Central Geelong Arts and Culture Walking Trails
Fourth Edition - November 2013
TAKE A WALK ON THE ART SIDE!
As Portfolio Holder for Arts and Culture, I am delighted to welcome
you to the vibrant heart of Geelong with Edition Four of the Central
Geelong Cultural Walking Trails Booklet.
Central Geelong is home to a vivid and eclectic array of cultural
stories to discover and explore. This latest edition has been updated
to feature even more highlights within the heart of our city.
In this booklet you’ll unearth art studios and galleries, striking public
artworks, creative spaces and exciting performing arts locations,
and find new ways to connect with our Indigenous and postsettlement
histories.
Before you put your walking shoes on, here are a couple of
important points worth noting:
The Maps
Each of the four trails takes a different amount of time to complete.
Timings are worked out for the ‘average’ walker and do not include
the amount of time you may wish to spend at any one location.
Three of the trails offer an intriguing selection of cultural aspects
of Central Geelong. The Waterfront Geelong Bollards Trail focuses
entirely on the painted wooden bollards which depict over 100
historic Geelong characters.
Each map can be folded so you can view it easily while you leaf
through the booklet. For ease, locations are numbered and colourcoded
according to cultural type. See map legend for details.
Private Property
Some heritage locations are private residences or businesses and
are not open to the general public. Please respect people’s privacy
by only viewing their exteriors. The numbers of these locations are
circled in red eg.
There are so many historic buildings in central Geelong that we’ve
only been able to include a few highlights in the booklet. Visit the
Geelong Heritage Centre if you are interested to discover more
about other interesting locations you view along the route.
Designed by Ivy Street Advertising + Design
Be Prepared
Remember to wear comfortable clothes and footwear, and bring a
hat, sunscreen and bottled water.
Where To Start?
Three of the trails are circular so you can join them at any point.
Many people opt to start at the V-Line Geelong Railway Station
for ease.
The Waterfront Geelong Bollards Trail is a one-way trail and is
best started near the Geelong Botanic Gardens or at Rippleside
Park. Visit for a Central Geelong
Parking Map.
Safety
We have taken great care to ensure the trails follow the safest
pathways wherever possible. However, please exercise due
caution, especially where the trail crosses a thoroughfare or where
the path is uneven. In particular, special care should be taken at
the point where the trail crosses Garden Street to the Geelong
Botanic Gardens, and at the entrance to Cunningham Pier. If
you choose to diverge from the trail for any reason, please use
appropriate crossing points. Additional notes on access can be
found on pages 4 & 5.
Amenities
Toilet facilities are depicted at various locations on the map.
Hungry?
A number of the locations feature restaurants or cafés.
These locations are denoted by a coffee icon beneath the number
on each listing. There are also many other cafés, restaurants
and pubs along the trails.
Visit for more information on
dining, entertainment and shopping options in Central Geelong..
The Map!
You can pick up the Central Geelong Arts & Culture Walking Trails
booklet at participating venues, Visitor Information Centres and
V-Line Geelong Railway Station.
I hope you enjoy your walk around our wonderful city!
Cr Michelle Heagney,
Portfolio Holder for Arts and Culture
Accessibility
The following information outlines the general accessibility of the trail.
Please be aware that while all efforts have been made to provide current
and accurate information at the time of publication, some places change
with time and details may become outdated.
Most Accessible Routes
Wherever possible we have attempted to ensure that the trail
follows accessible paths, but in a few places access may become
more challenging.
• Due to the steep gradients, people with limited mobility may wish to
travel by car from Site #13 to Site #14, from Site #24 to Site #27 and
along the alternative route via Moorabool or Yarra Street from
Site #39 to Site #40 (the direct route is connected by stairs).
Accessible Toilets
Accessible public toilets are marked on the map. Accessible toilets are
also available at all venues marked in the booklet by a coffee icon.
Accessible Parking
In addition to the many locations on the street throughout Central
Geelong, off-street accessible parking can be found at Market Square
Carpark (on all levels) and Westfield Bay City Plaza Carpark (30 spaces).
Entry to both of these shopping centres is on Yarra Street.
See Access Maps (pg 5) for extra information.
Access Maps
CBD maps for people with limited mobility are available from:
• Barwon Disability Resource Council, 48 McKillop Street
• Geelong Otway Tourism, 48 Brougham Street Busport
• All Geelong Visitor Information Centres
These maps contain comprehensive information to assist people with
limited mobility in navigating around the city centre, and can be used
in conjunction with the Central Geelong Arts & Culture Walking Trails.
Access Maps can also be downloaded from .
Available from the City of Greater Geelong Website
The following can be downloaded from
• Central Geelong Arts & Culture Walking Trails (pdf version)
• Trail Map Text (plain text version - no photos)
GENERAL DISCLAIMER
The Central Geelong Cultural Walking Trail Map is intended as a general guide
to arts and cultural features within the Central Geelong Precinct. Although the
content has been researched and prepared with due care, the City of Greater
Geelong accepts no responsibility for errors or omissions that accidentally
occur within the publication. The City of Greater Geelong does not
necessarily endorse the views expressed within.
1
Gordon Gallery Situated at the gateway to the Geelong Cultural
Precinct, the Gordon Gallery is in a superlative position. Housed in the
stately T E Bostock Memorial building (1928), the Gallery hosts annual
exhibitions of student works, and welcomes a vibrant schedule of
temporary exhibitions, artist talks, public programs and events.
Cnr Fenwick Street & Gordon Avenue
Ph: 03 5225 0631
Hours of Operation: Varied
2
Kurrajong Seed Pod Kurrajong Seed Pod (2000) was created by
Viktor Cebergs. Viktor’s work is strongly influenced by indigenous
flora, and this sculpture is based on the boat-shaped seedpod of the
Kurrajong tree, which can be seen lining the path near the sculpture. The
sculpture has a timber stem, a metal pod and yellow seeds.
It was commissioned by the City of Greater Geelong.
Johnstone Park
Near Little Malop & Fenwick Streets
3
Geelong Gallery Geelong Gallery is one of Australia’s leading and
oldest regional art galleries. The Gallery’s significant collection spans
the art of Australia from the colonial period to the present day. Home
to a number of iconic works such as Eugène von Guérard’s View of
Geelong (1856), Frederick McCubbin’s A Bush Burial (1890) and Arthur
Streeton’s Ocean Blue, Lorne (1921), the Geelong Gallery also presents
a vibrant program of temporary exhibitions and public programs.
Free entry.
55 Little Malop Street
Ph: 03 5229 3645
Open daily: 10am-5pm
(Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day & Good Friday)
4
Old Courthouse Building Originally the Former Geelong Law
Courts and Police Station (1938), this beautiful building has now been
transformed into a state of the art cultural facility. The venue is home
to Courthouse ARTS, an organisation dedicated to nurturing young
artists (ages 12-26) in the Geelong region, and critically acclaimed Back
to Back Theatre who create productions imagined from the minds and
experiences of an ensemble of actors perceived to have a disability.
The facility also houses the extremely popular Courthouse Café.
Cnr Gheringhap & Little Malop Streets
Courthouse ARTS Ph: 03 5272 4689
Back to Back Ph: 03 5221 2029
House of operation: Varied
5
Geelong Performing Arts Centre Opened in 1981, Geelong
Performing Arts Centre services a regional need for a high quality
performance venue. Offering two theatres, four conference and event
spaces, plus a restaurant and café, the Centre hosts an array of
musicals, plays, dance, comedy, festivals, community events and
workshops. The Centre was designed and built around two older
buildings, the Plaza Theatre (1855) and the Presbyterian Church (1857).
The bluestone facade of the church is preserved inside the complex.
50 Little Malop Street
Ph: 03 5225 1200
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-1pm, 1 hour prior to every performance
6
Geelong Library The Geelong Library offers a free
service to patrons seven days a week. The collection includes
fiction and non-fiction, magazines, internet facilities, CD’s, DVD’s
and videos. The Library also provides a regular program of
literature-based events and disseminates community information.
Ground floor, State Government Office
Cnr of Little Malop & Fenwick Street
Ph: 03 5222 1212
Mon-Fri: 8.30am-5pm
7
Old Geelong Post Office & Telegraph Station This superb
example of a Boom Classicism style Post Office (1890) has an elegantly
proportioned tower enhanced with classically derived ornamentation
and a clock, installed in 1911. The first automatic telephone exchange
in Australia was established here in 1912. The time ball atop the Georgian
style Telegraph Station next door was used from 1862 to relay the time
to citizens and shipmasters, by the releasing of a ball at 1pm daily
(except Sundays).
Cnr Gheringhap & Ryrie Streets
8
Metropolis Gallery Paintings, edition prints, art glass, sculpture
and designer jewellery. This vibrant art gallery promotes emerging
and mid-career artists through an exciting exhibition program,
together with collectable smaller works by major Australian artists.
When in Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula and the Great Ocean Road,
Metropolis Gallery is a must-see attraction conveniently located with
street parking out front.
64 Ryrie Street
Ph: 03 5221 6505
Mon-Fri: 9am-5.30pm Sat:10am-4pm
9
art IS art IS... studio & gallery has working artist-in-residence studios
and an intimate gallery space with a studio for Life Drawing and specialist
workshops. Exhibitions change monthly and established and emerging
artists are encouraged to exhibit. Visitors are invited to partake in a
unique arts experience where all disciplines of the arts are encouraged.
The professional resident artists bring together their individual ideas,
experiences and approaches to create an eclectic and vibrant
creative space.
Level 1/64 Little Malop Street
Ph: 0421 969230
Tue-Fri 11am-4pm or by appointment
10
Karingallery Karingallery was established in 1997 as a working studio
and gallery staffed by professionally trained artists, to support adults
with an intellectual disability. It holds monthly shows, and studio artists
specialise in painting, fine art printing, book making and papier maché.
It also features a ceramic studio.
4 James Street
Ph: 03 5221 1789
Mon-Fri 10am-3pm
Image of Double Crane (Susan Ardern, 2005) courtesy: Susan Ardern
Laneway Street Art Since the placement of the first paste up
artworks, developed for the 2010 UCI Road World Championships
cultural programme, the laneways surrounding Lt Malop St, particularly
Minns Lane, have evolved as the home of street art in Central Geelong.
The City Aerosol Network (CAN) in collaboration with various City of
Greater Geelong Departments and local business owners have been
keen to provide opportunities for local artists and sponsor the growth of
local artistic talent. Visit this place regularly to witness the evolution of
Geelong’s own street art style.
Minns Lane
12
Birth Place of Willem Baa Niip Willem Baa Niip (also known as
William Gore and King Billy) was a member of the local Indigenous
people, the Wada Wrung (Wathaurong). Born in 1836 on the banks of
a lagoon believed to be located in central Geelong near what is now Little
Malop Street, he was later erroneously called the “last of the Barrabool
tribe”. The bronze paving depicts the Geelong Treaty, reputedly signed
by John Batman and by members of a clan in the Melbourne area.
The Treaty offered goods for land in the Geelong area, reinforcing the
site’s history as a trading centre.
Little Malop Street,
between Moorabool and Yarra Streets
13
Union Street Mural This area has been designated as a community art
space. Murals on various themes are developed at this site by the
City of Greater Geelong in collaboration with artists and young people
from the Geelong community. Any one mural may remain at the site
for 3-5 years before being replaced by another. Information about the
current mural can be found on the plaque nearby.
Union Street
14
Wintergarden This former Congregational Chapel (1854) is one of
the earliest surviving works of pioneer Geelong architect Benjamin
Backhouse. The design of the church in the style of a meeting house
with gallery reflects its relationship with the non-conformist religions
of England which had developed their own distinctive architectural
style during the eighteenth century.
51 McKillop Street
15
art@wintergarden At art@wintergarden Studio and Gallery
you will find art works of excellence including landscapes, still life,
portraiture and sculptures. An exciting rotation of exhibitions,
traditional and contemporary, showcasing some of our region’s
best and an active studio space where small painting classes and
workshops are held.
Upstairs, 51 McKillop Street
Open daily 10am-4pm
16
Redox Jewellery Studio Redox Jewellery Studio is a contemporary
jewellery and object gallery that features uniquely designed handcrafted
pieces by talented Australian Jewellers. The Studio also specialises in
bespoke one-off commissioned pieces for all special occasions.
In addition, a range of jewellery making classes for all skill levels is
available through the Studio.
Shop 3 (The Wintergarden),
51 McKillop Street
Tue–Sat, 11am-4pm
Ph: 03 5291 3064
17
Christ Church of England/Vicarage This 1843 Anglican Church,
in Perpendicular Early English Gothic style, is one of Victoria’s oldest
churches. Imported stained glass and a mural painting of the Incarnation
by Christian Waller are delightful features. Originally a Picturesque
Gothic design, the Vicarage’s Bungalow form features pointed window
arches and ‘cloister’ and textured, coloured and patterned brick in
the gable ends.
North-east corner of McKillop & Moorabool Streets
18
Former Jewish Synagogue Designed by John Young in 1861 with
mannerist, classical and stylised features, this was one of the earliest
and most elaborate synagogues in Victoria. It has important associations
with Geelong’s influential Jewish community, including prominent
figures such as the first Jewish child born in Victoria and the first
woman to hold mayoral office in Australia.
South-east corner of Yarra & McKillop Streets
19
St John’s Lutheran Church(former St Andrew’s Presbyterian
Church) This 1841/42 Colonial Georgian style church is the oldest brick
building in Geelong. The Sunday School to the left of the building was
designed in 1891, and the two-storey stuccoed extension in the
front was added in 1913. St John’s Lutheran Church purchased the
property in 1946.
165 Yarra Street
20
St Mary of the Angels BasilicaOne of the first provincial churches
in Victoria, this dramatically-sited bluestone parish church was
commenced in 1854 as a symbol of the faith and identity of the Catholic
community in Geelong. Special features include the exquisitely traceried
stained glass rose window, flying buttresses in the chancel, apsidal
chevet chapel and imposing bluestone spire.
136-148 Yarra Street
21
Old Geelong Gaol Constructed between 1849 and 1864, Geelong
Gaol is now a tourist icon operated by The Rotary Club of Geelong.
Built of bluestone and designed in the Pentonville style by Victoria’s first
colonial architect Henry Ginn, it displays the harsh, cold and bleak prison
conditions of the day. The masonry and brickwork are among the best
examples in the region.
Cnr Myers & Swanston Streets
Ph: 03 5224 2717
Sat-Sun & public/school holidays: 1pm-4pm.
Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and Good Friday.
22
Art Unlimited Art Unlimited is a professional access studio for
artists with intellectual disabilities or special support needs.
Professional artists are employed to assist these artists to create their
work. The artists’ unique way of seeing provides the viewer with a
window into a magical realm. Art Unlimited is a department of
St. Laurence Community Services.
Old Geelong Gaol
Cnr Myers & Swanston Streets (Myer Street entrance)
Ph: 03 5229 4664
Mon-Fri 9am-3pm
23
Death Place of Willem Baa Niip Willem Baa Niip (also known as
William Gore and King Billy, see Site #12) died in Geelong Hospital in
1885 at the age of 49. He was buried at the Western Cemetery where
the headstone, provided by former Mayor of Geelong, Robert de Bruce
Johnstone, can still be seen. While Willem was considered the last
Indigenous person living in Geelong at that time, there are still living
descendants of the Geelong district Wada Wrung (Wathaurong) people.
Cnr Ryrie & Bellerine Streets
Image of Willem Baa Niip’s Tomb courtesy: Geelong Heritage Centre
24
Walbaringa Flats Built in 1928, the former Walbaringa Flats is an intact
and unusual example of the interwar Spanish Mission style, featuring
rectangular plan form, parapets to the main facades, Cordover tiles and
central Spanish Mission style pediment with rendered decorative motif.
Ian Douglas McDonald, designer of the Eastern Park Bathing complex
(Site #30, visible from here), lived here in the 1940s.
16-18 Eastern Beach
25
Jesmond & Benton The distinctive and elaborately enhanced
terrace pair known as Jesmond and Benton were erected in 1880 for the