The Geelong Waterfront is the city’s favourite spot to play. Locals tend to gravitate there whenever the sun comes out, at weekends and during holidays. There’s loads of places to eat, drink and soak up the sea air while watching the water sparkle.

At one end of the Waterfront precinct, Eastern Beach is a gorgeous reminder of days gone by with the art deco promenade, children’s pool and lawns perfect for picnics and soccer.

Nearby, watch the yachts bobble in the breeze at their moorings in the Royal Geelong Yacht Club. It’s a great spot for breakfast and is the place to be each January when it hosts the Festival of Sails, the largest sailing regatta in the southern hemisphere.

Along a little further is the historic restored Carousel. Children big and small can take a spin or just admire the beautiful vintage ride.

The central waterfront precinct around Steampacket Gardens has loads of eating and drinking options from casual cafés and pizzas to pubs, bars and classy restaurants.

The Pier dominates the water views and at the end is Wah Wah Gee restaurant and Wah Bar. Onshore, Deakin University’s Watefront Campus is housed in repurposed red brick woolstores.

Nearby towards Western Beach there’s a fantastic playground for little kids and a brilliant skate park for bigger ones.

The entire stretch of the Waterfront features The Bollards, colourful painted characters who represent some key people in the history of Geelong.