As one of Australia’s smallest states, Victoria is often slept on when it comes to domestic travel. But take it from avid road trippers – Victoria has some of the best regional weekend getaway destinations. From Wilsons Promontory, Lakes Entrance, and the Great Ocean Road in the summer to great winter destinations like the Otways or Healesville and Warburton, there’s something to enjoy at all times of the year when travelling across regional Victoria.
So with autumn in full swing, where are the absolute must-visit getaway destinations in Victoria for checking out the falling foliage? From the well known towns that are still gold nuggets of Aussie history, to the hidden gems that can give you the relaxation you seek, here are our top picks for the best weekend getaway destinations to check out this fall season.
Bright
Renowned for its eclectic array of local cafes and boutique stores, brilliant autumn colours and annual Autumn Festival, Bright is a favourite getaway spot for many Melbournians, with the city itself being just a quick 3.5 hour drive from the city centre. In the heart of Victoria’s Alpine country, Bright also often provides some of the region’s first gentle snowfall, so even if you do miss the autumn leaves this year, you’ll definitely be back in a few months anyway to welcome winter in Victoria.
Just remember that the roads do get icy, so cold weather preparation is an absolute must when travelling to Bright. This means replacing your tyres to ensure a thicker tread, driving carefully on alpine road conditions, and making sure your insurance cover is up-to-date. Securing comprehensive car insurance cover is also always recommended for those looking to set out on Victoria’s Great Alpine Road, as the cold weather driving conditions do make this motorway an accident hotspot.
Ballarat
To the west of Bright and closer to Creswick and surrounds stands the historic mining town of Ballarat. While physical gold nuggets are fewer and harder to find since the great Australian gold rush, Ballarat still stands as a golden result of what was produced, thanks to that boom of prosperity.
Being no more than just over an hour’s travel from Melbourne by car or rail, Ballarat is among one of those perfect day trip towns that can easily turn into a weekend of learning and discovery. And of course, while you have the famous Sovereign Hill to take you back through Australian history, Ballarat also adorns Kryal Castle. This Ballarat tourist attraction is a great opportunity for both the young and the young at heart, to learn about the history and attractions of medieval times, all in the means of interactive exhibits including live jousting, all safely done for both knight and steed!
Back during its glory days, Ballarat was the richest city in Victoria, holding even more wealth than Melbourne itself, due to all the gold that was found in the city’s gold mines. So from the town hall to many grand limestone and sandstone buildings that adorn Ballarat’s main strip, this is the perfect weekend destination for any history buffs.
El Dorado and the High Country
Before you think I’m making all of this up, no I am not referring to the legendary lost city in Peru. However, it still has ties to gold. This little blink of a town, housing 382 people, as of the 2021 census, is something to see for those who like to get in touch with the locals and who like a little history within a big historical city.
El Dorado is housed in the Victorian High Country, close to the regional city of Wangaratta, and not far from the colonial town of Beechworth. This little township is a hidden piece of local community with some real history in mining.
From the 1930’s to the mid 1950’s, the town of El Dorado was home to the largest gold dredging operation in the Southern Hemisphere. The dredge itself is still placed on the river, and, while not operational, you can do tourist walks on it to see how the gold was extracted. If you’re looking for somewhere to spend a doubloon or two and something to yarn about, El Dorado is also home to Victoria’s smallest pub, The McEvoy, operating since 1991. It has a bar that measures at only one and a half metres.
Nevertheless, the locals make it worth it, with many packed in, a flourishing beer garden and barn they use for functions out back. So if you want to dig (or dredge) for community gold outside of the main track, come and say ‘‘G’day.’ The Spanish may not have found it but it looks like the Aussies did.
Yarra Valley and Heathcote
If you’re a food and wine lover, a winery weekend may just be up your alley. And if you like your white wines, especially a good Chardonnay, the Yarra Valley is the perfect spot to try some great white grape varietals. If you have more of a taste for the red grape, you can’t go past the Heathcote wine region either. While both regions have great climates for Shiraz, the Heathcote region, set among former goldfields, is famous for its reds, with Shiraz being its flagship grape. Matched with some nice cheese, these are perfect flavours for any fan of viticulture.
But there’s even more to do in the Yarra Valley than just winery hopping. This crowd favourite destination is also home to some of Victoria’s most beloved regional attractions, including the Puffing Billy historical steam railway through the mountains, and the Healesville Sanctuary – an open air wildlife experience that’ll see you get up close with some native Australian animals and even some elusive critters like lyrebirds, wombats, and skinks.
Bring the family along or embark on a romantic couple’s getaway. Whatever type of weekend you’re looking for, the Yarra Valley will be sure to deliver.
Daylesford
If the idea of a picturesque escape to relax and rejuvenate the body and mind is your idea of a perfect weekend, you can’t go past the beautiful town of Daylesford. This town, only an hour and a half from Melbourne’s CBD, is the perfect location for any person who likes the idea of seeing the small country town kind of life, where people get to know you.
Along with its main street, adorned with cosy and boutique shops selling everything from crystals to your classic bakehouse cakes, perfect for the shopper, the town is perfect for a peaceful walk or spa getaway, famed for its mineral springs. You can even top up on fresh mineral water straight from the rock in Hepburn Springs Reserve, with the springs operational for bathing since the 1860s.
The home stretch
Whether you’re looking for a bottle of Victoria’s finest viticultural delights, embark on a history-filled escapade, soak in a mineral spa, or just enjoy a lovely walk through some alpine forests, any of the regions we’ve outlined above are sure to provide a great backdrop to your autumn and winter memories this year. So start planning your off season travels in leafy, regional Victoria today!
