Tours in Victoria
Melbourne is an incredibly popular tourist destination, with many attractions. But other areas of Victoria have other enticing attractions for tourists.
Great Ocean Road tours, Melbourne tours.
Victoria, Australia’s second most populated state, has a highly centralised population, with the majority of the state living in the capital Melbourne. Melbourne is known as the cultural hub of Australia, and as such, is a highly popular tourist destination for Australian and international travellers.
Many of these travellers elect to take part in a variety of Melbourne Tours, which can differ in terms of time, destinations and price. These tours often include stops at iconic locations such as:
• The Melbourne Cricket Ground
• The Royal Botanic Gardens
• Federation Square
• Queen Victoria Markets
• Melbourne Town Hall
• West Gate Bridge
• Flinders Street Station
• St Paul’s Cathedral
However, Melbourne is not the only area worthy of exploring in Victoria. There are other locations equally rich in culture, natural or historical significance. These areas are often neglected by tourists, who are unaware of what they offer and their significance in Victoria’s history. Some of these areas are:
• Phillip Island
Located 140km southeast of Melbourne, this small island is home to a variety of wildlife and is known for its costal beauty. Phillip Island is perhaps most famous of its thousands of fur seals and penguins. The Penguin Parade where the penguins come out of the ocean each evening is a popular tourist event and a must-see for any nature lover.
• Great Ocean Road
Renowned as one of the most scenic drives worldwide, the Great Ocean Road runs alongside the Victorian coastline from Torquay to Allansford. At 243km long, the drive is a popular day trip option for tourists. There are a variety of Great Ocean Road tours that include stops at the key landmarks such as the Twelve Apostles and the Loch Ard Gorge.
• Victorian Goldfields Railway
This steam train runs from Castlemaine to Maldon (north-west of Melbourne), through areas mined for gold during the Victorian Gold Rush of the 1800s. Ballarat and Bendigo, whose history is well known due to the hunt for gold, is near the Victorian Goldfields Railway and thus can be seen whilst in Castlemaine or Maldon.
• The Mornington Peninsula
Located southeast of Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula is known for its scenic coastal views and naturally beautiful beaches. It is also a popular beach holiday destination, and there are also multiple wineries in the area.
• Victorian ski fields
Skiing in Victoria is popular at locations such as Mt Buller, Alpine National Park and Mount Buffalo National Park, which are all northeast of Melbourne.
• Dandenong Ranges
The low mountain ranges attract many tourists interested in scenic drives, walks, hikes or bicycle rides. The Puffing Billy Railway, a heritage steam train with 3-6 services daily, is also very popular for tourists wanting to experience the Victorian land.
Each of these Victorian destinations provides a plethora of activities for tourists to engage in. At these destinations, visitors can undertake walks, hikes, bicycle rides and picnics. There are also region specific activities, such as winery tours in the Mornington Peninsula, or ski lessons at Mt Buller.
There are multiple tours available in each location that varies in terms of providers, travel styles, time restraints, budgets etc. This variety ensures that all travellers’ needs are catered for.
The sheer diversity of tourist attractions in Victoria, from natural beauties to man-made infrastructure, reinforces the appeal of Victoria as a holiday destination.