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The Australian Holidays Getaway Project :
A National Collaboration
[See
Victorian place names A - K]
Lakes Entrance
Lilydale
Lismore
Lorne
Maldon
Malvern
Mansfield
Maryborough
Marysville
Melbourne
Melbourne is the major gateway to Victoria and sits astride the Yarra River
at the very top of Port Phillip Bay. This is Australia's second largest city and
boasts a charming mix of modern tower blocks, preserved historic sites and
attractive parks and gardens. A visit to Melbourne is a must for any Australian
vacation. Sports events, theatres, exhibitions, casino... Melbourne has it all.
The city is home to the most
cosmopolitan mix of ethnic groups and backgrounds of all the Australian cities.
Dating from the days of assisted passage after World War 2, the influx of
immigrants that has done so much to shape and enhance Australian society is very
evident in Melbourne. Dining in Melbourne offers an huge variety of different
cuisines.
The choices of
Melbourne hotels
and apartments are many and varied, ranging from 5 star luxury to accommodation
for the budget conscious. Melbourne has a great selection of smaller boutique
hotels. The city hosts many major events and festivals and accommodation can be
difficult to find at those times. Advance bookings are always recommended for
Melbourne lodgings.
Melburnians love their sport
and are keen patrons of the major events. The Australian Open Tennis, Formula
One Grand Prix, Australian 500cc Motor Cycle Grand Prix, the Melbourne Cup horse
race and spring racing carnival all attract major crowds. The final of the AFL
football league attracts crowds up to 100,000 people.
Extract from Australian Travel Emporium
Melton
Mildura
Mornington Peninsula
The Mornington Peninsula is 1.5 hours from the city of Melbourne - excellent
roads all the way. Wineries galore - boutique type (pinot noir from this area is
superb)- with the annual MP Wine weekend on Queens Birthday weekend (june) where
all wineries are open for tastings and you can taste some of the delicious local
fare.
Another MUST is the Red Hill
Market - Red Hill held the first Saturday of the month (Sept - May) from 7a.m. -
be early!! The local produce and crafts are the best you will get anywhere in
Australia - fresh handpicked strawberries, have the excellent & fresh fruit for
breakfast while you are there, local preserves (YUM), beeswax candles, local
fresh cut flowers, handcrafted knitwear, handcrafted garden accessories, the
list goes on - it really has something for everyone.
Accomodation - ranges from
resort style (Nepean Country Club), private rental homes to bed and breakfasts.
Book through local real estate agents, or the Visitor Information Centre in
Dromana (on Nepean Highway)
How to spend a weekend - Drive
down on Friday night and stop at the Fish & Chip shop in Rosebud (near Corner of
Jetty Road and the front beach Highway - on the highway) for a quick bite before
proceeding to your accomodation. Light the fire, get out the port and retire by
11pm. On Saturday get up at 6am and head for the Red Hill Market or if its not
on, have a game of golf at Eagle Ridge Golf Course (next to Nepean Country Club
- Rosebud but book ahead) or one of the other fantastic Golf Courses. After Golf
or Market drive along front beach and grab some fresh fish & chips from Hector's
fish & chip shop, Rye Bay Beach (next to Safeway), park on the front beach and
have lunch then go home and relax. Saturday night dine at the Rye Hotel.
Sunday sleep in - get to
Sorrento at about 10.30 a.m. and DO brunch and Sorrento for a few hours. Drive
to Portsea and check out the homes and have afternoon tea at Delgany or visit
the PORTSEA HOTEL with its lovely views over the Bay.
Head back to Melbourne late Sunday - you'll be home in time for dinner!
Denise
Mortlake
Mt Beauty
A pleasant country town at the base of the Falls Creek ski fields.
Lew
Mt Buller
Mt Hotham
Great for skiing, about an hours drive from Bright, bus connection from there as
well (V-Line), Mt Beauty and Harrietville are passed by on the way. Mt Hotham
village offers restaurants, big parking lot, opportunities to change and the
Hotham chalet. Different runs for beginners to experts, shuttle buses run to the
Big D etc. Interesting in summer as well, as there's the village of Dinner Plain
to visit (and stay) and the landscape is just absolutely stunning.
Katia
Myrtleford
3.5 hours from Melbourne, located at the gateway to the Ski slopes of Mt
Buffalo, Falls Creek and Hotham. A small town on the Ovens River, in the heart
of what was once the tobacco growing region of Victoria. The old rail track
which once extended to Bright has been converted into a bike path stretching
back to Wangaratta. Lew
North Fitzroy
Olinda
Omeo
Orbost
Patchewollock
This town is situated 480km north west of Melbourne, about 140km from the Murray
River at Mildura. A beautiful town with an extensive array of natural wild life
and natural vegetation. A farming town, comprising the finest quality grain
harvests and the most flavoursome fat lambs for market. A somewhat warm climate,
with a cherished local hotel to wash down the Mallee heat and harsh summer dust.
A hive of local activity, with
a buzz of arts and craft and a plethora of local antiques to be discovered. The
local charm from the many characters will ensure a nice warm and friendly stay
for those prepared to be pampered by the mystique of a quiet little town in the
Mallee. Luke O’Sullivan
Phillip Island
Phillip Island has good freeway and double highway access, and is about an hour
and a half from the centre of Melbourne. The Phillip Island Tourist information
centre is a must for visitors and locals. It is approx 1km across the bridge
past Newhaven. There is much on the island of interest, nature parks, stunning
scenery on the many walks and plenty of activities. Some of the points of
interest include:
-
San Remo - the gateway with
the fishing boats, fishing charters, pelican feeding and well known bridge
to P.I.
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Newhaven - has a yacht club
and a small marina.
-
Cape Woolamai - well known
surf beach & excellent walk to the Cape Woolamai headland with stunning
views.
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Forrest Coves/Surf
Beach/Sunderland Bay - more surf
-
Smiths Beach - safer surf
beaches, the Penguins and the magnificent Nobbies/Seal Rocks headland.
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Shelley Beach/Cat Bay &
Flynn's Beach - more surf beaches - excellent in southerly winds.
-
Ventnor - beautiful views
of Western Bay and safe quiet swimming.
-
Cowes - Safe swimming,
quiet waters. Ferry service to the Seal Rocks/Nobbies, French Island & Stony
Point.
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Rhyll - a waterside town
with good boating access, boat ramp, jetty, cafe /restaurant, quality
accommodation. Michael Slattery
Point Cook
Point Lonsdale
Point Lonsdale is located app. 120km (1.5hrs) from Melbourne, and is only 2km
from Queenscliff. Often overshadowed by the popular Queenscliff, this small
township is a very peaceful alternative. It includes a historic cemetary and old
style Bed and Breakfast accommodation. The lighthouse is well worth a visit, as
is the Rip Lookout, which boasts commanding views of Port Phillip Heads, the
Rip, and ships arriving/exiting the Bay. Point Lonsdale has fabulous beaches
(safe and open surf) and exquisite rockpools. A great place for a peaceful
holiday! Steven De Domenico
Port Campbell
Port Fairy
Port Welshpool
Portland
Portsea
Visit Portsea - the 'weekenders' of the Rich & Famous are something to behold.
Have Sunday afternoon tea at Delgany House - 5 star!! Best time to go is April
to November - less crowded and you can really get into the open fires after a
brisk walk along the back beaches of Rye and Sorrento.
Denise
Preston
Quambatook
A Mallee (NW Victoria) small town known fairly well known as a town within a
great wheat-producing area, but better known, perhaps, for "other things" like
being the town of childhood memories of such people as Mollie Meldrum, John
Williamson, Phil Harris and ........the district of Tittybong...........
Tittybong lies some four or five kilometres from Quambatook, and is recognized
on the Internet as a place of a strange name. Phil
Harris
Queenscliff
At the entrance to the Port Philip Bay Queenscliff is a 1.5 hour drive from
Melbourne through Geelong. Renowned for quality restaurants and accommodation,
it is a quite town off season -but swarming with families during holiday time.
Connected by two car and passenger ferries to Sorrento sailing on the hour 7
days a week Established in the early days of colonisation Queenscliff Fort and lightouses protect the entrance to the bay and
Melbourne. There are also
pleasant views across the bay and of passing ships, which add to the seaside
setting. Lew
Red Hill
Robinvale
Rochester
Rutherglen
Sale
Seymour
Shepparton
Smeaton
Smeaton -Located near Clunes and Creswick. Attractions:-Andersons Mill on Birchs
creek -1861, 'Tuki Trout farm'. Smeaton was named after a place in the south of
scotland by Captain Hepburn. In April 1938 the Prime Minister of Australia,
Joseph Lyons attended the centenary celebrations of Smeaton. He said 'I know of
no district presenting a more romantic history than this, with the story of John
Hepburn bringing his flocks into a country which had no signposted roads"
Sorrento
Sorrento is an absolute must for the Sunday brunch crowd - lots of Melbourne
celebrities can be seen brunching outside fantastic cafes. After brunch take a
stroll through the 'village' - arts displays, antique shops, garden nurseries,
down to the pier and go dolphin watching (in season) or take the ferry across
the bay to Queenscliff and enjoy an upmarket lunch at one of the Historic
Hotels. Denise
South Melbourne
South Yarra
St Arnaud
St Arnaud is the northern entrance to the Grampians and a town with an obvious
sense of history. Drive or walk the "Track of the Years" heritage cultural trail
and take in the grand buildings, stunning lace work, huge verandahs and historic
gardens which combine to give you an idea of how life was lived during the gold
rush two centuries ago. St Arnaud is an ideal base from which to explore the
wineries of the Pyrenees and the abundant flora and bird life of the surrounding
parks and forests. Joy
St Kilda
Stawell
Home of the internationally known "Stawell Gift".
Stawell is best known for its
prestigious foot race the Stawell Easter Gift. Stawell is a thriving service
centre and gateway to the Grampians National Park. This town also has another
claim to fame. Gold was first discovered here in 1853 and just five years later
more than 20,000 people were seeking their fortune on the local fields.
The precious metal is still
playing an important role: Stawell is home to Victoria's largest producing gold
mine. Drive or walk the "Golden Trail through Time" heritage cultural trail and
see the evidence of the town's rich past and view a prosperous and fascination
history at Pleasant Creek Courthouse Museum. Inspect the extraordinary
memorabilia at the Stawell Gift Hall of Fame Museum headquarters of the
celebrated richest professional foot race in the world. Stawell is an ideal base
to explore the Region's famous wineries and the magnificent sandstone Grampians
with wonderful flora and fauna, tracks and trails.
Joy.
Streatham
Stuart Mill
This is a small village in the Pyrenees wine region of Victoria and is part of
the Goldfields tourist area. Founded in 1861 when there was a goldrush, the town
has lots of relics of the gold days and is a mecca for gold prospectors and
quite a few nuggets have been found recently. The excellent Pyrenees wineries
are close by and the new St.Arnaud Range National Park surrounds the village.
The Park is just a great place to experience the great Aussie bush, totally
unspoilt and yet to be overrun by tourists. Ray Hewitt
Sunbury
Sunshine
Swan Hill
Torquay
Traralgon
Trawool
Situated 1 hour north of Melbourne between Seymour and Yea. Trawool is cupped
between two ranges of the central highlands of Victoria, this valley of the
Goulburn is only 2 kilometres across at its widest point.The smooth bald hills
to the east contrast sharply with the rugged granite strewn slopes of the
Tallarook ranges and Warragul Rocks to the West and through this picturesque
valley meanders the Goulburn River. It is no wonder the area has been classified
by the National trust for its natural beauty.
The valley abounds with
wildlife, over 130 species of native birds many native animals and the Goulburn
River is well stocked with trout, redfin and freshwater crayfish. Close by are
numerous wineries, restaurants, galleries and museums to entertain and amuse
visitors to the area. There is a range of excellent accommodation available
locally - making the Trawool Valley an ideal base for visitors to Central
Victoria or as a gateway for visitors to Melbourne.
David Charles
Tullamarine
Wangaratta
Waratah Bay
Warburton
Warracknabeal
Warragul
Warrnambool
Beautiful Warrnambool is located 343 kilometers southwest of Melbourne. Once a
sealing and whaling port, the Southern Right Whales now come to calve in the
shallow waters near the city in the winter months. You can watch them from a
viewing platform at Logan's Beach, specially built for that purpose. There's a
lot to do in Warrnambool, from visiting the past at Flagstaff Hill Maritime
Museum, to taking a drive along the rugged coast.
The Flagstaff Hill Maritime
Museum recreates a typical town from Warrnambool's seafaring past, and indeed
the past of the entire Shipwreck Coast. Tower Hill, a lake situated in what was
once a volcanic crater, is also a pleasant place to drive, where you can see
wild koalas, kangaroos and emus. Amanda Newhouses
Werribee
Werribee, 25-30km from Melbourne, is Aboriginal for the "spine of the river",
and is nestled on the Werribee River which meanders its way into the sea at
Werribee South. The main shopping street features some interesting art works and
lots of trees. Werribee has a great golf course and the Shadowfax winery as well
as a safari wildlife park, -you can even camp with the wild animals and wake up
to giraffes passing your tent.
There's also a horse race track
-the Werribee cup race proceeds the Melbourne cup by approx a week. There's an
equestrian centre, and Werribee beach which is renowned by birdwatchers. Did you
know that parts of "Mad Max" and "Blue Healers" were filmed in and around
Werribee? Mike Blyth
Wodonga
Wodonga lies at the border Victoris/NSW, closely connected to the town of Albury.
(Actually it's called Albury-Wodonga, the two towns can't be made into one
because none of the states wants to give up their territory.) Wodonga is one of
the bigger towns (around 30 000 inhabitants) in the region of North eastern
Victoria, nice for shopping, eating out, going to the movies etc. About an hours
drive from Bright, and about 4 1/2 to 5 hours from Melbourne.
Katia
Wonthaggi
Wycheproof
Yarra Bend
Yarra Glen
Yarra Junction
Yarrawonga is a haven for water enthusiasts, about 300km North East of
Melbourne, an easy 3 hour drive up the Hume Highway, Yarrawonga is situated on
the banks of beatiful Lake Mulwala. With easy access and safe boating to either
Lake Mulwala, The Might Murray and Ovens river it is a must for water skiing,
boating, fishing and golfing enthusiasts. The Yarrawonga & Border golf club
features 45 holes, and is the largest golf course in Australasia, try the Murray
course (booking is recommended). Summer months from November - April are the
best time to visit and take advantage of the many water activities available.
Julie Booth
Yea
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