Victoria's second largest city, Geelong is a bustling port city in the state's South West Coast region, about 75 km southwest of Melbourne, Australia. It forms the gateway to the Bellarine Peninsula, a popular family getaway destination, and the world-famous Great Ocean Road.
The city however has no shortage of things to do and see. Settled only a few years after Melbourne, Geelong has a proud history, with various museums and grand historic buildings across the city telling its story. The city is also well known for its connection to the water, with holidaymakers flocking to its beautiful beaches each weekend for a splash in the water or a more relaxing sunbathing session on the sand. When it's time for a bite to eat, a number of cafés and restaurants dot the city centre's main street. Or if it's shopping you're after, Geelong has everything from small, indie boutiques to its large Westfield shopping centre. It may be Melbourne's smaller brother but Geelong is well and truly a destination in its own right.
Geelong is more than just a country town - it is a sophisticated and cosmopolitan city. It has a diverse range of activities for all the family from nearby wineries to an antique carousel for the kids on the waterfront. Its close proximity, and good transport links, to the Great Ocean Road (including Torquay, and the Twelve Apostles) and to the state's capital Melbourne make Geelong an ideal city to spend a few days. Whether you want to indulge in Australian History at the award winning National Wool Museum or swimming at the beach - Geelong has it.
- Geelong and Great Ocean Road Visitor Information Office, +61 3 5283 1735. Daily 9AM-5PM. Princess Hwy, Little River.
- Geelong Visitor Information Centre, 26 Moorabool St (cnr Brougham St, +61 3 5222 2900. Daily 9AM-5PM.
Geelong and Great Ocean Road Visitor Information Office, +61 3 5283 1735. Daily 9AM-5PM. Princess Hwy, Little River.
Geelong Visitor Information Centre, 26 Moorabool St (cnr Brougham St, +61 3 5222 2900. Daily 9AM-5PM.
- Geelong Waterfront. A working maritime area, incorporating cafes, a carousel and botanical gardens.
- Geelong Maritime Museum.
- National Wool Museum, 26 Moorabool St (cnr Brougham St. Every day 9:30AM-5PM except Good Friday and Christmas Day. Allow 90 minutes. Includes a tourist information office. $7:30 adult, $5.90 concession, $3.65 child.
- You Yangs Regional Park, Branch Rd, Little River (55 km south-west of Melbourne and 22 km north of Geelong. Access from Princes Freeway is via Little River if coming from Melbourne and Lara if coming from Geelong., 13 19 63 (domestic). M-F 8AM-4:30PM, Sa Su 8AM-6PM. Four main walks traverse the park. The 3.2-km walk to Flinders Peak (348 m) takes 90 minutes and gives good views. The longest track is the 3-hour Branding Yard Track.
- Geelong Performing Arts Centre (GPAC), 50 Little Malop St. Geelong, in the cultural precinct. GPAC offers a plethora of local and international performances
- Geelong Library and Heritage Centre, 51 Little Malop Street, Geelong, +61 3 4201 0600. M-F 8AM-8PM, Sa Su 10AM-5PM 08. Architecturally unique public library with free access to the balcony during daylight hours (weather permitting). Also hosts a well-regarded, but expensive, cafe.
- Geelong Botanical Gardens, open every day 8AM-5PM, or 7PM during daylight savings. Free entry. Also contains the Tea House Cafe.
Geelong Waterfront. A working maritime area, incorporating cafes, a carousel and botanical gardens.
Geelong Maritime Museum.
National Wool Museum, 26 Moorabool St (cnr Brougham St. Every day 9:30AM-5PM except Good Friday and Christmas Day. Allow 90 minutes. Includes a tourist information office. $7:30 adult, $5.90 concession, $3.65 child.
You Yangs Regional Park, Branch Rd, Little River (55 km south-west of Melbourne and 22 km north of Geelong. Access from Princes Freeway is via Little River if coming from Melbourne and Lara if coming from Geelong., 13 19 63 (domestic). M-F 8AM-4:30PM, Sa Su 8AM-6PM. Four main walks traverse the park. The 3.2-km walk to Flinders Peak (348 m) takes 90 minutes and gives good views. The longest track is the 3-hour Branding Yard Track.
Geelong Performing Arts Centre (GPAC), 50 Little Malop St. Geelong, in the cultural precinct. GPAC offers a plethora of local and international performances
Geelong Library and Heritage Centre, 51 Little Malop Street, Geelong, +61 3 4201 0600. M-F 8AM-8PM, Sa Su 10AM-5PM 08. Architecturally unique public library with free access to the balcony during daylight hours (weather permitting). Also hosts a well-regarded, but expensive, cafe.
Geelong Botanical Gardens, open every day 8AM-5PM, or 7PM during daylight savings. Free entry. Also contains the Tea House Cafe.
- See an Aussie rules football match Kardinia Park, located on Moorabool Street is the home of the Geelong Cats, the local Australian Football League team. They are somewhat of a local institution. There are about half a dozen home games per year from April to August; the rest of Geelong's home games are played in Melbourne. Expect to pay about $20 for an adult, $12 concession and $5 for a child. Alternately you could catch a local league game on a Saturday afternoon. There are dozens at venues spread around Geelong, and matches are of a very high standard. Most grounds you can walk in free, whilst some have gates, expect to pay no more than $7-8.
- Bellarine Rail Trail starts from near South Geelong Station, and is a 35km cycling track to Queenscliff.
See an Aussie rules football match Kardinia Park, located on Moorabool Street is the home of the Geelong Cats, the local Australian Football League team. They are somewhat of a local institution. There are about half a dozen home games per year from April to August; the rest of Geelong's home games are played in Melbourne. Expect to pay about $20 for an adult, $12 concession and $5 for a child. Alternately you could catch a local league game on a Saturday afternoon. There are dozens at venues spread around Geelong, and matches are of a very high standard. Most grounds you can walk in free, whilst some have gates, expect to pay no more than $7-8.
Bellarine Rail Trail starts from near South Geelong Station, and is a 35km cycling track to Queenscliff.
Two major shopping centres operate in the CBD, Westfield and Market Square. They are situated directly across the road from each other on Malop Street with free Wifi and can offer cheaper parking than the city-operated street parking.
In the suburbs of Geelong West and Newtown, Pakington Street is host to thriving shopping strips, as is High Street in Belmont.
Corio Central and Waurn Ponds shopping centers are the mainstay for the northern and southern suburbs, respectively, together with smaller shopping centres that provide ample coverage to the city.
- Riverview Coffee House, 59A Barrabool Rd, Belmont, +61 3 52442044. Cafe right on the edge of the Barwon River. Quoted to be the best hamburgers in town with just as decent coffee to match. Well worth checking out after a leisurely stroll down the Barwon.
Riverview Coffee House, 59A Barrabool Rd, Belmont, +61 3 52442044. Cafe right on the edge of the Barwon River. Quoted to be the best hamburgers in town with just as decent coffee to match. Well worth checking out after a leisurely stroll down the Barwon.
There are paid internet (and printer) access kiosks in Market Square shopping centre within the CBD, located on level 1. All Geelong public library locations provide internet access computers at no charge, and guests can access free WiFi hotspots outside of opening hours, from immediately outside the building.
Throughout the CBD, and along the Waterfront, city council provides a free WiFi network with a 100 MB per day limit. Various businesses also provide free WiFi, such as McDonald's (some are open 24 hours, including the CBD store) and APCO service stations, though at one of these places it would be considerate to buy something in-store, particularly if it is late at night or you are staying a while.
Australia Post mail outlets are common, and usually located in shopping areas. 24-hour parcel lockers are available to 'MyPost' members within Australia to use at the main Geelong Post Office (Gheringhap and Little Myers Streets), Worksafe Building (1 Malop Street) and the 7-Eleven in East Geelong.
Visit the Bellarine Peninsula or drive the Great Ocean Road running from Bellarine Peninsula near Geelong to Portland near the border with South Australia.