The name Moolap is derived from an Aboriginal word for nearby Point Henry, moo-laa, thought to mean 'men gathering to go fishing'.

A Geelong East office open since 1871 was renamed Moolap West in 1921 and closed in 1951.

[5] The Cheetham Saltworks site, located on Portarlington and Point Henry Roads, is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.

[6] Some events in the history of Moolap: Pre-European Settlement the area inhabited by Bengalat balug (Clan) of the Wathaurong Tribe First European explorers were Lieutenant John Murray (January 1802) and Captain Matthew Flinders (April 1802)[7] 1803 to 1835 - William Buckley the first European living in the area[8] 1854 - Whitehorse Hotel operating on the corner of Queenscliff Road and Whitehorse Road 1855 - Moolap Inn operating on the corner of Moolap Station Road and Bellarine Highway 1855 - Parsonage built on a site near the present State School 1858 - United Methodists Free Church chapel built 1871 - Moolap State School No.

1143 opened 1882 - 16 occupiers using Moolap address 1888 - Cheetham Saltworks established Point Henry is an industrial peninsula of Geelong, located approximately 5 km east of the Geelong central business district.