Victoria

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VICTORIA

Capital City: Melbourne

Airports: Melbourne (international), Avalon, Mount Hotham, Mildura

Climate:Despite its relatively small size, the climate of Victoria varies widely. Most of the State falls within the warm, temperate belt of the south-east corner of Australia, characterised by warm and dry summers and cool to mild, wet, winters.

Daily summer temperatures range from 14 to 23 C in the coastal areas, and 16 to 31 C inland (with cooler temperatures in the mountains). In winter, temperatures range from 7 C to 14 C in coastal areas and 5 C to 16 C inland. Snow settles on the Australian Alps in the north-east of Victoria from June to September, with winter temperatures of 0-5 C.

Victoria Fun Facts

*Melbourne has the second biggest Greek population in the world after Athens and the largest Italian community outside of Italy

* Melbourne is Australia’s second largest city with a population of just over 4 million and is home to almost 75% of Victorians

* Victoria covers roughly the size of the British Isles and is Australia's second-smallest state, covering 227,600 square kilometres

* Melbourne has been twice voted the most liveable city in the world

* About 36% of Victoria is covered by forest

* The tram system of Melbourne is the fourth largest in the world

* Melbourne holds the world record for the highest attendance at a cricket match (90,800)

* Echuca/Moama has the largest operating fleet of Paddlesteamers in the World

Victoria Destinations and Experiences

Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges

* Trek through the tall forests of the Dandenong Ranges National Park under one hour from Melbourne

* Tour the acclaimed wineries of the Yarra Valley

* Take the Puffing Billy Steam Railway through the villages of Belgrave, Gembrook and Emerald

* See many of Australia’s iconic animals at the Healesville wildlife sanctuary

* Wander the gardens, waterfalls and forest of Marysville

Mornington Peninsula

* Swim with the Bottlenosed dolphins between October and April in Port Phillip Bay near the historic seaside village of Sorrento

* Take cliff-top walks with stunning views from Portsea at the tip of the Mornington Peninsula

* In Red Hill and Main Ridge pick your own berries and visit wineries and galleries

* Visit the great beaches, wineries and golf courses of Flinders

Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges

* Indulge in the health-giving mineral waters of Hepburn Springs

* Picnic at legendary Hanging Rock Bushwalk and walk past gardens and hillside estates at Mount Macedon

* Explore this fairytale region filled with galleries, boutique accommodation and fine places to eat

Phillip Island

* Phillip Island is connected to the mainland by a bridge and is just 90 minutes drive from Melbourne

* See koalas and waterbirds in the wild at Rhyll

* witness the Fairy (Little) penguins on Summerland Beach as they trek home at dusk

* Marvel at Australia’s largest fur seal colony as you cruise amongst Seal Rocks

The Murray

* Take a trip on a restored paddle steamer or hire a houseboat in Echuca-Moama

* Indulge in fine food and wine in the vibrant outback oasis of Mildura

* Camp, bushwalk, play a round of golf, or fish and water ski on the local lakes and rivers in the twin river towns of Yarrawonga-Mulwala

Great Ocean Road

* Discover bushland, beaches, kangaroos at Anglesea

* See the epic waves of Bells Beach, home of the world's longest-running surfing competition – the Rip Curl Pro Surf & Music Festival near the surfing town of Torquay

* Swim, surf and fish in Lorne

* Walk through the lush rainforest of the Otway Ranges and see the spectacular waterfalls

* Marvel at the limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles from the Port Campbell National Park

* Watch whales from Warrnambool or Sea kayak and surf in idyllic Apollo Bay

* Visit the annual folk festival in historic Port Fairy

Grampians

* Trek the spectacular ridges of the Grampians, which dramatically rise from the flat expanse of Victoria's west

* In the Grampians National Park you can go bushwalking, rock climbing, fishing and canoeing.The park is also a haven for wildlife, wildflowers and Aboriginal art sites

* Fish on the banks of the Wimmera River in the peaceful rural town of Horsham

* Visit the beautiful village of Dunkeld at the Grampian’s southern end

High Country

* Ski or snowboard at Mount Hotham, Australia’s powder capital, or on the steep slopes of Falls Creek.

* At Mount Buller, tackle winter sports, biking or four wheel driving

* Visit wineries surrounded by gum trees in Rutherglen

* Go houseboating, fishing and waterskiing at Lake Eildon

Gippsland

* Hike, dive and snorkel in the pristine coastal wilderness of Wilsons Promontory National Park and Marine National Park

* Explore Gippsland Lakes from Lakes Entrance along with Ninety Mile Beach, where fine sands shelter the planet’s highest diversity of species

* Discover the protected eco systems of the Croajingolong National Park

* Explore an ancient caves at Buchan Caves Reserves

* four wheel drive the Australian Alps in the Alpine National Park

* fish and boat in the historic port of Sale and enjoy fine wine and dining in Traralgon

Goldfields

* Pan for gold at Sovereign Hill

* Discover the grand architecture in and around Ballarat from the Gold rush boom

* In Bendigo explore a rich Chinese heritage, Victorian buildings and descend the equivalent of thirty-storeys in the Central Deborah Gold Mine

* In Maryborough discover antiques, gold rush architecture, wineries and Aboriginal rock water wells

Melbourne

* Situated on the Yarra River at Port Phillip Bay, this vibrant city is often called the “cultural capital of Australia”

* Enjoy some retail therapy on upmarket Chapel Street or funky Brunswick Street

* Enjoy a sunset beer on the St Kilda promenade

* Ride a bike along the banks of the Yarra

* Wander Southbank’s cafes, bistros and bars

* Sample the world’s cuisine in Carlton, Richmond and Fitzroy

* Take an Aboriginal Heritage Walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens