Regional City of Greater Geelong

A key logistics hub with a diverse industry base connecting western Victoria with international markets

Geelong is ideally located on Port Philip Bay and at the gateway to the famous Great Ocean Road.

Situated only 75km southwest of Melbourne and as the most populous city in regional Victoria, Geelong offers a range of economic and lifestyle opportunities.

Geelong is a major service and industrial manufacturing centre for the Barwon South West Region. Geelong is well connected to Melbourne and regional Victoria via road and rail and nationally and internationally through the Port of Geelong and Avalon Airport.

The Greater Geelong Council is currently working on the Armstrong Creek urban growth area, which is being developed into a sustainable community that will offer new residents an attractive location for living, working and recreation.

Geelong is part of the G21 Geelong Regional Alliance, which comprises five neighbouring municipalities committed to providing a coordinated approach to delivering strategic projects that benefit the livelihood and economy of the region.

Culture and lifestyle

Geelong has all the benefits of a capital city but with a relaxed atmosphere. The city boasts a beautiful waterfront precinct, gentle bay and surf beaches and sophisticated dining and entertainment options. There is a lively calendar of events in the region, including Pako Festa and the International Airshow.

The Bellarine Peninsula has been building a reputation as a food and wine destination and the Bellarine Taste Trail brings together many of the gourmet offerings of the region including wineries, restaurants and cafes, producers of beer, fresh produce, goats cheese, olive oil and seafood.

Employment, industry and infrastructure

Geelong has about 18,849 businesses and a workforce of around 116,800.

Health Care and Social Assistance is the primary employment industry in Greater Geelong, followed by Retail Trade, Education and Training and Construction. In the five-year period 2014-2019, there was strong employment growth in Education and Training, Health Care and Social Assistance, Public Administration and Safety, Retail Trade, Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, Construction, Accommodation and Food Services and Financial and Insurance Services.

In terms of Gross Value Added activity, Manufacturing is the largest performing sector in the City of Greater Geelong, generating $1.93 billion in 2019. Construction, Health Care and Social Assistance and Education and Training are also key industry sectors.

Geelong Port is the state’s second-largest port and an accessible alternative to the Port of Melbourne. It handles over $7 billion worth of exports and imports annually.

The RDV information portal has more detailed data and statistics on the Greater Geelong region and regional Victoria more broadly.