community
Free Things to Do in Geelong: Waterfront & Parks
Explore 8 free family activities in Geelong including waterfront walks, Eastern Park gardens and public art. Perfect for school holidays without breaking the budget.
How we reported this
Geelong lists eight free activities focused on its waterfront, gardens and public art for locals looking to fill days without entry fees in mid-2026.
Household budgets across the Bellarine Peninsula tightened after the latest rate notices arrived in June, prompting families to seek outings that do not add to weekly costs while still using the city's open spaces.
The City of Greater Geelong maintains walking paths along the Corio Bay foreshore and gardens at Eastern Park that remain open daily. Staff at the Geelong Art Gallery on Little Malop Street also keep several outdoor sculptures accessible without charge.
Waterfront and park routes
Start at the Steampacket Gardens on Moorabool Street where paved paths run beside the bay for two kilometres toward Rippleside Park. Continue to the former Cunningham Pier site where interpretive signs detail the port's history. Walkers reach the Eastern Beach promenade by 10am most weekdays when parking along The Esplanade stays free until 3pm.
Further inland, the Geelong Botanic Gardens on Ryrie Street open at 7.30am and close at 5pm in winter. The 160-year-old collection includes labelled trees planted in the 1850s and a separate sensory garden added in 2019. Nearby, the Geelong War Memorial on the same grounds offers a short loop past rose beds that local walking groups use on Tuesday mornings.
Public art and garden trails
Eight listed stops fit a single afternoon circuit. They include the waterfront bollard trail painted by artist Jan Mitchell, the large steel installation at Western Beach, the garden sculptures inside the Geelong Botanic Gardens, and the free viewing deck at the Little Malop Street gallery façade. Additional stops cover the riverbank murals near the Barwon River trailhead at Shannon Avenue and the seasonal light projections on the waterfront promenade after dusk.
City records show 1.1 million visits to Geelong's public gardens and foreshore reserves in the 2025 financial year, with July figures typically 12 per cent above the annual monthly average. No bookings are required for any of the eight locations. Visitors should check the City of Greater Geelong website for any temporary path closures before heading out.