When I first moved to Geelong in 2017, one of my favourite places to go was the Waterfront. At my previous place of residence, the most exciting sight when walking around the neighbourhood was the derelict house down the street with at least five cars parked higgledy-piggledy on the front lawn, and (different) people constantly traipsing in and out the front door. I was always waiting for the sound of police sirens and the news report detailing the largest indoor hydroponic setup ever found in the western suburbs of Melbourne, but to date this has not happened.
You can then understand how thrilled I was to move to a place where the ocean was practically at my front door! The Waterfront still holds the same magic for me that I felt in the beginning, and I never tire of the sight of the sun sparkling on the turquoise, grey or green water (depending on the weather) and hearing the symphony of the waves, gulls and people all mixed in together. They are the sights and sounds of a summer holiday and living in Geelong makes me feel like I am on a permanent seaside vacation.
The Waterfront is an interesting mix of city meets quaint seaside village. The Westfield Shopping Mall and Market Square are the places to go for all your consumer needs when your local smaller shopping centres just don’t cut it. There’s lots of street shopping too, if you like a bit of fresh air in between browsing and spending your cash.
And the food. I am drooling a little as I write this. The choice is vast and delicious. There are cafés, restaurants and eateries everywhere. The offerings range from traditional fare such as F & C’s, kebabs and burgers and the cultural cuisines covered include Chinese, American and French. You can even get cooked mussels and seafood paella from a boat on the pier!
If you are celebrating a special occasion or have just come into an inheritance, there are higher end restaurants for something a little more sophisticated. (As stunning as this food might be in presentation and taste, I think there’s nothing like getting a piece of fried flake doused in chicken salt, hot and crisp, and eating it while breathing in the salt air and looking out at the waves).
I am on a personal mission to try every eatery in Geelong before I die (strictly for research purposes, of course) so over the next forty odd years please keep checking in for updates on Geelong’s gastronomic delights and photos of my expanding waist line.
With the historic seaside carousel to ride, a ferris wheel, trackless train that takes you on a slow and bumpy journey along the edge of the water, helicopter rides for the adventurous, museums and beautiful botanical gardens to wander through, you will be spoilt for choice for things to buy, see, do and cram in your gob at Geelong Waterfront. Oh, and don’t forget Eastern beach in the summer, complete with an enclosed sea baths, diving platforms and a pool just for the kids.
