Top things to do these school holidays

Victorian winter school holidays: Friday, 26 June to Sunday, 12 July 2026

Winter school holidays in Geelong and The Bellarine are made for rugging up and getting out anyway.

There’s snow play at Adventure Park’s Winter Glow, glowing garden walks at Eclipse: In Bloom, Steamlight Nights in Queenscliff, the Piccadilly Winter Wonderland Market at Little Creatures, Searoad Ferries school holiday activities, and Dinos at the Zoo and Dinos After Dark at Werribee Open Range Zoo.

Add in cosy lunches, indoor fun and plenty of fresh-air stops for kids who still need to run, climb, scoot or splash through a puddle.

Plan a day in Geelong, head to the coast, book something after dark or build a little winter getaway around it. There’s plenty happening across the region.

What's On

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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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Top school holiday activities to keep the kids smiling

Winter does not mean staying inside for two weeks, although a few indoor back-up plans definitely help.

Start with the classics. MoPA Geelong is great for younger kids who need hands-on play, colour and movement. Bounce, The Rock Adventure Centre and Laserquest are handy indoor options.

For galleries, shows and a bit of local history, head to Geelong Gallery, check out the many events at Geelong Arts Centre or see what's on at the National Wool Museum. They’re all close to the city centre, so you can pair a visit with lunch, a hot chocolate or a wander through Little Malop Street.

If the kids need fresh air, You Yangs Regional Park is a great winter walk. The tracks suit a range of ages and energy levels and dogs are welcome on lead.

Winter is also whale season. Pack the binoculars and head to The Bluff in Barwon Heads to see if you can spot whales moving along the coast.

For a coastal day, pick a Bellarine town and grab fish and chips by the beach, a ferry ride from Queenscliff, a walk along the pier in Portarlington, a play at Portarlington Recreation Reserve Playground or a wander through village shops can fill a winter day.

And if your crew likes something a little different, try a family-friendly game of lawn bowls at Ocean Grove Bowling Club or Geelong RSL.

Family-friendly activities

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Winter with kids

From light trails and train rides to indoor play, playgrounds and family-friendly lunch stops, there are plenty of ways to keep the kids busy this winter.

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.

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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 have free on-board kids activities including dolphin discovery workshops, a visit from the Easter Bunny and more. 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!

Find out more

School holidays

What's On

Adventure Park's Winter Glow

Dinos After Dark

Dinos at the Zoo - Werribee Open Range Zoo

Eclipse: In Bloom - A Luna Light Journey

Face painting by The Party Girl - Queenscliff

Krazy Koala Puppet Show - Queenscliff

Melbourne Renegades School Holiday Camp – Geelong

Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre Community Open Day

Polyglot Theatre Takes Over the Gallery

School Holiday Chocolate Pizza Making Workshop

Soaring Eagles, Roaring Thunder: Geelong’s BMX Story

Steamlight Nights - Queenscliff

Swan Bay Express Train Rides

The Wrong Book Show

Where to eat these school holidays

Family-friendly eats

Nicol's Paddock

Little Creatures Brewery Geelong

Barwon Edge

Pavilion Geelong

Mt Duneed Estate

My Bellarine Kitchen

Basils Farm

Sphinx Entertainment Centre

Blackman's Brewery Geelong

MexiCam's Restaurant & Fiesta

Buckley's Entertainment Centre

Sober Ramen

Waurn Ponds Hotel

Austin's Wines

The Batesford Hotel

King of the Castle

Flying Brick Cider House

FarmDog Brewing

Caruggi

Wharf Shed

The Esplanade Hotel Queenscliff

The Dunes Ocean Grove

Norlane Hotel

Paddock Bakery Geelong

Top school holiday activities to keep the kids smiling

Family-friendly activities

Curlewis Golf Club & The Range at Curlewis The Bellarine

Corio Bay Fishing & Cruise Charters

Geelong Library & Heritage Centre

Sea All Dolphin Swims

Portarlington Bayside Miniature Railway

Geelong Arts Centre

Queenscliffe Maritime Museum

Bellarine Arts Centre

National Crime and Justice Museum - Geelong Gaol Tours

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

Go Ride A Wave - Ocean Grove

Kevin Hoffman Walk

Carousel Geelong

Ocean Grove Bowling Club

Geelong Sports Museum

Bellarine Adventure Golf

Adventure Park

Westfield Geelong

Port Phillip Ferries Portarlington

Bellarine Railway

Fairy Park

Werribee Open Range Zoo

Next Level Skirmish – Outdoor Laser Tag, Geelong

Aero Bounce Bungy Trampolines - Geelong Waterfront

Searoad Ferries Queenscliff

The Rock Adventure Centre

National Wool Museum, Geelong

You Yangs Regional Park

The Mill Markets

BOUNCEinc Geelong

Laserquest Geelong

Geelong Fishing Charters

Ragged Edge 4x4

Brisbane Ranges National Park

Queenscliff Bowling, Tennis and Croquet Club

Barrabool Maze Estate