Many visitors to Victoria start and end their trip to Melbourne. However, the state's most stunning destinations are located outside of Melbourne; thus, staying in the city will result in a missed opportunity.
In case you've been pining for a change of scenery, Victoria is now available for day visits once again. Everything from getting your heart rate up on a strenuous hike to indulging in sweets from one of the state's famous regional bakeries is within your reach.
Malleefowl
There are a lot of interesting things about the fauna of Victoria, like the malleefowl. Unique to Little Desert National Park, this species builds its nests out of discarded garbage, which keeps the eggs warm while decaying. This is a fascinating sight to behold.
Bellarine Taste Trail
Provedores. Gates for cattle. Wineries. Who could possibly forget them? A journey for the sense of taste is what the Bellarine Taste Trail is all about. This region is home to more than fifty different producers, so be sure to take that into consideration when planning your vacation.
Little Malop Street
Geelong's cultural quarter is a fascinating mashup of old architecture and cutting-edge public art, bars, restaurants, and laneways brimming with unique finds. The Port Phillip Ferry is an alternative to driving.
Great Otway National Park
Great Otway National Park is the best place to go forest bathing after spending months cooped up inside, with its vibrant greens, luxuriant ferns, and trickling waterways. Triplet Falls, Hopetoun Falls, and Beauchamp Falls should not be missed.
Budj Bim
This volcano, which is now extinct and can be found in the southwestern part of the state, used to spew lava as far as 50 kilometres. As a direct consequence of this, it is steeped in history and is an outstanding location to investigate the cultural inheritance of the Gunditjmara people.
12 Apostles
Even though only eight of the original 12 Apostles remain, visitors to Australia still can't pass a chance to explore this natural wonder along the Great Ocean Road. Time your arrival late afternoon to catch the golden glow of the sea spray as the sun goes down.
Mt Sturgeon
It takes for about three hours to reach the peak of Mt. Sturgeon, a 7-kilometre walk that towers over the town of Dunkeld. Try a Two-Hatted Dinner on the Royal Mail Hotel and savour it in the comfort of your home once you're done.
Californian Redwoods
The tallest kind of tree in the world, the California Redwoods, may be easily spotted from miles away as you travel along a dusty road that winds through the woods and plantations of trees and wonder if you've gotten lost.
The Pinnacle
You can't visit Grampians National Park without making the ascent to the Pinnacle and taking in the views from the top. The beginning of the 9.6-kilometer trek that will take you to the summit of the world is at the Halls Gap Caravan Park.
Silo Art Trail
This incredible artwork collection spans 200 kilometres (km) throughout Western Victoria, painted on massive grain silos. You may view one of the largest outdoor museums in the world without ever leaving your car.
Pink Salt Lakes
Salt lakes at Murray Sunset National Park can appear anything from deep pink to brilliant white, depending on the position of the sun. There's a new location in the state's far north-west corner.
Chocolate Mill
Even under the most favourable of conditions, it's tough to beat the quality of handcrafted chocolates prepared in the Belgian tradition. In a distinctive building made from straw bales, is The Chocolate Mill, where delectable delicacies are created.
Sovereign Hill
Sovereign Hill is renowned for being a popular tourist destination for school field trips; however, a trip there as an adult is every bit as magical. Once it reopens, it will be a great place to take the kids and learn about things like gold panning and raspberry drops.
Mackenzie Falls
MacKenzie Falls is a year-round cascade, which is unexpected for Western Victoria's arid plains, which are more commonly associated with roaring waterfalls. From the parking lot, you can take the creek down to Zumsteins.
Underbar
Taking the concept of "intimate dining" to a new level, Ballarat's newest high-end restaurant only seats 16. However, it is eager to reopen so diners can experience the rotating tasting menu curated by executive chef Derek Both.
Ballarat, the third largest city in Victoria, is served by frequent trains from Melbourne. The community gained notoriety as a result of its closeness to the 1850s gold rush, and it is one of many cities from that time that has grown even after the miners left. As a result, Ballarat's enormous riches are on display from the moment you step foot in the train station.
Visitors flock to Sovereign Hill, a replica of a mining town from the area's heydey and the gold-mining districts for tours. Ballarat also features a wildlife park and botanical gardens where people can get in touch with nature.
Travel time from Melbourne to Ballarat on the Ballarat Line is just 90 minutes, and trains leave Southern Cross Station nearly hourly.
Trentham Falls
Visit Trentham Falls while wearing a raincoat to enjoy the mist without getting wet, and then get your appetite going with some wood-fired, organic sourdough from Redbeard Bakery.
Mount Buffalo National Park
Tourist infrastructure around Mount Buffalo was threatened by a fire a few months ago, and fire crews fought desperately to save it. It is time for tourists to return; therefore, you should get some regional beers, acquire some regional olives, and marvel at the revitalisation.
Chancery Lane
Street art is ever-changing, and there's a lively, European vibe to go along with the fantastic food and stylish shops. So, what's to say you won't have fun? A cosmopolitan cluster of cutting-edge enterprises and fashion springs up in Central Bendigo's Chancery Lane.
Houseboat Trip
When overnight travel down the Murray is permitted, there will be no other way to break from solitude than on a plush houseboat in the dead of winter. So gather your pals and enjoy the river in the early morning fog.
Pedal To Produce
Immerse yourself with the pleasures of life with a leisurely bike ride through Rutherglen, during which you may admire the region's ancient towns and verdant landscape while indulging in fresh home-made preserves, local wine, gourmet cheese, and local honey.
Beechworth Bakery
It is only in Beechworth where the claim of having the best bakery in the country is both true and generally held. This incredible bakery elevates the bar for pies and pasties by offering a balcony and live music on Sundays in addition to their already exceptional goods. In addition, they provide a great selection of pies and pasties.
Cactus Country
The abundance of cacti and succulents in the desert makes for a picturesque scene. Located in the north part of the state, this garden is worth the trip for its 12 acres of wonders and ice cream made out of cactus .
Great Alpine Road
Everyone is familiar with the Great Ocean Road, but few people know about its counterpart in the mountains. As it winds from the mountains to the shore, the 339-kilometre road from Wangaratta to Metung offers spectacular scenery at every turn.
Murray To Mountains Rail Trail
You may reach the centre of the High Country by biking along Victoria's most spectacular rail path. This trail runs through the middle of the High Country.The 100-kilometre path travels through scenic valleys and green farmlands, and there are lots of cellar doors, craft breweries and gourmet producers along the way.
Skiing And Snowboarding
The high country of Victoria is currently being blanketed in snow up to the waist, and resorts there are hopeful that they will be able to open their doors shortly for a successful winter season. Make sure you check their websites for the most recent information.
Support Mallacoota
Even though the coastal paradise of Mallacoota was severely damaged by the catastrophic bushfires this year, the town is now officially open for business. Take advantage of the world-class surf breaks, excellent coffee, and pristine beacheswhile you're here.
Prosecco Trail
About twenty years ago, the very first prosecco vineyards were established in the King Valley. While strolling down Prosecco Road, you nowadays can sample some of the best Italian cuisine and wine the neighbourhood has to offer.
Explore Orbost
Stopping down at Orbost provides a welcome respite from the monotony of the trip along the picturesque road that connects Sydney to Melbourne. Due to the abundance of trails for mountain biking, hiking, and four-wheel driving, it is a paradise for people who enjoy being outside.
Wilsons Promontory
Make arrangements for a trip down under now that you've never travelled to the southernmost tip of the mainland continent. Because of its harsh terrain, plenty of animal, and sunspoilt beaches, this site is the ideal location for a change of scenery.
Buchan Caves
The spectacular caves at Buchan in Gippsland were formed 400 million years ago by an underground river. As soon as the government gives the go-ahead for the trips, you should incorporate them in your plan.
Sardine
At Sardine in Gippsland, you may currently take away a dinner that was prepared by a chef who formerly worked at Vue de Monde, which is not something that happens very often. This three-star restaurant is cutting edge while being completely unpretentious.
Gippsland Lakes
Koalas can be found in the densest concentration in Victoria on Raymond Island, which is only accessible by boat. There are numerous reasons to charter a boat and explore the beautiful Gippsland Lakes, but the tranquil seas are just one.
Dargo Hotel
Alpine and Mitchell River National Parks are both accessible from this historic tavern, which was built in 1898. As soon as restrictions are lifted, a substantial number of post-iso pints will be available.
Lake Mountain
Because Lake Mountain is only 120 kilometres from Melbourne, it's a fantastic site for kids to witness the snow for the first time. That means that when the gates open again up, you should sign up with your family to go tobogganing and have fun.
Kinglake National Park
An easy hike of 14.3 kilometres, the Running Creek Track is located just north of Melbourne. It is easy to follow, offers beautiful views of the surrounding countryside, and provides the opportunity to have a picnic near the picturesque Masons Falls.
Visit Meeniyan
Only 771 people live in Meeniyan, a little settlement on the way to Wilsons Promontory. Meeniyan, despite its sparse population, is a great pit stop en route to Gippsland due of its mouthwatering restaurants, avant-garde art scene, and unique boutiques.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Arcades & Laneways. Many of Melbourne's gritty laneways double as canvases for street artists and are flush with paste-ups, stencil art and installations. ...
- Beaches. ...
- Country Towns. ...
- Live Music. ...
- Markets. ...
- Craft Breweries. ...
- Museums & Galleries. ...
- Wildlife.
Victoria is the smallest mainland state in Australia at 227,038 square kilometres. The only state smaller is the island of Tasmania. Is is only quarter the size of the next biggest state New South Wales, and incredibly only 9% the size of the largest state, Western Australia.
The most liveable places in Australia have been revealed and a small country town in Victoria has come out on top. An area free of gridlock traffic with affordable housing and good job prospects are aspects of the best places to live, according to the Life In Australia report by Ipsos.
Travellers from all over the world go to Victoria's capital city, Melbourne, to experience its rich history, thriving arts scene, and diverse cultural landscape.
There are many compelling reasons why Melbourne has become such a well-liked tourist destination.
In addition to its spectacular architecture and breathtaking surroundings, Melbourne is famous for the vast amount of entertainment options and the one-of-a-kind nightlife it offers.
Victoria's location is ideal, making it much simpler to travel to the other areas and states that make up Australia. For example, you may take a quick ski break at Falls Creek, which is only four hours away by vehicle from Melbourne, or you can fly to Sydney, which is only an hour away, and spend the weekend exploring the country's most populous city.
The smallest state on the continent of Australia is packed to the brim with amazing places to visit and activities to enjoy, ranging from the flourishing cultural milieu of Melbourne to the unspoilt bushland and coastline of rural Victoria.
Penguin Parade
A day tripper's paradise may be reached from the Melbourne CBD in about two hours. You should take your children to the beach and the shops, and when tickets become available again for the extremely adorable Penguin Parade, you should consider taking them there.
Lune
There are moments when the simplest pleasures can bring the greatest sense of fulfilment. Lune, located in Fitzroy, is the brainchild of former Formula One aerodynamicist Kate Reid. Lune is responsible for producing what many consider the finest croissants found outside of France.
Mornington Peninsula
Within an hour's drive of one another, the Mornington Peninsula's five hat-tipped eateries may be found in wineries, 15 minutes apart, making it an ideal day trip from Melbourne for foodies. It's everything you might hope for in a post-COVID dining destination.
Sassafras
The gloomy Dandenong Mountains are the ideal location to experience the onset of winter, which will soon be upon us. Enjoy a cup of Devonshire tea at one of the wonderful tearooms Sassafras offers, and feel the warmth spread throughout your chest.
Kokoda Track Memorial Walk
Dandenong Ranges National Park's "1000 Steps" trail was named after the dangerous Golden Staircase on the Kokoda Track. In order to get the blood moving again after sitting on the couch for weeks, this is the most effective method.
Explore Warrandyte
Historically known for its gold mining industry, Warrandyte is today mostly recognised for the remarkable abilities of its resident artists. So get away from the city and spend some time browsing the art galleries, studios, and artisan shops before going for a short hike into the forest.
Yarra Valley
There's nothing better than sipping a cool glass of apple cider while looking around the orchard where it was grown. The Yarra Valley is known all year round for its hearty food, delicious Chardonnays, and warm hospitality.
One of Australia's best places to make wine is the Yarra Valley in Victoria, which is part of Victoria's claim on the throne.
The Yarra Valley is a great place to go for a relaxing weekend trip, and it's only an hour's drive east of the Central Business District of Melbourne. The wines are, of course, the main reason people come. Still, there are also early morning chocolate shops with unique flavours, hot air balloon rides, and the Healesville Sanctuary, where visitors can get up close and personal with native animals.
Puffing Billy
This restored steam train, which runs between Belgrave and Gembrook, is a local landmark. When that boom reverberates through the jungle again in 2020, things will have taken a far more promising direction.
Hosier Lane
Day outings offer a wealth of opportunities for amusement in and around Melbourne. Beginning at Hosier Lane, stroll through the rest of the city while keeping an eye out for the ever-evolving canvas of urban street art (with a side of people-watching).
Royal Botanic Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne are spread across two locations: one in the middle of the city and the other in Cranbourne. Why not visit both if you can, given that one is completely distinct in appearance and atmosphere from the other?
Cycle Melbourne
Instead of utilising public transit, bike to Black Rock from St. Kilda to embark on an adventurous tour along the coast. Along this route, travellers can see beautiful views of the bay and pass by the Brighton Bathing Boxes.
Queen Victoria Market
The busy fresh food market at Queen Victoria Market is the perfect spot to indulge your inner foodie, and the market is now open for business. There is also an abundance of gourmet products available.
This market has served the local community for more than 140 years. In the wake of a major renovation, it was just added to the National Register of Historic Places.One of the world's most popular tourist attractions is Melbourne, Australia's capital city and the country's largest fresh produce market.
Ashcombe Maze & Lavender Gardens
The three-meter-tall hedged maze has been in existence for the previous four decades. You and your entire family may have a great time when the gates reopen, hunting for the garden gnomes.
Yarra Bend Park
Yarra Bend Park is the largest remaining patch of natural bushland in Melbourne, yet it's only four kilometres from the city centre. As a result, many routes invite hikers and cyclists to enjoy the area's natural beauty and panoramic views of the city at sunset.
It is home to numerous kinds of mammals, red-rumped parrots, insects, yellow-tailed black cockatoos and ichthyophagous fish, including rainbow lorikeets, birds, and water rats as well as brush-tail and ring-tail possums, reptiles and possums with long tails.
A colony of grey-headed flying foxes, which are classed as endangered by both the federal government and the state of Victoria, make their home in Yarra Bend Park. Originally established in 1986 within the Royal Botanic Gardens, the community moved to Yarra Bend Park in 2003 for its more natural surroundings. There are anywhere from 3,000 (during the winter) to 30,000 (during the summer) members of the nomadic and migratory community (summer). To help native plants reproduce, keeping these bats around is important. You may see the colony roosting in the native hardwood trees from the overlook at Bellbird Picnic Reserve. An amazing natural phenomenon, the evening flyout never fails to captivate.
Following the coronavirus outbreak in Australia in April 2020, local Victorian MP Tim Smith publicly called for the bat colony to be "taken away" on the grounds that "humans and bats don't mix." The evidence supporting this assertion has yet to be established. One of Australia's foremost bat experts responded by calling the proposals to transfer or exterminate the colony "ridiculous."
Conclusion
Outside of Melbourne, some of the state's most beautiful spots may be found.. Old-world architecture meets cutting-edge public art in Geelong's cultural district. After being locked up for months, the Great Otway National Park is the perfect place to take a forest bath.
You can reach the top of the world on a 9.6-kilometer hike through Grampians National Park's Pinnacle. With its year-round fall, MacKenzie Falls surprises visitors in Western Victoria's dry plains.
From a deep pink to a bright white, the salt lakes at Murray Sunset National Park can change their colour. Wood-fired, organic sourdough can be found at Trentham Falls and Redbeard Bakery. The pies and pasties of Beechworth Bakery are said to be the greatest in the country.
Take a bike tour around Rutherglen and take in the historic towns and stunning scenery. Following the devastating bushfires that struck Mallacoota earlier this year, the town has reopened.
More than 400 million years ago, the Buchan Caves in Gippsland were formed. At every curve, the 339-kilometer route from Wangaratta to Metung is a treat for the eyes. Wineries on the Mornington Peninsula's five best meals can be found within 15 minutes of each other in the area.
The Dandenongs are a great place to see the first signs of winter arriving. Wilsons Promontory can be reached through a short side trip to Meeniyan.
There are few places in Australia where wine can match the quality found in the Yarra Valley. Many people outside of France believe Lune's croissants to be the best. These two places, the city centre and Cranbourne, make up Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens.
In Melbourne, the Yarra Bend Park is the city's largest remaining stretch of natural forest. An endangered grey-headed flying fox colony is found there, which is recognised by the federal government and the state of Victoria. Largest market for fresh vegetables in Australia, Queen Victoria Market.
Content Summary
- Many visitors to Victoria start and end their trip to Melbourne.
- However, the state's most stunning destinations are located outside of Melbourne; thus, staying in the city will result in a missed opportunity.
- A journey for the sense of taste is what the Bellarine Taste Trail is all about.
- You can't visit Grampians National Park without making the ascent to the Pinnacle and taking in the views from the top.
- In a distinctive building made from straw bales, is The Chocolate Mill, where delectable delicacies are created.
- Visitors flock to Sovereign Hill, a replica of a mining town from the area's heydey and the gold-mining districts for tours.
- Ballarat also features a wildlife park and botanical gardens where people can get in touch with nature.
- When overnight travel down the Murray is permitted, there will be no other way to break from solitude than on a plush houseboat in the dead of winter.
- The abundance of cacti and succulents in the desert makes for a picturesque scene.
- Tourist infrastructure around Mount Buffalo was threatened by a fire a few months ago, and fire crews fought desperately to save it.
- You may reach the centre of the High Country by biking along Victoria's most spectacular rail path.
- This trail runs through the middle of the High Country.
- Everyone is familiar with the Great Ocean Road, but few people know about its counterpart in the mountains.
- Because Lake Mountain is only 120 kilometres from Melbourne, it's a fantastic site for kids to witness the snow for the first time.
- An easy hike of 14.3 kilometres, the Running Creek Track is located just north of Melbourne.
- Only 771 people live in Meeniyan, a little settlement on the way to Wilsons Promontory.
- The three-meter-tall hedged maze has been in existence for the previous four decades.
- Dandenong Ranges National Park's "1000 Steps" trail was named after the dangerous Golden Staircase on the Kokoda Track.
- Historically known for its gold mining industry, Warrandyte is today mostly recognised for the remarkable abilities of its resident artists.
- One of Australia's best places to make wine is the Yarra Valley in Victoria, which is part of Victoria's claim on the throne.
- The Yarra Valley is a great place to go for a relaxing weekend trip, and it's only an hour's drive east of the Central Business District of Melbourne.
- Day outings offer a wealth of opportunities for amusement in and around Melbourne.
- The busy fresh food market at Queen Victoria Market is the perfect spot to indulge your inner foodie, and the market is now open for business.
- One of the world's most popular tourist attractions is Melbourne, Australia's capital city and the country's largest fresh produce market.
- Yarra Bend Park is the largest remaining patch of natural bushland in Melbourne, yet it's only four kilometres from the city centre.
- A colony of grey-headed flying foxes, which are classed as endangered by both the federal government and the state of Victoria, make their home in Yarra Bend Park.
- Following the coronavirus outbreak in Australia in April 2020, local Victorian MP Tim Smith publicly called for the bat colony to be "taken away" on the grounds that "humans and bats don't mix."