City of Greater Geelong

The name Geelong is derived from the Wadawurrung Indigenous Australian tribe’s name for the region, Djilang, meaning “land”, “cliffs”, or “tongue of land or peninsula”. The City of Greater Geelong is located in the western part of the Australian state of Victoria. You stand in front of a place that has been a wool hub, a manufacturing powerhouse, and now, a thriving center for healthcare, education, and advanced manufacturing. This city has witnessed a remarkable transformation over the years. In the 1850s, during the Victorian gold rush, Geelong experienced a brief boom as the main port to the goldfields. Melbourne, however, managed to overshadow Geelong’s growth. The gold seekers were lured to Melbourne due to a false map that depicted Melbourne much closer to the goldfields. It was even dubbed “Sleepy Hollow” by the Melburnians, a nickname that stuck for decades. But time has proven that Geelong wasn’t so sleepy after all.
After WWII, Geelong boomed again with its heavy industries. And in the 1990s, when many industries were suffering a decline in Australia, Geelong was hit hard by the collapse of the local Pyramid Building Society. But Geelong did not give up; it took stock of its legacy and chose to focus on its future. The city went through a remarkable transformation and started to rely less on heavy industry.
Today, Geelong is a dynamic city with thriving sectors like healthcare, education, services, retail, business, hospitality, and tourism. The city centre and its waterfront are buzzing with new developments, transforming into one of the finest examples of modern cities in Australia. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful north-facing waterfront, the magnificent beaches of the Great Ocean Road, and the Bellarine Peninsula. The city is home to the Geelong Football Club, known as the “Cats”, a force in the Australian Football League – a sport almost as famous as cricket in Australia. The Cats have won several premierships, with their third in 2011, after winning in 2007 and 2009.
The city is a vibrant place, bursting with life. The “Sleepy Hollow” tag has been left behind. As you walk around this city, take a moment to appreciate its rich history and its exciting future. Geelong is a city that’s full of surprises.