Victoria is the perfect location for your next holiday. To start off, enjoy discovering stunning beaches, gorgeous country towns, bustling markets, unreal live music, magnificent art galleries, pristine nature and native wildlife. You’re about to discover some of the best places to visit in Victoria within the list below.
Victoria is the sixth largest state in Australia and has a population of almost 7 million people. Furthermore, Melbourne is the capital city of Victoria and is home to 5 million of those people.
However, there is an ever-growing list of the best tourist destinations in Victoria; continue reading this post to discover some of the best places to visit in Victoria.
Check out the Best Places to visit in Victoria
Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley
The Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley are both mystical places full of plenty of fantastic Victorian attractions. Less than an hour drive from Melbourne will land you in the heart of The Dandenongs or amongst the beauty of the Yarra Valley.
The Dandenong Ranges is home to cool-climate forests, including waterfalls, mountain ash trees and native wildlife.
Firstly, enjoy a ride along the Puffing Billy Railway, a fascinating scenic excursion for kids and adults.
Visit the beloved Melbourne botanic garden called the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden. Also, enjoy the display of azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias. Moreover, if you can’t get enough of the stunning gardens, be sure to stop in at Alfred Nicholas Gardens for a stroll around a truly enchanting place.
The Yarra Valley is well-known for endless wineries and rolling vineyards. Consequently, you’re like to find yourself enjoying the scenery of a magnificent place; take time to unwind within the Yarra Valley.
Spend the day discovering creatures at Healesville Sanctuary. This not-for-profit organisation fights wildlife extinction. In addition, children will love seeing the animals, making it a brilliant educational day out.
Read More: The Top 5 Dandenong Ranges Walks
Places to go:
Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden
Sky High or Burkes lookout
Puffing Billy Railway
Alfred Nicholas Gardens
Healesville Sanctuary
Black Spur Drive
Places to eat:
Innocent Bystander
Yarra Valley Chocolaterie
Pie In The Sky
The Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road is a 243km drive stretching from Torquay to Allansford and begins after a 1.5-hour drive from Melbourne. It was built in 1919, taking 13 years to construct. Almost 3000 returned soldiers from World War 1 began building the road to commemorate the fallen soldiers.
The best way to enjoy The Great Ocean Road is to spend a day or so within each small town and a couple of days in the larger townships like Torquay, Anglesea, Lorne and Apollo Bay.
Accommodation is available, but the perfect way to experience The Great Ocean Road is by camping at the local campgrounds. Simultaneously dive deep into nature and immerse yourself amongst native wildlife.
Likewise, discover iconic beaches and enjoy breathtaking views along one of the worlds favourite ocean drives. Incidentally, the Great Ocean Road is also the gateway to the Great Otway National Park.
Take your time along your journey to enjoy all the Great Ocean Road has to offer. For this purpose, you get to appreciate some of the top tourist destinations in Victoria including, Teddys lookout in Lorne and Sheoak falls in Lorne.
Wander along Port Campbell beach and experience pure astonishment over the sheer size of the 12 Apostles. Understandingly, they are one of the best places to visit in Victoria; Once you’ve experienced it, you’ll understand why.
Read More: The Best Great Ocean Road Campsites
Places to go:
Teddys Lookout
Erskine Falls
Otway Fly Treetop Adventures
The 12 Apostles
Sheoak Falls
Mariners Lookout
The Great Ocean Road Sign
Places to eat:
Nordenfine Anglesea (The most delicious ice cream)
Great Ocean Road Brewhouse
Lorne Hotel
Wilsons Promontory
Known for being the most southern point of Australia’s mainland, Wilsons Promontory is a fantastic place for nature lovers. Generally speaking, it takes roughly a 3-hour drive from Melbourne to get to Wilsons Promontory.
Wilsons Promontory is known for the extensive amount of nature walks and outdoor activities to enjoy. Besides, the best way to enjoy ‘The Prom’ is by staying a few nights at Tidal River campground. The best time to visit is during the summer months.
If you’re looking for a little more adventure, try out the Northern circuit overnight hike. Furthermore, this hike is roughly 60-km long and requires adequate fitness to complete.
Some of the best Victorian attractions are found here; test your fitness ability with the Mount Oberon summit walk. At the top, you get to enjoy magnificent views over Wilson’s Prom, but be mindful and watch your footing.
Take a barefoot walk along Squeaky beach and enjoy the entertainment of the sounds beneath your feet. In addition, you can also paddle down Tidal river in a canoe or kayak; relish in the colour of the tea-tree water. If it’s warm, enjoy a soak in the river (the tea tree is fantastic for your skin!).
Places to go:
Mount Oberon Summit walk
Big Drift sand dunes
Sparkes Lookout
Squeaky Beach
Places to eat:
Tidal River general store & cafe
Wilsons Promontory Pizza Restaurant
The Grampians
The Grampians packs the perfect punch for any lover of nature. A 3-hour drive from Melbourne will land you within this unbelievable national park sure to impress everyone.
The Grampians are one of the top tourist destinations in Victoria, bringing people from all over the world to marvel at the beautiful region. In fact, the best location for accommodation is in Halls Gap, which is nestled within the Grampians incredible rock formations and mountains.
Enjoy a relaxing stay at Halls Gap caravan park. In addition, the location of this caravan park is fantastic; there’s easy access to hiking trails, and you’re within walking distance to shops, bars and restaurants. Furthermore, there’s a beautiful creek running through the campground, do your best to secure a campsite by the stream (the sound of the water running after a long day of exploring is fantastic!).
If you’re up for an adventure, climb the Pinnacles for insane panoramic views over Halls Gap and Grampians region, or climb Mount William for a big challenge. Nonetheless, the Pinnacles are a popular Victorian attraction and are a great way to enjoy the outdoors.
Suppose you’re not into hiking but still want to enjoy views, head to Boroka lookout, one of the best places to visit in Victoria. Appreciate panoramic views of mountains and natural landscape.
Additionally, head to Venus Baths, an easy 2.3-km walk that will take you to flat rock formations filled with natural pools of water, a great space to cool off in warmer months.
Places to go:
Venus Baths loop walk
Boroka Lookout
MacKenzies falls
The Balconies
Mount William
The Pinnacles walk
Places to eat:
Black Panther cafe bar
Livefast cafe
Gelato guys
Mornington Peninsula
Mornington Peninsula makes for a great day trip from Melbourne as it’s only an hour drive from the CBD. Therefore, the Peninsula is one of the best places to go in Victoria as there are plenty of great restaurants, cafes and gorgeous beaches.
Supposing you aren’t a strong swimmer (or have children), the bay beaches such as Rye, Blairgowrie and Mount Martha are perfectly safe to swim in. On the other hand, if you prefer surf beaches, head to the opposite side of the Peninsula to beaches like Sorrento Back beach and Portsea for stronger waves.
The best Mornington Peninsula restaurants are along Main Street. For instance, you’ll have plenty of options such as fish and chips to Italian cuisine and burger bars.
Planning a romantic weekend away or ready to indulge? Be sure to include the Mornington hot springs in your list of things to do. Furthermore, pamper yourself at the spa and enjoy the natural thermal mineral water.
Take a ride on a gondola at Arthurs Seat for spectacular views of the Peninsula, beach and surrounding suburbs. As a result, this is one of the best places to visit in Victoria, considering the magnificent views that many enjoy.
Places to go:
Mornington Peninsula hot springs
Pt Leo Estate
The Enchanted adventure garden
Arthurs Seat
Bathing Boxes Mornington Peninsula
Places to eat:
Manhattan in Mornington Restaurant
The Rocks Mornington
Panda Blairgowrie
Radio Luna
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital city of Victoria and is home to more than 5 million people. In addition, Melbournes typically ranked amongst the most liveable cities in the world. In fact, anyone who lives or has come from Melbourne is called a ‘Melbournian’.
Melbourne has some of the best places to go in Victoria, as the city is known for its coffee, art, music, venues and multiculturalism.
There are plenty of ways to enjoy Melbournes city. First of all, start by taking a ride on the trams, the fourth largest tram system in the world. Importantly, you will need a myki to use Public Transport in Victoria, but keep in mind Melbourne has a free tram zone within the city, making it convenient to get around.
Take a moment to discover the unique laneways, such as Degraves Street and Hosier Lane. Moreover, it’s a great space to explore, packed with multiple eateries, coffee shops and impressive street art.
Wander around the well-known Melbourne Botanic garden, the Royal Botanic Gardens of Victoria. Undoubtedly one of the most magnificent gardens in Victoria.
Furthermore, discover plenty of hidden gems within Melbourne, making it understandable how it’s a top tourist destination in Victoria.
Places to go:
Queen Victoria Market
National Gallery of Victoria
Luna Park
Melbourne Museum
Degraves Street
Watch a game of AFL or cricket at the MCG
Eureka Skydeck
Places to eat:
Arbory Bar & eatery
Om Vegetarian
Mamasita
MoVida
The French Brasserie
Read More: 20 Fun Things to Do in Melbourne With Kids
Tarra Bulga National Park
Situated in South Gippsland is Tarra Bulga National Park. This national park is a 3-hour drive from Melbourne and is home to some of the best places to visit in Victoria.
The most popular tourist attraction is the Corrigan Suspension bridge. Firstly, begin this 3-km walk at the Tarra Bulga Visitor Centre car park and follow the track. Without a doubt, once reaching the bridge, you’ll be in awe of the beauty of the scenery. Later, follow the walking trail around, and it will loop you back to the car park. Along your trek, be sure to notice the moss-covered myrtle beach trees and admire the detail in the trunk.
Tarra Bulga’s packed with towering mountain ash trees and ferns. Once you’ve complete the Corrigan trail, head down and visit Cyathea falls. Enjoy this 1.5-km walk through the rainforest. Subsequently, admire the magic of this waterfall.
Furthermore, stop in at the Tarra Bulga Visitor Centre to learn about the history of the national park. Moreover, observe the information on the creatures found within the park.
Finally, Tarra Bulga is one of the top tourist places in Victoria as there’s plenty to experience and, it makes for a great day trip from Melbourne.
Places to go:
Tarra Falls
Cyathea Falls
Corrigan Suspension Bridge
Grand Strzelecki track
Tarra Bulga Visitor Centre
Tarra Valley Rainforest walk
Places to eat:
Lyrebird Cafe
Tarra Bulga Guest house Cafe & Restaurant
Alpine National Park
A 4-hour drive from Melbourne will land you within Alpine National Park. Additionally, there are plenty of fantastic locations to visit in the region, including Mount Hotham, Mount Buller and Mount Feathertop.
Jump on the 4WD tracks to visit Lake Cobbler. Without a doubt, a serene place to set up camp for the night. Not to mention the numerous walking trails located within the area.
If you feel like chasing waterfalls, a relatively simple 500m walk will lead you to Paradise falls. In fact, the 31m uninterrupted waterfall is a magnificent sight and is one of the best places to visit in Victoria.
Embark on a scenic adventure along the Roper Lookout walk. At last, this 3.9-km track is a relatively straightforward walk and is great for people of all ages.
To illustrate, visit Dimmicks Lookout for panoramic views over the mountain ranges. In addition, you may get to watch the low clouds pass over the valleys, a truly unique experience.
Alpine National Park is one of the top places to go in Victoria as it’s the perfect location to visit in any season. Moreover, if you enjoy the snow, this region is a fantastic choice during colder months.
Places to go:
Powers Lookout
Paradise Falls
Dimmick’s Lookout
Mount Hotham
Roper Lookout walk
Places to eat:
Stockpot
West Peak Hotel
Seasons MB
Bombay velvet Bar and Restaurant
Snowy River National Park
Snowy River National park, located in East Gippsland, is roughly a 5-hour drive from Melbourne. Thus, an untouched landscape is found here, a magnificent tourist destination in Victoria.
In case you aren’t interested in a long hike, take the Little River Gorge walk, which is roughly 800m return for spectacular views.
Additionally, take a 3.2-km walk along the Tulloch Ard Lookout walk. As a result, you will be honoured with gorgeous views over Snowy river and the mountain tops. Consequently, this is one of the best places to visit in Victoria; you’re sure to love this experience.
Later, be sure to stop over at Waratah Flat campground for the night. Of course, a free campground is a perfect spot for ultimate relaxation.
Embark on a day trip along the Siver Mine walk, which is a 16.5-km hike. During the trek, enjoy the multiple lookout locations as you’re sure to feel truly immersed in nature.
Finally, spend some time exploring the Buchan Caves. Take a guided tour through the caves and study the limestone formations. Nonetheless, children and adults will love this tourist destination in Victoria.
Places to go:
Little River Gorge walk
Buchan Caves
Raymond Creek falls
Tulloch Ard Lookout walk
Waratah Flat campground
Places to eat:
Buchan Main Street Cafe
Willow Tea Rooms
Buchan Caves Hotel
Callemondah Cafe
Phillip Island
A National surfing reserve with some of the best wave breaks and surf beaches, Phillip Island is a perfect day trip from Melbourne. The Island is only 24-km long and 9-km wide, but it sure packs a punch. There are plenty of outdoor and indoor activities to enjoy, such as the well-known Penguin Parade of Little Penguins.
The Penguin Parade is one of the most beloved Victorian attractions, bringing in tourists internationally to see this spectacular event. Additionally, Phillip Island is home to the largest Little Penguin colony in the world; tickets for this experience start at $13.50.
Enjoy a fun-filled day of puzzles, mazes, illusions and mini-golf at A Maze’n Things Phillip Island. Nonetheless, A Maze’N Things is a great family day activity, sure to be loved by everyone.
If you’re after a bit more adventure, look no further than surfing at one of Phillip Islands many surf beaches. Ride the waves at Cat Bay, Smiths Beach or Woolamai surf beach. Great for learning, also fantastic for experienced surfers.
One of the first attractions when arriving at Phillip Island is the chocolate factory. Firstly, undertake a tour around the Phillip Island Chocolate factory; Later on indulge in a chocolate milkshake (made with their fresh, house-made chocolate) and take home a bag of your choice of chocolate. Also, the chocolate buttons are to-die-for. Tickets for the tour are $17.00 for adults and $11.00 for children. Finally, purchase your tickets for the Phillip Island Chocolate factory online; one of the best places to visit in Victoria.
Places to go:
Phillip Island chocolate factory
Phillip Island penguin parade
A Maze’N Things
Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit
Phillip Island Wildlife Park
Places to eat:
Rusty water brewery restaurant & bar
Thai on the Island
Hotel Phillip Island
Three aces cafe
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, there are so many fantastic places to visit in Victoria. If you have the time, try spending a few months within the state to explore all Victoria has on offer.
Otherwise, choose a few of these locations and enjoy exploring them thoroughly.
Finally, have you been to any of these locations? Which of these have you added to your list?
