MEDIA RELEASE
December 2013
Experience the thrill of a driving holiday in Victoria, Australia
Melbourne provides the ideal starting point for visitors interested in a self-drive journey around the diverse
and compact state of Victoria. Visitors can tailor their own adventure, choosing between the city, coast and
country, ticking off an impressive checklist of must see icons and attractions along the way.
Within a 90-minute drive from Melbourne, visitors can experience tall forests, historic villages, Australian
wildlife, vine-filled valleys and rugged coastlines. Regardless of length of time or mode of transport, be it
car, campervan or tour bus, there are options to suit all budgets in order to discover Victoria’s rich cultural
highlights, epicurean delights and natural attractions.
A number of well-established, major touring routes have been designed to showcase the best that the state
has to offer. Here is a snapshot of where visitors should head for and what they can expect as they take to
the road in Victoria.
Great Southern Touring Route
Encompassing the spectacular Great Ocean Road, the Great Southern Touring Route allows visitors to
experience dramatic seascapes, the rugged grandeur of the Grampians, the indulgence and tranquillity of
Daylesford and the history and heritage of Victoria’s Goldfields region.
The journey starts in cosmopolitan Melbourne, and heads south-west to the vibrant seaside city of
Geelong, Victoria’s second largest city. It continues along the coast past heritage towns and the plentiful
vineyards of the Bellarine Peninsula to the spectacular Great Ocean Road. Conde Nast travel magazine
rates the Great Ocean Road as one of the top 20 journeys of a lifetime while Frommer’s guide puts it in the
top 10 road trips on the planet.
The first stop along the iconic stretch of road is Bells Beach, the country’s most famous surf beach near the
equally legendary surf-town of Torquay. Visitors continue the journey through popular seaside resort towns
such as Lorne and Apollo Bay and past stunning waterfalls and spectacular scenery.
Further along, the lushness of the Great Otway National Park gives way to the imposing beauty of the
Twelve Apostles and the fascinating history of the shipwreck coast. At picturesque Port Fairy the route
turns north towards the peaks of the Grampians mountain range.
As they enter the beautiful Grampians National Park, visitors will find themselves in a dramatic natural
oasis, replete with walking trails, waterfalls, wildlife and floral splendour where they can discover the largest
selection of Aboriginal rock paintings in Victoria.
The final leg of the Great Southern Touring Route journeys east through the Goldfields region to Ballarat,
an enriching city that brings the glorious days of the 19th century gold rush to life. Here visitors can discover
the fascinating cultural history of the region and explore enticing art galleries and museums.
Before the route returns to Melbourne, travellers can rejuvenate in the Daylesford region. Boasting
Australia’s largest number of naturally occurring mineral springs the region is famous for soothing travelweary visitors with fine food and wine, and fabulous spas. An indulgent spa treatment, followed by the
finest local produce, paired with boutique wine is a fitting way to end an inspiring and rewarding journey
along the Great Southern Touring Route.
Sydney-Melbourne Touring
From the unparalleled grandeur of the coast to the spectacular vistas of the Australian Alps, SydneyMelbourne Touring’s three distinctive travel routes – Sydney-Melbourne Coastal Drive, Sydney-Melbourne
Heritage Drive and the Great Alpine Road all offer experiences to remember.
Sydney-Melbourne Coastal Drive
The coastline between Sydney and Melbourne is some of the most spectacular in Australia, with tranquil
coves, long, golden beaches and wild, rocky shorelines carved by the mighty Pacific and Southern oceans.
Here, there’s no end to the fun that can be had on the water – from surfing, sailing and snorkelling to
seeing dolphins, penguins and whales in the wild.
Vast stretches of the coastline have been preserved as national parks, teeming with native flora and fauna,
including kangaroos, koalas, emus and native parrots. Travellers can learn about Aboriginal bush foods on
a guided tour, or cruise, water-ski or kayak around the Gippsland Lakes or walk on pure white beaches at
Wilsons Promontory. From here, travellers have the option of heading into the coastal hinterland,
discovering historic hamlets such as Walhalla and Central Tilba.
Back on the coast, the route gently winds its way to Phillip Island, famous for the little penguins, which
make their nightly march up Summerland Beach to their dune burrows. Continuing on to the Mornington
Peninsula, travellers can discover the regions renowned food, wine, golf and spa offerings before finishing
their journey in Melbourne. With so much to see and do, the Coastal Drive is an essential Australian touring
experience.
Sydney-Melbourne Heritage Drive
The inland route between Melbourne and Sydney is a journey through Australian history. Travellers can
discover timeless indigenous culture, the relics of colonial times, and an ancient river that winds its way
through rolling hills and past historic townships.
From Melbourne, the Heritage Drive travels to the gold rush region around Bendigo. Here, visitors can
venture down old goldmines, see Chinese Dragons and dine in ornate civic buildings now refashioned as
fashionable bars and restaurants. Then it’s on to the mighty Murray River, where paddle steamers offer a
fun way to get downstream and the many farm-gates offer fresh local produce for sale. Barmah National
Park is the place to see giant river red gums, native wildlife such as koalas and kangaroos, and Aboriginal
scar trees. Continuing the route travels on to Rutherglen, famous for its fortified wines, where family
vineyards have been handed down through the generations.
Beyond the borders of Victoria, the drive continues to nation’s capital, Canberra, an architect-designed
political hub that is home to some of the country’s most important institutions. From here, the drive winds
through the Southern Highlands of New South Wales before ending in Sydney.
The Great Alpine Road
Travellers along the Great Alpine Road can journey into some of the continent’s highest mountains where,
the majestic Australian wilderness offers breathtaking vistas. Whether blanketed with wildflowers or
carpeted in snow, the Alps are the ideal place for those looking for an active adventure. Surrounded by big
blue skies and crisp mountain air, visitors can hike, cycle or take a horseback ride past stunning alpine
views, go abseiling, hang-gliding and rock-climbing, or enjoy skiing and snowboarding in winter. At day’s
end, they can relax in a traditional pub, indulge at a boutique resort and spa, or camp under brilliant stars in
the Alpine National Park.
In the foothills, and down near the coast, the Great Alpine Road offers other worthy experiences. Visitors
find themselves discovering historic gold rush towns such as Beechworth and Omeo, enjoying the gourmet
delights of Bright or cycling along scenic rail trails. The road ends at the magnificent Gippsland Lakes,
where abundant marine life, water sports and fabulous fresh seafood are highlights.
Melbourne South East Touring Triangle
Melbourne’s South East Touring Triangle (SETT) links three beautiful regions surrounding Melbourne – the
Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges; Phillip Island; and the Mornington Peninsula.
From Melbourne, the SETT heads to the Yarra Valley, famous for its abundance of wineries, with over 70
wineries tucked into the picturesque countryside. Travellers can also see more than 200 native wildlife
species including; platypus, koalas, Tasmanian devils, kangaroos and wallabies up close at Healesville
Sanctuary.
Not far away, in the fairytale-like forest of the Dandenong Ranges, modern wheels can be exchanged for
old fashioned steam aboard Puffing Billy, a meticulously restored steam train, which travels through 25
kilometres of cool fern gullies.
The route continues to Phillip Island where visitors can enjoy stunning beaches and watch the famous
Penguin Parade.
Further along the route on the Mornington Peninsula there are more than 50 winery cellar doors
specialising in superb pinot noir and chardonnay. Many of them also have outstanding restaurants which
feature the region’s abundant fresh produce.
The Mornington Peninsula is home to the Peninsula Hot Springs, the only natural thermal mineral springs
bathing and day spa facility in Australia. The region is also renowned for outstanding golf courses,
spectacular gardens and is a perfect place for aquatic adventures, including dolphin and seal swims and
scuba diving around one of Victoria’s many shipwrecks.
West Gippsland Hinterland Drive
The scenic West Gippsland Hinterland Drive winds its way through magnificent and diverse
landscapes. The circular route – approximately five hours driving time – begins in Melbourne and passes
through the Yarra Ranges to the small towns of Powelltown and Noojee in Gippsland. It then travels across
to the summit of Mount Baw Baw, taking in the sub-Alpine villages of Walhalla, Rawson and Erica and
passes through Moe and Yarragon before returning to Melbourne.
The drive highlights West Gippsland’s natural attractions, including giant mountain ash trees and waterfalls,
as well as the region’s local food options and boutique wineries.
Connecting via iPhone & iPad
A number of the touring routes and drives throughout Victoria are now accessible via free iPhone and iPad
apps. Visitors can download the apps to access interactive maps, pinpoint places of interest and learn more
about the many attractions and tourism offerings available along each route.
For more information visitmelbourne.com
For images go to visionsofvictoria.com
Media contact: Madeleine Blake, Tel: +61 3 9653 9773
Email: internationalpr@tourism.vic.gov.au