St Kilda Beach, Victoria
Melbourne street art
Silver Spoon Winery, Victoria
Cafe culture, Victoria
St Kilda Beach, Victoria
Melbourne street art
Silver Spoon Winery, Victoria
Cafe culture, Victoria
The states and territories of Australia

Victoria

Home to Melbourne, the vibrant cultural capital, Victoria boasts stunning coastal landscapes, picturesque vineyards, and awe-inspiring national parks. Whether you're a foodie, an adventure seeker, or a culture enthusiast, Victoria offers something for everyone. Dive into the diverse culinary scene, explore the Great Ocean Road, or unwind in the Yarra Valley.

Victoria, the smallest mainland state in Australia, packs a punch with its diverse landscapes, vibrant cities, and rich cultural heritage. Home to the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne, Victoria is known for its stylish cafes, world-class restaurants, and an arts scene that rivals any global metropolis.

Beyond the city, you'll find the stunning Great Ocean Road, with its breathtaking coastal views and the iconic Twelve Apostles. The Yarra Valley beckons wine lovers with its rolling vineyards and gourmet produce, while the tranquil Dandenong Ranges offer lush forests and charming villages.

Victoria's gold rush history comes alive in towns like Ballarat and Bendigo, where grand architecture and fascinating museums tell tales of a bygone era. Nature enthusiasts will love exploring the Grampians National Park, with its rugged mountain ranges, scenic hikes, and indigenous rock art.

Amazing street art in Melbourne | Australia holiday
Discover the creative streets of the city centre of Melbourne
Visit Erskine Falls
© TravelEssence

Cities & towns

Melbourne

Discover one of the greatest cities in the world, Melbourne. The capital city of Victoria is located approximately 713 kilometres from Sydney on the southeastern coast of Australia. This funky and down-to-earth destination is filled with vibrancy, culture, and plenty of things to do. Visit an array of hip bars, quirky cafés, and world-class restaurants. There is also an abundance of art galleries and museums to explore. The famous Queen Victoria Markets and The World Heritage Site-listed, Royal Exhibition Building is well worth a visit.

Mildura

Mildura is situated in Victoria, offering world-class food with small-town hospitality. Savour fresh local produce direct from the farm or visit the award-winning restaurants, a foodies haven! The Murray-Darling region is producing more than 20 per cent of Australia’s wine-grape harvest and is home to some of the best-known wine companies in the country. The Murray River is famous because it is Australia’s longest river.

Visit Brighton and admire the beach shacks, truly a beautiful place
© Unsplash
Mornington Peninsula is a favourite weekend getaway for the Melburnians
© Graham Holtshausen

Explore Victoria's Historic Towns

Victoria is home to charming towns born from the 1850s gold rush. Discover the rich history of the Victorian Goldfields between Ballarat, Wedderburn, and Stawell.

Uncover the Goldfields

Visit Bendigo, Maryborough, Castlemaine, Daylesford, Avoca, Blackwood, and more. Each town offers unique gold rush-era charm.

Ballarat: Gold Rush Heartland

In Ballarat, explore Sovereign Hill, an open-air museum where you can pan for gold and learn about the 1851 gold rush.

More to See in Ballarat

Enjoy Ballarat’s vibrant food scene with restaurants, breweries, and cafés. Visit local wineries for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and explore the Art Gallery of Ballarat for cultural delights.

Plan your visit to Victoria’s historic towns and experience a blend of history and modern attractions.

Try your luck and go panning for gold
Step into the past at Sovereign Hill
© TravelEssence

Region highlights

Go on a day trip and coastal drive of a lifetime, The Great Ocean Road, and admire the iconic Twelve Apostles. Uncover natural wilderness and Indigenous culture in the Grampians or visit Wilsons Promontory, a bush walker’s paradise! Marvel at the Victorian Mountains, a hidden gem offering year-round seclusion. Say G’day to penguins on Phillip Island or get lost in the vineyards at Yarra Valley, the options are endless!

Mornington Peninsula

Mornington Peninsula, just an hour from Melbourne, offers charming coastal living and Australian hospitality. Escape the city and enter this Mediterranean-style oasis.

Renowned for its food and wine, the region boasts over 50 wine cellars, famous for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Visit Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm to pick fresh strawberries or enjoy a wood-fired pizza and Pinot Gris at T’Gallant Winery.

Gippsland

Getaway to Gippsland - a real Australian gem! Stretching from Melbourne’s eastern suburbs to the New South Wales border. Featuring wild ocean beaches, a collection of bushland, quirky country towns, lakes, and an abundance of native flora. This charming place is oozing with Aussie friendliness and is a foodie haven.

Explore the best of Victoria
The Twelve Apostle Rocks on the Great Ocean Road
Great Ocean Road
Be intrigued by one of the world’s most renowned coastal scenic drives and uncover all the highlights and hidden gems.
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Aus vic phillip island wildlife cruise
Discover Phillip Island
Located about 140 kilometers southeast of Melbourne, Phillip Island is a natural wonderland.
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Aus victoria Chapel Street South Yarra 1 Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is chic, stylish and a melting pot of multiculturalism. Renowned for being one of the world’s most livable cities.
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Au yarra valley winery view nature friends see and do easy going
Yarra Valley
On Melbourne's doorstep is one of the world’s premier wine regions, the Yarra Valley. Famous for outstanding locally-grown produce and an array of fine restaurants to savour.
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Mornington Peninsula vineyard | Australia wine holiday
Sample the local flavours of Mornington Peninsula
Escape the bustle of the city and step into a Mediterranean style oasis.
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Melbourne's Cafe Culture
Discover Melbourne’s culinary scene
Taste the coffee culture, try an Aussie-styled brunch or tickle your senses at the endless restaurants on offer with this Melbourne tour.
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Auz polperro dolphin swims 2 partner active
Swim with dolphins at Mornington Peninsula
Have a close encounter with dolphins in their natural habitat.
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Hike through Grampians national park | Australia active holiday
Hike through the Grampians National Park
Discover wildflowers and wildlife during a self-guided hike through the Grampians.
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Friend with SUPs walking to the ocean
Uncover the hidden treasures of Mornington Peninsula
Spend the day exploring the Mornington Peninsula.
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National parks in Victoria

With 45 national parks to explore, Victoria is truly a natural wonderland. Home to 4300 native plants and 950 native animals, there are plenty of opportunities to have close encounters with unique Australian wildlife. Here, you can find 201 reptile species, over 450 different species of birds, and 139 mammal species. Keep an eye out for kangaroos, koalas, echidnas, and almost 30 species of snakes!

Which national park is on your bucket-list?

Alpine National Park is the largest found in Victoria and is an outdoor enthusiast's playground. Other national parks worth visiting are the Dandenong Ranges National Park, Murray-Sunset National Park, Mount Buffalo National Park, Croajingolong National Park, and the Great Otway National Park. With an area of 1,326 square kilometres, Little Desert National Park is one of the smallest found in the state.

Visit two of our favourite National Parks

Ready for the holiday of a lifetime?

Discover a world beyond ordinary

At TravelEssence, we specialise in crafting custom-made holidays that take you off the beaten path and create memories to last a lifetime. We believe in connecting with the heart and soul of a place, introducing you to the locals who call it home. Engage in conversations with fascinating individuals who will share their stories, traditions, and way of life, leaving an indelible mark on your journey.