POPULAR SIGHTSEEING TOURS
These tours take in the most interesting sights of the beautiful and diverse State of Victoria and its elegant capital city, Melbourne.
Approximate times for travel by car are given in brackets, based on a return trip from central Melbourne at a comfortable speed, with sightseeing and refreshment breaks.
Melbourne Insights - A
diverse sampling of aspects of the city and suburbs, emphasising cultural
and historical features, the cosmopolitan nature of the population, and
a variety of housing from inner-urban cottages and terraces to grand mansions
in landscaped gardens. (2-4 hours)
The Great Ocean Road, The Surf Coast, and
The Shipwreck Coast - The spectacular
Great Ocean Road along Victoria's South-West coast, cut into
the side of the mountains where they slope into the sea, is one
of the most scenic drives in the world. Bell's Beach and other
surfing beaches around Torquay and Anglesea, the pretty seaside
resorts of Lorne and Apollo Bay, the rugged cliffs around Loch
Ard Gorge and the Twelve Apostles all combine to offer a wide
variety of scenery and interest along this breath-taking drive.
Further along the coast, Warrnambool's attractions include whale-watching,
the Flagstaff Maritime Village, and the extinct volcano now known
as Tower Hill, and a little beyond is the charming historic fishing
town of Port Fairy . (Lorne: 6 hrs.; + Apollo Bay: 8 hrs.; +
Loch Ard Gorge and Twelve Apostles: 10 hrs.; + Warrnambool: 1.5
days; + Port Fairy: 2 days)
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Healesville Sanctuary, Tall Trees, and Giant Ferns - Australia has some of the most unusual animals, birds, and reptiles in the world. They can be seen close-up at Healesville Sanctuary where the emphasis is on providing natural surroundings for the wild-life on show. The area around Healesville also abounds in giant tree- ferns and forests of tall, straight trees. (5 hours)
Paddle Steamers and the Mighty Murray River - Echuca on the Murray River was once the busiest port in Australia, although it is over 200 kilometres (125 miles) from the sea. The old wharf has been restored to its "Rich River" glory, and paddle-steamers take leisurely cruises along the river between forests of majestic red-gum trees. (7 hours)
Penguins, Koalas, and Giant Worms - The fairy penguins which come ashore each evening at Phillip Island are a top tourist attraction. Phillip Island also has a sanctuary for the lovable native marsupial, the koala, while on the way there we can visit an exhibition devoted to South Gippsland's giant worms and other wildlife. (6 hours. Note: As the penguins come in at dusk, this tour needs to include the evening.)
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Snowfields, Mountains, and High Plains - The North-East corner of Victoria contains the highest and most rugged mountains in the State. Snow in winter, glorious colours in autumn, cool weather and wildflowers in spring and summer, and spectacular views all year round are some of the attractions of this area. (10 hours)
Open-Cut Brown Coal Mines and Power Stations - The brown-coal producing area of the Latrobe Valley around Morwell and Yallourn may not be beautiful but is certainly spectacular. The huge open-cut mines and enormous power-stations produce most of the State's electricity and provide an interesting and informative visit. The lovely forests of the nearby Strzelecki ranges or the quaint gold-mining ghost town of Walhalla offer a contrasting alternative on the forward or return journey. (7 hours)
Wild Surf and Gentle Beaches - The Mornington Peninsula offers exciting and sometimes treacherous surf beaches on its ocean side and shallow water and ripples on the Port Phillip Bay side. The panoramic view from Arthur's Seat, the camping areas of Rosebud and Rye, the holiday homes of the wealthy at Sorrento and Portsea, and Bay cruises are other attractions. (5 hours)
Deserts and Plains - The dry West and North-West of the State holds many attractions. Wheat farms, National Parks, and vast open spaces provide much interest for those who want to experience distance and isolation. The irrigated areas around Mildura on the Murray River demonstrate the potential of what otherwise appears to be lifeless land. (2 or 3 days)
Puffing Billy and the Dandenong Ranges - The quaint narrow-gauge train "Puffing Billy" winds
its way daily through the beautiful forests of the Dandenong Ranges. The
line was opened in 1900, closed by a landslide in 1954, and re-opened
as a tourist railway in 1962. The Dandenong Ranges also offer quiet forest
walks, panoramic views, and charming tea-rooms and restaurants. (4 hours)
Heritage Railways and Tramways - Victoria has several tourist railways which operate vintage trains.
They are the Bellarine Peninsula Railway at Queenscliff, near Geelong
(5 hours), the Daylesford Spa Country Railway at Daylesford (5 hours),
the Victorian Goldfields Railway at Maldon, near Bendigo (5 hours), the
Yarra Valley Railway at Healesville (4 hours), Puffing Billy in the Dandenong
Ranges near Melbourne (4 hours), the South Gippsland Railway at Korumburra
(5 hours), the Alexandra Timber and Tramway Museum past Healesville (5
hours), the Mornington Tourist Railway on the Mornington Peninsula (4
hours), and the Walhalla Goldfields Railway near Moe (5 hours).
Vintage trams operate in Bendigo, Ballarat, and Melbourne.
All run on most public holidays and weekends, except for Puffing Billy
and the Bendigo trams which run daily.
The Grampians - A rugged range of mountains which rise from the
Western plains of Victoria, The Grampians offer spectacular scenery, many
Aboriginal cultural locations, and a variety of native wildlife. (10 hours)
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