Holiday in Victoria

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Victoria packs a mighty punch when you consider it is the smallest of the Australian mainland states. For such a relatively small state (roughly the size of the British Isles) there is a wealth of things to see and do here, and in a great variety of breathtaking natural landscapes. There are huge mountain ranges as well as a host of great beaches and all the exotic wildlife you could wish for. What makes this all the better for the visitor is that many of the states’ great list of attractions lie within a very short distance from the State capital, Melbourne.

Melbourne, a wonderfully green metropolis with 70% of the entire State’s population, beats like the mighty heart of Victoria. Situated around the head of Port Phillip Bay at the outlet of the muddy Yarra River it is a major international city with all that that entails. In the 1960’s Melbourne was synonomous with dull respectability but the city has undergone a major facelift and character transformation since with it’s many examples of 19th century architecture now offset by great, glittering office towers. Successive waves of immigration from both Europe and Asia have enlivened the city’s social scene and ethnic mix, adding spice to both it’s cuisine and culture. There is also great shopping here and a fun, café culture which along with the bars and clubs make nightimes in Melbourne a time to go out and let your hair down.

Many Australians have a near-religious fervour for sport and this is nowhere more evident than in Melbourne which hosts most of the country’s blue-ribbon sports events. Having held one Olympics and a Commonwealth Games it also hosts the Australian Open for tennis each year, the Australian Grand Prix and the Melbourne Cup, highlight of the horseracing calander each year. However for most of the city’s residents this is all peripheral compared to their favourite sport, Aussie Rules Football, and if you get a chance to go to the Melbourne Cricket Ground to see the team and hear the crowd roar, then don’t hesitate.

One of Victoria’s big destination hotspots is the Great Ocean Road, a spectacular coastal route taking in great surfing spots as well as many other highlights such as Lorne, where many flock to watch the whales there. Then there are the national parks, chief among which perhaps the spectacular Dandenong Ranges which with it’s mixture of exotic and native plants is just a short drive from Melbourne. It even has it’s own steam train, the Puffing Billy, which is a massive hit with the kids.

Indeed Victoria seems to cater particularly well for families. Aside from the many parks in Melbourne there are countless other boredom-busting things to do in the capital with it’s plethora of museums and amusement parks. Kids love Ballarat’s Sovereign Hill of course with it’s heady recreation of gold rush times in the 1860’s lending to them dreaming of becoming rich beyond their wildest dreams.

Victoria has been described as a microcosm of Australia and does offer a huge variety of interest to the visitor on a relatively convenient scale. In fact there would be no better place for a first time visitor to Australia to begin his discovery of this mighty land.