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The 10 Largest Historical Site in Geelong, Australia

3 min read February 2, 2024

With a rich history, Geelong, Australia is home to numerous historical sites that offer a glimpse into the region’s past. From museums to landmarks, there’s something for every history enthusiast in Geelong.

Whether you’re interested in the city’s colonial heritage, maritime history, or industrial past, you’ll find a historical site that will capture your imagination. These sites provide an immersive experience, allowing visitors to learn about the people, events, and industries that shaped Geelong.

Top Historical Site in Geelong, Australia

Geelong ( jih-LONG) (Wathawurrung: Djilang/Djalang) is a port city in Victoria, Australia, located at the eastern end of Corio Bay (the smaller western portion of Port Phillip Bay) and the left bank of Barwon River, about 65 km (40 mi) southwest of Melbourne. Geelong is the second largest Victorian city behind Melbourne with an estimated urban population of 268,277 as of June 2018, and is also Australia's second fastest-growing city. Geelong is also known as the "Gateway City" due to its critical location to surrounding western Victorian regional centres including Ballarat in the northwest, Torquay, Great Ocean Road and Warrnambool in the southwest, Hamilton, Colac and Winchelsea to the west, providing a transport corridor past the Central Highlands for these regions to the state capital Melbourne in its northeast. The City of Greater Geelong is also a member of the Gateway Cities Alliance in partnership with Councils from Newcastle and Wollongong. Geelong is the administrative centre for the City of Greater Geelong municipality, which is Port Phillip's only regional metropolitan area, and covers all the urban, rural and coastal reserves around the city including the entire Bellarine Peninsula and running from the plains of Lara in the north to the rolling hills of Waurn Ponds to the south, with Corio Bay to the east and the Barrabool Hills to the west. The traditional owners of the land on which Geelong sits were the Wadawurrung (also known as Wathaurong) Aboriginal people of the Kulin nation. The Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation is the Registered Aboriginal Party for the region. The modern name of Geelong, established in 1827, was derived from the local Wadawurrung name for the region, Djilang, thought to mean "land", "cliffs" or "tongue of land or peninsula". The area was first surveyed by the European settlers in 1838, three weeks after Melbourne. A town post office was opened by June 1840, the second to open in the Port Phillip District. The first woolstore was erected in this period and it became the port for the wool industry of the Western District.During the Victorian gold rush, Geelong experienced a brief boom as the main port to the rich goldfields of the Ballarat district. The town then diversified into manufacturing, and during the 1860s became one of the largest manufacturing centres in Australia with its wool mills, ropeworks, and paper mills. It was proclaimed a city in 1910, with industrial growth from this time until the 1960s establishing the city as a manufacturing centre for the state, and the population grew to over 100,000 by the mid-1960s. During the city's early years, an inhabitant of Geelong was often known as a Geelongite or a "Pivotonian", derived from the city's nickname of "The Pivot", referencing the city's role as a shipping and rail hub for the area. Population increases over the last decade were due to growth in service industries, as the manufacturing sector has declined. Redevelopment of the inner city has occurred since the 1990s, as well as gentrification of inner suburbs, and currently has a population growth rate higher than the national average.Today, Geelong stands as an emerging healthcare, education and advanced manufacturing centre. The city's economy is shifting quickly and despite experiencing the drawbacks of losing much of its heavy manufacturing, it is seeing much growth in other tertiary sectors, positioning itself as one of the leading non-capital Australian cities. It is home to the Geelong Football Club, the second oldest club in the Australian Football League.

Top Historical Site in Geelong, Australia

Geelong Gaol Museum

  • Address: 202 Myers St, Geelong VIC 3220, Australia
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.5 (317)
  • Phone: +61 1300 865 800
  • Website:
  • Opening hours:
    Monday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
    Tuesday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
    Wednesday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
    Thursday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
    Friday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
    Saturday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
    Sunday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Barwon Grange in Geelong, Australia
Barwon Grange in Geelong, Australia

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The 10 Best Historical Site near Geelong, Australia

Barwon Grange in Geelong, Australia
Barwon Grange in Geelong, Australia

Barwon Grange

  • Address: 25 Fernleigh St, Newtown VIC 3220, Australia
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.5 (22)
  • Phone: +61 3 5221 3906
  • Website:
  • Price Info: Moderate
  • Opening hours:
    Monday: Closed
    Tuesday: Closed
    Wednesday: Closed
    Thursday: Closed
    Friday: Closed
    Saturday: Closed
    Sunday: 1:00 – 4:00 PM
  • Reviews:
    George✭✭✭✭✭
    4 months ago
    Beautiful homestead run by the National Trust. Very, very helpful and knowledgeable volunteer staff, that went above and beyond what is required of them, and delayed closing to chat with us. I highly recommend a visit to this place, the last of its kind in the area, with a fascinating history.
    Andrew Jardine✭✭✭✭✭
    a year ago
    Enjoyed the experience at Barwon Grange. Went on a guided tour. The guide was knowledgeable and entertaining. The gardens were well kept. Parking is good. The property is located on the Barwon river. So walking options on the banks of the river are available after your visit.
    Denis Th✭✭✭✭
    3 years ago
    Located on the Barwon, close to city. Original homested, nice gardens, plenty of parking
    Ray Swaine✭✭✭✭
    4 years ago
    Heritage building well worth a visit. Two lovely tour guides will keep you informed.
    Julie Borthwick✭✭✭✭✭
    8 years ago
    My daughter had her wedding ceremony here in January. The setting is lovely with nice views of the Barwon river. The grounds are nice & well looked after & the place has a very serene feel about it. You forget you’re in the middle of a city. Would recommend for all types of functions.

Eastern Beach Fountain

  • Address: Eastern Beach Rd, Geelong VIC 3220, Australia
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.9 (8)
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Geelong PO

  • Address: 83 Ryrie St, Geelong VIC 3220, Australia
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4 (1)

King Edward VII Statue

  • Address: Geelong VIC 3220, Australia
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 5 (1)

King George V Statue

  • Address: 55 Little Malop St, Geelong VIC 3220, Australia
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 5 (1)

Queen Victoria Statue

  • Address: East Geelong VIC 3219, Australia
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 5 (1)

Johnstone Park Rotunda

  • Address: 60 Gheringhap St, Geelong VIC 3220, Australia
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating:

Rippleside Monument

  • Address: 8 Harbourside Dr, Rippleside VIC 3215, Australia
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating:
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Site of the old Geelong Tramway Depot

  • Address: 14 Eastern Beach Rd, Geelong VIC 3220, Australia
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating:

Spanish Steps

  • Address: Eastern Beach Rd, Geelong VIC 3220, Australia
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating:

Thank you for reading! If you have any additional information on the best Historical Site in Geelong, Australia, please leave a comment above. We would love to hear from you!

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Syarif Muhamad

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5 Replies to The 10 Largest Historical Site in Geelong, Australia

  2. Brilliant to visit! We’ve been to the Old Melbourne Gaol recently but much prefer Geelong. It’s was quieter and easier to wander around. It was great to be able to immerse ourselves in the location. The kids had fun trying to catch paranormal activities. So glad we went and the guy at the front door was so informative. Thanks!

    Reply

  3. I had heard this was the best old gaol in Australia and now I’ve been here, I agree.
    The guy at the front desk was really friendly and knew loads of stuff and certainly answered all our questions.
    Could have stood and chatted with him all day.
    We happened to be here while there was a Ned Kelly display on so that was a nice little bonus.
    The part of the gaol I saw – keep reading for why I had to leave?- was excellent. There is loads and loads of little displays of different things from shivs found in the gaol, uniforms for prisoners and guards, escape attempts , old cell doors, a height chart with various criminals heights marked.
    There are many familiar names throughout the prison because of Victoria’s colorful history and the many tv shows.
    I came with my son’s who are 8 and 13. Both of them got spooked early on and wouldn’t let me go upstairs or beyond the main cell block because it was too dark and creepy?.
    So, definitely come and check it out, but choose your traveling party wisely???.

    Reply

  4. Absolutely worth the visit, this has so much genuine information and atmosphere because it was a genuine gaol until the 90’s.
    You can really feel what it was like to be imprisoned there or elsewhere in the region and nearly all displays are hands on.
    Very affordable entry price too, and a nice little gift shop.

    Reply

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