Newtown is an inner western suburb of Geelong, Victoria, Australia. At the, Newtown had a population of 10,155. It is a primarily residential area occupying one of the highest points of urban Geelong, has always been a desirable place of residence and it is the location of many of Geelong's oldest and most valuable properties. The locality of Chilwell is part of Newtown, and together Newtown and Chilwell were a municipality from 1858 to 1993 after which they were amalgamated with other municipalities to form the City of Greater Geelong in 1993.
History
Chilwell Post Office opened here on 1 April 1912. Bareena Post Office opened in 1911 in the area and remains open. The Geelong Highland Gathering is an annual Highland Games held at Queens Park and first began in the 1850s.
Heritage listed sites
Newtown contains a number of heritage listed sites, including:
Queens Park is also the home ground for the Newtown and Chilwell Cricket Club, the most successful team in the Geelong Cricket Association in terms of senior premierships won. The club uses both Stinton Oval and Shaw Oval. The Queens Park Sporting Complex is currently being refurbished by the City of Greater Geelong and will greatly improve both playing and social facilities for the club. Famous cricketers who played for Newtown include the young Lindsay Hassett, Aaron Finch and Ian Redpath. Bob Merriman, the former Chairman of Cricket Australia, began his administrative career at Newtown and Chilwell Cricket Club. The suburb is also home to the Geelong Amateur Football Club who also use Stinton Oval during the winter months. They play in the Bellarine Football League. The suburb in conjunction with neighbouring area Chilwell has an Australian Rules football team competing in the Geelong Football League, as also does Saint Josephs. Queens Park, located on the Barwon River is home to the picturesque 18 hole Queens Park Golf Course, located in a valley between Fyansford, Highton and Newtown.
Parks and Open Space
Newtown has several significant parks, including Queens Park, Balyang Sanctuary, Chilwell Gardens, Windmill Reserve, Fyans Park, Zillah Crawcour Park and Frier Reserve.
Education
Newtown is home to three private high schools in the Geelong area, Sacred Heart College, St. Josephs College and The Geelong College.
Transport
Like the rest of Geelong, the main form of transport in Newtown is the automobile. Main roads include Latrobe Terrace, Pakington Street, West Fyans Street, Shannon Avenue and Queens Park Road. The closest railway stations to the suburb are Geelong and South Geelong. The following bus routes serve the suburb:
Route 22 - to Geelong and to North Shore. Every 20 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes on weekends.
Route 24 - to Geelong and to North Geelong. Every 40 minutes on weekdays and weekends.
Route 25 - to Geelong and to Bell Post Hill. Every 20 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes on weekends.
Route 43 - to Geelong and to Waurn Ponds. Every 40 minutes on weekdays and weekends.
