The Best Geelong Pubs and Breweries for the Finest Ales

Salute the humble hop at our pick of the finest Bellarine and Geelong pubs and breweries.

I’ve always been a Melbourne laneway kind of reveller but a recent visit to Victoria’s second city, Geelong, converted me into a craft beer cheerleader. Home to industrial-chic warehouse operations churning out hopalicious heroes, plus sprawling all-day taprooms with stellar beer gardens, Geelong pubs and breweries are casual-cool yet filled with quality indulgence.

Here are my top port city picks – stretching into the Bellarine Peninsula – for good times and great classic pours.

In short

If you only visit one of the best Geelong pubs, make it Little Creatures Brewery Geelong. With a kids’ playground, indoor and outdoor seating and slick merchandise, it’s the city’s OG craft beer superstar.

1. Little Creatures Brewery Geelong

a beer party at Little Creatures Brewery, Geelong — Gather with friends at Little Creatures Brewery. (Credit: Michael Peters)

Arguably the flagship taphouse that kickstarted Geelong’s craft brew craze, Little Creatures Brewery Geelong is my go-to for a family-friendly afternoon session. When I visited, I managed to get a table for eight adults and two children without calling ahead – it’s that huge. The rustic-meets-industrial brewery and beer hall is housed in a vast brick building that was formerly a wool mill. If you’re here for Little Creatures proper, you’ll love the Freo-born business’ signature hop-driven American Pale Ale, best washed down with woodfired pizzas and share plates. The food is surprisingly delicious, earning the Geelong pub’s dining room a place on my list of the best Geelong restaurants. Hopheads can take a brewery tour or simply try a paddle of whatever taps, including the crowd-pleasing Pipsqueak apple cider, take their fancy.

Address: 221 Swanston St, South Geelong

2. Mount Pleasant Rd Brewers

the bar counter at Mount Pleasant Rd Brewers — Enjoy a range of beers on tap. (Credit: Mount Pleasant Rd Brewers)

In town on the weekend? Run, don’t walk, to Mount Pleasant Rd Brewers , which only opens Friday to Sunday in summer, or Friday and Saturday during the cooler months. The independent brew masters blend seriously killer flavours that flow freely in their small yet cosy taproom and umbrella-dotted brew garden out back, drawing Geelong locals plus passionate beer fans from all over. Nine taps pour the brand’s beloved lager, IPAs, pilsners and experimental takes while a snack menu lines stomachs if there’s not a food truck hanging on-site.

Address: 110 Mt Pleasant Rd, Belmont

3. Malt Shovel Taphouse

the interior of the Malt Shovel Taphouse — Imbibe elevated tipples in the garden-inspired gastropub.

With its super contemporary look and feel – all white walls and flourishes of greenery – this Geelong taphouse welcomes both the uninitiated and the hobbyist brewer. Expect 16 beers on tap at any one time, a collection curated from different local brewers in addition to their own. Can’t decide on one? Opt for a tasting flight instead, and if you don’t pledge allegiance to the humble hop, there are wines and cocktails, too. Take your poison out to this Geelong pub’s sizable beer garden, festooned with string lights and featuring a retractable roof – it’s an ideal spot to while away an entire afternoon in the sunshine. Once hunger strikes, you’ve got options: this place specialises in rotisserie meats (think beef brisket, roasted herb porchetta and more), but pub grub classics like steaks, burgers, a chicken parmi and salads, are also up for grabs.

Address: Corner Bellarine and Malop St, Geelong

4. Flying Brick Cider Co.

a cider tasting paddle at Flying Brick Cider Co. — Swap your beer for a cider tasting paddle. (Credit: Visit Victoria)

Over on the Bellarine Peninsula, Flying Brick Cider Co. is a haven for the sweeter stuff. Choose from three core creations as well as taproom-only seasonal batches that lean into peak fruity flavours. The team are proud to play with purely Australian-sourced fruits including local apples and Packham pears, so it’s a great spot to visit if you like your cider more delicious and less carbonated water. Vibe-wise, the Geelong pub dazzles through its natural light-flooded beer hall and restaurant which opens to spacious lawns (often used for weddings). Wash your homegrown beverages down with grazing platters, hearty pub classics spanning burgers, steaks and a market fish, while children get their own dedicated menu of deep-fried delights.

Address: 1251-1269 Bellarine Hwy, Wallington

5. FarmDog Brewing

a bartender holding two glasses of cocktail at FarmDog Brewing, Geelong pub — Kick off the night with punchy cocktails. (Credit: Johnny Rollins Photography)

While we’re exploring the Bellarine, drop into FarmDog Brewing too, a top-notch operation located on McGlashan’s Wallington Estate winery. You’ll score a range of beers plus house crafted gins, best sampled as a FarmDog Gin Tasting Board with Fever Tree tonic and zesty garnishes. Beer paddles are also a popular choice, plus there’s a long list of classic cocktails to choose from if your sweet tooth can’t be silenced. The FarmDog love extended into a second tasting room right in the heart of Geelong in September 2025, offering the same famous blends in an intimate bar space right off Little Malop St. Destined to be hot in summer 2025, mark our words.

Address: 225 Swan Bay Rd, Wallington and Unit 2/5 Denny’s Pl, Geelong

6. Blackman’s Brewery Geelong

people sitting inside the pub at Blackman’s Brewery Geelong — Beer lovers gather at Blackman’s Brewery Geelong.

Located in an industrial precinct, Blackman’s Brewery Geelong is perhaps the archetypal new-age craft beer brewery. Open since early 2021, Blackman’s brews are poured out of a repurposed neon orange shipping container, and its mash tuns and fermentation tanks are on full display in all their shiny silver glory behind the taproom’s chairs and tables. There’s about 10 beers – and one cider – in its core range, plus a steady stream of seasonal brews. The spacious spot often plays host to live music sessions of a weekend, with regular food truck pop-ups too. If you’ve got time on your side, pay a visit to this Geelong brewery’s sister bars in Torquay and Ocean Grove, too.

Address: 29/8 Lewalan Street, Grovedale

7. The Batesford Hotel

Brown leather seating and tables in a pub — The charming country pub delivers historic charm. (Credit: Ryal Sormaz)

Moving into proper country pub territory, The Batesford Hotel is a regional Geelong pub with bucketloads of charm. You’ll spot it about six minutes’ drive from town, right along the highway – look for the long white building with a Carlton Draught sign on the roof, and don’t let the facade fool you. Inside, a beautiful, refurbished space, rich in timber and forest green to reflect its lush surroundings, instantly impresses. Live music flows all weekend, classic pub meals roll out of the kitchen and a beer garden dotted with picnic tables, right by a river, sets a totally serene scene.

Address: 700 Ballarat Rd, Batesford

8. Murphys

the exterior of Murphys Geelong — This Geelong institution was first established in 1855. (Credit: Jarrod Ward)

Let your hair down at Murphys , a pub every Geelong local’s practically grown up with. The spot to catch a game of footy or sink cocktails with friends, Murphys is my favourite pick for low-key hangs as the drinks flow freely of a weekend and there’s always a crowd. The views are impressive from the pub’s rooftop too, stretching out over the skyline, with protective sheeting ensuring it’s a great spot even when the weather is miserable. Grab an affordable feed as weekly specials include Tuesday Parmi Night, Wednesday Burger Night and Thursday Steak Night, while the regular menu features six different parmis, several burgers, steaks, pastas, fish and chips, and more.  

Address: 30 Aberdeen St, Geelong West

Video credit: Tourism Australia

From pink salt landscapes to oases fringed by forests of red gums, the lakes of this rural region are astounding.

You’re going to find peace and quiet when you take a road trip through the lakes of the Wimmera Mallee region. Whether it’s mirror-like pink salt lakes that look like an inland sea, or lakes fringed by forests of red gums that showcase Victoria’s arid beauty, there’s a lake for you out here somewhere.

1. Lake Tyrrell

Located in the dead heart of the Mallee, Victoria’s largest salt lake, Lake Tyrrell , is a landscape photographer’s dream – especially at sunrise and sunset when the pink salt flats look like a gigantic mirror. It’s easy to camp or park a caravan nearby, too, though the tiny town of Sea Lake is just south (with accommodation). In winter, shallow water covers the salt, creating surreal reflections of the sky.

2. Nhill Lake

There’s a permanent water source here, so there’s always plenty of water for water skiing, swimming and fishing (the trout and redfin fishing here is legendary). Located beside the pretty heritage town of Nhill with its main street of historic buildings, there’s options for eating and drinking right next door. There’s also a barbecue area with plenty of shady picnic spots and a boardwalk for walking around the lake.

3. Lake Bringalbert

Lake Bringalert is a great spot for aquatic adventures.

Located south-west of the pretty Mallee town of Kaniva, Lake Bringalbert epitomises the best of ‘outback’ Victoria. It’s ringed by red gums and red mallee and feels completely hidden from the world – you’ll barely ever see another person. There’s basic camping on its foreshore and Kaniva offers more accommodation options. It’s the perfect lake for swimming, kayaking and skiing, and the stars at night come without even a hint of city glow.

4. Lake Hindmarsh

If you’re a bird fan, you’ll love Lake Hindmarsh . Located north of Dimboola, Victoria’s largest natural freshwater lake is like an inland sea full of pelicans, swans and numerous species of ducks – but it also teems with everything from spoonbills to parrots. Sunsets here will blow your mind – the lake is a mirror for the pinks and golds you’ll see on the horizon. There’s free camping spots along the foreshore if you’d like to really contemplate the magic of the lake.

5. Pink Lake

Also known as Loch Lel , the summer months offer up some seriously vivid pink water colour at this lake north of Dimboola. The pink varies throughout the year, but is best after rain (hence why summer is the time to visit).

There’s plenty of birds, including wedge-tailed eagles, but you’re as likely to spot big lace monitors, kangaroos and echidnas. Nearby, check out the uber-cute heritage town of Dimboola and its eclectic shops, and Little Desert National Park, full of walking trails through mallee heathland.

6. Lake Lascelles

On a hot summer’s day, there’s nowhere better for a cooling dip, kayak or boat ride. You can camp by the lake , or at powered caravan sites – or the pretty town of Hopetoun offers numerous accommodation options a short walk away. At night you’ll see the lights of Hopetoun reflect off the lake. Fish for yellow belly, redfin or catfish, or try water-skiing. There’s also a great walking trail around the lake, where there’s more birds than you can count.

8 of the most thirst-quenching Geelong pubs and breweries