Top things to do these school holidays

Victorian spring school holidays: Saturday 19 September to Sunday 4 October 2026

Spring school holidays are a good time to get everyone out of the house and into the sunshine.

Geelong and The Bellarine has plenty happening across the two weeks, from dinosaurs and trains to festivals, family shows, beaches, gardens, markets and bike rides.

The Geelong Wonder Children's Festival takes over the city with shows, activities and plenty to get curious about. There are prehistoric creatures at Dinos at the Zoo, Thomas and friends arriving in Queenscliff, and Goldilocks Rocks bringing a little theatre to the school holiday calendar.

Then there are the things you can do any day. Ride the Bellarine Rail Trail, wander through the Geelong Botanic Gardens, head up to the You Yangs, take the ferry to Portarlington from Melbourne or find a patch of grass for a picnic.

Pair a train ride along Geelong waterfront or family show with lunch by the water. Or make a weekend of it and give everyone a little more time with heaps of family friendly places to stay.

Planning a day trip from Melbourne or looking for things to do near Melbourne these school holidays? Here are some ideas to get you started.

What's On

Where to eat these school holidays

School holidays are much easier when you know where to stop for lunch, snacks or an early dinner with the kids.

If you’re heading to the Geelong waterfront, Pavilion Geelong is right by Eastern Beach Reserve, with the playground and wide open grass nearby. It’s a good spot for a casual bite before or after a waterfront walk.

Nearby, Wharf Shed Geelong in Steampacket Gardens has plenty of space, waterfront views and a kids menu.

For a pub feed in town, The Eureka Hotel is in the perfect spot. There’s a family-friendly menu and a Nintendo connected to the big screen during the day, making it a great stop after a movie, a visit to Laserquest or a wander through the city.

If you’re after somewhere with room for kids to move, Barwon Edge Café has a riverside setting and outdoor playground. Little Creatures Brewery is another handy option, with big tables, an indoor play space and plenty happening around the brewery village.

On The Bellarine, Flying Brick Cider House and FarmDog Brewing both work well for casual winter lunches, with relaxed menus and space for kids. Austin’s Wines is open Thursday to Sunday and is a good vineyard stop when the weather plays nice. And The Esplanade Hotel Queenscliff has a newly rennovated undercover beergarden with a playground.

For something warm and hearty, add Sober Ramen, Caruggi, Portarlington Grand Hotel and Sawyers Arms the list. Pasta, pub meals, ramen and winter comfort food all have their place these holidays.

For something a bit more playful, MexiCam’s brings Mexican-inspired food, a 100% gluten-free menu and plenty to keep everyone entertained, from bowling lanes and darts to shuffleboard, karaoke and games in the beer garden.

Family-friendly eats

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Things to do with kids these sping school holidays

It's time for spring, which means it's time to get outside, trying something new and making the most of a few extra hours of daylight. There are plenty of family-friendly activities across Geelong and The Bellarine, from outdoor adventures and train rides to museums, mini golf and time by the water.

For younger kids, MoPA Geelong is all about hands-on play, while Fairy Park makes for a fun day out just beyond Geelong. For bigger kids who need to burn off some energy, try BOUNCEinc Geelong, The Rock Adventure Centre or Next Level Skirmish.

When the weather is looking good, get on two wheels along the Bellarine Rail Trail, head up to the You Yangs for a walk or let the kids loose at Bellarine Adventure Golf. You can also make a day of the waterfront with a ride on the Carousel, a walk along Eastern Beach or a trip across the bay with Port Phillip Ferries.

Spring is also a good time to slow things down a little. Wander through the Geelong Botanic Gardens, take the kids to see the trains at Portarlington Bayside Miniature Railway or Bellarine Railway, then stop for lunch or an ice cream.

And if you're planning a day that works for different generations, there are plenty of options where grandparents can join in too. Try lawn bowls at Ocean Grove Bowling Club, take a wander through The Mill Markets or visit the National Wool Museum before heading out for lunch.

Family-friendly activities

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Your ultimate guide to exploring the You Yangs

Top tips for hiking, riding and exploring the You Yangs

Curious kids. Big day out.

If you’ve got kids with energy to burn, this is a good place to bring them. One minute they’re inside a fairytale castle. The next they’re riding a steam train along Swan Bay.

Fun for all ages

From puzzling hedge mazes and mystical theme parks to children’s themed vintage train rides, there’s plenty to see and do for little ones of all ages in Geelong and The Bellarine. Rain, hail or shine.

5 unique train experiences

From cheesy delights to soulful blues, coastal culinary delights, and miniature marvels, we’ve got the most unique train adventures like no other. Spoiler alert – they’re not all on wheels…

Entertain the kids in Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale

There’s plenty to entertain kids and the family in Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale. Rain, hail or shine, something on this list will keep your crew out of trouble for an arvo.

Family-friendly holiday stays

There’s something about a coastal holiday that sticks with you. Packing the car, setting up the tent, and falling asleep to the sound of waves, it’s the stuff childhood memories are made of. These holidays, give your kids the same kind of getaway you remember.

Bellarine Bayside Holiday Parks, Barwon Heads Caravan Park, BIG4 Bellarine Holiday Park, Breamlea Caravan Park and BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Queenscliff Beacon all put you right near the coast. Beach cricket, fish and chips on the sand, and nights that drift from sunset into starlight.

Not everyone’s into camping, and that’s okay. Stay at Kilmoyla Farm Stay for fresh air and wide-open paddocks, or book into The Oxley Estate B&B, where families love the pool, giant chess board and friendly farm animals. For a little extra space, The Lonsdale Palms is a homely base close to Queenscliff beach. In Geelong, both Novotel and Holiday Inn offer family-friendly comfort right in the heart of the city.

Or keep it simple with a holiday house through Kerley’s Coastal Holidays or Regional Escapes—with heaps more to choose from too.

Explore accommodation

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Getting here

There are plenty of ways to get to Geelong and The Bellarine. Being so close to Melbourne means it’s just a short 1-hour train ride from Southern Cross Station to Geelong via the V/Line.

You can turn your travels into an experience with a ferry ride from Melbourne to Portarlington on Port Phillip Ferries.

In Sorrento? Hop aboard Searoad Ferries to spend the day in Queenscliff, they usually have kids activities on board, so check out their website for updates. And you can bring the car with you!

And if you're flying to Geelong from Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Adelaide or even Bali, you're only 25 minutes from central Geelong!

While you're in region you can also always pop into one our Visitor Information Centres, our volunteers can help you find the perfect activity for your family.

Find out more

School holidays

What's On

Swan Bay Express Train Rides

Where to eat these school holidays

Family-friendly eats

Paddock Bakery Geelong

Wharf Shed

Buckley's Entertainment Centre

Mt Duneed Estate

Austin's Wines

Basils Farm

Sober Ramen

MexiCam's Restaurant & Fiesta

Little Creatures Brewery Geelong

Caruggi

Nicol's Paddock

Pavilion Geelong

FarmDog Brewing

My Bellarine Kitchen

Barwon Edge

Flying Brick Cider House

Waurn Ponds Hotel

The Dunes Ocean Grove

The Esplanade Hotel Queenscliff

Sphinx Entertainment Centre

Norlane Hotel

The Batesford Hotel

Blackman's Brewery Geelong

Things to do with kids these sping school holidays

Family-friendly activities

Westfield Geelong

Port Phillip Ferries Portarlington

Bellarine Rail Trail

MoPA: Museum of Play and Art - Geelong Children’s Museum

Barrabool Maze Estate

Go Ride A Wave - Ocean Grove

Geelong Sports Museum

National Crime & Justice Museum - Geelong Gaol

Werribee Open Range Zoo

National Wool Museum, Geelong

Geelong Fishing Charters

Bellarine Arts Centre

The Rock Adventure Centre

Ocean Grove Bowling Club

National Crime and Justice Museum - Geelong Gaol Tours

Potato Shed - Bellarine Arts Centre

BOUNCEinc Geelong

Adventure Park

Sea All Dolphin Swims

Portarlington Bayside Miniature Railway

Geelong Library & Heritage Centre

Bellarine Adventure Golf

Next Level Skirmish – Outdoor Laser Tag, Geelong

Searoad Ferries Queenscliff

Laserquest Geelong

Aero Bounce Bungy Trampolines - Geelong Waterfront

Queenscliff Bowling, Tennis and Croquet Club

Queenscliffe Maritime Museum

Yummy Mummy Lolly Shop

The Mill Markets

Carousel Geelong

Kevin Hoffman Walk

Brisbane Ranges National Park

Geelong Arts Centre

Ragged Edge 4x4

Curlewis Golf Club & The Range at Curlewis The Bellarine

Fairy Park

Bellarine Railway

Corio Bay Fishing & Cruise Charters

You Yangs Regional Park

Fort Queenscliff Tours

Freckleberry Chocolate Factory

Your ultimate guide to exploring the You Yangs

Curious kids. Big day out.

Fun for all ages

5 unique train experiences

Entertain the kids in Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale

Family-friendly holiday stays

Explore accommodation

Rydges Geelong