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Port city in Victoria, Australia
Photo: Marcnut1996, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Victoria's second largest city, Geelong is a bustling port city in the state's South West Coast region, about 75 km southwest of Melbourne. It forms the gateway to the Bellarine Peninsula, a popular family getaway destination, and the world-famous Great Ocean Road.
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A working maritime area, incorporating cafes, a carousel and botanical gardens.
Allow 90 minutes. Includes a tourist information office.
Four main walks traverse the park. The 3.2-km walk to Flinders Peak (348 m) takes 90 minutes and has expansive views. The longest track is the 3-hour Branding Yard Track.
Geelong, in the cultural precinct. GPAC offers a plethora of local and international performances
The Dome
Architecturally unique public library with free access to the balcony during daylight hours (weather permitting). Also hosts a well-regarded, but expensive, cafe.
Avalon Airshow
Described by the organizers as the biggest airshow in the Southern Hemisphere (and the 2017 show had more than 200,000 visitors), it takes place biannually in odd years. Military aircraft from different countries' airforces as far as from the UK and USA are often on display and performing. Manufacturers display new military planes and helicopters, but also civilian planes.
Restaurant on the waterfront with three floors of indoor dining space including a rooftop garden, an outdoor beer garden, and a generous deck out front. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The Elephant
Owned by controversial Geelong personality and former mayor Darryn Lyons, the Elephant is a classic pub with a bar, restaurant and beer garden. On Wednesdays, the restaurant runs a Steak Night, which is very popular with locals. The walls of the restraint area are covered with Lyons' photography, which is explicit in some areas.
Fish and chip restaurant on a barge on the Corio Bay. It is fixed and not floating, so you won't get seasick. Eat on the top deck or the balcony for beautiful views of Corio Bay.
A well-established, 36-room motel a 10-minute walk from Geelong CBD.
Central Geelong
A Bed and Breakfast offering accommodations in a beautiful home built in 1897. This B&B is serving ' traditional' continental breakfast and is included in the price, with a selection of fruit, yoghurt, cereals and breads with all the condiments, juices, tea and coffee.
By train
Geelong is easily reached by train, with V/Line operating a near-suburban level of service between Melbourne and the city on the Geelong Line.
By car
Geelong is on the Princes Freeway (M1), which to the east connects the city to Melbourne and Gippsland via a freeway connection, and onward on the longer, coastal highway route to Sydney and beyond.
By ferry
The popular Spirit of Tasmania car ferry service to Devonport relocated to Corio Quay in Geelong from Station Pier in Melbourne since October 23, 2022.
By bus
McHarry's Buslines run to Geelong from Queenscliff (30 km) and other Bellarine Peninsula towns.
By bus
Geelong has a reasonable bus network operated by two separate companies, McHarry's and CDC Geelong. Myki cards are used on these services and the entire urban area lies within the zone 4 fare region.
By train
The Geelong railway line runs frequently enough and with enough stops so that it is possible to use the train service to get around within the city.
By taxi
There are two traditional taxi companies directly serving Geelong; 13CABS and Geelong Taxi Network. As taxi services are regulated, they both provide identical fares and similar service.
By bike
Bike hire is available on the waterfront in the afternoons on weekends and school holidays - no reservations are taken. Future rentals has longer term rentals available.
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Geelong/Melbourne · International · AVV
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