Holiday houses in Victoria

From its edgy, artsy, sports-mad capital of Melbourne to its bucolic spa country dotted with heritage towns, postcard-worthy winelands, and frosted mountains, the state of Victoria is as diverse as it is dramatic — drama in every sense of the word. On the events front, this equates to some of the world’s biggest arts shows. In nature, it’s about wild and wonderful landscapes, whether it’s the mountains (Great Dividing Range, Victorian Alps, Dandenong Ranges), national parks (Wilsons Promontory, Grampians, Great Otway), or beaches (Bells, Sorrento, Torquay).

In between lie charming historic towns founded during the Gold Rush era or after WWII, when an influx of migrants arrived in Victoria to start new lives and seek fortunes. Many found a fresh start on vineyards and farms, pioneering today’s thriving multicultural food and wine scene. Much of this centres on Melbourne, but the epicurean credentials also extend to small country towns, with vineyards and paddock-to-plate restaurants flourishing from the Yarra Valley to the Mornington Peninsula.

Climatic differences between north and south Victoria, between sea level and the mountains, don’t bear comparison — one can sizzle while the other sees snow. Sometimes, you can experience both in a matter of hours, in the same place. Indeed, being prepared for four seasons in a day is a Melbournian motto, with weather in the capital notoriously unpredictable.

In spring, you can float along the Murray River, and explore its food-and-wine-rich shores; go anywhere coastal for whale watching; and hit the Dandenong Ranges for spring wildflowers. During summer, beaches and long days draw crowds to the Great Ocean Road over warmer months, and world-class tournaments attract tennis fans to Melbourne.

Autumn is harvest time in wine regions, with vineyards abuzz with activity, and the deciduous trees of the spa country are particularly pretty. In winter, the High Country ski regions of Mount Hotham, Mount Buller, Mount Stirling, Lake Mountain, and Dinner Plain are popular; or visit Melbourne for the football season.

Explore Melbourne

Most trips to Victoria begin and end in Melbourne, known for its atmospheric neighbourhoods curving around Port Phillip Bay and hugging the Yarra River. Highlights are endless: eat your way through Polish delis in St Kilda, enjoy a dose of culture at the National Gallery of Victoria, shop boho stores in Brunswick, catch a football match at the MCG, and restaurant-hop through the city centre, its fabulous eateries hidden down graffiti-clad laneways.

Drive the Great Ocean Road

Dramatic rock formations and sheer sea cliffs; beachside towns where bare feet and salty hair seem obligatory; epic surf breaks and wildlife-rich national parkland; bottlenose dolphins and migrating whales — the Great Ocean Road is one of the world’s most legendary drives. Spanning 250 National Heritage-listed kilometres of Victoria’s southeast coastline, it offers attractions like the 12 Apostles, Gibson Steps, and Loch Ard Gorge.

Soak up spa country

Northwest of Melbourne, the Daylesford and Hepburn Springs regions reveal a European fairy tale. The leafy towns were settled by Swiss and Italian migrants, bringing handsome architecture and tasty culinary traditions — plus a love for relaxation. You can experience this resetting at any number of spas and bathhouses, capitalising on Australia’s largest concentration of natural mineral springs.