15 Must-Do Bucket List Experiences in Victoria

Victoria is a state that refuses to be put in a box. It’s a chameleon, shifting between moody coastal landscapes, sun-drenched vineyards, high-country hideaways, and gritty urban charm. This is a place where you can spend the morning chasing waterfalls in a fern-covered rainforest, the afternoon sipping a Pinot Noir that could rival Burgundy, and the evening in a dimly lit bar where the bartender remembers your drink before you even ask.

For those with an insatiable hunger for experience, Victoria delivers in spades. These 15 bucket list adventures are the ones that define the state—experiences that stick to your bones, etching themselves into memory like a well-worn passport stamp.

The Australian Open: Kick it Courtside

For two weeks every summer, Melbourne becomes the beating heart of the tennis world. The Australian Open is a brilliant spectacle, a sun-soaked celebration of sport, culture, and revelry. Step into Melbourne Park, and you’ll feel it—the electric buzz, the scent of sunscreen and Aperol Spritz, the mix of die-hard fans and casual day-trippers. Unlike Wimbledon’s elegance or Roland Garros’ intensity, the AO is a party with world-class tennis at its core.

Rod Laver Arena hosts the main event, but beyond the court, live music, rooftop lounges, and pop-up bars turn the grounds into a festival. The whole city feeds off the energy—restaurants stay open late, Federation Square transforms into a public viewing party, and Melbourne pulses with the thrill of the game. From thrilling five-set epics to late-night showdowns under the stars, this is Melbourne at its absolute best.

January 2026

Olympic Boulevard, Melbourne 

Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix: Melbourne at Full Throttle

Every March, Melbourne revs up as the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix transforms Albert Park into a high-speed battleground. The city sheds its laid-back charm for four days of roaring engines, champagne showers, and trackside spectacle. Die-hard fan or just there for the atmosphere, the energy is contagious—think celebrity-studded paddocks, buzzing pop-up bars, and a soundtrack of turbocharged adrenaline. Then, the main event: 20 of the world’s fastest machines launching into the first corner. As the chequered flag drops, Melbourne keeps the party going, proving the Grand Prix is more than a race—it’s an experience.

March 2026

Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne

Drive the Great Ocean Road

A cliché? Sure. But some things are iconic for a reason. The Great Ocean Road is so much more than a road-trip—it’s a slow-moving, salt-sprayed ode to the wild Southern Ocean.

Start in Torquay, the birthplace of Aussie surf culture, where wave-chasers rise before the sun. Stop for a vanilla slice in Lorne, then wind your way past sheer limestone cliffs until you reach the Twelve Apostles. Once, there were twelve, now only eight stand, battered by time and tide. It’s best seen at sunrise, when the rock formations glow honey-gold against a moody sky.

For those who prefer their adventure with a side of adrenaline, take a helicopter ride over the coastline or strap in for the Great Ocean Walk—a 100-kilometre trek that follows the cliff edges and secret beaches of this rugged stretch of paradise.

Hot Air Ballooning in the Yarra Valley

There’s something about watching the world wake up from the sky that makes you feel like you’ve outsmarted the rest of humanity. In the Yarra Valley, hot air ballooning is practically a rite of passage.

As dawn cracks open the sky, you’ll drift weightlessly over vineyard-laced hills, the mist curling like ghostly fingers over rows of vines. When you land, it’s time for a Champagne breakfast because, really, what’s the point of waking up this early if it doesn’t end with bubbles?

Various prices

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Balgownie Estate, 1309 Melba Highway, Yarra Glen, Victoria

Watch the Penguin Parade on Phillip Island

Every night, as the sun dips below the horizon, tiny tuxedo-clad figures emerge from the surf at Phillip Island’s Summerland Beach. These little penguins, the smallest in the world, waddle up the sand in their nightly pilgrimage from the ocean to their burrows.

Watching them waddle ashore is equal parts heartwarming and hilarious, their tiny flippers flapping, bellies jiggling with each determined step. It’s an ancient ritual, unspoiled by time, and a reminder that sometimes, the best things in life are the simplest.

Summerland Beach, Phillip Island

Hike to The Pinnacle in the Grampians

Victoria’s High Country doesn’t get the same star power as the coast, but those who make the pilgrimage to the Grampians understand its magic. The Pinnacle is the showstopper—a hike that tests your calves but rewards you with a view that stretches to infinity.

The trail weaves through towering rock formations and mossy gullies, past hidden waterfalls and ancient Aboriginal rock art. When you reach the top, the entire landscape unfolds beneath you—jagged peaks, deep green valleys, and the occasional wedge-tailed eagle soaring overhead.

Indulge at Brae in Birregurra

If Victoria had a culinary pilgrimage, Brae would be the Mecca. Tucked away in idyllic countryside near Birregurra, this restaurant is part fine dining, part art form. Chef Dan Hunter’s menu is dictated by what’s growing in the kitchen garden—handpicked herbs, just-dug potatoes, impossibly fresh seafood. Each dish is a revelation, the kind that makes you rethink everything you thought you knew about flavour.

It’s the kind of meal that lingers with you long after you leave, like a favourite song stuck on repeat, and a true bucket list experience in Victoria.

4285 Cape Otway Road, Birregurra 

Explore Melbourne’s Laneways

Melbourne is a city that rewards the curious. Skip the wide boulevards and dive into the laneways—those graffiti-covered backstreets where the city’s heart beats loudest.

In Hosier Lane, street art shifts daily, political murals appearing overnight like whispered secrets. In Centre Place, hole-in-the-wall cafes churn out flat whites so smooth they could convert the staunchest tea drinker. At night, follow the unmarked doors to hidden cocktail bars where the drinks are strong and the lighting is always flattering.

Melbourne’s laneways aren’t just streets—they’re a way of life.

Drive the Silo Art Trail

In Victoria’s wheatbelt, art meets agriculture in towering murals painted on disused grain silos. These aren’t just pretty pictures—they’re breathtaking, larger-than-life works that celebrate rural communities.

Driving the Silo Art Trail takes you deep into country Victoria, where each stop reveals a new story of history, resilience, and culture. From striking portraits of farmers to dreamlike depictions of native wildlife, these colossal artworks honour the people and landscapes that define the region. It’s a road trip unlike any other—raw, real, and undeniably beautiful.

Chase Waterfalls in the Otway Ranges

When TLC said don’t go chasing waterfalls, they clearly hadn’t seen the ones in the Otway Ranges. The awe-inducing Great Otway National Park is a must-see destination for anyone driving down the Great Ocean Road. Stretching from Torquay towards Princetown and up to Colac, it’s known for its rugged coastlines, cool temperate rainforests and stunning waterfalls. If you’re looking for picturesque, you don’t need to look further than Hopetoun Falls. For those willing, follow the stairs through the ferns and down to the viewing platform below for the most impressive view of the waterfall.

Another standout is Erskine Falls. Wander through the lush rainforest, then climb down the stairs to see the waterfall from its second lookout. If you’re feeling adventurous, continue the walk down the river for 7.5kms and take in the stunning scenery.

Otway Ranges, Victoria

Book an Amorous Stay at Daylesford’s Lake House

A place where time slows and indulgence reigns, Lake House in Daylesford is Victoria’s most iconic stay—equal parts luxury retreat and foodie pilgrimage. Founded by culinary royalty Alla Wolf-Tasker, this lakeside sanctuary is home to one of Australia’s most celebrated restaurants, a blissful spa, and suites that whisper effortless elegance. Wake to misty waterfront views, feast on hyper-seasonal dishes, and soak in mineral-rich waters before curling up fireside with a glass of local Pinot. A short drive away, its sister property, Dairy Flat Lodge & Farm, completes the experience—together, they set the benchmark for gastronomic tourism in Victoria.

4 King Street, Daylesford

Snap a Pic at the Brighton Beach Boxes

Brighton Beach is a living postcard, a riot of colour against the blue of Port Phillip Bay. Its 82 iconic bathing boxes, standing in perfect formation, are a nod to a time when beachgoers needed a little “modesty” with their seaside escape. Built over a century ago, these technicolour relics have outlived trends, tides, and changing tastes. Tourists flock for the obligatory snapshot, but even the most jaded local can’t deny their charm. Love them or roll your eyes—either way, they’re pure Melbourne.

Esplanade, Brighton 

Feast Your Way through Queen Victoria Market

Melbourne’s most iconic market, Queen Victoria Market, has been serving up fresh produce and foodie delights for 139 years. From its legendary deli section to heritage fruit and veg sheds where the banter is as fresh as the produce, this sprawling open-air market is an experience in itself. A paradise for food lovers, every turn reveals another mouth-watering temptation. The ultimate pit stop? The Borek Shop. No-frills, all flavour—its legendary cheese and spinach borek is worth braving the crowds for. Come hungry, leave happy.

Queen Street, Melbourne

Ski, Snowboard or Go Husky Sledding at Mount Buller

Australia isn’t famous for snow, but Mount Buller and Hotham prove otherwise. Just a few hours from Melbourne, Buller delivers world-class skiing, après vibes, and European-style chalets, while Hotham boasts 320 snow-covered hectares, epic views, and night skiing.

For a truly bucket-list-worthy experience in Victoria’s High Country, swap skis for a husky sled ride. Howling Huskys offers unforgettable snow tours at Mt Hotham, Dinner Plain, and Mt Baw Baw, from quick dashes to five-hour backcountry adventures. Gliding through pristine alpine wilderness, led by a team of energetic huskies, is a winter wonderland experience like no other.

Mt Hotham, Dinner Plain and Mt Baw Baw     

Get Lost in Cactus Country

Millennials, you’ll want to sit down for this one. Just three hours from Melbourne, Cactus Country houses Australia’s largest congregation of these trendy succulents guaranteed to level up your home decor. Venture along one of the eight trails spanning four hectares and find your next window piece – there are more than four thousand different species to choose from.

Strathmerton, Victoria

This list is only a glimpse of Victoria’s bucket list experiences, but when you’re short on time, these are your must-dos. For those planning on staying a while, check out our top picks for winery stays, winter holiday destinations, national parks and more via our destinations page.