Geelong

Geelong is Victoria's second largest city, located on Corio Bay, and within a short drive from popular beach-front communities on the Bellarine Peninsula as well as being the gateway to the famous Great Ocean Road, which begins just south of Geelong at Torquay.

The city itself boasts a large commercial centre which extends down to the foreshore, offering visitors the chance to explore popular beach-front attractions such as Eastern Beach with its swimming enclosure, the Steampacket Gardens, the dining options available on Cunningham Pier, and several coastal walks, dotted with collections of bollards depicting historic characters. Elegant architecture, colourful gardens and parks, and the backdrop of Corio Bay are all symbolic of what locals refer to as the "city by the bay".

Locations of interest for visitors include the National Wool Museum, the Old Geelong Gaol, the Botanic Gardens at Eastern Park, and a number of other museums, galleries and historical buildings.

The multicultural heart of Geelong can be found along Pakington Street in Geelong West. Enjoy dining at restaurants and cafes that represent the kitchens of the world, then browse the specialty retailers in the area. Pakington Street is also the venue of Geelong's huge annual multicultural event - Pako Festa.

The Barwon River meanders through Geelong and its surrounding suburbs, fronted by a number of attractive parks and the scenic Buckley Falls in Fyansford. On its journey to the coast, the river flows through the wetlands of Lake Connewarre before entering Bass Strait at the twin towns of Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove.