What to Do in Geelong on Weekends: Markets, Walks, Culture and Rainy Day Ideas
Wondering what to do in Geelong on weekends? Here's the quick version. On Saturday, grab breakfast at the Geelong City Market on Little Malop Street or join the free parkrun at Eastern Park. On Sunday, take a heritage train along Swan Bay or ride a stretch of the Bellarine Rail Trail. If it rains, the Geelong Gallery is free and open every day.
That's just the start. We've been part of the Geelong community since 2007, and these are the weekend ideas we'd give a friend who's new to town, with a few notes on what to check first.
Saturday mornings in Geelong
Geelong City Market. Every Saturday from 9am to 2pm on Little Malop Central, in the middle of the city. The City of Greater Geelong has backed another year of the market in its 2026 to 27 budget. Go hungry and take a bag.
parkrun at Eastern Park. A free, timed 5 km held every Saturday morning beside the Eastern Beach precinct. You can run, jog or walk it, and plenty of people come for the coffee and chat afterwards. Check the parkrun website for the start time and course before your first one.
Saturday classes for kids. If your Saturdays already revolve around kids' activities, our kids circus classes run on Saturday mornings in Grovedale, as well as after school on weekdays. A Saturday class gives the whole week something to look forward to.
Walks, rides and fresh air
Bellarine Rail Trail. About 35 km of mostly flat trail between South Geelong and Queenscliff, open to walkers and cyclists. Pick a short section, or ride one way and plan your trip back before you set off.
Surf Coast Walk. A 44 km coastal trail from Point Impossible, near Torquay, through Jan Juc, Bells Beach and Anglesea to Aireys Inlet and Fairhaven. Most people walk it in sections. Bikes are allowed on some stretches and not others, so check the signs.
You Yangs Regional Park. The Flinders Peak walk is a steep, challenging climb on uneven ground, with views over Geelong and Melbourne from the top. Wear proper shoes and take water.
Barwon River and Balyang Sanctuary. An easy, flat option. Balyang Sanctuary in Newtown has a lake, black swans and pelicans, picnic spots and a path along the river.
Geelong Botanic Gardens. Free entry, level paths, the 21st Century Garden and a cafe in Eastern Park. Pair it with a swim at Eastern Beach in summer.
Culture and a slower pace
Geelong Gallery. Free entry, open daily from 10am to 5pm, with the entrance on Little Malop Street. Check what's showing before you go, because exhibitions change through the year.
Geelong Library and Heritage Centre. The Dome is worth a look on its own. It also hosts Saturday book clubs once a month, such as the free Weekend Readers Book Club. Registration is needed for those.
Pakington Street, Geelong West. "Pako" is a 1.5 km strip of cafes, restaurants, boutiques and galleries. If you're around in February, Pako Festa is billed as Victoria's largest free multicultural celebration.
A show. Check what's on at Geelong Arts Centre in the city. Out on the Bellarine, the Potato Shed in Drysdale has been renamed the Bellarine Arts Centre and launched its 2026 season, including a daytime Morning Showtime series.
Sundays on the Bellarine
Swan Bay Express, Queenscliff. The Bellarine Railway runs an eight kilometre return trip in heritage carriages on most Sundays, with extra services in Victorian school holidays. Keep an eye out for black swans. Pre-booking is recommended.
Make a day of it with a walk around Queenscliff afterwards.
Summer weekends
When it's hot, head for the water. Eastern Beach has a swimming enclosure and a shallow children's pool, and Adventure Park in Wallington opens over the warmer months for a bigger, wetter day out. Check the park's website for season dates and book ahead on busy weekends.
Rainy weekend ideas
Geelong Gallery (free) and the National Wool Museum on Moorabool Street
The library, with a coffee and a long browse
One of council's indoor pools, such as Leisurelink, Norlane ARC or Splashdown, which all have waterslides
An indoor activity that gets you moving, like a class or a workshop
Try something new together
Weekends are a good time to start something you've been meaning to try. For kids and teens, that might be a Saturday class. For adults, our adult circus and aerial classes run on weeknights, and no fitness or experience is needed to start. If you're planning a celebration with friends, we also host hens, bucks and adult parties at our Grovedale studio.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do in Geelong on a Saturday?
The Geelong City Market runs every Saturday from 9am to 2pm on Little Malop Central, parkrun is on every Saturday morning at Eastern Park, and the gallery, gardens and waterfront are all free.
What can you do in Geelong on a rainy weekend?
Visit the Geelong Gallery or the National Wool Museum, spend an hour at the library, or head to an indoor pool. A class or workshop is another good way to get everyone moving indoors.
What are free things to do in Geelong on weekends?
parkrun, the Botanic Gardens, Eastern Beach, the waterfront bollards, Balyang Sanctuary, the Geelong Gallery and walking or riding the Bellarine Rail Trail are all free.
Where can I take kids on a Saturday morning in Geelong?
Try the Geelong City Market, the Eastern Beach playground or the Botanic Gardens. For a regular activity, CircArts runs kids circus classes on Saturday mornings in Grovedale.
Make Saturday the best morning of their week
If you're looking for a weekend activity your kids will look forward to, come and try a class. The Starter Pass gives you three beginner classes for $55, used within 14 days.