VICTORIA - Garden State tour and travel guide, hotels, cheap flights
Victoria is the smallest but most varied of the mainland states, with a history that is closely bound up with the 19th-century search for gold. White settlers arrived at Port Phillip Bay in the centre of the southern coast only 160 years ago - and three-quarters of the state's population remains centred around the vast bay. The rest of the state is scattered with picturesque rural communities stretching from the temperate rainforests in the far east, across the majestic alpine areas of the central High Country to the western desert regions of the Mallee.
VICTORIA - Garden State Attractions
Ballarat
It's a historical place. Back to 1850s gold diggers from Europe, China and the Americas who trudged up from the coast through the through the Pentland Hills to reach the elevated area known to the Aborigines as "Ballarat" or "resting area". Not evryone struck it rich, but the gold here was more than enough to build this classic Victorian town. The main tourist attraction is the theme park reconstruction of the Sovereign Hill goldmining township, and the towns historical connections with the Eureka Stockade Rebellion.
Gippsland
This region, containing over 20 National and State Parks, sweep from Phillip Island and down to the spectacular scenery of Wilsons Promontory and the Gippsland Lakes.
Gippsland Lakes
The Gippsland Lakes are Australia's largest inland waterway; a maze of inlets, islands and retreat villages. The Lakes are a boating wonderland for motor yachts and hire craft.
Great Ocean Road
Spectacular coastal scenery is to be found along the Great Ocean Road. Torquay to Warrnambool and beyond to Victoria's weatern border, the drive itself is an adventure. The 12 Apostles, standing proundly against the ocean waves, are stunning examples of Nature's creative art of erosion.
Melbourne
It was recently awarded the title of the "world's most liveable city" at the conclusion of a worldwide survey. With a reputation for fine restaurants, better music, more theatres, progressive social legistration. It is Australia's second largest city. A place of quality for both visitor and resident alike.
Phillip Island
The chief attraction of Phillip Island is the famous penguin parade, the regular nightly return of the fairy penguins to nest among the grasses in the dunes.
The Grampians
The big attraction for this area lies in the Grampians National Park - a unique combination of striking visual scenery, energetic climbing and bushwalking, plus the mystery of the Koori dreaming legends. The spectacular rock formations are the result of hundreds of millions of years of driving wind and pounding surf. The wildflowers, many of which bloom throughout the year, blanket the area in beautiful colour.
Wilsons Promontory
Wilsons Prom's superb bushwalking, dramatic coastal scenery, beautiful beaches and abundant wildlife have made it one of the most popular national parks in Australia.
