Geelong in Victoria Australia

Geelong

Located just south west of Melbourne, Geelong is Victoria’s second largest city. Geelong is located on Corio Bay. This city has 160,000 people. Getting to Geelong has never been easier – grab one of cheap flights to Geelong or alternatively fly to Avalon or Melbourne Airports and from there it’s only one hour drive via highway.

Discovery

Geelong was discovered by Lieutenant John Murray in 1802.  He was on the Lady Nelson as he ventured and discovered the land of Geelong. Nelson can not enter the Corio Bay because of the sandbar, so Murray sends some of his crew to look at the land. The first European settlers of Geelong were George Russell, James Stratchan, and David Fisher back in 1836. It was in 1837 that the place was officially named Geelong which is an aboriginal word for Jillong.

William Buckley

William Buckley is a convict who escaped incarceration back in 1803. He escaped to the Geelong area together with Wautharong aboriginal people. He eventually surrendered to the authorities who arrived in the Geelong area later during 1835. Later on, Beckley was pardoned and the authorities and the other European settlers in Geelong used him as an interpreter.

Growth

Geelong prospered and grew quickly during the 1850′s gold rush because it was the best route from the port towards the goldfields of Ballarat. Some of the significant buildings in Geelong are still standing up to now. These buildings represent the historical heritage of Geelong. Two of the most popular historical heritage of Geelong is the Geelong Hospital and the Town Hall.

After the Gold rush

When the goldfields dried up, the growth of Geelong went slower. It is fortunate that the city was already established. Melbourne eventually outgrew Geelong making Geelong the second largest city in Victoria. During 1902 there were a lot of new infrastructural industries in Geelong such as a power stati8on and waterworks. In 1920, the Ford Motor Company created a production power plant in Geelong. Later on during 1936, the Shell Refinery did the same thing. The growth and development of Geelong was maintained properly and later on t became the 12th biggest city in Australia.

Attractions

Geelong has a lot of water attractions for locals and tourists alike because it is located on the Corio Bay. Some of the water attractions of the city are foreshore pool, beaches and walks. Fishing swimming and boating are some of the great activities you can do in the city. Other tourist attractions in Geelong are The Ford Discovery Center, Maritime Museum, Old Geelong Gaol, and the National Wool Museum. There are also a lot of historical places in Geelong that attracts a lot of tourists. You will also find a lot of amazing restaurants and shops in Geelong like the carousel, Cunningham Pier, Botanical Gardens, Waterfront Walks, and Waterfalls in Geelong. Geelong is also rich with festivals and geological features. Some of the most iconic attractions in Geelong are the Bells Beach, Whale watching and Twelve Apostles. The geological formations in Geelong are great places to take day trips with. You will also find some of the best wines in Australia in Geelong.  There are a lot of sports and other activities that you will enjoy in Geelong.