The Best of Melbourne
Great Ocean Road
Great Ocean Road is an Australian National Heritage Listed site, stretching about 250 km. This road, the world's longest war memorial, was built by WW1 veterans between 1919 and 1932 and is dedicated to those who served in The Great War.
The coastline offers some unforgettable views, with some iconic limestone landmarks, such as the 12 Apostles and London Bridge, and some lovely seaside towns, such as Anglesea and Apollo Bay.
Phillip Island
Phillip Island is an Australian island approximately 140 km Southeast of Melbourne. The island is connected to the mainland via a concrete bridge.
Phillip Island is a very popular tourist destination, visited by more than 3 million people annually. The main attraction, the Penguin Parade, allows visitors to watch Little Penguins wobble ashore as they return home at dusk, after a day of swimming and hunting in the Bass Strait.
Mt Dandenong
Mt Dandenong is located between the tourist towns of Olinda and Kalorama in Melbourne's busy and scenic Dandenong Ranges. This mountain is nestled in lush greenery, with towering eucalyptus trees, vibrant native wildlife, and breathtaking views that celebrate the beauty of Australian nature.
There are also many shops and galleries in the small towns that sell unique jewellery, glasswork, furniture, and art pieces.
Puffing Billy Steam Train
Puffing Billy is Australia's Premiere Preserved Steam Railway in the Dandenong Ranges. This narrow gauge heritage railway was first opened in 1900 to serve the local farming and timber community. To this day, it is operating on its original mountain track from Belgrave to Gembrook in the scenic Dandenong Ranges.
With a post-preservation history spanning over 50 years, the Puffing Billy is one of the most popular heritage steam railways in the world.
Passengers can sit on the ledge of the open-sided carriages; come feel the wind in your hair!
Yarra Valley Wineries
The Yarra Valley is an Australian wine region located east of Melbourne. It has a cool climate and is best known for producing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
These high-profile wineries have made the area a popular tourist destination for visitors who enjoy tasting, consuming, and collecting wine.
The sweeping views make every visit unforgettable, offering picturesque landscapes of rolling vineyards, misty valleys, and charming cellar doors that perfectly complement the region's world-class wine experiences.
Animal Farm
In Melbourne, some farms offer visitors a unique and traditional hands-on farm experience. You can come in close contact with native Australian animals such as kangaroos, wombats, and emus.
These farms often provide opportunities to hand-feed and interact with the animals, such as kangaroos, in a natural and relaxed setting, while learning more about their habits and environments.
Cherry Farm
Cherries are stonefruit rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds, offering unique health benefits.
In 1969, low cherry prices at the Melbourne Market led some farmers to leave their crops unpicked. To salvage their harvest, a few put up a "Pick Your Own Cherries" sign, and to their surprise, the cherries sold out in a weekend, starting Victoria's popular cherry-picking tradition.
The season typically runs from late Nov to mid-Jan.
Mornington Peninsula
Mornington Peninsula is located over 40 km southeast of Melbourne. The area is a tourism region, with popular natural attractions such as beaches and scenic sights, and others such as wineries, mazes, and more.
A popular destination in the peninsula is Arthurs Seat, a hill known for its stunning views of the surrounding coastline, vineyards, and rolling landscapes. Visitors can take the Arthurs Seat Eagle gondola to enjoy a bird's-eye perspective or explore nearby walking trails and gardens for a closer connection to nature.
Lavender Farm
Lavender, also known as Lavandula, is a genus of 39 species of flowering plants in the mint family. Commercially, the plant is grown for the production of essential oils and used for its fragrance in balms, salves, perfumes, and cosmetics.
Visitors to Melbourne's lavender farms can enjoy scenic fields of vibrant purple flowers.
Strawberry Farm
Strawberries are renowned for their nutritional value and medicinal properties, particularly their high content of Vitamin C.
On our day tours to Mornington, the strawberry farm we will visit has cultivated over 100 varieties of strawberries over the past 30 years. The farm follows a sustainable approach, minimising the use of agricultural chemicals and only applying sprays when necessary.
The picking season typically runs from November to April.
Chocolaterie Factory and Ice Creamery
Chocolate is a sweet treat loved by all (but some more than others). Rural Victoria's Chocolaterie & Ice-Creameries offer a delightful indulgence for visitors of all ages. These charming factories invite guests to embark on a sensory journey through the world of handcrafted chocolates and creamy, artisan ice creams. Whether you're a chocolate connoisseur, an ice cream enthusiast, or simply looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, the factories promise a delectable experience in Victoria’s most scenic and delicious regions.
Mt Buller
Mt Buller is a resort town located approximately 208 km east of Melbourne and is popular for snow sports in winter. The Mt Buller Village is situated at the heart of the mountain; with numerous bars, restaurants and shopping opportunities.
There is plenty of snow play fun, with Mount Buller's two toboggan parks, complete with sizeable snow machines.
Geelong Waterfront
Geelong is home to the beloved Eastern Beach, a popular swimming and recreation spot. Backed by grassy slopes, this iconic beach features a 200m long, circular swimming enclosure at its eastern end.
Onshore, visitors can enjoy a fantastic adventure playground with plenty of seating for spectators, making it perfect for families and groups.
The quirky and colourful statues line the pathways, adding a unique and playful charm that reflects the vibrant spirit of Geelong.
Brighton Beach
Brighton is one of Melbourne’s most beloved seaside destinations, famous for its iconic, bright and colourful bathing boxes along Dendy Street Beach. The 82 Brighton bathing boxes are unique due to their uniform scale, proportion, building materials, orderly alignment, and planning guided by the City Council. These charming structures showcase classic Victorian architectural features, including timber framing, weatherboards, and corrugated iron roofs, preserving their timeless character.
Koala Spotting
The koala is a herbivorous mammal native to Australia, primarily found in coastal regions of the eastern and southern mainland. Known for its stout, tailless, round body, fluffy ears, and distinctive spoon-shaped nose, the koala is instantly recognisable.
Koalas primarily inhabit open eucalypt woodlands, feeding on the leaves of these trees, which are low in nutrition and high in fibre.
Several regions in Victoria provide excellent koala-sighting opportunities, including Great Otway National Park.