Geelong
is Victoria's second city and is among the biggest non-capital cities
in Australia.
Geelong
is a lovely city built upon the waters of Corio Bay and the Barwon
River and is about the right size for a place to live in - about
200,000 people.
Geelong
is the second biggest city in Victoria and for most of its history
has been an industrial centre for the state.
You
can see the many fine brick buildings in the city courtesy of the
wool trade, shipping and being an access port to the goldfields
of Bendigo and Ballarat.
There
are plenty of good spots to eat in Geelong and when we were there
we had a really nice fish and chip lunch on the roof of the Geelong
Boat House floating restaurant.
The
weather was perfect, the food was good, and the outlook over the
bay was brilliant.
The
waterfront has plenty of bars and eateries - and the Baywalk Bollard
Trail to follow. There are 100 bollards created by artist Jan Mitchell
that represent characters who have made Geelong the place it is
today. They
are fun pieces.
Being
down by the Bay is just gorgeous on a sunny day no matter what season.
And,
in winter, you can head off to Kardinia Park, home of the mighty
Geelong Cats. Kardinia Park has changed so much since I first went
to a game there and it even now has lights for night matches.
The
shopping area for Geelong is stepped back from the waterfront streets
and you will find all the major retailers there.
At
the National Wool Museum in Brougham St visitors can find out about
the history of the Australian wool industry and its effect upon
the country. The museum is in a stunning bluestone building and
it doesn't just feature wool, but has other contemporary exhibitions
as well.
The
museum is open Monday to Friday 9:30am to 5pm, Saturday to Sunday
10am to 5pm and is closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Good
Friday .
Another
place to visit for history buffs is the Geelong Maritime Museum
at Osborne House.
The
museum is in The Stables of the historic buiulding, which was the
site of the first Australian Naval College.
The
Geelong Maritime Museum focuses on the history of Corio Bay as a
port. Its naval collection stretches from the Napoleonic Wars' Admiral
Horatio Nelson and the battle of Trafalgar through to WWII. Its
maritime focus is on the merchant navy, sail instruments, charts
and maps. The museum is open every day from 10am to 4.30pm.
Located
at the eastern edge of the central city is Eastern Park and within
its grounds are the Geelong Botanic Gardens. They are the fourth
oldest botanic gardens in Australia having been created in 1851.
Geelong
is the second biggest city in Victoria and for most of its history
has been an industrial centre for the state. 
The
waterfront has plenty of bars and eateries - and the Baywalk Bollard
Trail to follow. There are 100 bollards created by artist Jan Mitchell
that represent characters who have made Geelong the place it is
today. They
are fun pieces.
At
the National Wool Museum in Brougham St visitors can find out about
the history of the Australian wool industry and its effect upon
the country. The museum is in a stunning bluestone building and
it doesn't just feature wool, but has other contemporary exhibitions
as well.
The
Geelong Maritime Museum focuses on the history of Corio Bay as a
port. Its naval collection stretches from the Napoleonic Wars' Admiral
Horatio Nelson and the battle of Trafalgar through to WWII. Its
maritime focus is on the merchant navy, sail instruments, charts
and maps. The museum is open every day from 10am to 4.30pm.