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A huge new waterfront convention centre in Geelong is officially complete – and it’s shaping up to be a game-changer for big events in the region. Meet Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre – a sprawling, state-of-the-art events hub perched right on the city’s glistening waterfront. While the doors won’t fully swing open to the public until July, the venue is already flexing its muscles, with more than 50 events locked in and a pipeline expected to draw more than 21,800 delegates through to 2028.
According to the Victorian Government, the first wave of 56 bookings alone is tipped to inject around $13 million into the local economy, thanks to a steady stream of visitors eating, drinking, shopping and generally living their best coastal-conference lives.
With 3,700 square metres of event space, a 1,000-seat theatre and all the cutting-edge AV bells and whistles you’d expect from a venue angling for global attention, it’s prepped and ready to host everything from major business summits to medical conferences – the kind of events that usually stick close to capital cities.
Delivered as part of the $676 million Geelong City Deal, the event centre isn’t the only exciting project popping up in the area – it’s part of a precinct-wide transformation.
Right next door, a new Crowne Plaza Geelong is already open, offering 200 rooms for interstate and international visitors who’d prefer not to commute from Melbourne post-networking drinks. Outside, the public Gheringhap Plaza is set to become a lively gathering space, complete with outdoor dining, a massive LED screen for broadcasts and more than 1,700 plants softening the urban edges.
Importantly, the land has long been a gathering place for Wadawurrung people, and the team behind the project have aimed to celebrate that cultural significance throughout the precinct – with a large-scale mural by Naarm-based aritst Rone (Tyrone Wright) the biggest visual draw. The name “Nyaal Banyul” comes from the language of the Wadawurrung people, and while exact translations vary slightly depending on context, the name is widely understood to mean “open your eyes” or “see clearly” – a meaning that speaks to gathering, learning and shared experience.
According to the Victorian Government, construction created more than 1,400 jobs, supported 250 apprentices and engaged hundreds of local suppliers. And once fully operational, the centre is expected to generate hundreds more roles across hospitality, tourism and events.
You can learn more (and plan your next big event) over here.
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