Konted's Make My Day 2: Geelong & Queenscliff: Beautiful Places To Visit

Geelong & Queenscliff: Beautiful Places To Visit

As Melbourne City is the capital of the State of Victoria in Australia, it is the most visited and most talked about. But there are other places worth visiting as they have something else to offer. One is Geelong and another is Queenscliff.

Geelong is about 75 kilometers away from Melbourne. Like Melbourne, it is also a port city with a population of about 180,000, making it the 2nd most populous in the State of Victoria. It is an industrial city with big companies providing employment to some 80,000 workers. Ford Motors and Shell Corp have plants in Geelong.

There is this story that Geelong would have been the most progressive in Victoria instead of Melbourne. This was during the Gold Rush. Melbourne was the jump off point of those interested in gold and this resulted in an economic boom for Melbourne. But little by little, many were beginning to realize that the port of Geelong was closer to the mining towns of Ballarat and Bendigo.

Geelong was becoming a threat to Melbourne. To counter this, some wily businessmen from Melbourne thought of a way to save Melbourne. It was a dirty tactic, so to speak. To ensure that business would not have a downturn, they came up with the idea of printing false maps. In those altered maps, it was made to appear that Melbourne was closer to the mining towns than Geelong. This scheme worked for Melbourne and it retained its status as the premier city of Victoria.

Another place worth visiting is Queenscliff. Queenscliff is a tranquil seaside village off Port Philip Bay. It is near Geelong and it offers visitors historic sites to marvel at. One is Fort Queenscliff which, starting in the 1800s, has provided military security to the State of Victoria. A special feature is the Black Lighthouse which was made from bluestone. The Queenscliff Harbour is another attraction. When you are in Queenscliff, you realize that there are many choices. And a one-day stay is not enough.

- Konted

Main road leading to the city proper of Geelong

Picturesque view of Corio Bay from the main road

Cunningham Pier with two famous restaurants, Smorgys and The Pier.

Edina here refers to the steamship SS Edina which used to ply the Melbourne-Geelong route carrying passengers and cargo.

Seaplane flight over Geelong for 2 persons at $60 each, 4 passengers at $40 each.

Fishing is a favorite pastime throughout Australia

Big rocks of Geelong

Focus is on fishing.

At Cunningham Pier

More sailboats

Road leading to the business center of Geelong

Commercial street at the city proper of Geelong

Road leading to the wharf

Masts standing straight with no sails yet.

Sail boats are propelled by the wind. Sailing is popular in Geelong.

The Pier at Eastern Beach

Eastern Beach opened in the 1930s and is still popular in Geelong.

Figurines are a common sight in Geelong,

Another magnificent view of Corio Bay from an elevated place.

Old, big trees near the principal road in Geelong proper.

Houses overlooking the Bay

Classic home with a good view of Corio Bay

Another beautiful house

Souvenir shot

The You Yangs Mountain in background

At the yacht club

Fresh mussels sold at the foreshore

I take photos of signages so that I won't get lost.

At the Waterfront

Another majestic view of Corio Bay with sailboats getting ready for an activity for the day.

Masts and sails all ready for a trip around Corio Bay

At the Marina

My guide Maximus

All ready to sing Advance Australia Fair by McCormicks

A woman with her dog sits on the edge of the wooden jetty.

A football practice at Transvaal Square

It is All U Can Eat at Smorgy's at Cunningham Pier in Geelong

Smorgy's is short for Smorgasbord, I suppose.

$ 18 per person

Psst.... my bday.

To the neighboring town of Queenscliff. This is Bellarine Highway.

A park near the beachfront of Queenscliff

Grand Hotel within walking distance from the foreshores. Queensclliff's peak as tourist destination was in the 1880s when people in droves arrived by paddle steamers.

Queenscliff's Main Pier. The most beautiful pier I have ever seen.

View of the Main Pier from the elevated reserve. I am really enamored by the sight of this pier.

The Main Pier consists of a waiting shed and a boat shed.

Best Photo of the day

Pilot Jetty extending farther to the sea

The ferry that plies the Sorrento-Queenscliff route.

Water tank at Fort Queenscliff

View of both pilot jetty and the pier

Fort Queenscliff's lighthouse. Queenscliff is located at the entrance of Port Philip Bay.

Fort Queenscliff now serves as base of the Australian Army Command.

About Fort Queenscliff

During the Gold Rush, Fort Queenscliff provided protection to vessels carrying gold.

Fort Queenscliff is open to tourists.

Beautiful reserve near Fort Queenscliff overlooking the bay

One reason why Australia is clean

Do i have to say it again that Australia is clean?

Galah birds

I am really attracted to the Main Pier.

Wooden planks of the pier.

Seniors while away the time by fishing.

Magpie common in Australia

Maritime Museum of Queenscliff

The Main Harbor of Queenscliff

Queenscliff 's railway system

Located within the Bellarine Peninsula, the railway now functions as part of a tour package promo. Its popularity declined with the advent of the automobiles.