The Carousel in Geelong is a throwback to the heady days of boardwalks and piers. The way the…read moreattraction is housed and presented is nice, though, with the enclosure, it's a little separated from the rest of the oceanfront area. Still, it's a great way to beat the heat!

This place appears to be Geelong's main beach, or at least the main city beach. However, while you…read morecan swim in the sea, they also have a pretty cool pool at one end, and honestly, I'm actually more of a swimming in the pool type of person than swimming in the ocean (unless I am out far enough where I am not touching the bottom). The reserve itself is pretty cool, especially all of the bollards that are around the place, which has been painted to appear to be people. In fact these bollards seem to be an aspect of Geelong that make the city unique.

A nice family-friendly place to enjoy. This is a well-thought out place, with a pool for the…read moreyoungsters and a shark-proof beach for teenagers and adults to enjoy. Walking upon the boardwalk heading into 'the beach section' you will notice metal plaques on each piece of slats with a name on it, the individuals kindly paid and donated that particular slats for the boardwalk. In the beach section, apart from swimming, you can have lots of fun where there are floating islands where you could play by sliding off a rotating barrel and into the water or simply climb up a large diving tower for that big splash you were hanging out for plus more. You can see many lifeguards patrolling the area that puts your mind at ease as well. If you want something to eat or have a cool drink or treat, there are kiosks there to cater for your needs. They also have a picnic area with facilities or playgrounds if you don't want to get wet - lots to do there. But what this beach is famously known for is their Baywalk Bollards, scattered all over the place. Each set of bollards represent a story of the city's past, the bollards are from old timbers and piles from a city pier and transformed into beautiful work of art by an Australian artist Jan Mitchell. If you want to know the story that goes with the bollards, there is a book available for purchase from the Carousel at the Waterfront. And yes... I couldn't help myself, I had to take a photo of myself with these characters. You could easily spend a whole day there with plenty to do and see.

This is a great place for regular pub food, but with a twist. Since it brought in its new…read moreIndonesian head chef, it's menu has been including delicious Indonesian cuisine. The regular pub food is great but I also love the Indonesian food. I recommend going on the Wednesday night because they have an Indonesian food stand where you can choose what you would like.

A good beach for the kids, and especially good for beach cricket... but extremely windy and hardly…read moreany waves the few times we went. Being down in the Surf Coast area, it's not hard to find great surf beaches. However, every once and a while you will be looking for something different. Torquay Beach will be exactly that. The problems though are that it's busy, being right off the main esplanade for the town. The several times we went as well, the waves were pretty much non-existent, and it was extremely windy. Our friends had to pull down their sun shelters for fear of going the way of Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz! It might be a personal preference thing... but the kids and I prefer the surf. If that's what you're looking for, try another beach. Then again, if you want large open expanses of flat sand for some cricket, make your way down here.

One of the better surf beaches in the area!…read more Patrolled after 10am by the local life saving club, flags and all, it's pretty good for the kids to go out and have a paddle. There's also a lot of surfers here, and it's a great place to take the body board out and catch a wave or two. This is a proper surf beach, with waves (and swells) of over 2 metres; please be careful - as always - around the water... but have fun! :)

This is a genuinely honest meal with a huge selection of your usual curries steaks and the chicken…read moreparmigiana are huge turn up hungry you won't be disappointed the atmosphere is the same as any subsidised sporting venue (not at all intimate.

I strongly believe that everyone should go to GMHBA stadium in Kardinia Park because it's a really…read morefun experience and you will have long lasting memories to look back on for years to come! Firstly, the food at GMHBA is awesome but a little too expensive. My favourite part about GMHBA is that there is no roof and the building is colossal. Secondly, the tickets are very affordable and the view is perfect! Lastly, the service is amazing and the staff are so nice. Plus, there's a huge variety of delicious food for all. Did you know GMHBA means Geelong Medical Hospital Benefits Association? Overall, everyone should go to GMHBA it's an amazing facility, great service and food is amazing! Written by CD - aged 9

It was my brother's and my first time surfing in Australia I wanted instruction from a friendly…read moreknowable staff. I checked online and decided to visit Torquay. After doing some research we found Go Ride A Wave. After easily booking online we arrived at the shop and met the staff. They were happy and friendly and made me feel comfortable. Becky took us out with 2 others and taught us about the beach, currents and etiquette. After a short and educational instruction on the shore we headed out. Becky was amazing and helped us catch our first waves. She pointed out what to look for and taught us what to do. I caught so many great waves and had a blast. I would definitely go back again. Thanks for great memories and encouragement. I always felt safe in the water with Becky around.

Want to learn to surf in a non-competitive, supportive and fun environment? Look no further!…read more I'm not even sure where to begin! The shop is easy to find in Torquay and street parking is easy. The staff are relaxed and nice, and will help you find a good wetsuit (if the water's a bit cold like when I went.) It is an easy stroll to the beach from HQ, and the on-sand demos and instructions make sense. Once in the water the instructors spend good time with you in a group lesson and make sure it's not frightening. It wasn't scary at all, and I met some nice girls in my group who I'm now friends with in Melbourne. I've been to other surf schools where it felt competitive and I was afraid to ask questions, and I didn't get that here at all. I felt encouraged, and even when I was tired staff kept me motivated. Initially I felt like a fish out of water, by the end I felt like a fish flying over the water. I became a lot more comfortable in the ocean and loved the feeling of riding a wave (okay, it was whitewater- but still, it was a beginning!!) Rad place to go- get the stoke with this crew in Torquay!