What to do and see in Geelong & Bellarine, Victoria: The Best Museums

Queenscliff Gallery (QG), exhibits the artwork of Australian artists with a focus on original prints and works on paper. QG is housed in an 1868 Wesleyan church located on the Bellarine Peninsula and also offers editioning and publishing services.

Boom Gallery is a vibrant contemporary Art Gallery located in Rutland St Newtown, Geelong in the former RSS Woolen Mill. Within the gallery are dedicated exhibition spaces, a design gallery, art stockroom and stand alone café. The aim of the gallery is to exhibit the highest standard of contemporary art and design in a space that is dynamic and exciting. We aim to actively engage people with the arts practice of artists, designers and makers from our region and across Australia. The gallery houses a café that creates a meeting place for visitors and locals, including the creative community of Rutland St.

Geelong Children's Museum, MoPA: Museum of Play and Art, is a beautiful and creative space for children and families to play and learn together. Visitors can roam and engage with the immersive experiences, or join in on any number of artful activations with the amazing team of educators. The Museum is open 7-days a week but tickets are limited - so forward bookings are highly recommended (via their website)!

Great Family Entertaiment, enjoy the rare opportunity to tour a 19th century Coastal Artillery Fort. Amongst underground magazine, inside the Keep, fascinating artifacts and historial objects is the opportunity to try on uniforms from different moments in time. Walking tour approx 1 hr and 1/2 with a one of our friendly, knowlegable Tour Guides.

Here the story of wool is brought to life - told by those who lived it and through the sights and the sounds of heritage machines weaving carpets and knitting socks. Here the smell of lanolin fills the air, fresh fleece beckons your touch and the authentic surrounds of the shearing shed immerse you in the Australian wool story. The National Wool Museum experience is more than just wool. Here history, science, fashion, handcraft and art come together. Here temporary exhibitions and programs combine learning, exploration and entertainment. Here you can find the finest woollens, learn a traditional craft, explore our region's heritage and maybe even come fate-to-face with creatures from our past. Today the National Wool Museum is one of Australia's cultural treasures - as a cultural heritage destination for visitors and community.

Discover the fascinating maritime heritage of Queenscliffe with a visit to this regional maritime museum, perched near the entrance to Port Phillip and its notorious 'Rip'. From the arrival of the early sailing ships more than 200 years ago, this picturesque coastal town has been shaped by boating activities and the maritime industries which have developed. From shipwrecks to heroic rescues, early fishermen and boat builders, light keepers and their technologies, sea pilots and divers, there are plenty of stories to discover. The last of the Queenscliff Lifeboats is the centrepiece of the museum. Even today, the museum sits adjacent to Queenscliff Harbour with its boating marina, and within walking distance of the Searoad Ferries. Guided museum group tours, and Point Lonsdale Lighthouse tours (conditions apply), are available by prior arrangement. Nautical gift shop available.

Narana is an award winning Aboriginal Cultural Centre offering authentic, immersive cultural experiences. Experience the World’s Oldest Living Culture first hand with a Free self-guided Tour or book one of our group visitor experience tours delivered by expert Cultural Interpreters. “Narana” means Listening and Learning, but it’s a deep, deep listening in which you take in and live out. It is this concept of “Listening and Learning For Life” which underpins Narana’s mission to be a destination for cultural education and tourism activities which promote greater understanding of Aboriginal Culture and history. Listen and Learn about Ancient Dreaming stories, Connection To Country through Songlines, artworks, cultural artefacts and bush tucker. Nestled amongst native trees, walkways, garden & our resident wild life is our Cultural Education Exhibition Building, Art Gallery, Cafe Narana & Retail Outlet. Narana’s Art Gallery exhibits & sells artworks from internationally acclaimed and emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait artists to suit all budgets. Cafe Narana serves up an extensive breakfast & lunch menu featuring dishes inspired by native ingredients and Indigenous flavours and includes both indoor & outdoor dining areas. Our Retail outlet stocks a large range of handmade items including boomerangs, didgeridoos, clothing, health & beauty, homewares, bush herbs and spices and souvenirs. Meet our resident emus and wallabies up close and you can even learn to throw a boomerang! Located 10 minutes from Geelong on the way to Torquay, on the doorstep of the Great Ocean Road, only 1 hour from Melbourne’s CBD. Open Monday to Saturday. Bookings can be made via phone or by visiting our website. Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre is a Non-For-Profit Educational & Tourism focussed Enterprise that is committed to providing a welcome entree to todays’ Indigenous culture. ‘EXPERIENCE NARANA’