Geelong hotels for family getaways to Victoria’s second city

Just seconds away from the Geelong waterfront, a stay at Novotel Geelong will place you in one of this vibrant Victorian city’s best locations. Centrally located, this amenity-laden hotel offers a restful retreat from the city’s buzz but is an ideal base for exploring sweet attractions like the Friends of Geelong Botanic Gardens, the National Wool Museum and Geelong’s own Adventure Park.

If you want to stay and chill at the hotel, there are more than enough on-site activities to keep your brood entertained. Let the kids practise their cannonballs in the indoor heated pool (supervised, of course) while you sneak off to the steam room to open up your pores. Or, fire up some friendly competition in a family tournament at the children’s interactive games table.

When the sun sets, splash out on the hotel’s babysitting service so you and your other half can retreat to the on-site Waterfront Restaurant, Bar and Lounge to indulge on dishes like Indian spiced salmon and 12-hour braised beef cheek, accompanied by a frozen margarita.

Spacious superior rooms with private balconies and blissful water views easily accommodate families. If you’re looking for a true treat, a weekend in the sprawling Steampacket Suite is what to go for. The suite’s separate lounge area provides ample space for kids to play, while two 55-inch television screens mean everyone can watch their favourite movies. Run a soothing bubble bath in the freestanding tub, then lean back and unwind on one of two bay-view balconies – great on those balmy summer evenings.

Hardworking parents looking for a break from the daily grind will find Oakdene on the Bellarine Peninsula an ideal spot for a child-free getaway. With only three guest rooms (each with its own quirky theme), this lovingly restored 1920s homestead gives the gift of peace and quiet.

The Water Room, decorated in blue and grey and boasting expansive views over the vineyards, displays an old corrugated water tank transformed into a unique ensuite. The sleek Marilyn room, in hot pink and smoky black, features a larger-than-life image of the blonde bombshell herself, while the earthy browns and garden views of the Attic Room will soothe the soul. All rooms include a complimentary Wilding’s mini-hamper filled with delicious local produce.

Oakdene’s very own cellar door is a mere skip from where you’ll lay your head. There’s an array of award-winning bevvies for you to sample, so book a tasting session for maximum exposure to the estate’s mouthwatering wares. Those interested in architecture will love the cellar door’s unique design: it’s built to look like an upside-down A-frame house made of recycled and reclaimed timber.

Quality time away with a significant other wouldn’t be complete without long evenings of gastronomic indulgence, and the on-site restaurant, Marty @ Oakdene, will satisfy your appetite. The contemporary menu features mains like rack of lamb, lamb short-rib croquettes and miso eggplant piperade with black truffle jus, not to mention indulgent desserts (hello, lavender crème brûlée!). Of course, the estate has its own wine list to complement your meal. If you’d rather a more casual dining experience, you’ll find it in cheery comfort at the on-site cafe, Mr Grubb.

Your family getaway to the second largest Victorian city doesn’t have to be stressful if you choose your Geelong accommodation carefully. Check in to one of Quest Geelong‘s stylish serviced apartments and you’ll have all the comforts of home just a block from the city’s shimmering waterfront.

Choose from one-, two- or three-bedroom units and take advantage of sumptuously soft furnishings, laundry facilities and a kitchen complete with dishwasher. The daily housekeeping service will keep your space spick and span throughout your stay so you can let the kids run wild without worrying about the cleanup.

If family breakfasts are a pyjama affair, Quest’s pantry shopping service can stock your full-sized fridge with fresh groceries to give you a relaxed start to the day. Dining out is also an easy option, with an eclectic blend of eateries within walking distance. Begin your morning with a breakfast of bacon and eggs or a mango and coconut smoothie bowl at the multiple-award-winning King of the Castle Cafe. In the evening, Tulip offers a delicious array of shared plates for a fun and highly social meal option.

For activities, venture out to swim with dolphins off the Bellarine Peninsula with Sea All Dolphin Swims in Queenscliff, a 35-minute drive away. If you prefer to stay closer to the apartment, an easy 13-minute walk will have you winding back the clock with a ride on Geelong’s vintage hand-crafted wooden carousel. When everyone’s energy is spent, head back to the apartment for a quiet drink, then relax on your private balcony as you welcome the evening.

With a focus on contemporary design, quality materials and a creative aesthetic, Vue Apartments mean you get luxury in droves when you want Geelong accommodation for the whole brood. On the edge of the Geelong Central Business District and with views of Eastern Beach, this upscale serviced apartment complex is loaded with style and comfort.

Take in sweeping views of the bay from the private terrace of your two-bedroom deluxe apartment, adorned with artwork by local artists, before retreating to your designer bathroom for a long, luxurious spa bath. You’ll be eager to sink into your award-winning King Koil bed for a sound sleep, then kick-start the next day with a coffee from your in-room espresso machine.

Perhaps your other half will win some brownie points by taking the kids out for waffles at nearby Freckleduck while you sample the serenity of the hotel’s on-site day spa. An Ocean Mineral Salt Glow treatment and a customised facial are blissful remedies to life’s hectic moments.

There are plenty of restaurants within easy walking distance of your apartment, too. Wander out for a relaxed teatime treat of tacos at Taco Bill or, or if you’re in the mood for a stylish night out, head to La Vista for authentic Italian dishes like mushroom risotto or a seafood platter for two. If your little ones are tired from tearing up the Eastern Beach Playground, flex your feast-making muscles in your apartment’s fully equipped kitchen, then snuggle down together for an evening in front of the 42-inch TV.

Overlooking the glittering waters of Corio Bay is Quality Hotel Bayside Geelong. Just a five-minute drive from the city centre, this sleek, family-friendly Geelong accommodation option is perfectly placed if you’re seeking to blend relaxation, fun in the outdoors and sightseeing in a bayside holiday spot.

Check in to a Bayview Superior Family Room and drink in water views from your secluded balcony or courtyard. If you’re after a home-away-from-home vibe, one- and two-bedroom apartments let you whip up family feasts in a full kitchen. After a day of fun in the on-site swimming pool and sauna, tuck the kids up in plush twin beds so you can take some time out in your apartment’s sumptuous spa bath.

Begin exploring the local area by meandering along the foreshore to the Western Beach Foreshore Reserve, an easy 10-minute walk away, where the kids can slide down a rainbow tube slide and climb to their hearts’ content. If you fancy a swim, stroll 25 minutes from your hotel to Eastern Beach Recreation Reserve. Here you’ll soak up the sun or slip into the cerulean bay to cool off in the safety of the swimming enclosure.

Treat the young ones (and yourself) to a triple scoop from Miss Gina Gelato before retiring to the hotel for a well-earned afternoon siesta. If the heat of the day leaves you with little urge to cook or go out on the town, you can head down to on-site foodie haven: Black Salt. Kid-friendly bites like crispy chicken dippers will keep the younger family members content, while dishes like brown sugar ocean trout, duck fat potatoes and deconstructed pavlova will delight mature palettes.

Perched beside the meandering Barwon River, Geelong Discovery Parks offers accommodation choices to suit virtually every budget and party size. Pitch your tent on the powered campsite and enjoy an affordable few nights cosied up under the vast Victorian sky, or amp up the home comforts by checking into a deluxe spa cabin with plush furnishings, a stocked kitchen and a deeply indulgent spa bath. Regardless of your accommodation choice, you’ll be welcome to enjoy the park’s numerous facilities: think activity room, swimming pool, camp kitchen and laundry.

Take a morning dip in the outdoor pool before heading into central Geelong for ice creams on the pier, just a 10-minute drive away. From there, decide between a city-centre shopping session or a family trip to Fairy Park, where you’re never too old for fairy tales, dragons, tunnel mazes and model trains.

After a busy day exercising your imagination, head back to the park and fire up the barbecue for a classic Australian outdoor feast. Pour yourself a chilled pale ale and relax as your youngest family members blow off their last bit of energy with some table football in the activity room or out on the playground.