A short time ago, I had a couple of days free and I made use of them to get away from the city and into some fresher air and less noise. The Bellarine Peninsula was the best place to head to make full use of just two days.
I hadn’t been through Geelong for many years, always turning off beforehand towards the Great Ocean Road. I was very pleasantly surprised. The waterfront area in particular is just lovely.
I hadn’t realised there’s a ferry service from Geelong into Melbourne. How convenient to avoid the drive along the busy Princes Highway and the parking when you get there.
Geelong is Victoria’s second largest city, with a population of over 250,000. It’s situated on Corio Bay, just 75 kilometres south-west of Melbourne. It’s had its ups and downs over the years but looks pretty comfortable at the moment.
I wandered for ages around the streets, searching out the colonial buildings from its earlier days, and those built recently.
The theatre was closed but it’s a busy place from what I’ve heard. Billy Connolly began his final Australian tour here.
I’m sure you could make a perfectly good life in Geelong. It has everything: shopping, entertainment, sport (it’s the home of one of Australia’s premier AFL football teams, the Geelong Cats, along with many other sports) and Deakin University.
I stayed the night at Rippleside Park Motor Inn on the edge of town (a mere $88 last minute), opposite a park and a very short drive from the beach. It wasn’t new by any means but it had everything I needed. I find older motel rooms are generally bigger, even to the point of having case racks. Why don’t newer motels have case racks, even when they’ve got space?
I left first thing in the morning, heading for Portarlington on my way to Queenscliff and the car ferry across to Sorrento and home. I’ll keep that for next time.
Planning to the Nth 
What a great looking place, I’ve only breezed through Geelong but really look forward to spending more time there eventually.
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Thanks, Glenys. A nice place to have a break, I think, after all this drama is over with.
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Geelong will long be remembered over here because, in 1962, Prince Charles (who is suffering from COVID-19 at present) went there. Looks nice.
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Ye, Richard, he went to Timbertop. Very exclusive. I remember it well.
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Looks fabulous. Hope you are doing OK and staying in. xo
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Thanks, Darlene.
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It is indeed a lovely city.
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It is, Lindsey. Are you guys still out and about?
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No taking it easy and sitting quietly at home on the Mornington Peninsula.
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Great photos. Did you go into the library? I hear it’s meant to be spectacular.
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Thanks, Miriam. It was shut by the time I got there. It’s certainly spectacular from the outside. I’ll definitely have a look next time I’m down that way. Love libraries.
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Me too! Hope you’re well.
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Fighting fit, thanks.
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Great to revisit this place through your lens. I had the pleasure of visiting here in 2016. I hope you are keeping safe and well.
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Thanks, Lisa. Safe and well, thanks, as I hope you are also.
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I love Geelong. Didn’t realise there was a ferry service either. The gallery is worth a visit and the library does look interesting. Nice little cafe there too. Louise
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I will definitely return for another look, Louise. I got in just before the first lockdown so most things were already closed. The library certainly looks spectacular.
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