The area of Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula are the traditional lands of the Wadawurrung (Wathaurong) Indigenous Australian tribe. Geelong is a port city in the southeastern Australian state of Victoria, located at the eastern end of Corio Bay (the smaller western portion of Port Phillip Bay) and the left bank of Barwon River, about 65 km (40 mi) southwest of Melbourne.
Modern Geelong is a story of old and new. Wander through revitalised urban areas, where grand old eighteenth and nineteenth century buildings now house galleries and craft breweries, hole-in-the-wall cafes and vintage markets. Enjoy a stroll along the popular waterfront development with its restored deco swimming enclosure at Eastern Beach and take the kids on a ride on the wooden carousel.
Visit cultural centres, museums and heritage homes to get an understanding the region’s rich history. Learn how the city was transformed from the hunting and gathering territory of the Indigenous Wathaurong people into a 20th century industrial powerhouse, and then reshaped again into a bustling coastal city at the centre of a burgeoning food and wine region.
Step into beautifully preserved and maintained heritage homes and buildings in Geelong and Queenscliff for an insight into the pioneer experience. Take a stroll from busy Queenscliff Harbour to the town centre to see imposing Victorian-era hotels, solid old churches and quaint fishermen’s cottages.
Each weekend Geelong and The Bellarine are hosts to dozens of lively markets. They’re busy, bustling places loaded with atmosphere and lots of local goods for sale. A Local’s Guide To The Best Geelong Markets (seegeelong.com.au).
Geelong is a booming regional city – Just an hours’ drive from Melbourne, it is connected to the Bellarine Peninsula (food and wine) and Surf Coast (start of the Great Ocean Road). It’s also 30 minutes to the famous You Yangs Regional Park.
With a population of 200,000 Geelong is one of the fastest growing regional cities in Australia. It has experienced a growth rate of 1-1.5% consistently over each of the past 8 years. The Geelong region is expanding with inner precincts becoming more popular and pushing prices up regardless of what capital cities around the nation are experiencing. Around 100,000 people are due to accommodate the growth corridors in North Geelong and West Geelong according to the Victorian Planning Authority. There’s also been a boom in housing developments around Torquay, Ocean Grove, Point Lonsdale, St Leonards and Fyansford.
Places to visit:
Geelong Botanical Gardens – These stunning gardens are well worth a walk. Plenty of historic finds, a wide range of established plants, a hothouse, a cafe and lawns perfect for a picnic. Most parts are suitable for those with prams or wheelchairs. Toilets located in the bottom east side. The entrance is also very special.
Adventure Park
National Wool Museum
Thirteenth Beach – Thirteenth Beach is located west of Barwon Heads, Victoria, Australia and the name is taken from the close proximity of the beach to the thirteenth hole of the Barwon Heads Golf Course. Stretching along 4.5 kilometres of coast, Black Rock marks the western end.
The Carousel – Geelong waterfront
Fort Queesncliff Museum
Queenscliff Harbour
Geelong Library & Heritage centre
Portarlington Mill https://www.visitvictoria.com/regions/geelong-and-the-bellarine/see-and-do/art-and-culture/architecture-and-design/portarlington-mill
Geelong Wine Region
Explore the Geelong wine region’s diverse sub-regions, from surf coast to volcanic plains. Taste varieties with a subtle European style such as chardonnay and shiraz
https://www.visitvictoria.com/regions/geelong-and-the-bellarine/eat-and-drink/wineries
Bellarine Taste Trail
Treat your tastebuds to the best of the Bellarine Peninsula on the Bellarine Taste Trail. Visit wineries, farmgates, provedores, restaurants and cafes to savour the flavours of the region. Take a tour or make a weekend of it and map your own itinerary on a self-drive epicurean adventure.
https://www.visitvictoria.com/regions/geelong-and-the-bellarine/eat-and-drink/bellarine-taste-trail