Geelong is a wonderfully pretty pocket of the world. There are lots of nice places to visit on a half day or full-day date. In no particular order…..

1. A half or full-time day trip down the Great Ocean Road. Who wouldn’t love to get into a convertible Mercedes and head down the GOR? Anglesea, Lorne, Appollo Bay are all wonderful little places to visit. Even doing some walks through the Otway’s whilst you are down there is a fantastic and healthy way to spend time together. Erskine Falls and Teddy’s lookout are worth a visit.
2. Point Addis nudist beach. If you haven’t visited a nudist beach before, now is a great opportunity. The beach itself is lovely. And the people watching is incredibly interesting. You will see all kinds there. Plenty of gays, couples old and young, slim and overweight, families with young children and young teenagers. It’s very eclectic and empowering. Swimming starkers is liberating let me tell you. My experience is there isn’t much sleaziness going on, most are very respectful. You have to visit there once.
3. Barwon river. One of the iconic river systems in Victoria, the Barwon begins in the Otway Ranges and flows through the heart of Geelong on its 160-kilometre journey to meet the sea at Barwon Heads.

The river and its environs are marvellous places for water sports, walking, cycling, fishing or just relaxing. There are ample facilities to help you enjoy a visit. You can picnic at riverside Queens Park, watch the water cascade over Buckley Falls or stroll or cycle the kilometres of sealed paths along the river’s banks.

They pass fascinating wetlands, parks, a golf course, the Yollinko Aboriginal Garden and urban areas. Enjoy the native birds at Balliang Sanctuary or visit the Barwon Valley Park adventure playground.

4. Love it! Geelong Botanical Gardens. Just gorgeous. The site for my next photoshoot actually! They are an important garden which conserves plants from around the world.  Being there will stimulate your senses with the colours and scents of the amazing plant collection as we can explore this renowned regional garden. Relaxing on the lawns in peaceful surroundings on a warm sunny day is totally relaxing.

5. You Yangs. When in Geelong you have to head to the You Yangs. So close to Geelong city and yet you would think you are in the middle of nowhere. You Yangs Regional Park is part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape in the traditional Country of the Wadawurrung People. 

Magnificent views, birdlife and a mecca for walkers, horse riders and mountain bikers. The distinctive granite peaks of this park rise abruptly from the flat plains below. Flinders Peak and Big Rock have panoramic views out to Melbourne, which is just an hour away. The Flinders Peak walk is my favourite being nice and steep, about a 25-minute walk to the top and back down another 20 minutes. Great for your fitness!

I do have more favourite spots in and around Geelong but they would probably be my top 5 at this stage! You can’t just visit Geelong and not get out and about and see a little more of it. Beautiful and calming. Who doesn’t like parks, gardens and the ocean?