Sport & Adventure

Sport is big here in the city of blue and white. Whether it’s cheering from the sidelines or having a crack, you’ll find everything from top-class golf courses through to rock-climbing up mountains.

Nothing beats a dose of friendly competition on your holidays, so make time for a slice of sports on your travels. There’s a lot to choose from.

Polish off your golf clubs and explore some of The Bellarine’s finest courses. If you’ve watched the Vic Open you’ll have seen 13th Beach Golf Links in action.

Next door Barwon Heads Golf Club enjoys salty sea breezes and the ambience of a Scottish gem. Lonsdale Links, Portarlington Golf Club and Queenscliff Golf Club (on its own island) are other top picks.

Like your thrills high and fast? You'll find plenty of options to get your fix in Geelong and The Bellarine.

Adventure Flight Co. operates from Barwon Heads and offers aerobatic flights and aerial tours. If staying inside the plane isn't for you, take a jump up to 15,000ft over The Bellarine with Skydive Great Ocean Road.

The You Yangs Regional Park is a go-to for mountain and downhill bike riding with two trails over 50 kilometres to enjoy. Trails cater to a mix of experience levels as you hit the gravel, hop between boulders and weave past native trees. Kurrajong is a the easier of the two trails, with Stockyards more challenging and including rock gardens, berms and jumps.

Also at the You Yangs, you can rock climb at the Gavel Pit Tor site with two anchor points to choose from. Book a tour with Geelong Adventure Specialists and they'll organise everything and provide the gear.

Surrounded by beaches with rolling waves, surfing is a favourite past-time in these parts. Experiences surfers should head to Thirteenth Beach in Barwon Heads or Point Lonsdale's Back Beach and those still learning Ocean Grove's Main Beach is on the gentler side. Always check patrols, conditions and exercise caution in the water, which can change rapidly.

For those who love the thrill of cheering from the sidelines, keep an eye on the line up of sports matches at GMHBA Stadium.

The stadium is the home of the Geelong Cats and hosts regular AFL and AFLW matches during the season. It also plays host to other leagues like cricket, soccer and other major events. Now with up to 40,000 spectators in the newly renovated stand the roar from the crowd is truly something.

Be sure to visit the Geelong Sports Museum, the dedicated space to relive all of the best sporting moments in Geelong’s history, before or after the match.