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Open House Geelong: Explore the city inside out

Carene Chong

Thu Nov 08 2012

geeelong carousel

FOLLOWING the success of Open House Melbourne, Geelong is giving tourists free reign to explore its most treasured buildings  on November 10. 

Explore the Geelong Waterfront Indoor Carousel and more in the inaugural Open House Geelong 2012, Photo: boobook48 via Flickr

If your weekends are getting mundane with repetitious routines of laundry and grocery runs, make your way down to Victoria’s second largest city, Geelong, this Saturday for a different kind of “tourist” experience.

For the first time ever, more than 30 landmarks in Geelong, not usually open to the public, will be unlocked – but for one day only. The line-up includes sites with rich histories such as the former high security prison, the old Geelong Gaol, the Geelong  Peace Memorial, the Wool Museum, Osborne House and the recently restored 120-year-old carousel. Contemporary buildings such as the environmentally-friendly TAC building will also be open for exploring.

Take a peek into the insides of iconic buildings in the city of Geelong including that of former high security prison, the Old Geelong Gaol. Photo: ctudball via Flickr

On the day, helpful  volunteers who are well-acquainted with the sites will be at certain locations to provide guided tours.  That way you can take in each location’s rich history while you explore every nook and cranny.

The event is part of the Open House movement – a global phenomenon that started in Melbourne in 2008 as a way for people to experience a different side of the city they live in.

And the best part is, it’s all free. So don’t miss out on the chance to soak up Geelong’s rich history and architecture in this inaugural Open House weekend.

Keen, but not sure how to get to Geelong?

You can drive there if you have a car handy. The trip will take you the better part of an hour.

Otherwise, take advantage of Melbourne’s comprehensive public transport services and hope on a VLine train. Trains to Geelong depart from Southern Cross station everyday at intervals of approximately one hour.

Open House Geelong is on from 10am to 4pm this Saturday November 10. For updates and more information on the event, visit Open House Geelong’s Facebook page.

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