Compact yet incredibly diverse, Victoria packs a punch well above its weight class. It is the style capital of Australia, a place where black coats are the uniform and brunch is a religion. But beyond the tram-lined streets of Melbourne lies a state of breathtaking natural beauty, from the penguin parades of Phillip Island to the mist-shrouded peaks of the High Country.
Melbourne itself is an onion of a city, demanding to be peeled back layer by layer. It doesn't reveal its secrets easily; you have to find them. The best bars are often behind unmarked doors, the best galleries up unassuming staircases. It feels distinctly European in its rhythm, valuing art, conversation, and a very good glass of Pinot Noir above all else.
The Great Southern Drive
If Melbourne is the brain of Victoria, the Great Ocean Road is its wild, beating heart. Stretching 243 kilometres along the south-western coast, it is widely considered one of the world's most scenic drives. This is not a road to be rushed. It winds around cliffs that drop vertically into the churning sea, passing through temperate rainforests filled with giant tree ferns and koalas dozing in the gum trees.
The climax of the journey is the 12 Apostles, limestone stacks that rise majestically from the Southern Ocean. Seeing them at sunset, when the rock turns a burning orange against the violet sky, is a humbling reminder of nature's raw power. But the road offers more than just views; it connects charming seaside villages like Lorne and Apollo Bay, where the catch of the day is served fresh from the trawler.
Back towards the city, the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula offer a more manicured escape. These are the playgrounds of the epicurean, where rolling vineyards meet world-class sculpture parks. Here, the weekend is dedicated to long lunches that stretch into the afternoon, tasting cool-climate wines that have put Victoria on the global map.
