Fun rainy day activities in Geelong and The Bellarine

Sometimes it’s good to wander a beach in your raincoat with an invigorating breeze on your face but mostly it’s better to hide indoors and avoid the frizzy hair. There are plenty of options to keep you occupied.

Staying indoors can send you stir crazy but not at Bounce. There are around 50 interconnected trampolines with banked walls plus dodgeball, a climbing wall, giant air bags and ninja warrior course. The Rock Adventure Centre is the go for indoor climbing with over 100 routes on 25 walls and a bouldering cave. More mellow, but no less stimulating, is the Museum of Play and Art, a widely acclaimed concept that allows young kids and their families to run riot, maybe painting an old car, immersing themselves in a digital art wall, or wandering through an interactive light tunnel.

Let’s face it, hours disappear when you’re shopping. Geelong’s Westfield and Market Square Shopping Centres cover all the big brands but if you’re looking for something different, trawl the cavernous spaces of The Amazing Mill Markets and Geelong Vintage Market. They’re chock full of vintage clothing, furniture, collectables, books and records. If you’re serious about your collectables and life-size action figures, Popcultcha, located within the heritage Federal Mills complex (along with Geelong Vintage Market), is a must.

Geelong Gallery is one of the country’s oldest regional galleries with a vast collection including nationally significant works. In the buzzing Pakington St precinct, Boom Gallery exhibits contemporary art and design by local and interstate artists in a funky former woollen mill. On the peninsula is an inspiring mix of paintings, ceramics, sculpture, glass and handcrafted furniture at Queenscliff’s Salt Contemporary Art and Ocean Grove’s The Hive. The bronze sculptures at Willie Wildlife Sculptures are highly regarded, many now having found homes in prestigious gardens around the world.

Vjunior at Village Cinemas is the first of its kind in Geelong. Young kids can enjoy a dedicated play area from the moment the movie starts right up until the closing credits. For arthouse and independent flicks you won’t see on the big screen, The Pivotonian in South Geelong is a must.

The National Wool Museum is all about Geelong’s illustrious history as one-time wool capital of the world. Apart from displays on textiles and looms, it hosts super cool art exhibitions like Wildlife Photographer of the Year.

Queenscliffe Maritime Museum has everything from early scuba equipment to lifeboats, model ships and a hydrographic model of The Rip (the entrance to Port Phillip). Travel back to 1887 with a wander through the 60 opulent rooms at Werribee Park Mansion, and if the rain pauses you can roam its extensive gardens.

One of Geelong’s most impressive buildings is the futuristic dome clad in hexagonal tiles and soaring glass-shard windows that is Geelong Library and Heritage Centre. Check out the views over Geelong and the bay from the Level 5 balcony.