Phillip Island
Regarded as a sacred site by its traditional owners, this island is connected to Phillip Island by a bridge near Newhaven. Excavated middens suggest that…
Must-see attractions in Victoria
Geelong
Geelong's botanic gardens (established in 1851) are the fourth oldest in Australia and make for a peaceful stroll or picnic. Aim to get here for a…
Geelong
Geelong's sparkling revamped waterfront precinct is a great place to stroll, with plenty of restaurants set on scenic piers, plus historical landmarks, a…
Melbourne
Trading since 1867, this market is an institution, its labyrinthine guts packed with a brilliant collection of stalls selling everything from organic…
Victoria
Climb aboard one of the modern Swiss-built gondolas on this iconic chairlift to enjoy an all-encompassing view stretching as far as Melbourne's city…
Bellarine Peninsula
Home to the last lifeboat to serve the Rip (the treacherous stretch of water linking Port Phillip Bay to Bass Strait) , this recommended museum has…
Geelong
Down an industrial street off Pakington St, Boom's warehouse space in an old woollen mill shows contemporary works by Melbourne and local artists. It…
Victoria
For an interesting city tour, hop aboard a restored ‘talking’ tram. The hop-on, hop-off trip runs from the Central Deborah Gold Mine to the Tramways Depot…
Warrnambool
Over the years Warrnambool has gained a reputation for its public art. One of its most striking pieces is the colossal Ngatanwarr (Welcome) mural, which…
Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre
Geelong
The Wathaurung people – the original inhabitants and traditional custodians of Geelong – called the area Jillong, and this precinct on its outskirts…
Victoria
Within Mitchell National Park, this eerie cave is hidden behind a waterfall on a tributary of the river. As part of the Dreaming, it's culturally…
Great Ocean Road
Bird-lovers won't want to miss the opportunity to visit Australia's only mainland gannet colony, which can be viewed from a platform at Point Danger…
Grampians National Park (Gariwerd)
Victoria
Rising up from the western Victorian plains, and acting as a haven for bushwalkers, rock climbers and nature-lovers, the Grampians are one of the state’s…
Bellarine Peninsula
Queencliff's fort was first used as a coastal defence in 1882 to protect Melbourne from a feared Russian invasion. It remained a base until 1946, and was…
Great Ocean Road
Set along the Great South West Walk is this superb purpose-built whale-viewing platform that looks out to stupendous views of the ocean. Free mounted…
Victoria
Australia’s oldest pottery works, Bendigo Pottery was founded in 1857 and is classified by the National Trust. The historic kilns are still used; watch…
Victorian High Country
From its tree-lined driveway, aristocratic garden and heritage-listed 19th-century castle, first impressions at All Saints are eye-opening, and the…
Great Ocean Road
As well as invaluable tourist info and a fascinating display of items salvaged from historic shipwrecks (including the Loch Ard and the Fiji), this…
Great Ocean Road
The grassy precinct overlooking the harbour has several heritage bluestone buildings. The Customs House (1850) is still a working office, but on weekdays…
Victorian High Country
This brewery produces quality craft beers (sample six for $12) and beer-friendly food such as pizzas, beef burgers and meze boards. Guided tours and…
Victoria
Standing on the commemorative site of the Eureka Rebellion, this modern museum focuses on the momentous 1854 Battle of the Eureka Stockade. Multimedia…
Victoria
This handsome red-brick Edwardian building (c 1907) is one of Yarram's most interesting architectural features. Serving as the town's courthouse until…
Victoria
Originally the Castlemaine Woollen Mills (1875), this red-brick industrial complex has been developed into one of the town's coolest precincts. It's worth…
Geelong
With over 6000 works in its collection, this long-established gallery features celebrated Australian paintings such as Eugene von Guérard’s View of…
Victoria
The town boasts plenty of impressive Victorian-era buildings, but Maryborough Railway Station leaves them all for dead. Built in 1892, the inordinately…
Great Ocean Road
A wonderful piece of local history, this heritage sheep farm has been in the same family since 1840. Its claim to fame is the Polwarth breed of sheep,…
Great Ocean Road
Head to the top of the still-operational Cape Nelson lighthouse (c 1884) for fantastic views overlooking the edge of the world. You'll be shown around the…
Great Ocean Road
Around 7.5km west of Port Campbell, en route to Peterborough, London Bridge has indeed fallen down. It was once a double-arched rock platform linked to…
Victoria
Pop by for a tasting at this quirky, art-filled, family-owned winery, the oldest in Gippsland. It's most known for its chardonnay, but it's all good and…
Yarra Valley
Though the art gallery and restaurant are the main attractions here, the winery has a lair-like underground cellar door and barrel room designed by…
Great Ocean Road
Close to the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge is where the Shipwreck Coast’s most famous and haunting tale unfolded when two young survivors of the wrecked…
Great Ocean Road
Follow 86 steps, hacked by hand into the cliffs by 19th-century landowner Hugh Gibson (and more recently replaced by concrete ones), down to wild Gibson…
Melbourne
Weird, wonderful and thought-provoking Buxton Contemporary, located at the University of Melbourne’s art school, opened in 2018 powered by the Michael…
Melbourne
This sleek distillery-warehouse-bar is massive, with a public area up the front and copper stills at the rear. Sample the Distillery's Selection flight (…
Portland Maritime Discovery Centre
Great Ocean Road
Visit for excellent displays on shipwrecks and Portland's whaling history. Other highlights include a sperm-whale skeleton that washed ashore, a giant…
Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine
Victoria
Tours here take visitors 300m into the 8.5km-long, 150m-deep machinery chamber, hewn from solid rock over a century ago. Old mining methods are discussed,…
Victoria
You can’t miss the soaring steeple of this magnificent cathedral. Though construction began in the 19th century, it was only completed in 2001, with the…
Great Ocean Road
An inland treasure away from the beach, this atmospheric winery is known for its Sunday live-music sessions featuring respected Aussie bands. Enjoy a…
Great Ocean Road
Inside Lorne Visitor Centre, this permanent exhibition of multimedia displays, videos and books offers informative background to the Great Ocean Road's…
Port Fairy
Back in the 1850s the town's port was one of the busiest in Australia, serving as the main departure point for ships heading to England laden with wool,…
