Melbourne and Surrounds
Australia's most liveable city doing what it does best — coffee, laneways, markets and day trips to the Dandenongs, Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula.
Victoria
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Melbourne gets the headlines, but the real Victoria is a two-hour drive in any direction.
Victoria is small enough to do long weekends properly. The Great Ocean Road, the Grampians, the High Country, Wilsons Prom — they're all within reach of the city, and they're all genuinely good. Add wine regions, hot springs, gold-rush towns and a coastline that refuses to be boring, and you've got a state that rewards showing up without needing months of planning.
At a Glance
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The main regions
Victoria is small but dense with good stuff. These are the regions that shape a trip — the obvious anchors, the quieter pockets and the ones worth the detour.
Great Ocean Road
The Twelve Apostles get the photos, but the real value is the coastline between them — rainforest, small towns, surf beaches and cliff-top walks.
Grampians / Gariwerd
Sandstone ranges, Aboriginal rock art sites, wildflower seasons and some of the best day walks in the state.
Wilsons Promontory
Victoria's southernmost point — granite mountains, white sand beaches, wildlife and walks that feel far further from Melbourne than they are.
High Country
Alpine ridges, snow gums, Bright in autumn, Milawa wine region and the kind of mountain roads that make you glad you drove.
Goldfields and Spa Country
Ballarat, Bendigo, Daylesford and Hepburn Springs — heritage architecture, mineral baths, good food and the slow country pace Victoria does well.
Best Time of Year to Visit
Dec-Feb
The coast is the main event — Great Ocean Road traffic is real, Wilsons Prom books out early, and the Mornington Peninsula is packed. Head for the High Country or Grampians instead if you want space. Melbourne does its hot-terrace-and-cool-laneways thing beautifully.
Mar-May
Arguably Victoria's best season. Bright and the High Country turn properly golden, wine regions are harvesting, the coast settles down and walking conditions are excellent almost everywhere. Pack a layer and you're sorted.
Jun-Aug
The coast gets dramatic, the Dandenongs get foggy, Daylesford's hot springs make sense, and Melbourne's food scene doesn't care what month it is. Alpine areas get snow — Mt Buller and Falls Creek for the committed, a drive through the high country for everyone else.
Sep-Nov
The Grampians wildflower season is genuinely special. Wilsons Prom is quiet before the summer rush. Melbourne does its spring-racing-and-coffee thing. Weather is typically Victorian — pack for everything and you'll be fine.
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Hikes and Experiences
Bivouac Bay
I love a walk with plenty of variety, and this one made the kilometres feel like mere metres!
Duckhole Lake
An accessible adventure into Tasmania’s wild south, and a perfect introduction to its karst landscapes.
Lake Esperance
A walk through waratahs and a lush Tasmanian alpine landscape
South Cape Bay
A beautifully varied walk to the very end of the road, and the edge of the continent.
Hartz Peak
A short but impactful hike to the summit of Hartz Peak, showcasing a dazzling array of plant diversity!
Tahune Airwalk
A spectacular elevated walkway through the forest canopy, high above the rivers of Tasmania's wild southwest.