Due for a weekend trip to escape the city? Delve into these fun Geelong attractions to inspire your next Melbourne family getaway.

I get it. Sometimes a trip to a holiday destination along the Great Ocean Road is just too damn far for a short weekend getaway. So, what are we, Melbournians, left with that's under 2 hour's drive away where whiney kids won't drive us completely bonkers in the car?

The Mornington Peninsula, Phillip Island, or perhaps even Ballarat if you're not fussed about visiting the coast. But, wait, there's also Geelong. Didn't think of that one, did ya? Filled with super friendly locals, this flourishing city by the coast breathes good vibes, and best of all - it's packed with amazing food and fun sights.

And, to all my parent homies on the same bandwagon - the constant struggle to entertain kids - I can assure you that there's no shortage of kids' activities in Geelong. From epic water theme parks to playgrounds and beaches - Geetroit has it all. On top of that, it's only a half hour drive to the surf capital of the state - Torquay. How much better located can you possibly get?

So, what are you waiting for? Get your bags ready and transport your family's derrieres to Geelong and explore all that this lively place has to offer.

Things to Know Before Visiting

When is the best time to visit? Summer, duh. To avoid peak school holiday crowds - don't come between December to January. February and March are perfect - the weather is still warm and you'll be able to swim in the ocean without acquiring hypothermia.

You'll find everything you need in Geelong. Thinking of packing your entire pantry or doing an epic grocery run before coming down? You won't have to. Geelong has all the shops and supermarkets one could possibly need. Aldi, Woolies, Coles, organic and health stores. Lighten the travel load.

What's the weather like? Pretty similar to Melbourne, really. On occasion, you'll find it slightly cooler due to the ocean breeze, so make sure to pack some thicker layers (especially in winter).

How far is Geelong from the Great Ocean Road? It's only a 30-minute drive to Torquay (where the drive begins) from the city centre, which is why Geelong is the perfect base or first stop on your journey.

Best place to park? Parking is very affordable - most spaces won't cost you more than $6.80 to park for the entire day. Safe to say, you won't get ripped like in the Melbourne CBD.

2. Eastern Beach Reserve

One of the top Geelong attractions for families when visiting in summer is the Eastern Beach Reserve, a huge grassy outdoor space where families can pitch up tents, roll out picnics or enjoy barbecues while the kiddos run amuck at the playground, dip in the shallow children's pool, or leap off the diving tower at the Enclosed Beach.

There's no shortage of kids' activities in Geelong, but this is also a great area to explore without little ones in tow. The Grand Staircase leading to the beachfront makes for a great Insta-photo opportunity, or stroll along the over-the-water boardwalk that makes up the shark-proof Enclosed Beach and soak in the serenity of the ocean.

3. Adventure Park Geelong

One of the most exciting things to see in Geelong is - Adventure Park - Victoria's largest water theme park, that houses the exhilarating and heart attack-inducing slide - Tornado. Warning though, once kids enter this place - they will never want to leave. So, if you're prepared to deal with that kind of outcome (speaking from experience), then I dare you to visit.

If thrill seeking is not your cuppa tea, don't fear. There's plenty of rides and activities for scaredy cats and young children. Squeeze your behind into an inflatable doughnut and float down the Lazy River sippin' on a cold beverage. There's something to be found for all age groups, the park offers a Tiny Tots Splashzone, a Ferris Wheel, rollercoasters, carousels, paddle boat rides, Mini Golf, and so much more.

We visited with our 1 and 3-year old and despite not being able to experience the craziness that is the Tornado, we spent most of our time between Kids Town theme park and the water playground at Bonito's Bay, which pretty much took up the entire day.

Visitor Information

Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (October until April)

Entry price: $44.50 (120cm+), $34.50 (90-120cm), under 90cm free

For more information, visit the official website.

5. Geelong Powerhouse Street Art

Abandoned for 45 years, Powerhouse Geelong is Australia's largest indoor space to create ephemeral street art inside a 3,000 square metre building. Over 220 artists have contributed their pieces thus far, with at least 3 new artworks produced every day. What a way to convert an abandoned and formerly glum-looking power station into a vibrant arts precinct that stands to rival Melbourne CBD's famed Hosier Lane.

A post shared by ?URBEX? (@unknown140267) on Mar 28, 2018 at 10:30pm PDT

Visitor Information

Opening hours: 9.30am - 5pm daily

For more information, visit the official website.

7. Geelong Vintage Market

A treasure trove and haven for those who love their collectables and, well, everything vintage. With 60 unique stalls to stroll past, you'll find old signage, jewellery, furniture, retro goods, upcycled creations, industrial items, clothing and tons more.

This is one of the most fun and unique things to do in Geelong, I mean, the good times don't stop at vintage shopping. If you need a breather, pop over to The Pickers Union for smiles, good coffee, and a mean serving of smashed avo on bread.

Visitor Information

Opening hours: 10am - 6pm daily

Free entry

A post shared by Geelong Vintage Market (@geelongvintagemarket) on Aug 29, 2018 at 3:30am PDT

8. Popcultcha Collector's Gallery

Nerd or not - this is one place everyone can find something or character they have something in common with. I'm a Harry Potter fan, so when I saw a Hagrid figurine, I was done. The kids went around calling out the names of all the characters in the entire Marvel universe and Andy spent his time gawking at everything from Star Wars to Pokémon. I literally had to force-drag him out of the store because he was ready to sign a rental agreement and move into the store. They even had life-size figurines of Iron Man, Wonder Woman and a whole bunch of other popular characters.

Visitor Information

Opening hours: Daily (see website for details)

9. Old Geelong Gaol

Love a good hair-raising tale and maybe a spook or two? The Old Geelong Gaol is one of the must-visit Geelong attractions that you cannot forego. With fabulous guides who tell (and sometimes even enact) spine-tingling stories of what prison life was like from the 1860s to early 1990s, you'll walk (or run) out of this place feeling intrigued and horrified at the same time.

Several visitors have reported feeling something tug their pants or a hand behind their ears in certain parts of the old gaol. So, if you're down for some heart palpitations and lessons in history, you need to check into this place.

Visitor Information

Opening hours: Saturday, Sunday, School & Public Holidays

Entry price: $10 (adult), $5 (child)

For more information, visit the official website.

10. Explore the Bellarine Peninsula

If you've run out of things to do in Geelong, well, then you're in luck because there's a whole heap of sights and coastal gems that surround this bustling little city. Our favourite half day trip involved driving down the Bellarine Peninsula and scrambling along the rocky shores of Barwon Heads and exploring the former seaside resort town - Queenscliff.

One of the most scenic places to visit in Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula is also home to Searoad Ferries where you can jump on a 40-minute ferry from Queenscliff to Sorrento in the Mornington Peninsula.

If your kids are 5 years and over, it's well worth taking a tour of the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse - one of the few manned lighthouses remaining in Australia. The lighthouse has very steep, narrow and winding stairs that visitors will need to climb up and down making it unsuitable for young children.

Portarlington is also worth a visit if you're already driving around the Bellarine Peninsula, be sure to stroll along the picturesque rocky pier that closely resembles Melbourne's Brighton Beach Pier.

Considering a trip to the Great Ocean Road? Take a look at these day tours.

Festivals & Events in Geelong & Bellarine

Wondering what's on in Geelong for when you're visiting? Gotchu covered. Below is a list of the region's major events and festivals. For a complete line-up, take a look at the official website.

Festival of Sails (January) - usually held over Australia Day weekend, this event is considered to be the largest annual keel boat regatta in the Southern Hemisphere. But, it's not all about boat racing - the festival stretches across the entire Waterfront featuring food, markets and an abundance of activities for kids.

Pako Festa (February) - Victoria's biggest festival celebrating cultural diversity takes place in Geelong's famed Pakington Street and is joined by over 40 cultures, featuring street parades, food, performances, workshops and more.

Australian International Air Show (Feb/March) - held every 2 years, this is one of Australia's largest events where planes put on incredible shows in the skies and visitors can get up close to military aircraft, unique planes and helicopters.

Barwon Heads Festival of the Sea (late March) - a fun family event with a huge line-up of activities for kids, including the famed yellow duck race. Say what? Yup, you heard right. Hundreds of yellow plastic ducks are thrown into the river and pitted against one another for charity. This is, literally, the absolute highlight of the festival.

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach (April) - this famed beach half an hour outside of Geelong is home to the world's longest running and most prestigious surfing competitions in the world. This is an amazing event to attend if you happen to be heading down that way this time of the year.

Royal Geelong Show (October) - a fun family event and one of the best kids' activities in Geelong, time your visit with this event to experience Australia's biggest agricultural show. Featuring huge carnival rides, show bags, and fluffy farm animals - this is one event the whole family will love.

Oh - did I mention the space? I can confirm that the living space is large enough for two rambunctious boys to splash their toys across and comfortably play their games. Plus, the bathrooms are huge, the shower itself that could fit our entire family inside, plus, the on-trend and tasteful decor makes me want to renovate our home bathrooms. Stat.

On top of that, there's also free WiFi, private on-site parking and Netflix accessibility - perfect for families travelling with kids who just can't chill without Netflix for a minute (eg. my kids). On top of the top of that, the naturally bright and cosy rooms are decorated with modern furnishings that ooze all the beach feels. Being inside literally makes you want to grab the nearest surfboard and hit the waves (I mean, I don't even surf but it had that effect on me).

On the real though, this is the perfect Geelong family accommodation for a short weekend stop to explore the city and Bellarine Peninsula. For budget-friendly, clean and modern accommodation close to the Geelong Waterfront, you absolutely can't go past these stunning units.

Our stay was graciously hosted by Atlantic Geelong. All photos, videos and experiences are, however, our own.

Getting from Melbourne to Geelong by Train: Simply jump on the Geelong line from Southern Cross Station and it'll take you directly to either the North, South or Main station. Services usually run every 10 minutes during peak times or every 20 minutes all other times. Check the V/Line website for more information and schedule times.

There, you have it - 10 Geelong attractions you must add to your itinerary. On the real, if you're not easily spooked, the Gaol is an underrated experience for lovers of history, crime and everything paranormal. If time permits, a drive down to the Bellarine Coast also needs to be on the agenda. I wish we had done this sooner!

Looking for more family-friendly Melbourne travel guides?

• Great Ocean Road 2-Day Itinerary: 12 Must-See Sights
• 10 Must-Do Day Trips in Victoria, Australia
• The Best of Mornington Peninsula: Where to Eat, Stay & Play
• 10 of the Best Things to do in Ballarat with Kids
• Top Family Accommodation in Melbourne for all Budgets
• 10 FUN Things to do in Melbourne with Kids

Did this guide help you plan your Geelong trip, or at the very least give you a chuckle? Sign up for more humour & Melbourne guides.