Geelong, Victoria's second-largest city, was named for
jillong, the local Aboriginal word for bay. The waterfront city has a wonderful range of food, wine, cultural and recreation attractions. The city has 100 National Trust-listed buildings from its colonial past.
North-facing Corio Bay has waterfront cafes and restaurants, landscaped gardens and sculptured bollards, which add a lot of colour and fun. They chronicle characters from the city's past and you will see young ladies in neck-to-knee bathing costumes, 1930s lifesavers, a Geelong footballer, sailors, fishermen and the town band.
Eastern Beach boasts an art deco-style pool, promenade complex and a restored pavilion. Pakington Street is wide and tree-lined and links the western suburbs with Newtown.
In the heart of the business district is the Haymarket Boutique Hotel. Built in 1855, the significant building has six individually designed suites, an attractive courtyard, lounge and the Sommers Private Bar. The building is smoke-free and is not suitable for children under 16.
The Haymarket is in the style of the small hotels of Europe and America with much charm. It is furnished with French and English antiques, carefully blended with modern accommodation conveniences.
The Haymarket's suites are named after notorious maritime vessels that sailed along the Great Ocean Road coastline in 1855, the year the building first opened. Three of the rooms are named The Swift, The Elanora and The Constant, while two superior rooms are The Nestor and The Schomberg. The king room is named The Inellan.
The hotel has an honesty system for drinks and snacks.
Guest rooms have been refurbished and include individually controlled air-conditioning, double-glazed windows, daily newspapers and a range of international magazines. Limited off-street parking is available.
