Luxe Holiday Dupes: Dream Destinations Found in Victoria

As the days stretch longer and the layers finally peel off, the urge for a dreamy escape hits differently. Maybe it’s sparkling coastlines, maybe rolling green hills, but a sun-soaked reset feels non-negotiable. The only catch? Your bank account says otherwise.

You don’t need a boarding pass to satisfy the craving. These Victorian destination dupes deliver Amalfi-level glow, alpine drama and storybook charm, minus the jet lag and financial heartbreak.

Instead of the Napa Valley… Visit the Yarra Valley

Just an hour from Melbourne, the Yarra Valley delivers the same appeal that draws travellers to California’s Napa Valley: vineyard-lined roads, cellar doors worth lingering at, and long lunches that quietly stretch into the evening. The difference lies in the details. Kangaroos graze between rows of pinot noir, honey comes straight from the hive, and chefs cook with produce grown just down the road. Pair art-filled afternoons at TarraWarra with tastings and boutique stays, and you’ve got wine-country escapism with a distinctly Australian rhythm.

Instead of Bavaria… Visit Bright

With its river valleys, alpine peaks and chalet-style stays, Bright channels the easy charm of a European mountain town, only brighter, warmer and distinctly Australian. In spring, blossom-lined streets soften the town; in summer, cycling trails, clear rivers and craft breweries take centre stage. Swap beer halls for boutique wineries, snow-dusted chalets for sunlit cottages, and you’ve got an alpine escape that feels relaxed rather than remote.

Don’t miss Bright Brewery for riverside beers, or Basil’s for fireside dining with a high-country mood.

Instead of a European Fairytale Village… Visit Walhalla

Hidden deep in Gippsland’s forested hills, Walhalla feels like a storybook town caught between eras. Mist drifts through steep streets, a historic steam train cuts through the valley, and gold-rush relics sit exactly where they were left. Wander the hillside cemetery, peer into miners’ cottages and breathe in the pine-scented air. The whole place feels gently unreal, as if you’ve wandered onto a film set mid-scene. Come for the old-world charm, stay for the quiet wonder and a ghost story or two.

Sitchu Recommends: Take a side quest to Mushroom Rocks in Baw Baw National Park.

Instead of Cornwall… Visit Port Fairy

If windswept walks, moody skies, and historic cottages by the sea sound like your jam, Port Fairy is your Cornish dream reimagined. This charming seaside village on Victoria’s southwest coast is brimming with maritime magic, all stone cottages, bobbing boats in the harbour, and the wild drama of the Southern Ocean. Duck into art galleries, cosy up at a heritage inn, or simply wander the salt-kissed streets. Oh, and the seafood? Next level. With a name like Port Fairy, it was always going to be a little spellbinding.

Sitchu Recommends: A chic stay at Oak & Anchor Hotel, reminiscent of an English countryside pub. Plus, Port Fairy boasts so many great dining spots, but our current favourite has to be Coffin Sally, with its crispy prosciutto pizzas, cosy décor, and a fantastic drinks selection.

Instead of Small Town USA… Visit Beechworth

If Lorelai Gilmore ran away to the High Country and opened a wine bar in an old post office, it’d be in Beechworth. This ridiculously charming town gives off major Stars Hollow vibes — think heritage verandahs, quirky boutiques, warm banter from local shopkeepers, and the kind of bakery that could make Luke jealous (yes, we’re talking about those flaky pies at Beechworth Bakery). Add in indie bookshops, ghost tours with drama, and a cellar door crawl that would make Taylor Doose clutch his pearls. It’s cosy, clever, a little bit haunted — and totally worth a weekend wander.

Sitchu Recommends: Dinner at Tanswell’s Hotel, a trip to the extremely adorable town of Stanley, a heavenly glass of local red, and coffee from TINY or Beechworth Conservatory — a quaint cafe, plant shop hybrid.

Instead of the Isles of Scilly… Visit Phillip Island

Simple, gentle and slow, the Isles of Scilly off Cornwall feel like a dreamscape of white-sand beaches, rugged coastlines and wide-open horizons. With 140 islands, only five inhabited, the sense of escape is complete.

Island-hopping may not be on the cards at Philip Island, but Victoria’s answer to this coastal idyll has its own quiet magic. Windswept beaches, dramatic headlands and the nightly penguin parade create a natural theatre all their own. Add fresh-off-the-boat seafood, clifftop trails and blazing sunsets, and you’ve got seaside holiday energy without the long-haul flight.

Sitchu Recommends: A pub stop is non-negotiable. Hotel Philip Island delivers all the classics, plus a Sri Lankan curry that hits exceptionally well when the sea breeze rolls in.

Instead of the Swiss Alps… Visit the Victorian Alps

Swap the snow-capped peaks of Zermatt for the alpine beauty of Falls Creek, Mount Buller, and Mount Hotham. Whether you’re carving up the slopes in winter or hiking through wildflower-filled trails in summer, the Victorian Alps provide year-round adventure. Cosy up in a charming chalet, sip on mulled wine by the fire, and take in the breathtaking mountain views — just like Switzerland, but with an Aussie twist.

Sitchu Recommends: If you’re planning a trip to Mount Buller, be sure to dine at Enzian. Open for the winter ski season, you’ll find an Italian-inspired menu rich in flavour, spices and winter warmers.

Instead of Provence… Visit Daylesford

Lavender fields, fine wines and sun-washed stone villages define Provence. Just two hours from Melbourne, Daylesford offers its own take on that pastoral dream. Rolling hills and vineyards shape the landscape, threaded with an artisanal spirit and small-town warmth. At Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm, lavender unfurls in soft rows, ideal for picnics or an unhurried afternoon wander.

The town’s culinary scene comes alive with the same gourmand pleasures you’d find in Provence: boutique stores, farm-fresh markets, and elegant dining. For lavender-hued romance, Sault Restaurant pairs seasonal menus with views that could rival Gordes itself — sandstone walls, sweeping fields, and the soft glow of country light.

Sitchu Recommends: Bar Merenda, the ultimate Euro-style wine bar and bistro serving up refined, seasonal dishes that even a Frenchman would be hard-pressed to turn his nose up at. 

Instead of Big Sur & The Pacific Coast Highway… Visit the Great Ocean Road

California’s Pacific Coast Highway is the stuff of road-trip legend — Big Sur’s craggy cliffs, mist curling over redwoods, endless ocean to your left and freedom on your right. But honestly? Victoria’s Great Ocean Road gives it a serious run for its money. Every bend reveals something cinematic: thunderous surf, lush rainforest, limestone giants standing sentinel, and seaside towns like Lorne and Apollo Bay dishing out charm by the bucket. Swap Monterey’s redwoods for Otways’ towering forest, and you’ve got a local icon that feels every bit as epic.

Sitchu Recommends: Detour to Torquay for Mortadeli’s cult panini. The mortadella-stracciatella-pistachio combo? Life-altering. The Continental sub? A flavour bomb worth pulling over for.

Instead of Sorrento… Visit Sorrento

How funny… we know. But we’re dead serious: Victoria’s Sorrento is a bona fide dupe for Italy’s seaside darling. Sure, it doesn’t cling to the Amalfi cliffs, but it brims with the same timeless allure — boutique-lined streets, turquoise water, and a salty breeze that feels decidedly la dolce vita. Swim at Sorrento Beach (no eye-watering beach club fees here), then settle in at Sage for wood-fired pizza, pillowy focaccia and share plates that practically hum Mediterranean sunshine.

Sitchu Recommends: Check into Hotel Sorrento for poolside glamour dialled all the way up, then join the queue at The Vanilla Slice Cafe — worth every flaky bite.

Instead of the Cliffs of Moher… Visit the 12 Apostles

Ireland is a land of sweeping drama, with the Cliffs of Moher among its most iconic wonders — sheer walls plunging into the Atlantic, spray rising like whispers of ancient myth. Victoria’s own Great Ocean Road echoes that same wild grandeur with the Twelve Apostles, limestone sentinels standing stoic against the surf. Both coastlines offer vistas so cinematic, you’ll feel compelled to linger.

And if Ireland’s storybook villages pull at your heart, Port Fairy delivers a similar charm — cobbled with bluestone heritage, maritime tales, and a quiet magic that feels timeless.

Instead of New Zealand… Visit Wilson’s Promontory

New Zealand might be famed for its lush valleys and rugged peaks, but Wilson’s Promontory serves up a dose of that drama right here in Victoria. Three hours from Melbourne, the Prom feels like another world — surf thundering against granite headlands, wombats padding through the undergrowth, and trails that wind through landscapes so cinematic you half-expect them to roll credits.

From breezy coastal strolls to calf-burning climbs, there’s a path for every pace. Darby River to Tongue Point is a favourite — a just-right hike with sweeping views and, if luck leans your way, seals sunbathing on the rocks.

Instead of Colorado… Visit Halls Gap

Colorado’s jagged peaks and wild expanses might be the stuff of adventure-seeker legend, but Victoria’s Halls Gap is a soul-stirring alternative without the long-haul flight. At the heart of the Grampians, you’ll find sandstone ridges, plunging waterfalls, ancient rock formations, and trails that deliver cinematic panoramas at every turn.

Kangaroos graze on open plains, kookaburras provide the soundtrack, and the Pinnacle Lookout delivers views that rival the Rockies. For waterfall chasers, Mackenzie Falls is the showstopper — mist rising, rainbows dancing, and the kind of natural drama Colorado would applaud. Pack a picnic, lace up the boots, and step into Australia’s alpine dreamscape.

Instead of Cambridge… Visit Castlemaine

Cambridge may boast centuries-old spires and manicured lawns, but Castlemaine provides its own golden-hued chapter of history just 90 minutes from Melbourne. Born of the gold rush, this cultural hub glows with sandstone architecture, leafy botanic gardens, vintage troves, and an arts scene as vibrant as its cafe culture. It’s Cambridge reimagined under a sun-drenched Australian sky — heritage blended with creative verve and a thriving food story.

Wander the Castlemaine Art Museum, explore The Mill and Tribe, sip pints (and order the sticky date pudding) at Love Shack Brewery, and book a table at Bar Midland, where local produce sings. Castlemaine’s allure is timeless, yet alive — a place where past and present intertwine beautifully.

Instead of Brighton… Visit Brighton

Brighton. The name alone stirs visions of sea-spray afternoons, postcard-ready beach huts, and a shoreline where history and leisure entwine. While the UK’s Brighton charms with its Victorian piers and pebbled shores, Melbourne’s version offers a sunnier twist — calm bays, sweeping sand, and just a short drive from the city. Begin with a coastal walk and brunch at Mazi, a Mediterranean cafe housed in a schoolhouse that whispers old-world charm. Or pick up coffee and a warm scroll from 89 Petals before golden hour hits the bathing boxes — a kaleidoscope of colour kissed by an Australian sun.

Loved reading about the best destination dupes in Victoria and want more travel content? Take a look at our guide to the Great Ocean Road, or venture out to one of the best wine regions in Victoria.

*Our Sitchu editors work hard to deliver you the best products, events and venues that we hope you will love; each one is selected independently. Sitchu may receive an affiliate commission when you follow some links.