Melbourne & Victoria

There are many tempting places to visit within a short driving distance of Melbourne. The Yarra Valley is the state's premier wine growing region and the Mornington Peninsula has boutique wineries, quaint villages and white sand beaches. Daylesford is set in the high country with tempting spas and country walks. At Phillip Island see the penguins up close. Then there's the city itself, fast growing in popularity with American visitors and home of the Grand Slam Australian Tennis Open and Formula 1 Grand Prix. At St Kilda Beach are fine restaurants and cafes, a place to stroll and soak up the sun.

Victoria's compact size means you can travel from the city to the coast to the mountains in a short space of time. Everywhere you travel there are historic towns to explore and local food and wines to enjoy. The most outstanding experience of them all is the journey along The Great Ocean Road. You can either travel a loop that incorporates the Great Ocean Road, The Grampians & Halls Gap before returning to Melbourne or continue your journey westwards to Adelaide in the state of South Australia.

The 5 day coastal drive between Sydney & Melbourne offers many fine experiences along the way, including Wilsons Promontory, Lakes Entrance, Shoalhaven and Batemans Bay. This is a part of Australia often overlooked by visitors, however for those who want to venture a little off the beaten track, you will be well rewarded. The scenery is great, the white sand beaches stunning, Australian wildlife and forest is on display and the people warm and welcoming. For details of the places you visit after crossing into New South Wales please go to the State of New South Wales - Travel South Of Sydney page of uplanit.com