Visit Victoria

Stay close, go further 

Welcome back to your Victoria. Let's rediscover one of Melbourne's most cherished summer rituals, The Australian Open.  Revel in your Melbourne, as the Australian Open’s festive atmosphere extends across the city and into the inner neighbourhoods. 

From city streets and rooftops bars, to sun-kissed beaches, farm gates and cellar doors - Melbourne and Victoria are calling. You’ll hear the call on forest trails and in sea breezes. Along cobblestoned laneways, in sunny beer gardens and creative kitchens.

Victoria’s passionate makers and creators are welcoming you back. It's time to rediscover your Victoria. 

Art and culture 

Artists Reko Rennie, Rone, Adnate and Lisa King headline Australia's first 'Artcade', transforming West Side Place Arcade in the CBD with public art installations. Head into the CBD for a spot of shopping and experience the perfect fusion of retail and art.

Arts Centre Melbourne will transform the Sidney Myer Music Bowl to host the Live at the Bowl summer festival. More than 40 performances will be held. Also don’t miss the NGV’s free Triennial exhibition, held in the heart of Melbourne’s arts precinct. 

Venture an hour from the CBD, and drive through the rolling hills of Yarra Valley and the Dandenong Ranges. Make a stop at TarraWarra Museum of Art in Healesville to take in the thought-provoking exhibition, Looking Glass: Judy Watson and Yhonnie Scarce. The artists explore the inherited history of Aboriginal people, through the elemental forces of earth, water, fire and air. Continue on to nearby TarraWarra Estate to work your way through Head Chef Mark Ebbel’s sustainable menu.

For a pop of colour, head to another collaborative exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ballarat. The golden pantomime showcases the work of Ballarat-based artists Madeleine Cruise and Ruby Pilven. 

For those who love a roadtrip, head to Victoria’s Wimmera Mallee region to see the Silo Art Trail. The country’s biggest outdoor gallery features towering artworks by Adnate, Kaffeine, Julia Volchkova and more.

Discover more of Victoria’s artistic and cultural experiences

Natural escapes

Whether you're drawn to sea-breezes or mountain peaks, there’s plenty of wide-open spaces in Victoria, waiting to be rediscovered.

Reconnect with family and friends on the golden beaches of Mornington Peninsula. Hit the surf, or sign up for a unique snorkelling experience with Polperro Dolphin Swims. No need to ditch the wheels – the drive on/drive off facilities of Searoad Ferries means you can take your car on a trip across the bay. You’ll arrive at Queenscliff, where you can continue along the pristine coastline to cool off along the beaches of the Bellarine Peninsula.

If you haven’t explored East Gippsland, head further afield to discover somewhere new. Book with Venture Out for kayaking lessons or stand-up paddleboarding, or catch a mesmerising sunset over 90 Mile Beach.

On the western shores of the state, you can trek the dramatic landscape of the Great Ocean Walk, explore seaside villages like Warrnambool and Port Fairy, and take a guided cultural tour around Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve to learn about its Aboriginal heritage.

Hikers looking for the perfect view are spoilt for choice. Tackle Mount Abrupt in Grampians National Park for a stunning perspective of the mountain tops and visit Cape Woolamai on Phillip Island for sweeping coastal views. Or, head to the Horn at Mount Buffalo National Park to take in the dramatic scenery of the Victorian Alps.

Discover more of Victoria’s natural escapes
 

Culinary experiences 

Rediscover Victoria’s dizzying array of dining options this summer as you linger over a long brunch, lunch or dinner. 

Try Carlton’s Lygon Street for alfresco Italian feasts and one of Melbourne’s great rooftop venues – Johnny’s Green Room, housed above King and Godfree.

Head to foodie hot spots in Fitzroy and Collingwood: Smith St, Brunswick St and Gertrude St for world-class dining experiences. Your animal free dining needs are covered at Shannon Martinez’s legendary vegan restaurant Smith and Daughters or try newcomer, Poodle. 

In the CBD, settle in at Andrew McConnell’s Gimlet, an elegant dining experience within the ground floor of Cavendish House, a Chicago-style 1920s building. Or try local Bar Americano’s alfresco offering tucked down a CBD laneway.

For another dose of history, sit back at Nimbus Rooftop in Bendigo, two hours from Melbourne, and raise a glass to views of the goldrush town. Order a cocktail or choose a boutique wines from the Bendigo and Heathcote region, to pair with a grazing board of local produce.

Take a sensory journey to rural France, as you dine on the outskirts of Daylesford. Sault Restaurant is situated on a working lavender farm, overlooking a private lake. The menu is inspired by the seasons, with produce sourced locally from regional producers or picked fresh from the restaurant’s own kitchen gardens.

Discover more of Victoria’s best culinary hotspots

Plan your break at visitvictoria.com