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Geelong

Lifesaver bollards on Geelong's waterfront

Quick facts

  • Population approximately 200,000
  • 75 kilometres south-west of Melbourne
  • Victoria's second-largest city
  • Museums, historic buildings and galleries
  • Waterfront dining

The name ‘Geelong’ is derived from ‘jillong’, the Aboriginal word for bay, which means ‘a place of the sea bird over the white cliffs’. This waterfront city offers a diverse range of food, wine, cultural and recreation attractions and colonial history evident in the city’s 100 National Trust-listed buildings. Geelong is also the major gateway to the Bellarine Peninsula and Great Ocean Road.

Geelong takes full advantage of its unique north-facing bay with fabulous waterfront eateries, landscaped gardens and walking paths set against the backdrop of Corio Bay. Stroll past the sculptured bollards dotted along the foreshore that chronicle characters from the city’s past and present, including dapper young ladies in neck-to-knee bathing costumes, 1930s lifesavers, traditional Aussie families, a Geelong footballer, jaunty sailors, fishermen and a town band. Close by is Eastern Beach, which features an art deco-style pool, promenade complex and the restored pavilion that houses a pleasant restaurant, café and kiosk.Pakington Street, the wide tree-lined avenue linking the suburbs of Geelong West and Newtown, is also worth a visit and is only a few minutes from the city. There are many different restaurants and eateries to try as well as delicatessens, wine merchants, a park to relax in and a street ambience to experience.

Activities and attractions

  • Dine on freshly caught local seafood at a waterfront restaurant
  • Delve into the history of wool at the National Wool Museum, housed in an impressive three storey historic bluestone wool store dating back to 1872
  • Visit the Ford Discovery Centre, Australia’s first automotive technology discovery centre in Geelong, which showcases seven decades of Ford manufacturing
  • Enjoy a live performance of top local and international acts at the Geelong Performing Arts Centre
  • Catch the action of an Australian rules football game at Skilled Stadium
  • Take in the Geelong Art Gallery's outstanding collection of Australian paintings, sculpture and decorative arts
  • Explore the many shopping centres and lively shopping precincts
  • See how well-to-do early settlers lived at the National Trust’s two historic homes, The Heights and Barwon Grange
  • Explore the blend of Victorian-era and twenty-first century styles at the beautiful Botanic Gardens
  • Enjoy a peaceful stroll along the Barwon River
  • Taste the region’s fine wines at various vineyards around Geelong
  • Ride or walk the beautiful Bellarine Rail Trail.

Major events

  • Skandia Geelong Week (formerly the Festival of Sail and Waterfront Festival) – January
  • UCI Womens Road Cycling World Cup – February
  • Avalon International Airshow – March (biennial)
  • Pako Festa – March
  • Highland Gathering – Queens Park Geelong – March
  • Shoot Out Film Festival – July
  • Geelong Cup Carnival – October
  • Toast to the Coast – November

How to get there
Geelong is approximately 1 hour from Melbourne via the Princes Highway. Daily rail and coach services are available from Melbourne Southern Cross Station.