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Beech Forest, Otway National Park, Victoria © Great Ocean Road Tourism

10-day road trip through regional Victoria

Wind along the famous Great Ocean Road, get up high in the Grampians and discover Victoria’s gold-rush towns on this extraordinary 10-day loop.  

By Sue Gough Henly

Despite its small size, the state of  Victoria  delivers a spectacular diversity of landscapes from the Southern Ocean to the sandstone escarpments of the  Grampians National Park . Along the way, you'll learn about Aboriginal culture, pan for gold, see wildlife and wilderness, enjoy local food and wine, and soak in some of Australia’s finest thermal mineral springs.

What to expect

• Enjoy one of the world's greatest coastal drives along the Great Ocean Road
• Discover Aboriginal culture amid the sandstone ridges of the Grampians National Park
• Immerse yourself in the 1850s gold rush era at Sovereign Hill living museum
• Time: 10 days
• Distance: 1,200 kilometres (746 miles)
• Transport: car
• Nearest major city: Melbourne

Day 1: Melbourne to the Bellarine Peninsula

Jack Rabbit Vineyard, Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria © Roberto Seba

Just a 30-minute drive south of Melbourne , start your adventure with a safari at the  Werribee Open Range zoo  to see rhinoceros, giraffes, zebras and antelopes grazing on the grassy plains. You'll come face-to-face with gorillas, a pride of lions, monkeys and cheetahs on the Pula Reserve Walking Trail.

Continue for 50 minutes to the bayside city of Geelong. Stop for lunch in the funky surrounds of the  Little Creatures Brewery  or enjoy the innovative tasting menu at  Igni . Explore the nearby Bellarine Peninsula and enjoy a glass of wine at  Jack Rabbit Vineyard , with its splendid views of Port Phillip Bay, and wander around the Victorian-era seaside town of Queenscliff.

Dine this evening onboard The Q Train , a travelling restaurant that departs from the historic Drysdale Train Station. Move through a degustation of exquisite local produce and picturesque Bellarine Peninsula views.

Tonight, spend the night about 15 minutes away in Point Lonsdale at luxurious Lon Retreat & Spa . For a budget-friendly option, book in at Big4 Beacon Resort .

Day 2: Bellarine Peninsula to Lorne

Torquay Beach, Victoria © Visit Victoria

Make an early start to Torquay, where you can choose between a relaxed breakfast At The Heads and a thrilling surfing class .

Torquay is the official start of the Great Ocean Road; drive beneath the iconic memorial archway at Eastern View and continue driving about 15 minutes to the pretty coastal town of Lorne. Serious foodies will want to book lunch at  Movida Lorne , an outpost of the iconic Melbourne tapas restaurant. For a more casual affair, take a seat at  Swing Bridge Café . Ocean lovers should take a quick dip at nearby Lorne Beach. 

Families will love a daredevil zip-line through the tree canopy at Lorne Livewire Park . Alternatively, visit the 30-metre (98-foot) tall Erskine Falls in the surrounding rainforest. Enjoy superb contemporary fare at  Brae , a 30-minute drive into the hinterland (book well in advance to avoid disappointment). Stay overnight in one of Brae's luxury suites or at the oceanfront  Cumberland Lorne Resort .

Day 3: Lorne to Cape Otway

Great Ocean Eco Lodge, Cape Otway, Victoria © Mark Watson

Drive the curviest and most spectacular stretch of the Great Ocean Road between Lorne and Apollo Bay, roughly a one-hour drive. Along the way, stop at Kennett River to see the koalas and parrots along a quiet side road.

When you start to feel hungry, have a Mediterranean-inspired lunch with a stunning bird's-eye view of the ocean at  Chris's Beacon Point Restaurant  (hint: for more casual fare, wait a bit longer to stop for lunch and a tasting paddle at the Great Ocean Road Brewhouse ). Full up on delicious cuisine, head inland to taste craft beers at the  Forrest Brewing Company  and enjoy a dusk  platypus paddle  at Lake Elizabeth.

Drive an hour through the Otway National Park rainforest and visit the  Cape Otway Lightstation , the oldest surviving lighthouse in mainland Australia. After a busy day, stay at the  Great Ocean Eco Lodge  to see Australian animals in the wild and help with rehabilitating injured and orphaned wildlife. If time permits, see glow worms on an evening walk at nearby  Maits Rest .

Day 4: Cape Otway to Port Fairy

Helicopter over the 12 Apostles, Great Ocean Road, Victoria © Visit Victoria

If you're lucky, you might spot blue whales or orcas from Logans Beach's viewing platform.

Do a treetop walk or zip-line adventure in the heart of the rainforest at  Otway Fly Treetop Adventures . Enjoy a steak sandwich with a local Crowes Nest Steam Train brew at the Otway Central Tavern and discover other local gourmet products on the  Otway Harvest Trail  before hopping in the car for an hour drive to the 12 Apostles . Here, you can soak up a spectacular panoramic view of Victoria's famous limestone stacks on a  helicopter flight  and explore Loch Ard Gorge, the Grotto, the Arch and London Bridge from the ground. If you're feeling energetic, walk the later part of the  Great Ocean Walk , which ends at the 12 Apostles.

Drive west for an hour to Warrnambool to visit  Flagstaff Hill , a fascinating historical village showcasing life in a 19th century seaport. Between May and October, you can see southern right whales here from the viewing platform at Logans Beach. Finish your day in the nearby historic fishing township of Port Fairy, a 40-minute drive away. Enjoy dinner at one of the village's stand-out restaurants – Conlan’s Wine Store and Coffin Sally both fit the bill.

Wind down for a deluxe stay at  Drift House .

Day 5: Port Fairy to Halls Gap

Tower Hill Nature Reserve, Victoria © Rob Blackburn 2015

Visit the  Tower Hill Nature Reserve , an enormous volcanic crater to the east of Port Fairy where it's easy to see koalas, kangaroos, emus and native birds. The beautiful visitor centre is managed by the Worn Gundidj Aboriginal Cooperative, which offers guided walks explaining the local Aboriginal culture and bush tucker.

Drive an hour north through the rolling farmland of the Western Districts to enjoy an informal meal at the  Parker Street Project  or an inspired tasting menu in the dining room of  The Royal Mail Hotel  in Dunkeld. Drive 45 minutes north to the  Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre  in the Grampians National Park . Watch a video of the Gariwerd creation story and enjoy didgeridoo workshops, bush food tasting, boomerang painting and throwing lessons.

Next, gain a new perspective from the park’s well-known lookouts – Boroka , Reed and the Balconies – all set with stunning views over the Mount William and Wonderland Ranges.

Stay in the stylish DULC cabins near Halls Gap.

Day 6: Halls Gap to Ballarat

Seppelt, Great Western, Victoria © Visit Victoria

Your final morning in the Grampians should include exploring the area's Aboriginal rock art sites and hiking trails . Enjoy an Italian-inspired lunch at The Views . Drive 30 minutes east to explore some of the region's historic wineries, such as  Seppelt Great Western,  famous for its sparkling wines and labyrinthine cellars dug by gold miners, and  Best's Great Western , one of Australia’s oldest family-owned wineries, which specialises in old vine shiraz. Pause for lunch at  Salingers Café ; be sure to check out the beehive contained within the walls.

Learn about the gold rush from a different perspective in Ararat, the only town in Australia founded by Chinese miners. At the Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre, learn how Chinese miners travelling overland from Robe in South Australia discovered the Canton Lead, one of the world's richest shallow alluvial goldfields.

Drive an hour east to Ballarat and stop for a sip of artisan gin at Kilderkin Distillery  or craft beer at Hop Temple . Stay in Victorian splendour at the Provincial Hotel  and have dinner at Lola .

3 days in the Grampians

Day 7: Sovereign Hill

Sovereign Hill, Ballarat, Victoria © Visit Victoria

Grab a locally roasted coffee at family-run Kittelty’s  before spending the day at  Sovereign Hill , a living museum goldfields town that re-creates Ballarat's first 10 years after the 1851 discovery of gold, when thousands of international adventurers came in search of fortune. It's set on 10 hectares (25 acres) of an original mining site, and costumed characters bring the shops, hotels, theatre, school, factories, gold diggings and underground mines to life. Take an underground mine tour, pan for real gold, watch a $150,000 gold pour, visit the gold museum, ride in a horse-drawn carriage and use pen and ink in the one-room schoolhouse.

In the evening, watch Sovereign Hill's multimillion-dollar sound-and-light show, Blood on the Southern Cross, which tells the dramatic story of the 1854 Eureka Rebellion, in which miners rebelled against unfair government gold taxes and swore allegiance to the Southern Cross flag.

Day 8: Ballarat to Hepburn Springs

Koalas, Ballarat Wildlife Park, Victoria © Ballarat Wildlife Park

Explore the gracious city of Ballarat, built on the riches of the world's largest alluvial gold deposit. Visit the  Art Gallery of Ballarat  with one of the most comprehensive collections of Australian paintings in the nation. 

In the afternoon, pay a visit to the  Ballarat Wildlife Park  to see native Australian animals and reptiles in the natural bush or wander amid the mature trees of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens beside Lake Wendouree. Visit  Creswick Woollen Mills , the last coloured woollen spinning mill in Australia, where you can feed alpacas, see the interactive exhibit and shop for fine natural materials. If you have kids, visit  Kryal Castle , Australia's only medieval adventure park. Drive 30 minutes to Hepburn Springs to soak in mineral springs at the historic  Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa  before staying at the  Peppers Springs Mineral Springs Hotel .

Day 9: Hepburn Springs to Daylesford

Lake House, Daylesford, Victoria © Visit Victoria

Just 10 minutes down the road, enjoy a class with some of the finest chefs in Australia at the Lake House  cooking school , complete with baguette or sit-down lunch. Spend the afternoon exploring the region following the  Daylesford Macedon Produce Trail  to find gourmet products and meet producers. Go shopping in Daylesford , wander through the Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens (home to delicious restaurant Wombat Hill House ) and visit the  Convent Gallery , which showcases the work of local artists and artisans. Enjoy a massage at the  Salus Spa , perched in a treetop stilt house above Lake Daylesford, before a sublime meal at the trailblazing  Lake House restaurant  before you tuck in for the night at the  Lake House hotel , one of the  Luxury Lodges of Australia.

Day 10: Daylesford to Melbourne

Red Beard Bakery, Trentham, Victoria © Visit Victoria

Drive 20 minutes east to the pretty township of Trentham to visit Trentham Falls, the longest single drop waterfall in Victoria, plunging 32 metres (105 feet) over basalt columns. Explore the boutiques and enjoy a coffee and pastry at the  Red Beard Bakery , or take a sourdough bread making class before having lunch at the nearby café, La Trattoria, in the historic Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm . Explore the farm's historic stone buildings, which overlook the lavender fields that supply the raw materials for the farm-made lotions and creams.

Drive an hour to Mount Macedon to visit exquisite private gardens at  Forest Glade  and Tieve Tara, or climb nearby  Hanging Rock , a 105-metre (344-foot) tall, steep-sided ancient volcano, which has eroded to create bizarre rock formations. You'll see lots of Australian birds, and maybe an echidna or wallaby, and enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding farmland from the top. Stop in at Curly Flat Winery to taste some of the region's best pinot noir before you drive an hour back to Melbourne.

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Home » Travel Guides » Australia » 15 Best Places to Visit in Victoria (Australia)

15 Best Places to Visit in Victoria (Australia)

Victoria is a great place to travel, and a great place to live, too: its state capital, Melbourne, has been ranked the most liveable city 6 years in a row by the Economist, and it’s also been voted the world city with the best coffee, beating out the traditional favorites of Rome and Vienna.

But with 2.6 million international visitors flocking to Victoria in 2016 alone, there’s plenty to offer outside of Melbourne’s urban buzz: drive the famed Great Ocean Road, relax on the beach at a coastal village, enjoy the splendour of a national park, or check out the adorable little fairy penguin colony at Phillip Island.

There’s so much to do in Victoria that if you can, devote a few weeks to exploring. You’ll experience a fascinating insight into Australian city and country culture, meet plenty of friendly locals, and make memories to last a lifetime.

Lets explore the best places to visit in Victoria :

1. Grampians National Park

This stunning national park boasts exceptionally scenic diversity: from rugged sandstone ridges to lush waterfalls and colorful Spring wildflowers, you’ll find many picture-perfect shots for your photo album: the sunset views are an absolute must-see.

The Grampians are the home to many Australian marsupials and native birds, so it’s a great spot for fauna-spotting while you enjoy the many walking trails in the area  There’s also fascinating examples of ancient indigenous art.

If you make a small trip outside the park to Ararat or Halls Gap, there’s plenty of gorgeous modern art by local studios too, and Ararat is a popular destination in its own right, particularly interesting for its eerie ghost tours.

From Melbourne : Grampians National Park Great Escape Tour

2. Torquay and the Great Ocean Road

Torquay is an adorable seaside resort town known for being the gateway to the Great Ocean Road, but it’s well worth a visit in its own right: its famous for its surf beaches, including the world famous Bells Beach, and if you visit during Easter you’ll be able to see some of the world’s best surfers in action at the Bells Beach Rip Curl Pro.

The Surf Coast walk is a wonderful, relaxing journey, or you could just enjoy some sunbathing! If you’re in the mood for a romantic holiday destination, Torquay is perfect: the Surfcoast Cottages and Bells Estate Cottages are adorable, and there’s plenty of tasty dining options here.

From Torquay, many travelers will continue onto the Australian Heritage-listed 243-km Great Ocean Road, the backdrop for many an international car commercial with its gorgeous coastal and mountain views, charming towns like Apollo Bay, and yet more of the pristine white-sand beaches that Australia is rightly world-famous for.

Book online : Reverse Great Ocean Road Full-Day Trip

3. Great Otway National Park

The Otways are a very popular detour for drivers on the Great Ocean Road, and are considered an iconic Victorian experience; they’re popular with locals, interstate and international travelers alike.

Stop in a few towns on your way, and make sure to take the time to explore the Great Otway National Park (if you’re a daredevil, maybe even try the zipline!)

4. Phillip Island

Just under 2 hours by car, with a bridge linking it to the mainland, Phillip Island is a popular day-tripping destination for Melbournites and tourists alike.

The island is best known for its adorable colony of Little Penguins, one of Australia’s most popular tourist attractions.

The penguins return to shore en masse every sunset; visitors can view them from several different locations, such as the Penguin Parade viewing platform or the underground facility; there’s also the option of the Ultimate Penguin Tour, which offers a more personal and intimate penguin encounter.

The visitor centre is also very informative and interesting.

Visiting the penguin colony is a must-do, but there’s plenty more on Phillip Island to enjoy: a koala conservation centre, an animal park, and Warook Farm – a fully working farm which is over a century old.

The island is also for its excellent beaches, which are popular with swimmers and surfers alike, as well as various family-oriented activities such as the Islantis Surf Experience, A Maze’n Things, a chocolate factory, and a summer carnival that has been running for over 50 years.

The island also boasts several wineries, and many excellent restaurants.

Complete day trip: Phillip Island: Penguins and Wildlife Full-Day Tour

5. Alpine National Park

The Alpine National Park is home to two of Victoria’s best known mountains, Mt Buller and Mt Hotham, both of which operate alpine resorts that are famous throughout Australia as winter sports destinations.

Of course, spring and summer in the Alpine National Park is an entirely different experience, so it’s worth making trips at various times of year to the Park if you have the chance! The scenery is stunning, with gorgeous flora and fauna, especially in wildflower season.

The walking and biking trails are great for an outdoorsy holiday.

Both Mt Hotham and Mt Buller offer a variety of summer activities and events, from abseiling to fireworks and film festivals, so it’s worth checking their respective websites to see what’s on.

Bendigo offers a fascinating insight into Victoria’s past.

Located just under 2 hours drive from Melbourne, as well as being easily accessible by train, Bendigo was a gold rush boomtown in the Victorian era.

There are many well-preserved examples of Victorian architecture in the town, making Bendigo famous for its heritage buildings and gold rush history alike; at one point, the output of Victoria’s goldmines were higher than anywhere else in the world besides California, with almost 1 million kilograms of gold having been extracted in Bendigo alone since mining began in the 1850s.

Like the gold rushes in the US, the Victorian gold rush brought in an influx of migrants from within Australia and overseas, transforming the town from a quiet sheep station to a major settlement.

Some popular sites for heritage and cultural tourists to visit in this now-thriving modern city are the Discovery of Gold Monument, the Bendigo Tramways Museum, the Golden Dragon museum (which commemorates the Chinese population which developed during the gold rush, peaking at 20% of the town’s population in the 1860s) and the Joss House Temple, as well as several buildings that are listed on the Victorian Heritage Register: the Bendigo Town Hall (built in 1859), the Old Post Office, the Law Courts (1892), the Sacred Heart Cathedral (1896), Shamrock Hotel (1897), and the Memorial Military Museum (1921).

The growing city has much to offer beyond heritage and cultural tourism: lovely national parks, a science museum, the excellent Bendigo Art Gallery, and the Bendigo Botanic Gardens which overlook the gorgeous Lake Weeroona.

For a wonderfully informative taste gold rush history, the Central Deborah Goldmine can’t be beat – this subterranean tour of a genuine historical mine shaft is a very memorable experience (although perhaps not ideal for the claustrophobic). You can even pan for gold at the end of your visit!

7. Wilsons Promontory National Park

Victoria’s largest coastal wilderness area is beloved by locals and tourists alike, with the opportunity to get close to a wide variety of Australian native flora and fauna; “the Prom”, as it is nicknamed, is the home to many kangaroos, emus, wombats, echidnas, and gorgeous birdlife.

As the Prom is well-touristed, these animals are very used to people, and will be very friendly to you if you’ve got some feed to offer! The walking trails at the Prom are lovely, and it’s also a great spot for relaxing on the beach.

It’s a popular location for camping, but also for romantic getaways, so you’re sure to find accommodation that suits your needs as well.

Available tour : Wilsons Promontory: 2.5-Hour Wilderness Cruise

8. Mornington Peninsula

The Mornington Peninsula is a lovely little day-trip from the hustle and bustle of Melbourne; just over an hour away (and a very pleasant drive), you’ll find a different world.

The peninsula is famous for its wineries, cherries and berries, as well as produce straight from the farm-gate (and tasty restaurant fare, as well!). It’s also a popular foraging spot, including for sea spray herb, seaweed and mushrooms (Mushroom Tours offers helpful advice on distinguishing from the poisonous and the palatable!)

Like many regional attractions, the gorgeous walking trails on the peninsula shouldn’t be missed, but there’s also plenty to do in the towns.

The Peninsular Hot Spring in Sorrento are particularly enjoyable, especially as natural hot springs in Australia are few and far between.

Rosebud and Rye boast many family attractions, and if you’re in the mood for a beachside tipple, Portsea has a lovely pub.

The bright, colorful shacks along the beach at Mount Martha make it well worth a visit too.

There are several national parks on the peninsula, spanning over 25,000 hectares in total.

They include lovely sites such as Cape Schank (home of a lighthouse build in 1859 which still operates today, as well as being a perfect spot to catch the sunset).

Book online : Mornington Peninsula & Hot Springs Tour

• 9.  Healesville Sanctuary

Located in the heart of the scenic Yarra Valley, this sanctuary is widely considered to be the best spot in Australia to see and interact with Australian wildlife in unspoiled natural habitat.

Get up close and personal with all manner of famous Aussie animals: kangaroos, koalas, emus, wombats and even platypuses (the sanctuary’s most iconic species). There’s also several interesting “wild encounters” available, such as “wombat pat & play”, “wade with the platypus” and a dingo encounter (apparently they sometimes give visitors a kiss on the cheek!) These uniquely Australian experiences make the sanctuary a trip to remember.

Book online : Healesville Sanctuary General Admission Ticket

10. St Kilda

Melbourne has a lot to offer visitors, but a particular must-see is St Kilda.

This suburb boasts a wide range of attractions, from beachside relaxation to a thriving nightlife scene, the famous Esplanade Markets, and some of the best food in the city (if not the state). The suburb is quite ethnically diverse, and Acland Street in particular is well-known for its Greek and Jewish bakeries and cake shops, so it’s a perfect spot if you’ve got a sweet tooth.

There’s also many vegetarian restaurants here (particularly noteworthy is the pay-as-you-feel Lentil as Anything).

St Kilda is also known for its boutique shopping, vintage finds, and its iconic colorful beach shacks.

The pier is gorgeous, especially when it’s lit up at night and you can go penguin-spotting.

The botanic gardens are also a lovely way to work up an appetite for the excellent local fare (or alternatively, work off that delicious cake!)

You’ll also find Luna Park here, an iconic amusement park opened in 1912. The Scenic Railway was opened in the Park the same year, making it the world’s oldest continually-operating rollercoaster (with fantastic views of Port Phillip Bay). It’s free to enter, just pay for what you ride, and it’s fun even just for a walk around.

11. Fitzroy

Fitzroy is described by Time Out as an “inner-city mecca for all things cool and kooky”; vintage shopping, a vibrant bar and pub scene, a thriving alternative subculture, and delicious restaurants serving a wide range of Australian and international food, generally at very reasonable prices.

The best thing about Fitzroy is definitely the atmosphere – it’s a fun area just for a wander around – but there’s also lots of live music events going on at any time, as well as a variety of markets, art events, etc.

A visit to the in.cube8r Fitzroy Emporium and Gallery is also highly recommended.

12. Carlton Gardens

The Carlton Gardens are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a short walk from Melbourne’s city centre.

The complex includes the Royal Exhibition Building, Imax Cinema, and Melbourne Museum, all of which are well worth a visit.

The gardens are a gorgeous example of Victorian landscaping, as well as being noteworthy for their biodiversity.

The Royal Exhibition Building is a very attractive example of heritage architecture.

You’ll also find plenty of wildlife in the area, such as possums, kookaburras, and tawny frogmouths; there’s even bats at night! There are three major fountains in the complex as well: the Exhibition, French and Westgarth Drinking fountains.

The area makes for a pleasant and easily accessible day out for Melbournians and visitors to the city.

13. Daylesford

Daylesford is a gorgeous spa town roughly an hour and a half from Melbourne, making it very popular with both locals and tourists.

Originally established as a gold-mining town, Daylesford has been a popular spa destination for a century.

The town is famous for its natural spring mineral spas; the broader area of the town and surrounds are home to over 80% of Australia’s effervescent mineral water.

As well as its many spas, Daylesford is known for its wineries, galleries, restaurants, and its gorgeous lake views.

The Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens are also a lovely attraction, and the stunning Hepburn Regional Park is only a stone’s throw away.

14. Dandenong Ranges

The Dandenong Ranges are a low mountain range on the outskirts of Melbourne, 35km from the city centre.

Gorgeous, lush and green, they make for a popular nature day-trip for the locals, as well as a must-see for tourists.

In particular, the popular Puffing Billy scenic railroad is a great way to enjoy the beauty of the Ranges.

The highest point is Mount Dandenong, at 633 metres.

You’ll find great farm-gate produce here, breathtaking bushwalks, lovely bed-and-breakfasts, sweet little towns, immaculate gardens, and well-preserved Australian architecture.

There’s also plenty of wildlife to encounter in the Ranges: kangaroos, koalas, wombats, and more!

15. Ballarat

Ballarat is another famed gold-rush boom town, now a thriving city with great cafes and restaurants, and many events to attract the modern traveler as well (the Ballarat Beer Festival and the Summer of Sound are particularly popular). The Ballarat Art Gallery is also a must-see, a stroll around the lake is a fun way to while away some time, and the Ballarat Wildlife Park is a great spot for a koala fix!

Like Bendigo, it has done a fantastic job of preserving its history: there are plenty of examples of heritage architecture to be found, and the fascinating Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka is actually located on the historic site of the 1854 Eureka Stockade, the site of a renowned rebellion against the colonial authority of the UK that was a crucial moment in the history of Australia’s road to becoming an independent democracy.

Sovereign Hill is a particularly enjoyable tourist site in Ballarat; this open-air museum and historical park has been described as Australia’s best outdoor museum, and it will truly make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time to the heady days of the beginning of the gold rush over 150 years ago! The experience is very authentic, and highly informative; you can go underground and enjoy a fully-guided gold mine tour, visit 1850s shops, see steam-driven machinery in operation, and have a chat with the various fully-costumed staff members “plying their trades” as candlemakers, wheelwrights and candy-makers of yore.

(Of course, it’s also a fantastic spot for photo opportunities!)

8km outside of Ballarat, you’ll find Kryal Castle, biling itself as “Australia’s only medieval adventure park and resort”. There’s something a little out-of-place about jousting knights and dragons in the middle of Australia at the height of summer, but it’s still a lot of fun, and fantastic to keep any smaller travelers in your group entertained.

15 Best Places to Visit in Victoria (Australia):

• Grampians National Park
• Torquay and the Great Ocean Road
• Great Otway National Park
• Phillip Island
• Alpine National Park
• Wilsons Promontory National Park
• Mornington Peninsula
• Carlton Gardens
• Dandenong Ranges

32 best places to visit in Victoria

There are so many amazing places to visit in Victoria. Victoria is a state of diversity from the Australian Alps in the North East to limestone sea stacks that make the 12 Apostles in the south-west, to the arid desert-like condition of the northwest and Australia’s most southerly spot of Wilsons Promontory just to name a few. But what are some of the best places to visit in Victoria?

Places to visit in Victoria during Summer – Phillip Island

• Where to go in Victoria – Wilson's Promontory
• Victoria's interesting places – Mildura

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Best places to visit in victoria, australia.

Melbourne will most likely be your starting destination for visiting the sights of Victoria. Victoria is one of Australia’s smallest states but also it is the second most populated, and Melbourne, the world’s most livable city, is the capital.

We are proud to call this wonderful state home, and there is so much to explore in Victoria . Melbourne is forecast to overtake Sydney in the next 20 years as the most populous city in Australia.

In this places in Victoria Australia article, you will find submissions from some of Australia’s top bloggers who love these holiday places in Victoria and rate them as some of the best places to visit in Victoria. We hope some of the amazing destinations reviewed will inspire you to visit Victoria and find some of your own best places to visit in Victoria.

Places to visit in Victoria

Victoria is known for its scenic landscapes and natural beauty. With epic places to visit in Victoria, you will find that you will be blessed with so much to do.

It has many different regions to explore, so the traveller seeking to find peace and quiet can do so because there are many remote communities, while the explorer looking for culture and excitement will love Victoria’s amazing hidden gems in the small towns and regional areas.

Best places to visit in Eastern Victoria

For the sake of this article, we are classifying Eastern Victoria as most of the state that lies east of Melbourne. The two main highways that will take you through Eastern Victoria are the Princes Highway and the South Gippsland Highway.

A day trip from Melbourne is needed or a stay in the region to see the sights and landmarks in Victoria. You will find Eastern Victoria the least populated area of the state.

It’s known for its small towns, forests, National Parks, food and wine. Some of the best places to visit in Victoria’s east region include the major towns of Warragul, Traralgon, Leongatha and Bairnsdale. It is also home to Victoria’s most remote town Dargo and the Lions Club village of Licola.

The Gippsland Lakes , Phillip Island, Wilsons Promontory and the Victorian High Country are popular holiday places in Victoria. Here are all the best places to visit in Victoria in the east.

Tarra Bulga National Park

Tarra Bulga National Park is a hidden gem, located just over 2.5 hours from Melbourne in South Gippsland, we think it is one of the best, albeit lesser-known best places to visit in Victoria.

The National Park forms part of the Strzelecki Ranges and is one of only four cool temperate rainforests in Victoria (including the Otways, Central Highlands, East Gippsland and South Gippsland).

A cool temperate rainforest is cool, wet and dark with lots of ferns and moss. This Gippsland National Park is full of rainforests with giant Mountain Ash trees, beautiful fern gullies, spectacular views, gorgeous walks and an awesome suspension bridge.

From the visitor’s centre, there are a number of short walks, most are interlinking so you can make them longer by combining a couple together. 

These walks take you through and under the rainforest canopy. The Corrigan Suspension Bridge is one of the most popular walks and a must-do. The bridge stretches through the rainforest with magnificent views of the greenest, lushest fern gully. There are also ample spots for a picnic lunch.

The visitor centre provides picnic tables, barbeques, a shelter and a toilet while other picnic areas are set amongst the giant trees and tree ferns. Caravan Parks and various accommodation options are available within the Tarra Valley and surrounding areas, but camping is not permitted within the actual National Park. Make sure you also keep your eyes open for a Lyrebird on one of your walks.

Contributed by Amber, who blogs at Hill Tribe Travels

Mallacoota, is a picturesque and idyllic coastal town located on the far eastern coast of Victoria, near the New South Wales border. With its long beaches, crystal-clear waters, and luxurious inlets, Mallacoota is one of the most popular summer destinations for tourists in Victoria.

The town has a vibrant café and pub scene, with the local Mallacoota pub featuring live music regularly.

Mallacoota is well known for fishing with plenty of fishing spots both in the estuaries and offshore, This is perfect for those looking to enjoy some fresh seafood. The Mallacoota Caravan, which seems to encompass the whole town, has sites that front the water where you can keep your boat in the water.

Visitors can enjoy the sun and waves at the beach, canoeing, jet skiing, diving, bushwalking, or a game of Golf.

You can take a water taxi or guided tour to the nearby lighthouse at Gabo Island. Mallacoota really is about getting away and enjoying the coastal environment of Victoria.

Contributed by Mark from Poland Travel Expert

Planning a Victorian summer holiday?   Here is a guide to 8 brilliant summer destinations in Victoria

Buchan to visit Buchan Caves

The Buchan Caves are located in East Gippsland a stunning, scenic 45-minute drive from Lakes Entrance and Bairnsdale (another two amazing best places to visit in Victoria). The Buchan Caves reserve is managed by Parks Victoria and has camping and BBQ facilities for travellers or day-trippers to East Gippsland.

You can pitch a tent, bring a van or stay in luxury glamping accommodation for either a night or a longer stay at Buchan Caves one of the best places in Victoria.

The Park is popular for the caves that are able to be explored deep underground. The Fairy Cave and The Royal Cave were discovered early in the 19th century by complete accident. The Royal Cave is 500 meters long and has 150 steps in it, so it is not recommended for people with mobility issues.

When you are touring the caves you see amazing formations, with stunning underground ponds and are blown away at the beauty of it all. Elaborate stalactites and stalagmites are features that have been forming over millions of years from a time when this area was under the ocean. There is even one amazing fossilized fish that you can view.

Buchan Caves is home to many walking trails and native animals. It is not unusual to see Kangaroo hopping around and if you camp you will certainly see possums a night time.

There is a freshwater pool at the caves that fills with water straight out of a cave. It is often called the coldest pool in Victoria because it’s literally freezing. Buchan is one of the best places to visit in Victoria.

Contributed by Mark from Wyld Family Travel

Visiting places in Victoria – Lakes Entrance

Lakes Entrance has to be one of the best places to visit in Victoria. Lakes Entrance is the capital of the Gippsland Lakes located 320 km east of Melbourne and has a plethora of activities for anyone wanting to holiday in Gippsland.

Lakes Entrance has stunning beaches and is home to the pristine 90-mile beach as well as some of the best-grown produce in the state.

A great way to get around Lakes Entrance is to take your bike, as there is a bike path that runs the full length of the town. You can stop at one of the many amazing cafés for a rest if you need to. The Riviera Ice Cream Parlour is one of the favourite shops in town, as well as Big Bears Doughnuts.

If you are travelling to the Gippsland Lakes or Lakes Entrance with kids there are some fun parks to play at, especially on the North Arm near the bridge where you enter Lakes and at Eastern Beach . In the summer there is always a carnival on the foreshore with fun rides that is open until late.

If you don’t like swimming at the surf beach, there are some good spots in the lakes, especially at Kalimna Jetty where there are no waves, and it is nice and sandy. Find a place to stay in Lakes Entrance today

Contributed by Willow, who blogs at Travels in Gippsland

Visit Gippsland:  11 reasons you NEED to visit the Gippsland Lakes

Raymond Island for Koalas!

Many families that come to Australia are excited for up-close encounters with the country’s unique animals, especially the very cute koala. One of the best places to visit in Victoria for a look at these amazing creatures is an easy but extraordinary stop at tiny Raymond Island.

The island is a quick (and free for foot traffic) ferry ride from Paynesville, at the southern end of the Gippsland Lakes area.

Once you reach the shore, there are signs everywhere pointing out the route to the island’s resident population of native koalas!

Some of them live in the gum trees on people’s lawns, but the majority can be found in the small reserve area on the back of the island – just a twenty-minute walk from the ferry landing.

Here you can see koalas snoozing and munching on leaves and could just walk right up to their trees (though they’re wild animals, so make sure to keep a respectful distance). While strolling the peaceful island, you can also see echidnas and numerous native birds.

Contributed by Melissa who blogs at The Family Voyage

Places to go in Victoria – Healesville

An hour and forty minutes by car from Melbourne and nestled within the heart of the Yarra Valley, Healesville is an ideal destination for a weekend away or even a day trip from Melbourne.

While most people visit Healesville for the wine experiences offered there, it is not only an amazing wine destination in Victoria, there are so many other things to do in Healesville.

The Healesville Sanctuary makes for a popular day out for couples, friends or families. Home to Australia’s most beloved furry, feathered and scaled friends, you can book a close encounter with a wombat, echidna and various other animals, or just wander around the sanctuary at your own pace.

Other amazing Healeseville activities include the Maroondah Reservoir Park, locally known as Maroondah Dam. Here you can admire the local birdlife (the place is infested with cockatoos, galahs, mynahs and sacred ibis) and have a picnic.

There’s a playground for the children, gardens to be explored and a waterfront-walking trail, offering panoramic views of the dam itself.

If you don’t mind dealing with kids on a sugar high, plan a visit to the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, where tons of delicious treats are made onsite. You may not buy any chocolate, but there are free samples on offer and at the very least, beautiful views of the surrounding valley.

You can also spend the day visiting some of the best cellar doors in the state. The Yarra Valley is world-known for having some of the most stunning vineyards for visitors to experience.

The town centre is worth a wander down too, featuring bookstores, boutique shops, and naturally, bottle-o making Healesville one of the best places to visit in Victoria. Book a stay in Healesville today .

Contributed by LC who blogs at Birdgehls

Phillip Island remains one of Victoria’s most well-known attractions because of its nightly penguin parade. But, The Island is about so much more than this, there is literally something for everyone on Phillip Island.

Phillip Island is an easy day tour outside of Melbourne’s CBD (175 km drive), but one day really isn’t enough to enjoy one of the best places in South East Victoria.

Cowes is the centrepiece of Phillip Island with a bustling main street sitting right within Cowes Main Beach and its iconic pier and is a great lunch stop with beautiful views. From there you can also do some amazing wildlife cruises to Seal Rocks – home to the largest fur seal colony in Australia and at the right time of the year an amazing Whale watching experience.

There are many surf beaches on the island including the famed Smiths Beach and Cape Woolami which are true local haunts that shouldn’t be missed.

For motorheads, the MotoGP is held here every year in October which shuts the roadway to the island down, so plan to stay a few days to beat the rush if you do attend.

But for many, it is The Nobbies that truly shine on any visit – a boardwalk overlook that has views of the coast, a blowhole, and the home of the original Artic Journey.

If you only get to see one attraction here, visiting Phillip Island must be it! Don’t forget to book your Phillip Island accommodation

Contributed by Toni who blogs at Enchanted Serendipity

Visit Phillip Island: Plan your trip with our ultimate guide with things to do on Phillip Island

The town of Walhalla in Gippsland is one that is often referred to as a town that time forgot. It is an easy day trip from Melbourne and is one of the best places to visit in Victoria.

There are plenty of things to do in Walhalla for all ages and you will find many people enjoying a day out in Walhalla or people camping in the summer months. Located in a valley it is the perfect place to escape the city. Walhalla was originally a big gold mining town.

Once the gold disappeared so did many of the residents but the old buildings are still remnants of the past. The rotunda in the town is a beautiful memory of the times gone by.

If you are visiting Walhalla you may want to go on a ride on the Walhalla Goldfield railway, take a tour of the old Gold mines, wander the main street and have a look at some of the old shops. There are some cafes there for you to eat at or the pub or if you are looking to cook a BBQ there are free areas in the Lions Park in the main street.

Many people also take the time to have a look at the Walhalla cemetery which is located on the side of the hill and has many stories on the tombstones about how hard life was back in the gold rush era. Walhalla in Autumn is stunning with the ever-changing colours of the leaves.

Where to go in Victoria – Wilson’s Promontory

Wilsons Promontory, also known as The Prom, is a national park located in the Gippsland region of Victoria. It is known for its rugged coastal scenery, a diverse range of flora and fauna, and various hiking and camping opportunities.

Visitors can explore the park’s many beaches, bushwalks, and lookouts, and also participate in activities such as swimming, fishing, and bird watching. You can also join a whale-watching cruise off Wilsons Prom for an unforgettable experience. Walks to Squeaky Beach, Little Waterloo Bay and the lighthouse are popular.

Tidal River is the main settlement in the park, with a Park’s Victoria visitors information centre, a small shop, a wilderness cruise booking stall and campgrounds. It’s a wonderful place to visit and explore the natural beauty of Australia. Did you know the most southerly part of mainland Australia is Wilson’s Promontory?

Inverloch is a popular destination on the Bass Coast in southeast Victoria. It is a popular destination in the summer months for families who enjoy the clear waters and scenic surroundings.

Fishing in the Inlet and off the nearby rocks is popular, with a variety of fish such as snapper and gummy sharks on offer.

For something a little more interesting, why not explore the Dinosaur Dreaming Fossil Site? The site is known for its rich deposits of fossils from the Early Cretaceous period, including those of the ornithopod dinosaurs, such as Leaellynasaura, and the theropod dinosaur Australovenator.

You can see Dinosaur footprints in the rocks and walk in the steps of these amazing creatures.

Enjoy the local food and wine at the cafes and restaurants in the town and visit the Inverloch Farmers Market on Sunday.

Dargo is a small town located in the high country region of Victoria, Australia. The town is situated on the Dargo River and is surrounded by beautiful forests and mountains, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

One of the main reasons people visit Dargo is its access to the Alpine National Park, which offers a range of activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, and horse riding. The park is home to several stunning natural attractions, including the historic Wonnangatta Station, the Crooked River, and the iconic High Plains.

In addition to outdoor activities, Dargo is also known for its rich history and heritage. The town was originally a gold mining settlement, and visitors can still see remnants of the mining era, such as the Dargo Heritage Museum and the Dargo Cemetery.

Furthermore, Dargo is a popular spot for off-road driving and 4WD adventures, as it offers challenging tracks and stunning scenery.

Dargo is a beautiful and rugged town that offers a range of activities for those who love the outdoors, history, and adventure.

Places to visit in Northern Victoria

The northern area of  Victoria  is made up of the beautiful Goulburn Valley and the plentiful riverside towns situated along the Murray River. On the Murray is the wonderful Barmah State Park. There are many bird species within the unique wetland region and the largest Redgum forest in the world.

Skiing at places like Mount Buffalo and Mount Buller in the winter months is popular. Major towns in the area include Mildura, Swan Hill, Echuca and Shepparton. The North is easily accessed by the Northern Highway and Hume Freeway to visit places of interest in Victoria.

Best places to visit in regional Victoria – Mount Buffalo

Mt Buffalo is an imposing peak in the North East Victoria region, standing at 1,267 metres above sea level. It’s a popular destination for bushwalkers and day-trippers who can explore its lookouts, Heritage-listed Chalet and rugged undulating terrain while  staying in Bright  and surrounds.

There are also several waterfalls and lakes located on the mountain, making it a great place to spend a day out in nature. In wintertime, visitors can enjoy the snow gums and wildflowers that grow on the mountain.

In the summer months, you can go swimming and canoeing on Lake Catani. There are plenty of designated areas to pull up for a picnic with tables and chairs. The drive to the top is memorable, with many places to stop and see the views over the north.

Victoria tourist spots – Glenrowan

Glenrowan, a small town near Wangaratta, is best known as the site of the infamous bushranger Ned Kelly and his gang’s last stand. Pick up a copy of the Glenrowan Heritage Siege Precinct walking map and take a stroll around this historic town, relieving stories and legends from the past.

The map can be found at local businesses or at the local information stand at the Glenrowan Bakehouse.

The sites of significance around Glenrowan are well-marked and easy to find. Each site has a large placard with plenty of information on the events that transpired during the siege of Glenrowan.

There are even some statues erected representing bushrangers (you can also visit the Melbourne Gaol ) and the police to help visitors really get a feel for what it would have been like on those very streets back in 1880.

Be sure to have your photo taken with the 6-meter-tall statue of Ned Kelly in the village and also to walk over the bridge that connects the main road with the appropriately named Siege Street.

On Seige Street, you’ll find the site of Ann Jones’ Glenrowan Inn, the siege site, the Police Shelter Site and the Ned Kelly Capture Site (there is a plaque on the ground so you can’t miss it). If you enjoy history Glenrowan is one of the best places to visit in Victoria.

Contributed by Christine who blogs at Adventure Baby

Places to visit in Victoria in Winter – Dinner Plain

Dinner Plain is the newest township in the state of Victoria. This Alpine Ski village was built just down the road from Mount Hotham as a location for cross-country skiing. Dinner Plain borrows its designs from European Ski villages with its chalets and building, it is worth a stop to walk around and look at the architecture in the Alpine region of Victoria .

The Dinner Plain Hotel is open all year round serving meals and drinks. The are other shops and cafes that open mainly during the snow season when the town is at its busiest. For fitness enthusiasts, Dinner Plain is known for its mountain biking and trail running tracks in the National Park.

For something, a little less energetic and more fun Frisbee golf is the go. Staying the night at Dinner Plain is a great idea with awesome accommodation options available at  Club Wyndham Dinner Plain .

Bright is one of those places that you might not see in an Australian guidebook but is a favourite weekend getaway for Victorians and one of the most beautiful and best places to visit in Victoria. Set in the Victorian High Country, nestled beside the beautiful Mount Buffalo National Park, Bright truly is a four-season destination. 

In winter, Bright is your gateway to skiing and snow sports. Come summer, there is nothing better than enjoying a cold beer at the Bright Brewery while the kids play in the Ovens River. But, the very best time to visit Bright is in the autumn, when the trees come alive with colour.

The best way to experience the autumn colours is by cycling the Murray to Mountains rail trail.  You can stop off at numerous cute cafes and wineries while taking in nature’s palette.  The annual Bright Autumn Festival in May showcases the region’s produce, foodie culture, art and of course the majestic colours.

Head outside of the town to enjoy some hiking by driving up to Mount Buffalo.  Here the snow gums tower over interesting rock formations and you can enjoy the numerous waterfalls in the Park and beautiful Lake Catani. Book a weekend or week away in Bright , we recommend staying at Discovery Parks Bright .

Contributed by Dawn who blogs at 5 Lost Together

Victorian weekend getaways: All the very best things to do in Bright

Located just over an hour north of Melbourne is the town of Nagambie. Most people visiting the town either come for Nagambie Lake or the nearby wineries. Lake Nagambie is a man-made lake that came about from the damming of the Goulburn River, creating one of the biggest lakes in Victoria for recreational use.

There are a few hotels and a Discovery Parks property on the shore of the lake for visitors who arrive looking to participate in popular activities such as fishing, canoeing, jet skis and more.

The Nagambie area is also known as one of the places in Victoria where you can get some amazing wine. Names such as Mitchelton and Tahbilk dominate the area, Tahbilk for its heritage as being one of the oldest wineries in the state.

Mitchelton on the other hand is modern and renowned for its architecture with a huge winemaking complex consisting of a Restaurant, Art Gallery and hotel.

Around the town, you can visit the Goulburn Weir, Gold Mining sites, and Kirwans Bridge for starters. The town of Nagambie itself has a golf course, brewery, and a number of options for eating such as the local RSL, Thai by the Lake and the Eighteen Sixty wine bar just to name a few.

Contributed by Mark, who writes at Wyld Family Travel

Places to see in Victoria – Hepburn Springs

The towns of Daylesford and the lesser-known Hepburn Springs are two of the most delightful places to visit in Victoria. Approximately a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Melbourne, past the magnificent Macedon Ranges.

There are quite a few wineries along the way and a hidden waterfall too if you’re feeling brave enough for an adventure. All in all, making it a rather pleasant drive through the mountains.

The best things to do in Hepburn Springs are to eat yourself silly, spoil yourself at a spa treatment and enjoy a walk around the wonderful historical gardens. The twin towns boast wonderful food, wine and coffee as well as one of Australia’s best cideries at  Daylesford Cider .

The area is also brimming with local artists showcasing their work, historical buildings turned into galleries and antique stores galore. Now if you think that these two towns can’t get any better this area is incredibly LGBTQI-friendly.  Daylesford hosts a variety of LGBTQI events every year.

Contributed by Jean who blogs at Travelling Honeybird

The Macedon Ranges

The Macedon Ranges area is a short trip from Melbourne, perfect for weekend getaways or even a lazy Sunday drive. Consisting of the townships of Gisborne, Riddells Creek, Woodend, Macedon, Malmsbury, Lancefield, Romsey, Mount Macedon and Kyneton, this area has a rich history and breathtaking natural wonders, whilst also being a foodie haven for those looking to treat themselves.

From Kyneton’s historic Piper Street and mineral springs where you can pump sparkling water straight from the ground at the rest stop on Burton Avenue as you head past the Campaspe River, to Malmsbury and its incredible viaduct; through to Mount Macedon’s famous Memorial Cross and then, of course, the iconic Hanging Rock (yes, the very one from the movie!).

This area boasts a wealth of experiences suitable for families, couples and even the lone adventure traveller. Any of these towns are some of the best places to visit in Victoria and will make your holiday spectacular.

If you’re looking for a place to stay, look up the  Flop House   for a range of beautifully curated boutique homes awaiting your booking. And for food? The options are endless, although Major Tom’s in Kyneton has come highly recommended by locals if you’re looking for a burger!

Contributed by Leah who blogs at Kid Bucket List

Autumn in Victoria: 13 spectacular places to visit for amazing autumn colours

Victoria’s interesting places – Mildura

A remote town on the edge of the Outback, set on the banks of the beautiful Murray River, Mildura is an incredible region, with an irresistible appeal. Mildura is rated as one of the best places to visit in Victoria. A one-hour flight from Melbourne, or a six-hour drive, it is a fabulous base for some of the country’s most fascinating National Parks, water-based adventure, and local Australian produce.

Oozing regional Australian charm, Mildura is a very pretty town with sunny Mediterranean weather, riverbank walks, and the opportunity to drift down the Murray River aboard a luxury houseboat.

As far as nearby natural wonders are concerned, this is your base for the World Heritage-listed Mungo National Park (an important cultural site, with aboriginal relics that date back 45,000 years), Hattah-Kulkyne National Park with its beautiful bush setting and range of iconic wildlife, and the pink salt lakes of Murray Sunset National Park.

Mildura has been described as an ‘important Australian food bowl’, with adjacent agricultural districts and award-winning wines drawing foodies into town. You’ll find an abundance of grapes, citrus fruits, almonds, olives, countless varieties of vegetables and much more here.

There are award-winning wineries and oil farms, and no shortage of great places to eat in Mildura.

Mildura really does have it all, so put it on your list of towns to visit in Victoria soon! You will find plenty of accommodation options in Mildura for your stay

Contributed by Megan who blogs at Mapping Megan

Road trip Victoria: Our easy drive North East Victorian road trip itinerary will guide you!

If you are looking for the perfect spot for a relaxing weekend, a biking or hiking getaway with the kids or a romantic escape, Milawa in country Victoria should be on your list of towns to visit in Victoria. Situated in one of the wine and gourmet regions in the north of the state, Milawa is also a short hop from the regional centre of Wangaratta and is approximately 2 and ½ hours out of Melbourne.

Take a walk or a bike ride along the bike trails that surround Milawa and you’ll soon find yourself visiting the many cellar doors, farm gates and gourmet food stores.

Grab a map and pick up a bike at the local bike hire or borrow one from the Brown Brothers cellar door. Stop in at one of the cafés or restaurants for a leisurely lunch, ice cream or coffee break.

Try your hand at some cooking at Pizzini’s Wine Cooking School or sample some gourmet local cheese from Milawa’s historic cheese factory. Better still, you can just sit back and relax, wine in hand.

With a range of boutique accommodations, overlooking vineyards this gorgeous town will provide you with a retreat from reality, once you’re there you’ll find it very hard to go home. Milawa is definitely one of the best places to visit in Victoria with so much to offer.

Contributed by Julie who blogs at A Not So Young Woman Abroad

Victoria destinations – Echuca

Echuca is a stunning town and one that is filled to the brim with amazing Australian history. If you are a history buff then, Echuca is one of the best places to visit in Victoria.

Many people visit Echuca to ride the Murray River on one of the historic paddle steamers that were the lifeblood of the towns located along the Murray. These old streamers are amazing relics of the past that give joy to all who get to ride one.

While you are cruising the Murray you are also given a guide by the captain as to what boat you are riding in and a talk about how important the river was.

After you have enjoyed your cruise a wander through the Echuca Discovery Center gives you another view of how the Murray shaped Victoria in the early years of settlement.

If you are able to go on a guided tour of the centre and have one of the workers walk you through the history of the area. They will also tell you the stories of the town and how it became so popular after the filming of ‘All the Rivers Run’.

If you are travelling to Echuca with kids (or you are a kid at heart) you may want to take them a little out of town for a visit to the Kyabram fauna park or Cactus Country. For anyone interested in Silo Art there is also a small easily accessible silo art trail that is wonderful.

All this makes Echuca one of the best places to visit in Victoria. Find your place to stay in Echuca today.

Chiltern – hidden places to visit in Victoria

Chiltern is a historic town in Northern Victoria, Australia. You will find plenty of things to do in this little town. Explore Chiltern-Mt. Pilot National Park, is known for its eucalyptus forests old gold mining history and birdlife.

Wander the well-preserved Chiltern Historic Precinct, with gold rush-era buildings such as the old Chiltern Police lockup from the mid-1870s and supposedly Australia’s oldest grapevine. Enjoy the serenity of Lake Anderson, perfect for walking, picnics and birdwatching.

Don’t miss the town’s cosy eateries, and consider staying in charming bed-and-breakfasts or cottages. Chiltern offers history, nature, and relaxation in one quaint package.

Read more: Looking for Silo Art check out these 2 amazing Silo Art Trails in Northern Victoria.

Best places to visit in Western Victoria

Western Victoria is home to many of Victoria’s great attractions, and Western Victoria is one of the best places to visit in Victoria. The number one thing is the Great Ocean Road and the 12 Apostles. Many people go on an organised tour or take a road trip down Victoria’s coast.

This region is home to Geelong, Victoria’s largest provincial city, and Ballarat , Victoria’s largest inland city. There is a number of National Parks and major tourist attractions in towns such as Bendigo, Ballarat and Warrnambool. The Western district is known for its dairy farms and rolling green pastures.    

Aireys Inlet

Just before the historic arch that marks the start of the Great Ocean Road is the little town of Airey’s Inlet. Famous for its wide sweeping beaches and the iconic lighthouse, Airey’s (as the locals call it) is one of the most scenic best places to visit in Victoria.

For a small town, Airey’s packs a big punch and is the perfect weekend getaway or stop on your Great Ocean Road trip. Start your visit by taking a long walk along the beach at nearby Urquhart’s Bluff to watch the local surfers ride some huge waves and potter in rockpools.

After your beach walks, stop for a snack at Willows Teahouse below the Split Point lighthouse. From the cafe explore the beautiful clifftop walks and lookout spots. Several times a day there are guided tours of the lighthouse. On the tour, you can climb to the top and enjoy incredible views of the southern Victorian coastline. 

The Airey’s Pub is well known for its huge outdoor beer garden with views of the sea, pub menu and in-house craft brewery. You can spend a relaxing afternoon there taking in the sea views. Or, if you want a culture fix, head over the road and enjoy the exhibitions featuring local artists at the Eagle’s Nest Fine Art Gallery.

For a relaxing time away, Airey’s Inlet has to be one of the best places to visit in Victoria. Book your stay on the coast today at Airey’s Inlet

Contributed by Katy who blogs at Untold Morsels

Regional Victoria places to visit – Ballarat

Ballarat is one of the best places to visit in Victoria as it is one of the oldest towns in Victoria with so many activities for all ages. What makes Ballarat one of the best places to visit in Victoria is that there are so many fun places to explore.

Ballarat is a very easy place to get to being only 100 kilometres from Melbourne which can be done in a day trip from Melbourne or you can plan a trip to Ballarat for a few days. The possibilities for a visit to Ballarat are endless!

Sovereign Hill is its most famous attraction for Ballarat sightseeing and draws visitors from all over the state. Here, you can learn what it was like to be a gold miner in the area during the Gold Rush. It’s set up like an old mining town, and it’s fun for all ages.

You can pan for gold, dress up in old-style clothes and watch working exhibits where you can learn how blacksmiths worked or people made sweets. There are also mine tours.

But there is more to Ballarat than Sovereign Hill. You can also visit Kryal Castle to learn about medieval times. There was a maze, jousting and many demonstrations when we visited as well as the castle itself to walk through, although Kryal Castle is not actually a real castle!

Between these two Ballarat attractions, you could easily spend a day in Ballarat, but if you are around longer, there is also the Ballarat Wildlife Park, Ballarat Tramway Museum, Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka (MADE) which is a small museum about the events of the Eureka Stockade. There is also a tram museum, beautiful botanical gardens, a wildlife park and many more features.

Contributed by Sharon who blogs at Simple and Smarter

With so many places to stay in Ballarat, you can easily use this map to find the perfect stay for your trip to Ballarat.

Loch Ard Gorge

Loch Are Gorge is a favourite enchanting destination with a legendary tale and one of the best places to visit in Victoria. The Gorge is named after a ship, called the Loch Ard, which in 1878 ran aground on Muttonbird Island. Out of 54 passengers and crew, only two teenagers survived. One of them was a young 15-year-old named Tom.

After washing up on shore, Tom heard cries for help coming from the water. Tom dove straight back into the water to rescue 17-year-old Eva. Once she was ashore, Tom then climbed out of the gorge to seek help. What a hero!

If that story doesn’t leave you stirred, the view surely will with its breathtaking high walls and the unrelenting ocean waves lapping the warm yellow sand. Enjoy the view from the top, but make time to actually climb down the stairs and let the sand get between your toes at one of the most beautiful places in Victoria.

For many visiting this area, this Great Ocean Road attraction is at the top of their list of best places to visit in Victoria for locals and international tourists alike.

Port Campbell is the closest town to stay to Loch Ard Gorge and the 12 Apostles.

Contributed by Erin who blogs at Explore with Erin

Cool places to visit in Victoria – Barwon Heads

Barwon Heads has changed dramatically over the years, it was originally a sleepy little beachside town with beach shack weekenders for Melbourne holidaymakers. Now you will find the town filled to the brim with everything new and shiny and rated as one of the best places to visit in Victoria in summer.

During Christmas and school holidays, towns on the Bellarine Peninsula swell with holidaymakers, wanting to make the best of the fun, sun sand and surfing. The main street is full of cafes and trendy shops but the fish and chip shop is still there and a town favourite.

The local pub hasn’t changed and is located right across from the caravan park, facing the beach it’s still a favourite place for everyone to end the day. You are still guaranteed to still get a great parma for a reasonable price. Barwon Heads has a great family-friendly beach just next to the bridge on the Barwon River, it’s shallow has no waves and is perfect for little kids.

For bigger kids, Raffles Beach is perfect for those wanting to learn how to surf and just enough waves to have fun. It can at times get rough and like any Australian beach, you need to be aware of rips and be a relatively good swimmer.  Search for great accommodation in Barwon Heads.

Contributed by Sally who blogs at our3kidsvtheworld

Cape Ottway

From the moment that you turn onto Lighthouse Road off the Great Ocean Road,  Victoria, it’s clear that Cape Otway is a very special location in Australia. As you drive through the Great Otway National Park, be sure to stop and take a closer look – the road is thickly forested with koala-inhabited gum trees on either side.

Some of them seem close enough to reach out and touch! If you can drag yourself away from these grey, furry little cuties, continue on down the road to the stunning Peninsula.

At the end of the road, you can visit the Cape Otway Lightstation. This significant tourist attraction hosts one of the most beautiful lighthouses in Australia, just one of several attractions grouped together for the one entrance fee ($19.50 per adult or $49.50 per family of four).

You can climb the staircase right up to the top of the lighthouse for spectacular ocean views, grab a bite to eat at the café or visit one of the several historical outbuildings and indigenous sites.

As if that wasn’t enough, there is, even more, to see at Cape Otway including the Otway Fly treetop walk . Located on a remote beach at Point Franklin, just a short drive and then bushwalk from the Light station you’ll find a historically significant dinosaur bone excavation dig. There’s so much to do and see at Cape Otway, Victoria – we think it’s one of the best places to visit in Victoria!

Contributed by Barbara who blogs at Lets Go Mum.

Discover hidden gems: 22 best things to do in Warrnambool

Holiday in Victoria near The 12 Apostles

Arguably the most well-known attraction on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, the Twelve Apostles are a collection of limestone stacks just off the shore of the Port Campbell National Park and stand proudly at almost 150ft tall alongside the road making for the perfect road trip backdrop.

The pillars were christened with the name the 12 Apostles in the 1920s (prior to this they were called the Sow and Piglets!) – despite the fact, that there were only 9 at the time. And this number has since been reduced to 7 as the waves and wind that carved them out of the shoreline in this first place, have worn away and reclaimed two of the columns it originally created.

But with the nature of the coast and the extreme weather conditions, it faces every year, more columns are expected to develop over time (although there is no guarantee they’ll join the established lineup!)

The best way to experience the (remaining) Apostles is on the beautiful boardwalk that has been built and provides the perfect viewing platform out over the water. For a different view, you can also take a helicopter flight above and over them. And if you can, time your visit with sunrise or sunset. You won’t be disappointed and you will remember this as one of the most memorable and best places to visit in Victoria.

Contributed by Vicki who blogs at The Big Australia Bucket List

The Grampians

The Grampians are an absolute must when planning a trip to Melbourne and its surroundings. From large sandstone mountain ranges to waterfalls and meeting local Kangaroos, there are so many things to see and do. To reach this beautiful part of Victoria, you’re looking at a distance of 260 kilometres west of the Melbourne CBD and around 3 hours driving.

The area is renowned for hiking, rock climbing and other outdoor activities and can be enjoyed at your own leisure depending on the time you have allowed which makes the Grampians one of the best places to visit in Victoria for nature lovers.

If time is of the essence, you are able to see the main attractions in a short period of time, with a weekend more than plausible for ticking off those bucket list items.

Throughout the National Park, there are many attractions including Boroka Lookout, Mount William, The Pinnacle, The Balconies and Reed’s Lookout.

If there is one place to visit that is not to be missed, it’s the ever-so-popular Mackenzie Falls. With high rainfall throughout the year, the falls continue to flow and are the most breathtaking sight to behold.

If you want to finish your day in the most Australian fashion, a quick visit to the Halls Gap (one of the best towns to visit in Victoria for access to the Grampians) local football oval at dusk will allow you up close and personal with the native Kangaroos. A great way to complete a visit to not only the Grampians and Melbourne but also Australia. Book an amazing stay in Halls Gap

Contributed by Joey who blogs at JC Adventure Images

Geelong – Where to go on holiday in Victoria

Geelong is a city located just an hour’s drive from Melbourne. It is known for its rich history, scenic coastal views, and vibrant cultural scene, In recent years the Geelong waterfront has had an upgrade and a revival with new restaurants and green spaces.

In Geelong, you can explore the city’s historical sites, such as the Geelong Botanic Gardens, The Old Geelong Goal and the National Wool Museum. For those who like beer, a visit to the Little Creatures Brewery complex is a must. It is a great example of how Geelong’s industrial past has been repurposed for tourism.

For art lovers, the Geelong Art Gallery features a collection of Australian and international art and has over 6,000 works of art in its collection. Bike riders will love the Bellarine rail trail and for adventure seekers why not take a hot air balloon ride?

Many Visitors will start their travel to regional Victoria from Melbourne, especially if they are from interstate or overseas. Below you will find some information to make your initial stay in Melbourne easier before deciding where to travel in Victoria.

Warrnambool

Warrnambool is a coastal gem in southwestern Victoria! Explore the stunning Shipwreck Coast with its iconic Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. The most well-known tourist attraction in town is Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, where you will learn about the area’s maritime history.

Witness the iconic Southern Right Whales in season at Logan’s Beach. Stroll along the picturesque Lake Pertobe, perfect for family fun. Discover the vibrant art scene at Warrnambool Art Gallery and indulge in local cuisine at top-notch eateries.

Whether you’re into nature, history, or culture, Warrnambool has something for everyone. Don’t miss this coastal haven on your Australian adventure!

Planning to explore Victoria more?  Here are the best things to do in Halls Gap, the gateway to the Grampians!

The best places to visit in the Melbourne area

Melbourne is known for its vibrant cultural scene, excellent food, coffee, and wine, as well as its beautiful parks and gardens. The city of Melbourne is divided into several suburbs and areas, each with its own unique character and attractions. Some of the most popular suburbs include:

There are many things to do and see in the suburb of St Kilda in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. St Kilda is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, offering a variety of attractions and activities.

One of the main draws of St Kilda is its beautiful beach, which is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing. The website also highlights the many cafes, bars, and restaurants in the area, which offer a diverse range of cuisine and atmosphere.

In addition to the beach and dining options, the website suggests several other activities to try in St Kilda. These include visiting the iconic Luna Park amusement park, exploring the St Kilda Botanical Gardens, or taking a stroll down the lively Acland Street to browse the many shops and boutiques.

Getting to Melbourne

• Melbourne is the second biggest city in Australia. Melbourne International Airport is 23 kilometres from the city centre.
• Melbourne is serviced by many international airlines and budget carriers Jetstar, Tiger, Scoot and AirAsia just to name a few. You can check the prices of international flights to Australia with  Kiwi . Domestic flights can be booked with Webjet  
• There is no direct public transport link with Melbourne Airport. You can catch the Skybus or you can book an airport transfer with Suntransfers who we have personally used on many occasions.
• You can book a rental car and have it waiting for you at Melbourne Airport so you can road trip to all the best places to visit in Victoria.

Getting around Melbourne

Myki is Melbourne’s ticketing system for travel on the city’s trains, trams and buses. International and interstate visitors coming to Victoria can buy a  Myki Explorer pack . The Myki pack combines a ready-to-use Myki card, visitor information and special offers for travellers looking for all the best places to visit in Victoria.

It’s a great option for visitors who choose to explore Melbourne and regional Victoria by public transport! You need to touch your Myki card on and off when you use the public transport system. The   Free Tram Zone  in Melbourne’s CBD makes it easy to move around the city. On the free trams, you do not need to touch on and off with a Myki. Download the Free Tram Zone map on the  Maps page .

If you are using public transport in Melbourne here are some added ideas on top things to see and do:

• Shrine Of Remembrance
• Watch an AFL game
• Melbourne Zoo entry
• Federation Square
• Street Art Tour
• Picnic on the Yarra River
• SeaLife Aquarium
• Melbourne Museum
• Queen Victoria Market
• Melbourne Sports Experience
• Balloon ride at Sunrise
• Legoland Discovery Centre
• Skydive over St Kilda

Discover More: 23 spectacular Melbourne tourist attractions you can’t miss

Where to stay in Melbourne

• Melbourne has accommodation options for every budget from hostels to apartments and hotel rooms
• Hostels in Melbourne can start from as little as $21 a night for a shared dorm room.
• You can search Melbourne apartment accommodation offerings .
• Hotels in Melbourne generally start from around $100 a night for a double room and increase incrementally as the luxury rating rises towards 5 stars. Google states that a 3-star average is around $113, and a 5-star average is $314 for a night stay. You can compare and book your stay on Agoda or Trip Advisor.

There are so many best places to visit in Victoria so put some of these amazing places on your next Victorian road trip itinerary.

We hope this article from us here at Explore Victoria has inspired you to embark on your adventure in Victoria, Australia, from popular  caravan parks  and  pristine beaches  to drives along the  Great Ocean Road . Enjoy weekends away on the Mornington Peninsula and discover the cosmopolitan charm of  Melbourne, Victoria ,  with a range of experiences for every traveller who wants to visit Victoria.

Whether you’re drawn to the rugged beauty of the Grampians, the cultural richness of Ballarat , or the autumn colours of  Bright  and  Northern Victoria , there’s no shortage of hidden gems waiting to be discovered in Victoria.

Even if you love  exploring Gippsland  or driving the  Great Alpine Road , Victoria has something special for you, and there is so much more for you to discover. If you are looking for more incredible and best places to  visit in Melbourne  or more travel in Victoria destinations,  Explore Victoria  has some more articles below for you to check out. Expand your horizons and get out and about in Victoria, Australia, for an unforgettable experience. 

If you have an idea, attraction, or top spot in Victoria, please comment or email us at  [email protected] .

More best places to visit in Victoria inspiration

The best free things to do in Melbourne

The very best things to do in Lakes Entrance

Fun things to do with kids in Victoria

Mark Wyld is a passionate writer and explorer, weaving tales inspired by a deep love for his home state of Victoria. With local knowledge, Mark seeks to share insights and experiences that captivate and inspire readers. When not immersed in writing, you can find him working in Disability Support or spending time with family and friends. Follow Mark for a journey through Victoria’s best sights, tastes and attractions.

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Must Do Canada

The Best Things to Do in Canada

23 of the Best Things to Do in Victoria, BC

April 16, 2024 By Matthew G. Bailey 13 Comments

Things to Do in Victoria – Last updated: April 21, 2024

When it comes to beautiful Canadian cities, Victoria is definitely high on the list. Located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria is British Columbia’s capital and one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest. A British settlement since 1843 and named after Queen Victoria, the city is home to a variety of historic buildings, including the beautiful parliament buildings and the world-famous Empress Hotel. The city is also home to the oldest Chinatown in Canada, vibrant First Nations communities who have called this place home long before European settlement, and is widely known as “The Garden City” thanks to its mild weather and almost year-round gardens.

Victoria is also ranked as one of the top 20 cities worldwide for its quality of life and is relatively snow-free in the winter months, something rather unusual for a Canadian city. Another benefit of visiting Victoria is the city’s surroundings, which include a stunning Pacific coastline, lush rainforest, and beautiful mountains. It’s also conveniently located near both Vancouver, BC, and Seattle, Washington.

If you’re looking to visit a beautiful laid-back city surrounded by outdoor adventure and nature, Victoria should definitely be on your bucket list. In this Victoria BC Travel Guide, we’ll share with you some of the best things to do in Victoria while also sharing some tips on saving money, how to get around, where to stay, and much more.

Planning your trip to Victoria last minute?

Below are some of the top tours, hotels, and more! Don’t forget to plan ahead when considering the top things to do in Victoria!

🇨🇦 Top Activities and Tours in Victoria:

• Best Whale-Watching Tour : If there’s one activity in Victoria that you shouldn’t miss, it’s a whale-watching tour. This is one of the best places in the world to see Orca Whales!
• Best Walking Food Tour : With more than 1,000 5-star reviews, this is your best chance to explore Victoria’s history and culinary scene on a walking food tour.
• Best Seaplane Flightseeing Tour : If you’re looking to get some incredible views of Victoria and the surrounding area, you’ll want to take a seaplane flightseeing tour.
• Best Comprehensive Tour from Vancouver to Victoria : If you’re in Vancouver and short on time, this 13-hour tour from Vancouver to Victoria will give you an excellent taste of British Columbia’s capital city.

🛌 Top Hotels in Victoria:

• Fairmont Empress (luxury)
• Inn at Laurel Point (mid-range)
• Red Lion Inn & Suites (budget)

🚗 Visiting Victoria independently?   Be sure to book your Victoria rental car ahead of time to ensure availability!

Table of Contents

Things to Do in Victoria BC

Victoria is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Canada, which creates loads of attractions, activities, and other things to do. Below is a list of some of the best things to do when visiting Victoria.

Get Stunning Views from Malahat Skywalk

The Malahat Skywalk , one of the newest attractions in Victoria, offers a unique and captivating experience that stands out as one of the top things to do in Victoria. Perched on the southern end of Vancouver Island, this awe-inspiring structure provides visitors with a 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding natural beauty—from the deep blue waters of the Saanich Inlet to the distant, snow-capped peaks of the Olympic Mountains. The adventure begins with a scenic walk through a lush Arbutus forest, leading up to an exhilarating ascent of the spiralling, 10-story wooden tower. At the summit, guests can either soak in the breathtaking views or opt for a thrilling descent via the 20-meter spiral slide. The combination of stunning landscapes, innovative design, and adventurous elements makes the Malahat Skywalk a must-visit destination, appealing to nature lovers, photographers, and thrill-seekers alike.

Smell the Roses at the Butchart Gardens

Visited by more than one million people each year, the Butchart Gardens has become an icon of Victoria, as well as a National Historic Site of Canada. This breathtaking 55-acre garden is home to 900 bedding plant varieties, 26 greenhouses, and 50 full-time gardeners! Whether you’re travelling solo, with your family, or on a romantic date with your partner, the Butchart Gardens is a must-do when visiting Victoria. It’s just a stunning place to walk around. However, they also have a Saturday fireworks show, boat tours, evening entertainment, and a lovely gift shop. Roses, tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and Japanese maples are just some of the magnificent flora you might see in this world-famous garden.

Prefer a tour? Click here to learn more about a popular tour from Vancouver that includes the Butchart Gardens and downtown Victoria.

Visit the Royal BC Museum

Founded in 1886, the Royal British Columbia Museum is a great place to learn about BC’s natural and human history. There are three permanent galleries inside, including Natural History, Becoming BC, and the First Peoples Gallery. The natural history collection alone has more than 750,000 records of specimens that are almost exclusively from the province. The Royal BC Museum is also home to touring exhibitions, such as the Titanic, Egyptian artifacts, and the Vikings. You can also watch educational films and commercial films at the IMAX Victoria theatre. It’s also conveniently located within walking distance from the Empress Hotel and the inner harbour.

Visit Fisherman’s Wharf

Not far from Victoria’s Inner Harbour is the lovely floating neighbourhood of Fishermans Wharf. This hidden treasure is a great place to eat food, shop at unique stores, and go on eco-tours. This place was busy with people eating fresh seafood when we visited, but our favourite part was touring the floating homes and just imagining what it would be like to live in a house that moved with the water. I believe we even saw some guesthouses if you want a really cool experience in Victoria.

Travel Idea: Click Here for the Victoria Harbour Smartphone Audio Walking Tour .

Go for a Stroll at Beacon Hill Park

If you’re looking for a beautiful park to stroll around for the afternoon, you’ll be hard-pressed to find one better than Beacon Hill Park , which is conveniently located in downtown Victoria. Simply walk up Belleville Street past the Museum of Natural History and the Imax Theatre to Douglas Street, take a right, and then climb a short hill until you reach the top. Beautiful inner-city nature awaits you. However, do note that the park is a whopping 200 acres in size, so plan your visit accordingly.

Explore the Inner Harbour and Victoria Pier

One of the best things to do in Victoria is to simply stroll along the inner harbour, which is one of the most beautiful harbours in the world. This is where you’ll find many historic streets and buildings, as well as a variety of festivals and shows throughout the summer. It’s also home to an international ferry terminal, float planes, and many ecotourism businesses.

Take a Walking Food Tour

One of the great things about taking a walking tour is that you’ll actually learn about the place you’re visiting. You’ll learn about the street you’re walking on or the neighbourhood you’re walking through, helping to make the city truly come alive for you. However, taking a 3-hour food tour with A Taste of Victoria Food Tours will add the experience of trying a variety of delicious food from local restaurants and bakeries. This was one of our favourite ways of exploring Victoria as we got to learn some history while sampling things like Italian baked goods, perogies, homemade ice cream, balsamic vinegar and olive oils, and some delicious meatballs.

Click Here to Book Your Food Tour!

Visit the Victoria Parliament Buildings

Right next to the Inner Harbour is the impossible-to-miss British Columbia parliament buildings . Overlooking stunning Victoria Harbour, these beautiful historical buildings are as beautiful on the outside as they are on the inside. Visitors are able to do self-guided tours of the buildings or can go on a regularly scheduled 35-minute guided tour, which occurs seven days a week during the summer months. The Parliamentary Dining Room and Gift Shop are also open to the public year-round.

Go inside Craigdarroch Castle

For a Victorian experience and a real-life example of a “bonanza castle” – massive homes built for wealthy entrepreneurs during the industrial age – you’ll want to visit the Craigdarroch Castle . Built between 1887 and 1890 on a hill offering impressive views of the area, you’ll find four floors of exquisite stained-glass windows, intricate woodwork and fabulous Victorian-era furnishings.

Tour Alert: Click here to visit the castle as part of a private tour from Vancouver .

Go Whale Watching

One of the top things to do in the warmer months is whale watching . Thanks to an abundance of orcas (killer whales), the areas around Victoria and Vancouver Island are some of the best places in the world for these majestic marine animals. While we haven’t gone whale watching directly from Victoria, we have done it a few hours north in Port Renfrew, which was the best whale-watching tour we’ve ever done. We’ve also experienced Vancouver whale watching on the mainland and it was also very good. Highly recommended!

• Orca Spirit Adventures : This is the company we were with just off the coast of Port Renfrew. Despite being the last day of the year for tours in Port Renfrew, we saw dozens of Humpback whales and orcas, making it the wildest whale-watching tour of our lives.

Click here to book a VERY POPULAR half-day whale-watching tour!

Go Small at Miniature World

Honey, I shrunk the kids! Remember that movie? Now you can somewhat experience that at one of Victoria’s top tourist attractions – Miniature World . This little world features more than 85 miniature dioramas and displays, including the world’s smallest operational sawmill, the Great Canadian Railway, one of the world’s largest model railways, and even two of the world’s largest Doll Houses circa 1880 complete with over 50 furnished rooms! Talk about attention to detail!

Abkhazi Garden

This is yet another reason why Victoria is nicknamed “The Garden City”. Complete with an exquisite heritage home, the beautiful Abkhazi garden was created in 1946 by Prince and Princess Abkhazi. It’s only one acre in size but features dramatic glaciated rocky slopes, magnificent native Garry oaks and gorgeous vistas, Japanese maples and rhododendrons, carpets of naturalized bulbs, and much more. It might be small in size but it’s the overall design that leaves the greatest impression upon visitors.

Visit the Victoria Bug Zoo

First, a miniature world and now a miniature zoo? What’s with Victoria and the little things in life? For those interested in insects and spiders, this is the place to be! this is a great opportunity to view and experience multi-legged creatures from around the world in a safe, fun and friendly atmosphere. You’ll find approximately 50 species, including Canada’s largest ant colony, giant walking stick bugs, alien-eyes praying mantids, and even glow-in-the-dark scorpions. Whether you’re with kids or not, bring your camera for an unforgettable experience at the Victoria Bug Zoo !

Stop by the Empress Hotel

The Fairmont has done it again. This hotel is not only one of the top tourist attractions in the city but also one of the most historic buildings as well. Stepping inside is like stepping back in time to the days of the British Empire. Admiring the flora crawling up the building from the outside is just stunning. This iconic Canadian Pacific Railway hotel was built between 1904 and 1908 and has become one of the world’s most famous hotels. But even if you don’t want to shell out the dollars to spend the night at the Empress Hotel , you can just visit the hotel or even partake in afternoon tea, which is served in the lobby to more than 800 visitors per day.

Tour Idea: Click here for a Victoria Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour .

Explore Chinatown

It’s quite amazing how many cities around the world are home to Chinatown . But Victoria’s is unique in that it’s the second oldest Chinatown in all of North America, second only to the one in San Francisco. Created by Chinese immigrants more than 150 years ago, Chinatown has become a testament to the resiliency of the culture and traditions brought overseas long ago. From the Gate of Harmonious Interest to the bold colours of lucky red and gold throughout the neighbourhood, Chinatown is simply a place you shouldn’t miss when visiting Victoria. While there, don’t miss meandering down Fan Tan Alley as well, which is one of the narrowest streets in Canada.

Go Kayaking

Regardless if this is your first kayaking adventure or if you consider yourself a pro, Victoria is an awesome place to paddle and is the gateway to world-class paddling destinations around Vancouver Island. It’s a wonderful way to get some exercise while getting unique views of the harbour and the city, while also having the opportunity to spot local marine wildlife. Being surrounded by water, Victoria offers a huge variety of paddle sports experiences from the serenity of a calm lake, or the joy of an urban paddle on the inner harbour, all the way up to the excitement of a quick-moving current. It’s not just kayaking either. Paddle-boarding is also popular, as are canoeing and other water vessels. The best time for kayaking in Victoria is April through October, but thanks to the city’s mild climate, it’s possible to paddle all year long. There are many companies offering rentals and tours .

As you might imagine, with so much water surrounding the city, sailing is another popular activity in Victoria, BC. Whether you want to learn how to sail or just go for a scenic tour around the harbour, this is a great place to do it.

Get Amazing Views from the Malahat Skywalk

If you’re looking to get incredible views of the surrounding islands and sea, check out the Malahat Skywalk, which is only 30 minutes from Victoria. This new incredible lookout attraction rises up to 250m above sea level, offering a sweeping panorama view of Mt. Baker, Finlayson Arm, the Saanich Peninsula, and islands in two countries. While you’re up there, walk out onto their sturdy 84 ㎡ Adventure Net and be suspended above the centre of the tower with uninterrupted views of the lush arbutus forest and the spiralling structure beneath your feet. Even better? Choose to take the ramp back down or go even faster on their 20-metre Spiral Slide, all the way to the bottom.

With so much nature surrounding the city, Victoria is an awesome base for stunning hiking opportunities. Whether you hike in the city or outside the city, there is no shortage of trails and natural sites, including waterfalls, mountaintops, historic sites, and coastal treks. Most trails are only 30 minutes outside of downtown but will make you feel like you’ve gone deep into the backcountry, except with more people. Trailheads are well signposted, usually with maps, and trails are very well maintained. Most hiking trails are open year-round and are dog-friendly as long as they are on a leash. Some popular options include Coast Trail in Sooke, Mount Work Hiking Trail, Thetis Lake Hiking Trail, and the Trestle Bridge Hiking Trail in Goldstream Provincial Park, just to name a few.

See the Victoria Butterfly Gardens

Who doesn’t love butterflies? Well, now you can step into an indoor tropical rainforest filled with thousands of butterflies fluttering about the place. There are over 70 species of these magical creatures to see, as well as koi fish, turtles, poison dart frogs, parrots, flamingos, and many tropical flowers.

Click here to purchase your ticket to the Butterfly Gardens .

Get a View from the lookout

If you’re looking for one of the best views of the city, head on over to the downtown Harbour Centre’s observation deck for panoramic views over Victoria, as well as the neighbouring mountains and ocean. Click here to see ticket prices.

Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site

If you’re looking for a Parks Canada National Historic Site , this 19th-century coastal artillery fort is bound to satisfy. Tour through secret bunkers, military command posts and original 19th-century buildings while also having the opportunity to camp overnight in group-friendly oTENTik’s. There’s also the adjacent Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site, which is home to Canada’s west coast’s first lighthouse.

Day Trips to the Smaller Islands

While Vancouver Island is quite big , there are actually hundreds of smaller Gulf Islands and inlets in the Georgia Strait around Victoria, BC. These make for excellent day trips. You could rent a boat, arrange a tour, or even take the ferry to popular islands such as Gabriola, Saltspring, and/or Thetis. Once on the little islands, you can simply relax in nature, go biking or hiking, visit local artisans and eateries, or find yourself a nice beach to whisk the day away. Ferry rates are about $10 CAD ($7 USD).

Explore Vancouver Island

While some certainly visit Victoria just for Victoria, we highly recommend taking another week or more and exploring more of Vancouver Island . It’s truly a special place and one of the most beautiful areas in the country. You’ll find gorgeous rainforest treks, mystical coastal beaches, jaw-dropping waterfalls, lovely little island towns, and the best surfing in Canada out by Tofino. There are also whale watching and wildlife tours all over the island, the opportunity to go snorkelling with salmon around Campbell River, and some of the best multi-day hikes in North America. Where will you go?

Tips for Saving Money in Victoria

With a little effort, you can turn Vancouver Island into an affordable travel destination. Most of the outdoor stuff is free so if you stick to that and cook your own food, you can keep your costs pretty low! Here are some of my ways to save money when you travel to Vancouver Island:

Couchsurf: Although Couchsurfing requires quite a bit of upfront work, it can be a great way to meet locals while saving mega dollars on accommodation.

Camping: Vancouver Island is home to a plethora of camping opportunities for those well-equipped. Use the DiscoverCamping.ca website to find potential campsites around the island. Expect to pay around $20 CAD or more per campsite.

Happy Hours: When looking for pubs and restaurants, find out if they have a happy hour. This is a great way to save money on food and drinks, while still enjoying the dining scene of each place.

Go Car-Free: If you’re only planning on visiting one city, such as Victoria or Nanaimo, consider leaving behind your vehicle and taking the ferry as a single person. You’ll save more than $50.

Go Biking: Vancouver Island is one of the top places in the country for mountain biking, so if you have the experience, you can save a lot of money by biking from destination to destination.

Hitchhike: Considering its popularity, there are many opportunities to try hitchhiking. Obviously, you’ll want to check with the local laws beforehand, but this can be a great way to save money. This should only be considered if you have lots of time.

Where to Stay in Victoria

Victoria is home to a plethora of accommodations, ranging from budget hostels to super high-end hotels and everything in between. We’ve listed some good options below but for all the best options, check out our guide to the best hotels in Victoria .

Fairmont Empress: If budget is of no concern, it’s hard to beat the famous Fairmont Empress, which offers a spectacular location and a wide variety of amenities such as a spa, pool, restaurants, and more. Click here to see reviews and availability .

Abigail’s Hotel: With almost all 5-star reviews, this beautiful hotel offers a wide variety of amenities such as free delicious breakfast, free parking, and even a small library to relax in. Guests rave about the comfortable beds as well. Click here to see reviews and availability .

Helm’s Inn: Located just outside of popular Beacon Hill Park. this all-suite hotel offers spacious accommodations, free WiFi, a refrigerator, a microwave, and very high reviews. They also have some kitchenettes available and have a coin-operated laundry facility on-site. Click here for reviews and availability .

Marketa’s Bed & Breakfast: This is where we stayed during our 150-day road trip across Canada. The breakfast alone is worth the stay, including home-baked scones or muffins, Montreal-style bagels, French toast, and more. This heritage home showcases Edwardian décor, has four-poster beds, and is very centrally located and within walking distance of many popular sights. Click here for reviews and availability .

Where to Eat in Victoria

There’s no shortage of places to chow down in Victoria.

Spinnakers : This is definitely the coolest place we ate at during our visit to Victoria. Not only is it a fancy pub but it’s also a brewery. From Kale Caeser to Shrimp Flatbread and Wild Pacific Halibut Fettacunni, Spinnakers is a great place for any meal of the day. But what makes it more special, aside from the views and ambience, is that they also brew their own beer. There are lots of options so we ended up having their beer and chocolate pairing flight, which included four house beer tasters and four handcrafted house-made TCHO Chocolate Truffles by Chocolatier Crystal Duck. We can’t wait to go back!

Getting to Victoria BC

If you’re a visitor looking for different ways of getting to Victoria, here’s some practical advice on how to get there.

Getting to Victoria by Plane

If you’re flying into Victoria, you’ll most likely be flying into Victoria International Airport (YYJ). Although there are other smaller airports around the island, this is the one that gets used by most visitors. It’s located just 25 minutes from downtown, is the 3rd busiest airport in British Columbia and offers easy access to downtown Victoria, including by public bus or taxi. The public bus costs $5 CAD but space for baggage is limited.

Getting to Victoria by Car and Ferry

Victoria is also a great place to visit by car, especially if you plan on exploring more of Vancouver Island. If you’re driving to Victoria, you will need to take a ferry from the mainland to either Victoria or to Nanaimo. Most people would be either driving west from interior BC and Vancouver or potentially south from Washington. The crossing time is approximately 1.5 hours. The BC ferries leave from Vancouver’s Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay (Victoria). The other option is to take the ferry to Nanaimo, and then drive 2-hours to Victoria. The cost for a car and driver is approximately $75 CAD for a one-way trip. However, it’s much better to get a rental car and have all the freedom you need. Depending on timing, you want to arrive 1-2 hours earlier than the ferry departure as it can be very busy. Upon arrival, you will be in Sidney, BC, which is 32 km (20 miles) north of Victoria, taking approximately 30 minutes by car to reach downtown Victoria. You could also take a ferry to Nanaimo and travel to Victoria from there.

Connecting to the Ferry from YVR: Tsawwassen is the closest ferry terminal to Vancouver Airport for those looking to take the ferry to Victoria, BC. For more information on how to take the bus from Vancouver Airport to the Victoria ferry. You can take public transportation from the airport to the ferry, or if you rent a car, just drive to the ferry terminal.

Seattle to Victoria Ferry: Another really cool feature about Victoria BC is that you can actually take a ferry right from downtown Seattle to downtown Victoria, sailing through some really beautiful coastal scenery. The journey takes approximately 3 hours and starts at around $110 USD.

Getting to Victoria by Bus

Just like driving to Victoria, the only way to get to Vancouver Island is to take the ferry. There is no bus that takes you all the way to Victoria from Vancouver. However, you can take a bus to the ferry, and then another bus from the ferry to Victoria. This entire route will take approximately 4 hours. Basically, you need to take the Canada Line and ride the SkyTrain to Bridgeport Station and then take bus 620 from bay 11 to Tsawwassen ferry terminal (45 minutes or more). Jump on the ferry and take it to Swartz Bay (1.5 hours). Once on Vancouver Island, catch the 70 express bus or 72 bus to downtown Victoria (1 hour +). The total cost, including the ferry, will cost around $30.

Getting to Victoria by Tour

Another option for exploring Victoria and Vancouver is a tour from Vancouver that includes the ferry .

How to Get Around Victoria

Victoria is not a huge city, and thus, there is no subway train system. There is, however, a pretty good public bus network, as well as taxis to get you around. You could also rent a car, or if not going too far, Victoria is also a great place to walk or bike.

Bus: Public bus will take you almost anywhere you need to go within Victoria, as well as to the airport and the ferry terminal. Check the BC Transit schedule and also NextRide, which provides real-time bus arrival. Another option is to take the Hop-On Hop-Off double-decker bus, which takes you to all the popular tourist sites, allowing you to get on and off as you please.

Taxi: Like most of Canada, taxis are not cheap but they can be convenient. Prices start around $3.50 CAD and go up by $1.89 CAD per kilometre after.

Bicycle: Victoria is a wonderful city to traverse by bike. There are a variety of options for renting a bike, including electric bikes as well. Another option is the u-bike , which you just grab and go across the city. The only thing you’ll need in advance is an account. The cost is approximately $1 for 30 minutes.

Walk: If you’re only going to be exploring downtown Victoria, walking is the best way to do it. There are even self-guided walking tours and paid tours you could partake in.

Carshare: Another way to get around is by carshare, which is currently operated by both Modo and Zipcar.

Harbour Ferry: For inner-city travel, the Harbour Ferry is a great way to get around and enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery. It runs from mid-February until the end of October (weather permitting).

Weather for Victoria Travel (Best Time to Visit)

Victoria is one of the mildest cities in Canada, receiving very little snowfall and rarely dipping below 0°C. It does, however, get quite a bit of rain during the winter months.

March-May: The spring months are actually a great time to visit Victoria, as this is when many flowers being to bloom and the weather warms up. The average temperature is about 10°C – 18°C (50-65 degrees F).

June-August: Like most of Canada, the summer months are the busiest and costliest time to visit. However, this is when the weather is at its warmest. With maximum warmth and minimum rain, this is the best time for getting outdoors and going walking, biking or hiking. It’s also a better time to go whale watching. You’ll want to consider booking accommodation weeks or even months in advance. The average temperature is around 22°C (73 degrees F).

September-November: The fall is also a great time to visit the island, though you should expect more rain. However, we explored the island in September and had beautiful weather for weeks. We also went whale watching on the last day of the season and had the best whale-watching tour of our lives. You just never know. Just pack a sweater and a rain jacket and umbrella and you’ll be fine. The average temperature is 15°C – 20°C (55-68 degrees F).

December-February: These months represent the winter and is known as the offseason in Victoria. If you don’t mind colder weather and rain, this is the best time to save money on accommodation as well as avoid crowds. There is also skiing on Vancouver Island if you’re looking to go skiing or snowboarding. The average temperature is 9°C (47 degrees F).

Fun Things to Do on Vancouver Island and Beyond

Another great part about Victoria is that there are so many things to do outside of the city as well. From going hiking in the rainforest to camping on a beach to driving up to Tofino to go surfing, Vancouver Island is a place you could spend weeks exploring. You could also head over to Vancouver and continue exploring mainland Canada. The options are seemingly endless.

For more on what to do outside of Victoria, check out these articles below:

• Things to Do in British Columbia
• Best Hotels in Victoria
• Two-Day Victoria Itinerary
• Things to Do in Vancouver
• Driving from Vancouver to Calgary
• Canada Road Trip Ideas

About Matthew G. Bailey

Matthew G. Bailey is the founder and editor-in-chief of Must Do Canada. Growing up in Alberta to a mother from Quebec and a father from Newfoundland, Matt spent his childhood playing hockey under the Northern Lights and hanging out in the forest before moving to Calgary and travelling to more than 250 cities spanning 42 countries and 6 continents. He loves travel, learning new things, playing sports, writing, making videos, photography, and scuba diving. You can also find him at LiveLimitless.net .

Reader Interactions

April 5, 2021 at 7:18 pm

This looks so amazing! Thanks for all this information!

April 7, 2021 at 12:56 pm

What a great article, highlighting so many of Victoria’s attractions. Reading this has made me what to revisit many of them.

April 28, 2021 at 2:06 pm

Articles really make me want to see all of this for myself.

May 10, 2021 at 7:27 pm

When visiting Butchart Gardens – leave your selfie sticks at home, they’re not allowed in the gardens. Yay – finally banned!

May 12, 2021 at 8:50 am

I love Victoria!

May 13, 2021 at 2:52 pm

The gardens are so beautiful at Butchart Gardens, this is definitely on my bucket list.

May 18, 2021 at 8:23 am

Looking forward to getting out to Victoria again. I love it out there!

May 26, 2021 at 6:45 pm

I’ve always wanted to go explore Victoria

January 8, 2022 at 12:38 pm

Great website, each spot is beautifully articulated!

Being new to Canada, this was a great way to learn about incredible and historical places. Hope the situation gets better to get my boots out soon, and plan for my most awaited AB and BC adventure trip this summer.

January 8, 2022 at 1:17 pm

Thank you so much. Yes, we really hope it becomes easier too. Have you seen our Youtube channel?

June 6, 2022 at 10:08 pm

There’s a few things in here I didn’t know about. Happy to find new places to explore.

March 9, 2023 at 11:20 am

We missed you at Haunted Manor Mini Golf! See you next time hopefully?!

March 9, 2023 at 11:58 am

That would be awesome! Not sure when we’ll be back but hopefully not long

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Get inspired by these spectacular places to visit in Victoria, Australia, brought to you by a local Burn City inhabitant addicted to her home state.

Melbourne. Voted the most liveable city in the world  seven times over. I mean, there’s gotta be more to it than our smashed avo on toast which, mind you, is the the bomb diggity – or, our not-to-be-messed-with coffee culture. Right?

I don’t even know what the ranking is based on, but I can tell you one thing – despite the mind blowing brunch selections or soul soothing flat whites, Victoria is home to a vast number of captivating attractions that’ll make you see exactly why the capital of this state is the most liveable city in the world.

If you’re seeking the perfect weekend getaway, or you’re looking to add some unforgettable day trips to your Melbourne itinerary – this epic list serves to inspire you to pack your bags, and visit the most beautiful places in Victoria.

Looking for more Melbourne travel inspiration?

5-Day Melbourne Itinerary: Best Sights & Food

10 Hidden Gems on the Great Ocean Road: 2-Day Itinerary

15 Scenic Places to View the Melbourne Skyline

Places to Visit in Victoria: Quick Travel Tips

➢  Rent a car, van or SUV . Let’s face it, Australia is big and vast – we don’t have much of a rail or bus network that connects everywhere. Renting a car is your best bet of getting around at your own pace and stumbling upon hidden gems.

Find the best price and car suited to your needs on Rentalcars .

➢   Pay attention to the speed limit. To say hurts getting a speeding fine in Australia is a huge understatement. It’s agonising. Torturous, even. It’ll throw you a couple hundred out of pocket and make your trip much less enjoyable.

➢   Book a day trip on Klook . Not ready to brave it on the great Australian roads with a car? No problemo. Take day trips out of Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road, Yarra Valley or Mornington Peninsula with Klook.

Take a look at these popular one day trips in Melbourne:

➢ Get the Entertainment Book . Australia is  expensive . Save a ton on activities, dining, shopping and accommodation in Melbourne and regional Victoria by getting this handy money-saver.

➢ Pack clothes suited for  all seasons. Because weather in Victoria is, basically, like Melbourne weather. This state is notorious for experiencing “4 seasons in one day” climate.

➢ Pick up a 4G SIM card . You’ll definitely need data to navigate the roads. WiFi can be sketchy in country towns Victoria, so be prepared and grab yourself a reliable SIM provider with plenty of data.

YOU MIGHT LIKE:  10 Fun Things to do in Melbourne

21 Beautiful Places to Visit in Victoria

Strap in your seatbelts, guys. This list is going to overload your summer road trips from Melbourne plans for the next 2 years straight. Who would’ve thunk that there are this many beautiful hidden places in Victoria to unravel? 

1. Wilsons Promontory National Park

Deemed one of the most beautiful places in Victoria, it’s safe to say that you haven’t experienced the magnificence of Aussie beaches until you’ve been to Wilsons Promontory. Located in the Gippsland region, roughly 2.5 hours from Melbourne, the national park is a natural marvel that you need to feast your eyes on.

Prepare to be astounded by gorgeous trails and hikes, spotless white sandy beaches, unique Australian wildlife, and views to literally die for.

Camp under the stars, skip along the ‘Prom’s iconic Squeaky Beach, or conquer the summit at Mount Oberon – it’s a haven for hikers, family adventurers, and photographers alike. Get out of the city, slow down a few paces, and immerse yourself in the beauty of the outdoors.

Things to do in Wilsons Prom

▪︎  Watch the sunset from Mount Oberon . One of the most scenic places in Victoria, the hiking trail to the summit is a booty-busting and leg-demolishing exercise that’s worth all the blood, sweat and tears

▪︎   Explore Squeaky Beach, Whisky Bay & Norman Beach . Sink your feet into bright white sand and turquoise water at these glorious beaches found within the national park.

▪︎   Go on a wilderness cruise . Jump onboard one of Wilsons Promontory Cruises amphibious boats and experience the breathtaking granite coastline from the serenity of the water. If you’re lucky, you might even spot dolphins, whales and seabirds.

Unique Stays in Wilsons Prom

Unless you’re a keen camper – no accommodation can be found within Wilsons Promontory, as the National Park aims to protect its pristine beaches, rainforests and wildlife.

▪︎ Stay inside an Eco Tent . Not quite glamping, not quite camping – this unique experience sits somewhere in between. Powered by solar and fitted with an ensuite bathroom, kitchen and deck BBQ, this is the perfect place to stay for semi-nature lovers.

▪︎ Spend a night inside a cottage at a lighthouse . Visitors can get a taste of the lighthouse keeper lifestyle by staying in one of the three gorgeous cottages right next to the lighthouse.

2. Inverloch

One of the best summer family holiday destinations in Victoria, the laid-back coastal town of Inverloch is the perfect retreat for beach lovers, families and water sport junkies. 

Tucked safely inside Andersons Inlet, the beach and waters are protected by Venus Bay peninsula, making it an ideal spot for little swimmers and beginner surfers. 

But, the town is not all about the beach life – wander inland and you’ll be greeted with serene boardwalks and nature trails that take you through the marshlands and stunning viewing platforms of Anderson Inlet.

Things to do in Inverloch

▪︎   Explore the rugged coastlines at Eagles Nest . One of the most beautiful hidden places in Victoria, this gem is located between Inverloch and Cape Patterson. Soak in the views from the lookout or climb down to the secluded beach for a swim or surf.

▪︎   Take kids on a Dinosaur Discovery tour . Embark on a pre-historic adventure to The Caves and unravel plant and dinosaur fossils on this geological landscape

▪︎   Taste wine, beer and local produce at Dirty Three Wines.  Spend a lazy afternoon enjoying local wines and delicious food inside this small industrial estate.

Unique Stays in Inverloch

▪︎   Relax in a Beach Shack with a private outdoor cinema . Retreat into a 1960s inspired beach shack with a designer flare. Chill out by the fireplace or enjoy lying on bean bags while watching a movie on the big screen outside.

▪︎   Spend the night inside a glamping tent . Set on scenic farmlands with gorgeous ocean views – enjoy luxury bell tents with private bespoke bathrooms while you switch off from the world.

RELATED:  15 Places to find the Best Views of Melbourne

3. Lakes Entrance

A solid 3-hour road trip from Melbourne, Lakes Entrance is found in the eastern corner of Victoria. Known for its picturesque intertwining lakes, amazing camping grounds, and the famous Ninety Mile Beach – it’s a popular spot for families and nature seekers.

Grab your sleep bags and snooze under the starry night sky on a quiet stretch of beach, try your luck at fishing, explore the coastline, or visit all the quaint little towns dotted around the lakes. 

For more destinations in Gippsland (and a cheeky trip to NSW South Coast), take a look at this Melbourne to Sydney road trip itinerary .

Things to do in Lakes Entrance

▪︎   Drive inland to the Buchan Caves . Formed by a system of underground rivers cutting through limestone, inside, visitors can tread beneath hundreds of stalactites that line the ceiling (whilst trying not to freak out about one dropping on your noggin’).

▪︎   Rent a houseboat.  Be your own skipper and wake up to a different view each morning aboard your own floating island. 

▪︎   Hop on a ferry and explore Gippsland Lakes.  Uncover the beauty of the waterways from the comforts of a large ferry and cruise through stunning inland waterways consisting of lakes, marshes and lagoons.

Unique Stays in Lakes Entrance

▪︎   Stay inside a luxury off-grid home . Switch off from the world and experience sustainable living at a completely off-grid home set on 3 acres of rolling green hills.

▪︎   Sojourn at a wooden lakehouse . Ever dreamt of living in lakehouse complete with a private jetty and pool? Time to convert that dream into a reality.

Lakes Entrance accommodation booked out? Take a look at this family holiday park in Bairnsdale that’s only a 15-minute drive away.

4. Mallacoota

Surrounded by the glittering beauty and wilderness of Croanjingolong National Park, the pretty little town of Mallacoota is graced with cool ocean breezes in the hot summer months and the warmest winter temperatures in Victoria.

Enjoy nature strolls, boating, fishing, canoeing, 4WDing, surfing or golfing – there’s something enjoyable to be found in Mallacoota for every type of traveller.

Things to do in Mallacoota

▪︎  Explore the ancient forests of Croanjingolong National Park . Delve into the unique landscapes and enjoy boating, fishing, canoeing, 4WDing, surfing and golfing.

▪︎  Visit Gabo Island Lighthouse. Join in on a tour with the keeper and learn about the town’s history and look out for whales, dolphins, seals and even penguins.

▪︎   Captain your own motorboat.  Hire a small boat for the day and explore the scenic waterways and secluded coastlines.

Unique Stays in Mallacoota

▪︎  Stay inside a secluded Riverhouse inside the forest . Immerse yourself in pristine bushlands and forest life inside this magnificent home by the river.

SEE MORE: Highlights of Melbourne to Sydney Drive via Gippsland

5. Mount Dandenong

Country, bush, coast – Victoria’s got ’em all. But, if the mountains are callin’ – we’ve got a set of those, too. And, you better heed that call.

Take a trip out to the Dandenong Ranges, a mere one hour drive from the city – it’s a short trip from Melbourne that makes for a perfect ‘quickie’ retreat from the fast paced city life. Explore eclectic mountainside villages, wander through forest-scape, discover magical falls, and stunning viewpoints.

Things to do in Mount Dandenong

▪︎  Ride the Puffing Billy Steam Train . Travel through lush forest land, fern gullies and farmlands of the Dandenong Ranges onboard Victoria’s most famous train.

▪︎  Soak in panoramic views at Sky High . Drive up to the highest natural viewing point in Victoria – stop at the bistro for a feed or roam the hedge maze and secret gardens.

▪︎  Visit the charming towns of Olinda and Sassafrass . Stop for tea, coffee or lunch in one of these laid-back mountain towns.

▪︎  Take a stroll inside William Ricketts Sanctuary . A free outdoor exhibition that winds through nature paths dotted with wonderful sculptures.

Unique Stays in Mount Dandenong

▪︎  Spend the night inside a medieval-style cottage . Be awed by the Tudor-inspired lodging experience surrounded by rainforest views, walking tracks and picnic areas.

▪︎  Sleep inside a converted 1966 vintage caravan . Experience a stay inside a lovingly restored caravan complete with a hot tub, free WiFi and private patio with a BBQ.

▪︎  Frolic inside a wooden barnhouse . This cosy country-style home is surrounded by breathtaking views and boasts a double spa in the living room, gas log fire and private balcony with a BBQ.

Need to rent a car? Compare the best prices on Rentalcars .

6. Healesville

For a splendid one day trip in Melbourne that’s guaranteed to please kids and grown-ups alike, there’s no place quite like Healesville. A haven for food and wine lovers, the region is enveloped by awe-inspiring scenery, iconic Australian wildlife, artistic inspiration, and award-winning  wineries and restaurants.

It’s also, without a doubt, one of the best places to visit in Victoria with kids where little ones are given the opportunity to encounter rescued wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary, or run wild at one of the many outdoor picnic grounds with playgrounds.

Things to do in Healesville

▪︎  Encounter Aussie wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary . One of the top places of interest in Victoria, this is where you can meet rescued wombats, kangaroos, Tasmanian Devils, koalas and more native animals. 

▪︎  Have a picnic at Maroondah Reservoir Park . Pack a picnic and chill inside the huge park space or climb up to the dam wall for a gorgeous vista of Healesville from above.

▪︎  Pop into some of the region’s finest wineries . Soak in views of rolling green hills and indulge in some of the state’s most delectable cuisine and wines.

Unique Stays in Healesville

▪︎  Stay inside a glamping pod at a holiday park . Sleep inside an eco glamping pod with an ensuite bathroom and enjoy roaming the great outdoors.

▪︎  Romantic vacay at a tiny house on the edge of a hill . Be awed by this adorable country-style cottage nestled on rolling green hills.

▪︎  Experience living inside a luxury warehouse . Enjoy one of the most unique weekend trips from Melbourne by staying in a warehouse-style shed.

Experience the best attractions of the region. Join in on one of these top-rated tours and activities in the Yarra and Dandenong Ranges.

✰ Puffing Billy & Winery Lunch Hop on the famous steam train and choo choo your way through Dandenong Ranges National Park followed by lunch and wine tasting in the Yarra Valley.

✰ Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight Kick off the morning feeling like you’re on top of the world (literally) with an unforgettable flight over the Yarra Valley.

✰ Full Day Yarra Valley Wine Tour & Lunch   Hop between Victoria’s top wineries and enjoy tastings with an expert guide, including lunch at a winery restaurant.

7. Warburton

Lovers of the outdoors, rejoice. Warburton is one of the most adorable country towns in Victoria you’ll come across and fall instantly in love with. 

Located in the upper reaches of the Yarra River, the area is surrounded by lush, green mountains and age-old trees that soar into the skies. Take the opportunity to see some of the state’s most picturesque countryside via bicycle, 4WDing or on foot. 

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tina ft. 2 boys & 1 man child (@hangrybynature) on Jan 8, 2019 at 12:27pm PST

Things to do in Warburton

▪︎  Experience snow in winter on top of Mount Donna Buang . Drive up the windy road to the summit and experience snow play toboggan runs in the cold months.

▪︎  Stroll through the majestic Redwood Forest . Pack a picnic and explore this magical forest lined with towering Californian Redwood trees.

▪︎  Visit the Warburton Rainforest Gallery . Float along enormous mountain ash and myrtle trees and be mesmerised by the beauty of this forest.

Unique Stays in Warburton

▪︎  Spend the night inside an American-style eco barn . Prepare to be blown away by this collection of hand built barn-style rooms tucked away in the Yarra State Forest.

▪︎  Sleep inside an off-grid mudbrick house . Built with reclaimed timbers and handmade mudbricks, this rustic cottage is the perfect way to switch off.

▪︎  Retreat into a Gaudi-inspire art house . Let your creative muse loose inside this artsy space and find inspiration for your next project.

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8. Marysville

Nestled in the foothills of the state’s great alpine region is the delightful little town of Marysville, truly, one of the tip top beautiful places to visit in Victoria. The drive up the Black Spur alone is a jaw-dropping experience that’ll make you tear up with all the beauty that this corner of the state has to offer.

Only a 1.5-hour drive from Melbourne, this alpine resort village is the ideal destination for all-year-round outdoor activities. Take the family on a snow adventure to Lake Mountain for toboggan runs in the colder months or trail to Keppel Lookout for breathtaking scenes of Steavenson Falls. 

Things to do in Marysville

▪︎  Hike up to Steavenson Falls . Embark on an easy climb up to the top of this magnificent waterfall for amazing views of the region.

▪︎  Trek along the Keppel Lookout Trail . Drive or hike up to this wonderful viewing spot where you can soak in invigorating panoramas of Marysville.

▪︎  Visit Lake Mountain Alpine Resort for snow-filled shenanigans . Ski through 37 kilometres of cross-country trails or let the kids loose on the fun toboggan runs.

Unique stays in Marysville

▪︎  Experience country hospitality at a secluded lodge . Wake up to kangaroos outside your window on a 68-hectare property surrounded by dense forests.

▪︎  Stay inside a German Alps-inspired mountain chalet . Enveloped by untouched rainforest and native Australian wildlife – this place is one of the best escapes from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Short on time? Take a day trip to Lake Mountain with a guide that includes skiing, tobogganing and chocolate sampling .

9. Cathedral Ranges State Park

One of the craziest and adrenalin-fuelled hikes that I ever agreed to embark on – hiking up Cathedral Ranges is not for the faint-hearted. 

However, I can assure you that the view at the summit is completely worth the near-death experiences encountered along the way. Enjoy one of the most beautiful places in Victoria overlooking vast farmlands, charming towns and mountain ranges.

Clamber through claustrophobia-inducing narrow cave passages and cliff-edge climbs that’ll make your heart rate drop. If adrenalin is what you seek, then adrenalin you shall find.

Things to do in Cathedral Ranges

▪︎  Drop by the township of Lake Eildon . Explore this quaint little town and its rich history or partake in water-based activities, such as houseboating and wakeboarding.

▪︎  Camp and hike to the top of Cathedral Ranges State Park . Climb to the summit for inspiring views and experience one of the hardest hikes in Victoria.

Unique Stays in Cathedral Ranges

▪︎  Experience a family stay at a 40 acre rural retreat . Spend a few nights inside a huge 4-bedroom house with views of the Cathedral Mountain range, splendid sunsets and a private pool.

Want more local Melbourne tips for planning your next getaway?

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10. Kinglake

Before we dive into the beautiful attractions of Kinglake, let’s set the record straight – there’s no lake. Alright, now that we got that out of the way, let’s talk about this incredible town that’s an absolute paradise for outdoor lovers.

Situated 50 minutes north of Melbourne CBD, the town is home to countless natural marvels, such as the Kinglake National Park, berry farms, lush walking trails and adventure playgrounds that the kids will go nuts over.

Things to do in Kinglake

▪︎  Enjoy a bushwalk in Kinglake National Park . Go camping, wind down the myriad of nature trails and find a quiet spot to admire the powerful Kinglake Waterfall.

▪︎  Pop by the magical playground at Bollygum Park. Moulded after the award-winning children’s book ‘Bollygum’, this outdoor playspace features a skate park, animal houses and a bird’s nest making it a hit amongst kids.

▪︎  Visit one of the biggest berry farms in Australia . Sink your teeth into the fresh and juicy raspberries at Kinglake Raspberries during harvest season.

Inch your way towards the Alpine National Park, one of the best places to visit in Victoria in the autumn and winter seasons, and enjoy the splendour and allure of the high country. 

Wander along Ovens River and soak in the stunning forest and call of the mountains that the town is engulfed in. Bright also boasts a first-rate foodie scene, where you’ll stumble upon boutique wineries, village cafes and mouthwatering restaurants serving up delicacies sourced from local ingredients.

Things to do in Bright

▪︎  Embark on an easy walk to The Canyon . Follow Ovens Valley River, bask in the natural scenery and cross a picturesque suspension bridge.

▪︎  Swing by Bright Splash Park in the summer . Cool off in the warmer months and chill out in this free public space that features bucket dumps and ring sprinklers where kids will have an absolute ball.

▪︎  Day trip to Mount Hotham or Falls Creek . If you’re after snow-capped adventures in the winter time, these two popular snow resorts are a must for ski enthusiasts.

Unique stays in Bright

▪︎  Stay inside a contemporary tin hut . Experience a memorable stay inside a modern tin house with designer touches.

▪︎  Cosy up in a modern love shack . What great romances are made of. Plan a romantic getaway and enjoy views of the mountains from the outdoor bath.

▪︎  Tiny House with an epic mountain view . Switch off from the world and seclude yourself in this gorgeous tiny home surrounded by killer mountain scenery.

TIP:  Plan a trip during the Bright Autumn Festival to experience breath-stealing autumn foliage and taste rare seasonal produce of the region.

12. Alpine National Park

Welcome to the state’s amazing High Country where you can spend days hiking along towering alpine ridgelines, trek past lush river valleys, rugged bushland and revel in unforgettable mountain scenery.

Some of the most amazing places to visit in Victoria are not always found along the coast. Albeit, Victoria is home to tear-jerkingly beautiful rugged coastlines that’ll make your heart skip a beat, but we also have mountain ranges that some might call ‘alps’ (as a German-born, I tend to disagree). With snow. Yes, plenty of snow.

Things to do in Alpine National Park

▪︎  Make a trip up to Mount Hotham or Falls Creek . Victoria’s most popular ski resorts are open all-year round for adventure seekers.

▪︎  Trek or drive up to highest mountain in Victoria . Nestled in the heart of the Alpine National Park, Bogong High Plains offer world-class mountain bike trails and hiking opportunities.

▪︎  Visit the hidden Lake Tali Karng . Camp out at the highest freshwater lake in the alpine region and bask in unforgettable mountain views.

Unique Stays in Alpine National Park

▪︎  Get cosy inside a Witcher-style stone cottage . Wake up to the sounds of the river and the forest in this detached mudbrick studio nestled at the foot of the mountain.

▪︎  Live it up inside a pod with breathtaking vistas . Enjoy stunning views from the bed or terrace of Kiewa Valley and Mount Bogong.

▪︎  Relax in a loft-style 3-bedroom chalet . Kick back in this Scandi-inspired mountain chalet boasting minimalist modern furnishings and to-die-for views.

New to Airbnb? Get $40 travel credit when you book your first stay!

13. Geelong & Bellarine Peninsula

Geelong. Better yet,  Gee-troit , as the locals like to call it to give Victoria’s second largest city a ghetto edge. Although it’s far flung from its colloquial name, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by all the delightful attractions and natural sights Geelong has to offer .

Roughly an hour’s drive from Melbourne, this easy-going coastal city is a burgeoning foodie scene, home to a myriad of contemporary dining experiences, craft breweries and hipster cafes. Enjoy wading in the cool waters of Eastern Beach in the summertime, explore the historic streetscapes or drive off to the Bellarine Peninsula for a surf, swim or scenic walk.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tina ft. 2 boys & 1 man child (@hangrybynature) on Dec 2, 2018 at 1:53am PST

Things to do in Geelong

▪︎  Take a leisurely stroll down the scenic waterfront . Food, cafes, ice cream parlours, vintage carousels and an awesome public swimming pool is what awaits you at the Geelong Waterfront.

▪︎  Eat your way through Pakington Street . Discover cool laneways, cafes tucked into warehouses, shipping containers and even old churches – it’s a mini Melbourne outside of Melbourne.

▪︎  Uncover the beauty of the Bellarine Peninsula . Scramble along the rocky shores of Barwon Heads, explore the seaside resort town, Queenscliff or even jump on a ferry to the Mornington Peninsula.

Unique Stays in Geelong

▪︎  Stay inside an incredible converted barnhouse . Constructed from traditional post and beam, this place even features a complete wooden chess corner on the top floor.

▪︎  Spend the night inside an enchanting Hobbit-style bungalow . This art deco-inspired private bungalow is surrounded by magical gardens and whimsical footpaths that’ll whisk you off into a fantasy world.

READ MORE:  Top 10 Geelong Attractions & Things To Do

14. Great Ocean Road

Hailed one of the bucket list places to visit near Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road is one of nature’s most marvellous creations and a place you have to set out to visit at least once in your life.

The 243 kilometre coastal stretch runs along the rugged south western coast of Victoria, where the journey begins in a small beach town called Torquay, a paradise for surfers just over an hour’s drive outside from Melbourne.

Without a doubt, the most iconic stop on the Great Ocean Road is the legendary Twelve Apostles, only, there aren’t many left. So, be sure to make the effort to go and see these unique rocky pillars before they vanish from the surface of our Earth.

Take a look at our suggestions for hidden gems along the Great Ocean Road .

Great Ocean Road: Things to do

▪︎  Kick back in the popular surf towns of Torquay, Bells Beach and Lorne . Bask in Australia’s beach culture, explore the cliffsides or trek up waterfalls in these chilled out towns.

▪︎  See the best attractions on a guided day tour . Get blown away by the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge.

▪︎  Otway Fly Treetops Walk or Otway Fly Zipline Tour . Discover the incredible Otway National Park from the treetops.

You might like these fun activities on the Great Ocean Road:

Unique Stays on the Great Ocean Road

▪︎  Stay inside a 40 metre high suspended glass house . Staring into the Pacific Ocean, this is Australia’s most photographed luxury accommodation that will completely blow your mind.

▪︎  Sleep inside an award-winning designer eco lodge . A stone’s throw away from the Twelve Apostles, you’ll find a group of unique sanctuaries where you can relax and heed the call of nature.

▪︎  Bunk up inside a converted steam train carriage . Disconnect from technology and reconnect with nature and those around you inside this renovated train carriage.

RELATED:  16 Must-See Spots on the Great Ocean Road

15. Warrnambool

Set out on a 3 hour drive to the remote western corner of the state – in our personal opinion, one of the best towns in Victoria to visit with kids, or simply retire in. 

Better yet, add Warrnambool to your Great Ocean Road itinerary and make it your first (or last) stop to enjoy whale watching, beach swims and stunning walks along the rocky coast.

It’s the ideal family vacation spot where you’ll find the historical Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, Bay of Islands and a pretty lake that is the social gathering point of the town.

Things to do in Warrnambool

▪︎  Catch the sunset at Warrnambool Breakwater . Climb around the rocky cliffs or trail down Pickering Point for impressive views of the islands.

▪︎  Take the kids to Lake Pertobe Adventure Playground . An epic outdoor playspace that the kids will never want to leave. Stroll around the lake or hire a small motorboat.

▪︎  Visit the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village . Travel back in time to a 19th century replica maritime village and see Australia’s most precious shipwreck relic.

Unique Stays in Warrnambool

▪︎  Call a shipping container your home for the night . Wake up to sounds of the river from within a converted shipping container with all the amenities you could possibly need.

▪︎  A church that’s been renovated into a home . For a unique experience in Warrnambool, stay inside a converted church complete with stained glass windows and high ceilings.

YOU MIGHT LIKE:  10 Best Family-Friendly Beaches in Melbourne

16. Mornington Peninsula

Crystal blue waters and silky soft and shallow sand beaches that span into the horizon – the Mornington Peninsula is home to some of the best kid-friendly beaches in Melbourne. If this isn’t on your list of top places to see in Victoria, then you need to add it in right this moment.

Rent a car and make the gorgeous drive down yourself or book the Ultimate Mornington Peninsula Day Tour that covers prime attractions of the region, such as Fort Nepean National Park, Sorrento Beach, wine tasting and more.

Take a look at our complete guide to 12 must-dos in the Mornington Peninsula .

Things to do in Mornington Peninsula

▪︎  Book a visit to the Peninsula Hot Springs . Dip in the toasty waters of thermal hot springs and experience ultimate rejuvenation in this peaceful sanctuary.

▪︎  Drive to the hidden back beaches . Explore the untouched sands of Bridgewater Bay, Gunnamatta Beach and Cape Shanck.

▪︎  Take a scenic gondola ride on the Arthurs Seat Eagle . Soar through the skies and marvel at scenic views of the Melbourne skyline and Port Phillip Bay.

Unique Stays in Mornington Peninsula

▪︎  Sleep in a Tiki-style ocean cottage . Get whisked away to the Pacific Islands and chill inside this home with all the tropical beach vibes.

▪︎  Relax inside a luxury Mongolian-style yurt . Experience what it’s like to be a true nomad by sleeping in a traditional yurt with a modern touch.

▪︎  Bungalow tower with million dollar views . Perched on the highest vantage point in Mount Martha, this architect-designed home will have you picking your jaws up from the floor.

Discover more popular Mornington Peninsula activities:

17. Werribee Gorge State Park

A perfect short day trip from Melbourne, the Werribee Gorge can be found in the desolate west of the city. Hugely popular amongst bushwalkers and rock climbers, it’s easily one of the best day trips from Melbourne.

The national park offers on trail and off trail adventures, steep descents for thrill seekers, river crossings, cable climbs, wildlife spotting and rock hopping for outdoor junkies.

18. Ballarat

If you’ve had enough of the coast and beach (as if), then it’s time for a getaway to the remote inland regions of Victoria. Situated just over an hour from Melbourne by road or rail; the city makes for an ideal day trip or weekend escape from the city.

Although gold played an important role in moulding the city into what it is today, there is much more to this place than all that glitters. Home to scores family-friendly activities and enveloped by stunning green landscapes, Ballarat is one of the best things to do in Victoria that caters for all interests and age groups.

Have a glance at our entire 10 things to do in Ballarat guide for more inspiration.

Things to do in Ballarat

▪︎  Dig for gold inside Sovereign Hill . A visit to Ballarat’s number one attraction is an absolute must. Descend into old gold mines, pan for gold and immerse yourself in life as it was in the 1850s.

▪︎  Encounter Australian animals at Ballarat Wildlife Park . Home to over 100 free-roaming kangaroos, wombats and koalas – this place is a sanctuary for animal lovers.

▪︎  Experience medieval life inside Kryal Castle . Perfect for anyone who’s fascinated by knights, wizards and castles, this is a must-visit attraction for all ages.

Unique Stays in Ballarat

▪︎  Stay inside a classical Victorian townhouse . Choose between a 2 or 6-bedroom beautifully restored townhouse in the heart of Ballarat.

▪︎ Spend the night inside Kryal Castle . The medieval-themed suites inside this adventure park will bring out the knight and princess in you.

▪︎  Sleep in a restored corner shop . Experience a unique stay inside a restored shop with a lofty bedroom and all modern amenities.

▪︎  Bunk up inside a 1850s-style miner’s loft . Ever wondered what kind of space miners would’ve slept in? Be awe-struck by this whimsical and rustic goldmine-inspired abode.

SEE MORE:  Best Budget to Luxury Accommodation in Ballarat

19. Daylesford

Overdue for a romantic escape with your other half? Daylesford calls. Possibly one of the best places to visit in Victoria for couples, this dreamy little town is famously known for its natural mineral springs and botanical garden that sits atop an extinct volcano.

It’s the ideal location to invigorate your body and mind, ignite creativity in the dense forests or venture to some of the historic neighbouring towns for country-style culinary experiences. 

Things to do in Daylesford

▪︎  Spend half a day bathing inside Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa . Indulge in a relaxing body treatment or massage to rejuvenate your mind and soul.

▪︎  Visit Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens . Wander through this enchanting green space that was built on top of an extinct volcano.

▪︎  Drive to Trentham Falls. Marvel at one of the most beautiful outdoor places to travel in Victoria and get awe-struck by this powerfall waterfall.

Unique Stays in Daylesford

▪︎  Cosy up inside a wombat hole-inspired home . What it looks like when Scandi-style meets wombat hole.

▪︎  Live it up inside a converted horse stable . Experience loft-style living inside an old horse stable that’s been brought back to life.

▪︎  Sleep inside an enormous converted barn . Enjoy life inside a revitalised 100-year old property that’s been creatively restored.

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20. Macedon Ranges

Venture an easy 1-hour trip north of Melbourne where you’ll find spectacular gardens, quaint towns and rolling green hills in the Macedon Ranges. 

Stock up on some of the finest local produce at the markets, indulge in artisan food, hit up world-class wineries or explore the expansive forests and trails at Mount Macedon and Hanging Rock.

Things to do in Macedon Ranges

▪︎  Climb up Hanging Rock Reserve . Make your way up this imposing rock edifice, meet some native animals along the way and bask in the scenery.

▪︎  Visit one of the many wineries . Macedon Ranges is known for its quality wineries, be sure to wine and dine in, at least, one.

▪︎  Soak in panoramic views from Mount Macedon . Roam the beautifully manicured gardens and admire the breathtaking scenery.

Unique Places to stay in Macedon Ranges

▪︎  Stay inside an old school house . Experience accommodation inside a converted 1876 school in the heart of the Macedon Ranges.

▪︎  Sleep inside an old railway station . Set in Lance Field, the converted train station houses a restaurant and includes free breakfast.

▪︎  Make the inside of a vintage colonial tram your home . Stay the night inside a cosy 1920s tram with an outdoor campfire, BBQ and Tiki bar.

Short on time? Join a 1-day horses, wine and beer tour of Macedon Ranges.

21. Bendigo

Searching for more glory, gold and riches? If Ballarat didn’t cut it in way of panning for gold, make a trip to Bendigo and continue the hunt. Lying 150 kilometres north of Melbourne, Bendigo is Victoria’s fourth largest city and the second highest producing goldfield in Australia during the height of the gold rush.

Boasting some of the country’s finest Victorian buildings, Bendigo is steeped in captivating history of a bygone age. Tour the Central Deborah Mine, sample delectable modern cuising inside historic buildings or uncover the city’s Chinese heritage; Bendigo makes for one of the best day trips from Melbourne for all types of travellers who enjoy a wee bit of history and culture.

Things to do in Bendigo

▪︎  Bendigo Vintage Talking Tram Tour . Hop onboard this refurbished vintage tram and see the best landmarks and attractions.

▪︎  Tour the Central Deborah Gold Mine . Learn about Bendigo’s golden past and experience what life was like for miners.

▪︎  Visit the Golden Dragon Museum . Learn about the Bendigo’s Chinese influence during the great gold rush era and how it shaped the city.

Unique Stays in Bendigo

▪︎  Stay inside a glamping tent at a winery . Spend a night or two at Balgownie Estate Winery Retreat, enjoy complimentary wine tasting and relax inside the luxurious tents.

▪︎  Experience the 70s inside a hippie van . Get groovy inside a 1973 vintage caravan with a private ensuite and private outdoor area.

▪︎  Live it up inside Victorian-style residences . Run wild inside this restored 4-bedroom residence in Bendigo’s art precinct.

22. Echuca Moama

Ahoy! Welcome to Australia’s paddler steamer capital, home to the world’s largest fleet of riverboats and floating fine-dining restaurants. 

Roughly a 2.5-hour drive from Melbourne, Echuca-Moama is steeped in exciting colonial heritage, but also makes for an action-packed holiday for outdoor lovers. Stroll around the old Port of Echuca and observe paddlewheelers and steam engines in action, experience the mighty Murray River on a river cruise, wakeboard, waterski or get a group together and get rowdy on the paintball fields.

Things to do in Echuca

▪︎  Tour Echuca on the back of a rickshaw . Get chauffeured around to the best points of interest and historical sites.

▪︎  Cruise the Murray River onboard PS Emmylou . Soak up the beautiful surrounds on a traditional wood-fired paddlesteamer.

▪︎  P aintball ’til you fall . Get a gang together and run wild inside Australia’s biggest paintball venue.

Unique Stays in Echuca

▪︎  1-night onboard PS Emmylou paddlesteamer . Experience an all-inclusive overnight stay – enjoy a multicourse dinner and bask in the spectacular scenery.

▪︎  Stay inside a vibrant gypsy wagon . Inspired by 19th century gypsy wagons, this modern reproduction comes with all the 21st century comforts.

TIP: Echuca is home to a myriad of exciting festivals. Check the Echuca events calendar   to align your visit.

23. Phillip Island

Picture this. Dazzling rugged coastlines, deep blue water ideal for surfing, fish and chips by the beach and cute little penguins bouncing up sandy hills. That’s the essence of Phillip Island, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful places in Victoria that needs to be on your bucket list.

The island harbours splendid sights and activities for families, couples and adventure seekers. Learn about its history and heritage at Churchill Island Farm, hike along Cape Woolamai or watch the Penguin Parade; you’ll find it hard to get bored on Phillip Island.

Don’t forget to grab the Phillip Island 4 Parks Pass to save on entry for the Penguin Parade, Koala Conservation Centre and more top attractions.

Things to do in Phillip Island

▪︎  Relax at Cape Woolamai Beach and hike to the Pinnacles . Traverse this stunning surf beach and trail your way along the coast to the Pinnacles lookout.

▪︎  Go on a wacky adventure inside A Maze’n Things . Waltz through rooms filled with optical illusions and crazy puzzles, an attraction all members of the family are sure to enjoy.

▪︎  Watch the Penguin Parade . Observe adorable penguins hobbling up to their nests at sunset.

Unique Places to stay in Phillip Island

▪︎  Get cosy inside a tiny beach house . Situate yourself minutes from the beach in a unique tiny home with all the beach vibes.

▪︎  Stay in a Bohemian beach bungalow . Featuring an outdoor camp kitchen, a firepit and eco-composting toilet, this is what Bohemian rhapsodies are made of.

Discover more of Phillip Island’s best attractions:

24. The Grampians

Known for picture perfect sandstone mountains, jaw-dropping views and unique Australian wildlife, the Grampians National Park is one of the top places to see in Victoria for couples or families seeking recluse in the mountains.

Covering over 170,000 hectares of space at the border of Victoria and South Australia, a visit to this corner of the state will have you reconnecting with nature, loved ones and the nomad inside of you. Expect to come across awe-inspiring vistas, mighty waterfalls, tranquil lakes and wild native forests. 

Things to do in the Grampians

▪︎  Hike up to The Pinnacle lookout . Deemed one of the top things to see in Victoria, getting to this bucket list lookout involves an arduous 2 kilometre hike that leads to an insanely rewarding view.

▪︎  Stare in wonder at Mackenzie Falls . Marvel at the water cascading down Victoria’s largest waterfall from the top or bottom lookout.

▪︎  Pop by the Halls Gap Zoo . Found at the foothills of the Grampians, Victoria’s largest regional zoo is home to over 160 native and exotic animals.

Unique Stays at the Grampians

▪︎  Enjoy a glamping retreat in the mountains . Immerse yourself in the great outdoors and enjoy 5-star amenities inside a canvas tent.

▪︎  Hide out in a secluded cabin in the woods . Escape city life in this modern couple’s retreat that’s surrounded by native bush and wildlife.

▪︎  Live it up inside luxury terracotta villas . Including breakfast, a spa bath and a romantic fireplace, this is the ultimate getaway with modern amenities.

Tight on time? Take a guided Grampians Day Tour to see the best lookouts and attractions.

25. Albury Wodonga

Ever wanted to be in two difference places at the same time? Albury Wodonga is ‘where everything comes together’. Two cities located at opposite ends of the state border that are filled with natural wonders, charming townships and outdoor adventures; a trip to this stunning region will bring out the explorer in you, but will also give you the time to relax and unwind.

Things to do in Albury Wodonga

▪︎  Picnic at Lake Hume . Drive or stroll around the picturesque lake and admire the impressive infrastructure.

▪︎  Paddle down the Murray River . Hire a canoe or kayak and explore the surrounds at your own pace.

▪︎  Spend a day at the Albury Botanic Gardens . Stroll through the 130-year old gardens that features a children’s playspace and historical buildings.

Unique Stays in Albury Wodonga

▪︎  Stay inside a tranquil zen house . Surround yourself with peaceful and ambient energy that comes complete with a garden made for ultimate relaxation.

▪︎  Experience ultimate luxury in a spa hotel . Live the high life inside this upmarket space that features contemporary decor, breakfast and a day spa.

More Melbourne & Victoria Guides

Take a look at this list of 10 best things to do in Melbourne to inspire your next city trip. Ditch the Great Ocean Road for a trip to Mornington Peninsula’s best attractions . Taking the kids for a day trip out of Melbourne? Don’t look past Ballarat . Slickin’ in the city? Check out these fun things to do in Docklands .

Best Places to Visit in Victoria: Wrap Up

There’s obviously more to the reason why Melbourne was voted the most liveable city in the world on numerous counts, but I’d say our amazing countryside mixed in with our spectacular coastline accounts for a good chunk of the points here. Oh, and our food scene. Let’s not forget the mind blowing food our chefs put on the brunch table here.

I hope this list has inspired you to jump in a car to explore the remote regions of my beautiful home state – there really is so much to see and do for travellers of all kinds. A great place to start planning your next great Victorian getaway is on the official Visit Victoria site, where you can align your travels with special events, or simply find inspiration on where to go.

Want to know more about these beautiful places in Victoria?

Feel free to ask in the comments below.

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38 comments.

Gorgeous photos! Makes me want to pack a bag right now. 🙂

Thanks, Lacee! I hope you get around to visiting one day – I’m sure you’ll love it!

Wow! These photos are amazing. I have always wanted to go to Australia!

Thank you, Vicki! I hope you get the chance to visit soon! It truly is a beautiful place.

Wow. These places are amazing. You’re good with taking landscapes I see. Thank you for sharing these wonderful places.

Great post, I am going to try and visit all these when I get to Vic again! I have only been to Melbourne and I fell in love with that city, so I would love to see more of Victoria.

I know, it’s hard because there’s so much to see in Melbourne alone. But along the coast and in the country is really where all the beauty is at! Come again soon!

Thanks for the post, the pictures are absolutely beautiful and really makes me want to pack my bags and head to Australia right now 🙂

I hope you get the chance to visit soon!

I would love to visit! Thanks for sharing!

Wow fantastic read, awesome pics, makes me want to pack my bag, jump on a plane and visit right away.

Thank you, Stefany! Hopefully you get around to visiting Australia soon!

Your Clicks are amazing! Austraila is on my bucket list, love the place as well as well as their food 😀 Thank you for sharing this amazing post 🙂

I have always wanted to travel here. How amazingly beautiful your photos are. Stunning!

Thanks for your kind words. I hope you get to visit soon!

I have got to visit Australia! These pictures and places are beautiful!

Definitely – you’ll love it!

Ah I absolutely love Australia! So many gorgeous places to explore. Can’t wait to visit again some day 😀

I hope you get to visit again soon!

Australia is one of those places I feel like I’d need an extended trip to. I have always been fascinated and now you have given me even more places to visit!

I know, we’re just so far away from the rest of the world and you definitely need to take an extended trip if you want to travel around the country and make the most of it. My list of places to visit is ever-growing as well!

All of these places look absolutely magical! I don’t even know which one I would begin with! Maybe the Grampians? I can’t say no to an incredible mountain view.

Me neither. I love a combo of mountain and ocean – so I would highly recommend Wilsons Prom!

I have not been to Australia but NOW I want to go and visit all of these amazing, beautiful places.

I hope you get the chance to visit one day – you won’t regret it!

I’ve never had the opportunity to visit Australia, but now I definitely want to! 🙂 These beaches are SO GORGEOUS! Hopefully I can go this Summer! 🙂

xo, Chloe // http://funinthecloset.com/fishnets-friend-foe/

This is only the state of Victoria – there’s so much more to see! I hope you get the chance to come down and visit one day, you won’t be disappointed!

All of these are so amazing. I had a good friend just move to Australia. I need to send this to her!

Oh yeah, definitely! If she visits Victoria, she needs to visit these places 🙂

Beautiful photos and a great post. Such travel inspiration.

I so enjoyed this post, it makes me want to visit. What’s the temperature like in spring on the beaches?

Thank you – I’m happy to hear you enjoyed reading my post. The weather in spring is pretty inconsistent in Victoria, probably not the best for swimming in the beach. Best time to hit up the beaches would be January-February and early March 🙂

Too bad I never got a chance to visit Victoria when I lived in Sydney. Love the sneak peek. Hoping to catch up on these place the next time I visit

Wonderful post! I love, love all the pictures…beautiful.

Wow! It looks amazing, and the photos do speak for themselves. However, my favorite photos of Mornington Peninsula. The whole place looks worth a visit. Thanks for sharing them.

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Bringing Victoria's next tourism wonders to life

Published: 23 August 2024

Regional Victoria will have even more amazing tourist attractions with 29 projects across regional Victoria to receive funding through the Enabling Tourism Fund 2024.

The grants of up to $500,000 will support regional Victorian tourism projects to reach investment-ready status by funding planning activities such as feasibility studies and design for future infrastructure investment .

Australia’s oldest regional gallery, the Art Gallery of Ballarat, will use the funds to develop a masterplan that will help deliver blockbuster exhibitions, drive visitation and ticket sales.

Other projects to receive funding include Bendigo’s Great Stupa, which will create a detailed masterplan for a range of new developments including a visitor centre with cafe and museum, and a wellness hotel and spa.

Visitors to Phillip Island will have even more wildlife adventures to explore with funding going to Reptile Encounters to develop plans for a new state-of-the-art zoo on the island, which is already renowned for its nature and wildlife attractions.

The Enabling Tourism Fund is part of a $170 million investment to create more jobs, support our important tourism businesses and attract more visitors to experience the fabulous natural and other experiences on offer across regional Victoria.

The Fund is helping strengthen and grow Victoria’s tourism industry and is a key part of the Victorian Government’s Experience Victoria 2033 strategic plan.

The plan outlines five priority areas that leverage Victoria’s competitive advantages, including First Peoples-led experiences, Wellness, Arts and Culture, Food and Drink, and Nature.

To see a complete list visit the Enabling Tourism Fund .

We acknowledge the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Country throughout Victoria, their ongoing connection to this land and we pay our respects to their culture and their Elders past, present and future.

© 2023 Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions

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A short history of British tourism in Imperial Russia

It was St Petersburg, founded in 1703, that was to prove the great tourist attraction. Source: Bridgeman

British tourism in Russia was certainly not invented by Intourist during the Cold War. An otherwise tragic expedition to discover a northern sea route first brought the English to Muscovy in the middle of the 16th century and it was essentially trade and profit that inspired further embassies and led to the establishment of a Russia Company to exploit that trade. However the concept of travelling for pleasure or what was often termed “out of curiosity” was much undertaken in the ancient world. What was new was travelling to barbaric, wild Russia, land of snow and bears and wolves, and of peoples with the strangest habits and, as an Englishman would have it, ‘to vices vile inclin’d”.

The Grand Tour goes East

The 17th century saw the emergence in Britain of the Grand Tour, when young members of the aristocracy and gentry travelled through Europe, usually accompanied by tutors. Although Dr Samuel Johnson might suggest that “the grand object of travelling is to see the shores of the Mediterranean”, the northern lands increasingly beckoned more intrepid travellers.

British tavellers in Russia. Source: Anthony Cross

It was St Petersburg, founded in 1703, that was to prove the great tourist attraction, fulfilling the hopes of its first Governor-General Prince Alexander Menshikov that it “should become another Venice, to see which Foreigners would travel thither purely out of curiosity”. One of the first Englishmen to be so attracted some three decades after its foundation recorded in his diary that “I am well contented with my journey, and think it very much, worth any curious man’s while, going to See, and to Stay there three weeks or a month, but after Curiosity is Satisfied, I think one could amuse oneself better, in more Southern Climates”.

Searching Russia’s economic past for secrets of growth

By the end of the 18th century, another traveller was writing that “Russia begins now to make a part of the grand tour, and not the least curious or useful part of it”. The British tourist was also beginning to explore other parts of the rapidly growing Russian empire, travelling south via Moscow to Russia’s newly acquired territories around the Black Sea and in the Crimea, often travelling on to Constantinople.

Pioneering lady

Lady Elizabeth Craven was the first English woman to publish an account of her journey, helping to boost the appeal of the Crimea and newly founded Odessa for a growing stream of travellers up to the Crimean War. A remarkable journey was undertaken towards the end of the reign of Catherine the Great by a young English milord, accompanied by his Oxford tutor, John Parkinson, who recorded in diaries their epic journey to Siberia as far as Tobolsk and then south to Astrakhan and the Caspian and the edge of the Caucasus before crossing to the Crimea and returning through Ukraine to Moscow and St Petersburg.

Russia’s first tour guides

As the Grand Tour gave way to middle-class tourism, an indication that Russia was indeed beginning to appeal to a wider public was the appearance of the ‘tourist guide’.

Royal ties that kept Russia in the fight

By the late 1830s there had appeared a Guide to St. Petersburg & Moscow, by Hamburg, and by steam-packet, across the Baltic to Cronstadt; fully detailing every form and expense from London-Bridge to St. Petersburg . It was soon followed by the first ‘Murray’ for Russia in 1839 which was several times updated, and ultimately, by the first English-language Baedeker guide to Russia, appearing in 1914 and offering information that was soon to be made obsolete and irrelevant by World War I and the October Revolution. It was reprinted in 1971 as an historical curiosity.

Ascent to the Caucasus

Following Russia’s further territorial acquisitions in the 19th century, Georgia, the Caucasus, Circassia, and Bessarabia joined Siberia, even Kamchatka, became favoured destinations for intrepid tourists and better prepared explorers. Among them were a striking number of members of the Royal Geographical Society. In the early 1840s Sir Roderick Murchison, soon to become the Society’s long-serving president, travelled extensively through the Urals, producing a work of lasting value on the geology of the region. His achievement was matched by another future president, the geographer and mountaineer Douglas Freshfield, who first climbed in the Caucasus in 1868, conquered Mts Kazbek and Elbruz, and published by the end of the century his monumental account of The Exploration of the Caucasus .

The Caucasus became a magnet for followers of mountaineering, which had gained increasing popularity in Britain following the establishment of the Alpine Club of London in 1857. One of the club’s early presidents published The Frosty Caucasus , recounting his tramps through the Caucasus in 1874.

Welcome to Siberia

Railways opened Russia to the tourist, particularly the Trans-Siberian and the Transcaspian. Begun in 1879, a few years before the Trans-Siberian, the Transcaspian railway followed the route of the Silk Road from its terminus at the harbour of Krasnovodsk on the Caspian via Bokhara to Samarkand, which had become part of the Russian empire in 1868. By the end of the century it was extended to Tashkent, which became the capital of Russian Turkistan soon after its seizure in 1865.

The Trans-Siberian caught the imagination, however. Begun in 1890 but only completed in 1916, it was the great ‘ribbon of iron’ along which the anthropologist and translator Annette Meakin travelled towards Vladivostok with her mother in 1900, the first Englishwomen to accomplish that journey. In 1900 the journey still involved a ferry ride across Lake Baikal on new steel-hulled ice-breaking boats that had been built in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and it was only in 1904 after horrendous difficulties in construction that the Circum-Baikal railway was completed and it became possible to travel the whole route by rail.

In 1900, the Russian Ministry of Ways of Communication published an English-language Guide to the Great Siberian Railway that described in exhaustive detail the main railway and all its connecting lines, with over 350 photographs. If its aim was to entice Anglo-American tourists to journey along the whole length of the railway then it succeeded. There are literally dozens of accounts from the first two decades of Nicholas’s reign about journeys on the Trans-Siberian.

By the 1890s cyclists were pedalling their way through Russia. Sir John Foster Fraser and friends cycled from Odessa through the Crimea and the Caucasus as part of a world tour that took 774 days. British cycling enthusiast Robert Jefferson claimed a record for his round trip from Warsaw to Moscow in 50 days in 1895. Returning three years later, and accompanied by Russian cycling friends, he followed the Volga and, crossing the Kirgkiz steppe, eventually reached Khiva, where he was received by the Khan.

A tea party in a Kirhis tent. Source: Anthony Cross

The war and the events of 1917 effectively put paid to British tourism, but by then it can be said that the British had penetrated virtually every corner of the Russian empire. Present-day tourism again offers fantastic opportunities to explore a vast country, but you may well find that wherever you go, a British traveller or tourist has been there long before you.

All rights reserved by Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

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Forth Road Bridge at 60: Why have all three Forth bridges become a must visit tourist attraction?

As the Forth Road Bridge turns 60, we explore how Scotland's timeless engineering marvels spanning three centuries have become a tourism magnet.

Where the Firth of Forth meets the horizon, three extraordinary titans of civil engineering stand shoulder to shoulder, weaving a tale of innovation and endurance across three centuries.

The Forth bridges – each a unique testament to the ingenuity of its era – stand as monuments to human ambition, linking the past, present and future in one breathtaking panorama.

The iconic Forth Bridge , a UNESCO world heritage site with its towering red cantilevers, has been an unyielding symbol of industrial might since 1890, its latticework of steel a daring feat of Victorian railway engineering.

The Forth Road Bridge , with its sweeping suspension spans, ushered in a new age of mobility in 1964. With a span of 1,006 metres between the two main towers, it was the fourth-longest in the world and the longest outside the United States when it opened.

Only later was its reputation for engineering excellence tarnished by traffic congestion and maintenance problems .

Completing the trio, the Queensferry Crossing , a marvel of modernity with its elegant, fan-shaped towers, reaches skyward, embodying the sleek, forward-thinking spirit of the 21st Century since its opening in 2017 .

Together, these bridges are more than just transport links – they are the guardians of Scotland’s heritage, stretching across time and tide, connecting communities, and inspiring awe in all who stand beneath their majestic arches.

But with the 60th anniversary of the Forth Road Bridge being celebrated on September 4 – a date that also marks the official opening of the Queensferry Crossing by the late Queen in 2017 – what impact are the three Forth Bridges together having on tourism?

Forth bridges offer endless opportunity for Dundee photographer

The Forth bridges hold a special significance for Dundee photographer Shabaz Majeed , whose work has been deeply inspired by these iconic structures.

Aerial images he took famously featured on the £5 Clydesdale and £20 Bank of Scotland polymer notes.

As a photographer, Majeed, 41, is naturally drawn to bridges, often capturing their intricate designs and majestic presence from every conceivable angle.

However, the Forth bridges in particular offer an endless array of perspectives.

“Photographers are often attracted to bridges, whether featuring them as interest in their images or capturing abstract or architectural views of their construction/design,” he said.

“I am no different, having captured the Forth road and rail bridges for many years before the inclusion of the Queensferry Crossing, and now the trio in every possible way and angle possible.

“Having been under them, over them, and on top of one of them and even recently abseiling off the Forth rail for charity, their allure is unquestionable.”

Shahbaz has taken many a group of photographers to the bridges to capture them at sunrise and sunset. It never fails to surprise him the array of images people capture.

But now with the explosion of drones, there’s even more photographic potential.

Forth bridge ‘selfies’ are not uncommon

Outside the Forth Road Bridges Contact and Education Centre in South Queensferry, it’s not uncommon to see busloads of international tourists stop off for a quick selfie with the bridges as a backdrop.

These visitors, often from cruise ships berthed in the Forth, are usually on their way to and from Edinburgh.

But according to Fife Council’s Forth Bridges area tourism strategy manager Karen Stewart , who works with a coalition of local councils and national agencies, the bridges are as much a magnet for local tourists as they are for international guests.

The Forth Bridges Trail , a centrepiece of the tourism strategy linking North and South Queensferry, encourages visitors to engage more deeply with the area, exploring the historic and scenic surroundings by foot, bike, or even boat.

“The bridges are pivotal to regional tourism strategies that aim to transform fleeting visits into memorable, immersive experiences,” said Karen, who grew up in Bridge of Allan and remembers the “excitement” of crossing the Forth Road Bridge as a child when it had tolls.

“Three bridges spanning three centuries crossing the Forth. It’s of interest to people.

“The idea for the Forth Bridges Trail actually came during the Covid-19 lockdown when we weren’t allowed to leave our local authority area.

“It’s about taking the experience of the bridges and expanding it into something more – a half-day or even a full-day visit.”

Sustainable tourism at heart of strategy

Initiatives have been designed to make the journey as enjoyable as the destination.

Whether it’s a walk across the Forth Road Bridge – itself now a public transport corridor – a cycle through the connecting communities, or a boat trip offering unparalleled views of all three structures, there’s a concerted effort to ensure that visitors can appreciate the bridges from multiple perspectives.

Sustainability is also pivotal to VisitScotland, which recently delivered a joint digital marketing campaign with Sustrans which focused on ‘ An Epic Cycling Adventure Round The Inner Forth ’.

This pointed visitors to a dedicated webpage that details the route with a suggested itinerary.

VisitScotland’s own research shows ‘the Forth Bridges’, ‘Forth Rail Bridge’, ‘Forth Road Bridge’ and ‘Queensferry Crossing’ are popular search terms, with around 15,000 searches of ‘Forth Bridge’ a month.

According to their Scotland Visitor Survey , 13% of visitors to Scotland stated they visited a UNESCO site, rising to 16% for European visitors and 28% for long-haul visitors.

Outdoor activities are a core motivation for people coming to Scotland, with around a third mentioning it in the visitor survey. Scotland’s UNESCO Trail was also named in Rough Guides’ 24 best destinations to visit in 2024.

Feat of engineering

Caroline Warburton , destination development director at VisitScotland, said: “The Forth Road Bridge was a feat of engineering and the 60th anniversary is an opportunity to recognise its significance in connecting communities in Fife, Edinburgh and the Lothians.

“Its current use as a bus corridor, and a cycle and walking route, means it plays an important role in our responsible tourism activity, as we inspire visitors to use sustainable modes of transport.

“We know, from our research, that the iconic Forth bridges continue to be popular with visitors and are a key part of the visitor experience in the region.

“The Forth Bridge, in particular, is one of Scotland’s major landmarks and a special attraction which is recognised across the world.

“The Forth Bridge Trail and the Round the Inner Forth cycle route are great examples of the work being done by local partners, and VisitScotland, to capture the interest in the bridges and encourage visitors to explore the surrounding communities by bike or on foot; helping to spread the benefits of tourism around.”

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Discover the World

17 Top Tourist Attractions in Moscow

By Alex Schultz · Last updated on May 4, 2024

The capital of Russia is an incredible place to explore. Visitors to Moscow come away spellbound at all the amazing sights, impressed at the sheer size and grandeur of the city. Lying at the heart of Moscow, the Red Square and the Kremlin are just two of the must-see tourist attractions; they are the historical, political and spiritual heart of the city – and indeed Russia itself.

A fascinating city to wander around, stunning cathedrals, churches, and palaces lie side-by-side with bleak grey monuments and remains from the Soviet state. In addition to its plethora of historical and cultural tourist attractions, Moscow is home to world-class museums, theaters and art galleries.

Renowned for its performing arts, fantastic ballets and amazing circus acts, catching a show while in Moscow is a must. The wealth of brilliant restaurants, trendy bars, and lively nightlife means there is something for everyone to enjoy.

See also: Where to Stay in Moscow

17. Tsaritsyno Palace

Once the summer residence of Catherine the Great, the stunning Tsaritsyno Palace is now a museum-reserve. The architecture is magnificent and there is a lovely park surrounding it for visitors to explore.

Located in the south of Moscow, the palace was commissioned in 1775 and recent renovations mean its lavish interior looks better than ever before with its elegant halls and beautiful staircases.

The exhibits on display look at the life of the empress as well as the history of Tsaritsyno itself. The huge palace grounds are also home to some other delightful buildings with the elegant opera house and wonderful brickwork of the Small Palace being particularly impressive to gaze upon.

Starting out in 1935 as the ‘All-Union Agricultural Exhibition’, VDNKh has slowly morphed over the years into the fascinating open-air museum of today. Remarkably, over 400 buildings can now be found within its confines.

The huge park complex has numerous pavilions representing former Soviet republics on show, such as those of Armenia and Turkmenistan and the distinctive architecture of each of the buildings is always interesting to gaze upon. In addition to this there is the fascinating Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics which is dedicated to space exploration and the fun Moskvarium aquarium even offers you the chance to swim with dolphins.

With lots of eateries scattered about and numerous entertainment options such as horse-riding and zip-lining, there is something for everyone to enjoy; the Friendship of Nations fountain truly is wonderful.

15. Kremlin Armoury

One of the oldest museums in the city, the Kremlin Armoury has a wealth of treasures; highlights include the ornate Grand Siberian Railway egg, the historic Cap of Monomakh and the stunning Imperial Crown of Russia which often has a crowd of tourists around it, jostling to take a photo.

Once the royal armory, there are loads of fascinating objects on display. Perusing the many sabers, jewelry, armor and more is as interesting as it is educational and entertaining and the swords are so finely crafted that you’ll almost wish you could pick up one and wield if yourself.

Established in 1851, the museum is situated in the Moscow Kremlin.

14. GUM Department Store

Standing for ‘Main Universal Store’ in Russian, GUM is stunning. Its wonderful skylights and beautiful facades mean it doesn’t look out of place alongside its illustrious neighbors on Red Square.

With over 200 shops, boutiques and upmarket eateries inside, it is a shopaholic’s heaven and concerned partners will be glad to find more affordable options alongside luxury brands such as Dior and Prada.

The main department store in the city, GUM was opened in 1893. The stunning architecture makes it well worth a visit even if shopping isn’t your thing.

13. Moscow Metro

It’s not often that public transport looks like a work of art. So many stops on the Moscow Metro will astound visitors with their beauty and elegance.

Decked in marble and with frescoes covering the walls, the stations are amazing to gaze upon and are part of one of the longest metro systems in the world, with the first stations opened in 1935.

Using the metro is the quickest and easiest way to get around Moscow and braving the crowds of commuters is well worth it for the beauty all around you.

12. Arbat Street

An elegant yet lively street, Arbat is full of impressive architecture and was once a popular place to live for aristocrats, artists, and academics.

A historic place, it is down Arbat Street that Napoleon’s troops are said to have headed on their way to capture the Kremlin.

Nowadays, there are many cafes, restaurants, and shops, as well as various monuments and statues to former residents such as Alexander Pushkin who was reputed to be a lover of the Russian Empress due to his massive influence in court.

11. Novodevichy Convent

Drenched in history, the Novodevichy Convent is located in a striking building that was once a fortress. This captivating place is well worth visiting when in Moscow.

Founded in 1524, the convent houses four cathedrals; Smolensk Cathedral is the undoubted highlight due to its delightful 16th-century frescoes.

Wandering around the grounds is like stepping back in time. The Novodevichy Cemetery is where many famous leaders of the Soviet Union are buried, such as Yeltsin and Khrushchev.

10. Pushkin Museum

Despite its name, the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts actually has no connection at all to the famous poet other than that it was named in his honor after his death. A delight to visit, its extensive collection focuses on European art with masterpieces by Botticelli, Rembrandt, and van Gogh all featuring.

Sculptures, graphic art, paintings and more can be found in its beautiful galleries; various sections look at themes and epochs such as the Renaissance, the Dutch Golden Age, and Byzantine art.

Among the many highlights are the clownish characters which can be found in Cezanne’s Fastnacht (Mardi Gras) and the twirling ballerinas who look so elegant in Degas’ Blue Dancers. Picasso’s Young acrobat on a Ball is also well worth checking out for its interesting use of shapes and colors.

9. Christ The Savior Cathedral

This gorgeous Russian Orthodox cathedral is located on the banks of the Moskva River, just a stone’s throw away from the Kremlin.

The church as it stands today was consecrated in 2000, as the original church that stood here was destroyed on the command of Josef Stalin in 1931 due to the anti-religious campaign.

With its delightful golden dome, spires and dazzling white facades, the Christ the Savior Cathedral is stunning. The interior is just as captivating to wander around, with its beautifully tiled floors and impressive altar.

8. Lenin Mausoleum

Opened to the public in 1924, Lenin’s Mausoleum is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Moscow. The red granite structure is located at the heart of the city in Red Square.

Lenin’s embalmed body lies in a glass sarcophagus; it is a somewhat eerie experience walking past the former leader of the Soviet Union but is well worth doing as you understandably can’t do it anywhere else in the world.

After visiting the mausoleum, head to the Kremlin wall right next to it for more graves of important communist figures such as Stalin and Brezhnev.

7. Tretyakov Gallery

Home to the most extensive and impressive collection of Russian fine art in the world, the State Tretyakov Gallery is definitely worth visiting when in Moscow for the wealth of amazing art pieces that it has on display.

Having started out as the private art collection of the Tretyakov brothers, there are now over 130,000 exhibits. Highlights include the iconic Theotokos of Vladimir which you will almost certainly recognise despite probably not knowing the name and Rublev’s Trinity which is considered to be one of highest achievements in Russian art.

An absolute must for art lovers, the State Tretyakov Gallery will delight visitors with all that is has to offer.

6. Kolomenskoye

Once a royal estate, Kolomenskoye is now a museum-reserve and lies a few kilometers outside of the city center. A captivating place to visit, there is a plethora of history on show and the site overlooks the Moskva River.

Consisting of four historical sites, there are extensive gardens for visitors to explore, as well as loads of interesting old buildings, the former village of Kolomenskoye itself and the impressive Palace of the Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich – once considered the Eighth Wonder of the World by contemporaries.

Among the many stunning sights, it is the brilliantly white Ascension Church that is the undoubted highlight – dating back to 1532.

5. Gorky Park

Lying alongside the Moskva River, the huge Gorky Park is a lovely place to visit. Its extensive gardens are home to numerous cultural institutions and visitors should definitely check out the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art and while the eclectic exhibits may not always feature such incredible sights as a balloon-covered rider on a zebra; they certainly always succeed in pushing back the boundaries of art.

Pop-up exhibitions and festivals can be found from time to time in the park itself and there is an open-air theatre and numerous eateries alongside a plethora of leisure activities.

Whether it’s cycling, table tennis or yoga that you are after or beach volleyball and rowing, Gorky Park certainly has it. In winter, there is a huge ice rink for visitors to enjoy.

4. Bolshoi Theatre

The Bolshoi Theatre is the main theater in the country. The amazing opera and ballet performances it has put on over the centuries go a long way in explaining Russia’s rich history of performing arts.

While the Bolshoi Ballet Company was established in 1776, the theater itself was opened in 1825. The glittering, six-tier auditorium is lavishly and decadently decorated; it is a fitting setting for the world-class performances that take place on its stage.

Spending a night watching a performance of such classics as The Nutcracker or Swan Lake at the Bolshoi Theatre is sure to be a memorable experience and the beauty all around you only adds to the sense of occasion.

3. Moscow Kremlin

This famously fortified complex is remarkably home to five palaces and four cathedrals and is the historic, political and spiritual center of the city. The Kremlin serves as the residence for the country’s president. It has been used as a fort, and this fact is made clear by its sheer size. The Kremlin’s outer walls were built in the late 1400s.

Under Ivan III, better known as Ivan the Great, the Kremlin became the center of a unified Russian state, and was extensively remodeled. Three of the Kremlin’s cathedrals date to his reign that lasted from 1462-1505. The Deposition Church and the Palace of Facets were also constructed during this time. The Ivan the Great Bell Tower was built in 1508. It is the tallest tower at the Kremlin with a height of 266 feet (81 meters).

Joseph Stalin removed many of the relics from the tsarist regimes. However, the Tsar Bell, the world’s largest bell, and the Tsar Cannon, the largest bombard by caliber in the world, are among the remaining items from that era. The Kremlin Armory is one of Moscow’s oldest museums as it was established more than 200 years ago. Its diamond collection is impressive.

The Kremlin’s gardens – Taynitsky, Grand Kremlin Public and Alexander – are beautiful. The Kremlin has also served as the religious center of the country, and there is a tremendous number of preserved churches and cathedrals here. The collections contained within the museums include more than 60,000 historical, cultural and artistic monuments. Those who enjoy the performing arts will want to consider attending a ballet or concert at the State Kremlin Palace. Completed in 1961, it is the only modern building in the Kremlin.

2. Red Square

Lying at the heart of Moscow, Red Square is the most important and impressive square in the city. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions due to its wealth of historical sights and cultural landmarks.

Drenched in history, the huge square is home to incredible sights such as the Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral and Lenin’s Mausoleum, among others. Consequently, it is not to be missed when in Moscow as it really is home to the city’s most stunning monuments.

It is here that many important moments in Russian history took place; the former marketplace has hosted everything from Tsar’s coronations and public ceremonies to rock concerts and Soviet military parades. Wandering around the massive square is a humbling experience and undoubtedly one of the highlights the city has to offer.

1. Saint Basil’s Cathedral

Located in the impressive Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral is gorgeous; its delightful spires appear as if out of a fairytale. The most recognizable building in the country, the cathedral is very much a symbol of Russia. No visit to Moscow is complete without having taken in its unique and distinctive features.

Ivan the Terrible ordered the cathedral’s construction in the mid-16th century, and legend holds that Ivan put out the architect’s eyes so that he would be unable to build another cathedral more glorious than St. Basil’s. Designed to resemble the shape of a bonfire in full flame, the architecture is not only unique to the period in which it was built but to any subsequent period. For various reasons, both Napoleon and Stalin wanted to destroy the cathedral but fortunately did not succeed.

Known for its various colors, shapes and geometric patterns, St. Basil’s Cathedral houses nine different chapels that are all connected by a winding labyrinth of corridors and stairways. On the lower floor, St. Basil’s Chapel contains a silver casket bearing the body of St. Basil the Blessed.

Throughout the cathedral are many beautiful murals, frescoes, wooden icons and other art works and artifacts. Outside the cathedral is a lovely garden with the bronze Monument to Minin and Pozharsky, who rallied an all-volunteer Russian army against Polish invaders during a period of the late 16th century known as the Times of Troubles.

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