Explore Geelong

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Located on Corio Bay, Geelong is Victoria’s second-largest city, and the gateway to the Great Ocean Road, as well as being in close proximity to the beachside communities on the Bellarine Peninsula. Geelong is host to a bustling town, a waterfront, and an array of restaurants, tourist activities and other places to see, with something for everyone, including museums and galleries. There are many places of interest that showcase parts of Australia’s long history here as well.





National Wool Museum

Wool has been part of Australia’s economy since the arrival of the First Fleet – for over 200 years, and one of the cities synonymous with the wool industry is Geelong, where one of the first wool mills opened in 1868. The National Wool Museum shows a different aspect of history than people might be used to – it’s not war or maritime history, it’s not a general collection of Australian history throughout the centuries. It captures a part of Australia’s history that has shaped the country. If you’re after something unique that you haven’t explored before, this could be the ticket/


Old Geelong Gaol

Australia’s colonial history is linked to gaols, and many of them have had long lives. Old Geelong Gaol opened in 1853 and ran for almost 150, when the gates closed as the last prisoner left in 1991. During its life, it has held male and female prisoners, was an industrial school for girls, was a hospital for the colony, a military detention centre and a training prison, and these days is a historic site where people can learn about all of this and its place in Geelong. It opened as a museum in 1995 and will give visitors a taste of what life was like for colonial prisoners.


Botanic Gardens at Eastern Park

Take a walk in Geelong’s Botanic Gardens, which are free to enter and open every day of the year for the public to enjoy. Like every other city that has its own botanic gardens, the Geelong Botanic Gardens has several areas to explore and a nice walkway that takes you around a range of flowers and plants. Like many places in Australia, there is also an educational component for schools, school holiday programs and learning of all kinds for visitors to the gardens and to gain an understanding of what you can access before you visit. Enjoy a day or part of the day spent exploring the gardens during your stay in Geelong.


Geelong Waterfront







One of the highlights is the Geelong Waterfront, which is known for its carousel, the beach, and its wooden statues along the foreshore, all painted in different styles like lifesavers, swimmers, and men or people dressed in various uniforms. Starting your sightseeing here is very advisable – it’s a must-see, and there are all kinds of places to eat along the waterfront, so you are sure to find something that suits your needs. The water along this beach is also clear and calm and always filled with people swimming and having fun.

As you walk along, see how many different painted posts you can see, and what they are – each one is different and that is what makes them special and interesting. The carousel is said to be the largest in the southern hemisphere, giving those riding it spectacular views of the waterfront and Corio Bay. At night it lights up in dazzling colours, and operates for six months of the year between October and March – check it out next to the Geelong Yacht Club.





The Book Bird




Independent bookshops are awesome, and often smaller towns have some of the best. On a trip to Geelong, I discovered the Book Bird, where I found some amazing things, and was able to pick up a book or two that I had been trying to find at home. It is a small shop, but has an intimate feel, and a kind, family sensation as well. I found that it had that personal touch that stores that are part of a larger chain or company don’t always have, as the staff had specialist knowledge that is very useful and engaging for customers. It may be a young store but is one that I highly recommend visiting when you go to Geelong.


Cunningham Pier




Cunningham Pier has been running since the mid-1850s and is an iconic structure on the Geelong waterfront. Once a vital port to load and unload cargo until the 1970s, going through a stage of dormancy. These days, it is a function centre for weddings, has a bar, a café, and a gourmet restaurant, and is also used for one-off events, and is interesting to check out during your time in Geelong if you get the chance. Steeped in history, it is a great place to take a stroll and look out over the waterfront from a different perspective.


Take a tour of Geelong

Because Geelong is at the start of the Great Ocean Road, it is a great place to base yourself and take a tour – not just of Geelong, but the areas nearby like the Great Ocean Road, rainforests, wineries, distilleries, and Queenscliff. These places that are close to Geelong are easy to get to from Avalon Airport from major cities like Sydney and Adelaide. Geelong is a twenty-five-minute drive from Avalon or a forty-five-minute drive from Melbourne.

You can undertake a self-guided tour of the region or hop on an organised tour based on what you are keen to explore – there are many ways to explore the heritage and culture of the area, and you can combine food, culture, and nature to create a wonderful holiday that has something for everyone.


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