STATE: Victoria

Victoria
Victoria Covering 227 416km of the south-eastern corner of Australia, Victoria is a relatively compact state, the second smallest after Tasmania. The state's mostly temperate climate has four distinct seasons, each with its own attractions. ... read more
Stretching 2,700 kilometres from the mountains of the Great Dividing Range in north-eastern Victoria to journey’s end near Adelaide in South Australia, the Murray River is one of the world’s longest navigable rivers and a major source of water supply for the area. The Murray is steeped in Aboriginal culture and history. Long before European settlement, the riverland was home to Aboriginal tribes who lived off the abundant natural resources the Murray provided, and you can still see scarred ‘canoe trees’, middens and campsite remains. click for more
Occupying Victoria's far eastern corner, Lakes and Wilderness covers a diverse landscape, from unspoilt beaches to towering gums and mountain ranges. Fed by the waters of five major rivers and fringed by Ninety-Mile Beach, the Gippsland Lakes and river system provides ample opportunities for swimming, fishing, boating and sailing. But outdoor activities are just the start of the area's appeal. click for more
Situated in Central Victoria, just over 100km NW of Melbourne, the Goldfields region is filled with opportunities for those wanting to experience the heady days of the goldrush era. The rich history of the Goldfields and Victorian architecture is evident everywhere and visitors can explore the area through activities such as prospecting, fossicking, camping and bushwalking. click for more
This legendary coastal route, starting at Torquay and extending 285km west to Warrnambool, is a journey along a stretch of spectacular coastline via seaside holiday towns, surf beaches, dramatic cliffs, expansive ocean, rain forest and woodlands. click for more
Victoria’s inland playground, Goulburn Murray Waters borders New South Wales in Victoria’s northeast. Flanked by the Goulburn, Murray and Broken rivers and home to the lakes of Nagambie, Kerang and Mulwala, the region offers many water-based activities - while away an afternoon relaxing on the deck of a houseboat, match skills with trout and Murray cod, swim, sail, or waterski. click for more
The capital of the 'Garden State', Melbourne, is located on Port Phillip, with the picturesque Yarra River meandering through it. By any standard, it is a sophisticated and vibrant city. The grand-scale city architecture, wide streets, symmetrical grid design and formally landscaped parks and gardens are all legacies of the goldrushes in nearby Ballarat and Bendigo. click for more
Boasting over 65 mineral springs concentrated within a relatively small area, the Macedon Ranges region is recognised as a premier boutique holiday destination due to the resurgence of belief in the healing properties of mineral water. Located a short distance from Melbourne, the Spa Country is an ideal locale for 'taking the waters'. click for more
The Victorian Alps are the southern-most part of the Great Dividing Range. These dramatic yet rounded mountains are far less challenging for skiers than the extremely jagged peaks of their Northern Hemisphere counterparts, the European Alps. Located south-east of Wangaratta, the Victorian Alps cover a vast and rugged terrain that is mostly protected by national parks. The ski-resort towns dotting the mountains are within an hours radius of each other, so there are many opportunities for skiing. Resorts cater for different levels of skiers. click for more
Melbourne’s Bays and Peninsulas are synonymous with fun and relaxation, and feature beguiling beaches, fine food and wine, chic beachfront towns and a variety of family attractions. Melbourne stands at the crown of this region, with the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas enclosing Port Phillip Bay. click for more
Striking contrasts dominate the landscape of Mildura and Murray Outback. Bordered by New South Wales and South Australia in the far northwest corner of Victoria, the region is characterised by lush, irrigated orchards and vineyards set against the arid red soil and shifting sand dunes of the surrounding desert. Mildura, on the banks of the Murray River, is the region's largest city, renowned for its multicultural population, fresh local produce and an array of wineries. Superb culinary offerings are served up at a number of eateries like Stefanos, recently awarded Victoria’s most prestigious restaurant prize. click for more
Almost one-third of Victoria's indigenous flora, 35 species of native mammals, 200 bird species and 27 reptile species reside in the unique habitat of Victoria's Grampians. Activities include rockclimbing and abseiling, bushwalking and camping out in the rugged bushland. click for more
Located in the calm waters of Western Port and a 1.5hr drive from Melbourne, Phillip Island is accessed by a bridge from the mainland at San Remo. It is Victoria's premier destination for international visitors and boasts superior surfing and unspoilt beaches, an array of wildlife, including colonies of koalas, seals and the famed little penguins' the island's major drawcard. click for more
Only a hour's drive from Melbourne, the beautiful Dandenong Ranges form a natural backdrop to Victoria's capital city, attracting hordes of city visitors annually to this green haven of hills and forests. Rising to an average elevation of 500-600m, the Dandenong Ranges peak at Mount Dandenong, 633m above sea level. The Yarra Valley is becoming renowned as one of Victoria’s premium wine regions and is celebrated each year with the grape grazing festival. Only a short distance from Melbourne CBD, the Yarra Valley offers restaurants, cellar doors, hotels and recently established golf courses. click for more

Facts

  • Total area: 227 416km

Features:

  • Lakes
  • Alpine regions
  • Coastline
  • National Parks
  • Goldfields
  • Vinyards
  • Gourmet foods
 

Tourist info

Melbourne Visitor Centre

  • Federation Square
    Cnr Swanston and Flinders Sts
    Melbourne, Vic 3000
  • Ph: (03)9658 9658
  • www.visitvictoria.com

Victorian Tourism Information Service

  • Ph:132 842

More on Victoria

Covering 227 416km of the south-eastern corner of Australia, Victoria is a relatively compact state, the second smallest after Tasmania. The state's mostly temperate climate has four distinct seasons, each with its own attractions. As a result of its manage able size and efficient road system, travelling the state is easy and comfortable.

Transport options are excellent coaches, trains and planes carry visitors into and around the state, and for those who want to explore independently, touring by car is convenient. Most places can be reached within a day's drive of the capital city, Melbourne, and there is a huge array of natural, cultural and historic areas just waiting to be discovered.

Victoria packs a lot within its boundaries. The Murray River stretches along the border with New South Wales and is a delightful destination in itself. The southern coastline is spectacular and varied, taking in the Great Ocean Road to the west, Wilsons Promontory and the beautiful Gippsland Lakes area to the east.

Victoria's magnificent Alpine region has much to explore and the goldfields' districts reveal an exciting episode in the state's history. Tranquil lakes, an exciting selection of national parks, cool forests and fertile countryside await the visitor, with accessible cities, towns and villages offering their hospitality.

Victoria caters well for the discerning traveller. Fresh produce is a specialty all over the state, with specific gourmet focal points like the Milawa Gourmet Region near Wangaratta and the Gourmet Deli Trail in West Gippsland. Wine-lovers can select from 14 winery regions and over 350 wineries, ranging from the Grampians in the south-west to Rutherglen in the north-east. Victorian vineyards are renowned for producing excellent vintages for the Australian and international market.

Most popular photos

latest stories

Travel Australia

JB | 2008-05-02 | My wife and I set out to fulfil the great Aussie dream back in 2003, that is, to travel Australia and explore Australia’s many diverse destinations, indefinitely…. | read more

Just the way nature intended, continued part 3.

ronjaj | 2008-04-08 | Jajarawong offers more than just restful holidays in our cottages and camp ground. | read more

Yandoit Hills Winery

ronjaj | 2008-04-07 | Discover the unique Yandoit Hills wines while you join us for our tour of the Historic houses of Yandoit as part of the Jajarawong Swiss-Italian fringe Festa over the Anzac weekend 2008. | read more

A Swiss -Italian historic house at Yandoit

ronjaj | 2008-04-01 | Discover the unique Swiss- Italian heritage of Yandoit | read more

 

top stories

Mount Buffalo

karen | 2008-02-01 | Mount Buffalo National Park, often referred to as the family mountain. | read more

Surf's Up

Garry | 2008-02-06 | Bells Beach is probably Australia’s most famous surfing beach. It was even mentioned in the Keanu Reaves surfing/action movie Point Break, as the site of a huge break. | read more

Yea!

george | 2008-03-13 | Our little slice of paradise.. camping at Yea on the Goulburn River. | read more

The historic town of Beechworth

karen | 2008-01-31 | Beechworth is Victoria’s best preserved gold rush town | read more

Most popular photos

Popular Towns

1 Cowes
2 Yandoit
3 Melbourne CBD and Suburbs
5 Mildura
6 Echuca
7 Lakes Entrance
8 Gipsy Point
9 Rhyll
10 Beechworth

editors picks

Koala and the Brown Snake, You Yangs, Victoria

janduf | 2008-03-26 | Ever wondered how animals get along with snakes in the wild? We saw a Brown Snake slither calmly past one of our favourite Koalas, while she was drinking at a waterhole in the You Yangs near Melbourne. | read more

Travel Australia

JB | 2008-05-02 | My wife and I set out to fulfil the great Aussie dream back in 2003, that is, to travel Australia and explore Australia’s many diverse destinations, indefinitely…. | read more

Tooradin - Victoria

JB | 2008-01-31 | Tooradin is a town that we had always driven through on the way to Phillip Island and never thought to stop. | read more

Rhyll - Phillip Island, Victoria

JB | 2008-01-31 | The township of Rhyll on Victoria's Phillip Island was once mainly recognised for it's boat ramp, how things have changed.... | read more

 

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