Geelong

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Introduction

Geelong is Victoria's second largest city and the gateway to the Great Ocean Road. Situated on Corio Bay, the port city is located just an hour southwest of Melbourne.

While Geelong is often seen as a quick stop on the way to the Great Ocean Road, it does reward travellers who hang around for a longer stay. The city has a charming waterfront area, a range of museums and nice parks. Considering its proximity to Melbourne, Geelong is also ideal for day trips or weekends away from the busy Victorian capital.

Geelong is also home to the Geelong Cats, an Australian Rules Football team who won the 2007 AFL premiership.

Sights and Activities

• Geelong Waterfront - features some historic bollards, a swimming pool and good walking areas.
• National Wool Museum - Geelong was once the hub of the wool industry and this museum, the largest of its kind in Australia, is a tribute to history of wool in Australia.
• Geelong Botanic Gardens are the oldest botanic gardens in Australia.
• Ford Discovery Centre - a museum for the Ford Motor Company.
• Geelong Art Gallery houses a good collection of Australian works of art through the ages, wih paintings in its collection from the likes of John Brack, Charles Blackman and Frederick McCubbin. (Location: Little Malop St. Phone:03 5229 3645)

Events and Festivals

Grasshopper Festival

The Grasshopper Festival is held on the first weekend in October each year. A one-day festival, Grasshopper features rock/indie/hip-hop/electro music across three stages. Tickets are generally released in stages and gradually increase in price the closer it is to the event. For those travelling to Grasshopper from Melbourne, a free shuttle bus is usually run from the main Geelong Train Station. Find out more information on this and other Outdoor music festivals in Victoria (Australia).

Getting There

By Plane

Victoria's second largest airport is Avalon Airport, which is 15 minutes by car from Geelong. Budget airline Jetstar is the main airline servicing Avalon Airport. Flights into the airport are often listed as flights to Melbourne, as the airport is a budget alternative to Tullamarine.

See the By Car and By Bus sections for details on how to get to Geelong from Avalon Airport.

By Train

Geelong station is located only 500 metres from the town's centre.

From Melbourne:
There are regular train trips throughout the day from Melbourne to Geelong (and vice versa). The service is operated by V/Line and takes about 65 minutes.

If you're travelling during peak time (services arriving in Melbourne before 9am or departing Melbourne between 4pm and 6pm), a one-way ticket will cost $9.20 (AUD). In off peak, one-way tickets are $6.40.^[1] If you are planning a day trip, a good option is an off-peak return fare, costing $12.80. Your ticket is also valid as a Metcard, so you can use it on trams and buses in Melbourne as well as town buses in Geelong.

All services from/to Melbourne originate/terminate at Southern Cross Station on Spencer Street in the CBD.

The Overland, runs between Adelaide and Melbourne 3 times a week and stops at Geelong North Shore along the way.

By Car

From Melbourne:
The main road between Melbourne and Geelong is the Princess Freeway. It should take under an hour to reach Geelong from downtown Melbourne.

From Avalon Airport:
Driving from Avalon Airport to Geelong is simple, as the airport is situated on the Princess Freeway, which is the main road connecting Geelong and Melbourne. At the airport, turn left and follow the signs to Geelong. The trip takes about 15 minutes.

By Bus

From Avalon Airport:
The bus service from Avalon Airport to Geelong is operated by Avalon Airport Shuttle and meets all incoming and outgoing flights. It costs around $17 (one-way) and must be pre-booked.

From Tullamarine Airport
Gull Airport Service operates 15 services a day from Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport. Drop oft points include Corio Village & Geelong Railway Station.

Regional
There are regional V/Line services linking Geelong with Apollo Bay, Warrnambool, Ballarat, Port Fairy, Heywood, Mount Gambier, Hamilton and Casterton.

By Boat

Getting Around

By Car

By Public Transport

Bus is the main form of public transportation available in Geelong. There are two main companies providing services;

• Benders Busways - phone: (03) 5278 5955
• McHarry's Buslines - phone: (03) 5223 2111

By Foot

By Bike

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Budget

• National Hotel provides backpacker accommodation. Location: 191 Moorabool Street. Ph: (03) 5229 1211

Motels

• Best Western Geelong Motor Inn & Serviced Apartments, Princess Highway
• Admiralty Motor Inn (Motel), 66 McKillop Street
• Corio Bay Motel, 292 Princess Highway, Corio
• Sphinx Hotel Motel, 2 Thompsons Road, Geelong North
• Abbotswood Motor Inn, 310 High Street, Belmont
• Aberdeen Motor Inn, 9 Aberdeen Street
• Colonial Lodge Motel, 57 Fyans Street
• Ripple Side Park Motor Inn, Cnr of Bell Parade and Princes Highway, Geelong North
• Golden Palms Motel, 234 Torquay Road, Grovedale
• Kardinia Park Motel, 422-A Latrobe Terrace, Newtown
• Parkwood Motel & Apartments, Ballarat Road, Geelong North

Mid-Range

• Mercure Geelong, Gheringhap Street
• Aaron Lee Waterfront Apartments, 30 Western Beach
• Barwon Valley Lodge, 99 Barrabool Road, Belmont
• Chifley on the Esplanade, 13 The Esplanade
• Comfort Inn Eastern Sands, 1 Bellarine Street
• Quest Geelong, 16-18 The Esplanade
• Comfort Inn Bay City Geelong, 231-235 Malop Street
• Comfort Inn Parkside, 68 High Street, Belmont
• Ebony Quill Cottages, 620 Princess Highway
• Nireeda Apartments, 1 Clare Street

Upscale

• The Haymarket Boutique Hotel, 244 Moorabool Street
• Four Points by Sheraton, 10-14 Eastern Beach Road

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

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