Geelong 's most-photographed people don't play football for the local Australian Football League team. In fact they don't do much at all, except stand stoically along the city's foreshore. Without uttering a single word, each is able to clearly tell a story to all and sundry who pass by.

There are more than 100 of these huge painted icons guiding visitors along the foreshore walking/cycling track from Rippleside Park, through Waterfront Geelong to Limeburners Point and the Botanic Gardens. They represent a fascinating and fun chronicle of the city's past, focusing on some of the unique characters who played a part.

It is an anecdotal history, tracing Geelong 's development from the original Koori inhabitants to more contemporary characters. You'll find young ladies in neck-to-knee costumes, lifesavers, families, a footballer, sailors, a town band, fishermen and dozens more.

The colourful bollards are the work of artist Jan Mitchell. She has transformed old timbers and piles from a city pier, demolished in the 1980s, into remarkable works of art that stop young and old in their tracks.

Also among the 104 sculptures are a Koori family, English explorer Matthew Flinders and a Portuguese explorer which stand overlooking Corio Bay near Limeburners Point. At Eastern Beach, you can see bathing beauties from the 1930s and Ian McDonald, the city surveyor who drew the plans for the landmark sea baths.

Further on are sea captains, inventor and newspaper editor James Harrison and a family group posing for a photograph. When you visit, don't forget your camera, you'll definitely want to put yourself into the bollards picture.