Things to do in Victoria
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Supper Inn
No-one minds queuing on the stairs to wait for a high-turnover table in the unglamorous upstairs dining room (especially as downstairs is cramped and clamorous). Bored waiters dressed in black and white, and dated décor don’t detract: you’re here for the top-quality Cantonese food. Open until 2.30am, Supper Inn is also a favoured after-drinks stop.
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New York Tomato
This place is so laid-back you'd think you were in someone's backyard. Oh, you are. At the rear of a modern townhouse, the owners transformed the garage space and downstairs, added a communal table and invited in the neighbourhood. Try the berry porridge in brown sugar, and, for lunch, the pumpkin and chickpea fritters or tandoori chicken pide.
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Bernard’s Magic Shop
Australia’s oldest magic shop, open since 1937, Bernard’s sure knows a good whoopee cushion, fake vomit or fly-in-the-ice-cube when it sees one. Practical jokes aside, there are also items for the budding magician such as rope and card tricks and instructional videos.
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Crumpler
Crumpler's bike-courier bags started it all. Its durable, practical designs can now be found around the world, and it makes bags for cameras, laptops and iPods as well as its original messenger style.
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Moo Joose Café
Shep’s funkiest cafe is themed around dairy cows – thousands of bottles (from a failed attempt to market alcoholic flavoured milk) line the black and white walls and stuffed cows guard the espresso machine. Great coffee, milkshakes (25 flavours) and light meals.
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E
Le Parisien
Feast on classic French cuisine à l'Australienne (try the kangaroo fillet with bush-tomato chutney) right on the water.
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Lever & Kowalyk
Nothing beats a languid breakfast after a brisk bayside walk. Settle in with a mound of porridge or stack of hotcakes. Latecomers can lunch on wraps and salads, while shoppers zip in to buy take-home goods.
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Simpatico Mexican Restaurant
Fab family-friendly Mexican, with delicious meals and fun music. You’ll love it even if you don’t love Mexican. The courtyard Cactus Bar opens till 1am and has live music Friday and Saturday.
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Bogong Hotel
It's hard to beat this country pub for a beer with mountain views from the front verandah. Excellent bistro and the cheaper bar meals and Bogong burgers are a steal.
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Wool Factory
The Wool Factory, just outside Horsham township, produces ultrafine Merino wool; there’s a walk-through sheep shed and shop where you can buy wool products.
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Esplanade Sunday Market
The Esplanade Sunday Market lines the street, featuring a range of open-air stalls selling arts and crafts, often with a New Age or Australiana slant.
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Pause Bar
Pause draws a mixed local crowd for cocktails and mezes who like to settle into the dim North African–inspired interior for the night. Staff are laid-back.
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Green Shed Bistro
This former printing house is now a rustic little restaurant (think exposed brickwork and concrete floor) serving French-style cuisine from the busy open kitchen.
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Nico’s
Port Campbell has a few good eateries along Lord St and Nico’s is a local legend for its unusual pizza concoctions and chocolate pizza.
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Red Gum Works
At Red Gum Works you can watch wood turners and blacksmiths at work with traditional equipment, and purchase red-gum products.
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Laird Hotel
Men only. Lots of leather, moustaches, beer and brawn. Who’s yer daddy?
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La Vita
A sparkling Italian place with a great atrium and award-winning dishes.
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Wood Spoon Kitchen
Slick and casual Japanese café.
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Cafe Gabriel
Adding an upmarket option to the Inverloch scene is this classy restaurant and bar. The tone here is refined.
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