Originally opened as the Geelong Infirmary and Benevolent Asylum[1] in 1852 on the Ryrie Street site, it treated 344 inpatients in its first year.

The psychiatric wards were moved into the former Swanston Street Primary School which had closed some years earlier.

The Andrew Love cancer centre was redeveloped during 2006, and a new main entrance was provided to the hospital from Bellerine Street.

[1] In 2015, a new wing was opened atop the existing emergency and administration building to allow for further capacity, especially in orthopaedic and oncology services.

In the 2022 Victorian State Budget, $500m was allocated to build new operating theatres and expanded paediatric and maternity units at the hospital.

[9] As the only tertiary referral centre in regional Victoria, it provides service covering nearly all specialities, with the exception of organ transplant and neurosurgery.