Cover story
Hidden secrets Those in the know have been keeping tight-lipped about the hidden gems that lie just beyond Victoria’s capital city. But the secret is out; Geelong is in.
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he notion of ‘surprise and delight’ has never been more apparent than it is in Geelong and The Bellarine. At every turn there’s a restaurant, venue or attraction that exceeds expectations and draws you in with its charm. Spice Magazine recently travelled through the region to scope out the best places to stay, eat and meet.
Thriving food and wine scene While Melbourne’s food and wine scene is often the talk of the town, Geelong is shaking up the conversation with a venue for every occasion, whether it’s a team dinner or a quick nightcap. For the latter, a visit to 18th Amendment is a must. The Prohibition-style bar is well-known for classic cocktails with a twist – think tipples hidden in treasure chests and served in tea cups. Take in the Geelong’s prime waterfront location at Wah Wah Gee, a 10 Spice Summer 2019
casual Asian-inspired restaurant at the end of Cunningham Pier, which hosts events of up to 200 guests, or 30 people in the private dining room. Follow the neon signs upstairs and you’ll find sister venue Wah Bah, a prime spot for post-event cocktails. Some of Geelong’s best kept secrets lie just outside the CBD, including Jack Rabbit Vineyard, pouring cool climate wines in a stunning location overlooking the bay. The Jack Rabbit Restaurant is a sophisticated space for intimate lunches through to large cocktail events, complete with an expansive deck to take in the view. Scotchmans Hill is another popular destination for wine lovers and has been leading the local wine scene for more than Geelong Library and Heritage Centre
Wah Bah at Cunningham Pier
30 years. The winery’s newly renovated event space, the Main House, boasts original French provincial design with open fireplaces, arched ceilings and red brick floors. For the perfect end to a day of wine tasting, pay a visit to The Whiskery, the cosy cellar door at Bellarine Distillery. The Whiskery is still fairly new, so you’ll have to wait until 2021 to try their whisky, but in the meantime they’ve produced a range of craft gin to enjoy by the fire or out on the lawn. In the company of distiller Russ Watson, who personally greets guests as they walk in the door, and the distillery’s resident hounds Teddy and Billy, your corporate groups will never want to leave.
Spectacular venues A variety of venues are on offer for corporate groups in Geelong, catering to small meetings through to large, multi-day conferences. For a quintessential Geelong experience, The Pier offers a stunning waterfront space with ample natural light, on-site parking and a convenient location. The purpose-built venue can be utilised as one space for up to 740 guests for a banquet or up to 1000 people in cocktail format. The Pier