Geelong Eastern Beach Mineral Spring

Find this hidden gem by a leisurely 250m stroll from Geelong’s Eastern Beach waterfront where families can enjoy leisurely picnics at the playground, equipped with picnic tables, a swimming pool, change rooms, restaurants and direct beach access.  For a longer adventure, follow a walking path to Limeburners Point, approximately 1 kilometre one way, visit Geelong’s botanic gardens or walk the Geelong Baywalk marvelling at the Baywalk Bollards. 

Enjoy the ocean views of Corio Bay and across to the You Yangs as you learn about the history of these springs.

Unearthed by adventurous schoolboys in the 1880s, the mineral springs were once celebrated for their believed curative properties. Legend has it that in 1882, a group of schoolboys, including Albert 'Snowy' Pontin, stumbled upon a mineral spring at Eastern Beach while exploring the rocky terrain. What they discovered was a bubbling spring of fresh, cool water. Word quickly spread, drawing locals and visitors alike to partake in its reputed healing properties. The Geelong Progressive Association even touted its benefits for ailments such as rheumatism, indigestion, and liver complaints.

It is likely the presence of the gaseous water flow was known to the early settlement at Geelong, about the same time as the Clifton Springs were noticed in c.1837. The nearby Clifton Springs were developed by 1870 whereas Geelong either gained insufficient attention or the springs’ location in the tidal waters proved problematical for their further development. Sometime between 1880 and 1895 some development took place, as in 1895 an article in the Geelong Advertiser commented on the popularity of the Eastern Beach mineral springs and published two water analyses. It would appear at that time the springs were regularly visited, and the waters freely consumed.

The public analyst Mr. G. F. Link of Newtown analysed the waters for the Geelong Town Council in 1895.. . . both springs are well charged with carbonic acid gas, which enables them to hold the alkaline carbonates in solution and renders them more agreeable to the palate. In No. 2 Spring, bubbles of carbonic acid gas and nitrogen are constantly ascending.

The waters belong to the gaseous - alkaline class and are mildly chalybeate. In many respects they much resemble the water of the Seltzers’ Spa in Nassau (so largely exported under the name of the Seltzer water), but they are much richer in magnesia. . . . These springs should be suitably protected so as to prevent the invasion of sea water at high tides as well as surface drainage.

However, as the Eastern Beach Spring was covered by the sea at high tide it was closed down in 1959 due to ongoing bacterial contamination issues and its future looked doomed. Fortunately, due to a partnership between the former Victorian Mineral Water Committee and Geelong City Council a new bore was drilled in 1999 near where the hand pump is now located to enable visitors to sample its’ refreshing taste, it is 46m deep.

The remnants of the old spring can be seen, approx. 150m east of the Eastern Beach Sea Baths on the pathway to the new spring. Look for a square brick turret which juts out of the water about 3m from the path edge, and at low tide a small round structure about 1m in diameter can be seen on the foreshore 4-5m from the pathway.

In 2000 a second bore was drilled nearer to the kiosk and sea baths however it was later abandoned when difficulties with the construction arose and water quality was in question.

Learn more about what to do in Geelong: Discover Waterfront Geelong: A Local's Guide (2024) - Victoria Uncovered 

A comparison of the levels of minerals in the springs can be found here.