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Geelong - Cities, Towns and Localities |
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Derived from the
Aboriginal word for bay Jilong, Geelong means a place of the sea bird over
the white cliffs. The city is nestled against Corio Bay and split in two by the
Barwon River. The 2nd largest city in Victoria with a population in excess of
210,000 people, Geelong is part of the Bellarine
Peninsula and Victoria's famous
Great Ocean Road regions, offering the visitor
much to see and do. Originally
inhabited by the Wathaurung tribe the area was settled around the early 1840's
by sheep graziers. The introduction of white people and sheep brought diseases
that decimated the local aboriginal population. The sheep trampled the many root
vegetable plants, part of the staple diet of the aboriginals causing starvation
and more deaths.
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The township expanded rapidly due to its proximity to the rich western
grazing lands and became the major export port for Victoria with higher tonnages
of produce exported here than further up in Melbourne. Historic bluestone wool
stores and other buildings remain from those days with over 200 historic
buildings classified by the national trust.
The waterfront and port areas at Geelong have recently been upgraded with a
$150 million investment upgrade. It has achieved a remarkable
transformation of a once run down area into a modern waterfront destination.
With trendy new restaurants, landscaped gardens, and public sculptures the area
is a must see for the visitor and locals alike. A 36 horse antique carousel is
popular with the kids.
For up-to-date info drop into the tourist visitor centre. For Geelong
accommodation click here. |
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Barwon River
Ride or walk up to 20km of cycle ways
along side this wonderful waterway visit Yollinko Park
Aboriginal Garden, gold courses, wetlands, sanctuaries,
parks and through urban areas.
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Geelong Art Gallery
Little Malop St, GEELONG Ph:
03 5229 3645
The Gallery's
outstanding collection of paintings, sculpture and
decorative arts spans Australian art from 'colonial' to
present day including Frederick McCubbin's masterpiece A
Bush Burial and Eugene von Guerard's The Barter (1854).
Local legend convict-escapee William Buckley is the subject
of two of the Gallery's works. These are by W. Blamire Young
and Oswald Campbell.
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Geelong Botanic Gardens Eastern Park
Located a short walk from the
CBD, the gardens celebrated its 150th year in 2001. The Geelong gardens are the
fourth oldest in Australia, behind Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney, Hobart and
Melbourne. In its early years, the majority of the reserve was developed into
the conifer dominated open parkland, evident today. In 1959 the gardens western
boundary was moved to increase the size of the gardens to approximately 3.6
hectares. In September 2002, the Geelong Botanic Gardens opened its 21st Century
Garden extensions, a unique project that aims to link the past with the present,
the historic roles of a botanic garden to the contemporary.
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Friends of Geelong Botanic
Gardens
Ph/Fax: 03 5222 6053
Founded in 1985 the Friends are a volunteer
support group for the Geelong Botanic Gardens. The Friends activities involve
plant sales, tea house, guided walks, library, newsletter, events programs and
perennial border.
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Geelong Heritage Centre
51 Little Malop St, GEELONG VIC 3220 Ph: 03 5227
0970 Fax: 03 5221 1328
Victoria's largest regional archive
and resource centre. A collection that embraces the history of Geelong since
1838, based on local archives from public, private, commercial and individual.
The centre handles thousands of enquiries annually, providing assistance with
school projects, family histories and general historical research. |
Geelong Maritime Museum
Osborne House - Swinburne
St, NORTH GEELONG Ph: 03 5277 3808
Geelong's early story
is of the sea, with passenger arrivals and departures, or
trade, scientific and naval activities. Geelong 's maritime
past sails into view in the renovated stables of the
historic Osborne House mansion, overlooking Corio Bay.
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Geelong
Performing Arts Centre
50 Little Malop St, GEELONG Ph: 03 5225 1200
Is one of a group of state owned
cultural agencies including Victorian Arts Centre, Museum
Victoria, National Gallery of Victoria, State Library of
Victoria, Australian Centre for Moving Image and Film
Victoria.
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National Wool Museum
26 Moorabool St, GEELONG
Ph: 03 5227 0701
Why fleece
from Australia's sheep has been the heart of our economy for
nearly 200 years. Feel the variety of wool grown in
Australia as our 'flock' responds to your attention. Listen
to shearers' tales and songs as you relax in the shearers'
quarters.
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The Sphinx
2 Thompson Rd, NORTH GEELONG VIC 3215
Ph: 03 5278 2911
Revisit ancient Egypt with the
magnificent 15m Sphinx, providing the best entertainment
facilities in Geelong, Tatts pokies, Pubtab, Pharoahs,
Bistro, Cazbar, Over 28's club, convention facilities,
swimming pool and budget accommodation.
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 Geelong
City Council
Ph: 03 5227 0270
The City Of Greater Geelong is the local
government authority providing services and facilities to
over 190,000 residents and 10,000 businesses over a 1,250
square kilometre area. Click here for a
map of Geelong.
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