Destination guides > Australia > Victoria > Around Melbourne > Geelong
Geelong
Victoria’s second city is a thriving commercial and industrial centre and major port, but
for most travellers, Geelong is just a place to pass through en route to Torquay and the
Great Ocean Road.
It has a pleasant waterfront area but its main attractions are the Wool Museum and the
Ford Discovery Centre.
Practical information
INFORMATION CENTRES
Geelong & Great Ocean Road Visitor Information Centre
Stead Park, Princes Highway, Corio
Bus 10
Tel (03) 5275 5797 or 1800 620 888
Website www.visitgeelong.org
Open 9am-5pm daily
Geelong Visitor Information Centre
National Wool Museum, corner Moorabool & Brougham Streets, Geelong
Bus 10, 12, 21, 30, 35, 36, 51, 55
Tel (03) 5222 2900 or 1800 620 888
Website www.visitgeelong.org
Open 9am-5pm daily
Coming & going
Most people pass through Geelong when driving between Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road.
If you’re travelling by public transport, the V/line (tel 13 61 96) train service from Melbourne is the easiest way to get here. Trains run hourly from Southern Cross station in Melbourne and take just over an hour. The one-way fare is $7.20-20.40.
There are also direct bus links between Geelong and Melbourne’s two airports. Avalon
Airport is only 15 minutes from the centre of Geelong and Avalon Airport Shuttle (tel
(03) 5278 8788) runs between Avalon and Geelong for $17. Gull (tel (03) 5222 4966) run buses to Melbourne Airport picking up at 45 McKillop Street and Geelong train station. The one-way fare is $25.
Local transport
The Geelong Transit System is comprised of buses run by Benders Busways (tel (03) 5278
5955) and McHarry’s (tel (03) 5223 2111). The $1.80 fare allows you to travel on any Geelong Transit System bus for two to three hours.
There are also some suburban train services run by V/line (tel 13 61 96), although services are infrequent.
Hostel accommodation
Irish Murphys
30 Aberdeen Street, Geelong
Tel (03) 5222 2900
National Hotel
191 Moorabool Street, Geelong
Tel 0410 529 935 or (03) 5229 1211
Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions
Ford Discovery Centre
Thousands of Ford cars are made in Geelong and the Ford Discovery Centre by the
waterfront illustrates the history of Ford in Australia. It has displays on the
production and design process and also features a collection ranging from the Model T to
the latest models.
Corner Brougham & Gheringhap Streets, Geelong
Tel (03) 5227 8700
Website www.forddiscovery.com.au
Admission $7
Open Wed-Mon 10am-5pm daily
National Wool Museum
Geelong’s big attraction is this well designed museum that depicts the history of
Australia’s wool industry. It also demonstrates the process of shearing, spinning and
knitting.
26 Moorabool Street, Geelong
Bus 10, 12, 21, 30, 35, 36, 51, 55
Tel (03) 5227 0701
Website www.nwm.vic.gov.au
Admission $7.30
Open Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm, Sat-Sun 1pm-5pm
