Victoria Overview

Victoria may be mainland Australia’s smallest state, but it’s blessed with far more than its fair share of fantastic cultural, natural, and historical attractions. The landscape varies widely, from the empty western plains of the Mallee to the inviting wineries along the Murray River, from the ski resorts of the Victorian Alps to the forested parks of the Gippsland coast. No other part of Australia packs in so much ecological diversity into so little space.

Sleek and sophisticated, Melbourne overflows with eclectic ethnic neighborhoods, public art spaces, back-alley bars, and verdant gardens. It’s no wonder that many Aussies claim Melbourne as Australia’s best-kept secret. Hewn from the limestone cliffs west of Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road winds past roaring ocean, lush rainforests, and geological wonders like the Twelve Apostles rock formation. East of the capital, the coastline unfolds past Phillip Island’s penguin colony and the beach resorts on the Mornington Peninsula, before heading into Gippsland. Here, crashing waves collide with granite outcroppings to form the sandy beach edge of Wilsons Promontory National Park.

Victoria is remarkable for its rich history and natural grandeur. The jaw-dropping ranges of Grampians National Park offer unparalleled opportunities for rock climbing, abseiling, and other adventure sports, and the park holds the state’s most important Aboriginal rock-art sites. Victoria’s historical heart, meanwhile, beats to the drum of the mid-19th-century gold rush. When the ore waned, a host of dusty country towns were left in its wake—the Goldfields and the Murray River towns are defined by a fascinating past of rugged miners and antiquated riverboats. The 20th century brought agricultural and commercial development, including massive hydroelectric public works projects that still impact the state’s ecosystems. Still, Victoria’s physical beauty prevails, tempered by a refined sensibility and cosmopolitan flair.

Steep yourself in the heady atmosphere of Melbourne, Australia’s cultural, culinary, and sporting capital .
Abseil 60m down the Ledge in Grampians National Park .
Pamper your palate at Rutherglen Wineries with free tastings .
Experience a diverse array of terrain at Sealers Cove dayhike in Wilsons Promontory, a UNESCO World Heritage Site .

Transportation

Getting around Victoria is a breeze, thanks to the thorough, efficient intrastate train and bus system run by V/Line. For more extensive national service, Greyhound Australia, Country Link, and Great ...more

Orientation

Though the road itself runs from Torquay to Warrnambool, the Great Ocean Road region encompasses the entire serene and spectacular southwestern coast of Victoria, from Geelong to Nelson. Stretching from ...more