Victoria,

From towering rainforests, ski resorts and endless golden bays, to craggy ocean cliffs, rolling green hills and red sandy deserts – discover the diversity and beauty of Victoria's regions. Many people travel within Victoria for its natural attractions, history, local food and wine, or to participate in the major sporting, fashion and cultural events. Food and wine lovers know the state for its superb fresh produce extensive wineries, gourmet food producers and award-winning restaurants. For an overwhelming choice of fine food, take a scenic drive through the Yarra Valley near Melbourne or around the Milawa Gourmet Region in the King Valley and sample delicious cheeses, mustards and honey. From Melbourne's array of superb restaurants to the citrus fruits of Mildura and the fresh seafood at Lakes Entrance, Victoria is a food lover's paradise. Victoria also serves up lashings of history. In its earliest days, this was a state besotted with gold. By the mid-19th century, tens of thousands of prospectors had travelled to Victoria's goldfields with their picks and prospecting pans. Now, these towns have become lively modern cities, balancing stunning period architecture with art galleries, cosmopolitan cafés and luxury retreats. At

Victoria,

The rugged mountain ranges of the Grampians National Park mark the centre of this region and rise out of the rural plains of the Wimmera in north-west Victoria. The impressive ranges are renowned for their unspoilt natural beauty and feature lookouts with stunning panoramic views, picturesque waterfalls, ancient Aboriginal rock art, colourful wildflower displays and abundant native wildlife. The region also offers some of the finest walking in Victoria and is one of the main centres for rock climbing and abseiling, offering both challenging and easier climbs on various rock faces, including the famed Mt Arapiles. Other popular activities include fishing and canoeing in the region's system of inland lakes and rivers. Wine buffs are spoiled for choice on the Great Grape Road, where renowned wineries such as Seppelt, Best's, Mt Langi Ghiran and Montara offer tastings at cellar doors. There's also an abundance of local produce from ewe's milk, cheese and olives to locally sourced beef and lamb which features on menus throughout the region. The town of Halls Gap is picturesquely situated in the heart of the Grampians National Park with wonderful views of the Wonderland Range and Mt William Range, while other tempting locations ar

Victoria,

Werribee and the greater region of Werribee Park offers visitors a wealth of activities and attractions that are easily accessible from Melbourne, including Victoria’s Open Range Zoo, Werribee Park Mansion, Shadowfax Winery and the State Rose Garden. The Chirnside family originally owned much of the Werribee Plains and built Werribee Park Mansion, the largest private residence in Victoria, in the late 1870s. Today the mansion has become one of Victoria's major tourist attractions after being bought by the State Government and restored to its original splendour. The 12 hectares of park include beautifully kept gardens and a farmyard area complete with authentic blacksmith facilities. Garden-lovers will be in heaven as they take in the sights and smells of the State Rose Garden, which boasts more than 4,500 plants in its collection. The best time to view the roses is between November and May, and the Garden Party held every March is not to be missed. Follow one of the many scenic trails winding their way through the You Yangs Regional Park through beautiful terrain. Watch migratory wading birds at the Point Cook Coastal Park during the summer months. For a truly wild experience, come face-to-face with giraffes, zebras, meerkats,

Victoria,

Nestled at the mouth of the Barwon River on Victoria's Bellarine Peninsula, Barwon Heads found fame in the popular Australian television series, SeaChange, which depicted a quiet holiday hamlet. In many ways it lives up to this reputation with quiet river beaches on its doorstep, one main shopping street and a large hotel to provide for locals and the summer influx of visitors. The wide and picturesque river estuary is used for many water-based activities year-round including swimming and fishing. Enjoy safe swimming along the sandy river foreshore at the river mouth. There is also lively surf action over the Bluff at Thirteenth Beach, and on the ocean beach, high hummocks shelter one of Australia's best links golf courses. Cross Victoria's longest wooden bridge (built 1927) to reach Ocean Grove, where you'll find one of the most impressive sweeps of beach anywhere in Victoria. From the heads at Point Lonsdale, the unbroken stretch of sand reaches out to the mouth of the Barwon River many kilometres away and it is one of the most popular ocean beaches for surfing and swimming in Victoria. Barwon Heads is 95 kilometres south-west of Melbourne, or about 90 minutes' drive, on the Princes Highway and Barwon Heads Road.

Victoria,

Step back to Victoria's mining past at Wonthaggi, home to Victoria's only winnable underground black coal, and soak up the great outdoors and sweeping coastal views. A town built on black coal reserves, Wonthaggi was used by the Victorian Government in response to the disastrous New South Wales coal strikes at the turn of the century. Discover more about the tough nature of mining history by following the heritage walk around the mine site, exploring historic buildings housing photographs from the past and mining remnants. Tours and interpretation points show a town that was controlled by the mine whistle, which is still heard at noon every day. Wonthaggi is also the starting point for the amazing 16 kilometre Bass Coast Rail Trail, Victoria's only coastal rail trail. This trail is best known for the trestle bridge at Kilcunda, which has a surf beach as its backdrop. Keep your walking shoes on and explore the Wonthaggi Wetlands, the North School Wild Flowers Reserve, the Old Rescue Station and the State Coal Mine Above Ground Walk – all easy short walks with wheelchair access. Discover the trails of Cape Paterson and the boardwalks and at nearby Kilcunda, home to the Old Kilcunda Rail Bridge, take in the spectacular views w

Victoria,

The High Country in north-east Victoria is a special place with scenic alpine landscapes, a host of outdoor activities, gourmet food and wine and a fascinating heritage of bushrangers, horsemen and gold. During the winter, the region is home to Victoria's best and most accessible snowfields, such as Mount Buller, Mount Hotham and Falls Creek. And when the snow disappears the area is popular for a host of outdoor activities, from four-wheel driving, mountain biking and horse riding to hiking on the high plains. After a day of altitude, head to the valleys and sample the delicious local produce. Enjoy the majestic tree-lined streets, riverside walks and cafe culture of Bright, visit one of the highly acclaimed wineries in Rutherglen or tour the famous cheese factory in Milawa. Discover the fascinating heritage of the region in historic towns and villages such as Beechworth where you can wander among the grand nineteenth century buildings that are a legacy of the heady gold rush days. Visit historical sites and attractions in Glenrowan where Australia's most famous bushranger, Ned Kelly, made his last stand, or discover the proud and enduring spirit of the cattlemen and rugged adventurers in Mansfield. The Great Alpine Road, on

Victoria,

Take a trip to Ballarat in Victoria's Goldfields and discover rich history and heritage and a friendly, cosmopolitan atmosphere. Ballarat is Victoria's largest inland city and is famous as the site of the world's largest deposit of alluvial gold. The legacy of the gold rush is evident in the majestic architecture and wide tree-lined streets of the town today. Admire the city's Victorian and Edwardian architecture, parks, gardens, statues and churches by following the visitor information centre's self-guided Heritage Walk. Pan for gold and watch the hustle and bustle of an 1850s gold mining settlement at Sovereign Hill. The 35-acre site includes shops, hotels, schools, a theatre, crafts, steam-driven machinery and two underground mines. Don't miss the dramatic Blood on the Southern Cross sound and light show, telling the story of the Eureka Rebellion. Visit the Gold Museum, located across the road from Sovereign Hill, and view the extensive and valuable collection of gold nuggets, alluvial gold deposits, gold ornaments and coins. Admire the magnificent collection of Australian art and the original Eureka flag at the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, Australia's oldest and largest regional gallery. Catch a show at Her Majesty's Theat

Victoria,

Best known for its bargain designer and seconds shopping along Bridge Road and Swan Street, vibrant Richmond is also the place to go for Greek or Vietnamese food, languid all-day breakfasts and great live music. Richmond is one of the Melbourne's earliest settlements and these days is where many of Australia's finest fashion designers have their factory outlets and seconds stores – pick up bargains at Mimco, Country Road and Atelier. Stop on Swan Street or Bridge Road for lunch in a restaurant or café, many of which offer a genuine taste of Greece. Church Street is the place to go for designer furniture and objets d’art. Try for a booking and savour the tastes at stylish mod-Oz restaurant, Pearl. Nearby Victoria Street, or Little Saigon, is the heart of Melbourne's Vietnamese community. Wander among the long stretch of eateries, bakeries, butchers, fishmongers and grocers and grab a bite along the way. Don't expect white linen tablecloths and hovering waiters – Victoria Street is about the hustle and bustle of fast, fresh and exceptional Asian food at a bargain price. Bars and live music thrive in Richmond, the Corner Hotel being one of Melbourne's most famous intimate live-music venues, hosting big-name bands alongside obscur

Victoria,

Occupying Victoria's eastern corner, Gippsland covers a vast and diverse landscape, from unspoilt beaches to enormous lakes and mountain ranges. Wilsons Promontory is renowned for its stunning bush and coastal scenery and acclaimed walking trails. Central Gippsland is gourmet country, dotted with wineries, cheesemakers, farmers' markets, and fruit and berry farms. Explore historic gold towns and maritime villages such as Walhalla and Port Albert, or take to the slopes and spend a day skiing at the Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort, the closest downhill ski area to Melbourne. The Gippsland Lakes are fed by the waters of five major rivers and fringed by Ninety Mile Beach. They provide ample opportunities for swimming, fishing, boating and sailing. Dine al fresco at a lakeside restaurant or pub, have a family picnic by a river, or take a stroll through the waterfront villages of Paynesville, Metung or Lakes Entrance. Continue east to Croajingolong National Park, a World Biosphere Reserve. With more than 100 kilometres of pristine coastline and hinterland, it is a great place to go bushwalking, surfing or spotting various species of bird and plant life. Mallacoota is a good base for exploring the park and also offers excellent fishing and

Victoria,

The Great Ocean Road region hugs the contours of Victoria's rugged south west coast and offers visitors one of Australia's greatest and most spectacular coastal drives. Start your journey in Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula and discover beautiful beaches, great eateries, a fascinating heritage and an enormous range of recreational opportunities from fishing and golfing to diving and surfing. Take in the colourful and lively ambience of bayside Geelong, Victoria's second largest city, or visit quaint Queenscliff and discover the town's rich maritime history, excellent restaurants and heritage hotels. Along the coast, seaside resort towns such as Lorne and Apollo Bay are the perfect base for a seaside escape. They offer stunning beaches and water sports as well as some of Australia's best rainforest scenery in the nearby Otway Ranges. One of the most visited stretches of the road is Port Campbell. Buffeted by wild seas and fierce winds, the coastline around Port Campbell has been sculpted over millions of years to form a series of striking rock stacks that rise out of the Southern Ocean. Known as the Twelve Apostles, they are one of the most spectacular natural attractions in Victoria. The Great Ocean Road region also has