As Victoria’s second-largest city, located on beautiful Corio Bay near the start of the picturesque Great Ocean Road, Geelong makes the perfect base for Australian adventures. Also known as the ‘Gateway City’, it’s close to the regional and historically significant centres of Ballarat, Torquay and Warrnambool. It is also only an hour’s drive from Melbourne, making it uniquely positioned for both short trips to the bustling city and easy-going weekend getaways.
With a variety of opportunities for employment and relaxation, Geelong provides the perfect balance between study, work and leisure. The pace of the city is relaxed and casual, with its close proximity to some of Australia’s most beautiful beaches, while the large urban centre provides plenty of entertainment.
Geelong is also considered a regional area for migration purposes, so you may be able to add an extra year to your post-study work visa and start building your career in Australia.
How to get to Geelong
There are a range of options for transport to Geelong. If you’re visiting from another Australian state or territory, Avalon Airport is just 20 minutes outside of Geelong’s city centre, making it convenient for domestic arrivals. The larger Melbourne Airport, also known as Tullamarine Airport, is available for international travellers and is just over an hour’s journey from Geelong. You can easily connect from the airport to Geelong’s public transport services by catching the Skybus from the terminal to Southern Cross Station.
Melbourne to Geelong
Geelong is only an hour from Melbourne by car or train. Travelling by car is an easy journey on well-maintained roads and highways. You can take the West Gate Bridge until it merges onto Princes Highway and take the exit onto Melbourne Road. From here, you just keep left at Latrobe Terrace and the road takes you into the heart of Geelong.
Public transport is also an easy and affordable way to travel to Geelong. Regular train services operate on the V/Line from Southern Cross Station, located on Spencer Street in Docklands. The train takes just over an hour to arrive in Geelong, which gives you plenty of time to catch up on some work or simply unwind and enjoy the scenery.
Geelong to Ballarat
If you choose to head inland from Geelong, you can explore the historical town of Ballarat, with its rich heritage dating back to the Gold Rush in 1851. By car, the trip takes only an hour and twenty minutes via Midland Highway, while public transport provides a 2-hour train journey through Victoria’s beautiful countryside. The V/Line coach service travels from Geelong to Bendigo, with stops in Ballarat and Castlemaine, making it easy to spend the weekend exploring must-visit highlights across Victoria.
Why study in Geelong?
Geelong’s diverse range of education providers and study pathways offer great choices for both local and international students.
The Gordon Institute of TAFE is Victoria’s largest regional TAFE, helping students develop practical skills in a hands-on environment. With a variety of international courses, there are many options to explore to further your career or to use as a stepping-stone to university.
If you wish to study at university, Geelong is home to Deakin University, a world-class institution that is recognised for its work in research. You can live on-campus or rent accommodation nearby. Deakin has two campus locations, the Waterfront Campus and the Waurn Ponds Campus, each with excellent facilities.
Diverse Geelong
Geelong is well-known for its cultural diversity, as many of its residents have international backgrounds. There are more than 51 registered cultural communities in Geelong, so it’s a great place meet people from all around the world. No matter where you come from, Geelong is a welcoming city that provides opportunities for people from all backgrounds.
Learn more about Geelong
There’s a lot to love about Geelong. Learn more about why it’s an ideal place to live and study using the links below.
The Benefits of Studying (and Working) in Geelong
10 Awesome Reasons to Live in Geelong
