Victoria

Highlights
Must Do Activities
Itinerary Suggestions

Victoria is Australia's southernmost mainland state and is often referred to as the Garden State. The capital city of Melbourne lies around the shores of Port Phillip Bay and is home to more than 3.5 million people.

Some of Victoria's most well known attractions are The Great Ocean Road, The Phillip Island Penguins, the famous wine district of the Yarra Valley and the goldfields around Ballarat.

Victoria offers a range of experiences and consists of the following major regions:

Melbourne
Murray Outback
Grampians
Great Ocean Road
Goldfields
Macedon Ranges & Spa Country
Melbourne's Bays & Peninsulas
Yarra Valley, Dandenongs & The Ranges
Goulburn Murray Waters
Legends Wine & High Country
Phillip Island & Gippsland Discovery
Lakes & Wilderness

There are three distinct climatic zones within Victoria - Southern coastal, Northern/Western and Alpine. January and February are generally the hottest months with July being the coldest. During summer temperatures in Melbourne average 26 degrees C during the day and 14 degrees C overnight. In winter the temperature in Melbourne can be as low as 13 degrees C during the day and 5 degrees C overnight. Areas such as Falls Creek and other alpine areas have a much colder winter and experience snowfall that makes them popular skiing areas during the winter months.

Featuring nature, Aboriginal culture, rugged mountain escapes and relaxing spa hideaways, every part of Victoria is worth exploring.

With dramatic contrasts in a compact area, Victoria's lush bushland, top-notch wineries, spectacular ocean drives, magnificent rainforests, pristine beaches and stylish capital provide for a wide range of Australian experiences. This is where to go for all the good things in life - beautiful surrounds, fine wine, unique wildlife encounters and Melbourne, for cultural, shopping, dining and event experiences.

Highlights

Melbourne - major events and culture happenings year round.
Shopping ahead of season for great bargains and value.
Wine, food and dining mecca.
Small state with easy access to heaps of the best Australian experiences.
Gateway to the most spectacular drive in Australia, the Great Ocean Road.
Spa Country.

^ top

Must do activities

Melbourne, Victoria's Cultural Capital

Walk and shop Melbourne's laneways and precincts.
Attend a performance at the Victorian Arts Centre Complex.
Spend a day at world class Federation Square and its Australian Centre for the Moving Image and museum, The Ian Potter Centre.
Attend an event: Australian Tennis Open, Australian Formula One Grand Prix, Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, The Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Take a daily tour to Phillip Island's nightly Penguin Parade.
Take a day trip or overnight at Yarra Valley. Taste the fine wines and local produce.
Antique shop or take a steam train ride in the nearby Dandenong Ranges.

Beyond Melbourne

Great Ocean Road

Day trip or take a longer adventure along the stunningly beautiful Great Ocean Road.
Sunrise or sunset picnic at the Twelve Apostles.
Visit the charming villages of Shipwreck Coast.
Explore the rainforest, walk in the treetops of the Otway National Park.
Surf Torquay or relax on the many family-friendly beaches.

Gold Country & Spa Country

Wander through and relive an 1850's gold rush township at Sovereign Hill in Ballarat.
Tour the lush countryside and natural spas around Daylesford.

Itinerary Suggestions