Wander the walking trail to discover The Carousel, public art, the Baywalk Bollards, historical buildings, museums and galleries.

1. Eastern Beach Art Deco Bathing Complex

   was constructed between 1928 and 1939. The bathing complex was fully restored during the 1990's as the first part the Waterfront precinct rejuvenation. Individual promenade planks were purchased by the people of Geelong to assist with the cost of the restoration.

2. The Baywalk Bollards

   tell a story of the people and events associated with Geelong's history. There are 111 scattered along the Waterfront.

3. Paving Splats

   are splattered around the Waterfront as pavement inlays. Made of stainless steel with cast inlays depicting imported and locally made objects.

4. Customs Park Cargo Boxes

   are a series of brass and glass boxes containing sculptures and artefacts recognised early imports into Geelong. Each box features the name of the vessel which carried the goods and the dates the vessel operated.

5. Barcode Fountain

   incorporates a barcode from a Geelong iconic product: Noddy's Soft Drink. The barcode is reproduced on the stainless steel panels of the feature.

6. National Wool Museum

   is housed in a bluestone wool store built in 1872. Showcasing the story of wool, from the sheep's back to the clothes rack as well as operating a calendar of contemporary exhibitions.

7. Johnstone Park

   is a favourite haven for shoppers, workers and students. Once a swamp, then a dam, the area was transformed into a park in 1872, the idea of Mayor Robert de Bruce Johnstone.

8. Geelong Gallery

   was established in 1896. The Gallery has amassed a magnificent collection of 19th and 20th century Australian and European paintings, decorative arts and sculpture. The collection includes Eugene von Guerard's View of Geelong (1856) and Frederick McCubbin's A bush burial (1890).

9. North by Mark Stoner (2000)

   consists of seven randomly placed cement objects resembling sails or fins. No two fins are positioned on the same plane and by moving around the sculpture the profiles change quite dramatically.

10. The Carousel

    pavilion houses a rare and beautifully restored c. 1892 Armitage - Herschell steam driven carousel and an 1898 Gavioli Band Organ.

Dumpling lovers rejoice! Spend an afternoon tasting a variety of mouth-watering dumplings that can only be found in Central Geelong.

1. Oh Dumpling

   Ph: 03 4218 8162
   102b Lt Malop Street
   Click here for more.

2. Sober Ramen

   85 Lt Malop Street
   Click here for more.

3. Yangji Dumplings

   Ph: 03 5229 6389
   166 Ryrie Street
   Click here for more.

Are you a coffee lover? Use this coffee crawl map to discover a selection of Central Geelong coffee hot spots.

1. Neck of the Woods Cafe

   136 Myers Street
   Ph: 0499 222 003

2. Fuel Coffee & Food

   Shed 2, Gore Place
   Ph: 0423 224 808

3. Courthouse Cafe

   Corner Gheringhap and Little Malop Streets
   Ph: 5224 1588

4. Coffee Cartel Brew Bar

   1/80 Little Malop Street
   Ph: 03 5222 6115

5. James Street Bakery

   10 James Street
   Ph: 5221 3909

6. Hucksters & Co

   20 James Street
   Ph: 5222 4837

7. Bear & Bean

   136 Rear Ryrie Street
   Ph: 0419 585 679

8. A Spot for Joe

   33 Little Ryrie Street
   Ph: 0451 419 855

9. Little Green Corner

   42 Lt Ryrie Street
   Ph: (03) 5273 0229

Whether you're young or old, travelling alone or with a tribe, there's plenty for everyone in Central Geelong.

1. Geelong Library

   The new Geelong Library and Heritage Centre is a spectacular addition to Geelong's architectural and cultural landscape. It's a nine-storey state-of-the-art facility with all the mod cons for today's library user.

2. Geelong Gallery

   Geelong Gallery was established in 1896. The Gallery has amassed a magnificent collection of 19th and 20th century Australian and European paintings, decorative arts and sculpture.

3. Johnstone Park

   Johnstone Park, is a favourite haven for shoppers and workers. Once a swamp, then a dam, the area was transformed into a park in 1872, the idea of Mayor Robert de Bruce Johnstone.

4. National Wool Museum

   The timeless Australian story of wool, combined with exciting contemporary exhibitions, presented in an historic bluestone woolstore in Geelong's vibrant waterfront precinct.

5. The Carousel

   Spend some magical time at the beautifully restored Carousel at the Geelong Waterfront.

6. Eastern Beach

   This scenic reserve was built during the 1930s and is home to the Geelong promenade and shark proof sea bath.

7. Geelong Botanic Gardens

   Stimulate the senses with the colours and scents of the amazing plant collection as you explore this renowned regional garden.

Laneways in Central Geelong are fast becoming vibrant places to discover something new. So we thought we would hand pick a variety of gems and help you uncover some local secrets.

1. Analogue Academy

   It's a coffee shop, a film lab, a gallery, a hot doggery and one of the coolest venue you'll find (80s board games and working Super Nintendo unit included) in Central Geelong. They also run regular events, exhibition openings, camera walking tours and offer a not so disposable camera service.
   0481 396 085
   

2. Fuel

   Tucked down a side street, this little cafe is brimming with personality, energy and passion. Driven by owner/barista Greg Matheson, Fuel dishes up outstanding coffee and simple, yet well-thought out food in a contemporary, industrial interior featuring custom and vintage bicycles and motorbikes on display.
   2 Gore Place
   0423 224 808
   

3. Cakesmith

   Enter an arcade between Ryrie St and Little Ryrie St and discover a hole in the wall cake shop with the most amazing delicate mini cakes. It's a cosy space where passersby can grab a cake and enjoy a friendly chat with the lady behind these masterpieces.
   126 Ryrie Street

4. Down the Alley

   Just off the Waterfront's main drag sits this welcoming little cafe where food is lovingly made and served by owner Ben. Locally-sourced food features in all of their menu items made up of home-style cooking with a modern twist. Sit out the front in the lane, inside or cosy up on the couches.
   10 Edgewater, 6-8 Eastern Beach Road
   5222 6273
   

5. Union Street Wine

   The perfect stop before or after dinner to enjoy a wine by the glass or bottle, with a plate of small goods and cheeses. The bar is loaded with dozens of bottles of wine the owners have carefully selected. It's also part bottle shop which allows you to purchase a bottle to take with you if you're going out for dinner at one of the many nearby restaurants (on that note, Lipari is right next door where you'll find delicious home-made pasta dishes).
   8 Union Street
   5221 6291

6. Captain

   On a balmy night, this hidden back-yard-come-bar is the place to enjoy a craft beer, cider or wine. Sit outside around the hip old caravan and enjoy the atmosphere until late.
   Tolmie Place (behind There There)
   5229 4546

7. Parkers Steakhouse

   Down a back alley, in an old building with some moody-lighting this local's favourite serves up steak perfectly cooked to your liking. Only the finest range of Australian meat products are used here; Prime Australian pasture - fed beef, cut to our exacting specifications, then aged for 28 days at strictly controlled temperatures to maximise tenderness and enhance flavour. Whilst the steak is what you'll write home about, the sides, wines and vegetarian options are just as delicious. A great place for couples as well as groups.
   2 Shorts Place
   5221 8485

8. Koffie Haus

   Koffie Haus is a cosy cafe paying tribute to life in the Netherlands and Austria. It features premium Viennese brand Julius Meinl bio fair-trade coffee, exotic teas, lekker tostis, baked goods and cold drinks at great prices. Nice and close to Deakin.
   34-36 Smythe Street
   0404 720 463

9. IGNI

   IGNI, a 50-seater restaurant set to open in late Summer by Chef Aaron Turner and ex-Loamers Andrew Hamilton and Joanna Smith. Stay tuned!
   Ryan Place

Discover some of the delicious vegan friendly cafes in Central Geelong. Sample vegan food, sweets and treats from some of our favourites. Try the classics and find some hidden secrets.

1. The Sprout & Bean

   1/163 Malop Street

2. The Fresh Food Merchant

   138 Malop Street

3. Rook Sri Lankan Fusion

   92-94 Malop Street

4. Bear & Bean

   7 Warner Place

Treat yourself to a fun filled morning of coffee and cake. Enjoy a variety of sweets and coffee from just a small sample of Central Geelong's thriving café scene. From donuts to cake to coffee to sweets, you will be left with a sweet taste in your mouth.

1. Uncle Donut

   100 Lt Malop Street

2. Coffee Cartel

   1/80 Lt Malop Street

3. Cakesmith

   126 Ryrie Street

4. Moo Mouth Café

   148 Lt Malop Street

5. Twisted Dessert Bar

   122 Moorabool Street

This Central Geelong walking tour will feel like a trip around the world.

1. Mavs Greek Restaurant

   Authentic Greek restaurant offers fresh, homemade cuisine with a combination of smaller dishes designed to share alongside a bigger, heartier fare.

2. Chung Vinh Phat Asian Groceries

   For all your Asian grocery shopping
   139 Moorabool Street

3. Just Spice

   Indian Grocery
   168 Moorabool Street
   5222 4451

4. Analogue Academy

   Hot dogs! Hot dogs! Get your Hot dogs!
   20 Cuzens Place

5. Bear & Bean

   Healthy locally sourced food
   136 Rear Ryrie Street

6. Hucksters & Co

   A N.Y. style bakeshop with quality specialty coffee, sandwiches, handmade pies sausage rolls
   20 James Street
   5222 4837

7. Caruggi

   Rustic Northern Italian cuisine in a relaxed setting
   66 Lt Malop Street
   5229 6426

8. The Hot Chicken Project

   Amazing fried chicken with a spice recipe sourced from Southern USA
   84A Lt Malop Street
   5221 9831

9. Pistol Pete's Food n Blues

   Specialising in Southern & Louisiana cuisine with a mess of the Blues thrown in
   93A Lt Malop Street
   5221 0287