Victoria Holidays Guide
Beautiful Australia Holidays
Victoria is Australia's second-smallest state – but it is still bigger than the British Isles! Located on the south-east corner of Australia, Victoria is home to a wealth of natural beauty and the country's most stylish city – Melbourne. Victoria's most famous natural attraction is the Great Ocean Road, a breathtaking scenic coastal route through rolling green hills, eucalyptus forests and charming seaside villages. The Grampians National Park is also well worth exploring, with its rugged mountain ranges, peaceful forests and gorgeous springtime wild-flowers. In winter the Victorian Alps region becomes a skiers' paradise, with the alpine villages of Mt Buller and Mt Hotham only three hours drive from the international airport.
Map of Victoria Australia
Victoria Highlights
For gourmet delights, wine tours and country vistas, head to the Yarra Valley and Dandenong regions, both easily accessible on day tours from Melbourne. Or for an unforgettable wildlife encounter, head to Phillip Island and watch the delightful nightly parade of the Little Penguins as they make their way up the beach to their burrows. The city of Melbourne is known for its elegance and sophistication, with fine dining, designer shopping and world-class art galleries around every corner. Hang out with the locals in vibrant Federation Square or take in an international exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria. Explore the historic lane-ways and grand arcades around the Flinders Street district in the CBD, and afterwards head to one of the many inner 'urban-villages' for live music and great food.
Victoria has a cool- temperate climate, with cold, wet winters (June to August) and warm to hot summers (Dec to Feb). Melbourne hosts some of Australia's most prestigious events, including the Australian Open Tennis Championships in January, the Formula 1™ Grand Prix in March and the race that stops the nation – The Melbourne Cup – in November.
Victoria Holidays Planner
From the soulful streets of Melbourne to the exquisite sapphire coast of the Great Ocean Road, Victoria is home to great food, fabulous entertainment and an incredible array of natural landmarks that will leave you gasping in awe. Set around the shores of Port Philip Bay, the capital city of Melbourne is famous for its street art, interesting lane-ways and hole-in-the-wall cafés that contribute to its spunky edge. Take a visit to Degraves Street in the CBD to try the coffee and street cafés Melbourne is famous for, or venture out to the beach-side suburbs of St. Kilda to spend a day at Luna Park, an old school amusement park with a great circus feel.
Equally as fascinating, country Victoria's delicious produce and gorgeous regional towns will leave you raring to explore it all. Hot air balloon rides are a good way of seeing the countryside and fertile farm lands of Yarra Valley where you can also sample wines, farmhouse cheeses and homemade chocolates of the region. Spend a day travelling to Phillip Island to see dozens of little penguins running to the shore, or rent a car and drive along the breathtaking coastline of the Great Ocean Road to see spectacular rock formations which burst majestically from the foam-tipped sea.
The urban hub of Melbourne is a good base camp to explore the coastal and regional areas of Victoria while enjoying city style entertainment at the same time. Two hours drive from Melbourne lies Phillip Island, one of the most popular recreational spots in Victoria. On the rugged southwest coast, the Great Ocean Road is a haven for coastal towns like Apollo Bay and Geelong and offer spectacular views of the ocean. Yarra Valley and the Dandenong Ranges in the northeast is home to Victoria's oldest vineyards, as well as protected parkland reserves great for cycling and bush-walking.
Victoria Accommodation Search
Accommodation in Victoria is diverse, with 3 – 5 star hotels and serviced apartments located in the Melbourne CBD and inner suburbs. Outside Melbourne expect comfortable caravan parks in spectacular natural settings, cosy B&Bs and spa resorts aplenty. The following Victoria hotels provide some of the best deals for a holiday in Australia – please search below to obtain the best available prices from over 100 booking sources: