Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, has been voted the world's best coffee capital, besting long-time contenders such as Rome and Vienna, and has been named the most liveable city in the world for the past six years in a row by The Economist. Victoria is a beautiful state and a great place to visit or settle down.
There is so much to see and do in Victoria that you should, if at all possible, allot at least a few weeks to explore. It's a great place to meet friendly locals, learn about the city and country lifestyles, and create unforgettable memories.
Grampians National Park
Picturesque sunset vistas aside, there are plenty of other photo ops in this national park that are sure to please. Outstanding scenic diversity is provided by the park's combination of rugged sandstone ridges, lush waterfalls, and colourful spring wildflowers.
The Grampians are a great place to go hiking and see native flora and fauna because they are home to many species of marsupials and birds native to Australia. In addition, there are some fascinating ancient indigenous works of art.
Say you want to get out of the park and visit Ararat or Halls Gap. Ararat is a popular destination in its own right, particularly interesting for its creepy ghost tours, and there is a great deal of stunning contemporary art created by local studios.
Torquay and the Great Ocean Road
Torquay, as a seaside resort town, is charming and definitely deserving of a vacation of its own. You can see some of the best surfers in the world competing at the Bells Beach Rip Curl Pro over Easter if you visit, as the area is well-known for its surf beaches, including the world-famous Bells Beach. A stop in Torquay is not only worthwhile because of its proximity to the Great Ocean Road.
The Great Ocean Road, which begins in Torquay and extends for another 242 kilometres, is a popular next stop for many visitors to Australia. The Great Ocean Road's picturesque coastal and mountain scenery, quaint towns like Apollo Bay, and more of Australia's justifiably famous white-sand beaches have made it the setting for a number of international car advertisements.
Starting in Torquay, this historic route follows the coast of southern Victoria. On its way to its final destination in Allensford, it travels through some of the state's most popular tourist hotspots, such as Lorne, Apollo Bay, and Port Campbell. Hand-cut by returning soldiers between 1919 and 1932, the Great Ocean Road is a 243-kilometer (151-mile) stretch of the Australian National Heritage listed roadway. Soldiers who gave their lives during World War I are honoured here. Tourists flock to this path now, and for good reason; it's a breathtaking winding journey that passes by many famous landmarks. The eucalyptus groves on one side of the road and the crashing waves of the Surf and Shipwreck Coasts on the other will leave you speechless.
While you're in the area, stop by the picturesque coastal town of Lorne. Cafes, pubs, and restaurants in Lorne are known for their warm hospitality and picturesque water views. Relax on the beautiful beaches and watch the surfers while taking in the quaint village. From Apollo Bay, you can take a drive through Otway National Park to Cape Otway, where Australia's oldest lighthouse is located, and enjoy some downtime by the water. During the winter and spring months, this location is ideal for spotting humpback and southern right whales. Lake Elizabeth, an ancient mountain lake, also gives people the opportunity to see platypus in their natural habitat.
Many visitors to Australia's Great Ocean Road consider the coastline just outside of Port Campbell to be its most picturesque stretch. The Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and a plethora of other sandstone monoliths and coastal features can all be seen from the lookouts and walkways along the roadside. If you have the time, flying over the coast in a helicopter is a great way to get a bird's-eye view of the coastline and a sense of how rough the water can get.
Great Otway National Park
The Otways are a popular destination for tourists from all over the world, not just in Victoria. They are widely recognised as providing one of the state's most iconic experiences.
Besides stopping in a few towns, you should also spend some time exploring Great Otway National Park (and maybe even giving the zipline a try, if you're feeling particularly adventurous).
Phillip Island
Because of its proximity to Melbourne and the ease with which it can be reached by car, Phillip Island is frequently visited by Melburnians and visitors from all over the world as a day trip.
The island is well-known for its colony of cute Little Penguins. One of Australia's top tourist destinations is located in this colony.
Every night at sunset, a large colony of penguins waddles back to shore, and visitors can watch them from the Penguin Parade viewing platform or the underground facility. Another option is the Ultimate Penguin Tour, which allows guests to get even closer to the penguins.
Additionally, the visitor centre is informative and interesting.
The penguin colony on Phillip Island is a must-see, but the island also boasts a koala conservation centre, an animal park, and Warook Farm, among other attractions. For over a century, this farm has been serving its community.
People come from all over to enjoy the island's beautiful beaches, which are popular with swimmers and surfers.
If you want to travel from Melbourne to Phillip Island, you'll need to head about 140 kilometres (about 87 miles) to the south. The Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix takes place on this island, making it famous for motorsports, but the Little Penguins are what bring the most visitors here. It stretches a total of 26 kilometres (16 miles) in length and is 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) across.
Viewers can observe Little Penguins, also known as Fairy Penguins, make their way back to their nighttime nests during the Phillip Island Penguin Parade. Visitors of all ages can enjoy the Little Penguins' antics, which are guaranteed to put a smile on their face and often lead to a hearty guffaw. Over sixteen thousand beautiful fur seals call Seal Rocks home, and they can often be seen swimming, sunning, and engaging in other seal behaviours, such as playing, while visitors take in the breathtaking scenery. Seal Rocks is also home to a population of inquisitive rockhopper penguins, which are just as mischievous as the penguins.
Phillip Island is a great place for people who enjoy water sports like scuba diving and snorkelling because its underwater environments are home to a wide variety of fish and other marine life.
Mornington Peninsula
The Mornington Peninsula is situated south-east of Melbourne's CBD, between Port Phillip and Western Port, and surrounded on three sides by Bass Strait. To get there from Melbourne's central business district is not too difficult. Long stretches of beach, rocky outcrops, undulating hills, and mangrove wetlands are just some of the stunning natural attractions that draw tourists to this popular vacation spot. Foodies and oenophiles will be overjoyed to learn that the Peninsula is dotted with swanky eateries serving the best of the region's cuisine as well as numerous wineries and tasting rooms selling its finest wares.
Even though the Peninsula is home to giant hedge mazes and water-based activities, the coastline is where the vast majority of visitors choose to spend their time. Towns like Rye, which are more on the "homey" side, provide a welcoming home base from which to explore the surrounding area, alongside more affluent places like Portsea and Sorrento. The coastal villages are charming and full of character. Additionally, Fingal has its very own hot springs right in the middle of town.
Alpine National Park
Popular mountains in Victoria include Mt. Buller and Mt. Hotham. Both of these mountains can be found in the Alpine National Park, and they are home to popular alpine resorts that attract visitors from all over Australia for the winter season.
A trip to Alpine National Park in the winter will be very different from a trip in the spring or summer, so if you can, try to visit the park at different times of the year. The wildflowers in bloom in the springtime are a visual feast, and the landscape as a whole is stunning.
The trails are great for those who want to get out and enjoy nature while on vacation.
If you're wondering what to do this summer, it's a good idea to peruse the online calendars of both Mt. Hotham and Mt. Buller, which play host to a wide range of events and activities, from abseiling to film festivals and fireworks displays.
Yarra Valley & The Dandenong Ranges
Melbourne's Dandenong Ranges are located about 35 km / 21.7 mi to the east, and the Yarra Valley is located a bit further along, about 90 km / 56 mi to the north-east of the CBD. Both of these destinations are stunning, and they're easily accessible from the state capital.
The Yarra Valley is a popular tourist destination due to the wide range of excellent wineries and restaurants it boasts. The Yarra River, after which the valley is named, flows directly through its centre. Indulgent vacationers can take advantage of the area's many cellar doors, which are spread out across the area's lush, rolling landscape, by spending the day exploring the area or booking a night at a nearby inn.
The Dandenong Ranges are a paradise for those who have an appreciation for natural beauty, including hikers, campers, and photographers. Thick, ancient temperate rainforest covers the rolling hills and the steep hills that drop into the more mature gullies. The park's focal point is Mt. Dandenong, where you can get distant views of Greater Melbourne amid tall stands of Mountain Ash trees and dense ferny undergrowth. Day trips here can be filled with hikes through the bush, picnics, and wildlife watching. As an alternative, you could visit the Healesville Sanctuary, where you're guaranteed to see wild animals.
Bendigo
Bendigo is an excellent location from which to gain insight into Victoria's past.
As a result of its proximity to Melbourne (less than two hours by car) and its ease of accessibility by train, Bendigo flourished during the Victorian era. Because of the gold rush, Bendigo was established.
Bendigo's historic architecture and rich gold rush past have made the city famous. Since mining began in Bendigo in the 1850s, nearly one million kilogrammes of gold have been extracted, making Victoria's goldmines the second most productive in the world after California. Bendigo's historic architecture and rich gold rush past have made it a tourist hotspot.
Similar to the American gold rushes, the Victorian gold rush attracted people from all over the world to Australia in search of their fortune. The town grew from a quiet sheep station into a thriving metropolis as a result.
The Bendigo Town Hall (completed in 1859), the Joss House Temple, and the Bendigo Art Gallery are just a few examples of the city's many notable structures that can be found on the Victorian Heritage Register (1921).
The growing city has a lot more to offer tourists than just historic sites and cultural attractions, such as scenic national parks, a world-class art museum, an interactive science centre, and the Bendigo Botanic Gardens, which are perched atop a hill overlooking picturesque Lake Weeroona.
The Central Deborah Goldmine is the only place where tourists can get such a comprehensive and fascinating understanding of the gold rush era. Experience something truly unforgettable on this tour of a real, working mine shaft (although perhaps not ideal for the claustrophobic). You can even go gold panning at the end of your trip!
Murray River
Most of the length of northern Victoria is bordered by the Murray River, which separates Victoria and New South Wales and is home to Australia's highest annual sunshine totals. When visiting, you have a good chance of seeing the sun at least a little bit of the time regardless of the time of year.
A first-time camping trip here will introduce you to the wonders of nature, the peace and quiet of the outback, and a side of Australia you may never have seen before. There are numerous fantastic free camping spots along the Murray River, making it a low-cost option for a quick weekend getaway.
The High Country
You can find Victoria's High Country in the state's far north-east corner. National parks, Victoria's highest mountains, lakes, snow resorts, vineyards, wineries, and a rich history of gold discovery, cattlemen, and bushrangers all can be found in this small but wonderful corner of Victoria.
Snowfields in the winter, quaint country towns encircled by cascading waterfalls, secret rock pools, pristine rivers, and breathtaking scenic drives are just a few of the incredible places to explore in the High Country. You'll find all of these places in the vicinity.
If you have the chance, you should visit the High Country in both the summer and winter. While both the winter and summer months in this region are beautiful, the activities and sights available during each season are very different.
A few of the most interesting and beautiful High Country towns to visit are Bright, Eildon, Myrtleford, and Harrietville.
Ballarat & The Goldfields
Ballarat, a former hub of the gold rush, is located on the Great Dividing Range's western lowlands. Located roughly 65 miles west-northwest of Melbourne and 105 kilometres west-northwest of Ballarat. In Ballarat, tourists can relive a pivotal era in Australia's past.
Ballarat's Goldfields district saw an influx of hopeful miners in the 19th century. The development of Ballarat and the surrounding area can be directly attributed to these miners and their descendants. There are still pockets of alluvial gold throughout the region's waterways, waiting to be discovered by an enterprising fossicker. Those seeking to experience the thrill of the gold rush should seek out these areas.
If you've ever wanted to feel like you've travelled back in time, a visit to Sovereign Hill, a town built to look like one from the 19th century, is just what you need. The 'Blood on the Southern Cross' sound and light show and the Gold Museum are both must-sees while you're in the area.
Daylesford
Daylesford's beauty as a spa town and its convenient location (about 1.5 hours from Melbourne) make it a popular destination for both residents and visitors.
Although Daylesford's origins are in the gold mining industry, the town has transformed into a popular spa destination in recent decades.
More than 80% of Australia's carbonated mineral water is produced in and around the town, and the town itself is famous for the natural spring mineral spas it contains.
Daylesford is famous not only for its many spas but also for its wineries, art galleries, restaurants, and beautiful lake views.
The stunning Hepburn Regional Park is not far away, and neither are the lovely Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens, another popular destination.
Carlton Gardens
Known as Carlton Gardens
Walking through the Carlton Gardens will take you right into the heart of Melbourne, which is only a few minutes away.
In addition to the Melbourne Museum, the Royal Exhibition Building, and the Imax Theatre, all of which are well worth seeing, can be found within the complex.
The gardens are not only notable for the wide variety of plants they house, but also for being a stunning example of Victorian landscaping.
In this regard, the Royal Exhibition Building serves as a splendid example of the aesthetic benefit that can be gained from preserving architectural history.
Possums, kookaburras, and tawny frogmouths are just some of the birds and mammals that call this region home; at night, bats fly overhead. The three most well-known drinking fountains in the complex are the Exhibition Drinking fountain, the French Drinking fountain, and the Westgarth Drinking fountain.
Whether you're a local or just passing through Melbourne, spending the day in this area is a great option for those looking for a relaxing and stress-free escape.
Conclusion
As the best coffee capital in the world, Melbourne has received much acclaim. Hiking through the Park of the Grampians is a fantastic way to get to know the local flora and fauna. Bells Beach, one of Torquay's famous surf beaches, is among the best in the world. Between 1919 and 1932, soldiers manually constructed Victoria's Great Ocean Road. Several of the state's most visited attractions can be seen along the route from Torquay to Allensford.
Numerous visitors come from all over the world to explore the Otways National Park. The Little Penguins of Phillip Island have become quite famous. The island is home to Warook Farm, an animal park, and a koala conservation centre. People who like to swim or participate in water sports such as scuba diving or snorkelling will love this location. The Mornington Peninsula is located between Port Phillip and Western Port, to the south-east of Melbourne's central business district.
Beautiful natural features, such as miles of sandy beach, craggy cliffs, rolling hills, and mangrove swamps, make this a sought-after vacation destination. To those who revel in the splendour of nature, the Dandenong Ranges are a utopia. Bendigo's fame stems from the city's historic buildings and prosperous gold rush era. There has been nearly one million kilogrammes of gold mined in Bendigo since the city's mining boom began in the 1850s. The Murray River forms the western boundary of northern Victoria.
The Murray River region receives the most annual sunshine hours in all of Australia. Visit Ballarat to relive an important period in Australia's history. The High Country is beautiful in the winter and the summer. Sovereign Hill is an artificial Victorian town designed to look like an actual Victorian settlement from the 19th century. The town of Daylesford is well-known for its mineral spas and wineries. The Carlton Gardens, Imax Theater, and Royal Exhibition Building are all must-sees when in Melbourne.
Content Summary
- The state of Victoria is stunning, making it an ideal destination or permanent home.
- While the sunsets are stunning, there are many other photo opportunities in this national park that you won't want to miss.
- This historic path follows the coastline of southern Victoria from Torquay.
- The Great Ocean Road is a 243-kilometer (151-mile) section of the road that was hand-cut by returning soldiers between 1919 and 1932 and is now part of Australia's National Heritage.
- These memorials commemorate the First World War soldiers who gave their lives for their country.
- The coastline outside of Port Campbell is widely regarded as Australia's most photogenic.
- The island's Little Penguin population is one of the island's biggest draws.
- This colony is home to a popular tourist destination in neighbouring Australia.
- In addition to its famous penguin colony, Phillip Island is home to a koala conservation centre, an animal park, and Warook Farm.
- The island is well-known for hosting the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, but its resident Little Penguin population is the main draw for tourists.
- South of Melbourne's central business district and between Port Phillip and Western Port, the Mornington Peninsula has Bass Strait on three sides.
- Preserve in the Alps
- Mount Buller and Mount Hotham are two of Victoria's most recognisable mountains.
- Both of these peaks are located in Alpine National Park, which is a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts from all over Australia.
- Visiting Alpine National Park in the winter is very different from visiting in the spring or summer, so if you have the opportunity, it is recommended that you travel there at different times of the year.
- The Yarra Valley's many top-notch wineries and dining establishments make it a popular destination for vacationers.
- Those who enjoy the outdoors and appreciate nature, such as hikers, campers, and photographers, will find the Dandenong Ranges to be a haven.
- Bendigo
- Bendigo was founded as a direct result of the gold rush.
- Bendigo's fame stems from the city's historic buildings and prosperous gold rush era.
- That's where the high altitudes are
- The northernmost and most remote part of Victoria is known as the High Country.
- The High Country is a beautiful place to visit any time of year, but especially in the summer and winter.
- During the nineteenth century, many ambitious miners flocked to Ballarat's Goldfields area.
- Sovereign Hill, a replica of a 19th-century town, is the perfect place to visit if you've ever wished you could go back in time.
- One should not miss the Gold Museum and the 'Blood on the Southern Cross' sound and light show while in the area.
- Daylesford is a popular destination for both locals and visitors thanks to its attractiveness as a spa town and its proximity to Melbourne (roughly 1.5 hours away).
- Daylesford was once a major hub for the gold mining industry, but in more recent decades it has become known as a relaxing spa destination.
- It won't take you more than a few minutes to reach the heart of Melbourne from Carlton Gardens.
FAQs About Australia
The 10 regional city local government areas are Ballarat, Greater Bendigo, Greater Geelong, Greater Shepparton, Horsham, Latrobe, Mildura, Wangaratta, Warrnambool and Wodonga. The remaining 38 local government areas including six alpine resort areas are referred to as the rural local government areas.
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.
Mildura tops the state with the sunny figures of just 59 cloudy and 150 clear days. The data has been collated from annual averages of daily cloud cover reports recorded by the Bureau of Meteorology for up to 150 years.
As a remote yet highly developed country, Australia has captivated us with its unique natural wonders and exotic wildlife. Australia is one of the few countries that no matter your travel taste, budget, or age, it can deliver a travel experience that can't be found anywhere else.
We recommend a minimum of three weeks to truly experience Australia. And at a relaxed pace, you can visit a couple of regions in that amount of time. Take it slow and see more. Our favourite regions to visit in three weeks are North Queensland and the route between Melbourne and Adelaide.