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Geelong

As Victoria’s second-largest city, Geelong is a proud town with an interesting history and pockets of charm. While Melburnians love to deride their little cousin as a boring backwater, in reality few of the knockers have veered off its main thoroughfare enough to know what makes the town tick. Geelong’s new bypass means travellers can skip the city and head straight to the Great Ocean Road; however, there are lots of reasons to stop here.

With the recent closure of major industry, Geelong is in the process of reinventing itself as a tourist town. It's centred on the sparkling Corio Bay waterfront and the city centre, where heritage buildings from the boom days of the gold rush-era and the thriving wool industry have been converted into swanky restaurants and bars. It’s also a footy-mad town, passionate about its AFL team, the Cats.

The Wathaurung people are Geelong's original inhabitants and traditional custodians.

Explore Geelong

Botanic Gardens
Geelong's botanic gardens (established in 1851) are the fourth oldest in Australia and make for a peaceful stroll or picnic. Aim to get here for a…
Geelong Waterfront
Geelong's sparkling revamped waterfront precinct is a great place to stroll, with plenty of restaurants set on scenic piers, plus historical landmarks, a…
Boom Gallery
Down an industrial street off Pakington St, Boom's warehouse space in an old woollen mill shows contemporary works by Melbourne and local artists. It…
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Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre
The Wathaurung people – the original inhabitants and traditional custodians of Geelong – called the area Jillong, and this precinct on its outskirts…
G
Geelong Art Gallery
With over 6000 works in its collection, this long-established gallery features celebrated Australian paintings such as Eugene von Guérard’s View of…
O
Old Paper Mills
Largely a secret even to locals is this historic 19th-century paper mill, overlooking a scenic stretch of the Barwon River, that's recently been converted…
G
Geelong Cement Works Silo Art
The ugly old cement factory that sits atop Herne Hill has been beautified courtesy of three giant murals painted by Geelong-born street artist Rone. The…
O
Old Geelong Gaol
Built in 1849, HM Prison Geelong may have closed its doors in 1991, but this old bluestone jail remains as terrifying as ever. You'll see its grim cells…
N
National Wool Museum
More interesting than it may sound, this museum showcases the importance of the wool industry in shaping Geelong economically, socially and…

Botanic Gardens
Geelong's botanic gardens (established in 1851) are the fourth oldest in Australia and make for a peaceful stroll or picnic. Aim to get here for a…
Geelong Waterfront
Geelong's sparkling revamped waterfront precinct is a great place to stroll, with plenty of restaurants set on scenic piers, plus historical landmarks, a…
Boom Gallery
Down an industrial street off Pakington St, Boom's warehouse space in an old woollen mill shows contemporary works by Melbourne and local artists. It…
N
Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre
The Wathaurung people – the original inhabitants and traditional custodians of Geelong – called the area Jillong, and this precinct on its outskirts…
G
Geelong Art Gallery
With over 6000 works in its collection, this long-established gallery features celebrated Australian paintings such as Eugene von Guérard’s View of…
O
Old Paper Mills
Largely a secret even to locals is this historic 19th-century paper mill, overlooking a scenic stretch of the Barwon River, that's recently been converted…
G
Geelong Cement Works Silo Art
The ugly old cement factory that sits atop Herne Hill has been beautified courtesy of three giant murals painted by Geelong-born street artist Rone. The…
O
Old Geelong Gaol
Built in 1849, HM Prison Geelong may have closed its doors in 1991, but this old bluestone jail remains as terrifying as ever. You'll see its grim cells…
N
National Wool Museum
More interesting than it may sound, this museum showcases the importance of the wool industry in shaping Geelong economically, socially and…

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Geelong.

See
Botanic Gardens
Geelong's botanic gardens (established in 1851) are the fourth oldest in Australia and make for a peaceful stroll or picnic. Aim to get here for a…
See
Geelong Waterfront
Geelong's sparkling revamped waterfront precinct is a great place to stroll, with plenty of restaurants set on scenic piers, plus historical landmarks, a…
See
Boom Gallery
Down an industrial street off Pakington St, Boom's warehouse space in an old woollen mill shows contemporary works by Melbourne and local artists. It…
See
Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre
The Wathaurung people – the original inhabitants and traditional custodians of Geelong – called the area Jillong, and this precinct on its outskirts…
See
Geelong Art Gallery
With over 6000 works in its collection, this long-established gallery features celebrated Australian paintings such as Eugene von Guérard’s View of…
See
Old Paper Mills
Largely a secret even to locals is this historic 19th-century paper mill, overlooking a scenic stretch of the Barwon River, that's recently been converted…
See
Geelong Cement Works Silo Art
The ugly old cement factory that sits atop Herne Hill has been beautified courtesy of three giant murals painted by Geelong-born street artist Rone. The…
See
Old Geelong Gaol
Built in 1849, HM Prison Geelong may have closed its doors in 1991, but this old bluestone jail remains as terrifying as ever. You'll see its grim cells…
See
National Wool Museum
More interesting than it may sound, this museum showcases the importance of the wool industry in shaping Geelong economically, socially and…

Guidebooks

Learn more about Geelong

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