PIER GROUP

The Pier:

Cunningham Pier, Eastern Beach Rd, Geelong VIC
(03) 5222 6444 or www.thepiergeelong.com.au
Photos: Shannon McGrath

Endearing himself to Geelong locals is Cameron Ling’s stock and trade. With two AFL premierships under his belt, if it hasn’t earned the footballer keys to the city by now, it certainly has opened a few doors. The Geelong Football club skipper part owns The Edge Hotel, Newtown’s Gold Diggers Arms Hotel and now The Pier.
The Pier used to be called Smorgy’s, a smorgasbord diner on Cunningham pier that drew a crowd of schoolkids trying to eat their weight in roast beef and doughnuts, and families biding their time for the half-time animatronic dinner show comprising Salty the Seal and his jaunty choir of sea creatures. But Smorgy’s light faded, and now the sizeable venue has undergone a massive facelift.

The Pier was designed by Geyer, and now features four high-class hospitality venues, including The Pier Geelong event space, Baveras fine dining restaurant, City Quarter boutique bar and The Dock Café & Chippery.