Beaches, marinas, restaurants and cafes can be found along Geelong's breathtaking waterfront. Image: Tony Ng via Shutterstock.

Geelong

Trip

Victoria's "city by the bay" boasts a spectacular waterfront, elegant architecture, a thriving arts scene and great dining and drinking options.

One hour from Melbourne awaits the second largest city in the state, Geelong. With a population of close to 300,000, the city is large enough to have its own centre of gravity. In fact, Geelong has been designated a UNESCO city of design using creativity and innovation to build more sustainable, resilient and inclusive communities.

The former industrial city has gentrified into a creative hub with many galleries and museums within walking distance in the city centre. The city also shares Melbourne's love affair with street art with many striking works throughout its laneways and alleys.

The Bellarine Peninsula is easily accessible from Geelong as is the Great Ocean Road which begins at nearby Torquay.

The city was founded during the gold rush days as a port city close to the Ballarat gold fields. It was more convenient for miners to stay here than commute from Melbourne, and because it is a port city, the gold could easily be exported to the world.

Gay Geelong

There are no dedicated gay bars in the city. The closest match is the Piano Bar which hosts drag several nights a week and is also the venue where touring drag queens such as Rupaul's Drag Race alumni perform. In fact, the chain of Piano Bars across the state have become beacons for queer people living in regional Victoria.

Getting There

Train. V/Line trains leave every 20 minutes from Southern Cross station. The one-hour trip costs $13.80 each way. 

Ferry. Port Philip Ferries have ferries between Docklands and Geelong twice a day $18 each way. The tip takes 90 minutes. 

Car. The drive takes about one hour from central Melbourne.

Traveler magazine have a review of Geelong written in 2022. It's sponsored by tourism Geelong, so it's not completely objective, but it does have a good rundown of recent openings in the city.
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