The Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia

Things to do in  Victoria

Melbourne and much, much more

Melbourne may be the priority of most travelers visiting this Australian state, but most soon realize there are many more things to do in Victoria than just seeing its capital city. Not that Melbourne isn’t a fun destination to explore, with its love of coffee and mix of cultural attractions. But attractions like the Great Ocean Road and Yarra Valley quickly lure visitors out of the city and reveal that even though Victoria is the smallest mainland state, it has an awful lot going on.

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Top 15 attractions in Victoria

#1

Great Ocean Road

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Victoria's Great Ocean Road offers scenic surprises at every turn. In signature Australian style, dense pockets of rainforest, charming coastal towns, and canopies populated by koalas flank endless stretches of white, sandy beaches.More
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#2

Twelve Apostles

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Situated right at the end of Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, the Twelve Apostles are a set of eight rock formations—there used to be twelve—jutting out of the Southern Ocean. These limestone pillars were once connected to the nearby cliffs but have been eroded away into caves, pillars, and arches from the harsh conditions of the ocean.More
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#3

Yarra River

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The Yarra River winds its way through Melbourne’s Central Business District (CBD) plus a number of suburbs. In the city, bars, restaurants, and parks thrive along its banks, bringing locals and tourists together. Numerous festivals and sporting events take place on the Yarra, including the famous Moomba Festival and rowing regattas.More
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#4

Loch Ard Gorge

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A highlight of Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, Loch Ard Gorge is a golden sand beach, almost entirely encased by crumbling ochre cliffs that form a tear-shaped oceanic chasm. It was the site of the Shipwreck Coast’s most famous shipwreck—the 1878 wreck of the Loch Ard—and is a popular stop on Great Ocean Road tours.More
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#5

Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)

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The largest stadium in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the most famous sporting venues in Australia, Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is more than a Melbourne landmark. The legendary stadium has hosted the Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games, the annual Boxing Day Test Match, and Australian Football League (AFL) Grand Final.More
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#6

Federation Square

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Federation Square, just across from Flinders Street Station, is Melbourne's beating heart and favorite meeting spot. Numerous city events take place here throughout the year, making it a must-visit attraction for all travelers. The square is surrounded by many bars and restaurants, and is home to the Ian Potter Centre, an Australian art museum.More
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#7

Moonlit Sanctuary

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Located in the bushlands of Mornington Peninsula, Moonlit Sanctuary is a wildlife conservation park that is home to native Australian wildlife, including koalas, wallabies, kookaburras, and dingos. The sanctuary is most famous for its night tours, which allow visitors to see nocturnal pythons, feathertail gliders, quolls, and more.More
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#8

Great Otway National Park

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Located on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, Great Otway National Park is a lush area of forests, waterfalls, and windswept coastline. Whether you want to hike for an hour or several days, enjoy panoramic views from an historical lighthouse, bike through fern gullies, gaze at picture-perfect waterfalls, or seek out glowworms, there’s a lot to do here.More
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#9

Point Nepean National Park

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On the western tip of the Mornington Peninsula, travelers come to the beautiful Point Nepean National Park to bike or hike along the coastal landscape and to learn more about the park’s history at the 50 heritage-listed buildings. The ocean views along one of Victoria’s most treacherous coastlines are also impressive.More
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#10

St Paul's Cathedral

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Located in the heart of Melbourne, St. Paul’s Cathedral is the only neo-Gothic building among a sea of modern structures in Federation Square. Built between 1880 and 1931 to commemorate the location of Melbourne’s first Christian service back in 1836, St. Paul’s features the 2nd-tallest Anglican spire in the world.More
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#11

Melbourne Southgate

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Boasting a prime location on the banks of the Yarra River, Melbourne Southgate is a shopping, eating, and entertainment complex. As well as offering one of the most diverse shopping experiences in the city, Melbourne Southgate is just a few minutes walk from Flinders Street Station and Arts Centre Melbourne.More
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#12

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria

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Get away from Melbourne’s bustling city center without actually leaving town at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. This 89-acre (36-hectare) park is home to more than 8,500 plant species, tranquil lakes, and lush lawns. Join guided walking tours, workshops, or presentations, or feel free to walk around the flourishing oasis on your own.More
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#13

Eureka Skydeck 88

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A signature Melbourne experience, Eureka Skydeck 88 is a 360-degree viewing platform set atop the 974-foot (274-meter) Eureka Tower. For the daring there’s the Edge, a cantilevered glass cube that slides out from the building, leaving you suspended above the city streets. Vertigo, a green-screen set-up, simulates falling from the building.More
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#14

Hosier Lane

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Once forgotten but now an integral part of Melbourne’s cultural scene, Hosier Lane is home to some of the city’s best street art. The laneway, which cuts between Flinders Street and Flinders Lane, exhibits regularly changing graffiti alongside a series of light boxes that exhibit the work of up and coming contemporary artists.More
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#15

Penguin Parade

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Phillip Island is brimming with memorable wildlife experiences, but its headline act is the nightly Penguin Parade. Each night at dusk, thousands of little penguins—the largest colony in Australia of the world’s smallest penguin breed—can be seen along the shores of Summerland Beach, waddling back to their beachside burrows after a day at sea.More
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Top activities in Victoria

Great Ocean Road Tour Plus Koalas, Forest Walk and Morning Tea
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Great Ocean Road Small-Group Ecotour from Melbourne

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Phillip Island Penguin, Brighton Beach, Moonlit Sanctuary from Melbourne
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Wilsons Promontory Wilderness Cruise from Tidal River

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Highlights of Melbourne Cruise

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Great Ocean Road and 12 Apostles Day Trip from Melbourne

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Yarra Valley Balloon Flight at Sunrise

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All about Victoria

When to visit

Summers in Victoria can get sweltering, with temperatures known to exceed 104°F (40°C), but that makes this the perfect time to jump into the icy waters of Bass Strait to cool off. It’s also during this time of year that you’ll find major sports events such as the Australian Open and Grand Prix in Melbourne and music festivals like Meredith Music Festival and Port Fairy Folk Festival.

Getting around

Victoria is one of Australia’s smallest states, but you still may have to travel great distances at times. Travel by car is the most common way to get around outside of Melbourne, providing the most freedom of movement. Vline trains connect Melbourne with destinations in regional Victoria, with lines to Geelong, Ballarat, Swan Hill, Shepparton, Wodonga, and Gippsland. Coaches supplement regional trains, traveling from regional cities to other areas, including the Surf Coast and ski fields.

Traveler tips

Regional Victoria is a haven for cycling enthusiasts thanks to its broad selection of rail trails. Across the state, unused railway corridors have been transformed into dedicated cycling trails, such as the popular Murray To The Mountains Rail Trail. Skiing is an outdoor activity you may not expect to be popular in Victoria. The ski fields in the High Country of Victoria are open from June to September and can even be visited as a (long) day trip from Melbourne.

Local Currency
Australian Dollar (A$)
Time Zone
AEST (UTC +10)
Country Code
+61
Language(s)
English
Attractions
124
Tours
811
Reviews
42,540
EN
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People Also Ask

What is unique to Victoria in Australia?

What makes Victoria unique is its wide selection of Australian landscapes and experiences, despite its relatively small size. Visitors can find everything in Victoria, from beaches and vineyards to rainforests, farmland, bush, mountains, and even desert, within the state’s borders.

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What is the prettiest town in Victoria?

Bright is the prettiest town in Victoria, although it beats out some stiff competition from places such as Port Fairy, Healesville, and Daylesford. Located in Victoria’s high country, the town of Bright features country charm and is incredibly beautifully decorated in autumn colors.

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Why should people visit Victoria?

Victoria is worth visiting for many reasons, not least because it’s the home of Melbourne, Australia's culture and sporting capital. Visitors will find it just as easy in Victoria to enjoy gourmet food and world-class wine as it is to go antiquing or relax in hot springs.

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What is the biggest waterfall in Victoria?

The Dandongadale Falls are Victoria’s highest waterfalls, dropping 837 feet (255 meters) across several steps before finally falling over the Cobbler Plateau. They are located within Victoria’s Alpine National Park, and while the falls are easily viewed from a distance, it is challenging to reach their base.

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How can I spend two days in Victoria?

There are many ways you can spend two days in Victoria besides just exploring the city of Melbourne. You could drive along the Great Ocean Road to see the Surf Coast or travel to the Grampians to hike and see Aboriginal rock art.

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Where can I go within 2 hours from Melbourne?

Two hours from Melbourne by car, you can find many exciting destinations, such as Daylesford's spa resorts, the former gold rush town of Ballarat, the wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary, and the penguin parades of Phillip Island.

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