Geelong's location earns itself the unofficial title of ‘The Gateway City’ due to its central proximity to surrounding Victorian regional centres, like Ballarat in the north west, Torquay, Great Ocean Road and Warrnambool in the southwest, Hamilton, Colac and Winchelsea to the west, and the state capital of Melbourne in the northeast.
Getting around Geelong is easy, as it is well-connected by roads to all of south-west Victoria, by the Princes Freeway, the Princes Highway, the Bellarine Highway, the Midland Highway, the Hamilton Highway and The Geelong Ring Road (an extension of the Princes Freeway) Avalon Airport is located about 15 km north-east of the city of Geelong. And just this year (2019) landed its first international flights. It is also home to the Australian International Airshow every other year.
Geelong is a rapidly growing commercial centre with good beaches and schools.
Geelong has frequent trains running to and from Melbourne, being at the junction of the Geelong line, Warrnambool V/Line rail service, Western standard gauge line, and the Geelong-Ballarat railway line. There are eight railway stations located in the urban area, all along the Warrnambool line and served by V/Line trains.
Port Phillip Ferries began operating a charter between Portarlington and Docklands, Melbourne in late 2016. The 35 metre long catamaran seats up to 400 passengers, providing a comfortable vantage point to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Port Phillip Bay.
There are a number of places to shop and grab a bite to eat in the city of Geelong, including a Westfields, Market Square, Pakington Strand, Centrepoint Arcade as well as many individual retailers, cafes, restaurants, pubs and clubs.
Education-wise there are a variety of public and private schools as well as a TAFE and Deakin University.
Looking to get back to nature? There's lots of parkland and areas to walk, hike and explore. Plus the Barwon & Moorabool River, Cowies Creek or the bay for water activities such as boating, water skiing, kayaking, rowing, stand-up paddle-boarding or fishing.
Football, Horse Racing, Netball, Yacht Lawn Tennis Club and Soccer Clubs, an aquatic centre, swimming pools, all provide a myriad of outlets for sporting enthusiasts and athletes.
For entertainment, there are three cinemas, Oz Tenpin Bowling and a Rollerway. Geelong plays host to a variety of festivals every year and is home to a performing arts centre and an art gallery.
Great for:
- Parking
- Internet
- Access
- Neighbourly Spirit
- Peace & Quiet
- Public Transport
Who lives here?
- Families with kids
- Professionals
- Singles
- Retirees
- Hipsters
Suburbs nearby:
- Avalon
- Bellarine
- Corio
- East Geelong
- Geelong West
- Grovedale
- Lara
- Queenscliff
- St Leonards
- Waurn Ponds