Victoria’s Top 21 Hot Spots – Part One
By Jenny Brewer

1. Melbourne

As Australia’s second largest city, Melbourne is known for its diverse culture, fine restaurants, café and nightlife. Situated on the Yarra River, and inland from Port Philip Bay, there is so much to see and do. Attractions include Federation Square, Melbourne Aquarium, Melbourne Museum and of course the famous Melbourne Zoo. The parks, gardens, shopping and cultural ambience make this destination Victoria’s number one top spot.

2. Ballarat

Known as Victoria’s inland city, Ballarat is mostly known for its gold. It is still a big industry drawing tourists and gold seekers to this unique destination. You can choose from the Eureka Stockade Centre, Gold Museum or the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery. Sovereign Hill is a must see with its recreating of history during the ‘Eureka Stockade’. Only 90 minutes from Melbourne on the Great Western Highway, it is great for a day trip or a stopover to enjoy all this city has to offer.

3. Geelong

Geelong is often known as the gateway to the Great Ocean Road, with amazing scenery in all directions. There are fantastic attractions close to the city. The Geelong Gaol is worth a visit, as well as the Ford Discovery Centre and the National Wool Museum which is great for the family. A very popular recreational spot is the Barwon River and Buckley Falls which are perfect for a bushwalk and picnic. Drive a bit further south to Ocean Grove for a swim and amazing scenery. Geelong truly has something for everyone.

4. Mildura

Mildura is Victoria’s most productive fruit-growing area, with the mighty Murray River a drawcard for its many tourists. There is so much to see here, with Orange World, Gol Gol Fisheries and the Golden River Zoo some of the attractions. There are plenty of camping spots to choose from especially at the Mungal National Park, famous for its red sand dunes. Board a paddle steamer for a day to see the Murray River at its best. The PS Melbourne and the Rothbury both offer daily trips. Fantastic for a the whole family, Mildura is wonderful tourist spot.

5. Snowy River National Park

Known for wild horses and magical sunrises, this is Victoria’s High Country at its best, with some of Australia’s best ski fields close by, and popular for all types of outdoor sports such as abseiling, horse riding, canoeing, bike riding and hiking. There is incredible scenery here, with incredible gorges and river systems and plenty of fantastic camping spots. The best way to get there is in a hire car, via Buchan (from Jindabyne) along the Barry Way which will lead you to some amazing cave systems. The Buchan Caves are definitely worth a visit.

6. Macedon Ranges

Close to an hour out of Melbourne, this is a great spot to visit to escape the heat and enjoy the local wines and fruits of the region. With the Great Dividing Range and central highlands as a backdrop, visit attractions such as the Hanging Rock, and the Macedon National Park which has plenty of beautiful camping sights to choose from. The Cope Williams Winery, Mount Macedone Winery and Cobaw Ridge offer excellent local wine tasting and stunning scenery in every direction. Mount Macedon also has incredible gardens open to the public.

7. Lakes Entrance

If you love water sports, you will love this region. Located close to Ninety Mile Beach, Lakes Entrance offers panoramic ocean views in every direction. It is a popular holiday spot situated where the Gippsland Lakes meet the ocean. Lake Tyers is fantastic for a picnic, and perfect for a drive through its forest park. The most popular activities are fishing and boating, with so many waterways to choose from, and it is a perfect destination to relax and enjoy the surrounding coastal beauty.

8. Wilsons Promontory National Park

Wilsons Promontory can be found at the Victoria’s southern tip along the South Gippsland Highway. With incredible scenery, wildlife and rock formations, it is a stunning place to visit, and there are plenty of walking trails and beaches accessible mostly by foot. Camping facilities can be found at Tidal River which is the closest town to the Promontory. It is a remote location, but the natural beauty is worthwhile for those who love the wilderness of Australia.

9. Bendigo

Close to the centre of Victoria and known for its gold mines, Bendigo is a thriving urban city that is fascinating to visit. There are a multitude of options for the traveller. Visit the pottery museum, take a tram tour or visit the central Deborah mine for an underground experience you won’t forget. The Whipstick Forest outside of the city is perfect for a picnic and stroll, but if you are opting for a day trip, you have the choice of Elmore, Castlemaine, Maldon and Heathcote all equally as impressive.

10. Grampians National Park

The third largest national park in western Victoria, the Grampians offer incredible bushwalking, camping and scenery. Halls Gap is a central tourist destination in this fantastic region, and is a great base for your adventures. If you are traveling from the south, Dunkeld is the ideal entry point and a picturesque place to stay for a while. It is perfect for the driving holiday, with plenty of safe roads and driving routes to take you into the heart of this amazing Victorian paradise.

11. Mansfield

Mansfield is on this list for its country appeal, proximity to popular attractions and stunning beauty. Especially well known to horse lovers and favourite ‘Man from Snowy River’, this is the high country with a long history. It is also popular for bike riding, fishing and snow skiing at nearly Mount Buller and Mount Stirling. Situated a few hours north from Melbourne, there are plenty of adventure activities available, and the drives in all directions are spectacular.

Jenny Brewer is a travel agent whose passion is writing. After spending her leisure time writing time writing childrens stories, she now enjoys writing about travel destinations. For more of her articles visit Car Hire Australia

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Things to Do in and Around Melbourne #9 – Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges
By Dominique Vangheel

Melbourne is the capital of Victoria, Australia. Melbourne offers great shopping and dining and Victoria has got a beautiful countryside and coast line combining beautiful national and state parks with quiet little towns and some larger regional centres. The Daylesford and Macedon Ranges region is very close to Melbourne, only about 90 minutes drive. The region is well worth a visit.

Visit Daylesford

Situated in the heart of Victoria, Daylesford has long been Australia’s premier spa and rejuvenation centre. The town reflects the character of its Victorian-era heritage. You go to Daylesford because of its luxurious accommodations, beautiful botanic gardens, classical European architecture and beautiful restaurants. It’s a great little town that does everything to make you feel relaxed.

In Daylesford, you will also be able to explore the antique shops and local crafts, go boating on the lake and try your hand at the local trails or picnic rides. You can also have the scenic views of the panoramic lake houses and scenic hills. The most favorable time to visit Daylesford is summer (within the months of March through May). During this time, a number of festivals take place in Daylesford.

Visit Mount Macedon

Mount Macedon is a small town on the mountain Mount Macedon. The town is about 61 kilometers in distance north of Melbourne. In the Mount Macedon area are a number of luscious private gardens. Some of these are open to you to enjoy for almost the whole year. The town is also famous for its very accommodating local wineries, lovely parks and historical grand Victorian homes. This small town of about 1,200 inhabitants also has the walking trails and picnic facilities which will attract you. If you travel Mount Macedon, the scenic drives and panoramic views of the whole town will give you an impression that you will not forget soon.

Macedon Ranges Vineyards

The Macedon Ranges Vineyards is another tourist attraction in the Mount Macedon area. Situated on the Central Victorian Highlands and the Great Dividing Range, these out-of-the-way vineyards make an exceptional part of Victoria. Many vineyards allow for tastings, so you can sample some local wines while you are there whilst getting educated by the winemakers themselves. The scenery and the climate of the Macedon Ranges Vineyards are also attractive which makes a sunny afternoon-drive through this area a very pleasant experience.

Thus, if you are planning to visit Melbourne, you should keep Daylesford and Mount Macedon in mind. This area is one of Victoria’s best spots to enjoy a tranquil and relaxing time. To spend a few days in these places is worth cherishing. So, come to Daylesford and Mount Macedon and enjoy the spa baths and the scenery and make sure to sample the local produce in the Macedon ranges vineyards!

Dominique Vangheel lives in Melbourne, Victoria and loves it.

http://www.i-love-melbourne.com is his website about Melbourne with lots of ideas for things to do in Melbourne and accommodation advice.Go to the Daylesford and Macedon Ranges section to find out why you need to visit this area when you are visiting Melbourne.

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