GEELONG CITY TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Across the Bay to Cutting Through Time: A ferry trip and gallery day in Geelong
A bundled Port Phillip Ferries crossing plus timed entry to Geelong Gallery exhibitions — this guide lays out departure windows, session bookings and the on-the-ground flow for a single-day art outing.
Across the Bay to Cutting Through Time: A ferry trip and gallery day in Geelong.
Experience a scenic ferry ride from Melbourne to Geelong paired with timed entry to headline exhibitions at Geelong Gallery — from the Cutting Through Time survey of Cressida Campbell and Margaret Preston (18 May–28 July 2024) to the Archibald Prize season (30 August–9 November) — all offered as a combined travel-and-entry package.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A scenic harbor cruise to Geelong
Port Phillip Ferries times the service around major gallery sessions, delivering a comfortable crossing that places you a short stroll from the gallery and into an afternoon of curated viewing.
Cutting Through Time: Campbell and Preston
The package includes entry to the Cutting Through Time exhibition at Geelong Gallery, celebrating works by Cressida Campbell and Margaret Preston (18 May–28 July 2024) that draw on Japanese ukiyo-e influences.
Archibald Prize season with a bundled ticket
Port Phillip Ferries partners with Geelong Gallery to offer a discounted ferry-plus-entry bundle for the Archibald Prize exhibition running 30 August–9 November, making a single booking the simplest way to combine transit and viewing.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
Board in Docklands at Victoria Harbour, cross Port Phillip Bay aboard a scheduled Port Phillip Ferries service, arrive in Geelong and take the short 15‑minute stroll to Geelong Gallery for a timed session — the combined ticket synchronises ferry departures with gallery entry windows so the day unfolds as a single, coordinated outing.
THE CROSSING
A scenic harbor cruise to Geelong
Port Phillip Ferries times the service around major gallery sessions, delivering a comfortable crossing that places you a short stroll from the gallery and into an afternoon of curated viewing.
THE EXHIBITION
Cutting Through Time: Campbell and Preston
The package includes entry to the Cutting Through Time exhibition at Geelong Gallery, celebrating works by Cressida Campbell and Margaret Preston (18 May–28 July 2024) that draw on Japanese ukiyo-e influences.
THE BIG SHOW
Archibald Prize season with a bundled ticket
Port Phillip Ferries partners with Geelong Gallery to offer a discounted ferry-plus-entry bundle for the Archibald Prize exhibition running 30 August–9 November, making a single booking the simplest way to combine transit and viewing.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this package suits — and where timing matters.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
This is a day trip with various departure times depending on the day; weekend departures from Docklands at 10:40 am (arrive Geelong 12:50 pm) and weekday school-holiday departures (except Tuesday) at 9:30 am (arrive Geelong 11:40 am). Gallery sessions are allocated across specific times and the gallery closes at 5:00 pm.
Board at Victoria Harbour, 131 Harbour Esplanade Docklands, VIC 3008; confirm your booked ferry departure time before arrival.
Gallery entry is allocated to specific session times—book early to secure your preferred slot as the package ties ferry travel to gallery sessions.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Where do I board the ferry?
Board at Victoria Harbour, 131 Harbour Esplanade Docklands (the Docklands departure point).
What are the ferry departure and arrival times to consider?
On weekends the service departs Docklands at 10:40 am and arrives in Geelong at 12:50 pm; on weekdays during school holidays (except Tuesday) the service departs Docklands at 9:30 am and arrives in Geelong at 11:40 am.
What does the package include?
The package bundles ferry travel with entry to Geelong Gallery exhibitions at a discounted rate, pairing transit with timed gallery sessions.
How are gallery entry times organised?
Entry is allocated across specific session times to manage visitor flow; weekend and weekday school-holiday sessions are listed and the gallery closes at 5:00 pm.
Which exhibitions are covered by these packages and what are the dates?
Cutting Through Time featuring Cressida Campbell and Margaret Preston runs from 18 May to 28 July 2024; the Archibald Prize exhibition at Geelong Gallery runs from 30 August to 9 November (the operator offers a bundled ferry + entry package for the Archibald season).
How far is the gallery from the ferry terminal?
The gallery is a short 15-minute stroll from the ferry arrival point in Geelong.