Plan your summer in Geelong with Segways, seafood and surf

Stuck for a summer holiday destination? Try the cool regional city that has a vibrant foreshore, eclectic shopping, nearby beaches, horseriding, fishing and garden mazes, all on Melbourne’s doorstep. See our picks of what to see and do.

TIM Carr, owner of Segway Geelong, is looking forward to a busy summer following the lifting of COVID travel restrictions.

“I am very excited for the future as I believe that due to the restrictions on travel from Australia more people, having realised what it’s like to be locked down, will look for local options than previously, so I think summer will be busy and fun,” he says.

Tim, who established Segway Geelong in 2015, was quick to change his business after the pandemic hit.

Segway Geelong is looking forward to a busy summer following the lifting of COVID border restrictions.

“COVID created the great unknown in terms of what was ahead of us as individuals and as a business. When the first lockdown hit my decision was to not offer my normal tours at the Geelong Waterfront and Leura Park Estate Vineyard,” he says.

At the end of the first wave, Tim restarted tours with COVID-safe adjustments.

“That meant cleaning segways and helmets between customers, requiring hand sanitation, social distancing and temperature checking and the compulsory wearing of masks. I also had to confirm with all my visitors that they were not from a COVID lockdown area,” he says.

Numbers then trickled along for a few weeks, but he was happy to be out and working.

“Customers have been great and have come along wearing masks and happy to abide by the protocols and these protocols will now remain in place till they become redundant,” he said.

A sole operator, he has missed visitors from Melbourne and other regions as they constituted about half of his customers and he is looking forward to increasing numbers again.

“Segway Geelong is, as far as I know, the only segway business that operates on public spaces in Victoria,” he says.

“We are supported by the Geelong City Council and have permission to operate along the waterfront and throughout Eastern Park.”

Tours are offered at both locations daily and include a lunch option at Leura Park Estate Vineyard.

DISCOVER GEELONG OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

JUST a one-hour drive from Melbourne’s CBD, Geelong and surrounds offer fantastic surfing, wineries, relaxed eateries, eclectic shopping and off-the-beaten track adventure all within a daytrip of the city.

AMAZING RACE

GET lost as you weave your way through the Barrabool Maze, 15 minutes from Geelong. It’s located on 1.6ha near Ceres, along with gardens and a cafe. barraboolmaze.com.au

GIDDY UP

SADDLE up at Spring Creek Horse Rides at Bellbrae between Torquay and Anglesea. Trail rides cater for beginners to experienced riders following trails through the Great Otway National Park. springcreekhorserides.com.au

CATCH OF THE DAY

THROW in a line and catch a snapper, King George whiting or flathead and admire the coastal scenery with Queenscliff Fishing Charters and Scenic Tours. Wildlife and ecology tours to see fur seals and Australasian gannets are also offered. queensclifffishingcharters.com.au

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