The Geelong Customs House is a bluestone and freestone classical style public building in Geelong, Victoria, built in 1855. It replaced a small timber prefabricated building of 1838, which was later relocated to the Geelong Botanic Gardens.
The Customs House was erected near the Geelong foreshore to serve the needs of the colonial administration during the peak of the gold rushes.Stekelenburg, I.J., 'H.M. Customs House, Geelong'. History Research Essay, Department of Architecture, University of Melbourne The building was designed by John James ClarkDodd, Andrew, John James Clark: Public Architect in Australia, unpublished PhD thesis, University of Melbourne 2009. and constructed by William Crocker Cornish in April 1855. The Geelong Customs House is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register,Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number H1892 and City of Greater Geelong Heritage Overlay.Geelong Heritage Overlay Numbers HO130, HO1638 The building is no longer used for its original purpose, but was restored in 2012, winning a National Trust Award. It previously housed offices and the 'Custom House Restaurant and Wine Bar'.Welcome to Customs House Restaurant & Wine Bar As of September 2024, the City of Greater Geelong announced it would refurbish the interior of the building to house a new Design and Creative Hub.
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