Geelong is situated in Victoria and despite being the state’s second-largest city, provides a small-town atmosphere. Geelong is just an hour from Melbourne, allowing international travellers to fly into the state’s largest city before making the short, gorgeous drive. The
city has an industrial past that has been replaced with a cool, hipster vibe. Breweries, posh apartments, and cool restaurants have sprung up throughout Geelong. The Bellarine Peninsula provides ample outdoor adventure. Life’s a beach in Geelong and days can be spent soaking up the surf.
How to get in and out of Geelong
Geelong’s proximity to Melbourne makes it an easy travel destination to reach. Whether you are flying from overseas or another city in Australia, you can reach Geelong easily. The city is well-connected to other areas of Victoria, allowing you to drive to Geelong and
see the Aussie countryside on the way. Train services also run to Geelong, giving you the chance to sit back, relax, and let someone else do the driving.
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Avalon Airport -
Situated just 15 kilometres outside of Geelong and 50 kilometres away from Melbourne, you will find Avalon Airport. Although it isn’t large, Avalon Airport is an international airport and Air Asia X runs direct flights to and from Kuala Lumpur. Major cities around Australia are connected to Avalon through direct domestic flights.
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Geelong Railway Station -
Geelong is serviced by a direct trainline from Melbourne. Southern Cross Railway Station in Melbourne is the starting point of the service with it terminating at Geelong Railway Station. It makes numerous stops along the way.
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Port Phillip Ferries – If you fancy something a bit different, a ferry service operates from Docklands in Melbourne arriving into Geelong twice a day. The service is operated by Port Phillip Ferries and takes an hour-and-a-half to complete.
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Coach
– Multiple coaches per day run between Melbourne and Geelong. The journey takes around one hour to complete. Along with the ferry, the coach is a cost-effective way to reach Geelong.
How to get around Geelong
Geelong is home to around 264,000 people. Its small-town vibe can be felt walking the streets or drinking craft beer in a local brewery bar. The small size of Geelong makes it possible to get around town with ease and minimal fuss. The region is compact, making it possible to move quickly whether driving, using a rideshare app, or public transport.
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Bus
– Geelong has an extensive bus network enabling passengers to get around town. Until the mid-1950s, Geelong had a tram network, but it was replaced by buses and no tram services exist today. The bus network has a flexible ride pass system allowing you to only pay for the days you ride.
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Rideshare/Taxi
– The state of Victoria allows rideshare app companies to operate within the region. It is possible to book an Uber, Lyft or local taxi in Geelong. Operators are allowed to take passengers to and from Avalon Airport.
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Car hire/Driving
– Geelong is in a very compact area of Victoria. Within minutes of driving out of the city, you will find yourself in the countryside or in one of the towns surrounding it. Car hire companies are available, allowing you to rent a vehicle and begin an Australian road trip.
What to do in Geelong
Geelong is a brilliant combination of small-town fun and outdoor natural landscapes for adventure seekers. The region has picture-perfect beaches and an amazing waterfront. Sports fans can find one of the country’s hottest towns for Aussie Rules Football. If you fancy an eclectic getaway for a weekend or full week, then don’t miss out on these
Geelong sites.
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Founded in 1859, Geelong Cats have been a premier AFL team. The Cats play part of the season at Kardinia Park in South Geelong with additional home games taking place at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
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Geelong Waterfront is a hub of excitement throughout the week. The area was an industrial site before being redeveloped in the 1990s. Yarra Street Pier features a variety of top-rated
restaurant. Baywalk Bollards is an open-air sculpturer created in the mid-1990s by artist Jan Mitchell. It is a popular spot to take selfies in front of.
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One of the most popular places to go in Geelong is Eastern Beach. The popular swimming destination was built in the 1930s in the Art Deco style.
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Geelong is home to several breweries offering great local beers to thirsty patrons. Local beer bars such as Southern Bay Brewery, BrewiColo Brewing Co., and Little Creatures are popular places to spend an afternoon or evening.
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Running 32.5 kilometres from Geelong to Queenscliff, the Bellarine Rail Trail offers families or individual travellers the chance to get exercise. The walking, cycling, and running trail follow the former train route from South Geelong to Queenscliff. The rails were removed to make a great experience for outdoor lovers.
Geelong’s weather
Geelong experiences a warm, temperate climate. You may experience a significant amount of rainfall when visiting Geelong, depending on the time of year. Rain even falls during Geelong’s driest month, so bring along an umbrella.
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Summer begins in December and last until the beginning of March. Geelong’s warmest month is February with average temperatures reaching 19.3 °C.
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Autumn offers cooler average temperatures as winter approaches. Itis still warm enough to enjoy days at the beach or to spend time exploring the natural surroundings.
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Winter’s coldest month is July as average temperatures reach as low as 9.4 °C. The waters are too cold to splash around in but outdoor activities can still be enjoyed. The Bassa Straits’ waters are at their coldest during August and September.
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Spring is the wettest time of the year in Geelong. The rain is at its highest amounts in November with an average of 6.2 days are filled with rainfall.
Fun Fact
There are plans currently to turn the Old Geelong Post Office into a hotel. The old post office, which is located on the corner of Gheringhap and Ryrie Street, was the site of the first automatic telephone exchange in Australia in 1912. It is a significant point for Australia’s history and could be turned into a place to stay soon.