26 Apr 2013
Melbourne provides the ideal starting point for visitors interested in a self-drive journey around the diverse and compact state of Victoria. Visitors can tailor their own adventure, choosing between the city, coast and country, ticking off an impressive checklist of must see icons and attractions along the way.
Within a 90-minute drive from Melbourne, visitors can experience tall forests, historic villages, Australian wildlife, vine-filled valleys and rugged coastlines. Regardless of length of time or mode of transport, be it car, campervan or tour bus, there are options to suit all budgets in order to discover Victoria's rich cultural highlights, epicurean delights and natural attractions.
A number of well-established, major touring routes have been designed to showcase the best that the state has to offer. Here is a snapshot of where visitors should head for and what they can expect as they take to the road in Victoria.
Encompassing the spectacular Great Ocean Road, the Great Southern Touring Route allows visitors to experience dramatic seascapes, the rugged grandeur of the Grampians, the indulgence and tranquillity of Spa Country and the history and heritage of Victoria's Goldfields region.
The journey starts in cosmopolitan Melbourne, and heads south-west to the vibrant seaside city of Geelong, Victoria's second largest city. It continues along the coast past heritage towns and the plentiful vineyards of the Bellarine Peninsula to the spectacular Great Ocean Road. Conde Nast travel magazine rates the Great Ocean Road as one of the top 20 journeys of a lifetime while Frommer's guide puts it in the top 10 road trips on the planet.
The first stop along the iconic stretch of road is at Bells Beach, the country's most famous surf beach near the equally legendary surf-town of Torquay. Visitors continue the journey through popular seaside resort towns such as Lorne and Apollo Bay and past stunning waterfalls and spectacular scenery.
Further along, the lushness of the Great Otway National Park gives way to the imposing beauty of the Twelve Apostles and the fascinating history of the shipwreck coast. At picturesque Port Fairy the route turns north towards the peaks of the Grampians mountain range.
As they enter the beautiful Grampians National Park, visitors will find themselves in a dramatic natural oasis, replete with walking trails, waterfalls, wildlife and floral splendour where they can discover the largest selection of Aboriginal rock paintings in Victoria.
The final leg of the Great Southern Touring Route journeys east through the Goldfields region to Ballarat, an enriching city that brings the glorious days of the 19th century gold rush history to life. Here visitors can discover the fascinating cultural history of the region and explore enticing art galleries and museums.
Before the route returns to Melbourne, travellers can get pampered in Hepburn Springs. Boasting Australia's largest number of naturally occurring mineral springs, the Spa Country region is famous for soothing travel-weary visitors with fine food and wine, and fabulous spas. An indulgent spa treatment, followed by finest local paired with boutique wine is a fitting way to end an inspiring and rewarding journey along the Great Southern Touring Route.
From the unparalleled grandeur of the coast to the spectacular vistas of the Australian Alps, Sydney-Melbourne Touring's three distinctive travel routes – Sydney-Melbourne Coastal Drive, Sydney-Melbourne Heritage Drive and the Great Alpine Road all offer experiences to remember.
Sydney-Melbourne Coastal Drive
The coastline between Sydney and Melbourne is some of the most spectacular in Australia, with tranquil coves, long, golden beaches and wild, rocky shorelines carved by the mighty Pacific and Southern oceans. Here, there's no end to the fun that can be had on the water – from surfing, sailing and snorkelling to seeing dolphins, penguins and whales in the wild.
Vast stretches of the coastline have been preserved as national parks, teeming with native flora and fauna, including kangaroos, koalas, emus and native parrots. Travellers can walk on pure white beaches at Jervis Bay, learn about Aboriginal bush foods on a guided tour, or cruise, water-ski or kayak around the Gippsland Lakes.
The route also offers many opportunities to explore the coastal hinterland, including historic hamlets such as Walhalla and Central Tilba, or the Mornington Peninsula's renowned food, wine, golf and spa offerings. At the Illawarra Fly visitors can literally walk through the treetops, while at Buchan Caves they can enter a 400 million-year-old limestone wonderland. With so much to see and do, the Coastal Drive is an essential Australian touring experience.
Sydney-Melbourne Heritage Drive
The inland route between Melbourne and Sydney is a journey through Australian history. Travellers can discover timeless indigenous culture, the relics of colonial times, and an ancient river that winds its way through rolling hills and past historic townships.
From Melbourne, the Heritage Drive travels to the gold rush region around Bendigo. Here, visitors can venture down old goldmines, see Chinese Dragons and dine in ornate civic buildings now refashioned as fashionable bars and restaurants. Then it's on to the mighty Murray River, where paddle steamers offer a fun way to get downstream and the many farm-gates offer fresh local produce for sale. Barmah National Park is the place to see giant river red gums, native wildlife such as koalas and kangaroos, and Aboriginal scar trees. Continuing the route travels on to Rutherglen, famous for its fortified wines, where family vineyards have been handed down through the generations.
Beyond the borders of Victoria, the drive continues to nation's capital, Canberra, an architect-designed political hub that is home to some of the country's most important institutions. From here, the Southern Highlands of New South Wales offer lush green vistas and quaint villages, including Bowral, the birthplace of cricket legend Sir Donald Bradman, before the drive ends in Sydney.
The Great Alpine Road
Travellers along the Great Alpine Road can journey into some of the continent's highest mountains where, the majestic Australian wilderness offers breathtaking vistas. Whether blanketed with wildflowers or carpeted in snow, the Alps are the ideal place for those looking for an active adventure. Surrounded by big blue skies and crisp mountain air, visitors can hike, cycle or take a horseback ride past stunning alpine views, go abseiling, hang-gliding and rock-climbing, or enjoy skiing and snowboarding in winter. At day's end, they can relax in a traditional pub, indulge at a boutique resort and spa, or camp under brilliant stars in Alpine National Park.
In the foothills, and down near the coast, the Great Alpine Road offers other worthy experiences. Visitors find themselves discovering historic gold rush towns such as Beechworth and Omeo, enjoying the gourmet delights of Bright or cycling along scenic rail trails. The road ends at the magnificent Gippsland Lakes, where abundant marine life, water sports and fabulous fresh seafood are highlights.
Melbourne South East Touring Triangle
Melbourne's South East Touring Triangle (SETT) links three beautiful regions surrounding Melbourne – the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges; Phillip Island; and the Mornington Peninsula.
From Melbourne, the SETT heads to the Yarra Valley, famous for its excellent wineries and luxury boutique hotels. Travellers can see more than 200 native wildlife species including; platypus, koalas, Tasmanian devils, kangaroos and wallabies up close at Healesville Sanctuary.
Not far away, in the fairytale-like forest of the Dandenong Ranges, modernwheels can be exchanged for old fashioned steam aboard Puffing Billy, a meticulously restored steam train, which travels through 25 kilometres of cool fern gullies.
The route continues to Phillip Island where visitors can enjoy stunning beaches and watch the famous Penguin Parade.
Further along the route on the Mornington Peninsula there are more than 50 winery cellar doors specialising in superb pinot noir and chardonnay. Many of them also have outstanding restaurants which feature the region's abundant fresh produce.
The Mornington Peninsula is home to the first natural hot springs and day spa centre in Victoria. The region is also renowned for outstanding golf courses, spectacular gardens and is a perfect place for aquatic adventures, including dolphin and seal swims and scuba diving around one of Victoria's many ship wrecks.
West Gippsland Hinterland Drive
The scenic West Gippsland Hinterland Drive winds its way through the magnificent and diverse landscapes..
The circular route - approximately five hours driving time - begins in Melbourne and passes through the Yarra Ranges to the small towns of Powelltown and Noojee in Gippsland. It then travels across to the summit of Mount Baw Baw, taking in the sub-Alpine villages of Walhalla, Rawson and Erica and passes through Moe and Yarragon before returning to Melbourne.
The drive highlights West Gippsland's natural attractions, including giant mountain ash trees and waterfalls, as well as the region's local food options and boutique wineries.
Connecting via iPhone & iPad
A number of the touring routes and drives throughout Victoria are now accessible via free iPhone and iPad apps. Visitors can download the apps to access interactive maps, pinpoint places of interest and learn more about the many attractions and tourism offerings available along each route.
Media contacts: Madeleine Blake, Senior International Media Officer, Tel: +61 3 9653 9814;
Email: internationalpr@tourism.vic.gov.au
Corporate website: www.tourismvictoria.com.au
Consumer website: www.visitmelbourne.com
