The City of Greater Geelong!
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WELCOME TO THE CITY OF GREATER GEELONG! Imagine a waterfront city that can provide you with all you need for that perfect conference or event, possessing both the sophistication of a capital city and warmth of regional hospitality. Welcome to the City of Greater Geelong! Less than an hour’s drive from Melbourne’s CBD Today, Geelong is a lively commercial city, with a newly and Tullamarine Airport along the Princess Freeway, renovated and rejuvenated central business district Geelong is beautifully placed with waterfront views of offering shopping facilities, restaurants and nightlife Corio Bay and immediate access to the world famous on par with any capital city – allowing delegates access Great Ocean Road and charming wine growing region to a little “retail therapy”. The region is also rich with of the Bellarine Peninsula. amazing touring options for all seasons and a haven for team-building opportunities. With a population of 210,000, Geelong is Victoria’s second largest city and a major provincial centre The city’s new multi-million dollar draw card, Waterfront economically, culturally and socially for the Geelong, is a cooperative venture success story between surrounding region. local and state governments as well as the private sector. Geelong’s waterfront precinct continues to Geelong’s history as a major wool-shipping port from amaze visitors with its transformation, featuring cafes the mid 1800s well into the 20th century has left a and restaurants, fully restored art deco seawater baths, legacy of beautifully restored old buildings such as the a yacht club marina and a scenic bayside promenade revamped National Wool Museum. The Dalgety Wool dotted with brightly painted bollards depicting many Stores have also been transformed into a campus of Geelong’s historical characters. and headquarters for Deakin University, holding Geelong’s largest conference venue – Costa Hall, Professional venues, efficient support services and seating up to 1,500 delegates. quality accommodation await you, with our professional staff at Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine as well as Business Events Geelong are dedicated to ensuring that your stay with us is both comfortable and stress free. There is truly something here for everyone. We look forward to welcoming you and your delegates to our beautiful city. THE TRADITIONAL OWNERS The traditional owners of the Geelong region are the Wathaurong people. The Wathaurong people gave Geelong as we know it today its name from their word ‘jillong’ meaning ‘a place of the sea bird over white cliffs’. THE WATHAURONG PEOPLE The Wathaurong people have lived in the Geelong region for more than 25,000 years before white settlers arrived. Various clans had campsites in the area, moving about in search of food and water. White settlement from the early 1800s had a devastating effect on the Aboriginal people. Sheep destroyed much of the root crops, which the Wathaurong depended on and introduced diseases cut a swathe through their people. Birth rates and clan numbers fell. About 140 archaeological sites have been found in the region, indicating a significant level of activity of the Wathaurong people. Yollinko Park Aboriginal Garden on the banks of the Barwon River contains the remains of living mounds and food plants. It also displays giant representations of Aboriginal implements. We work with the Wathaurong in the staging of major events in our region. To recognise the traditional owners of the land, the Wathaurong can be invited to perform a Welcome To Country – either via a verbal presentation or a traditional story-telling dance. HISTORY Geelong was first surveyed and declared a town in BAYWALK BOLLARDS 1838 with a local population of 545. The city’s humble beginnings were founded in the rich pastoral hinterland Ready to welcome you and your delegates to the and the prosperity of the local wool trade well into the Geelong Waterfront are the Baywalk Bollards. Inspiration 20th century. Experience the human endeavour involved for the Bollards came from local Australian artist Jan with wool’s production and refinement at Geelong’s Mitchell, who was commissioned by the City of Greater National Wool Museum. Geelong more than ten years ago to transform huge reclaimed timber pylons into public art. By the 1850s, Geelong was swept up in “gold fever”, becoming the principle seaport for the gold industry The Bollard Trail stretching from Limeburners Point around Ballarat. The city’s population ballooned to in the east to Rippleside Park, features more than more than 23,000 people, making Geelong the fourth 100 characters who comically tell the story of Geelong’s largest town in Australia. history. From the original indigenous inhabitants to contemporary characters, the bollards show the In the later half of the 19th Century, as the gold diversity of the region. Without uttering a word, each prosperity declined, Geelong turned its attention to bollard is able to clearly tell a story to all who pass by. emerging industrial development. The city became the major trading port for the export of wool to Britain It is an anecdotal history, tracing Geelong’s and textile industries flourished along the Barwon River. development from the original Koori inhabitants to the more contemporary characters. You will find young Following the establishment of Phosphate Coop and ladies in neck to knee bathing costumes, lifesavers, Ford Motor Company, other international and national families, a footballer, sailors, a town band, fishermen manufacturing industries moved to Geelong. and dozens more. They make the perfect theme or Historically, Geelong was a busy port for both exports team building activity for your Geelong conference. and imports. Tall ships, tramps steamers, bay ferries and more recently cruise ships have berthed at Railway, Cunningham and Yarra Piers to load and unload their cargo. However, like many old city docklands, changing times and the revolution in handling sea cargo brought an end to their commercial relevance. Today, Geelong enjoys a reputation as one of Australia’s leading industrial centres. The City has also developed as a centre of excellence in the area of education, research and development, health, hospitality and tourism. TRANSPORT AND ACCESS BY AIR Regular domestic and international flights service Melbourne Airport, which is an easy hour’s drive to Geelong and the start of the Great Ocean Road via the Western Ring Road and Princes Freeway to Geelong. Avalon Airport hosts flights from Sydney and is just 17 minutes’ drive by car, taxi or shuttle bus to Geelong, putting you in the heart of this bustling city and on the doorstep of the Great Ocean Road. Easy parking and car rentals are available at the airport. Regular shuttle buses operate between Avalon Airport, Melbourne Airport and Geelong, and also offer transport further along the Great Ocean Road. For more about flight schedules visit www.jetstar.com.au BY SEA If you’re travelling from the east Victorian coast there is simply no better (or faster) means of travel than aboard the Queenscliff- Sorrento Ferry. It’s a perfect way to start your event. Ferries run on the hour, every hour, every day of the year. For details visit www.searoad.com.au or call 03 5258 3244. BY ROAD In under an hour, you can drive from the city of Melbourne to Geelong via the Princes Freeway or from Melbourne Airport via connections from the Western Ring Road and Tullamarine Freeway. The new Geelong Ring Road gives you faster than ever access (just over an hour) to Torquay and the Great Ocean Road and beyond. All major car rental companies are represented at Avalon Airport and within the Geelong and Great Ocean Road region. BY RAIL Relax and take in the scenery, or start your meeting or conference in a train carriage on the way to your chosen destination. Speak to Business Events Geelong to find out how we can partner with V/Line to get your event rolling. Regular V/Line train services from Melbourne connect with regional rail services at Geelong, Colac and Warrnambool. For more about train schedules call 1800 800 007 or visit www.vline.com.au ACCOMMODATION Accommodation is abundant and varied throughout the Geelong region. We pride ourselves on our well- appointed accommodation, great atmosphere, prominent locations, friendly hosts, comfortable and inviting rooms with convention facilities and exhilarating attractions all at your doorstep. CAPACITY ACCOMMODATION REFERRAL & Geelong offers in excess of 1000 hotel-motel rooms and BOOKING SERVICES serviced apartments within a short distance of the city Geelong’s Visitor Information Centres can offer centre, all of which guarantee you a good night’s sleep. your participants peace of mind when searching for accommodation. Delegates can call 1800 755 611 VARIETY free of charge for information or advice. We also have a Room Bank service which helps participants of large Our accommodation also guarantees to suit specific events to find accommodation more easily when many tastes, budgets and needs, as they range from 4½ star venues are heavily booked. All referral services offered elegance to 2 star comfort. There is a wide choice of are free of charge. locations where styles differ dramatically: Alternatively, delegates can visit: • Unique properties with spectacular waterfront views www.visitgeelongbellarine.com.au of Corio Bay or the calming waves around Queenscliff and the Bellarine Peninsula Whatever your sleeping demands, you’ll rest easy knowing you’ll find just the right place right here. • City centre options