Standing to the east of our city on Corio Bay is our much loved and magnificent Art Deco masterpiece, Eastern Beach. It has been a favourite destination for families since opening in the late 1930’s and it is as popular today as it was back then.
Eastern Beach was fully restored during the 1990’s as the first part of our major Waterfront precinct rejuvenation. In recent years the enclosure has had its children’s pool upgraded as well.
The swimming enclosure is one of Geelong’s most well-known icons. This large double platform wooden structure complete with shark gate sweeps in a half circle around 8 1/2 acres of sea water. The enclosure has a diving board, floating islands and slides and can hold thousands of swimmers, with a delightful sandy beach backing onto the children’s pool.
The children’s pool is a shallow cement pool which includes a magnificent fountain in the centre. The pool has been a significant learn to swim centre of the city for decades and is extremely busy on warm days.
Eastern Beach has a beautiful Art Deco kiosk building constructed of red brick that is home to one of the city’s finest dining experiences on its upper level. The kiosk also sells plenty of ice cold drinks and ice creams for visitors to the beach. The large al fresco dining area located out the front is a fantastic place to relax while the kids have fun in the pool. The paved area is also home to a lovely lifesavers and change pavilion with red terracotta tiles. A huge playground for the young is on the east side in the parkland and is a favourite all year round.
Rising to the Eastern Beach road above the parkland is one of Geelong’s most striking architectural features, a white Spanish staircase. The stairs are quite spectacular and offer breathtaking views of the Eastern Beach promenade and Corio Bay. At the half way point, there is a large fountain with crane and tortoise statues. These are replicas of the originals which now live in the Botanical Gardens for safe keeping. The stairs are one of Geelong’s most popular locations for wedding photographs.
Another must see for visitors to the area is the historic home Corio Villa. This home dates back to 1856 and overlooks Eastern Beach on the corner of Fitzroy Street and Eastern Beach Road. Recently the property has become luxury accommodation, giving the public the first chance ever to enjoy this incredible home. Corio Villa offers one of the city’s most beautiful photo opportunities. The adjoining properties along Eastern Beach road are also some of the city’s most expensive and exclusive addresses.
Surrounded by a fairly steep grassed slope and some of the city’s most beautiful palms, peppercorns and Cyprus trees the reserve is a favourite for picnics, BBQ’s, sun baking and ball games. The parkland becomes an amphitheatre several times during the year hosting several major events. The Denis Walter Christmas Carols by the Bay spectacular is held there every December. Many of the city’s huge public events have been held at Eastern Beach in the past, including ceremonies for the 2000 Olympic Games Torch Relay and the 2006 and 2018 Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Run. Richie Boulevard which links Eastern Beach to Bellarine Street was home to the Geelong Speed Trials for several decades. Today, the speed trials have been reincarnated as the Geelong Revival and take over the area in late November every year.
Christmas and Boxing Day holidays are also huge days at Eastern Beach and nearby Eastern Park. Tens of thousands of families flock to the parklands for picnics and BBQs that have now become a Christmas tradition.