COUNTRY LIFE

Whether you crave adventure, indulgence or relaxation, Victoria’s regions have got you covered. Leave the city behind and experience a different way of life COUNTRY

LIFE

YARRA VALLEY Indulge in premium food and wine and enjoy secluded accommodation and galleries set amidst the abundant vineyards and farmland of the Yarra Valley. A hot air balloon ride is an unforgettable experience that will allow you to take in sublime scenery like the Healesville and Yarra Glen vineyards, and green valleys and pristine rivers around Marysville and Warburton. Descend to a winery for a breakfast of local produce and sparkling wine and spend the rest of the day visiting the cellar doors at hallowed winemaking institutions or undiscovered gems. Pay a visit to Healesville Sanctuary and get up close with Australian wildlife like koalas, kangaroos, wombats and the elusive platypus. Pick up gourmet treats at farmers’ markets, survey the work of local artists at TarraWarra Estate, and finish with dinner at a winery restaurant like Locale at De Bortoli, Stones of the Yarra Valley, or Eleonore’s at Chateau Yering.

MORNINGTON PENINSULA For the best of coastal living a short drive from the city, head to Mornington Peninsula. Explore galleries, spas and cafes in seaside villages, cool off at the beach, or escape to the hinterland for gourmet delights at boutique wineries. Wind around the eastern side of Port Phillip Bay taking in vast ocean views. Pass quaint bathing boxes strung along the beachfronts of Dromana, Rosebud and Mornington, and head inland through rolling hills to orchards, market

gardens and wineries. Spend a morning boutique shopping in Sorrento, then tee off from the cliff-top golf course at Flinders. Treat yourself to a soak in Rye’s thermal mineral pools, or head to the top of Arthurs Seat for panoramic coastal views. Stay a night in the old Keeper’s Cottage at the Cape Schanck Lightstation and be soothed by the sounds of waves crashing on the shore. Linger over feasts at seaside restaurants in Portsea and Mornington, or tuck in among the vines at any of the celebrated winery eateries around Red Hill and Main Ridge. Catch a wave at surf beaches, scuba dive around the Portsea pier reef system, and frolic with the seals and dolphins in the waters off Sorrento.

PHILLIP ISLAND Nature and wildlife abound at Phillip Island. Get up close to little penguins, come face-to-face with snoozing koalas and cheer on Grand Prix heroes as you savour every inch of this fun-filled island that is just 90 minutes from Melbourne and accessible by bridge. Unwind in the seaside village of Cowes and enjoy holidays as they used to be. Take your position front and centre for the famous Penguin Parade or check out the seal colonies from the boardwalk at The Nobbies. Grab your towel and cool off with a dip at any of the picturesque beaches before heading to the world famous Grand Prix circuit. Catch major events including the Moto GP and V8 Supercars or rev up in a go-kart. Wind down afterwards with a stroll around shops, galleries, cafes, pubs and restaurants, then pick up fresh seafood or catch your own in Newhaven. Take the kids to Churchill Island, the site of Victoria’s first European settlement, or hit the waves at Cape Woolamai, one of the state’s best surf beaches. Wander along Rhyll beach and absorb the relaxed atmosphere of the esplanade, stand cheek to furry cheek with koalas at the Koala Conservation Centre or spot birdlife at Rhyll Inlet. If you are visiting over the warmer months, more than one million shearwater birds make a spectacular return to the island’s shores each night. These birds journey from Alaska to Phillip Island at exactly the same time each year, arriving in October and departing again in April. They are a sight to behold!

GIPPSLAND Just three hours from Melbourne, Wilsons Promontory is popular with lovers of the outdoors for its stunning bush and coastal scenery and acclaimed walking trails. Central Gippsland is gourmet country, dotted with wineries, cheeseries, farmers’ markets, and fruit and berry farms. Explore historic gold towns and maritime villages such as

Fur seal, Phillip Island Nature Park

Walhalla and Port Albert, or take to the slopes and spend a day skiing at the Mount Baw Baw Alpine Resort. The Gippsland Lakes are fed by the waters of five major rivers and fringed by Ninety Mile Beach. They provide ample opportunities for swimming, fishing, boating and sailing. Dine al fresco at a lakeside restaurant or pub, have a family picnic by a river, or take a stroll through the waterfront villages of Paynesville, Metung or Lakes Entrance. Continue east to Croajingolong National Park, a World Biosphere Reserve. With more than 100 kilometres of pristine coastline and hinterland, it is a great place to go bushwalking, surfing or spotting various species of bird and plant life. Mallacoota is a good base for exploring the park and also offers excellent fishing and boating.

GREAT OCEAN ROAD Travel one of the world’s most scenic routes along the Great Ocean Road which covers south-west Victoria and is home to the famous Twelve Apostles. Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula are home to 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. Drive along the coast to seaside resort towns such as Torquay, Lorne and Apollo Bay which offer stunning beaches and water sports as well as some of Australia’s best rainforest scenery in the nearby Otway Ranges. Stop at one of the most visited stretches of the road at the Twelve Apostles. See the rugged splendor of these huge rock stacks that rise majestically from the Southern Ocean, then take a helicopter ride to get a bird’s eye view. Discover the region’s rich maritime past at historic towns such as Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Portland. Enjoy seafaring village life, with fishing wharves, beautifully preserved colonial buildings and maritime museums recounting the stories of ships that have foundered off the rugged shipwreck coast.

GRAMPIANS Stunning landscapes, fascinating history, sublime food and wine and buzzing regional centres come together in the Grampians region. The rugged mountain ranges of the Grampians National Park offer numerous opportunities for outdoor pursuits. These impressive ranges feature lookouts with stunning panoramic views, picturesque waterfalls,

Razorback - Great Ocean Road

ancient Aboriginal rock art, colourful wildflowers and abundant native wildlife. Lace up your boots for some of the finest walking in Victoria, or set your sights on the famed rock faces of Mount Arapiles for rock climbing and abseiling experiences. Enjoy water sports including fishing and canoeing in the region’s popular inland lakes and rivers. Wine buffs will receive a hearty welcome at local cellar doors. Sample an abundance of local produce, from ewe’s milk, cheese and olives to locally sourced beef and lamb, featured on menus throughout the region. Have the meal of a lifetime at Dunkeld’s Royal Mail Hotel. Base yourself in Halls Gap, situated in the heart of the Grampians National Park, for wonderful views of the Wonderland and Mount William ranges. Explore gold rush towns such as Ararat, known for its Gum San Museum that reveals the history of Chinese gold miners, or Stawell, home of the prestigious annual Stawell Gift foot race. The friendly agricultural towns of Horsham and Hamilton are home to gardens, galleries and museums.

DAYLESFORD AND MACEDON RANGES Just 90 minutes north-west of Melbourne is the greatest concentration of naturally occurring mineral springs in Australia. Discovered during the gold rush, these springs were protected from the effects of mining by the first Hepburn Springs Committee. Thanks to the foresight of the region’s early residents, you can experience the enriching effects of mineral springs to this day. Treat yourself to a day of pampering at one of the region’s many luxury spas and wellness centres and experience the benefits of holistic therapies. Art lovers will delight in shops and galleries displaying local wares and foodies will be in heaven hopping between restaurants serving sumptuous local food and wines, from fine dining to charming cafes. Hanging Rock, the haunting subject of the Picnic at Hanging Rock book and film, looms large over the region. Pack your own picnic and explore the Rock. Make sure you leave time for the impressive mansions with immaculate gardens in the Macedon Ranges, heritage gardens in Mount Macedon, pristine 19th century streetscapes lined with galleries, antique shops and restaurants in Kilmore, Kyneton and Woodend, and Sunbury where you’ll discover international cricket history and local wines.

HIGH COUNTRY Experience the warmest of welcomes in High Country villages, where the food and wine flow, the scenery is stunning and there are plenty of opportunities to get active in fresh alpine air. Indulge in delectable cool-climate wines and innovative

Reeds Lookout , the Grampians

Convent Gallery, Daylesford

cuisine prepared by passionate local chefs in the gourmet villages of Beechworth and Milawa. Follow the Muscat Trail to Rutherglen’s wineries and pedal around smaller Bright and King Valley villages filling your basket with just-picked local produce. The alpine villages are crowned in pristine white during winter and cloaked with wildflowers in summer.

Visit in autumn to see Bright’s majestic tree-lined streets in all their glory. In winter you can experience the wonderland of snow at Mount Buller, Mount Hotham and Falls Creek and ski and snowboard to your heart’s content. As the snow melts the outdoor activity opportunities increase, with road cycling and mountain biking trails, off-road driving, horse riding and hiking on the plains. The excitement continues with rock climbing, river rafting and fabulous freshwater fishing on the Delatite, Jamieson and Howqua rivers. Discover the history of charming villages, which hark back to the gold rush and bushranger days. Wander through 19th century buildings in Beechworth, or dig around for Ned Kelly tales in Glenrowan’s historic sites. Roam Benalla’s art gallery for one of the country’s best regional art collections. Swing into the saddle around Mansfield’s epic trails blazed by mountain cattlemen past imposing slopes, each steeped in stories from The Man from Snowy River.

THE MURRAY The mighty Murray River forms the border between New South Wales and Victoria before heading south to the ocean. Unwind and make the most of the region’s sunny days, its countless natural attractions, renowned slow food and boutique wines. With its Mediterranean climate and beautiful winding waterways, the Murray region is made for outdoor living. From waterskiing, fishing and sailing to horse riding, hiking and golf, there’s no end of fun to be had. Take the kids on a fishing trip downstream by canoe, enjoy a horse ride, or get a whole new perspective with a scenic balloon flight at dawn. Nature lovers will delight in a day trip to explore desert scenes Mungo National Park. Or traverse the mighty Murray River in style and at your own pace. Captain your own houseboat and float from town to town, sampling wine, fresh fruit and fine cuisine along the way. Or let someone else do the work, and get a glimpse of the region’s history by taking a ride on one of the authentic cruising paddle steamers built in the late 1800s.

Mount Hotham

Picnic by the banks of the Murray River, Mildura