Geelong

Geelong is a city located in the state of Victoria, Australia; it is 75 kilometres south-west of the state capital; Melbourne. It is the gateway to the tourist resorts of the Bellarine Peninsula and Great Ocean Road, and only around an hours drive to the historic gold fields towns

Geelong offers a wide mix of attractions from natural bush to spectacular surf beaches, historic townships to cosmopolitan shopping precincts.

The first arrival of settlers was in 1802 on the Lady Nelson. The city was named in 1837 by Governor Richard Burke, the name derived from the local Wathaurong Aboriginal name for the region, Jillong, which meant 'land' or 'cliffs'. The area was first surveyed in 1838, three weeks after Melbourne.

Geelong StreetGeelong has a large car industry, as well as being the home of 'Cats' the Victorian AFL football team. It is situated on the pretty Corio Bay and there is a lovely foreshore drive along the Esplanade. A great beach is Eastern beach which has a promenade and bathing pavilions. There are also some unique bollards at Cunningham Pier.

National Wool MuseumThere are a whole host of museums in Geelong and plenty of things to do. You can visit the Geelong Art Gallery, the Geelong National Wool Museum, and the beautiful Botanic Gardens. There are also a number of National Trust buildings around Geelong which have remarkable architecture. Well worth visiting are Barwon Grange and The Heights. You can also find out about the Aboriginal history of the area at the interesting Narana Creations. There are also several wineries in this area which are well known for their Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir, so any wine connoisseurs should make a visit.

There is a wide selection of accommodation in Geelong to suit all tastes and price ranges. There are also some fabulous restaurants and delicious seafood takeaways. Bands are also popular in Geelong with several of the pubs and clubs offering live music.

Transport to and from Geelong is good, with frequent trains to Melbourne from the station in Railway Terrace. The V/Line buses also run to Melbourne, as well as to Ballarat and along the Great Ocean Road. For transport to the Bellarine Peninsula hop aboard McHarrys Buses.

Held on the third Sunday of March each year, the Geelong Highland Gathering is a popular, interactive display of Scottish culture, heavy games, livestock, merchandise and musical folklore.

Geelong Accommodation

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