When the famous British navigator Matthew Flinders sailed into Port Phillip
during his incredible voyage around Southern Australia in 1802, he camped the night
at Indented Head then rowed across Corio Bay and climbed the You Yangs.
Thus, on 1st May 1802, the first white man viewed the rolling countryside
destined to become site of Victoria's leading provincial city.
On the first overland expedition from Sydney to Port Phillip in 1824, Hume
and Hovell camped at the bay Aboriginies called Jillong the land known
to them as Corayo. In 1835, John Batman explored Corio Bay and the Bellarine
Peninsula before proceeding northward up the Yarra River to transact
his famous Treaties with the Aboriginies for land around Melbourne and the
Bellarine Peninsula. In the treaties drawn up by the Govenor the land was
referred to as Geelong and the bay became known as Corio Bay.
By 1838 with Geelong gazetted and settlement of the Bellarine Perinsula
well under way. Commercial activity in Geelong was brisk with wool and
sheep forming the basis of trade and laying foundations for the world
famous Geelong Wool Industry. During the exciting Gold Rush years
of 1851-61, thousands poured through Geelong on their way to the Ballarat
Goldfields. Geelong grew dramatically over these years, but once the
gold rush was over the progress slowed.
Geelong was declared a city in 1910, one of which has proved a leader
in many fields with accent on education, sport and quality of life.
Today a population exceeding over 175,000 enjoy this thriving city
which is blessed by close proximity to beautiful rolling countryside
and some of the best surf beaches in Australia. High industrialization
in Geelong is well counter-pointed by strong civic pride, a fine sense
of history, conservation and community awareness and a delightful rural
aura, rare today in any large city.
Geelong, which is commonly known as the City By the Bay, is only 75kms
south west from Melbourne. Geelong has the best of both worlds - near
enough to enjoy metropolitan amenities but at a distance which ensures
a peaceful pace. The relaxed way of life is a treasured hallmark of
Geelong.
Geelong hugs the shores of Corio Bay. Along the waterfront - bright with
bobbling pleasure crafts and sails - are wharves; great wool stores;
industries; stately old homes; parks and gardens; and also the famous
Eastern Beach. Across the Bay, the distinctive cones of the You Yangs
provide a unique backdrop to the city.
Geelong is a city of many attractions. It is possible to wander through
the city streets at ease, explore historical gems at leisure or relax
in peaceful gardens or on the superb beach. The unique setting of Geelong
is always pleasing - at the end of the city streets are wharves and ships
while the green rolling hills ring around. Although this city has long
been an industrial giant, it very successfully combines the inevitable over
tones of massive industries with a geentle and peaceful aura. Freshness
and peace of the city are greatly attributable to clean, well maintained
streets and the forsight of city fathers who have reserved 14% of
Geelong's area for parks and sporting grounds. The Geelong tourist region is extensive and varied from the You Yangs
and the Brisbane Ranges in the north, through Bellarine Peninsula, and along
the Great Ocean Road to Lorne and inland around Winchelsea and Barrabool.
Every area is distinctive.
The magnificant Great Ocean Road extends from Torquay to Peterborough
and is one of the best known scenic roads in Australia. 320 kms of
breath-taking views, this great engineering and construction feat is a
memorial to those who served in World War 1. It links many popular
coastal resorts with some of the country's finest beaches. Premier resort
town on the Great Ocean Road is Lorne, which is long a favourite with those
wishing to go a little further and enjoy a greater range of scenery.
Just inland are rain forests of the Otways, with waterfalls, fern valleys and
abundant wildlife and wildflowers, which are a joy to all nature lovers.
Geelong & The Surfcoast
History
Geelong - City By the Bay
The Great Ocean Road
© 1998 Elaine M Deppeler
visitors since 2 February 1998
This page was last updated on 22nd February, 1998
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