit and learn all about Alpacas. The herd lives in the luxury of a 14 hectare clearing inside 28 hectares of virgin remnant bushland,

Geelong Performing Arts Centre is a hub for live entertainment in the region, attracting some of the best performers from throughout Australia and overseas. Located in the heart of the Geelong city's cultural precinct, Geelong Performing Arts Centre includes two theatres, the recently refurbished 800-seat Playhouse, and the more intimate 325-seat Drama Theatre, as well as a cafe, bar, foyer area, meeting rooms and rehearsal studios. The centre also manages the 2000-seat Costa Hall, located at Deakin University's Waterfront Campus, which is used for large-scale concerts, lectures and conferences. Geelong Performing Arts Centre presents a range of performances through its Family Magic, Musical Mornings and Theatre Season programs, as well film festivals, touring productions, concerts, local theatre and school productions, so there is always something on at Geelong Performing Arts Centre. Visitors to the region will appreciate the venue's central location and proximity to restaurants and accommodation. Since opening in 1981, Geelong Performing Arts Centre has undergone several facelifts, most recently the three million dollar refurbishment of the Playhouse to create a modern, technically superior and accessible theatre. To find out what's on at Geelong Performing Arts Centre, go to their website.

The Old Geelong Gaol museum has a great variety of displays that tell the history of the gaol and visitors get hands on experience of the harsh conditions prisoners and staff endured at the facility Open from 1pm - 4pm Saturdays, Sundays, school and public holidays, Visitors can experience solitary confinement cells, get a taste of prison life, meet some infamous figures who have spent time at the gaol and see the original hallows.

Courthouse ARTS offers a variety of uses from performances, to exhibitions, conferences, meetings, rehearsals, lectures and functions. Together with creating a destination in Geelong where you can experience the latest music, theatre, dance and art. Courthouse ARTS is also a non for profit organisation driven and directed by young people and aimed at young people to escape the everyday, be inspired and have fun. Courthouse ARTS ia a springboard for artistic pathways and industry skills, your connection to some of the best young arts professionals in Australia. Visit the website for more information.

art@wintergarden is a working studio gallery, situated in Geelong, where you will find art works of excellence including landscapes, still life, portraiture and sculptures. art@wintergarden hosts an exciting rotation of exhibitions, traditional and contemporary and operates an active studio space where small painting classes and workshops are regularly held. Artist/Proprietor Jill Shalless, founder of "Dabble 'n' Daub" moved into "The Wintergarden" in late 2004.

Umhauer's has been a name synonymous with quality automotive service in Geelong for over 80 years. The company was founded by Reginald Umhauer in 1928, a small workshop at the corner of McKillop Street and Ormand Road. The company now has a third generation of Umhauer's, Kris Umhauer, Reginald’s grandson. From humble beginnings servicing motor vehicles, UMHAUER'S now continue to service motor vehicles and sell 4WD Accessories, Camping Gear, Roof Racks, Caravan Accessories and Towing Equipment.

Umhauers is an ARB Stockist and a Hayman Reese Specialist Store.

Umhauers is a one stop shop for everything you need to go Exploring whether it’s 4WD Touring, Camping, and Caravanning, It all starts at Umhauers.

We are an ARB Stockist and also a Hayman Reese Dealer.

Gallery and showroom, retailing and wholesaling of in-house designed unique and exotic furniture, architectural pieces, homewares, antiques and bohemian antiques. Including in-house import and export of exotic and unique pieces. Plus a large range of folk art, artifacts and curios, together with local and original artworks. The gallery has over 25 years experience in the design, production and distribution of their in-house products locally, nationally and internationally. Innovative, inspiring, living pieces. In addition to supplying a wide section of local and international clients, gallery clients have also included architects, interior designers, project builders, film producers and advertising agencies who have sought out that special and unique "stand out" piece. Whether it be, a brass and iron table crafted from ancient doors, huge carved double doors salvaged from a remote Indian fort, an ancient hand-carved Tibetan cabinet, an intricately carved and inlaid Indian palace sideboard or a centuries old hand-crafted, hand-painted temple from Kashmir, ONE5ONE Gallery specialise in the creation and import of unique, in-house products...

The National Wool Museum is housed in a beautifully restored 1872 bluestone wool store. You can create your own National Wool Museum adventure experience, a cultural hub in Victoria’s second largest city. A vibrant gathering place between the historic waterfront and central Geelong and a place to collect, share and create stories of our community and region. Here history, science, fashion, handcraft and art come together. Temporary exhibitions and programs combine lifelong learning, hands-on exploration and entertainment for people of all ages. The Museum is Australia's largest comprehensive museum of wool, showcasing the region's wool story - from the sheep's back to the clothes rack, and from the birth of the industry in the 1840's to its place in the world today. Central to the Museum experience is the 1910 built Axminster Jacquard carpet loom. Daily demonstrations by the Museum's skilled carpet weavers show how the loom works, and at the same time produce the Museum's own "Manor House Rug", available for purchase through the Museum Shop. The Museum Shop stocks a wide range of woollen products and unique local crafts while Denny’s Kitchen offers great food. The Museum is fully wheel chair accessible and there are accessible parking spaces located directly in front of the Museum. Bus parking and group tours are also available.

The Geelong Heritage Centre is Victoria's largest regional archive and history resource facility. The Centre provides public access to collection records for family history research, legal administrative recall, establishing citizen's rights and entitlements, cultural enjoyment and historical display purposes. The archive collection embraces the histories of locations in the City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast and Golden Plains Shires, dating back to 1838. The Geelong Heritage Centre has an extensive local and family history collection that includes council records, newspapers, reference works, maps and plans, photographs and oral histories. The Centre provides assistance and guidance to members of the general public in family, local history and school projects. The Geelong Heritage Centre has exhibitions of collection material for free public viewing all year round , and most of these displays are developed to enhance understanding of significant historic events, and, or celebrate anniversaries of major 'milestones' in Geelong and local district history. The Geelong Heritage Centre Reading Room is located on Level Two at the National Wool Museum in Geelong. The Centre collection consists of approximately 2 km of shelved archived material including over 40,000 images and more than 30km of microfilm. The Centre has a permanent staff of three, supported by a team of dedicated volunteers who help in a variety of ways. In 2012, the Centre received over 7000 visitor and client inquiries. The local community, as well as visitors from Melbourne and regional Victoria, interstate and international tourists have discovered amazing information about their ancestors who have lived, worked or travelled through the Geelong and surrounding region in the past. Visit online via the Centre's web page and access to the new historic image library is attached to it .

Metropolis Gallery has an impressive range of paintings, limited edition prints, art glass and jewellery and presents an exciting calendar of exhibitions that can be previewed on the website. As well as works by contemporary and indigenous Australian painters including some of the Geelong region's foremost artists, Metropolis exhibits limited edition prints by top Australian printmakers including Jazmina Cininas, Robert Clinch, Graham Fransella, David Frazer, Nicolas and Madeleine Goodwolf, Deborah Klein, Damon Kowarsky, Adrian Lockhart, Marco Luccio, Vida Pearson, Deborah Williams and Joel Wolter. Metropolis Gallery presents Indigenous Art in association with several important Aboriginal Art Centres including Papunya Tula Artists and Ngurratjuta Many Hands Art Centre, and Collectors Shows that feature significant, smaller works by major Australian Artists. Always attracting attention at Metropolis are works by glass artists Philip Stokes, Amanda Louden, Brian Hurst, James McMurtrie and Keith Rowe, and a unique selection of designer jewellery is also helpful for those looking for a special gift. If you're visiting the Bellarine Peninsula and the Great Ocean Road, Metropolis Gallery is well situated in central Geelong with convenient street parking out front in Ryrie Street.

From iconic colonial masterpieces to compelling contemporary works of art, the Geelong Gallery is the perfect place to unwind and be inspired. 

Since its establishment in 1896 the Gallery has amassed a magnificent collection of 19th and 20th century Australian and European paintings and decorative arts, including 18th and 19th century English porcelain, British art pottery, colonial Australian silver, as well as contemporary Australian paintings, prints, sculpture and ceramics. A particular focus of the collection is early images of the Geelong region. The Gallery’s outstanding collection includes many works of national significance such as Eugene von Guérard’s View of Geelong (1856) and Frederick McCubbin’s A bush burial (1890).

Visit the Gallery to view works from the permanent collection as well as a vibrant program of special exhibitions accompanied by talks and events.

Mix and Go FroYo is Australia's Premier Frozen Yogurt. Their premium frozen yogurt is the perfect diet-friendly dessert or snack. Once you try their creamy frozen yogurt made with fresh ingredients, you will be coming back for more! Mix and Go FroYo offer a 98 per cent fat free yogurt in a wide range of fantastic, handpicked flavours, along with a great selection of fresh toppings. At Mix and Go FroYo, they support Australian farmers by stocking A-grade Australian dairy products, the freshest Australian grown fruits. They also have a great range of dry toppings and sweets, all free of artificial colours and flavours. Visit a Mix and Go FroYo store today to try Australia's best self-serve frozen yogurt and delicious toppings.

Eulung Day Spa embraces everything beautiful about a healthy body, mind and spirit. Come on the journey of relaxation and renewal to discover a more vibrant you. Experience the Equisite Aveda skin, body, massage and hair treatments at Eulung Day Spa an Aveda Concept Salon and Spa. Features include a dual room, relaxation lounge and sensational Thermal M Steam and Vichy Cocoon.

The Palais Bingo Centre is a family business that operates in the CBD of Geelong, Victoria. Win fabulous prizes! If you are over 18 and wanting to play bingo, come visit the Palais and meet the friendly staff who will welcome you day and night between Monday and Saturday. Full canteen facilities, free tea and coffee, and car parking.

Market Square Shopping Centre is Geelong's original shopping centre offering over 80 fashion, health and beauty, food, services, electronics and homewares retailers. Open seven days a week for your shopping convenience, Market Square provides cheaper and easier car parking in Geelong, with over 600 easy to access car parks, including disability and parent's with prams spaces. It is only one dollar for up to two hours of undercover parking! Market Square is the people's Centre where friends and family meet for lunch or coffees at one of their great cafes and youth can enjoy great events and shopping. Mature adults enjoy Market Square for its easy to navigate Centre, wheelchair services and freebies for over 50s every Tuesday as part of 'Market Square's Experience With Us' program. Check their website for the latest freebies. Market Square provides a wide range of services, such as Australia Post, Medicare, Centrelink, many of the banks as well as oriental massage, American Nails and Harvey World Travel to name just a few. Other retailers include JB HiFi, Harris Scarfe, Cotton On, Cotton On Kids, Ghanda, Jay Jays, Witchery, Sportsgirl, Tonia T, Man To Man, Duff's the Jeweller, Dymock's Bookstore and Novo Shoes are just a few of the quality retailers you can enjoy at Market Square Shopping Centre. A visitor information booth is located on the ground floor at the Moorabool Street entrance. The friendly staff can provide information on local Geelong attractions, events and answer any other questions. Parents rooms are located on the ground floor and level one with changing facilities, private feeding rooms, microwave and nappy dispensers. There are free school holiday activities, every school holiday for children aged between three to 12 years. Please see Market Square Shopping Centre's website for information on events, stores and latest offers available.

Boom Gallery is a vibrant and active contemporary art gallery. It represents a cross section of work from emerging and established artists, with a strong regional bias. Boom Gallery exhibits most media, including painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing, photography, design and small objects. Boom Gallery gives artists a platform to exhibit and sell their work and provide information to the customers about art investment.

The Carousel is an Armitage-Herschell portable steam driven, hand-carved wooden carousel that was constructed circa 1892 and is one of only 200 in operation around the world. Featuring 36 Dare horses and two chariots, it was purchased by the Steampacket Place Development Board in 1996 and painstakingly restored. The Carousel is housed in a beautiful Glass Pavilion located on Waterfront Geelong.

The Carousel has become an ideal accessible meeting place for the community, and City of Greater Geelong take pride in providing a memorable experience for all ages and abilities. This has been made possible with improved access to the pavilion, the welcome installation of a mobility lift and recharge point.

The Carousel also offers Children’s Birthday Parties, Wedding Ceremonies and Receptions and Corporate Functions.
 

Opening hours

Summer Trading Hours (October – March)

• Monday – Friday: 10.30am – 5pm
• Saturday: 10.30am – 6pm
• Sunday: 10.30am – 6pm

Winter Trading Hours (April – September)

• Monday – Friday: 11am – 4.30pm
• Saturday: 10.30am – 6pm
• Sunday: 10.30am – 6pm

How to get to The Carousel

The Carousel is located on Waterfront Geelong, which is only a block from the CBD of Geelong.

Narana Creations is an Australian Aboriginal cultural tourism and educational enterprise, which is committed to providing a welcome entree to today's indigenous culture. Visitors can experience exhilarating cultural demonstrations, amazing didgeridoo playing and try 'hands-on' boomerang throwing. Also available for purchase is genuine Aboriginal art and craft of the highest quality.

Geelong Helicopters operates scenic flights daily from the Geelong Waterfront on the Yarra Street Pier and also by appointment from Barwon Heads Airport. Whether you live in Geelong, travelling down for the day or are passing through, a helicopter ride is a guaranteed way to make your trip even more memorable. Let Geelong Helicopters show you Corio Bay, Geelong CBD, Barwon River, the famous Bells Beach and Torquay, the Gate way to the Great Ocean Road from a view not seen by all. Once you've experienced vertical flight you'll understand why everyone loves the feeling of flying in a helicopter.