Geelong

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Geelong [1] is a city located 70 km south west of Melbourne, Australia, on Corio Bay, part of Port Phillip Bay. With over 150,000 population it is the second-largest city in the state of Victoria.

[edit] Understand

Geelong 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, Stead Park, Princes Highway, Corio, 7km north of Geelong town center, toll free 1800 620 888, 5275 5797 (fax 5223 2069). Every day 9am-5pm. There is another information office in the Market Square shopping center. http://www.greatoceanrd.org.au/

• Geelong - National Wool Museum 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

[edit] See

• 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] Do

[edit] Buy

[edit] Eat

[edit] Drink

[edit] Sleep

[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.