Important: Wikitravel is exploring a license upgrade to CC by-sa 3.0, please give your consent or refusal here.

From Wikitravel

Geelong [1] is a city located 70 km south west of Melbourne, Australia, on Corio Bay, part of Port Phillip Bay. Greater Geelong, with just on 210,000 population it is the second-largest city in the state of Victoria.

[edit] Understand

Geelong[2] is more than just a country town - it is a sophisticated and cosmopolitian city. It has a diverse range of activities for all the family from a glutton of nearby Wineries to an antique Carosuel for the kids of the magnificent $180m waterfront. Its close proximity, and good transport links, to both Victoria's Great Ocean Road (including Torquay, Twelve Apostles etc) and the state's capital Melbourne make Geelong an ideal city to spend a few days. Whether you want to indulge in Australian History at the award winning National Wool Museum or spend you day at an Adventure Park - Geelong has it.

• Geelong & Great Ocean Rd Visitor Information Centre, Cnr Princes Highway & St George's Road, Corio, 7km north of Geelong town center, toll free 1800 620 888, 5275 5797 (fax 5223 2069). Every day 9am-5pm.

• Geelong Visitor Information Centre, 26 Moorabool St (cnr Brougham St), Geelong, toll free 1800 620 888, 5222 2900 (fax 5223 2069). Every day 9am-5pm.

[edit] Get in

[edit] Air

Geelong is serviced by Avalon Airport with domestic flights to / from Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Portland and Sydney. The airport is approx 20 mins out of the CBD, with a shuttle bus operating to the City Centre. In July 2007, the City of Greater Geelong has issued planning permits for Avalon to become an intenational airport with Malaysian Carrier AirAsiaX flagging it's intention to fly daily flights to / from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Geelong's Avalon Airport also doubles as Melbourne's second airport. Qantas' Budget Carrier Jetstar operates most of Avalon's flights with competitive pricing and reasonable service. Avalon's simplicity, while many argue it is nothing more than a tin shed, saves the traveller money by not having all the unnecesary extras.

[edit] Rail

Frequent V/Line trains run from Southern Cross (previously Spencer St) Station in Melbourne to Geelong and take about an hour.

[edit] Ferry

Car/passenger ferries cross the mouth of Port Phillip Bay between Queenscliff on the Bellarine Peninsula and Sorrento on Mornington Peninsula. They depart each terminal on the hour every hour 7am-6pm every day. From 26 Dec. until end of daylight saving there are also 7pm sailings. Foot passengers adult $8, 5-15 years $6, under 5 years $1, foot passenger’s bicycle $2, tandem $3; passengers with vehicle adult $4, 5-15 years $2, under 5 years $1; vehicle rates vary with season – car up to 5.5m between $38 and $45. http://www.searoad.com.au/

[edit] Bus

McHarry’s Buslines run to Geelong from Queenscliff (30 km) and other Bellarine Peninsula towns.

[edit] Get around

Geelong has a reasonable bus network operated under the umbrella of Geelong Transit Service. A 2 hour ticket cost 90c concession and $1.80 adult.

Metered parking in the city costs $1.70 per hour, although it is not uncommon to find meters which haven't been updated to this price.

[edit][add listing] See

• Ford discovery centre, Corner of Gheringhap and Brougham, Geelong. Closed Tuesdays, other days 10am-5pm except Good Friday and Christmas Day. Adults $7, Concession $4.50, Child $3, Family $18.

• National Wool Museum, 26 Moorabool St (cnr Brougham St), Geelong. Every day 9:30am-5pm except Good Friday and Christmas Day. Allow 90 minutes. Includes a tourist information office. $7:30 adult, $5.90 concession, $3.65 child.

• You Yangs Regional Park is 55 km south-west of Melbourne and 22 km north of Geelong. Access from Princes Freeway is via Little River if coming from Melbourne and Lara if coming from Geelong. Open 8am-4:30pm year round and from 8am-6pm on weekends and public holidays during daylight saving. Four main walks traverse the park. The 3.2 km walk to Flinders Peak (348m) takes 90 minutes and gives good views. The longest track is the 3 hour Branding Yard Track. http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?Park=208

[edit][add listing] Do

• See an Aussie rules football match

Skilled Stadium, located on Moorabool Street is the home of the Geelong Cats, the local Australian Football League team. They are somewhat of a local institution. There are abouth half a dozen home games per year from April to August; the rest of Geelong's home games are played in Melbourne. Expect to pay about $20 for an adult, $12 concession and $5 for a child.

Alternately you could catch a local league game on a Saturday afternoon for a true Aussie experience. There are dozens at venues spread around Geelong, and matches are of a very high standard. Most grounds you can walk in free, whilst some have gates, expect to pay no more that $7-8.

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Gate House On Ryrie, 83 Yarra Street (Crn Ryrie & Yarra Street), ☎ 614 1754 196, [3]. checkin: 11.00 am; checkout: 10.00 am. A Bed and Breakfast offering accommodations with all the grace and charm of bygone days this beautiful home built in 1897 presents the traveller with all the comforts of home. Located in the heart of Geelong you close to major attractions this wonderful city has to offer. They are just within walking distance from the Gatehouse on Ryrie. They include the Wool Museum, Performing Arts Centre, Art Deco Cinema, Waterfront, Ford Museum, top class Restaurants, shopping at Market Square and Bay City Plaza, and the newly restored Botanical Gardens. 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. $100.00. (38085973S,144214498E) edit http://www.gatehouseonryrie.com.au

[edit] Budget

• National Hotel Backpackers, 191 Moorabool St, Central Geelong, 5229 1211, 0410 529 935 (nationalhotel@primus.com.au, fax 5229 0373). From $19. http://www.nationalhotel.com.au/

• Irish Murphy’s Backpackers, 30 Aberdeen St, Geelong, 5221 4335, (geelong@irishmurphys.com, fax 5223 3055). From $19. http://www.irishmurphys.com.au/

[edit] Get out

Visit the Bellarine Peninsula or the Great Ocean Road.