Matt Hewson
Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre has officially opened the venue for bookings in 2026 and beyond.
The $456 million convention space is currently under construction and slated for completion in May 2026, with 3700 square metres of event space including a 1000-seat theatre.
Located on the western edge of the Geelong Waterfront, Nyaal Banyul is one of the first major developments under the Central Geelong Framework Plan, the state government’s 30-year strategic vision to support growth in the centre of the city.
With a focus on sustainability, the centre will generate more than one-third of its own energy usage and aims to receive five-star Green Star accreditation.
Chief executive of centre operators Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust Natalie O’Brien said she was “thrilled” to announce the opening of bookings for Nyaal Banyul.
“We can’t wait to welcome visitors to our stunning new venue, an architectural masterpiece inspired by the diverse landscape and cultural heritage that dates back thousands of generations,” Ms O’Brien said.
“Nyaal Banyul will absolutely transform the Geelong Waterfront and attract thousands of new visitors to the city every year, bringing significant economic growth and opportunity to the whole region.”
“We are thrilled to be joining the Greater Geelong community, and we are also looking forward to being a part of the already impressive local events calendar.”
“I encourage interested Geelong community members to visit our website and learn more about the opportunities, vision and purpose of Nyaal Banyul.”
Tamie Ryan is convention bureau manager for Business Events Geelong, a division of Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine representing more than 500 businesses in the region.
She said Nyaal Banyul’s state-of-the-art facilities would “significantly enhance Geelong’s capacity and appeal for large-scale conferences and events”.
“The centre will establish Geelong as a leading destination for business tourism, providing substantial economic benefits to local businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and service providers,” Ms Ryan said.
Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said Nyaal Banyul would attract a wider variety of events, conferences and community gatherings to Geelong, delivering a “significant economic boost to the whole community”.
The construction of the centre will create nearly 1500 jobs, with the precinct expected to support approximately 270 jobs when operational.
