The build is officially done on the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre, sitting right on the city's waterfront.
The Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre is the centrepiece of the $676 million Geelong City Deal, a joint investment between the federal government, the Victorian government and the City of Greater Geelong designed to boost the region’s visitor economy. During the build, the project generated more than 1,400 jobs, brought 250 apprentices through training and engaged over 440 sub-contractors and suppliers who pumped millions into local businesses.
Set to welcome its first events in July, the precinct packs in a 1,000-seat theatre, two large exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, conference facilities and flexible event areas across 3,700 square metres, alongside food and beverage offerings and the public Gheringhap Plaza. Conferences and events are already locked in from opening month.
Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre
- Where: Geelong waterfront
- When: Opening July 2026
- More info: here
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The plaza alone is shaping up to be worth the visit, featuring outdoor dining, event space, an 80-square-metre LED screen for live broadcasts and more than 1,700 plants. A 200-room Crowne Plaza hotel within the precinct is already welcoming guests, giving visitors somewhere to stay right on the doorstep.
The name Nyaal Banyul was gifted by the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and translates to “open your eyes to the hills”, drawing from two Wadawurrung words. The site has served as a gathering place for Wadawurrung people for thousands of generations, and that cultural connection runs through the precinct’s design — most visually in an 88-metre mural by Geelong-born artist Rone depicting seven Wadawurrung community members.
Hundreds of new jobs in Geelong
Once fully operational, Nyaal Banyul is expected to create hundreds of ongoing roles across hospitality, tourism, events and services on top of the construction workforce it already supported. The precinct is targeting a five-star Green Star sustainability rating with a pathway to reach six stars, making it one of the most sustainable convention centres in the southern hemisphere.
Finishing touches, fit-outs and testing are all that remain ahead of July. The precinct has been delivered through a partnership between Development Victoria and the Plenary Conventions consortium, with Woods Bagot as architect, Built as builder and BGIS handling facilities management. It will be operated by the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust.
For more information, head here.
