Things to do in Victoria
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Golden Dragon Museum & Gardens
Bendigo's obvious Chinese heritage sets it apart from other goldfields towns, and this fantastic museum and garden is the place to experience it. Walk through a huge wooden door into an awesome chamber filled with dragons, including the Imperial Dragons Old Loong (the oldest in the world) and Sun Loong (the longest in the world at over 100m). Outside, the Yin Yuan (Garden of Joy) classical Chinese gardens are a tranquil little haven with bridges, water features and ornamental shrubs.
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Good Table
There have been numerous incarnations of this lovely corner hotel, but the Good Table does it well with a thoughtful European- influenced menu featuring linguini with yabbies and organic goat pie.
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Governor La Trobe's Cottage & Government House
East of the Shrine of Remembrance is Governor La Trobe's Cottage, the original government house building that was sent out in prefabricated form from the mother country in 1840. Inside, you can see many of the original furnishings, and the servants' quarters out the back.
This modest cottage sits in stark contrast to the Italianate pile of Government House. Built in 1872, it's been the residence of all serving Victorian governors since, and is a replica of Queen Victoria's palace on England's Isle of Wight. Book well in advance to take the National Trust tour (adult/child $10/5), which includes both houses on Mondays and Wednesdays.
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Go West
One-day tour from Melbourne that includes lunch and iPod commentary in several languages, visiting several island attractions, including the Penguin Parade.
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Grampians Personalised & Tours Adventures
Offers a range of 4WD tours (with off-road options; from $79), rock climbing and abseiling, discovery walks (from half-day to four days) and scenic flights over the ranges ($170/280 for three/five people).
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Greeter Service Walking Tour
This free two-hour 'orientation tour' departs Fed Sq daily at 9.30am (bookings required) and is run by volunteer 'greeters' who are keen to share their knowledge. It's aimed at giving visitors to Melbourne a good understanding of the layout and sights of Melbourne.
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Harcourt Region
About 10km northwest of Castlemaine, the region is known as the Victoria's 'apple centre', but in recent years it has also developed as an excellent mini wine region – the tourist office can provide a map and a list of cellar doors. Check out Bress, a combined winery and cidery.
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Hellenic Republic
The Iron Bark grill at George Calombaris's northern outpost works overtime grilling up pitta, king prawns, local calamari and snapper, and luscious lamb. It's a northern 'burbs version of Calombaris's Little Press & Cellar. Follow Lygon St north from Carlton – it's in East Brunswick.
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Humble Vintage
Get yourself a set of special wheels from this collection of retro racers, city bikes and ladies' bikes. Rates start at $30 per day, or $80 per week, and include lock, helmet and a terrific map. Bikes can be picked up from St Kilda, the CBD and Fitzroy. Give them a ring as the exact locations change.
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HuTong Dumpling Bar
HuTong's windows face out on famed Flower Drum, and its reputation for divine xiao long bao (soupy dumplings) means it's just as hard to get a lunchtime seat anywhere in the three-level building. Downstairs, watch chefs make the delicate dumplings, then hope they don't watch you making a mess of them (there are step-by-step instructions on the table for eating them). There's also a branchin Prahran.
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Idyl Book Café
Loads of secondhand books, good coffee and breakfasts with river views.
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Kayak Melbourne
Two-hour tours by Kayak Melbourne take you past Melbourne city's newest developments and explains the history of the older ones. Moonlight tours are most evocative and include a fish 'n' chips dinner. They usually depart from the wharf sheds on Victoria Harbour – check when you book.
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Kooroora Hotel
Rocks hard and late during the ski season, and the popular Hoohah Kitchen serves good bistro meals.
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Lake Weeroona
Bendigo's little lake is a favourite spot for boating, kayaking or just walking around the path that encircles it. It's 1.5km northeast of the centre.
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Larder Café & Bar
The Larder doesn't look fancy but the philosophy and flavours, using 'native' ingredients like wattleseed, quandong, wild limes and lemon myrtle are both innovative and something of a taste revelation.
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Little Press & Cellar
It may not be as large as the Press Club next door, but this 'little press' gives you a taste of George Calombaris' style at a relatively bargain price. Consider its weekday express lunch menu, which fires off three Greek dishes for $34, but don't miss the 'little snack' of signature taramosalata with hot chips ($13.50).
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Logan's Beach Whale-Watching Platform
Southern right whales come to mate and nurse their bubs in the waters off Logan's Beach from July to September, breaching and fluking off the platform. It's a major tourist drawcard, but sightings are not guaranteed.
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Lucky Coq
Bargain pizzas and plenty of late-night DJ action make this a good start or end to a Chapel St eve. Reports of suit-wearers being denied entry may excite some.
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Madame Brussels
Head here if you've had it with Melbourne moody and all that dark wood. Although named for a famous 19th-century madam, it feels as though you've fallen into a camp '60s rabbit hole, with much Astroturfery and staff dressed à la the country club. Don't be deterred by the very non-descript downstairs entrance.
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Maldon & District Museum
Behind the visitor centre, the old marketplace is now this museum with historical photos and a research room.
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Mallacoota Hotel
The local pub bistro serves hearty meals from its varied menu, with reliable favourites like chicken parmagiana and Gippsland steak. Bands play regularly in the summer. There's a good-value motel attached.
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Mansfield Cemetery
The graves of the three Mansfield police officers killed by Ned Kelly and his gang in 1878 at Stringybark Creek rest in this cemetery, at the end of Highett St.
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Mansfield Farmers Market
On the fourth Saturday of each month, the farmers bring produce to town at the Mansfield Primary School.
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Melbourne By Foot
Take a couple of hours out with Dave and experience a mellow, informative walking tour that covers lane art, politics, and gives great insights into Melbourne's history and diversity.
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Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle
This tourist bus takes about 1½ hours to make its stops around Melbourne and its inner suburbs. Stops include Lygon St, Carlton, Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne Museum and, on non-sporting days, the MCG.
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