Portsea Pier, Mornington Peninsula, VIC © Mornington Peninsula

Portsea Pier, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria © Mornington Peninsula

Places to visit near Melbourne 

Bendigo Tram, Bendigo, Goldfields, VIC © Visit Victoria

Bendigo Tram, Bendigo, Goldfields, Victoria © Visit Victoria

Falls Creek, VIC © Chris Hocking

Falls Creek, Victoria © Chris Hocking

Penguins, Phillip Island Nature Park, Phillip Island, VIC © Phillip Island Nature Park

Penguins, Phillip Island Nature Park, Phillip Island, Victoria © Phillip Island Nature Park

Woman in the pool at Peninsula Hot Springs in the Mornington Peninsula © Peninsula Hot Springs

Peninsula Hot Springs, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria © Peninsula Hot Springs

Dark blue arrow

Did you know?

The Mornington Peninsula is famous for its pinot noir. These vines thrive in the region's cool maritime climate so they can ripen slowly.

Ninety Mile Beach, Gippsland, VIC © Visit Victoria

Ninety Mile Beach, Gippsland, Victoria © Visit Victoria

Surfers at a beach in Port Fairy © Belinda Van Zanen Media

Port Fairy, Great Ocean Road, Victoria © Belinda Van Zanen Media

When to go

Winter (June - August) is the off-season on the Great Ocean Road. During this time you'll find fewer crowds, raging waterfalls and the chance to spot migrating whales.

Dark blue arrow
Sovereign Hill, Ballarat, VIC © Tourism Australia

Sovereign Hill, Ballarat, Victoria © Tourism Australia

MacKenzie Falls, Grampians National Park, VIC © Roberto Seba

MacKenzie Falls, Grampians National Park, Victoria © Roberto Seba