Hugging the tip of the Australian east coast, Victoria is Australia's second-smallest state, covering 227,600 square kilometres - roughly the size of the British Isles.

Packed into such a compact area is a wealth of diverse regional areas and attractions, from sweeping coastline and pristine beaches to national parks and forests teeming with wildlife to wineries, lakes and mountains offering skiing, climbing and hiking. Best of all, many of Victoria's unique and varied landscapes are easily accessible as day trips from Melbourne.

Discover the diversity and beauty of Victoria's regions. From the world-class wineries of the Yarra Valley to the mineral springs of Macedon Ranges and Spa Country, the coastal villages of the peninsulas to alpine towns in the High Country, the state of Victoria has something for everyone.

Drive along the scenic Great Ocean Road, survey vineyards and farmland from a hot-air balloon, pull on your walking boots and follow tracks and trails through the Grampians, or experience the vibrant nightlife, shopping and food and wine of Melbourne. So, what are you waiting for?

‘Penguins, Wine & Coastal Drives’ Over 8 days you will travel throughout Victoria experiencing the wonders of Phillip Island, The Yarra Valley, The Great Ocean Road and Melbourne. Covering these areas you will be blown away by the jagged coastline famous for the wild surf beaches and 12 apostles. The thousands of fairy penguins that swim back into Phillip Island after a hard days fishing, the fabulous wine and food in the Yarra valley and the shopping, art and culture in Melbourne City. Click here to view itinerary

About Melbourne

Melbourne is set around the shores of Port Phillip Bay. The city itself, laid out in a large rectangle and boasting a lively and cosmopolitan pulse, sits on the northern banks of the Yarra River, about five kilometres from the bay.

CBD
One glance at a map and it’s obvious that Melbourne is a planned city: a tidy, balanced grid of neatly angled streets. But beneath this sense of everything in its place restraint lies a restless creative energy constantly pushing back at the city’s seeming conservatism. The CBD is made up of precincts – distinct enclaves each with its own flavour and charm. Some are just a lane or two, while others cover the banks of the Yarra River or a busy CBD street.

City fringe
Extending around the bay are a number of inner suburbs, each with its own distinct character and personality. A short tram ride from the city centre, Melbourne’s suburban neighbourhoods are a must see for anyone wanting to experience what life here is really all about.

Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges

Immerse yourself in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges region, an hour's drive east of Melbourne, where tall trees and ancient mountain ranges meet vineyards and world class wineries.

The Yarra Valley is recognised as one of the world's great wine growing regions. Numerous wineries offer cellar door tastings and sales. They also have restaurants serving gourmet food and fine local produce accompanied by their wine.

The Yarra Valley has some of the most beautiful countryside in Victoria. Rolling hills strung with vines around Healesville and Yarra Glen meet towering trees, green valleys and pristine rivers around Marysville and Warburton.

For a different view of the countryside, take to the skies in a hot-air balloon before gently descending into a vineyard to enjoy a breakfast of local produce and sparkling wine. You can also get close to Australian wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary, home to dingoes, kangaroos, wombats and the elusive platypus.

Parks, gardens, native fern forests and nature trails define the Dandenong Ranges. Climb aboard Australia's oldest steam train, Puffing Billy, and travel through thick forests and lush fern gullies. Dotted throughout the Dandenong Ranges are quaint villages such as Olinda Sassafras and Belgrave , home to some of Victoria's best gardens, and famous for craft shops and Devonshire teas.

Phillip Island

Phillip Island is home to some of Victoria's most popular wildlife experiences. Enjoy watching hundreds of Little Penguins returning to their burrows at the famous Penguin Parade, come face-to-face with koalas dozing in their treetop homes at the Koala Conservation Centre or cruise past Australia's largest colony of fur seals.

During the warmer months, the island also offers plenty of opportunities to test the water with sheltered bay beaches on the northern side of the island and wild surf beaches on the south coast.

San Remo is the gateway to Phillip Island and an important fishing port. Drop into the popular local fishing co-op to pick up a fresh lobster and feed the pelicans or charter a fishing boat and try casting a line yourself.

The first town on the island is the small fishing village of Newhaven – a popular place for fishing from the pier, surfing one of the best surf beaches in Victoria, walking along the beautiful Cape Woolamai or exploring nearby historic Churchill Island.

On the south-east tip of the island is the quiet village of Rhyll. Wander through the Koala Conservation Centre to see koalas at close range or view birds as you walk through the famous wetlands at Rhyll Inlet.

Cowes is the main commercial centre on Phillip Island and has a wealth of charming cafes and restaurants for visitors to enjoy. Enjoy the nightly Penguin Parade at Phillip Island Nature Park or take a wildlife cruise to the large fur seal colony on Seal Rocks.

The Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road region hugs the contours of Victoria's rugged south west coast and offers visitors one of Australia's greatest and most spectacular coastal drives.

Start your journey in Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula and discover beautiful beaches, great eateries, a fascinating heritage and an enormous range of recreational opportunities from fishing and golfing to diving and surfing. Take in the colourful and lively ambience of bayside Geelong, Victoria's second largest city, or visit quaint Queenscliff and discover the town's rich maritime history, excellent restaurants and heritage hotels.

Along the coast, seaside resort towns such as Lorne and Apollo Bay are the perfect base for a seaside escape. They offer stunning beaches and water sports as well as some of Australia's best rainforest scenery in the nearby Otway Ranges.

One of the most visited stretches of the road is Port Campbell. Buffeted by wild seas and fierce winds, the coastline around Port Campbell has been sculpted over millions of years to form a series of striking rock stacks that rise out of the Southern Ocean. Known as the Twelve Apostles, they are one of the most spectacular natural attractions in Victoria.

The Great Ocean Road region also has a rich maritime past. Historic towns such as Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Portland allow you to enjoy seafaring village life, with their fishing wharves, beautifully preserved colonial buildings and maritime museums recounting the stories of ships that have foundered off the rugged shipwreck coast.

Call Newmans South Pacific Vacations today!
800 446 5494
E-mail: amazingadventure@newmansvacatons.com