Warrnambool and Port Fairy - Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia

Warrnambool is the largest city in western Victoria, a great service centre but also a great place to base yourself to explore the Great Ocean Road and hinterlands. A little further along you come to Port Fairy which is one of Victoria’s earliest settlements based on whaling in the Bass Strait. It has a lovely seaside feel and you can easily stroll around most of the attractions.

Top 5 Things to See and Do

Historic Wharf precinct – Port Fairy

Once the second busiest port in Australia, the wharf is still home to an active fishing fleet. A great place to sit under the pines and watch the world go by. Walk the boardwalks, drop a line or take a picnic and sit in the shade.

Festivals – Port Fairy

The Port fairy folk festival is on the labour day weekend www.portfairyfolkfestival.com – a great time to wander the streets and the foreshore. Apart from the various street musicians playing, you can enjoy the eclectic mix of street food.

Other festivals throughout the year include winter I port fairy, the book fair and Port Fairy Spring Mustic Festival www.portfairyspringfest.com.au

Flagstaff Hill and Shipwrecked - Warrnambool

Flagstaff Hill maritime village, sets you back in time to the early days of the 1870's. By night 'Shipwrecked' is a world class sound and laser show here. This area of coastline is notoriously treacherous and numerous ships have been lost.

Water activities

Immerse yourself in the sea at one of Warrnambool or Port Fairy’s surf beaches, visit the local rock pools, take your dog for a run on one of the many dog-friendly beaches, or throw a line in to catch some local fare.

Whale watching during the winter months from June to October provides views of the Southern Right Whale breaching and nursing their young.

Short drives

Explore Tower Hill just 14km east of Port Fairy, nestled inside a volcanic crater. Koroit is midway between Warrnambool and Port Fairy where you can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of this historic township.

Northwest you’ll find Mount Eccles, one of several volcanoes that helped for the volcanic plains of western Victoria.

Heading further west you’ll discover Portland and Cape Bridgewater. Portland is the oldest town in Victoria and situated on a natural deep-water harbour with some interesting historical buildings and a restored cable tram. Cape Bridgewater, around 20 minutes further on is home to a colony of fur seals as well as the Blowholes and Petrified Forest.

Heading east through Port Campbell (around an hour) you can view the majesty of the twelve apostles rising up from the sea, or stop along the way to enjoy spectacular views of the Bay of Isles.

Holiday options

An easy weekend getaway from Melbourne for a couple, group or the whole family. Or, a perfect stop on a longer touring trip with easy ferry access to the Bellarine Peninsula and on to the Great Ocean Road.

When to go?

Enjoy the full force of the winter weather with a visit to Port Fairy, and then cosy up in front of a log fire.  Winter is also the best time for whale watching, or you can enjoy the beaches in the summer, touring in autumn and spring, fishing, exploring this unique history of the area at any time of the year.

If you plan to visit for one of the popular festivals, particularly the folk festival, make sure you book accommodation well in advance, as the township swells from 2,500 to around 40,000 during these times.

Average summer temperatures are 22 degrees with winter cooling off to 14 and below.

How to get there?

Warrnambool lies at the intersection of the inland Princes Highway and the winding, scenic Great Ocean Road. 263km from Melbourne, Warrnambool can be reached in just a few hours. Drive on a little further to get to Port Fairy, is 291km west of Melbourne.

Alternatively, trains run daily from Melbourne to Warrnambool with connecting bus services to Port Fairy.

How long to go for?

A weekend would be the minimum, but, being so close to Melbourne this is a popular weekend away, so if you can visit mid-week you’ll encounter smaller crowds. To see and do everything on the Great Ocean Road, you’d need a week or more.

Where to Stay? There are a huge range of accommodation in Warrnambool, plus some great places to stay in Port Fairy itself.

Tourist Information

For visitor information go to www.visitportfairy-moyneshire.com.au/ however, once you get there, most of the main attractions and accommodation have local visitor information handy.

Port Campbell and the Twelve Apostles - Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia

Port Campbell and the Twelve Apostles

Port Campbell is a small seaside town with a population of only around 600 people. It is at the western end of the Great Ocean Road and just a short drive from the famed twelve apostles.

Top 5 things to do and see

Port Campbell

Port Campbell is a quiet, quaint little town right on the bay, with a great swimming beach, a wharf for fishing, and just the right number of shops, pubs and cafe's to wander. Everything is in walking distance in the township.

Twelve Apostles

Just a short drive to the east are the 12 Apostles, 45 metre high limestone stacks which are definitely worth the visit, we arrived before sunset and the view was spectacular. The Great Ocean Road is all about the views though, so if you have children with you, make sure you arm them with a camera to keep their interest peaked.

Short Drives

From Port Campbell there are short drives toward and beyond Peterborough where you can see The Arch, London Bridge, take a short walk to The Grotto, as well as see the Bay of Islands. There is even a boat ramp here at Boat Bay - only for the confident!

Head into the hinterland to sample the tastes of Timboon – berries, cheese, wine, honey and even ice cream.

Water Activities

Whether fishing, swimming, snorkelling or free-diving are your thing, there is plenty to keep you busy at Port Campbell’s protected bay beach and jetty. Dive for abalone or crayfish (license required), hang your line in from the jetty or simply laze on the beach, catching a wave or two.

Walking

There are a number of short walks accessible from the township of Port Campbell that take you up on the cliffs for views across the bay including the 4.4km Discovery Walk.

At each of the coastal viewing points there are short walks of a range of distances to viewing platforms.

Holiday options

An easy weekend getaway from Melbourne for a couple, group or the whole family. Or, a perfect stop on a longer touring trip on to Great Ocean Road.

When to go?

Enjoy the beaches in the summer, walking during the cooler seasons and views of the coastline at any time of the year.

How to get there?

Port Campbell is 250km south-west of Melbourne, you can either take the inland route via Colac on the Princes Highway or travel along the length of the Great Ocean Road (a longer option)

How long to go for?

A weekend would be the minimum, but, being so close to Melbourne this is a popular weekend away, so if you can visit mid-week you’ll encounter smaller crowds. To see and do everything on the Great Ocean Road, you’d need a week or more.

Where to Stay? There is a huge range of accommodation in Port Campbell.

Tourist Information

For visitor information go to www.visit12apostles.com.au however, once you get there, most of the main attractions and accommodation have local visitor information handy.

Mornington Peninsula - Victoria - Australia

Mornington Peninsula

The Mornington Peninsula is a Mediterranean-like getaway within an hour of Melbourne. You can drive across the peninsula in around 15 minutes, or 30 minutes down the length.

A getaway to this seaside enclave will make you feel you are miles from the city.

Top 10 things to do and see

Beach Huts

Wander along the foreshore from Mornington towards Sorrento and you’ll see rows of colourful beach huts along the sand. These are an historical reminder of the public decorum necessary in the 1880s to protect the modesty of ladies and are quaint bathing boxes painted in a huge range of colours.

Peninsula Hot Springs (www.peninsulahotsprings.com)

Mornington Peninsula offers a huge range of spa options, however the Peninsula Hot Springs is the original public bathing house with over 14 mineral pools of varying temperatures. Whilst you can make this into a luxury adult retreat by booking into the Spa Dreaming Centre and taking advantage of the private mineral pools, massage and spa treatments, the centre is equally attractive for families. Famly pools, a sauna, pool cave, Turkish steam bath and reflexology walk all set around a beautiful lake make for a great day, or evening, out, open 7am to 10pm.

Food and Wine

The Peninsula’s hinterland area has been tilled by farmers and orchardists for over 100 years, with the first vines planted over 30 years ago. The local village stores in this area stock specialty produce representing the gourmet food and wine culture. With a huge variety of restaurants and cafe’s producing menus centred on regional produce and matching this with regional wines, this is a food-lovers delight.

Cool climate wines in the Mornington Peninsula are winning awards, particularly for Pinot Noir. With over 200 vineyards and at least 50 with cellar doors, wine tasting options are definitely on the cards.(www.mpva.com.au).

Gardens

Mornington Peninsula is home to a variety of magnificent gardens and parks set amongst natural bushland:

Heronswood is the home of the diggers club (www.diggers.com.au) and you can also visit Heronswood House (an 1860’s Gothic Revival mansion), open during the Harvest and Spring Festivals. Heronswood is a cottage garden and has great displays of the interplanting of vegetables, fruit, perennials and herbs.

Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens is home to Australia’s oldest hedge maze set in 25 acres of gardens.(www.ashcombemaze.com.au). Or, a family, favourite, visit The Enchanted Maze Garden at Arthurs Seat (www.enchantedmaze.com.au)

Pick your own strawberries from November to April at the Sunnyridge Strawberry farm (www.sunnyridge.com.au)

Arthurs Seat

The highest vantage point on the Mornington Peninsula with fabulous views back to Melbourne across Port Phillip Bay. Drive the steep and winding road, or take the easier option of the chairlift. Stop for lunch at the pub at the top, or just sit on the deck and take in the views.

Arthurs Seat Trail Rides is a horse-lovers dream, with quality horses for both beginners and more experienced riders. Supervised scenic trail rides let you enjoy the rolling countryside.

Cape Schanck

The historic Cape Schanck Lighthouse still boasts it’s original beacon and is operating as it did in the mid-1800s. You can enter the grounds and take a guided tour to the top of the lighthouse or check out the museum which explains the history of lighthouses. The buildings were constructed from 1859 and are a great example of architecture from this period.

Octopuses Garden

The Octopuses Garden is a self-guided snorkelling trail under the Rye Pier in Port Phillip Bay. Victoria’s first underwater marine trail, this is easily accessible from the shore and great for adults and kids alike. The trail is 200 metres long and underwater signs guide you out along the pier providing information on the marine life in the area. With marine life including sea slugs, crabs, seastars, seaweeds and pipefish this is a must-see, but it’s important that you be a competent swimmer and wear a wetsuit and gloves. Marine life is fragile, so it’s important you don’t touch.

Point Nepean National Park (www.parkweb.vic.gov.au)

Point Nepean National Park, a great place for nature-lovers and history-buffs, is accessed from Portsea at the tip of the Mornington Peninsula. Explore the historic Quarantine station established in 1852, Fort Nepean’s at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay and the memorial at Cheviot Beach where Harold Holt disappeared in 1967. There are a number of self guided tours in the park which include interpretive displays, or you can cycle or walk many of the tracks. As with all Victorian National Parks, there is now free day entry since mid-2010.

Fishing

With access to both Port Phillip Bay, Western Port and Bass Straight, you’d be hard-pressed not to find some sort of fishing you like. Piers dot the bay coastline at Dromana, a favourite local fishing spot off the long pier, Rye and Sorrento, or try your luck surf fishing from the ocean beaches.

If the fish aren’t biting, then you can enjoy freshly caught seafood on a cafe deck overlooking the beach.

Ferry to Bellarine Peninsula

From Sorrento Pier to Queenscliff Harbour, the car and passenger ferry departs on the hour every hour from 7am to 6pm in all weather and all-year-round. Not only is this a quick way to get to the Bellarine Peninsula without having to go through the centre of Melbourne, it’s a 45 minute ride where you can view the foreshore of Mornington Peninsula and experience Port Phillip Bay.

Holiday options

An easy weekend getaway from Melbourne for a couple, group or the whole family. Or, a perfect stop on a longer touring trip with easy ferry access to the Bellarine Peninsula and on to the Great Ocean Road.

When to go?

Enjoy the beaches in the summer, the gardens in autumn and spring, wine tasting, fishing, touring and the hot spas at any time of the year.

How to get there?

Around an hour from Melbourne, follow the coast around to Frankston or catch the ferry from Queenscliff to Sorrento.

How long to go for?

A weekend would be the minimum, but, being so close to Melbourne this is a popular weekend away, so if you can visit mid-week you’ll encounter smaller crowds. To see and do everything on the Mornington Peninsula, you’d need a week or more.

Where to Stay? There are a huge range of great places to stay on the Mornington Peninsula in Frankston, Dromana, Mount Martha, Rosebud, Rye, Sorrento, Portsea, Flinders and Cape Schank.

Tourist Information

For visitor information go to www.visitmorningtonpeninsula.org however, once you get there, most of the main attractions and accommodation have local visitor information handy.

Phillip Island - Victoria - Australia

Phillip Island

Phillip Island (26km by 9km) is a world of delights, just an hour and a half south east of Melbourne. Whether you’re interested in the nature side of things, something more fast-paced, or a great place to take the kids. However, don’t forget to take your wallet, you do have to fork out for the majority of activities.

Booking accommodation ahead is essential, as there is always something exciting happening at Phillip Island.

Top 10 things to do and see

Penguin Parade www.penguins.org.au

Watch the Little Penguins come in each evening from the sea as the sun sets. This is an absolute must-do at Phillip Island and something that you need to book for in advance. With over 2000 visitors attending each night, there are a range of tickets and tours on sale. There are 14000 breeding pairs and these little creatures are just sooo cute as they waddle their way up the sand, and, depending on the time of year, there is always something new to see, whether they are moulting, mating, or have young ones about.

Grand Prix Circuit www.phillipislandcircuit.com.au

The heart and soul of motor-car and superbike racing on Phillip Island. Ideally try and visit when there is an event on, with your entry pass you can wander to many different spectator points on the track. Whether or not you catch a race, it’s worth a visit to the History of Motorsport Museum and doing a tour which shows you all the behind the scenes places. For those who are seriously into motor sport, consider going in a Hot Laps car (this sets you back in excess of $200), or have a go on the mini-grand prix circuit in a go kart. Fun for all ages!

Churchill Island

A slice of history on a 57 hectare working island farm in operation since 1872. Take the circuit walking track through the ancient Moonah Forests and follow the interpretive signs, check out the local farm animals including Clydesdale horses, highland cattle, sheep, ducks, chickens, peacocks, cape baron geese, the baby animal nursery and farming demonstrations.

There is a monthly Farmers Market on the fourth Saturday of each month, an Easter festival and Garden Lovers Festival in November. The visitor information centre has a great overview of the history of this tiny island, from there make your way to view the restored historic buildings and working farm. Entry fees apply to the historic area.

The Chocolate Factory

You can’t miss Panny’s Amazing World of Chocolate as you drive toward Cowes. Yes, you get free samples, and of course you can purchase any one of the 190 varieties of chocolate, but no, it’s not just a chocolate shop. Take the tour and learn about Cocoa production, have fun with chocolate games and even make your own chocolate artwork.

Pelican Feeding at San Remo

Viewing the pelican feeding daily at 12noon at San Remo is free! A great activity for kids, watch from the shoreline as they gollup down whole fish. Head to the fishermen’s co-op before or after the activity for a great fish and chip meal.

Vietnam Veterans Museum

A very interesting exhibition including sound and light show that gives you a special insight into the Vietnam War. The museum is full of colourful and historical reminders of Australian participation in the war and the challenges faced by our troops. For history buffs or not, this is definitely worth a visit. Weaponry, aircraft, vehicles and equipment displays as well as war photos and an art gallery. (www.vietnamvetsmuseum.org)

The Nobbies

The Nobbies is a spectacular headland from where you can view Australian Fur Seals at Seal Rocks, walk on the boardwalks and participate in interactive displays of local wildlife and marine exhibits. Open every day, the centre closes an hour before sunset. View the interesting rock formations, blowhole and colourful succulent vegetation.

More wildlife experiences

Apart from the Little Penguins, there are a range of other wildlife experiences including seals, koalas and short-tailed shearwaters. The 3 parks pass includes access to the Koala Conservation Centre. Alternatively, French Island is just a ferry trip away and a great place to spot koalas, birds of prey, echidnas and local flora.

Beaches

Great surfing is available on Phillip Island including surf clinics and tournaments. The south coast can be dangerous due to strong winds and rough seas. There are a variety of patrolled beaches for visitors for safe access, and the north side of the island offers more sheltered bays. Dogs are allowed, leashed, on many o the beaches from May through to November.

Fishing

The Phillip Island fishing industry is based at San Remo, however for shore-based fishing check out the jetties at Cowes, Newhaven and Rhyll. The Western Port is home to flathead, snapper and whiting and you can hire boats or launch your own at many places into the bay. Surf fishing on the southern side is also popular.

For families, or those new to fishing, the Rhyll Trout and Bush Tucker Farm (www.rhylltroutandbushtucker.com.au) may be your best bet, with fishing instructors on hand.

Holiday options

A fabulous family location, lots of fun with plenty of education thrown in too. International visitors and nature lovers will also find plenty to do on Phillip Island.

When to go?

Any time of year is great for Phillip Island as there are such a range of both indoor and outdoor activities and always something new to see at each change of season.

How to get there?

Around 200km from Melbourne on M1 and then M420, the South Gippsland Highway then onto the A420 and then the B420 across the San Remo bridge to Phillip Island.

How long to go for?

A weekend would be the minimum, but, being so close to Melbourne this is a popular weekend away, so if you can visit mid-week you’ll encounter smaller crowds. To see and do everything on Phillip Island, you’d need a week or more.

Where to Stay? – There is a huge range of accommodation available in various towns on Phillip Island including Cowes, Ryhll, Newhaven, San Remo, Ventnor, Sorrento and Portsea

Tourist Information

For visitor information go to www.visitphillipisland.com, however, once you get there, most of the main attractions and accommodation have local visitor information handy.

Wilsons Promotory - Victoria Australia

Wilsons Promontory

The iconic Wilsons Promontory is certainly a nature-lovers delight, but it’s also a lot more. This is a great destination for international and interstate visitors as well as families and active adventurers. This is the southern most tip of the Australian mainland, surrounded by sea on three sides.

The great news is that Victorian National Parks, including Wilsons Promontory, are now free for day visitors.

Top 5 things to do and see

Views, rock formations and wildlife

The drive from Foster down to Tidal River in Wilsons Promontory National park takes you past lush green farmlands, over quiet rivers teeming with waterbirds, past koalas and kangaroos (if you can see them), and wombats to some spectacular lookouts and views of the coast and islands that surround The Prom. Sunset is a great time to have a picnic at Whisky Beach and watch the sun set behind Norman Island, or simply stop just about anywhere off the road to take in the views.

Beaches

For surfing and swimming, the Prom Country area has a beach for just about everyone, consistent surf is found at Tidal River with other popular surfing spots including Sandy Point, Walkerville and Venus Bay. For swimmers, patrolled beachers include Waratah Beach, Venus Bay, Inverlock, Cape Paterson and Norman Beach at Tidal River, generally only patrolled on weekends and throughout summer.

For just lazing about, rock pools, and looking at the view toward Norman Island, you can’t go past Whisky Beach and Squeaky Beach in Wilsons Promontory National Park. Whisky Beach has colourful boulders at either end and on Squeaky Beach the sand really does squeak, both are great family destinations, but the strong undertows make surf swimming dangerous.

Hiking

A range of both short and long walks are the highlight of Wilsons Promontory National Park. Short walks include Squaky Beach, Lilly Pilly Gully and the Loo-Errn track which follows the edge of the tannin-stained waters of Tidal River, this is accessible for prams and is generally a board-walk with rest platforms along the way. For something more challenging, head to Mt Oberon summit.

Overnight hikes take you further into the park where you can reach Wilsons Promontory Lightstation and historic residences. Just over 19km each way, this is for serious hikers, however you can also book a lighthouse tour for your arrival.

Fishing

From Waratah Bay to Shallow and Anderson Inlets, Corner Inlet and Port Albert, there is a huge variety of fishing available in the Prom Country. Famous for King George Whiting, you can also find flathead, gummy shark, flounder, garfish and prawns along with Snapper and trevally. Fish from the beaches, jetties, or put a boat in and go a little further. There are a lot of boat ramp access points, but they are generally tide affected, so timing is important.

Apart from a Victorian fishing licence, you’ll also need to obtain information on the Marine Parks that dot the area including Wilsons Promontory Marine Park and Corner Inlet Marine and Coastal Park.

Discoveries

Explore more of The Prom country by taking a drive to South Walkerville and Cape Liptrap lighthouse. South Walkerville is home to some historic Lime Kilns that are right on the beach, a hidden gem.

The Southern Gippsland Wine Trail is a great touring route, the area being home to a number of award winning vineyards. Cool-climate red is the wine of choice.

For the more adventurous the Tarra-Bulga National Park sits in the north of this area, famous for the Corrigan Suspension Bridge, the roads are narrow and winding, but offer spectacular scenery and fabulous views. Follow the 132km Grand Ridge Road along the ridge of the Strzelecki Ranges.

Holiday options

A bit of something for everyone, great fishing, beaches and outdoor activities. Plenty to keep the family happy or get stuck into some serious adventure.

When to go?

Summer is popular for beaches, but is also an incredibly busy time of year in the park. If hiking or fishing are your thing, then Autumn through to Spring are ideal times to visit.

How to get there?

Around 200km from Melbourne on M1 and then M420, the South Gippsland Highway then onto the A440. Wilsons Promontory is also on the popular Sydney to Melbourne touring route.

How long to go for?

A weekend would be the minimum, but if you are into serious nature activities, then a week would only start to do this area justice.

Where to Stay? – great places to stay near Wilsons Promontory

Tourist Information

The visitor information centre in Foster is excellent or for online information go to www.visitpromcountry.com.au