Geelong - brief facts

Geelong, Victoria's second largest city, is located on the shores of Corio Bay, 75 kms southwest of the State Capital, Melbourne.Geelong was first surveyed and declared a town in 1883 with a local population of 545. The city's population is over 200,000 people making Geelong one of the largest towns in Australia.

Services in Geelong

Great Ocean Road

Bellarine Peninsula

Queenscliff

Situated on the shores of Port Phillip Bay 30 km from Geelong . The town was named in 1853 in honour of Queen Victoria having been previously known as Whale Head and Shortland’s Bluff. In the late 1830’s, a pilot service for ships was established to help navigate the bay entrance and lighthouses were built in the 1860’s. The sea, shipping and the military have been central to the development of Queenscliff and it has always been a fashionable holiday destination. Australia’s largest military fortress is based here and tours are available. The town is a grand showpiece of the Victorian heritage

Point Lonsdale

Point Lonsdale is just a short distance away from Queenscliff and overlooks Port Phillip Heads one of the world’s most treacherous bay entrances, is a smaller quieter holiday village

Ocean Grove Barwon Heads

These towns are both located at the mouth of the Barwon River and are less than 30 minutes drive from Geelong, approximately 25 km. Ocean Grove, the larger of the twin towns is a modern holiday and residential town. Barwon Heads received national exposure in the ABC television program SeaChange. It is a charming holiday village with a very safe riverside beach as well as a surf beach.

Drysdale

This town is just 16km from Geelong is one of the Peninsula’s oldest settlements and it services the new area of Clifton Springs. A 33km trail linking Gee long and Queenscliff passes through Dry dale.

Portarlington, Indented Head and St Leonards

Portarlington is located in an elevated position overlooking the bay. It is another historic town offering very safe beaches and opportunities for fishing, boating and sailing. Excellent foreshore reserves, picnic facilities and boating ramps add to the resort atmosphere.

Indented Head is a very busy summer camping area with safe sandy foreshore reserves.

St Leonards is also a small beach resort, it’s shallow waters and sandy beaches make it a family favorite.

Surf Coast

Torquay

Torquay's beaches are it’s main attraction including the world famous surfing venue Bells Beach

Anglesea

Anglesea just on from Torquay is less than half an hour’s drive from Geelong and only one and a half hours from Melbourne. Tucked into the Otway Ranges and on the Great Ocean Road, Anglesea has a beautiful blend of bush and golden beaches and is famous for it’s kangaroos, cycling tracks, footbridges, fishing and Adventure Park

Airey's Inlet / Fairhaven

This area is a very scenic and peaceful retreat dominated by the Split Point Lighthouse C189, a famous beacon to all travelers on the Great Ocean Road. The area offers perfect beaches ideal for snorkeling and walking