Victoria
Victoria may be mainland Australia’s smallest state, but it’s blessed with far more than its share of fantastic attractions of the cultural, natural, and historical varieties. Its environment runs the gamut from the dry and empty western plains of the Mallee to the inviting wineries along the fertile banks of the Murray River, from the ski resorts of the Victorian Alps to the forested parks of the Gippsland coast. The capital of the state and the cultural center of the nation, sleek and sophisticated Melbourne overflows with stained glass and elaborate iron latticework. Its multifarious districts offer verdant gardens, eclectic ethnic neighborhoods, seaside strips, and student haunts. And because Victoria is compact and has a well-developed infrastructure, its attractions lie within easy reach of one another and of Melbourne.
Victoria’s most distinctive attractions are found on the coast. West, of Melbourne, which perches conveniently in the center, the breathtaking Great Ocean Road winds its way alongside the roaring Southern Ocean. Hand-cut between 1919 and 1931 from the limestone cliffs, the road passes surfing beaches, coastal getaways, temperate rainforests, and geological wonders, including the Twelve Apostles rock formation, which pokes precariously from the sea like ancient fingers. East of the capital, the coastline unfolds past Phillip Island’s penguin colony and the beach resorts of the Mornington Peninsula, heading into Gippsland. Here, crashing waves collide with granite outcroppings to form the sandy beaches at the edge of the renowned Wilsons Promontory National Park. East Gippsland’s Riviera climate and resort beaches slowly give way to stony, sandy tidal estuaries teeming with birds and fish.
Most of the state’s interior is remarkable less for its natural grandeur than for its historical significance. The mid-19th century gold rush flooded central Victoria with seekers of the sweet stuff. When the ore waned, a host of charming, elegant country towns were left in its wake, today preserved in tourist-oriented nostalgia. Later, legendary bushranger Ned Kelly had a plan to stick it to the man in his wanderings throughout the Hume Corridor. Today, this area is a fertile land of wineries nestled in the shadow of Australia’s ski mecca, the High Country. The 20th century brought extensive agricultural and commercial development, including several massive hydroelectric public works projects that continue to impact the state’s ecosystems. Still, Victoria’s physical beauty remains, tempered by a refined sensibility and cosmopolitan flail- that add a touch of class to Australia’s down-to-earth grit.
Related Travel Information
SOUTHEAST OF THE MURRAY RIVER
The majestic Murray River winds west from the Great Dividing Range. Fed by a watershed that spans most of New South Wales and portions of Victoria, the largest waterway in Australia slices through the southeast corner of South Australia and empties into the Southern Ocean. Fruit, especially wine grapes, flourishes along the irrigated river basin, while the Coorong, a 145km stretch of coastal lagoons, supports over 240 species of native birdlife. The towns near the Victoria border can be associated with geographic regions within mat state. The area around Naracoorte is an extension of the agricultural
Great Ocean Road
The entire serene and spectacular southwestern coast of Victoria, from Torquay east to Portland, is encompassed by the Great Ocean Road (GOR) region, though the road itself is just the 200km stretch that links Torquay to Warrnambool before being absorbed by the Princes Highway. The Victoria government, in tribute to Australians who died in World War I, commissioned the coastal highway with the intention of creating one of the world's greatest drives. By all accounts, they succeeded, carving a route that winds between misty temperate rainforests and the unearthly pillars, stone arches, and gorges sculpted by the Southern
Queen Victoria Market
If you only have time to visit one place in Melbourne, then it should be the Vic Market. But try to visit while all the produce stalls are operating (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings) because they make up the real heart of the market. This is a working market with meat, fish, bakery and delicatessen sections as well as scores of fruit and vegetable vendor's stalls and general merchandise. The Queen Victoria Market is more than just Melbourne's shopping mecca - it is a historic landmark, a tourist attraction and an institution for Melburnians. There are more
St. Mary's Catholic Cathedral
The western part of this Cathedral in Victoria Square was built in 1865. It stands on the highest point in the central part of Perth.
Murray River
Australia's longest river, the Murray rambles along the New South Wales-Victoria border for 2600km before meeting the sea in South Australia's Encounter Bay. The river became an essential transportation artery in the late 19th century, its waters plied by giant freight-toting paddle steamers. But extensive rail and road networks rendered these boats obsolete by the end of the 1930s and they have since been reincarnated as tourist attractions. Today the river feeds a productive agriculture of vegetables through a complex irrigation system. It's also a favorite spot for picnicking, water sports, and fishing, drawing travelers for a day or
