Today’s guest post is from my fabulous friend Anna of Colour Me Anna. She is honest, funny and all sorts of awesome and loves her G-Town like nobody’s biz. She also happens to love great coffee and food and in today’s post, she’s sharing her local knowledge of her home town. To keep up to speed with her new finds and fab flat lays, follow her on Instagram or Facey.
Disclaimer: I freaking love my Geelong so expect words of bias along with glimpses of humour.
Geelong is located about an hour west of Melbourne and no longer lives up to its reputation as that city you drive through on your way to the coast. It is a happening hub of happiness.
Geelong comes from the Aboriginal word Jillong but to locals it is known as G-Town or Geetroit. The Geetroit reference is thanks to both Geelong and Detroit being hubs for the Ford Motor Company. The industralised history of both cities has led to locals dubbing G-Town, Geetroit. Got it? Great.
Our mayor may have an ever-changing colourful mohawk but his love for Geelong is stimulating a renewed energy and pride for the city’s inhabitants. Geelong’s recent history has reeked of unemployment and a dying manufacturing industry. But a new hospital, a renewed university and the HQ of TAC then we are kicking more than the proverbial goals of our beloved football team, the mighty Cats.
My Geelong is amaze. Full stop.
But first, coffee. I’m gonna presume you’re in desperate need of caffeine based on the insider knowledge that parenthood sucks the life out of you like a vampire. So let’s stop at the best places for a cup of joe.
1. King of the Castle: Snap up an excellent Padre Coffee or almond milk chai along with a raw treat from the radical Natural Harry and you have style and sustenance to power you on through. There is indoor dining, an outdoor space plus a barber in a caravan if you need a short back and sides with your long black.
Each Friday, King of the Castle brings you a destination donut but get in early as they go very quickly.
Where? 24 Pakington Street, Geelong West
Also: www.kingofthecastle.com.au Instagram: @kingofthecastlecafe
2. Mister Miller: This rad little hole in the wall churns out an excellent cup of its house blend, Broken Drum.
Pull up a stool under the shade of the umbrellas and settle in for reruns of the iconic Seinfeld to keep you entertained. Bagels and toasties keep tummies happy as you people watch the Pako locals. {Pako is the colloquial term for Geelong’s Pakington Street.}
Friday lunch specials include Nonna’s meatball subs or a chicken schnitzel + slaw roll.
Where? 111 Pakington Street, Geelong West
Also: www.facebook.com/mistermillercoffee Instagram: @mistermillercoffee
3. Winter’s Café: This neighbourhood favourite has so many of the boxes ticked including great service, fresh and healthy food, a kids menu, decent coffee and a wine list. Hello, you are speaking my language.
The Winter’s crew have your healthy eats covered with a wonderful selection of gluten free and vegetarian options. Excellent juices, raw treats and tasty salad options are all on offer plus the kids pancakes are a big winner with my tribe.
Where? 330 Pakington Street, Newtown
Also: www.winterscafe.com.au Instagram: @winterscafe
4. The Picker’s Union: Located in the Geelong Vintage Market just off the freeway, this is a super easy stop off point for travelling families.
Grab an excellent Coffee Cartel brew for mumma whilst invigorating the kids with one of their iconic sugar laden treats of fancy. Think wonuts {the donut waffle}, cookie dough s’mores bagels and their infamous crazy slice. It is not all sugar though with breakfast and lunch on offer and a stroll around the vintage market afterwards makes this an ideal pit stop for families.
Where? Mackey Street, North Geelong
Also: http://www.geelongvintagemarket.com.au/about/the-pickers-union-cafe/
Instagram: @thepickersunion
5. Kilgour Street Grocer and Café: A cute little corner store come café that combines good quality coffee with cute home wares and a relaxed neighbourhood vibe.
Take a stool at the bench and watch the world go by whilst you grab a coffee and a gift for a friend. This is the perfect stop off point if you’re on your way down the Bellarine Peninsula.
Where? 164 Kilgour Street, South Geelong
Also: www.kilgourstreetgrocer.com
Instagram: @kilgourstgrocer
If you need to stretch your legs then the Waterfront is the place to be.
The Waterfront: Start at Eastern Beach and let the kids loose in the playground whilst your caffeine kicks in. If it is warm, they can swim in the old school beach enclosure or the public kids pool.
Take a stroll down the boardwalk. There is a Ferris wheel {seasonal}, the Thomas Train or the beautiful Carousel – all of which will keep your little ones entertained.
Kids can scoot or ride along the waterfront and the colourful bollards keep things interesting. There are also helicopter rides, boats and seaplanes for thrill seekers with cash to burn.
Further along is a skate park for little radicals and another playground nearby.
For great eats near the Carousel, you can check out the Boat House for fish and chips on the top deck, or the new branch of the King George Grill. There is also the Waterfront Café in the Deakin University building.
If you’d like to pin this post for future reference, go right ahead!
Big thanks to Anna and The Baker for taking all the fab photos in this post.
Have you been to G-Town lately? Where do you usually visit?