The short answer: Corio is more than a warehouse suburb. It sits on Corio Bay, next to the Port of Geelong, with Avalon Airport's new air freight terminal just to the north and the Geelong Ring Road linking it to the freeway to Melbourne. Businesses like GrainCorp and Viva Energy already run major operations here. For a warehouse buyer, that mix of port, airport and road access is the reason Corio is worth a closer look. But some of the biggest port upgrades are still plans, not funded projects, so it pays to know which is which.
Port. Airport. Ring Road to Melbourne. That's not just a warehouse location. That's logistics infrastructure.
Who already operates around Corio
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GrainCorpGrainCorp runs one of its two Victorian grain export terminals on Corio Bay. It says the Geelong terminal has exported around two million tonnes a year over the past four years, mostly wheat, barley and canola.
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Viva EnergyViva Energy's Geelong Refinery is in Corio. The company says it supplies about half of Victoria's fuel and around 10% of Australia's.
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Riordan Grain ServicesIn January 2025 it signed a four-year lease for a 3,000 m² shed on Corio Quay North.
These businesses chose Corio for its deep-water berths, rail and road links, and room to operate. The same advantages help the smaller businesses that supply and service them.
The Port of Geelong
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ScaleGeelongPort handles more than 13 million tonnes of cargo a year, making the Port of Geelong Victoria's second-largest port.
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Where it isIts main precincts, Corio Quay and Lascelles, both sit on Corio Bay, along with the refinery pier and the bulk grain terminal.
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What moves through itGrain, fuel, fertiliser and timber products such as woodchips.
The 2050 plan, and what's actually funded
The City of Greater Geelong's Port and Land Freight Infrastructure Plan sets out a vision for the Port of Geelong to become the premier bulk and break-bulk port in South East Australia by 2050. It was prepared with GeelongPort, GrainCorp and other port users.
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Rail to Lascelles WharfLascelles handles dry bulk cargo but has no rail connection. The plan proposes one.
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Better links to the Geelong Ring RoadUpgraded road connections between the port and the Ring Road.
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Channel and berth improvementsTo handle larger ships and more cargo.
These are proposals in a long-term plan. We couldn't find confirmed funding or start dates for the rail link or the road upgrades. Treat them as possibilities, and check their status before you rely on them.
Avalon Airport's new air freight terminal
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Open nowAvalon Airport opened an $8 million, 24-hour freight facility on 27 October 2025.
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Ten times the capacityIt can process up to 100,000 tonnes of cargo a year, around ten times the airport's previous capacity.
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More to comeLogistics company Teleport has announced plans for a cargo hub at Avalon in the second half of 2026.
Avalon sits just north of Corio, so businesses that import or export by air can be close to both the airport and the port.
Port, airport, ring road: why it matters
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Sea freightThe Port of Geelong is on Corio's doorstep.
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Air freightAvalon's new terminal is just to the north.
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RoadThe Geelong Ring Road runs from Corio and connects to the Princes Freeway towards Melbourne.
Few places in Victoria put sea, air and road freight this close together. That's what makes Corio a logistics location, not just a place with warehouses.
What this means if you're buying a warehouse in Corio
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Think about who you servePort users, the refinery and freight operators all rely on trades, maintenance, transport and storage businesses nearby.
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Check the zoningMODE Business Park Corio is zoned Commercial 2, which suits warehouse, office and trade uses. Some uses, such as gyms and indoor recreation, may need a council permit.
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Check truck accessConfirm your vehicles can get in and out easily, at the times you need.
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Separate plans from funded projectsThe Avalon terminal is open. The Lascelles rail link is still a proposal.
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Understand off-the-plan termsA 10% deposit secures a unit now, with the balance at settlement. Talk to your accountant about timing.
Warehouses for sale in Corio now
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MODE Business Park Corio, 250-260 Bacchus Marsh RoadNew strata office warehouses from 153 m² to 284 m², zoned Commercial 2. A 10% deposit secures your unit, with the balance at settlement, expected in Q2 2027. See MODE Business Park Corio. Common questions
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What businesses operate in Corio?GrainCorp runs a grain export terminal on Corio Bay, Viva Energy runs the Geelong Refinery in Corio, and Riordan Grain Services leases space on Corio Quay North.
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How big is the Port of Geelong?GeelongPort handles more than 13 million tonnes of cargo a year. It is Victoria's second-largest port.
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Is there a rail link to Lascelles Wharf?Not yet. A rail connection is proposed in the City of Greater Geelong's port and freight plan, but we couldn't find confirmed funding or a start date.
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Has Avalon Airport's freight terminal opened?Yes. It opened on 27 October 2025, with capacity for up to 100,000 tonnes of cargo a year.
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What sizes are available at MODE Business Park Corio?Units range from 153 m² to 284 m², secured with a 10% deposit and the balance at settlement.
See what's available in Corio
Tell us what you're looking for and we'll send you the MODE Business Park Corio unit list.
Sources
Manny Singh
Director (OIEC), Fairmont Property Group
Fairmont only sells and leases industrial property across Melbourne's western corridor and Geelong. That focus is deliberate. It means we know the buyers who are active right now and what they are prepared to pay.
