The Best Holiday Spots in Victoria for Your Next Weekend Trip

Look local for your next holiday, because Victoria is home to some of the most inspiringly diverse regions in Australia. We’ve got mountains, beaches, forests and vineyards in abundance, meaning you can seek thrilling adventure and deep relaxation in the same trip. From charming seaside villages to snowy alps, these are the places you should book a getaway to ASAP.

Nagambie

Travel 90-minutes north of Melbourne and you'll find Nagambie, an easy-going town where good food, great wine and superior outdoor adventures await. For a delicious day trip, visit Michelton Winery. A popular location for weddings, the luxurious location is home to a café, cellar, door, restaurant and glorious 54-room hotel created by esteemed designer Hecker Guthrie. Have breakfast at Michelton Winery's recently renovated The Provedore before making your way into Nagambie for a leisurely walk around Nagambie Lake. Pop back to Michelton for dinner at The Muse, and sample the region's best produce alongside a bottle of Michelton's award-winning Shiraz.

Milawa and The King Valley 

North East Victoria’s bountiful wine region offers the ultimate gourmet getaway, with fresh produce, local providores and award-winning wine aplenty. Book your stay at new boutique accommodation Church Lane; be wowed by jaw-dropping views of the region on a sunrise trip with Goldrush Ballooning; and sip and swill your way through the best local drops at Brown Brothers. For a unique educational experience, book the Wine and Food Adventure at Brown Brothers. You’ll forage for fresh produce in the winery's on-site garden with newly hatted head chef Bodee Price, enjoy a premium tasting in the family cellar, and indulge in a seasonal five-course long lunch made using the fruits of your labour.

High Country

The High Country offers year-round splendour with breathtaking mountains, valleys, rivers and lakes that take on a different character each season. In winter, skiers and snowboarders hit the Alpine slopes while in summer, the region transforms into a haven for bushwalking and cycling. The historic township of Bright is a must visit, home to autumn splendour, verdant forests and a burgeoning food, wine and craft brewing scene. 

Echuca & Surrounds

Mornington Peninsula

Sand, surf and a stellar wine region – what more could you want? The Mornington Peninsula might only be a short trip from Melbourne but it offers every type of pleasure. The area is home to many of our state’s best golf courses, wineries, boutique hotels and fine diners, making it a place where you can live your best fancy life. Of course there are plenty of cheap thrills as well, namely its long sandy beaches and adventure-ready national parks. 

Daylesford and Hepburn Springs

Head northwest for the perfect winter getaway. Known as Spa Country, Daylesford and Hepburn Springs' 141 mineral springs make it a prime destination for relaxing and rejuvenating. Soak your worries away in warm, health-giving waters before enjoying luxurious treatments at places like Mineral Spa and Hepburn Baths. Explore beautiful storybook villages filled with cosy cottages, grand old houses and tree-lined avenues in between wining and dining at stellar local restaurants.

Great Ocean Road

No list of holiday destinations would be complete without mentioning the 243 kilometre jewel of Victoria’s coastline, the Great Ocean Road. Stretching from the idyllic surfing town of Torquay through to Warrnambool, a drive down this iconic route will take you past charming seaside villages, lush rainforests and rugged cliffs. The Twelve Apostles remain one of our country’s most remarkable natural landmarks, while the vibrant food and arts scene in Lorne shows a different side to the region.

Wilsons Promontory

Fondly known as ‘the Prom’, 50,000-hectare national park Wilsons Promontory is one of Victoria’s greatest natural assets.  This is the place to forget the stresses of city living and get wild with an endless array of bush walks, fishing and surfing spots to enjoy throughout the year. Climb the granite boulders of Pillar Point to see awe-inspiring views of the Prom’s offshore islands, or complete the iconic Mt Oberon Summit track for panoramic vistas of the entire park. There’s every level of camping here, from roughing it in nature to contemporary cabins and glamping.

Gippsland Lakes

In the vast network of waterways making up the Gippsland Lakes, fishing and boating are a way of life. There’s hundreds of kilometres of shoreline and several charming waterfront towns including Metung, a storybook town almost completely surrounded by the Lake King and Bancroft Bay. Experience a slower pace of life as you charter a boat for the day, navigating calm waters while throwing out a few lines of your own. Back on land, you can work up a sweat via the Boxes Creek Walking Trail and learn about Aborignal history along the Bataluk Cultural Trail. 

Bendigo

The former gold rush town of Bendigo has transformed itself into a centre for arts and culture. Major exhibitions at Bendigo Art Gallery, public sculptures, live theatre and a vibrant festival calendar are all drawcards, while top restaurants and wineries like Balgownie Estate offer even more thrills. The city makes for great family holidays too, with an Alice in Wonderland-inspired playspace in the Botanic Gardens, pottery classes, a trampoline park and a goldmine museum to keep the little ones entertained.

Bellarine Peninsula

Only 1.5 hours out of Melbourne is a scenic region brimming with boutique wineries, gorgeous beaches and quaint seaside villages. The Bellarine Peninsula offers many of the same attractions as the Mornington Peninsula over east but is lesser known, making it a more relaxed destination with plenty of opportunities for surfing and snorkelling. Make sure to stop by the town of Queenscliff with its elegant Victorian-era buildings, vibing local music scene and picturesque jetties.

The Grampians

You’ll find adventure and romance in equal parts in the Grampians, a place where splendid scenery and gastronomy combine. The sprawling national park is filled with intrepid bushwalks that’ll get your heart racing, while spectacular vistas and waterfalls offer a worthwhile reward for your efforts. Back in town you can kick your feet up at charming cottages and sumptuous five-star retreats, while top shelf wineries and restaurants (including the lauded Royal Mail Hotel) add a dash of luxury to your trip.

Phillip Island

For an easy, family-friendly vacation you can’t go past Phillip Island. A short 90-minute drive from Melbourne will find you in a region overflowing with beautiful wildlife and scenery plus an exquisite local food and wine scene. Don’t miss the famous sunset penguin parade, where each night a colony of adorable fairy penguins waddle from the ocean back home to their burrows, plus magnificent Ventnor Beach and gourmet destinations like Phillip Island Winery.

Now that you’ve settled on a holiday, find a place to stay. We’ve found the best accommodation in Lorne, Torquay, Daylesford and the Mornington Peninsula, so you don’t have to. For something extra special, check out our picks for the best luxury stays and winery accommodation in Victoria.