Geelong City
with parks, gardens, beaches, great shopping and fabulous restaurants and bars. Geelong is also a hub for events, both big and small, all year round.
There is so much to do in Geelong, Victoria's largest regional city.
- Explore the stunning waterfront
- Discover a great range of local art galleries and exhibitions,
- Explore the many parks and gardens throughout the city and especially the Geelong Botanic Gardens, overlooking the Bay
- Experience shopping, Geelong style, with the perfect mix of large indoor shopping centres and small shopping strips and
- Learn about Geelong’s two biggest industries: Wool and Ford motor cars.
- Enjoy a fabulous theatre show or musical at the Geelong Performing Arts Centre
- Take in the magnificent views by sea, sky or land
When its time for a break, you will be spoilt for choice on cuisine and atmosphere when it comes to chosing a place to sit down and have a drink or something to eat at one of our sensational eateries .
There are many walking trails all over the city. Walking is a great way to discover Geelong (and less impact on the environment too).
More about Geelong City
Geelong’s waterfront has an exciting array of restaurants, bars and attractions including a famous art-deco, bayside swimming pool complex, parklands and an Antique Carousel.
The nearby historic Botanic Gardens now include a new 21st Century Garden with native plants overlooking the Bay. Smaller reserves and parks dot the foreshore and inner city Geelong.
The Central business and shopping area is just one block back from the waterfront. There you will find the city's cultural precinct, with fine cafes, studios, and art galleries all within walking distance.
Further south, the Barwon River offers both active and passive recreational opportunities and has picturesque paths extended right along both its banks for many kilometres.
Name Origins
Explorers Hume and Hovell recorded the Aboriginal word ‘Jillong’ - thought to mean land or cliffs - in 1824. The Wathaurong word actually meant ‘tongue-shaped’ and referred to the entire Bellarine Peninsula. Governor Burke gave the name ‘Geelong’, from the Aboriginal word, to the area in 1837.