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The Top Tourism Towns in Victoria to Spread Your Wings This Summer
Victoria’s best tourism towns for summer escapes, great food and easy adventures.
Summer has a way of loosening the grip of routine. Days stretch, playlists glow-up, and suddenly a weekend away feels less like a luxury and more like a necessary reset.
Victoria’s award-winning regional towns are made for exactly that. These destinations are shaped by passionate locals, smart operators and landscapes that shift mood and colour throughout the day. Each delivers its own version of the ultimate summer escape.
So, let’s get to it. Here are Victoria’s touristic best.
Mount Beauty
Mount Beauty lives up to its name in summer. The valley stays lush, the mornings arrive cool and gentle, and the surrounding peaks create that rare feeling of having stepped somewhere genuinely restorative. Lodgings lean cosy and stay-in friendly, perfect for slow dinners and early nights, as most travellers come for the scenery first: the river flats, the forested foothills and the long, cinematic views toward the alpine spine of the Bogong High Plains.
The town makes a relaxed base for warm-weather exploring. Local breweries and cellar doors around the area pour regional drops, cyclists use the valley as their starting point for High Country rides, and walkers spread out along riverside paths and shaded tracks. Families settle into the community pool or find quiet spots along the Kiewa River for paddling and laid-back picnics.
Evenings stay easy here. Casual pubs and breweries keep things friendly, and the mountain air turns crisp enough to remind you why the High Country is such a beloved summer escape. It’s a simple, scenic town that rewards unhurried days and outdoorsy moods — exactly what many travellers crave once the city heat sets in.
Best accommodation in Mount Beauty and Tawonga South: Myee Alpine Retreat, Myrtle Casa, Dreamers Spa Village, and Kiewa Country Cottages.
Best places to eat and drink in Mount Beauty: Mount Beauty and its surrounds are filled with delicious stops. Start strong at Honeybird Coffee Roasters, then make Grass Valley your go-to for wood-fired pizzas. Lilli Pilli Store offers a nourishing breakfast worth the trip. If you’re heading toward Bright or Wandiligong, add 5 Acres, Tomahawks and Basils to your list — and make time for Reed & Co Distillery, which served some of the most memorable cocktails, coffees and Japanese-leaning, hyper-seasonal plates we’ve had all year.
Trentham
Trentham reveals itself slowly. Named Victoria’s Top Tiny Tourism Town of 2025, this Central Highlands village is wrapped in cool forest air, heritage shopfronts and a gentle, unhurried atmosphere that feels instantly restorative. Even in summer, the light softens across High Street, shaping days around good food, quiet wandering and small moments that draw you in without effort.
Stays lean warm and design-led: weatherboard cottages with gardens, restored miners’ homes with cedar tubs, and calming retreats suited to couples, small groups and anyone needing a breather. Mornings begin with a loaf from RedBeard or coffee at Trentham General, and often roll into a long lunch or a browse through local stores.
Nature sits close. Trentham Falls remains the town’s dramatic centrepiece, especially after rain, while forest trails and the Domino Rail Trail give walkers and cyclists shaded routes through the Wombat Forest. Afternoons tend to end with a wine or a pub stop before the village settles into its signature calm.
Best accommodation in Trentham: The Cosmopolitan Hotel’s Cosmo Cottage is a little slice of heaven, Acre of Roses delivers a romantic garden-wrapped retreat, and Lynda Gardner’s The Estate Trentham remains a beautifully curated escape.
Best places to eat and drink in Trentham: RedBeard Bakery for sourdough, pies and pastries, The Cosmopolitan Hotel for generous regional dishes, Sisko Chocolates for sweet indulgence, Trentham General for daytime meals or fish-and-chip takeout on Sunday nights, and du Fermier for a weekly-changing set menu shaped by the seasons.
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Warrnambool
Warrnambool draws you in through its landscape first. Long arcs of sand, volcanic cliffs and the broad reach of the Southern Ocean give the town a dramatic edge, softened by a community that feels warm and genuinely welcoming. Recently named Victoria’s Top Tourism Town of 2025 (population 5,000+), it blends coastal scenery with creative food spots, native gardens, artisan bakeries and a steady sense of ease.
Days here follow the coast. Mornings start with coffee before heading to Lady Bay or Stingray Bay for calm swims. Thunder Point brings sea spray and rugged views later in the day, while Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve offers ancient volcanic terrain and rich wildlife just minutes away. Families gravitate to beaches, foreshore paths and the parks that thread through town.
Food anchors the experience. Small kitchens, brunch favourites, bakeries and wine bars create a relaxed flow from morning to night. Evenings stay breezy and low-key — a shoreline walk, a lookout visit, or a courtyard drink as the last light hits the coast.
Best accommodation in Warrnambool: Deep Blue Hotel & Hot Springs, The Landing, Henna at Warrnambool Retreat, or Port Cottage.
Best places to eat and drink in Warrnambool: Lost Cat for refined coastal cooking, Day Kitty and Wilba & Co for breakfast, Tendril Wine Store for wine and snacks, The Dart & Marlin for lively nights, Frolic Lane for cocktails, and ToTo Town for Turkish-leaning brunch.
Bendigo
Bendigo carries both heritage grandeur and contemporary energy. Gold-rush buildings line leafy streets, galleries shape entire afternoons, and its status as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy keeps the food scene thoughtful and ambitious. Once named a Wotif Top Aussie Town, it’s a regional centre where history, creativity and good eating sit comfortably together.
Days begin at the Bendigo Art Gallery before drifting into Rosalind Park or along View Street’s boutiques. Coffee spots, micro-roasteries and local favourites such as Masons of Bendigo, El Gordo and Harpoon Social Club give the city an easy, delicious flow. Families and curious travellers gravitate to Central Deborah Gold Mine, the Talking Tram and the Golden Dragon Museum, while Lake Weeroona offers calm corners for a slow afternoon.
Evenings stay relaxed. Book a table, wander past heritage façades or settle into a wine room as the city softens into night.
Best accommodation in Bendigo: Hotel Ernest, every time. No notes.
Best places to eat and drink in Bendigo: El Gordo for laneway charm, Goldie’s Sandwich Society, Ghosty’s Diner for retro charm, Old Green Bean for coffee, Harpoon Social Club for noodles and sake, The Dispensary for drinks and Brewers Collective for local beer.
Ballarat
Ballarat carries the charm of a regional city shaped by lakeside living, creative energy and layers of gold-rush history. Grand boulevards, leafy streets and heritage buildings frame the experience, while new-wave restaurants, cosy wine bars and thoughtful cafés keep the city feeling fresh. It’s a place where art, history and food sit comfortably together, making each visit feel both grounding and quietly uplifting.
Lake Wendouree brings an easy sense of escape, its boardwalks, rowers and long shoreline wanderings inviting visitors to slow into the day. The Botanic Gardens offer shaded pockets for picnics, while families are drawn to Sovereign Hill for open-air storytelling and memorable summer evenings. Those keen for a scenic ride through open country will love the Skipton Rail Trail, a gentle route that showcases the region’s rural charm. Across the day, Ballarat’s dining scene keeps things lively, from character-filled breakfast spots to lunch favourites near the lake and restaurants that attract loyal followings.
Dining is a highlight. Ballarat’s culinary scene keeps evolving, from relaxed brunch spots to refined restaurants serving region-shaped menus. Babàe inside Hotel Vera brings a truly exemplary approach to modern fine dining, while neighbourhood favourites around the CBD and lake precinct strengthen the city’s reputation as a regional dining destination.
As night falls, Ballarat slows beautifully — a meal somewhere warm, a glass of wine in a courtyard, or a stroll past beautifully lit architecture that nods to Ballarat’s storied past. It’s a city that balances its old-world feel with modern generosity, making it an easy, rewarding escape for any season.
Best accommodation in Ballarat: Hotel Vera for intimate, design-led luxury; The Provincial Hotel for heritage elegance; Craig’s Royal Hotel for classic grandeur.
Best places to eat and drink in Ballarat: Babàe at Hotel Vera for refined seasonal dining, Mr Jones for contemporary Asian-Australian plates, Hydrant Food Hall for a standout breakfast, Ellington’s Wine Bar & Rooftop for afternoon ease, Renard for superb cocktails, Pancho for margaritas and bright, flavour-charged plates, and Itinerant Spirits for exceptional gin, vodka and guided tastings that reveal the craft behind each drop.
Planning Your Summer Escape
A little planning goes a long way when you’re swapping city days for regional summer wandering. These award-winning towns are wonderfully easy to enjoy once you know a few essentials.
How far is everything from Melbourne?
Trentham and Ballarat are just over an hour away. Bendigo is under two. Warrnambool appears after a three-hour coastline drive, while Mount Beauty takes around four, with scenery that keeps you engaged the whole way.
How long should you stay?
Two nights works well for Ballarat, Bendigo and Trentham. Warrnambool and Mount Beauty reward an extra day, giving you time for coastal walks, hot springs or alpine trails without rushing through them.
What should you book early?
Plan ahead for Trentham’s du Fermier, sunset sessions at Deep Blue Hot Springs in Warrnambool, any vineyard lunches around Bendigo and boutique High Country stays. Summer bookings tend to move quickly.
What should you pack?
Think simple and practical. A swimsuit for beaches and rivers. Trainers for walks. Light layers for cooler evenings. A cooler bag for farmgate stops and a spare tote for local pieces you’ll discover along the way.
Anything to check before you go?
Yes. Opening days. Many small operators run from Thursday to Sunday, which adds charm but can catch newcomers by surprise. Parking is easy across all towns, and EV chargers are becoming more common in larger hubs.
Who are these trips suited to?
Couples chasing a breezy, relaxed weekend. Families needing space and straightforward dining. Solo travellers looking for fresh air and quiet pockets of time. Groups keen on lakeside picnics, galleries, breweries and long lunches. Each town brings its own personality, making a regional Victorian summer escape simple to plan and easy to savour.
From alpine air to coastal spray, from forest dips to laneway dining, Victoria’s top tourism towns show that a summer escape doesn’t need to be far to feel transformative. Each brings its own stories, its own flavours and its own way of helping you reset. Choose one, choose a few, or plan a loop — these are the places that turn a simple weekend into something memorable.
For more inspiration, explore our bucket list things to do in Victoria and our guide to the best flower and fruit farms across the state.
