Geelong

Geelong is Victoria's second largest city and offers a diverse range of food, wine, cultural and recreation attractions and colonial history. A waterfront city, it is also the major gateway to the Bellarine Peninsula and Great Ocean Road. Geelong takes full advantage of its unique north-facing bay with fabulous waterfront eateries, landscaped gardens and walking paths set against the backdrop of Corio Bay. Stroll past the sculptured bollards dotted along the foreshore that chronicle characters from the city's past and present, including dapper young ladies in neck-to-knee bathing costumes, 1930s lifesavers, traditional Aussie families, a Geelong footballer, jaunty sailors, fishermen and a town band. Close by is Eastern Beach, which features an art deco-style pool, promenade complex and the restored pavilion that houses a pleasant restaurant, café and kiosk. Pakington Street, the wide tree-lined avenue linking the suburbs of Geelong West and Newtown and home to the annual Pako Festa, is only a few minutes from the city. There are many different restaurants and eateries to try as well as delicatessens, wine merchants, a park to relax in and a street ambience to experience. Explore the city's 100 National Trust listed buildings and delve into the history of wool at the National Wool Museum, housed in an impressive three storey historic bluestone wool store dating back to 1872. Take in the Geelong Art Gallery's outstanding collection of Australian paintings, sculpture and decorative arts. From horse racing to multicultural festivals, Geelong is a city of major events. Each January Corio Bay is home to Australia's oldest and largest sailing regatta and Skandia Geelong Week. And the Australian International Airshow fills the skies at Geelong's Avalon Airport every two years in March. Geelong is about one hour from Melbourne via the Princes Highway. Daily rail and coach services are available from Melbourne.