Local Attractions
Geelong is Victoria's second largest city and offers a diverse range of food, wine, cultural and recreation attractions and colonial history. A waterfront city, it is also the major gateway to the Bellarine Peninsula and Great Ocean Road.
Geelong takes full advantage of its unique north-facing bay with fabulous waterfront eateries, landscaped gardens and walking paths set against the backdrop of Corio Bay. Stroll past the sculptured bollards dotted along the foreshore that chronicle characters from the city's past and present, including dapper young ladies in neck-to-knee bathing costumes, 1930s lifesavers, traditional Aussie families, a Geelong footballer, jaunty sailors, fishermen and a town band.
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Attractions
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Dining and Eating Out (4)
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2 faces restaurant Be pampered by Tim Mitchell and his friendly, knowledgeable front of house team whilst indulging in the wonderful creations prepared by the acclaimed kitchen of Simon Yarham.
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Black Bull Tapas Bar and Restaurant The Black Bull has quick AUD10 lunches available Monday to Friday and long dinners, with private dining and set menu options, every night of the week.
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Fisherman's Pier Enjoy local seafood and wine on Geelong's waterfront. Fishermen's Pier serves up only the freshest seafood with over 40 varieties of local wines. The menu changes daily according to the availability of fresh fish and incorporates non-seafood dishes and a children's menu.
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Sphinx Hotel A taste of Egypt in the heart of Geelong. Revisit ancient Egypt with the magnificent 15m Sphinx, providing the best entertainment facilities in Geelong. Pharaohs Bistro, Pubtab and Sportsbar, Cazbar Night Club, Newly Renovated Convention/Function Facilities for up to 400p, Drive Thru Bottleshop & Air Con accommodation.
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Galleries, Museums and Collections (4)
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Geelong Gallery Visit the Geelong Gallery to view works from the permanent collection as well as a vibrant program of special exhibitions.
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Geelong Heritage Centre The Geelong Heritage Centre is Victoria s largest regional archive and historical resource centre. The Centre s provides public access to collection records for research, legal administrative recall, establishing citizen s rights and entitlements, cultural enjoyment and historical display purposes.
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Narana Creations Narana Creations is an Australian Aboriginal cultural tourism and educational enterprise, which is committed to providing a welcome entree to today's indigenous culture. Visitors can experience exhilarating cultural demonstrations, amazing didgeridoo playing and try 'hands-on' boomerang throwing. Also available for purchase is genuine Aboriginal art and craft of the highest quality.
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National Wool Museum The National Wool Museum is housed in a beautifully restored 1872 bluestone wool store and is set amongst the contemporary striking design of Waterfront Geelong.
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Landmarks and Buildings (1)
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Old Geelong Gaol The Old Geelong Gaol is open from 1pm - 4pm Saturdays, Sundays, school and public holidays. The museum has a great variety of displays that tell the history of the gaol and visitors get hands on experience of the harsh conditions prisoners and staff endured at the facility. Visitors can experience solitary confinement cells, get a taste of prison life, meet some infamous figures who have spent time at the gaol and see the original hallows.
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Parks and Gardens (1)
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Friends of Geelong Botanic Gardens The Friends of Geelong Botanic Gardens (FGBG) is a self-funding, voluntary association formed in 1985 to "conserve, protect and enhance the Geelong Botanic Gardens..."
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Sports and Recreation Facilities (2)
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Australian Diving Instruction Australian Diving Instruction opened its doors in 1996 in Geelong, the gateway to the amazingly diverse diving of Port Phillip Bay, Bass Straits and the Peninsula where the waters hide many treasures below like the famous World War 1 J Class Submarines and the Commonwealth Ships Graveyard. And Our Latest Jewel in the Crown the HMS Canberra.
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Freedom Bay Cruises Cruise in style, relax, have a drink and enjoy panoramic views of Geelong.
Events
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Exhibitions and Shows (4)
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2010 Geelong Vintage Rally Displays include:
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A is for Animals: An A to Z of Animals in War Animals in Times of War
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Brookes' Photographic Union Dating to 1891, the photographs on display by the Brookes' Photographic Union record the natural and built environments of Western Victoria with images of the region's stunning coastline and notable geological features such as Eagle Rock and the Loch Ard Inlet as well as rivers, waterfalls and forests of inland areas including the Aire River and Barwon River, the Phantom Falls on St George's River and Beech Forest.
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Royal Geelong Show The Royal Geelong Show is the biggest four day show in country Victoria. People come from all walks of life, growers of produce and animals, creators of craft, artists, musicians, entertainers and many more to meet, show and share ideas.
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Festivals and Celebrations (1)
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Geelong Highland Gathering The 53rd Geelong Highland Gathering, on Sunday March 21, will move from its Queens Park home of 52 Years for one year to Fyansford Common, less than a kilometre to the west.
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Sporting Events (3)
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2010 UCI Road World Championships In 2010, Melbourne will welcome the 77th UCI Road World Championships. This event is second only to the legendary Tour de France in terms of importance and prestige in international cycling and it will bring the best riders in the world to Australia.
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Audi Victoria Week Audi Victoria Week is Australia's largest keel boat regatta. First held in 1844, it's also the oldest sporting event in Victoria. The event attracts in excess of 450 yachts and over 4,500 competitors, with thousands of spectators coming along to enjoy the festivities. Held annually over the Australia Day long weekend, this is a 'must do' event.
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Ballan Cup Enjoy Spring Racing at the Ballan Cup held at the spacious Geelong Racecourse on Saturday 6 November 2010.
Visitor Information
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Visitor Information Centres (1)
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Geelong Visitor Information Centre Visitors to Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula and Great Ocean Road should make the Geelong Visitor Information Centre their first stop! Located close to the spectacular Waterfront in Geelong, our friendly volunteers can help you plan your visit to the region including Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula and Great Ocean Road. They have extensive knowledge of this region and can provide you with maps and visitor guides, as well as the best advice to ensure you get the most out of your trip!
Our Local Highlights
- Geelong's Waterfront: See the $150m make over! Exciting new attractions, fabulous restaurants, landscaped gardens, wide walking paths, regular events and beautiful Corio Bay combine to make Waterfront Geelong a must-see destination for all ages.
- Public Art in Geelong: Discover the wealth of public art works along the Geelong waterfront from the whimsical Baywalk Bollards to the Cargo Boxes and Paving Splats.
- History & Heritage: Geelong has a long and colourful history. Its original inhabitants were members of various clans of the Wathaurong tribe who had inhabited the region for more than 25,000 years before white explorers arrived.
The region changed forever once white settlement started in the early 1800s. Today, there are many ways of gaining a glimpse into the region's sometimes turbulent and raucous past
- Old Geelong Gaol: Some say you can hear the rattle of iron manacles in the ghostly Old Geelong Gaol. And no wonder! Built in 1853, the giant bluestone edifice has housed some of Victoria's toughest and most notorious criminals. In the early days, many felons were hanged on the gaol's gallows. Today, visitors can tour the former high-security prison that was still in use until July 1991.
- National Wool Museum: The National Wool Museum was established in 1988 as Australia's only comprehensive museum of wool.
- Ford Motor Co Discovery Centre: Discover the past, present and exciting future of Ford Australia at the Ford Discovery Centre. The Centre provides a unique behind the scene opportunity to experience how cars are designed, engineered and built. The Centre also takes you on a journey through the Australian history of a remarkable global company with a long and proud heritage in this country.
- Geelong Heritage Centre: The Geelong Heritage Centre is Victoria's largest regional archive and resource centre.
- Eastern & Botanic Gardens: Geelong's historic Botanic Gardens are centrally located within Eastern Park and have recently undergone a $2 million redevelopment. The work has created a new 21st Century Garden with native plants against a background of Australian colours, and effectively doubled the size of the gardens. There are also more prominent entrances and a new drive, inviting visitors to come in and explore.
- Geelong Wine Region: In terms of sunshine and temperature, Geelong lies about half way between Bordeaux and Burgundy. Not surprising then that over 20 wineries are open for tasting.
- Great Ocean Road: Geelong is the gateway to the Great Ocean Road Touring Route. Winding along the western coast of Victoria, the Great Ocean Road offers stunning ocean views, beachside activities, laid back coastal towns and maritime villages. You will find limitless opportunities to leave everyday life behind.