12 things to do in and around Geelong this weekend
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08.04.2021

12 things to do in and around Geelong this weekend

Make the most of the weekend and explore Geelong, Melbourne and the Bellarine.

No plans for the weekend? Itching to get out after a long week working from home or in the office?

Thankfully Geelong has plenty of day trip options that might tickle your fancy – and they’re just an hour or so drive away. So, fill up the tank, load up on snacks, download a banging playlist and venture out to enjoy all these activities and events around the city.

Check out ‘Saltwater Healing’ at Provenance Wines

If you’re on the hunt for one of the best places to sip some delicious while providing unique experiences around the region, the award-winning winery Provenance Wines is just the place – especially with this stunning new exhibition, ‘Saltwater Healing’.

Artists Lowell Hunter and sisters Tarryn and Kelsey Love have collaborated together to creatively showcase the diversity and richness of our First Nations culture. The immersive journey explores the narrative and stories of the artists and their connections to saltwater, culture and Country; all generously shared through their multi-disciplinary artwork.

With artworks displayed throughout the gallery, the exhibition reflects deep meaning and a sensitive connection to place and Country, giving guests an intimate and impressive insight into the respect and honour these artists give back to our ancient First Nations culture.

Located at 100 Lower Paper Mills Rd, Fyansford. Provenance Wines is open Thursday through to Sunday. You can book a table here.

Show off your putting skills at Melbourne’s Disney Pixar-themed mini golf pop-up

Prepare to kick some serious putt at Pixar Putt, a pop-up mini golf experience that’s back in Melbourne for April.

Inspired by some of Disney Pixar’s most famous films, this exciting open-air mini golf experience boasts 18 different interactive holes drawing on classics like Toy Story, The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, A Bug’s Life, Ratatouille, Monsters Inc, Wall-E, and new hits like Soul, Onward, Inside Out and more.

Having previously taken to Fed Square back in 2019, many familiar favourites will return alongside some brand-new holes across the entire 18-hole course, including Disney-Pixar’s latest hit, Soul, featuring layered step-like piano keys; along with Onward featuring ‘Guinevere’ the van; a new Toy Story 4 hole featuring Benson, the ventriloquist puppet henchman; and completely redesigned holes inspired by Pixar favourites, Ratatouille and Coco.

Designed for both the young and the young at heart, mini-golfers can take on 9 or 18 holes by Fed Square’s Riverside Terrace from Thursday 1 April to Sunday 25 April. There will even be evening, adults-only sessions running from Thursdays through Saturdays where we’re betting you’ll be able to get your hands on some damn fine tipples to see you through thanks to a pop-up bar.

Check it out here.

Have a laugh at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival has returned, injecting the city with a much-needed dose of laughs after the drudgery of 2020 – a year which saw the beloved extravaganza cancelled just weeks out from commencing.

Running until April 18, MICF will welcome a long list of events, with both old favourites and emerging talents taking to the stage. Whether it’s the return of Adam Hills – presenting his show, Shoes Half Full – or undisputed funnyman Aaron Chen, Gen Fricker, Anne Edmonds or the seminal Lano & Woodley, there’s something for everyone at Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2021.

The Festival Club is also back again – taking over The Forum in 2021 – as are MICF staples such as Comedy Zone, The Great Debate and the Indian All-Star Comedy Showcase. Then there’s Comedy Commutes – a new initiative from the festival that will see the comedy come to you – with venues located everywhere from Brunswick to Broadmeadows, Hawthorn to Footscray, hosting their own comedy events.

Have a squiz at the website here to find something you might like.

Immerse yourself in the ‘Jurassic World’ Lego Exhibition

Fan of the Jurrasic Park movies? Love Jurassic World? Well, Ryan ‘The Brickman’ McNaught – AKA the only Australian Lego certified “professional” has unveiled an epic, world-first exhibition at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) that transforms Jurassic World – the blockbuster franchise from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment – into an immersive must-do adventure that will be the largest LEGO® experience in Australian history.

Running until May 31, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in stories and characters from the Jurassic World franchise with over 50 large-scale dinosaurs, props, scenes and activities made from over 6 million LEGO® bricks. From the iconic four-metre-tall gates, and Isla Nublar, to the science labs of the Park and the petting zoo, fans of the franchise – and/or Lego – will be well and truly in their element. You’ll even be able to venture to the baby dinosaur enclosure, where a life-size LEGO® brick Brachiosaurus awaits that weighs well over two tons!

The hands-on exhibition also has a myriad of activities, from island-building, LEGO® paleontology and discovery through mystery mosaics, hybrid dinosaur creation, learning to track a dinosaur by creating species footprints, and even building escape vehicles to get away from a T.rex.

It’s Jurassic World like you’ve never seen it before. Tickets on sale now here.

Explore the beauty of Deep Blue Hot Springs after dark

If you’re all about chilling out and embracing life in the slow lane in this time, Deep Blue Hot Springs in Warrnambool is offering an after-dark experience like no other.

From right now until April 30, you can head down to the springs and experience their Hot Spring Sanctuary after dark from 6pm to 9pm Tuesday to Saturday every week.

Harnessing geothermal waters, the Hot Spring Sanctuary is a self-guided journey through the open-air geothermal pools at Deep Blue Hot Springs.

Offering a whopping 15 (yes 15!) enhanced bathing pools to choose from you are spoilt for choice at Deep Blue hot springs. Whether its gazing at the stary night sky from the reflection bay, immersing yourself in the neon lights of the colour therapy caves or basking under the rainforest shower in the rainforest pool, Deep Blue offers unique experiences for everyone.

Snag your tickets here.

Chase Waterfalls in Lorne

We are very fortunate in regional Victoria to be surrounded by some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the state – all located an hour away. If you’re feeling like getting out of the house for a day and exploring the beauty that is the Great Ocean Road, there’s at least 10 waterfalls located in Lorne that will keep you both busy and mesmerised for an entire day. There’s Erskine Falls which plunges (or trickles, depending on recent rainfall levels) down a 30-metre drop into the Erskine River; Henderson Falls which cascades over a moss-capped cliff face to a small pool below; Cumberland Falls and its dramatic but magnificent cliffs, gentle streams, peaceful pools, and never-ending views, among others.

We’ve compiled a list of 10 of our favourites here, along with links to their locations if you’re ready to go chasing waterfalls.

 

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Henderson Falls 💦 For the past little while I have had the all new Nikon ℤ5 in my greasy little hands! What can I say.. This ‘entry level’ full frame mirrorless is one powerful piece of gear!! I get the same vibes and excitement using it as I did when I first owned the D750, all those years back.. but this time, with the benefits of the mirrorless tech! 🤤🤤 While the ℤ5 has a few of features from its 2 bigger siblings, ℤ6 & ℤ7, this new body also has on-the-go USB-C charging, longer battery life and 5-axis (gimble-like) stabilisation. This shot was taken hand held annnd one legged, while I reached down off the bank to get a nice low perspective with a 1 second exposure. The inbuilt stabilisation worked a treat here! If you are looking for an upgrade or not sure what to get for you first full frame, this really is the perfect all rounder 👌 Join me this Wednesday as I break down my favourite features from this new mirrorless and go over a few of my photography tips and tricks! For tickets, check out the link on my bio 🤙🤙 Nikon ℤ5 Nikkor 16-35 F4 FTZ Adapter @nikonaustralia #mynikonlife

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Test yourself at Live Wire Park

If you’re feeling agitated after months indoors, then this might be just the thing to get your blood pumping before the new year! Known as one of Australia’s most electrifying adventure parks, it’s all about unplugging, recharging and setting your senses alight with the beauty of the Great Ocean Road whilst zip lining, roller coasting, climbing, exploring and wandering through this world-class adventure experience.

At Live Wire Park, you’ll find the ‘Shockwave Zip Coaster’ (Australia’s most extreme zip line), epic ropes courses and the treetop canopy circuit. All the ingredients for experiencing nature supercharged. It’s located in Lorne, so just over an hour from Geelong but you will have to book ahead. There are a few different experiences on offer too, so it caters to any type of adventurer – whether you prefer a nice, cruisy treetop walk, or you’re wanting to challenge your physical and mental abilities.

If high intensity is what you’re after, we recommend checking out the ‘Super Circuit’, which features 53 mid-air trails, suspended bridges, tree-scaling activities, an electrifying Tarzan-swing and a supercharged 10m QuickJump bungee. Definitely not for the faint hearted.

Prices start at $12 and you can book here. The park will be open every day during this period.

 

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Weekend is here… who’s ready to fly?

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Admire the RONE exhibiton at the Geelong Gallery

Good news, this one doesn’t require any travel!

Geelong-born street artist Rone (the artistic alias of Tyrone Wright), acclaimed for his major transformations of abandoned spaces worldwide has returned home this year with his first survey exhibition. Taking to the Geelong Gallery, Rone is showcasing his work over the past two decades, from early stencils and street art, to the major installations that have transformed abandoned spaces such as Empire, and The Omega Project.

As part of the exhibition, Rone has even transformed the rooms of Geelong Gallery in response to the history and architecture of the building itself, featuring an aloof-looking mural of a woman plus a haunting soundtrack by composer Nick Batterham.

It’s truly stunning and worth a look if you haven’t already. Tickets are $16 for adults, $12 for concession, $7 for children and can be booked online here.

Sing along at Piano Bar’s Pop Up in Barwon Heads

If you’re looking for some quality entertainment but want to get out of Geelong, the Piano Bar crew have decided to re-stock the container bar and set themselves up in Barwon Heads for the Easter School Holidays, bringing along the unparalleled atmosphere and entertainment that only Geelong’s piano bar delivers.

Armed with their trusty renovated shipping container and a sizable marquee, you can expect to see all the things we love about our nights at Piano Bar – the dance floor, the drinks, the food, drags, magicians, vocalists, piano performances, and a number of special guest artists.

Multiple sessions will run across the holidays from April 2 all the way through to April 18, bringing two hours of live entertainment to keen punters with their Thirsty Thursdays, Bitches with Balls – Drag Bingo, and a ‘Taste of Piano Bar’. Highlights will be when Kate Daley (singing the songs of Fleetwood Mac) takes to the stage on April 14, the Good Faces 4 Radio team bringing their much loved tribute to ‘The Music of Bon Jovi’ show to guests on April 5, as well as the famed drag extravaganza ‘Pitch Please!’ which takes over the bar on Sunday evenings.

See what’s going on this weekend here.

Explore The Redwoods

Located an hour and a half from Geelong and tucked within the heart of the Otways, on the banks of the Aire River south of Beech Forest surrounded by the native eucalypts, stands a spectacular forest of Californian Redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) worthy of a day trip. This 85-year-old plantation of Californian Redwoods has become a favourite local picnic area, and walking between the massive trunks flanking the river for the first time creates a special feeling of awe and reverence – one that’s really not to be missed in your lifetime.

As you’ve already jumped in the car, Hopetoun Falls and Beauchamp Falls are within close driving proximity to The Redwoods and are highly recommended to visit while in the region.

Find out more here.

Hang with some Meerkats at Ballarat Wildlife Park

The Ballarat Wildlife Park is the perfect day trip for anyone that wants to get up close and personal with wildlife.

The park specialising in native Australian animals and a wide variety of exotic reptiles. Here you’ll find Ballarat’s friendliest Meerkats, Kangaroo Island Kangaroos, giant Tortoises, Rattlesnakes, giant Anacondas, little penguins, Sumatran tigers, Pythons, crocodiles, alpacas, and even Tasmanian Devils and Victoria’s only Komodo Dragon. It’s a place of beauty for any wildlife and animal lover… and it’s one championed by a strong passion for the conservation of wildlife and the environment.

It’s a great day out for couples, families, friends or it’s great even if you want to head out solo – these animals don’t judge. You can even have personal encounters with some of the animals to make it truly memorable, like hand-feeding the 100 free-roaming kangaroos, pat the little joeys, carry a wombat, wrap a snake around your shoulders, or get your picture taken with Hugo, their Giant Tortoise who is over eighty years old.

So, what are you waiting for? Round up your animals loving friends and make the trip to Ballarat, you won’t regret it.

Situated on the corner of York and Fussell streets, the Ballarat Wildlife Park is open daily between 9am and 5pm. Visit the website for more details.

 

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Explore these epic lookouts and trails along the Great Ocean Road

Hailed one of the bucket list places to visit in the region and sprawling out for 243km around Victoria, the Great Ocean Road is one of nature’s most marvellous creations and a place you have to set out to visit at least once in your life, and included in that is the famed Twelve Apostles. Attracting over 1.2 million visitors annually, the eight remaining rock formations are a must-see sight along the Great Ocean Road and are best viewed at dawn or dusk when the coastline is bathed in pastel light.

While incredibly popular, and stunning of course, it’s not the only stop you can make, especially for those looking to soak up the beauty of Australia and get to grips with its wild and wonderful landscape.

We’ve rounded up a few of our other favourite lookouts and trails here that you should definitely put on your weekend to-do list.

 

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