Reasons To Visit Victoria, Australia

Tourists visiting Australia usually choose one of three destinations: sunny Queensland, bustling Sydney, or the country's vast interior. There is no shortage of Australian vacation options. Not everything that happens in the state of Victoria takes place in its capital and largest city, Melbourne. However, there is much for international and domestic visitors to enjoy in this southern state.

Here are five reasons why you should visit different parts of Victoria and get a taste of what this various state has to offer.

Immerse Yourself In Australia’s History At Ballarat

Ballarat, a historic town around 90 minutes west of Melbourne, is home to about 100,000 people. So visiting this famous Australian settlement is a bit like going back in time.

Ballarat is most famous as the site of a major gold rush in Australia around 1850.

Following the infamous 1854 rebellion at the Eureka Stockade, the town gained prominence as the "birthplace of democracy" in Australia.

Visits to historic gold mining districts and the city's many museums devoted to Ballarat's illustrious gold rush past are popular tourist activities. Take a guided fossicking tour and pan for gold at your own pace.

Ballarat is full of surprises, so you never know what you'll find there. Gold still exists in the area, even though the fever pitch of the gold rush has long since subsided.

Grampians National Park

One of Australia's most beautiful national parks is located 260 kilometres northwest of Melbourne. More than 167,000 acres make up the rocky mountain ranges, breathtaking waterfalls, and tranquil rainforests that make up the Grampians National Park.

There are so many hiking paths in the area that tourists will feel spoiled for choice as they reconnect with nature during their journeys.

Those interested in exploring this enormous wilderness further can do so via off-road vehicles in designated places, and there are also designated camping and fishing areas within the park.

The Grampians are a climber's paradise with steep mountains and craggy cliffs.

Victorians Love Their Sport

The people who live in Victoria, and Melbourne in particular, enjoy going to events of any kind. Still, their favourites are always something to do with sports, and it doesn't matter what kind of sport it is: baseball, football, Swimming, soccer, basketball, AFL, Cricket, Rugby League and more.

On the first Tuesday of every November, Melbourne hosts one of Australia's most prominent sporting events: the Melbourne Cup horse race. Seeing the horses of the Melbourne Cup race for triumph up close and personal is an experience you won't soon forget.

Since there is so much to do on Melbourne Cup day, even those who aren't interested in horse racing can have a good day.

Stunning Coastlines

The Great Ocean Road in the state of Victoria in southern Australia is the most well-known highway in the country. The path runs along the coast, where you can see amazing sights like the 12 Apostles, a group of limestone stacks rising from offshore water.

You'll also travel by the world-famous Bells Beach, the site of many of the most renowned surfing competitions in the world. Bells Beach also appeared in the closing scenes of the 1984 film Point Break, which starred Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze.

If you cross the bay to the Mornington Peninsula, you can find even more beautiful coasts and beaches.

Ski Victoria In Winter

The Snowy Mountains in the border region between New South Wales and Victoria are the only place in Australia to regularly receive snow. As a result, Mount Hotham in Victoria is a popular destination for skiers worldwide.

Skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels, from absolute novices to seasoned veterans, will find terrain to their liking. This part of Victoria is beautiful in the Australian winter, especially in July when the snowfall is at its peak. Visit Victoria during the ski season to immerse yourself in a winter wonderland.

More Reasons To Visit Victoria

• Urbnsurf Melbourne: In suburban Tullamarine, a short distance from the airport, Australia's first surf park, a vast lagoon that provides a site for learners and pros to catch waves all year round, is opening.
• Lorne Located just 800 metres from the Great Ocean Road, Live Wire Park is a treetop adventure park with a 500-meter "zip-line rollercoaster," a treetop promenade, and a variety of ropes courses for kids and adults.
• MoVida’s Hosier Lane kingdom expanded with the launch of Bar Tini in December; the venue  is modelled after the bodegas that are found in the neighbourhoods of Spain and is called after Spain's version of the martini and provides casual food and wine to the inhabitants, was named after Spain's version of the martini.
• Nagambie’s Mitchelton Wines is Victoria's newest boutique hotel is located here. There are 58 rooms with peaceful river or vineyard views at the newly opened Goulburn Valley digs in the trendy Goulburn Valley, an-hour drive from Melbourne by car. The new Muse Restaurant is also part of the property.
• Glamping has arrived in Victoria's Goldfields as a result of Balgownie Estate Bendigo's installation of 15 luxury tents designed in the form of safari lodges around the winery's stunning grounds. Each canvas structure comes equipped with some contemporary luxuries, including a private balcony and en suite bathroom.
• Ocean Grove Chalet in spring 2018, the 15-room hotel, which will be within walking distance of restaurants and shops, is expected to be one of the best in Victoria.
• Ballarat’s historic Peter Lalor Hotel The Pub With Two Names has been transformed by Yuge Bromley and David Bromley of Bromley & Co. into a centre for the creative community. An art gallery and restaurant have taken up residence at this location.
• Melbourne Museum’s Vikings: From March 23 to August 26, Beyond the Legend, Australia's largest exhibition of Viking artefacts, will show more than 500 items, like swords and ships, on loan from the Swedish History Museum.
• Point Leo Estate land, In October, it opened its doors to its first visitors on the Mornington Peninsula's southern shore, framing views of Western Port Bay and Phillip Island. In addition to a sculpture park with works from Australia and other nations, the property has a cellar door and an informal cafe serving seasonal fare.
• Localising — A fresh two-day route from Melbourne to Wilsons Prom and Phillip Island was created by an unscripted day excursion provider. Tourists who want to see the wild coastline of the state should take this excursion.
• Novotel Melbourne South Wharf will debut in March next to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, and by late 2018, the CBD will be home to the combined Novotel and ibis Little Lonsdale Street.

Drink Prosecco And Enjoy The Salami

The King Valley of northern Melbourne, is one of those places that, once visited, compels the travelling to return. Vineyards, charming villages, and idyllic picnic areas call this place home. It's the warm welcome shown by the affluent families descended from Italian immigrants. This is the land where prosecco was first created. Therefore it's only natural that the wines made here are Italian. The menu is also thoughtfully curated with nonna's cooking in mind.

Experience Mount Buffalo

The sights along the route to the summit are worthy of a day or two of your time, and they include waterfalls, bush trails, and magnificent vistas. If you make it to the top of the plateau, you'll find that the island in the sky is a spectacular sub-alpine formation. Exploring the Gorge, a popular starting location for hang gliding and rock climbing, involves walking through a landscape of bushes and boulders, camping by a lake, and witnessing the breathtaking cliffs. According to recent reports, the classic Chalet may be returning as well.

Go Crazy About Koalas

The Great Ocean Road is a 243-kilometre stretch of coastline in Victoria, Australia, that stretches along the Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean. It lures visitors with friendly locals, breathtaking treks, world-class surfing and beaching, and breathtaking scenery. 

Enjoy The South Side Of Town

In recent years, more and more people have moved to the inner north of Melbourne. But St. Kilda by the sea is going through a renaissance. Soon, the Victorian Pride Centre will open on Melbourne's quiet Fitzroy Street. It will be the cultural home of the LGBTI community.

East Is A Foodie's Paradise

There are numerous wine regions within a one-hour drive of Melbourne. The Yarra Valley, the east of Melbourne is worth the time and effort, even if you just have a day to spare. Wineries such as De Bortoli,  Chateau Yering and  Chandon can be found nestled with more contemporary offerings like Hoddles Creek and Innocent Bystander on winding roads over undulating hills.

Be Awe By The Mountains

The Dandenong Ranges are a favourite of Melburnians. Even you will. This low mountain area is only an 90-minute drive east of the city and is home to giant ferns, koalas, and lyrebirds.Large-scale botanical gardens include gourmet food made from locally grown ingredients, picture-perfect B&Bs, unique vintage stores and art galleries, charming tea rooms, and charming villages and farmer's markets.

Explore Macedonia's Mountains

From afar, the range resembles an eagle's outstretched wings and tilted heads. So don't be shocked if you spot an eagle soaring high above you while you explore Mount Macedon, whether you're on a woodland walk or in a rich heritage garden. Mount Towrong Winery has the nicest cellar door in the area. Kuzu in Woodend is a great place to eat; Ida Red in Macedon has great pizza, and Woodend hosts a farmers market in first Saturdays of the month.

East Gippsland: A Culinary Adventure

If you're in the mood for a sunset beer at the Metung Hotel's back deck or a hearty breakfast at Northern Ground in Bairnsdale, East Gippsland has something for everyone. The Riversleigh in Bairnsdale is a luxury hotel comprised of two historic residences.

Travel the Great Alpine Road

You'll traverse mountain ranges, valleys dotted with snow gums, and river gorges, all the way down to Bairnsdale via snow gum-studded peaks, river valleys and plain of the state of Victoria.

Find Geelong's Core

Once known as a sleepy hollow, Geelong has woken up into a dynamic, artistic, and cafe-heavy destination in recent years. The Library and Heritage Centre is a must-see, as are the seafront walks, Igni, and river paths, one of Victoria's finest dining establishments.

Live It Up In The Nargun's Den

For the Gurnaikurnai people, the Den of Nargun, a stealing-child rock creature, holds great traditional significance, but it simply seems unusual for most visitors. The cave, encircled by a billabong at the hike's conclusion, is where the monster is claimed to reside. The gravel road leading to the den can halt a stray herd of cows, or you may be inspired to create your Narguns by the odd rock formations.

Relax In The Strathbogie Ranges

The Strathbogie Ranges are located just an hour of northern Melbourne and are quieter than the Yarra. Here you can visit historic wineries like Tahbilk, which has been producing wine since 1860. The Mitchelton Winery, which has just added a riverfront hotel to its cellar door and restaurant. The region's first "urban" winery, can be found in the neighboring town of Seymour. At the same time, the Nagambie Brewery watches over the water sports at the enormous lake in the neighbouring town of Nagambie.

Take The Detour To The South Of France

Love the quaint French towns so much? Pure, gurgling rivers? Beautiful alpine scenery? Victoria's High Country has everything you might want, including artisanal cheese shops, vineyards, and distilleries. Only in Victoria, Australia, will you find it paired with the superior coffee and stunning Australian bush.

In Echuca, Go!

Murray River's banks are best seen from a wooden paddle boat departing from Echuca's historic port, which is known for its red gum trees and sandstone cliff walls. It's best to go in February when rockers in their 50s and 60s perform for a mostly 50+ crowd at the Riverboats Festival. Alternatively, hire a houseboat and stay at the family-run Cadell On The Murray Motel right next to the river.

Spend Some Time on Mount Buller During The Summer

Once the snow melts, visitors to the Victorian alps may still enjoy the village vibe, panoramic views, and crisp mountain air atop Mount Buller. Throughout the warmer season, High Country Hiking offers guided multi-day treks of neighbouring Mount Stirling as well as downhill biking and trail running.

Pass The Salt On The Great Ocean Road

Some of the best food in Victoria can be found along the city's trendy coastal drive, which features plenty of locally grown fruit. If you're looking for a traditional pub with breathtaking views, head to the Wye Beach Hote. If you're in the mood for something more modern, head to the newest MoVida location in the seaside village of Lorne. Then, head to the Lorne Surf Shop to rent a board and hit the waves.

Take A Picture Of The World's Largest Street Art

For fans of street art, this is your chance for some truly epic proportions. In the under-explored Wimmera Mallee region of central Victoria, a movement began in which famous artists painted enormous murals on the sides of grain silos. The trailhead lies near Rupanyup and goes all the way to Patchewollock, some 200 kilometres to the north. To get to Mildura, where they have plenty of Vermentino wine, keep heading north while staying to the left of Sunset Country

Take A Look At The Bendigo Art Trail

In the Bendigo Art Trail, both the broad boulevards and the narrow alleys hide artistic treasures. This self, easy-guided tour will take you through across city blocks, alleyways, and into the workshops of local artists like Bending Pottery. Once you've worked up an appetite and thirst, you may stroll through the town's many craft breweries.

Follow The Flow At Budj Bim

The World Heritage Sites of Budj Bim can be found in these locations. The Budj Bim experience is one of tremendous humility. Egypt used volcanic rock from the Tyrendarra lava flow to build ponds to raise eels, or Kooyong, as they built the pyramids. It is possible to stroll around Budj Bim/Mt crater like Gunditjmara elders, who preferred to disguise their traces by wearing emu-feather shoes. Eccles.

Be Amused With The Rock Art Of The Grampians

Visit the Grampians to see one of the state's largest collections of native flora and fauna, but stick around to explore the many rock art galleries tucked away in the region's undulating hills. In Halls Gap, a little town where kangaroos sometimes seem more numerous than people, you can enjoy artisan brewers, a wildlife park, and delicious pub fare.

Be Pink By Lake Tyrrell

Vibrant pink Lake is relatively obscure to the rest of us, despite the fact that millions of international tourists would look upon its rosy beauty, especially at sunrise and sunset. So spend some time at the lake, and then pick up some salt flakes for the dinner table.

Take An Off-the-Grid Adventures in Gippsland

The makers of The Secret River visited Lake Tyers in their search for peaceful streams surrounded by wilderness. Nowa is a mountain biker's paradise. So schedule lunch dates, take your time, at the paddleboard to the Marlo pub, and then WaterWheel Beach Tavern.

Conclusion

Melbourne, the state's capital and largest city, is not the only site where things happen in Victoria. A huge gold rush occurred in Ballarat in Australia in 1850, making it a historic town. The Grampians National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in Australia.

The Great Ocean Road in Victoria is Australia's most famous route. Also in Point Break, Bells Beach made an appearance at the end of the movie.

It's a treetop adventure park with a "zip-line rollercoaster" of 500 metres in length. In the Goldfields of Victoria, glamping has arrived. The 15 luxurious tents at Bendigo's Balgownie Estate are modelled after safari resorts.

In March, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre will be home to the new Novotel Melbourne South Wharf, and by the end of 2018, the CBD will be home to the ibis Little Lonsdale Street. Along the southern coast of Australia, between the Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean, is the 243-kilometer-long Great Ocean Road.

Even if you just have a few days to spend, the Yarra Valley east of Melbourne is worth the effort and time. East Gippsland has something for everyone. Visit the Strathbogie Ranges' historic wineries and the Den of Nargun's Den.

In Bairnsdale, Victoria, dine at The Riversleigh Hotel, one of the state's most renowned restaurants. The city's seaside road is home to some of Victoria's top restaurants.

Guided multi-day excursions up nearby Mount Stirling are available through High Country Hiking. Take a self-guided tour of the city's alleyways and workshops by following the Bendigo Art Trail. Ballarat and the Gippsland region are great places to pan for gold.

They visited Lake Tyers as part of their search for a tranquil stream surrounded by wilderness for The Secret River. It's a climber's heaven in the Grampians, with its high mountains and cliffs.

New South Wales and Victoria's Snowy Mountains are the only places in Australia where it snows on a regular basis. Skiers from all around the world go to Victoria's Mount Hotham. Zip-line rollercoaster, safari lodges, and a treetop adventure park are just some of the activities available at Lorne and Bendigo, Australia.

The largest display of Viking artefacts in Australia may be found at Beyond the Legend. ibis Little Lonsdale Street and Novotel Melbourne South Wharf will join forces in the CBD by the end of 2018 and open near to the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.

It's possible that the classic Chalet may make a comeback. If you have the time, make a detour to the Yarra Valley, which is located east of Melbourne. Even if you don't live in Melbourne, you'll enjoy the Dandenong Ranges.

Gourmet restaurants and five-star hotels abound in East Gippsland. In the High Country of Victoria, you'll find artisanal cheese shops, vineyards, and distilleries, among other delights. Tahbilk, a historic winery in the Strathbogie Ranges, is worth a visit.

The Riverboats Festival in Echuca is a great place to see rockers in their 50s and 60s. Victoria's tastiest meals may be found along the coast. Street art of the largest scale can be found in central Victoria's Wimmera Mallee region.

To breed eels, or Kooyong, the Egyptians used volcanic rock from the Tyrendarra lava flow, just as the Budj Bim Gunditjmara elders did. Lake Tyers was a popular filming location for the producers of The Secret River because of its many quiet rivers and forests.

Content Summary

• Not everything that happens in the state of Victoria takes place in its capital and largest city, Melbourne.
• Visit Victoria during the ski season to immerse yourself in a winter wonderland.
• There are 58 rooms with peaceful river or vineyard views at the newly opened Goulburn Valley digs in the trendy Goulburn Valley, an-hour drive from Melbourne by car.
•  Ocean Grove Chalet in spring 2018, the 15-room hotel, which will be within walking distance of restaurants and shops, is expected to be one of the best in Victoria.
• But St. Kilda by the sea is going through a renaissance.
• The Yarra Valley, the east of Melbourne is worth the time and effort, even if you just have a day to spare.
• Once the snow melts, visitors to the Victorian alps may still enjoy the village vibe, panoramic views, and crisp mountain air atop Mount Buller.
• Throughout the warmer season, High Country Hiking offers guided multi-day treks of neighbouring Mount Stirling as well as downhill biking and trail running.
• Everything that happens in the state of Victoria takes place in its capital and largest city, Melbourne.
• On the first Tuesday of every November, Melbourne hosts one of Australia's most prominent sporting events: the Melbourne Cup horse race.
• Urbnsurf Melbourne: In suburban Tullamarine, a short distance from the airport, Australia's first surf park, a vast lagoon that provides a site for learners and pros to catch waves all year round, is opening.
• Nagambie's Mitchelton Wines is Victoria's newest boutique hotel is located here.
• Melbourne Museum's Vikings: From March 23 to August 26, Beyond the Legend, Australia's largest exhibition of Viking artefacts, will show more than 500 items, like swords and ships, on loan from the Swedish History Museum.
• A fresh two-day route from Melbourne to Wilsons Prom and Phillip Island was created by an unscripted day excursion provider.
• The Great Ocean Road is a 243-kilometre stretch of coastline in Victoria, Australia, that stretches along the Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean.
• But St. Kilda by the sea is going through a renaissance.
• The Yarra Valley, the east of Melbourne is worth the time and effort, even if you just have a day to spare.
• From afar, the range resembles an eagle's outstretched wings and tilted heads.
• Relax In The Strathbogie RangesThe Strathbogie Ranges are located just an hour of northern Melbourne and are quieter than the Yarra.
• Victoria's High Country has everything you might want, including artisanal cheese shops, vineyards, and distilleries.
• Some of the best food in Victoria can be found along the city's trendy coastal drive, which features plenty of locally grown fruit.
• If you're looking for a traditional pub with breathtaking views, head to the Wye Beach Hote.
• Then, head to the Lorne Surf Shop to rent a board and hit the waves.
• To get to Mildura, where they have plenty of Vermentino wine, keep heading north while staying to the left of Sunset CountryTake A Look At The Bendigo Art TrailIn the Bendigo Art Trail, both the broad boulevards and the narrow alleys hide artistic treasures.
• The World Heritage Sites of Budj Bim can be found in these locations.
• The Budj Bim experience is one of tremendous humility.
• Nowa is a mountain biker's paradise.