Geelong

Geelong is located 75km south-west of Melbourne, in the state of Victoria, Australia.

The Geelong & Great Ocean Road Visitor Information Centre is located at the BP station on the Princess Highway and has a wealth of information and maps to help visitors explore the local area.

The National Wool Museum is located close to Waterfront Geelong and showcases the region's wool story from the 1840's to the present day. Central to the Museum experience is the 1910 built Axminster Jacquard carpet loom. Daily demonstrations by the Museum's skilled carpet weavers show how the loom works.

Geelong Gallery is one of Australia's leading and oldest regional galleries containing iconic colonial masterpieces and compelling contemporary works of art (open daily).

Geelong Botanic Gardens is a good place to relax and enjoy the surrounding greenery, peace and diverse plants and trees.

Kardinia Park covers an area of approximately 28,300 square metres and is made up of many different areas. These include Simonds Stadium, Kardinia Aquatic Centre, children's playgrounds and fitness stations and pedestrian footpaths.

Bellarine Rail Trail is a disused railway corridor which has been made into a 32km walking/cycling path linking the outskirts of Geelong with the coast at the historic village of Queenscliff.

Geelong is close to the Great Ocean Road, one of the world's most scenic drives along miles of pristine beaches between dramatic cliffs and tranquil mountainsides.

The 12 Apostles are a series of huge rock stacks which rise up from the Southern Ocean. Visitors can take a helicopter ride over these famous natural wonders.

Eastern Beach is a popular swimming and recreation area built during the 1930s in an Art Deco style. There is a shark proof sea bath, children's swimming pool, kiosk and dressing room pavilion and a number of the Art Deco buildings in the area are listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.

Spend the morning at one of the many quality weekend markets in Geelong and on the Bellarine Peninsula including the Geelong Farmers Market offering the very best in local produce and the renowned Queenscliff Market with over 100 stalls selling high quality handcrafts and home baking.

Savour mouth-watering local delicacies such as regionally produced cheeses, chutneys, cakes and homemade bread as well as freshly caught seafood such as mussels. Visitors will also find a good variety of international favourites such as Indian, Asian and Italian.

Cruise ships dock at Geelong's Cunningham Pier, which is just a few minutes walk from the city centre.

Cunningham Pier is an attraction in itself. The iconic building at the end of the pier houses an elegant Brasserie and bar.

The rejuvenated waterfront area has a handful of cafes and restaurants, the Art deco sea baths and the yacht club marina.