Lara Travel Guide

Geelong

Wildlife Wetlands Sanctuary is located in the open grassy woodlands and wetlands of the volcanic Western Plains in between Melbourne and Geelong, in Lara.
Wildlife Wetlands Sanctuary is located in the open grassy woodlands and wetlands of the volcanic Western Plains in between Melbourne and Geelong, in Lara.
Serendip Sanctuary is a great place to see Emus and Kangaroos in a 'wild' setting. They let many native animals roam free and you can just walk past them. They have a number of bird hides and enclosures where you can also see native animals. It's free to visit and is close to Lara train station.

Popular places to visit

Serendip Sanctuary is a great place to see Emus and Kangaroos in a 'wild' setting. They let many native animals roam free and you can just walk past them. They have a number of bird hides and enclosures where you can also see native animals. It's free to visit and is close to Lara train station.

Serendip Sanctuary

Explore the great outdoors at Serendip Sanctuary, a lovely green space in Geelong. While in this walkable area, find time to visit its shops.

Serendip Sanctuary
Ferry

Spirit of Tasmania Ferry Terminal

5/5(4 reviews)

Explore the waterfront in Geelong with a trip to Spirit of Tasmania Ferry Terminal. Visit the shops and top-notch restaurants in this vibrant area.

Spirit of Tasmania Ferry Terminal
Puddles reflecting the mountains and sky #hiking #wanderlust

You Yangs Regional Park

You can take time to visit You Yangs Regional Park during your travels to Geelong. Amble around the area's parks or visit its casinos.

You Yangs Regional Park
Geelong Carousel and Eastern Beach panorama, Geelong, Victoria Australia, early morning.; Shutterstock ID 1346846348; Purchase Order: SP-2381; Order Number: SP-2381 STAYZ/VRBO/BOOKABACH Nov 2019 - Ima

The Carousel

Enjoy an outing to The Carousel during your stay in Geelong. Stroll along the beautiful beaches or visit the shops in the area.

The Carousel
Walkway around the swimming enclosure

Eastern Beach Swimming Enclosure

If a restful holiday is part of your travel plans, Eastern Beach Swimming Enclosure might be the perfect place to visit during your trip to Waterfront Precinct. While in this relaxing area, find time to visit its shops.

Eastern Beach Swimming Enclosure

Lara Heritage and Historical Museum

You can spend an afternoon browsing the exhibits at Lara Heritage and Historical Museum in Geelong. While in this walkable area, find time to visit its shops.

Lara Heritage and Historical Museum

Things to do

Bay cruise across Port Phillip Bay

Around the Bay Food and Wine Taste Trail

฿4,589
per adult
Around the Bay Food and Wine Taste Trail
Geelong Waterfront

Around the Bay Sightseeing and Bay Cruise

฿3,961
per adult
Around the Bay Sightseeing and Bay Cruise
Balloon Rides in Geelong and Bellarine Peninsula

Balloon Rides in Geelong and Bellarine Peninsula

฿8,715
per adult
Balloon Rides in Geelong and Bellarine Peninsula
One of the 'must' drive coastal roads of the world

3-Day Melbourne to Adelaide Tour Including the Great Ocean Road

฿50,749
per adult
3-Day Melbourne to Adelaide Tour Including the Great Ocean Road
GRAMPIANS N.P.

3-Day Great Ocean Road and Grampians Tour from Melbourne

฿56,579
per adult
3-Day Great Ocean Road and Grampians Tour from Melbourne
Great Ocean Road is scenic all year around

Overnight Great Ocean Road Tour from Melbourne

฿30,292
per adult
Overnight Great Ocean Road Tour from Melbourne
See all activities in Geelong

Top hotels in Lara

Lara Lodge

Lara Lodge

3.5 out of 5
325 Forest Road North Lara VIC
The price is ฿4,422 per night from 26 Feb to 27 Feb
฿4,422
฿4,422 total
26 Feb - 27 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this cabin in Geelong. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and patios. Popular attractions Serendip Sanctuary and Kevin Hoffman Walk are located nearby.
9.4/10 Exceptional! (94 reviews)
Clean, convenient, the owners were helpful and warm, facilities were very comfortable.

Reviewed on 21 Jan 2026

Lara Lodge
Rydges Geelong

Rydges Geelong

4 out of 5
Cnr Gheringhap & Myers St Geelong VIC
The price is ฿3,582 per night from 22 Feb to 23 Feb
฿3,582
฿3,940 total
22 Feb - 23 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Geelong. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,011 reviews)
Room was clean and tidy. Staff were helpful and prompt and responded to changes in plans efficiently.

Reviewed on 12 Feb 2026

Rydges Geelong
Eden Oak Geelong

Eden Oak Geelong

4 out of 5
20 Adams Court East Geelong VIC
The price is ฿2,876 per night from 19 Feb to 20 Feb
฿2,876
฿3,164 total
19 Feb - 20 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Geelong. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (487 reviews)
Location to local sites within walking distance . Rooms small & no comfortable chair. Lots of steps & no lift . Staff helpful. Limited parking near rooms . Pool small . Noisy outside doors to carpark made room shake

Reviewed on 8 Feb 2026

Eden Oak Geelong
Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong by IHG

Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong by IHG

4 out of 5
40 Ryrie Street Geelong VIC
The price is ฿3,578 per night from 22 Feb to 23 Feb
฿3,578
฿3,936 total
22 Feb - 23 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Geelong. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (376 reviews)
Ez check-in, clean rooms, towels and sheets. ez check-in and check-out. Good value for money. Nice stay.

Reviewed on 3 Feb 2026

Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong by IHG
Wyndham Resort Torquay

Wyndham Resort Torquay

4 out of 5
100 The Esplanade Torquay VIC
The price is ฿4,373 per night from 26 Feb to 27 Feb
฿4,373
฿4,810 total
26 Feb - 27 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Torquay. Enjoy free parking, 2 outdoor pools and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
Room was tidy but there were heaps of marks on walls and view out window was of pile of cut branches

Reviewed on 8 Feb 2026

Wyndham Resort Torquay
The Sands Torquay

The Sands Torquay

4 out of 5
2 Sands Boulevarde Torquay VIC
The price is ฿4,504 per night from 25 Feb to 26 Feb
฿4,504
฿4,955 total
25 Feb - 26 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this golf hotel in Torquay. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a golf course. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (591 reviews)
Room was great however staff at the reataurant were rude when notified of a missing order.

Reviewed on 10 Feb 2026

The Sands Torquay
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Lara

During the Australian International Airshow

Avalon

Though Avalon may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Avalon Coastal Reserve and Kevin Hoffman Walk.

Avalon
Eastern Beach and Corio Bay, Geelong, Victoria, Australia

Corio

You'll enjoy the restaurants and seaside views in Corio. You might want to make time for a stop at Beckley Park International Raceway or Corio Native Grasslands Reserve.

Corio
The Geelong Waterfront is a tourist and recreation area on the north facing shores of Corio Bay. The area was once part of the Port of Geelong.

North Geelong

You'll enjoy the restaurants and spas in North Geelong. You might want to make time for a stop at Spirit of Tasmania Ferry Terminal or Geelong Golf Course.

North Geelong
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Geelong West

While there might not be top attractions in Geelong West, you can explore the larger area and discover places like The Carousel and Geelong Performing Arts Center.

Geelong West
Walkway around the swimming enclosure

Waterfront Precinct

If you're spending some time in Waterfront Precinct, Geelong Botanical Gardens and Eastern Beach Swimming Enclosure are top sights worth seeing.

Waterfront Precinct
The big wheel on the waterfront.

Geelong Central

If you're spending some time in Geelong Central, Westfield Geelong and Geelong Performing Arts Center are top sights worth seeing.

Geelong Central

Lara Travel Guide