The 2026 Meet Geelong and The Bellarine Mega Famil

A Mega Famil Experience Showcasing Geelong and The Bellarine

Last week, Geelong and The Bellarine proudly hosted 38 event planners and media representatives from across Australia as part of a Mega Famil designed to showcase the region’s exceptional business events offering.

Guests travelled from interstate and intrastate, arriving via Avalon Airport or crossing the bay from Melbourne’s Docklands with Port Phillip Ferries. From arrival, they were immersed in the region and transported via Victorian Bus Charters to begin a carefully curated program of experiences across Geelong and The Bellarine.

Two Immersive Opening Experiences

To begin the famil, guests were split into two groups to experience the diversity of the region’s food, wine, and experiential offerings.

One group boarded the iconic Q Train for an indulgent three-course degustation journey through The Bellarine, including a site inspection stop at Suma Park, showcasing its potential as a unique event and dining destination.

The second group travelled to Jack Rabbit Vineyard, where they took part in a Mussel Masterclass led by the head chef, followed by wine tasting and a relaxed two-course lunch overlooking the bay.

Both experiences highlighted the strength of the region’s culinary storytelling, premium produce, and distinctive venues for corporate groups and incentive programs.

Bellarine Experiences and Coastal Flavours

Following lunch, the group continued to explore The Bellarine.

Guests visited The Whiskery, where a guided gin tasting by the fireplace introduced them to the story of Bellarine Distillery and its potential for intimate incentive experiences and group gatherings.

From there, the group travelled to Flying Brick Cider House, where both streams came together for a shared cider tasting and high cheese experience. Set amongst the vineyards, this stop provided the perfect opportunity for networking, and relaxed conversation.

With a capacity of up to 400 guests, Flying Brick showcased its suitability for welcome events, offsite functions, and large-scale group experiences.

Geelong Arts Centre: Creativity and Performance

The final stop of the afternoon was the Geelong Arts Centre, a venue that continues to redefine creativity within the business events space.

Guests were taken on a guided site tour through this dynamic and versatile venue, which offers surprises at every turn. With a strong blend of functionality and artistic flair, the Arts Centre can accommodate up to 760 guests in its largest theatre space, or 400 guests for a cocktail-style event.

The experience concluded with an outstanding live performance by acclaimed artist Giuseppina Grech, providing a powerful and memorable close to the day.

Arrival at Accommodation Partners

Following the afternoon program, guests were transferred to their accommodation partners across the region, including Novotel Geelong, Quest Geelong Central, Bayside Geelong Hotel and Apartments, Holiday Inn and Suites Geelong, Crowne Plaza Geelong, and Waurn Ponds Estate, where they were able to refresh ahead of the evening program.

Higher Mark Showcase at GMHBA Stadium

The evening commenced at GMHBA Stadium, where guests were welcomed with a striking hot air balloon fire installation by Liberty Balloons, setting the tone for an unforgettable night.

From there, guests stepped inside Higher Mark to explore one of the region’s most unique and dynamic conference and event spaces. The experience began with a spectacular sound and light show on the field, offering exclusive access to the stadium including on-ground player seats, the opportunity to hold the AFL Premiership Cup, and a showcase of Higher Mark’s capabilities displayed across the stadium’s digital screens.

Networking with Regional Partners

The evening then transitioned into an intimate networking showcase in the stadium’s warm-up rooms, providing guests with the opportunity to connect directly with key regional partners.

Participating members included Liberty Balloons, Novotel Geelong, Quest Geelong Central, Crowne Plaza Geelong, Lancemore Mansion Hotel Werribee Park, Searoad Ferries, Holiday Inn and Suites Geelong, Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre, Victorian Bus Charters, Curlewis Golf Resort, Higher Mark at GMHBA Stadium, and Geelong Arts Centre.

This strong representation of the region allowed meaningful conversations and valuable connections between event planners and local industry partners.

A Progressive Dining Experience Like No Other

The evening concluded with a progressive dining experience that showcased the versatility of Higher Mark as a premium event venue.

Guests began with entrées served in a hidden reveal space, where a dramatic floor transition unveiled a glass floor above the stadium’s warm-up rooms - connecting the evening’s earlier networking experience in a truly unexpected way.

Main courses were then served in the Captain’s Room, overlooking the stadium oval, before dessert was enjoyed in the prestigious President’s Room.

Throughout the evening, guests were treated to exceptional cuisine and insights from the Higher Mark executive chef, including fascinating game-day catering statistics that highlighted the scale of operations during AFL season.

A Strong Start to the Famil

Day one concluded with guests departing for their accommodation, marking the end of a powerful introduction to Geelong and The Bellarine as a leading destination for conferences, incentives, and corporate events.

From immersive food and wine experiences to world-class venues and stadium-scale activation's, the Mega Famil demonstrated the depth, diversity, and creativity that define business events in the region.

To read on and discover Day Two of the Mega Famil click the button below.

Discover Day Two