entertainmentgeelong.com
about Geelong
Geelong is Victoria's second largest city, home to some
210,000 people. It is situated two bays from state capital Melbourne. The
distance is 70km by road, 50 minutes by rail. In the picture above,
Geelong is to the left, Melbourne's skyline right - and those foreground yachts
were 
racing
at Geelong's 2008
Skandia
Festival regatta. Geelong keeps a relatively low profile, with a deep-seated reputation
as an industrial centre with a winning football team. (AFL Champions 2007).
But amid the giant factories - Shell, Alcoa & Ford are big corporate
entities - Geelong has wonderful assets including a stunning north-facing
waterfront (left) and a historic Botanic Gardens with a 21st Century
drought-proof wedge
(right). Both are a stroll from the city centre. There are a dozen golf courses within 20 minutes
drive, scores of shopping centres and the region has no less than 29 Art
Galleries and 15 Theatre groups. Geelong may be an
industrial town - but it has a rich and vibrant cultural heart.
Residents know Geelong as a deceptive, unassuming place. It markets itself as a city to drive past - 'Gateway to the Great Ocean Road' 'Gateway to the Bellarine Peninsula', 'Gateway to the Otway Rainforest' - but in truth the city of Geelong has a long, deep fascinating history, both from its indigenous aspect - home to the Wathaurong - and also since European colonial settlement. Geelong has buildings constructed by convicts housed in hulks; it's early wealth came from wool; much more from the gold rushes and even more from industrial growth. But now it's a 21st Century centre of global education - and a tourist destination with an 'edgy bohemian feel' - to quote the Lonely Planet guide.
Enjoy Geelong - and use this website to discover the quality entertainment found there.