Victoria: Australia’s Garden State

Victoria may be known as Australia’s garden state but there’s much more to the state than its leafy green suburban sprawls and public parks. There’s the arid bush around the Murray River; the world-class surf beaches along the Great Ocean Road; the mountains and ski fields of the High Country; and the lush rainforests of the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges. There are thirty-six national parks spanning more than 2.6 million hectares. So whether you’re after secluded snow spots, surfing sojourns or a stroll through plush suburban streets, this is a state that caters to all tastes.

The state of Victoria can be easily divided into two distinct geographical halves, east and west. Western Victoria is known for its unusual landforms, including the Grampians and the Twelves Apostles. It was also the site of Australia’s wealthiest gold rush during the 19^th century, the legacy of which can be seen in the ornate buildings in the many surviving gold rush towns. Eastern Victoria’s cooler climate benefits the vineyards that produce world-class wines, while the Alps are Victoria’s winter playground. The rugged coastline is known for its lakes, forests and wildlife. Melbourne, the state’s capital, is the second most populous city in Australia.

Victoria is blessed with abundant natural landscape across its vast and rugged coastline and inland from the Great Dividing Range. To the west of Melbourne, a tract of cool-temperate rainforest unravels on its way to the vivid green Cape Otway. On the other side of Melbourne, the land falls away into a series of peninsulas, islands and isthmuses. These spectacular landscapes are protected in the thirty-six outstanding national parks that span more than 2.6 million hectares across the state. In addition to the plethora of wildlife found here, bushwalking, canoeing, fishing, rafting, and horse riding can also be enjoyed. If you’re pushed for time, there are organised day trip to Port Campbell and the outcrops of the Grampians National Park.

Must-see natural landscapes and attractions:

Victoria was changed forever in the early 1850s by the discovery of gold in the centre of the state. The Gold Rush era is a popular time in Victoria’s history which brought great wealth and a huge population with it.

You can still pan for gold – and find it – in rivers about an hour northwest of Melbourne. But the gold rush era’s most attractive remnants are beautiful 19^th century towns constructed from its riches. Many beautiful buildings were constructed from the spoils of gold, and these gracious old buildings and grand hotels survive today and make for a pleasurable visit for those who love classic architecture. Walking trails abound which outline the stories of luck strikes and miners’ fights for justice.

Don’t miss these gold-mining Victorian towns:

Victoria is blessed with 21 distinct wine regions (and a total of 650 cellar doors, where you can try and buy the product) particularly in Eastern Victoria where the cooler climate benefits the vineyards that produce world-class wines. You’ll find hundreds of wineries across Victoria, particularly in the Yarra Valley, Rutherglen, and on the Mornington Peninsula. The amber-hued Yarra Valley, 40 km (25 miles) east of Melbourne, is Victoria’s oldest wine region and a pleasant place to spend a day on an organised tour. Winery tours, departing from Melbourne, are a relaxing way to see four to five wineries in one day.

Don’t miss these Victorian wineries:

In a country full of mind-numbing distances, nothing seems far away in Victoria. Victoria’s relatively compact size makes the state’s principal attractions appealingly easy to reach, and the state’s excellent road system makes driving the best option. There are a handful of enticing destinations within a 60- to 90-minute drive from Melbourne.

On day trips from the city you can explore the spectacular western coastline as far as the stunning Twelve Apostles; walk among the rocky outcrops, waterfalls, and fauna of the Grampians; visit historic inland gold-mining communities; toast the sunrise over the Yarra Valley vineyards from the basket of a hot-air balloon; or take in a Murray River sunset from the deck of a paddle steamer.

Most popular day trips from Melbourne: