Victoria is a magnificent state in southeast Australia. It includes scenic national parks, mountains, wine beaches and surfing waters. Victoria, the historic state capital, also has a stunning warren of beautiful 19th-century mansions, and an area central to the country’s culture and economy. Choosing 5 of it’s most stunning places is quite a task, as it has a plethora of varied and attractive sites to visit.
Victoria has immense places to go around in. It’s scenic beauty is one of a kind. This ethereal beauty has breathtaking sights to behold. With a stunning coastline and some of the best driveways along turquoise and massive oceans along the southern coast, to mighty mountains Victoria is a delight to explore!
With beaming wildlife and rainforests, and Australia’s longest river flowing across the northern border Victoria is mesmerizingly beautiful.
Here is a list of our favourite places you shouldn’t miss in Victoria.
1. The Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road stretches from Melbourne to Port Phillip, and along the way it passes through some of Australia’s most beautiful cities, including Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane. It also passes through two UNESCO World Heritage sites – Victoria and South Australia. Traveling along this route is a great educational experience. It allows tourists to see the marvelous beauty of the Great Ocean and its surroundings, including its numerous fossil beds and islands. Travelers also get a chance to see the natural wonders of the Australian ‘outback’ or ‘the bush’. These outbacks are areas that are along the coastline and away from the more settled regions of the continent.
Greatest attractions of The Great Ocean Road:
The 12 Apostles
View the spectacular rugged grandeur of the famous 12 Apostles. These are massive and splendid stacks of rocks that rise above the ground from the Southern Ocean. These mighty rock pieces appear to be placed along the startling Coastline. But, in reality these have been created naturally by constant erosion of the limestone cliffs of the mainland that began around 10-20 millions ago.
The 12 Apostles are located 275 kilometres west of Melbourne, which is approximately a four-hour long drive along the Great Ocean Road.
The Bells Beach
Located near Torquay on the southern coast of Victoria in the Great Ocean Road region, The Bells Beach is a great place for surfers and people who love the tempestuous ocean. The backdrop with high cliffs creates a natural canvas for sight-seeing. The swells from the Southern Ocean which slows down and steepen over the reef-strewn gulf creates an amazing surf.
The Otways National park and reserve
Best place for nature and wildlife lovers, The Otways provides a view of Australia’s best rainforest scenery. Its best attractions include- giant ferns at Maits Rest, glow worm at Melba Gully and Otways Fly TreeTop Walk. You can also lodge yourself at one of its villages like- Lorne, Apollo Bay, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet or Colac. Experience its natural beauty with its unique wildlife and natural features. From massive waterfalls to secluded ones, its a mystic beauty to visit.
2. Melbourne
Melbourne is the Capital City of Victoria and is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Australia. It is home to the world-famous Melbourne Zoo and the Victoria Barracks. Visiting the Natural History Museum or the Victoria Barracks is a must activity for all visitors. The Great Ocean Road makes this place quite accessible to reach; the only challenge is finding your way around this city.
Here are some of the best tourist attractions and sights to see in Melbourne:
The Footbridge over Royal Botanic Gardens
It is a marvelous place to stop for a while and take in the magnificence of nature. The Footbridge stands at the end of Royal Botanic Gardens’ Royal Avenue. This beautiful footbridge gives you an amazing view of the gardens. There are many cafes, restaurants, art galleries, and souvenir shops located near the footbridge.
The Victoria Barracks
It is also located in Vanderbilt. Here, you will have a chance to visit and explore the history of this place. There are many wonderful attractions here, including the National Trust Museum, the Victoria Barracks Site and the National Motor Museum. You can also experience the rich Australian cultural and historical Museum here.
Experience hot air balloon ride over the city and The Eureka Decks
Experience the terrific view of the entire Melbourne city with a lovely hot air balloon ride. The Eureka Decks are not to be missed. They offer the most spectacular view of Melbourne.
3. The Grampians
Visit this splendour in the lap of nature. These mysterious mountain ranges that rise from nowhere in the middle of a farm offer so much to explore. If you love hiking, this place is for you. Put on your hiking shoes and explore the trails of these mighty mountains. Leading to dazzling waterfalls, amazing wildlife and jaw-dropping view, this should be visited at any cost.
A place for fine dining with saluted wine, take a dig at its delicacies. Behold celebrated art works and in old and new art galleries. Enjoy the enchanting beauty of the Grampians.
Here are some of its best attractions:
Mackenzie Falls
This Glorious waterfall that flows around the year in the Grampians, offers a sublime view. This quintessential beauty is also one of the largest and most beautiful waterfalls. The waterfall sees a water fountain over huge cliffs into a deep pool, sending fine sprays of rainbow mist high into the air above a stunning chasm.
Mount Arapiles
Rising 230 metres above sea level, Mount Arapiles is hugely regarded as Australia’s best rock climbing mountain. There are over 2,000 different climbs on offer for rock climbers on its various cliffs, crags and pinnacles. This popular mountain is made up of striking quartz and sandstone. The Arapiles also gives a lofty view of the surrounding wimmera plains.
The Arapiles is a abode of various rare species of flora and fauna. Its rich flora includes White cypress pines, box, bulokes, yellow gum woodland, and other 500 species of plants.
Among its rare fauna are peregrine falcon, rainbow bee-eater, Gilbert whistler, southern scrub robin, kangaroos grazing the lower slopes and the possums that come out at night to feed in the tree canopies. During summer one can come across shingle-back lizards and eastern brown snakes sun-basking under the warm sun.
Little Desert National Park
Along the western border of Victoria observe the dramatic landscape and diverse wildlife at the Little Desert National Park. Take a ride through the startling pure mallee healthland, rolling sand dunes, the beautiful cypress pines and casuarina forests in thes west. This national park is so diverse that you can encounter both rich green woodland and dry desert. The Sanctuary-Keith Hateley Nature Walk is not to be missed! You can also take a 30 minutes walk up the Pomponderoo hills to view the beautiful Wimmera Plains. For people with extra strength and stamina, the desert discovery walk at night is suggested.
4. The Murray
The Murray River is an extraordinary river in south-western Australia. It is the longest river in Australia, stretching approximately from the Kings Canyon to the Birdsville Waterfalls. Its tributaries contain five of the seven longest rivers in Australia. All its branches are connected to the Murray River by means of waterways and canals.The Murray River Mouth has been a popular tourist destination for many years.
Here are few interesting attractions:
Kangaroos and other rare species of Fauna
A number of activities can be enjoyed on the Murray River. One of the major attractions for tourists is the kangaroos. One of the rare species, kangaroos in Australia, with only around twelve left in the wild. The Murray River also has various bird Species, which can be seen at several different locations along the river. Among the most popular of these birds are the kiwi, echidna, black archer, beautiful tanahari and many others.
The Mungo National Park
Revered for its Aboriginal settlements, this park’s red sandy desert is a home for an array of animals and plant life. This place was believed to have a lake fifteen thousand years ago that dried up and wind swept storms of sand and hence this dry land was created naturally. One of the best places for camping, the Mungo national park is a deadman’s grave. As it is believed to have had human settlements nearly 40,000 years ago.
Kayaking / Water sports in the Murray river
Last but not the least, there are opportunities to engage in water sports. The Murray River is perfectly suited for several types of sporting activities. These include kayaking, canoeing, fishing, water skiing, and windsurfing. Kayaking is the most popular sport in Victoria, which uses a paddle board made of fabric, usually on flat water. The water supply in the Murray River Mouth makes it an excellent place for kayaking.
The Murray River System offers plenty of opportunity for tourists and local residents to enjoy their recreational activities. The unique ecological conditions and the presence of many endemic species provide a home for a diverse range of animals and plants.
Other famous highlights include Murray mouth hotels, historic buildings, wildlife parks and sanctuaries, caves, spectacular scenery and indigenous bushwalking. All these factors combine to make the region a popular destination for bush travel throughout the year.
5. Gippsland
Gippsland in Victoria is a small region in southeast Australia, surrounding the renowned state capital of Melbourne, extending up towards the New South Wales state border. It is home to scenic landscapes, picturesque scenery, historic buildings, museums and heritage sites. At its heart is Wilsons Promontory National Park with pristine forests, lakes, wildlife and beautiful beaches.
A lively area, Gippsland in Victoria is known for its agricultural prosperity. The area offers a wide variety of different crops including cotton, citrus fruits, vineyards and melaleuca, making it a natural resource base.
Gippsland in Victoria is situated upon a stunning natural landscape with stunning mountain ranges and vast views. The climate is predominantly sub-tropical with hot summers and mild winters.
The town of Gippsland in Victoria is set upon more than 20 kilometers of coastline. The most easterly known part of the coastline is on the Gippsland Peninsula with the remainder being on the Great Ocean Road. The Great Ocean Road passes through the heart of Gippsland with the most important towns of Barossa Shire and Norwood being on its route.
Some of the Major attraction in Gippsland include:
The Great Alpine Road
The Great Alpine Road is stretched across Wangaratta through the Ovens Valley to Harrietville, over the alpine resort of Mount Hotham, then downwards to the splendid coastal village of Metung on the Gippsland Lakes.
This road stretches across 339 kilometers, and is Australia’s most accessible roadways to travel through mighty mountain ranges, deep valleys, into exuberant forests, and along rolling vineyards taking you to the radiant waterways on Gippsland’s coast.
Ninety Mile Beach
The iconic 90 miles stretch of flawless golden sand that separates the Gippsland from the bass strait is one of the most natural and virgin beaches in the world. The beach lies on the fringe of long slender sand dunes and the absence of rocky blocks of foreland, gives a lovely view of an unending carpet of pristine sand. The best things to do here are definitely beach walking and swimming. To add to your enthralling experience you can also encounter dolphins and whales here.
Toorongo Waterfalls
Located at the base of Table Mountain, Toorongo Waterfalls in Gippsland is a very popular attraction that draws visitors from all over the world to experience its natural beauty and serenity. It is believed to be one of the most beautifully sculptured waterfalls in Australia. At Toorongo Waterfalls in Gippsland, the natural beauty of this limestone terrain is highlighted by the white domes that are situated around the falls. These domes are surrounded by an area of forested terrain which has a stream flowing through it. The water that flows through the waterfall trickles on the lower side of the forest giving an illusion that it is reaching the valley below.
Toorongo Falls is a sight to behold for people who love waterfalls as well as nature lovers. The guided tours are given by trained professionals who provide you with an insight into the true beauty of this waterfall that is a part of the local landscape.
