Must-see places to visit in Victoria.
Apollo Bay
Apollo Bay has been called "Paradise by the Sea", located at the foothills of the Otways and in the heart of the Great Ocean Road region.
Discover the town's wide, crescent-shaped sandy swimming beach, the backdrop of rolling green Otway hills, relaxed lifestyle, waterfalls, and national and state parks. Like many places along the Great Ocean Road, the beach is a focus for activity all year round. Swim in the clear water, sea kayak with local seals, indulge in deep-sea fishing and learn to surf or ride along the beach at sunset. Head to Mariners Lookout Road for panoramic views over the town and coast.
Another favourite lookout is Cape Patton, east of Apollo Bay near Wye River. Or take to the air for spectacular views of the nearby Twelve Apostles on one of many charter flights available from the local airport. Fishing is an important local industry; seafood is always on the menu at local cafés and restaurants. For great views try Chris's at Beacon Point high in the hills overlooking the sea. Shop for art and curios in the many gift shops, galleries and tea houses and peruse the regular Saturday foreshore market for local crafts and produce.
Head into the Otways to find mainland Australia's oldest lighthouse. Explore nearby forest and waterfall walks or enjoy an exhilarating ride through the ranges on a mountain bike. Take a treetop walk along the Otway Fly and enjoy a bird's eye view of the spectacular Otways rainforest.
Apollo Bay is located 195 kilometres southwest of Melbourne, a scenic 3.5-hour drive by car via the Great Ocean Road. A shorter alternative route is via Forrest and Birregurra, which takes just under three hours.
Lakes Entrance
Boasting Australia's largest inland network of waterways, Lakes Entrance has long been a popular holiday spot. It is situated on the edge of Ninety Mile Beach where the Gippsland Lakes meet the Southern Ocean.
Cross the footbridge to the popular Ninety Mile Beach, patrolled by lifesavers during the summer to enjoy the pristine surf beach. Explore the lakes in a kayak, join a boat cruise or hire a paddleboat and hit the sparkling waters.
Lakes Entrance is renowned as a seafood capital due to the large number of fishing trawlers operating in the area. Catch your own fish or savour the catches from fresh seafood shops around town.
Take to the waterways on a local cruise, fishing holiday or eco-tour and make the most of your time in the region. See places only locals know about, find the best spots to cast a line, and minimise your carbon footprint while you travel.
Melbourne
Melbourne, the capital of the state of Victoria, is set around the shores of Victoria's Port Phillip Bay and is famous for its sense of style and elegance, Melbourne boasts glamorous festivals and events, major exhibitions and world-class musical extravaganzas, Australia’s best shopping and a passion for food and wine. Whether you’re searching for couture or vintage clothing, souvenirs or sparkling chardonnay, chic bars, clubs or jazz venues, Melbourne has it all!
The city sits on the Yarra River, about five kilometres from the bay. One glance at a map and it's obvious Melbourne is a planned city: a tidy, balanced grid of neatly angled streets. But beneath this sense of restraint lies restless creative energy.
Melbourne’s calendar is rich in cultural, sporting and culinary events and festivals. From Grand Slam tennis to Formula One motor racing, air shows, food and wine festivals, jazz, comedy, surfing or AFL Grand Finals, whatever you desire, Victoria reverberates throughout the year.
The first Grand Slam tournament of the international tennis calendar kicks off in Melbourne in January, followed by the Australian International Air show at Avalon. The adrenalin rush continues with high-octane energy at the Australian Formula One Grand Prix. Phillip Island is famous for its motor racing events including the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix and the V8 Supercar Championship. Nothing epitomises the spirit of Melbourne as well as the Spring Racing Carnival and the Melbourne Cup, a blend of high fashion, high stakes and fantastic parties.
The CBD is made up of many precincts and enclaves with distinct flavour and charm. Some are just a lane or two, while others cover a suburb or a busy CBD street. Spend time experiencing the richness of Melbourne's different cultures from the Greek Quarter around Lonsdale Street, Italian in Lygon street, Vietnamese in Victoria Street to the Chinese culture in Chinatown and the upmarket Paris End of Collins Street.
Leave time to admire the elegant Victorian-era streetscapes, take in a film or food festival and add a visit to one of the many galleries and opulent theatres.
Warrnambool
Warrnambool is nestled into the rising contour of Victoria's southwest coast amid green dairying country and overlooking the deep blue of the Southern Ocean. The only city on the rugged Shipwreck Coast, Warrnambool, has a long and colourful history linked with the sea. Today much of this history is on show at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum. With original buildings, a lighthouse and recreated port complete with ships, the museum provides a fascinating insight into the nineteenth-century life of the city.
Warrnambool is known as Victoria's Southern Right Whale nursery. These giants return to Logan's Beach every May to October and can often be seen just 100 metres off the shore. Located on the wide sweep of Lady Bay, the city has marvellous beaches that attract crowds during warmer months. In the cooler parts of the year, the beach is a great place to stroll with interesting coastal features, including Pickering Point, Thunder Point and Point Ritchie around the mouths of the Merri and Hopkins rivers. Explore numerous coastal reserves and walking tracks with secluded beaches and rocky points, penguin colonies, and some good places for fishing and bird-watching.
The city has a thriving arts and events scene, excellent restaurants serving the best and freshest local produce and a relaxed café scene, most evident at the bottom end of Liebig Street. A few kilometres west of town is Tower Hill State Game Reserve, home to an ancient volcanic crater complete with lake and lava tongue. Discover a unique microcosm of botany and wildlife along the walking tracks here. Warrnambool is located 270 kilometres west of Melbourne.