Eastern Beach Swimming Enclosure
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 favorite destination for families since opening in the late 1930s and is as popular today as it was then.
Eastern Beach was fully restored during the 1990’s as the first part of our major Waterfront precinct rejuvenation and more recently has had its children’s pool upgraded..
The swimming enclosure is one of Geelong’s most know icons, this huge double platform wooden structure complete with shark gate sweeps in a half circle around 8 1/2 acres of sea water. The enclosure has diving board, floating islands and slides and can hold thousands of swimmers, with a nice 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 an important learn to swim centre for the city for decades and is very busy on warm days.
Eastern Beach has a beautiful red brick art deco kiosk building which is home to one of the city’s finest dining experiences, and a large al fresco dining area out the front. The kiosk also sells plenty of ice cold drinks and ice creams for visitors to the beach. 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 favorite all year round.
Rising to the Eastern Beach road above is one of Geelong’s’ most striking architectural features, A white Spanish staircase, they are quiet spectacuar and offer amazing 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 for visitors is the historic home Corio Villa which 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 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 favorite for picnics, bbq’s sun baking and ball games. The parkland becomes a amphitheatre several times during the year hosting several major events. The Denis Walter Christmas Carols by the Bay spectacular is held their ever December and many of the City’s huge public events are held at Eastern Beach in the past, including ceremonies for 2000 Olympic Games Torch Relay and the 2006 Commonwealth Games Baton run. Richie Boulevard which links Eastern Beach to Bellarine Street was home to the Geelong Speed Trials for several decades.
Christmas and Boxing Day holidays are also huge days at Eastern Beach and nearby Eastern Park with tens of thousands flocking to the parklands for picnics and BBQs.
