Geelong by Marcus Wong

Geelong Vic 3220 (Pop 161 000)

Geelong, the state's 2nd largest city, is located in south-western Victoria on Corio Bay 75 km s-w of Melbourne. Original inhabitants were the Wathaurong Aborigines with European settlers arriving in 1830s attracted by nearby gold finds and a rich wool trade. The industrial and port trade aspect of the city is offset by the elegant Victorian architecture, gardens & parklands. Geelong is known as the ‘Events Capital’. Steampacket Gardens Market 1st Sun each month & Geelong Farmers Market 2nd weekend each month. Waterfront Festival (Jan), Pako Festa (Feb), Australian International Air Show & Highland Gathering (Mar), Alternative Farmvision (Apr), National Celtic Folk Festival (June), Momenta Arts (Sept), Geelong Cup & Geelong Agricultural Show (Oct), Toast to the Coast & Gala Day (Nov).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Waterfront Geelong, Eastern Beach Rd comprises Eastern Beach, Cunningham Pier, sea baths (1930s), a collection of sculptures & artworks, art deco fountains, pools, lights and beautiful homes. Botanic Gardens, Garden St has two distinct sides – traditional 19th century & contemporary 21st century. National Wool Museum, cnr Moorabool & Brougham Sts housed in the Dennys Lascelles Woolstore and dedicated to Australia’s wool industry with many interesting displays, machinery and memorabilia. Open (9.30am-5pm) daily. Geelong Art Gallery, Little Malop St. fine collection of 19th & 20th century British artists. Open (10am-5pm) weekdays & (1pm-5pm) weekends/public holidays. Historic Geelong includes Strachan’s Woolstore (1889), Original Customs House (1838) – qualifying as Victoria’s oldest building, Merchiston Hall (1856), Corio Villa (1856), St Peter & St Paul’s Catholic Church (1864), Church of Christ (1858). Ford Discovery Centre, cnr Gheringap & Brougham Sts traces Geelong’s long history associated with Ford motor cars with interesting displays, demonstrations & exhibits. Open (10am-5pm) exc.Tues. Old Geelong Gaol, cnr Myers & Swanston Sts (1849–1991) high-security prison with appalling conditions. Open (1pm-4pm) weekdays/ public/school holidays). Barwon Valley Park, on Barwin River’s south bank is a pretty recreational area with several old mills. Queens Park, Queens Park Rd has walks to Buckley Falls. Balyang Bird Sanctuary, Shannon Ave fauna & flora reserve featuring the Yollinko Wetlands, walking paths and a diverse ecosystem. Shearers Arms Gallery, Aberdeen St. Geelong West located in one of Geelong’s oldest hotels (1847). Open (11am-5pm) daily. Free entry.
 
Nearby:
Brownhill Lookout (10 km s-w) excellent views of the You Yangs, Brisbane Ranges, Corio Bay & Bellarine Peninsula. Seredip Sanctuary (just south of the You Yangs) wildlife & wetlands environmental centre, with nature trails, over 150 fauna species, bird hides & breeding programs. Open (10am-4.30pm) daily. Free entry. You Yangs Regional Park (24 km north) characterized by 352 m granite tors surrounded by flat volcanic lava plains. Aborigines named this area meaning ‘big mountain in the middle of a plain’. There is the scenic Great Circle Drive (10km), Flinders Peak Walk (3.2 km return) offers excellent views of Mt Macedon, Geelong, Corio Bay and a distant Melbourne. Fyansford (4 km west) one of the area’s oldest settlements with a number of historic buildings of interest. Steiglitz (37 km n-w) historic former gold mining town with a restored courthouse open Sun.

Accommodation:
Geelong has over 30 motels & 40 hotels, half a dozen B&Bs, many holiday apartments/cabins and 9 caravan parks. Visitor Information Centres: National Wool Museum. Tel (03) 5222 2900 or 1800 620 888; Market Sq Shopping Centre, Moorabool St. Tel (03) 5222 6126; Stead Park, Princes Hwy, Corio. Tel (03) 5275 5797 or 1800 620 888.