In response to public demand, the Geelong Showgrounds Museum (GSM) will be open on the first Sunday of every month from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, starting on February 1, 2026.

What you’ll find - Objects and information about the region’s agricultural and pastoral development and our industries. Geelong became wealthy on horse-drawn transport, local foundries, and processing and exporting wool, grain and meat.

Milk and memorabilia display about 20th Century milk production and distribution, Geelong Royal Show memorabilia, farming implements of yesteryear, and story boards about local firms and families.

World first refrigeration - James Harrison, the colourful owner/editor of The Geelong Advertiser, in 1854 designed and engineered the world’s first commercial ice-making machine. After perfecting it he opened Australia’s first ice works in North Geelong in 1859, and attempted Australia’s first export of frozen meat in 1873. The refrigeration display has a 1:10 model of his 1857 machine which produced 3 tons of ice a day - the forerunner of all refrigeration and reverse-cycle air conditioning appliances. See other inventors’ later commercial and domestic refrigeration machines, from iceboxes and Audiffren’s 1890s invention to a 1930s Hallstrom kerosene fridge. 

Exciting New Project - During 2026 the Vintage Machinery Group will install near the Showgrounds entrance a huge Linde refrigeration compressor used at Jackson’s Meat Works from 1909 to 1967 to freeze thousands of tons of meat for export. It fulfilled Harrison’s ambition for his refrigeration invention - to help pastoralists reach overseas meat markets. Funds are being raised for this community project. Further information at the Museum.