The region around Geelong is one of the most diverse in the state with bayside villages, surf beach resort towns, rugged bushlands, spectacular rainforests and farmlands.
The Bellarine Peninsula to the east of the city is home to many of our favorite bayside resort towns, Portarlington, St Leonards, Indented Head and the lovely Victorian era town of Queenscliff are popular daytrips and holiday destinations all year round.
Facing the open ocean of Bass Strait are Point Lonsdale and Ocean Grove both with magnificent sandy shorelines, feature some of the regions best beaches for surfing and other water sports.
The rural heartland of the Bellarine Peninsula around Drysdale and Wallington are home to many of our farmers, crop planting, with onion, canola and potatoes, orchards with apples, pears and even strawberries. Animal farming is also successful with cattle, horses and even some of the newer more specialty animals like deer and alpaca.
The beautiful rolling hills of the Bellarine Peninsula are home to some of state’s best wine, the sunny skies, rich soil and fresh sea breeze give the wine a distinct and delicate flavor and many fine drops are found in our best restaurants.
To the south of the Barwon River heading down the coastline is the tranquil seaside resort town of Barwon Heads overlooking the huge limestone bluff at the head of the river. A little further south west the fantastic surfing beaches of 13th Beach and Breamlea followed by one of the surfing capitals of the world; Torquay home to a huge surfing industry and Bells Beach.
Anglesea is the next town down the coast and has a beautiful natural bushland setting. Kangaroo spotting at the Anglesea golf course is one of the many things to do in this lovely surf beach town. Airiey’s Inlet is a few minitues drive further down the Great Ocean Road and is home to the Split Point Lighthouse which is one of the major icons of the coast. Fairhaven with its interesting beach house architecture follows then the cosmopolitan township of Lorne, with beautiful bayfront, boutiques, quality accommodation and alfresco dining overlooking the blue waters.
Apollo Bay through to Cape Otway follows where the Great Ocean Road enters the rich Otway’s rainforest with tall timber and lush tree ferns.
Inland visitors will find the beautiful green farmlands of the Western District home to much of the regions dairy industry with the towns of Camerdown and Colac.
Heading back towards Geelong along the Princes Highway is Winchelsea at the half way point between Geelong and Colac along the Barwon Plains followed by Mount, one of the regions wool producing farmlands.
Waurn Ponds is the sprawling outer suburb of Geelong with many new housing estates and home to Deakin University. The suburbs of Highton, and Belmont follow fronting the Barwon River where the city suburbs begin.
To the west of Geelong there are the gateways to Ballarat and Hamilton with many rural communities including Fyansford, Bannockburn and Teesdale.
To the north of the city are Lara, Little River home to the beautiful You Yangs and Avalon, with its thriving airport and home to the International Airshow. A little to the west the historic townships of Anakie, Stiglitz and the lovely bushland of the Brisbane Ranges.
The Geelong Region has so much to see and do- there is something for everyone.