Public transport is free for the whole month of April: Here are 10 spots to visit in Geelong using the free services

Just in time for the school holidays, jump on the V/Line and venture to some of our best entertainment spots

In an effort to keep the state moving as the rising costs of fuel put a pinch on the wallet, the state government are offering travellers free public transport for an entire month. Starting tomorrow, Tuesday 31 March, the initiative will run until Thursday 30 April, for use of transport across the state. This includes Melbourne trains, trams and buses; and regional trains, coaches and buses (including intertown and regional town bus services).

Free travel is limited to trips solely within Victoria (with an exception for travel to Albury, Mount Gambier and Deniliquin), though airport buses, ferries and privately-run services are excluded. You won’t need to tap on, but if you do, there won’t be a charge. Additionally myki passes will not be charged during the period.

So to take advantage of free travel across the state this month, including during school holiday and the Easter holiday period commencing this week, we’ve put together a list of 10 spots to visit within close walking distance to the Geelong V/Line Melbourne – Waurnponds Service.

Plan your trips and discover more travel and lifestyle content here.

Near Geelong Station

 

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Geelong Arts Centre

Where: 50 Little Malop Street, Geelong

Just a short walk through Johnstone Park, you’ll find the cultural precinct of the Geelong CBD. Geelong Arts Centre is one of the major drawcards. Their performance program boasts a bunch of theatre and music events this month, as well as dance workshops. Their state of the art facility is worth a walk through as well.

Find out more about their April program here.

Geelong Gallery

Where: 55 Little Malop Street, Geelong

Before their major international Impressionist exhibition hits, get down to Geelong Gallery to view their current exhibitions. You’ll find a mixture of bold decal displays from Jon Campbell with yEAH / dUNNO, ceramic creations with Form and Function, and a glimpse of the future art makers of region with Future Creatives. Geelong Gallery sits directly across from the Geelong Arts Centre and a quick walk through Johnstone Park from Geelong Train Station.

Plan your visit here.

Platform Arts

Where: 60 Little Malop Street, Geelong

Platform Arts is also positioned across the road for even more arts experience. Check out the what it means to remember program spanning two levels of galleries along with their two workshops taking place this month; Pecha Kucha on 16 April, and A Book of Hours on 24 April.

Discover their full program, and sign up for events here.

Geelong Regional Library and Heritage Centre

Where: 51 Little Malop Street, Geelong

Whether you’re after some quiet reading time, some book borrowing, to visit the impressive Dome facilities, or to engage in some interactive programs, Geelong Regional Library and Heritage Centre is a wonderful place to start! From a huge range of books and resources, to quiet nooks to explore pages, Geelong Regional Library and Heritage Centre is a great way to spend the day and super close to the train and bus network.

There’s always an extensive school holiday program, packed with imaginative and creative events for the kids. You’ll find the repurposing workshop Trashion Newspaper Fashion: Fact or Fiction and Real or Ridiculous Stories Preschool Storytime happening in the school holidays as well as many more items across the regional library network.

Head here for the full list.

 

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Little Malop Street hospitality hub

The celebrated hospitality heartbeat of Geelong is just a hop, skip and jump from Geelong Station. Just past the cultural precinct indulge in some of our best bites and drinks our region has to offer. There’s Felix down Downes Lane, and on the main drag  you’ll find Astray Bar, Manhattan Bar, Mav’s Greek Restaurant, Cake Cult, and more.

On the surrounding streets there’s also Leega Korean BBQ, frankie Bar & Eats, Here and Now Lounge, Alma, and Emerge Dining. Even closer to the station stop into The Davidson for a dining experience.

Every Saturday you’ll also find Geelong City Market in full swing from 9am – 2pm. It also sits at Geelong Bus interchange so there’s plenty of free access to this hotspot.

National Wool Museum

Where: 26 Moorabool Street, Geelong

Whilst still a staple of our cultural DNA in Geelong, National Wool Museum is slightly removed from the Little Malop Street run of arts experiences. It is, however, just as easy to get to from the Geelong train line. Walk directly down Brougham Street to find this historical gem, housing our region’s history of wool, manufacturing, and textiles.

Visit their collections and current displays for both Interwoven: Fibre Art and Fashion, and Wildlife Photographer of the Year, or drop in for some fun school holiday activities including the very cute Drop In Craft: Animal Art.

View the sessions here.

Near South Geelong Station

 

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GMHBA Stadium, Kardinia Park, and Geelong Sports Museum

Where: 370 Moorabool Street, South Geelong

For footy fans travelling from afar, the Melbourne to Waurnponds service has provided many with the quick luxury of getting to GMHBA Stadium. Our sports precinct at Kardinia Park sits in short walking distance from South Geelong station, making attending events at the stadium a breeze. Having undergone a major development, the refreshed grounds are perfect for a school holiday or weekend explore and play. Catch a game at Kardinia West Oval, Geelong Cricket Ground or Kardinia Park Netball Complex, hangout at Djilang Plaza, or visit the Geelong Sports Museum where you will find exhibitions and displays of our region’s rich sporting history.

Explore all that Kardinia Park has to offer here.

Little Creatures

Where: 221 Swanston Street, South Geelong

Another short walk from South Geelong is our brewery giant Little Creatures. You won’t want to drive to this stop, where you can sit back and sink in their crispest beers, tour the brewery plant, feast in their dining hall, or browse ones of their many laneway markets.

An added bonus is that the site is fully kid friendly with a dedicated playground and menu for the little ones.

Find out more about Little Creatures here.

The Pivotonian

Where: Moorabool St &, 4 Verner St, South Geelong

On your walk to GMHBA Stadium, you’ll pass the Pivotonian, Geelong’s own independent cinema. Showing not only the big blockbuster films of the season, the Pivotonian is all about supporting independent films and documentaries. There are plenty of sessions to catch, and across April they are a venue for the Alliance French Film Festival, bringing a huge program of French cinema to the screen.

Find out more about The Pivotonian here.

Near North Geelong Station

 

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There and Back Again Records

Where: 171 Melbourne Road, Rippleside

North Geelong Station is not only a great connection to get to both Melbourne and Geelong, but it is an ideal spot for crate digging! Just across the highway lights from this stop you’ll be drawn to the bright orange building. Here is There and Back Again Records – a great spot for finding niche and super rare pre-loved records, along with some of the best curated local selections from the team.

Find out more here.

BONUS

It would be completely remiss of us not to mention the our landmark tourist spot of Geelong Waterfront is just a short 5 minute walk from Geelong Station, directly down Bayley Street and onto Gheringhap Street. You can check out the newly developed Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre on the way! There’s also ease of access into the CBD for shopping.

In addition to the V/Line train network, there is an extensive public transport network of buses that connect you to places across the region.

Head here to find out more about the Geelong network, and here for the full list of services and timetables.