8 Victoria bucket list destinations: lifetime itinerary

There’s so much to see and do in The Garden State, from the wondrous shores of the Great Ocean Road to the historic gold mining fields of Bendigo and beyond. To help you tick off all the top sights, we’ve listed the 8 Victoria bucket list destinations that every tourist should visit!

We’ve included something for everyone, including trips for couples, families and friends. So, get out of Melbourne and plan your road trips in Victoria around these bucket list destinations.

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8 Victoria bucket list destinations

1. Great Ocean Road

The number one Victoria bucket list destination for both local and international visitors is the Great Ocean Road. Built during the early 20th Century as a memorial to the lives lost during the First World War , this 244km stretch of seaside road is host to some of Australia’s most iconic coastal sights.

Make sure that you don’t miss any of the geological wonders along the Shipwreck Coast , including the famous Twelve Apostles , which rise 45m out of the Southern Ocean. Not far away is Loch Ard Gorge , the site of one of Australia’s most famous shipwrecks in 1878. Other highlights include the Grotto , the Bay of Martyrs and the Bay of Islands.

It’s also worth spending a day in the Great Otway National Park, host to some amazing attractions such as the Otway Fly Treetop Walk and Cape Otway Lightstation. From here, you can walk part of The Great Ocean Walk , a 104km coastal trail.

Break up the trip by stopping in some of the seaside villages. Torquay is home to Bells Beach and Lorne is close to the beautiful Erskine Falls. When you get to Warrnambool , visit the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village before returning home via country towns like Timboon and Colac (famous for their wines and cheese).

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2. Yarra Valley

The Yarra Valley is a Victoria bucket list destination for wine and art enthusiasts, offering up world-class wineries surrounded by waterfalls, fern gullies and forests. Wander the nature trails and stop at the country villages , where you’ll find an abundance of artist studios, craft stores and gardens.

Take a self-guided tour or join a guided tour to over 80 vineyards and cellar doors, where you can test an array of award-winning Chardonnay, sparkling wine and Pinot Noir. Another day can be spent visiting Melba Estate , which was once home to Dame Nellie Melba and now offers wine tasting, garden walks and Devonshire teas.

The Lilydale – Warburton Rail Trail is one of Australia’s most iconic Rail Trails, where you can walk, cycle or horse ride through 36km of beautiful bushland, wineries and farmlands. Similarly beautiful is the Black Spur Drive , which is only 27km long and twists and turns its way through the lush fern forests of the Yarra Ranges.

If you’re travelling with kids, take them to Healesville Sanctuary , where they can encounter a platypus. Afterwards, visit the Big Tree (85m tall and 400 years old) and the nearby Steavenson Falls (84m tall).

3. Victorian Alpine Region

The Victorian Alpine Region should be on the bucket list for those who love an alpine adventure. Amongst the snowy mountain peaks and swathes of gumtrees, you’ll find numerous ski resorts , including Mount Buller, Mount Buffalo, Mount Hotham and Falls Creek.

The Great Alpine Road is one of the best road trips in Victoria and takes you through the heart of Alpine National Park - home to Victoria’s highest mountain ranges and world-class trails for hiking, horse riding and mountain biking. Make sure to visit Dandongadale Falls , which at 225m high is the state’s tallest waterfall. The equally pretty Paradise Falls are also worth a visit.

Around the Victorian Alpine Region, you’ll also find a heap of historical sites , such as Wonnangatta Station (once described as “the most isolated homestead in Victoria”). Craig's Hut was built in the early 1980s as part of the film set for The Man from Snowy River , before being opened to the public in 2008.

The Victorian Alpine Region is also home to some of the best camping grounds in Victoria!

4. Mornington Peninsula

Just an hour’s drive from the centre of Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula is a Victoria bucket list destination for those wanting a short and romantic getaway. Spend time with your partner and kids, relaxing on the golden beaches and tasting some of Australia’s best wines.

Love spending time in the water? Join a swim tour with the dolphins or snorkel with the seals in crystal clear coastal waters. Scuba divers can get suited up and descend on the marvellous marine life and shipwrecks scattered around Portsea Pier and Port Phillip Bay.

Foodies and wine lovers will want to spend some time relaxing at the wineries around the Mornington Peninsula, renowned for producing world-class pinot noir and chardonnay. Afterwards, soak away all your worries in the Peninsula Hot Springs , where the geothermal mineral waters flow from 637m below ground.

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5. Phillip Island

One of Victoria’s must-see destinations is Phillip Island , less than 2-hours drive from Melbourne. This is the perfect place for a quick family getaway with the kids!

Phillip Island is home to the largest Little Penguin colony in the world. On any night of the year, you can stand on the viewing platform at Phillip Island Nature Park and watch the world-famous Penguin Parade , when thousands of Little Penguins waddle from the ocean to their burrows.

Motorsport enthusiasts will also want to visit the Phillip Island Motor Circuit , which hosts the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix each year. Fans can race on the replica 750m Go Kart Track , take a guided circuit tour or get behind the wheel of a racing simulator!

If you prefer to take things a little slower, visit the quaint townships around Phillip Island, such as Cowes - where you can pick up some fresh produce and enjoy a picnic!

6. The Grampians

The Grampians are a Victoria bucket list destination that everyone should add to their itinerary - a rugged landscape full of sandstone mountain ranges and Aboriginal history!

The best way to see the Grampians National Park is via the Grampians Way, a 333km drive that takes you to all the highlights around the 410,000 acres. Start at Halls Gap, where you can visit Brambuk (the oldest Aboriginal cultural centre in Australia) and the nearby Mackenzie Falls.

You’ll get the chance to stop at charming country villages along the way, such as Moyston - the birthplace of Australian Rules Football. When you get to Dunkeld , be sure to stop for lunch at the iconic Royal Mail Hotel , which is Australia’s largest working restaurant kitchen garden ( up to 80% of the produce is grown on-site).

Afterwards, take a walk to The Mirranatwa Gap and admire the breathtaking views over the Southern Grampians Ranges and the surrounding pastures. Finish up by seeing the ancient Aboriginal rock art at Billimina Shelter and Manja Shelter , where there are over 2,500 motifs that were painted by the Jardwadjali people.

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7. Bendigo and Ballarat

No trip to Victoria is complete without visiting Bendigo and Ballarat - two bucket list destinations famed for their gold rush history and fine dining experiences. Walk around the wide streets and admire the heritage architecture and manicured gardens whilst enjoying the finer things in life.

Get suited up at the Central Deborah Gold Mine in Bendigo and descend into the depths of the earth and experience what it was like to be a miner during the 1900s Gold Rush. Wash up afterwards and jump aboard the Shake, Rattle and Roll tram , where you can enjoy cocktails at the bar and dance to iconic tunes!

Bendigo has also been designated a UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy. Be sure to visit the Bendigo Art Gallery , one of the largest and oldest regional galleries in Australia and host some amazing European and Australian art. Afterwards, dine at some of the renowned eateries around town , including The Woodhouse Restaurant and Masons of Bendigo.

In the city of Ballarat , learn more about the historic gold rush by visiting Sovereign Hill (named Australia’s best major tourist attraction four times). Here, you can experience what it was like to live in the 1850s goldfields , take a coach ride, pan for gold in the creek and see the Troopers and RedCoats show.

Afterwards, relax in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens and picnic by the edge of Lake Wendouree. Then wash away a day with a brew in the craft beer capital of Australia , stopping for a drink at breweries like the famous Aunty Jacks.

8. Gippsland Lakes

Another of Victoria’s must-visit destinations, the Gippsland Lakes are a paradise for those who like to spend their time on the water. This region is host to 100 wineries, 14 national parks, sweeping stretches of golden beaches and the largest inland lakes system in the Southern Hemisphere!

Set your camp up on the shores of Lake Wellington, Lake Victoria or Lake King and spend your days swimming and kayaking in the gentle waters. Launch your boat at Paynesville and visit the small islands around the lakes. And dine at Lakes Entrance , which is host to the award-winning floating restaurant The Floating Dragon.

Catch the ferry to Raymond Island , which is home to Victoria’s largest koala population and has its very own Koala Trail. Another day can be spent visiting Ninety Mile Beach , one of the longest stretches of sand in the world at 151km.

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A campervan is the most comfortable (and photogenic) way to explore these Victoria bucket list destinations and other hidden gems around the state. And if you opt for a 4WD van, check out the best 4WD tracks near Melbourne!

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Simply enter your pickup location, adjust the optional filters and within seconds, you will find the perfect camper to explore all of the above Victoria bucket list destinations!

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