Victoria

Victoria (VIC)

Sandy surf beaches, snow-peaked mountains, plentiful wildlife, historic sites, bars and cafes, brand and boutique shopping, music and art, white-water rafting, spas, wine regions, or self-driving along Victoria’s breathtaking coast; Victoria is a diverse state packed with so much to see and do for every kind of traveller. Sports fans can indulge in a day or night out at an Aussie Rules Football game, known to locals as the AFL.


Melbourne

Sitting on the banks of the Yarra River, Melbourne is Victoria’s capital and Australia’s second most populous city. Known for its spectacular architecture blending both Victorian and contemporary styles, Melbourne’s lush gardens and parks, buzzing pubs, bars and cafes, trendy shopping and a prominent art and entertainment scene make it an attractive place to both live and visit.


Points of Interest:

Collins Street

Oozing style and glamour, Collins Street is Melbourne’s epicentre of designer shopping, five-star hotels, exclusive jewellers, grand heritage buildings and private clubs. Find some of the world’s best designer brands on Collins Street such as Gucci, Giorgio Armani, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Salvatore Ferragamo, Chanel, Paspaley, Bally, Hérmes and many more.


Chapel Street

Chapel Street offers you the good things in life; fashion, food, entertainment and style. While the South Yarra end is noticeably more stylish and upmarket, the Windsor end has an extensive collection of vintage and recycled boutiques and is an exciting place to wine, dine and experience the local cultural, art and music scene. Accessing Chapel Street is easy thanks to the Yarra Tram rail system. Visit www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au for timetable information.


Crown Casino

Attracting on average 16 million visitors per year, Australia’s largest casino fronts onto Melbourne’s Waterfront and is one of the most dazzling gaming facilities in the Southern Hemisphere. Aside from gambling, the visitors can enjoy a plethora of entertainment, shopping and dining on offer at the Crown.


Brunswick Street

Located in Melbourne’s inner northern suburb Fitzroy, Brunswick Street is famed for its cafes, pubs, bars, live music venues, alternative and bohemian boutiques and mellow atmosphere. The locals thrive on art and are accommodating to every kind of visitor. Brunswick Street is easily accessible by tram from the city.


Queen Victoria Market

With 130 years of history, Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market is the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere, covering a whopping 17 acres. More than half of the market area sells a variety of fresh produce such as fruit and vegetables, meat, poultry and seafood, gourmet and deli foods as well as delicacies. The remaining area is dedicated to the trading of gifts, souvenirs and other speciality items, which draws a big crowd on Sundays.


St Kilda

Known as Melbourne’s preferred beachside suburb, St Kilda has a great number of trendy cafes and restaurants and is well known for its iconic theme park, Luna Park. St Kilda is also famed for its happening music scene and The Esplanade Hotel (The Espy), which houses great live acts from all over Australia and the world. St Kilda’s varying architecture mirrors its rich history, with everything from Victorian terraces, historic mansions and art deco buildings to modern flats and apartment blocks.


Regional Victoria

Points of Interest:

Torquay and Bells Beach

Located 95km south west of Melbourne, Torquay is the surfing hub of Victoria and home to one of the world’s great surfing beaches, Bells Beach. Watch the world’s best surfers at the Rip Curl Pro surfing contest held every Easter. A year-round holiday destination, Torquay has great accommodation options and a plethora of surf shops as well as the world’s largest surfing museum.


Mornington Peninsula

Just an hour from Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula will make you feel like you are holidaying in the Mediterranean. With a profusion of olive groves and vineyards, historic guesthouses, and intimate seaside towns, Mornington Peninsula is a place to de-stress and enjoy the good things in life. Golf lovers can revel in the many courses scattered throughout the area. Jump on the ferry across to Phillip Island and look out for penguins whilst immersing yourself in natural bliss.


Great Ocean Road

Winding along the south eastern coast of Victoria, The Great Ocean Road is one of the most spectacular scenic roads in the world. Stretching from Torquay to the outskirts of Warrnambool, the Great Ocean Road runs for 243km along stunning rugged coastline. There are many laidback coastal towns along the way with cosy accommodation options and lovely places to wine and dine.


High Country

Located in the north east of Victoria, travellers visit the High Country for its impressive alpine landscapes, historical gold rush towns, winter snowfields, mouth-watering gourmet food and wine and the exciting adventures that await. Winter brings snow fiends to the slopes, whilst the summer attracts hikers, canoeists, rafters, cyclists, campers, fishermen, rock climbers, four-wheel drive enthusiasts and other outdoor lovers. Take in the picturesque open plains and gorgeous wildflowers.


Wilsons Promotory

The southern most point of Australia’s mainland, Wilson Promotory is 130 km of coastline, granite headlands, mountains, forests and fern gullies. Tidal River is close to both the beach and river and is the major tourist destination for the area, with more than 450 camp and caravan sites. Wilsons Promotory has significant historical Aboriginal presence, with archaeological records dating back at least 6500 years. Come to relax and unwind whilst keeping an eye out for the locals; wombats, kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, emus and the colourful crimson rosella.


More Information on VIC:

Tourism Victoria, www.visitvictoria.com
Collins Street, www.collinsstreet.com.au
Chapel Street, www.chapelstreet.com.au
Crown Casion, www.crowncasino.com.au
Queen Victoria Market, www.qvm.com.au
St Kilda, www.stkildamelbourne.com.au
Torquay Surf World Museum, www.surfworld.org.au
Mornington Peninsula, www.visitmorningtonpeninsula.org
Wilsons Promotory, www.parkweb.vic.gov.au