If you want to see some of Victoria’s gorgeous countryside (of which there is so much to see) try the Yarra Valley. Most tourist organizations can give you a hand at getting there or just hire a car and get on to the Yarra Valley website for some of the best vineyards, wining and dining experiences. Make a day trip of it or check out the amazing B&Bs and share a romantic break or perhaps just a fun get together weekend with your travelling mates.

Here are just a few places to check out:

De Bertoli winery and restaurant
Amazing wines with an extensively trained staff who will take you through a super tasting experience. Their restaurant and products are also worth the drive out.

Chandon Sparkling Wines
As you may know, Chandon has award winning sparkling wines & here they are for your tasting pleasure. Experience their sparkling delights and beautiful light meals in front of a view to die for. Self-guided tours of the winery are also available and worth attending.

Yarra Glen
Located in the heart of the wine district, this beautiful very small town has loads of country style, super antique shops, great food and wonderful wines.

Healesville
The home of the Healesville Sanctuary, this town is hard to beat. The views are outstanding, the locals friendly. This small town is home to amazing culinary delights such as The Healesville Hotel, The Wattle Seed Cafe and Harvest. The Grand Hotel is the place to go for some good ol' Aussie fare.

There's even a tea house at the top of a 'hill'. A bit down the main
street and you fall into The Bohdi Tree, a place where atmosphere, great music and food are in an abundance.

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Approximately 90 minutes east of Melbourne, you can cross by bridge to the island and visit the koala sanctuary before being amazed by the sight of 30-40,000 tiny fairy penguins waddling in from the sea to feed their young at dusk at the Phillip island penguin parade.

Despite the made-for-tourists viewing platform at the beach (so many people!) and photography restrictions (none permitted whatsoever) it’s a fantastic natural sight and well worth the trip.

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A small village in the middle of the Grampians, Hall's Gap has recently been subjected to bush fires but at the beginning or end of the summer, this is the most beautiful place in Victoria to visit. Stay in the log cabins, which back onto an unenclosed paddock with kangaroos, literally hundreds of them. They’re very friendly and confident enough to come right up to your front door in the evening - just watch out for the kangaroo poo in the mornings!

The cabins are fully equipped and have doubles spas, huge beds and if you ever choose to leave the cabins there are loads of walks and waterfalls to visit. The area is lovely and is great for a weekend break whether you are living over here or just visiting.

www.hallsgaplogcabins.com.au/

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Take two to three days to travel the Great Ocean Road - turn off the beaten track and find wild koalas in the trees. Also, head the opposite direction out of Melbourne and drive down the Mornington Peninsula then across to Wilson’s Promontory for some spectacular camping, bush walks and beaches. At the main campsite on Wilson’s Promontory you will have wombats snuffling around your tent at night. It's one of the most beautiful and unknown places in Australia.

www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=217

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Poowong is a little town about an hour from Melbourne...in the Gippsland hills among all the dairy farms. Very quiet and picturesque. Take a break there and have a drink or meal in the pub. Watch out for the motorbike riders, it's a favourite haunt of theirs on weekends.

Poowong
near Korumburra Gippsland
1 hr from Melbourne out via the Monash and Sth Gippsland freeways

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One-and-a-half-hours south of Melbourne the Mornington Peninsula is a great venue for family holidays with lovely beaches, great restaurants and spectacular wineries. The Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove in particular has a lovely restaurant attached with lots of local produce including cheeses and cherries making the most spectacular pudding ever.

www.peninsulapages.com; Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove, Ph 03 5989 8412

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