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Geelong's Best Winter Walks: Coastal Trails, Wetlands, Volcanic Plains
From the tidal boardwalks of the Bellarine to volcanic plains hikes, here’s where to get outside in and around Geelong this July.
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Geelong’s outdoor scene has never been busier. With tourism numbers up 14 per cent year-on-year to June 2026, according to Visit Victoria, the city’s network of coastal walks, wetlands and national parks is drawing record crowds, and for good reason.
The winter months are prime time for getting outside in the Geelong region. Cooler temperatures mean the bushland is lush, the paths are quieter, and the bay views are often crisp under the low northern sun. For anyone needing a break from screens or headlines about property prices and royal gossip, the real draw is just a short drive from the CBD.
Bellarine Peninsula: tidal walks and birdlife
The Bellarine Rail Trail is the obvious starting point. The 32-kilometre sealed path runs from Geelong’s South Geelong station all the way to Queenscliff, passing through Leopold, Drysdale and Ocean Grove. The section between Drysdale and St Leonards is particularly good in July, the gums overhang the path and the winter light turns the paddocks a soft gold. No entry fee, just a bike or sturdy shoes.
For something more wild, head to the Lake Connewarre Wildlife Reserve. The boardwalk at the Reedy Lake bird hide, off Baenschs Lane, gives you a front-row seat to migratory waders including eastern curlews and sharp-tailed sandpipers, numbers peaked at over 1,200 birds last winter, according to BirdLife Australia's Geelong branch. Best viewed within two hours of high tide.
Kids will love the tidal pools at Point Lonsdale’s Ocean View Lookout. At low tide, check the Bureau of Meteorology app for times, the rock platforms are scattered with sea stars and tiny crabs. Parking is free along Point Lonsdale Road, but fill up early on weekends; the car park fills by 9.30am.
You Yangs and volcanic plains: ancient landscapes 30 minutes from town
Just a 25-minute drive from central Geelong, the You Yangs Regional Park offers some of the best short hikes in the state. The Flinders Peak Walk is a 4-kilometre round trip that climbs granite boulders to a 360-degree view of the Bellarine, Geelong and Melbourne on a clear day. Entrance is free; dogs allowed on a lead.
If you want something less vertical, the 7-kilometre Hovell Circuit meanders through grey box woodland where you’ll spot eastern grey kangaroos almost every time, there were 37 counted on a recent ranger survey in late June. The park is managed by Parks Victoria, which runs a free guided walk at 10am every second Saturday from the Turntable car park, Geelong-Bacchus Marsh Road.
Further inland, the Organ Pipes Loop Walk at Anakie Gorge is a 3.5-kilometre stroll past basalt columns formed by volcanic flows 1 million years ago. The carpark at the end of Basin Road is rarely full on weekdays, but it’s a $5 cash-only entry fee, no card accepted, so bring coins.
Practical tips for a winter outdoor day
Most of these spots are accessible by public transport via V/Line to Geelong and local Bus Services routes 60 and 61. The Sunbus network runs from the station to the You Yangs turnoff on the Geelong-Bacchus Marsh Road, about a 3-kilometre walk to the park entrance.
Temperatures in Geelong this week are forecast to hit 13 degrees on Saturday July 11 and 14 degrees on Sunday, with morning drizzle clearing to partly cloudy. Wear layers, bring a waterproof jacket and carry at least one litre of water per person. The Visitor Information Centre at 26 Moorabool Street sells detailed walking maps for $5 and rents out walking poles for $10 a day.
If you’re planning a trip mid-week, most trails are nearly empty. But come prepared, the cafes in Drysdale and Queenscliff close by 3pm during winter, so pack a thermos if you want a hot drink after lunch.