Nyaal Banyul nears opening with major works completed
13/03/2026The Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre will hold its first events from July, with the city-shaping project having achieved its latest construction milestone.
Major works have now been completed at the precinct that will bring events, conferences and tourists to Geelong, injecting millions of dollars into the local economy.
Those works have seen the creation of a 1,000-seat theatre, exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, conference facilities, event spaces, food and beverage areas, and a landscaped public plaza.
Testing and the fit-out of sections of the precinct are now underway, ahead of an opening mid-year, with events already booked in and attendees ready to visit Geelong.
Funded through the $676 million Geelong City Deal, the project has proven to be a major jobs and economic boost for the city. During construction more than 1,400 jobs have been created while 250 apprentices have experienced unbeatable on-the-job experience.
In an industry-leading achievement, 43 aspiring tradespeople from underrepresented backgrounds received fully funded training through Nyaal Banyul’s award-winning GEESP program. More than 37,000 hours of training have been delivered through the program, in mechanical, carpentry, plumbing and electrical trades.
The name ‘Nyaal Banyul’ was selected by Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC) and means ‘open your eyes to the hills’. The corporation has collaborated on the project from its inception, shaping the precinct’s design, identity and recognition of Wadawurrung Country and Culture.
This includes the recently completed landscaped plaza, which will be a popular gathering spot on Geelong’s waterfront, with event space, outdoor dining and more than 1,700 indigenous and native plants.
Nyaal Banyul is the centrepiece of the Geelong City Deal, a 10-year plan to revitalise Geelong and unlock the potential of the Great Ocean Road visitor economy.
The investment is also funding redevelopments currently underway at the Twelve Apostles visitor precinct, the Apollo Bay Harbour precinct, at Point Grey in Lorne, and at Kennett River.
Learn more: Geelong City Deal