Geelong, VIC local guide

The major gateway to the Bellarine Peninsula and Great Ocean Road Geelong is Victoria’s second largest city. The port city is located on Corio Bay with the Barwon River also running through the area. Lucky locals have the choice of fresh or salt water to play in.

The city has taken advantage of its seaside location too with the Waterfront Geelong redevelopment. Eastern Beach features a sea pool surrounded by parklands and pavilions. If you don’t feel like swimming there’s plenty to be eaten in the restaurant or café. A picnic isn’t out of the question either on the waterfront lawns. If you want to study Geelong’s history forget the library and head to the Baywalk Bollards Trail. Colourfully designed bollards chronicle the city’s past by focussing on important characters. If walking the length of 100 bollards doesn’t appeal then try the Carousel – antique, hand crafted and 110 years old – it moves for you.

As you’re no doubt aware you can’t discuss a major Victorian city without mentioning their Aussie Rules team. The Geelong Cats are the second oldest club in the league having formed in 1859 and attract a die hard following. Despite this there is more to the sporting prowess of Geelong than aerial ping pong. The city boasts its own roller derby league. Game play is simple – skate around a track and block the opposing team’s ‘jammer’ from lapping the pack. There’s also the Geelong Cup – a thoroughbred horse race open to all ages and sexes.

If in the Ford versus Holden debate you sit squarely in a Ford then Geelong is for you. Ford Australia was founded in Geelong in 1925 and they’ve been churning out Falcon’s and Fairlanes ever since. The Ford Discovery Centre – an interactive automobile museum – charts the company’s history. More interested in Geelong’s shady past? Try the HM Prison. Closed in 1991, and now open to the public, it was once home to Mark ‘Chopper’ Reid and was built by prisoners. At night they slept on high security barges in Corio Bay, during the day they built walls they couldn’t escape from.

If all this sounds a little intense head to Adventure Park for water slides – including a six lane aqua racer, go-karts and mini golf. Not worth visiting in winter though so you’re probably stuck with football.