Geelong Mini Guide
Geelong began as a small town, inland from the Victoria coast and some 50 miles from
Melbourne. It grew rapidly with industrialisation and, despite the decline of manufacturing, still hosts the headquarters and factory of Ford in Australia. Today the city looks to its natural charms for attracting people to the city and a rising population has now seen the city expand towards the coast. It’s a great place to stay or live for access to the Great Coast Road and the coastal resorts of Torquay and Twelve Apostles as well as having many reminders of the area’s roots in manufacturing through industrial museums.
Getting to Geelong?
Before the building of Avalon Airport, the town, as it was then, was served by the tiny Geelong Airport. In 1995,
Avalon was handed over to commercial flights having been a military and servicing airport previously. Now with an airport only nine miles from the city, Geelong’s popularity is growing, taking flights from Brisbane, Portland and
Sydney. Whilst access to the city for now is only by shuttle bus, taxi and hire car, plans are in place to build a rail link.
See and do in Geelong?
Most visitors head to the waterfront of Geeling which, today, combines a working port with leisure facilities including a promenade with great views out over the water. The waterfront is very attractive with a pier and beautiful gardens. Some say it reminds them of a genteel English seaside resort from Victorian times. The National Wool Museum is located in Geelong and makes for a fascinating afternoon’s visit. The country was effectively built on the wool trade and the exhibits show just how important the commodity still is to Australia. For a good walk in beautiful countryside you should go to You Yangs National Park just outside Geelong. Four trails are marked out through the countryside, from ones taking up to an hour to the longest at up to three hours.
Souvenirs in Geelong?
There are two places which sell excellent souvenirs; The Wool Museum has a shop selling exclusive products made from wool including beautiful Merino wool jumpers and scarves which will become gifts to treasure. If you’ve visited the Ford Discovery Centre, old and young boys alike will crave the models of Ford cars through the ages with some having collector status.
Eating out in Geelong?
Whilst much of the food that is available in Geelong can be easily found elsewhere, the area’s affinity with sheep means that the local lamb is quite special. Several restaurants will do barbecued marinated lamb which is succulent and delicious, especially served with a salad.
Entertainment in Geelong?
Like all major cities there is a good range of bars and clubs in Geelong. Despite their stereotypical fondness for lager, most Australians are more than happy to settle down in a bar with a bottle of the local wine and put the world to rights so pull up a chair and join in.
Geelong is an important port city and the second largest city in Victoria. Despite its industrial connections – it’s also the home of Ford cars
in Australia, there’s a lot for the tourist to do in the area.
The Great Ocean Road, which runs for nearly 160 miles along the Victorian Coast is a great way to spend a couple of days if you have a hire car. Book your onward accommodation and overnight in famous resorts such as Torquay, known as a surfer’s paradise or Lorne, a trendy, cosmopolitan resort.