The Best Places to Visit in Victoria: 18 Destinations You Need to See To Believe

Deciding to escape the city for a day, a weekend or even longer is the easy part – the hard question is, where to first? When it comes to Melbourne, there’s so much to see and explore, choosing somewhere can be somewhat overwhelming.

Should you spend a day winery hopping in the Yarra Valley? Or maybe you should finally take that scenic drive along the Great Ocean Road? Or perhaps you’re due some much-needed R&R, in which case you should go directly to Daylesford.

It may just be time to think beyond the magic of Melbourne and clear that calendar of yours, Victoria is teeming with magical places to explore. So, pack up a picnic hamper, grab your hiking shoes and be on your way – here’s our ultimate edit of places to visit in Victoria, guaranteed to earn you bucket list status.

Nestled in a lush green valley at the southern edge of the Victorian Alps, Walhalla is surrounded by a national park, dense forests and fern gullies. A town bound by its rich Gold Rush history; this picture-perfect village comes to life in Autumn thanks to vibrant deciduous trees. ?Just 2.5 hours from Melbourne, this storybook town is one of our favourite day-trip spots in Victoria.

Just a short 90-minute drive from Melbourne, Phillip Island has a lot going for it besides the incredible motorcycle Grand Prix circuit and its adorable penguin community. Stunning beaches, coastal hikes and exquisite local food offerings are enough to keep anyone coming back weekend after weekend. Here’s how to spend a few days on the island, be it in the sand, surf or on land. For those looking to venture a little further, Churchill Island sits just off the shore of Phillip Island and holds a special mark in the area’s history. It was the site of the first European agricultural pursuits in Victoria and is now a historic working farm with restored farmhouse and cottages, that gives visitors a glimpse into the early lives of Australian settlers. 

Escape to beautiful Bright! Surrounded by soaring mountains and the perennial Ovens River, this picturesque weekender favourite is the perfect base for snow holidays thanks to its proximity to Victoria’s Alps. ?However, this historic township is a destination in its own right – home to colourful autumn splendour, stunning forests, and one of the best food and wine scenes in the region. ?

Just an hour and a half from the hustle and bustle of Melbourne, Castlemaine’s sleepy lifestyle is anything but dull. With a lively arts precinct, dreamy botanical gardens and many bars and eateries, this cultural hub in regional Victoria is just begging to be explored. Once home to the richest alluvial goldfield in the world, Castlemaine’s charm is bound by its golden past – lush landscapes and dense bushland, to a picture-perfect township that nods to times past. An artisanal wonderland for collectors and foodies, The Mill is a must-visit when in the area. Dating back to 1875, it’s overflowing with everything from vintage markets and local makers of clothing, furniture and art to small-batch beer, wine and coffee production.

An absolute must, everyone should experience the mighty Murray River in one form or another. The river is Australia’s longest, at approximately 2,500-kilometre-long, and the third longest navigable river in the world, behind the Nile and the Amazon. Stretching across the NSW and Victorian borders into South Australia, you can basically choose your own adventure, be that hopping on one of the many paddle steamers in Echuca, fishing for the famed Murray cod in Wodonga, or camping in the Murray-Sunset National Park and watching the sun set over the Pink Lakes.

There’s a reason why countless couples choose the Yarra Valley as the place to celebrate their wedding day. After all, what could make a nicer backdrop for a ceremony than a sweeping vineyard vista? But this hilly region – just a short one-hour drive from Melbourne – isn’t just for those heading down the aisle, it’s also a city-escape perfect for those who take their love for wine, food, and art just as seriously. Beyond winery hopping your way around Victoria’s wine country, pay a visit to the picturesque Healesville Village where you’ll discover trendy cafés, boutique shops and local food producers.

Australia has many incredible scenic drives, but one of the most popular for locals and tourists alike is the Great Ocean Road. This 243-kilometre coastal route starts in Torquay, a small beach town an hour outside Melbourne, and winds its way along the rugged south coast of Victoria. The limestone towers jutting out of the ocean, known as the Twelve Apostles, are one of the main attractions, but the drive offers many other underrated delights including lush rainforests, charming seaside towns, and must-visit gourmet escapes. 

If you’re a Melbournian that’s after a super quick nature getaway, then look no further than the Dandenong Ranges. The lush, fern covered slopes, are only a one-hour drive east from the city and will instantly make you forget about your fast-paced city life. Make a weekend of it and spend the night at one of the many quaint B&Bs nearby and sample some heart-warming fare at the Pie in the Sky Cafe, featuring Victoria’s No.1, you guessed it — pie.

Fondly known as ‘The Prom’, Wilsons Promontory is Victoria’s oldest national park, encompassing 50,000-hectares of land on the southernmost tip of mainland Australia. It’s the perfect destination for keen hikers, with a 19-kilometre (return) walk that can be accomplished in a day, taking you through mountains, rainforests and ultimately to the Prom’s most popular offering — a variety of postcard-ready beaches that makes every step it took to get there, worth your while.

Give yourself full permission to take a day off (or two) to totally rest, relax and rejuvenate by heading to Victoria’s Spa Country, Daylesford. This town has “pure indulgence” written all over it, housing eighty percent of our country's mineral springs, making this the perfect place for spa treatments and growing high-quality, organic produce. Arguably the most famous spa in the region is Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa; here you can enjoy a massage or simply slip into the warm mineral waters of the communal bathhouse and let your body reap all the benefits.

Why choose between wineries, beaches, spas and gardens when you can have it all in the Mornington Peninsula? Located a mere one-hour drive from Melbourne, “the Ninch” (as the locals call it), is a place that caters for all. Wine aficionados will enjoy visiting the many cellar doors that dot the region, especially in Red Hill; whilst keen foodies won’t be disappointed by the many restaurants that serve up delicious dishes showcasing the local produce. And then of course there’s the coastline, attracting all beach bums, far and wide, with the ritzy seaside towns of Rye, Portsea and Sorrento, adding a touch of glamour to the area.

Keen to travel after discovering the best places to visit in Victoria? From road trips and romantic escapes, to tiny cabin stays and ski trips, there are so many local holidays you can book!