Circling the Corio Bay waterfront between Rippleside Park and Limeburners Point in the Australian city of Geelong, the Baywalk Bollards (known everywhere not Australia as the Geelong Bollards) are more than 100 painted timber bollards that reflect local history. The bollards are situated at 48 different sites and consist of lifeguards, sailors, musicians, fisherman, local personalities, and much more. What started as a way to bring a little light and fun to the waterfront has since the 1990’s become an internationally adored and well photographed roadside attraction.
The Baywalk Bollards were painted with approval of the city commissioner throughout the 1990’s by Jan Mitchell, a resident artist. Mitchell was commissioned by the City of Greater Geelong in 1995 to transform reclaimed timber pier pylons into works of art, and the finished product did not disappoint. After Mitchell passed away in 2008, and the city honored her by painting her portrait on a bollard so that she may spend the rest of her time with her 103 painted friends. After her death there was a special commemorative exhibit of her work where a bollard with her portrait was unveiled.
Baywalk Bollard Facts
- The bollard characters illustrate the history and culture of Geelong.
- Mitchell painted 103 bollards from 1994 to 1999.
- The Bollard Trail is a roughly 2-hour walk one way and passes 48 local attractions. At each stop there are picturesque painted bollards.
- The Bollard Trail is best started near the Geelong Botanic Gardens or at Rippleside Park.
- A book on the Baywalk Bollards is available for sale from The Carousel at the Waterfront.
