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The White Hat Guide to Geelong

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Corio Bay, Geelong
Corio Bay, Geelong

Geelong is Victoria's second largest city, an important regional centre and an important industrial port. It is a little over an hour by road or train from Melbourne (see Melbourne-Geelong and north-western coast of Port Phillip Bay). and , possibly because of the calming influence of the sheltered waters of Corio Bay, has a more relaxed feel than Melbourne. In fact Melbournians have been known to unkindly refer to it as 'Sleepy Hollow' (although see the response to this from one of newsletter subscribers). It is home to the AFL (Australian football) team 'The Cats', and the local industry is much influenced by its extensive port facilities, the Ford car factory and various refineries.

Carving of Peter Lalor at Geelong's Eastern Beach
Peter Lalor

However the focus of Geelong has to be the waterfront around Corio Bay and the recreation area known as the Eastern Beach. A collection of over 100 painted wooden sculptures in the form of bollards provides an affectionate history of Geelong and depict a number of Geelong's favourite sons and daughters including  James Harrison (the inventor of commercial refrigeration) as well as other people who played an important part in Victoria's history such as Peter Lalor and Matthew Flinders.

The waterfront also features a historic carousel manufactured in 1892. many restaurants, enclosed swimming areas, kiosks, pleasure cruises and all the other entertainments that you would expect at a major seaside resort.

 

Much of Peter Carey's book Illywhacker (see right) is set in Geelong in the earlier part of the 20th century.

Geelong is also the gateway to the Bellarine Peninsula and Great Ocean Road to the south.

See also:

 

Attractions

Barwon Grange

A heritage home from the 1850s with gardens and riverside walks
11am-4pm, Wednesdays & Sundays

 

Fernleigh Street. - Newtown
Enquiries: (03) 5221 3906

Ford Discovery Centre

Dedicated to the past, present and future of Ford cars, their production and design. An entry fee applies.
10am-5pm, closed Tuesdays, Christams Day, New Years Day & Good Friday

 

cnr Gerringhap & Brougham Streets, - Geelong
(Mel ref 401 G2) Enquiries: (03) 52278700

National Wool Museum

A museum dedicated to the history of the wool industry in Australia and housed in in an 1872 bluestone woolstore
9.30am-4pm daily (except Christmas Day & Good Friday)

 

cnr Moorabool & Brougham Streets. - Geelong
(Mel ref 228 C1) Enquiries: (03) 5227 0701

The Heights Heritage House & Garden

A German prefabricated house and outbuildings constructed in 1855
11am-4.30pm, Wednesdays & Sundays

 

140 Aphrasia Street. - Newtown
Enquiries: (03) 5221 3510

The White Hat Map of Geelong

To find the location of an attraction, click on the desired link on the right hand side and then use the controls to zoom in or change to satellite view.

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Events

The Apotheosis Of The Dance

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra with Oleg Caetani (conductor) and Susanna Stefani-Caetani (piano) perform:

8pm, Friday 5 December 2008

Costa Hall, Deakin University, Geelong -

Geelong Highland Gathering

Geelong Highland Games

The 52nd Geelong Highland Gathering, on Sunday, March 15, 2009, will include Scottish Heavy Games, including caber tossing. The Victorian Pipe Band Championships will be held a feature of the Gathering, first held on the plains of South Geelong, then open space and now a heavily populated Geelong suburb, in 1857. The Gathering went into recess during the Depression, but was revived by the then Newtown City Council in 1957 and has been held continuously ever since at picturesque Queens Park, often referred to as “the Braemar of Australia”.

It has grown into the biggest and most diverse celebration of Scottish culture in Victoria and one of the major Scottish events in Australia attracting interstate and sometimes overseas bands and Scottish and other overseas judges. The Gathering, from 9.30am to 5.30pm, attracts upwards of 6000 people annually. Scottish historic military re-enactment groups, massed pipe bands displays, Highland Dancing competitions, Scottish Country Dancing displays, a Celtic Market, Scottish Folk Music, Scottish dogs and horses and Highland Cattle are all a part of the traditional mix. There will also be clan and other cultural and genealogical displays, wood-chopping competitions, archery, children’s activities and a children’s farmyard. A great family occasion, entry charges apply/p>

Full information at Geelong Highland Gathering.

Sunday 15th March 2009

Queen's Park, Geelong -

Enquiries: (03) 5221 7224

Songs Of The Waves, Music Of The Spheres

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra with Richard Hickox (conductor), Howard Shelley (conductor/piano) and Women of Melbourne Chorale perform:

  • Debussy Nocturnes
  • Eugene Goossens Phantasy Piano Concerto (Australian premiere)
  • Holst The Planets
8pm, Friday 18 April 2008

Costa Hall, Deakin University, Geelong -

Markets

White Hat - THE place to find markets in Victoria

Over the years White Hat has become recognised as THE place to list and find markets in Melbourne & Victoria and our markets pages consistently receive over 1,000 visitors a day with over 3,000 a day at weekends. Unlike many websites which merely LIST markets, White Hat VISITS markets as witnessed by the photographs. Although we visit hundreds of markets every year we can never cover all of them so please let us know if any of our information is out of date. With details on over 400 markets, users regularly tell us that the White Hat listing is the best and most comprehensive source of markets in Victoria available either on the web or in print.

Baby & Kids Market (Geelong)

The Baby & Kids Market offers a huge range of gorgeous & excellent quality preloved baby & kids goods. From prams, cots, toys, books, clothes, shoes. Plus ‘handpicked’ local designers featuring their unique and stylish baby & kids goods. Plenty of free parking. Always indoors. Cash sales only. Entry $3, kids free.
9am to 1pm, Saturday 16th August 2008

 

Barwon Valley Activity Centre, 1 Barwon Heads Road - Belmont
Enquiries: 1300 55 44 76

Belmont Market

A large indoor/outdoor market featuring craft & bric a brac. A small entry fee applies
8am to 1.30pm, Sundays

 

Barwon Valley Community Centre, Barwon Heads Road - Belmont
Enquiries: (03) 5243 7718

Central Geelong Farmers' Market

A farmers' market selling fresh local produce, cheeses and honey. Cooking demonstrations and live entertainment throughout the morning. If you are looking for a farmers' market that is particulalry child-friendly, White Hat can recommend this one.
8.30am - 12.30pm, 2nd Saturday of month

 

Little Malop Street - between Moorabool and Yarra Streets - Geelong
Enquiries: (03) 5783 3114

Crafters’ Market

Stall holders selling: Quilting fabrics, backing & wadding.Hand Dyed Fabrics. Japanese fabrics. Exclusive greeting cards & wraps. Exclusive Bead supplies. Scrap booking supplies. Mohair bears, embroidered hand towels, face washers.
10am to 2pm, 2nd Saturday of month

 

Masonic Hall, Regent Street - Belmont
Enquiries: (03) 5229 4075

Geelong Computer Swap Meet

A large number of stalls selling new and second hand computer equipment and related goods. A small entry fee applies.
9am—4.30pm, Sundays (except Christmas Day and Nrew Years Day)

 

YMCA Hal - Geelong
Enquiries: (03) 9886 1466

Geelong Greyhounds Saturday Community Market at Beckley Park.

A large indoor/outdoor market with variety stalls, produce and food.
8.30am to 1pm, Saturdays

 

Beckley Park, off Princes Highway - Corio
Enquiries: (03) 52 752298 or 0409 432 044

Geelong Mill Markets

Until recently, this location hosted a large and popular market. That market has relocated to Newcomb (see below). A smaller set of stalls remain at this venue selling mainly antiques.
10am to 6pm, 7 days a week

 

3 Mackey Street - North Geelong

Geelong Showgrounds Market

An outdoor/indoor market with variety stalls, new and used goods. Casual stallholders welcome.
8am - 2pm, Sundays (except during Geelong Show)

 

Cnr. Breakwater Road and Carr Street - East Geelong
Enquiries: 0417 759 777

Mill Markets Newcomb

A large indoor market with permenant and casual stallholders selling antiques,collectables, vintage clothing, homewares, memmorabilia and retro fashions.
10am to 6pm, daily

 

114 Bellarine Highway - Newcomb
Enquiries: (03) 5248 2390

Steampacket Gardens Art & Craft Market

A quality market on the picturesque waterfront at Geelong. With a large array of arts, crafts, clothing, gifts and food stalls. Even if you are not a confirmed shopper, White Hat can recommend this market as a pleasant place to stroll and browse on a Sunday sfternoon.
10am-3pm (2pm in Winter), 1st Sunday of month

 

Steampacket Gardens, Eastern Beach - Geelong
Enquiries: (03) 5229 0764

Please note that the above are the official trading hours. At many markets, a number of stalls close early, so you need to be there well before official closing time.

Other markets in Victoria

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Forthcoming Events

These events are ones which have run in the past and we expect to run in the future. As yet we do not have confirmed details, dates and contact details. To be informed of those details when they become available you can subscribe to our newsletter "Great things to do in Melbourne".

All Ford Day Festival

An annual event featuring everything Ford including trade displays, entertainment, competitions and the RAAF Roulettes.
February 2009 ? Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Geelong

Geelong Film Festival

June 2009 ? Performing Arts Centre, 50 Little Mallop Street, Geelong

Geelong Week

Geelong Week, goes above and beyond sailing, with sensational racing, a gala like atmosphere and an abundance of waterfront activities and entertainment. It attracts over 100,000 visitors and boasts over 450 competing yachts with over 5000 sailors taking part.
January 2009 ? Waterfront Geelong

Pako Festa

A multicultural festival with entertainment, demonstrations and stalls.
February 2009 ? Packington Street, Geelong West

Rock & Roll Festival

Geelong Jukebox Rockers host an annual Rock & Roll Festival in January.
January 2008 ? White Eagle House, Fellmongers Rd, Breakwater, Geelong

Rock and Roll Fesitval

Three day rock and roll festival.
January 2009 ? White Eagle House, Fellmongers Rd, Breakwater (Geelong)

Royal Geelong Show

The Royal Geelong Show is held over 4 days. Come along and see Horse events, Prime Lamb and Beef Carcase Judging, Cattle and Sheep judging, Homecraft, Woolcraft and Horticulture exhibits and demonstrations. Enjoy attractions and entertainment galore, trade sites, rides and side shows. Spectacular fireworks Friday and Saturday night. Adult $14; Concession $12; Student child 5-15 yrs $6; Family (2Adults & up to 3 Child) $34. Thursday 18th to Sunday 21st October 2007. Open 9am - 10pm Thursday to Saturday, 9am - 5pm Sunday.
October 2008 ? Geelong Showgrounds, 79 Breakwater Road, East Geelong

The Battle of Bannockburn Country Fair

The day is planned to celebrate the anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn (34-24 June 1314) Our Lions Club will be holding our inaugural fair which we plan will become an annual event at the Bannockburn football ground. The day is planned to be a celebration of our districts achievements with a touch of Scottish flavour to keep in theme with the event. Our aim is to have something of interest for all patrons and a list of events is as follows;
June 2008 ? Bannockburn (near Geelong)
These events are ones which have run in the past and we expect to run in the future. As yet we do not have confirmed details, dates and contact details. To be informed of those details when they become available you can subscribe to our newsletter "Great things to do in Melbourne".
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Page last updated: 25 August, 2008
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TOURISM NEWS
Qantas In Flight Magazine chooses White Hat Cemetery Tour as its featured Australian tour for May

There are many fine historical tours throughout Australia including cemetery tours. From these, the prestigious Qantas In Flight Magazine has chosen the White Hat Tour of Melbourne Cemetery as its featured Australian tour for the May 2007 edition. This tour was also featured by ABC radio on 24 May and will feature in a documentary series on Burke and Wills to be shown on European television in 2008. The tour has been operating for many years and has won praise from a wide range of sources. This is not a dry and stuffy tour but in keeping with all White Hat offerings it is Informed, Intelligent, Independent (and occasionally) Irreverent. You can find details of the tour at White Hat Tour of Melbourne Cemetery and view the article at Qantas In Flight Magazine.

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