Victoria

South of New South Wales is Victoria, a relatively small state however one that is incredibly diverse and full of things to see and do.

The capital city of Melbourne located on shore of Port Philip Bay and is divided into a North and South section by the Yarra River. Melbourne is a buzzing metropolis with a distinctly multicultural flavour and a vibrant arts and cultural scene. The city centre is intertwined with a maze of narrow laneways brimming with intimate cafes (Melbourne is also famous for good coffee), bars and boutique stores. Suburbs such as Carlton and St Kilda are influenced by their immigrant population, making dining out and sight-seeing a unique cultural experience.

In the centre of the city is Federation Square, opposite the historic Flinders Street Station. This multipurpose structure was built during the late 1990’s as a hub for cultural activity in the city, within which galleries, shops, live entertainment and restaurants serve hundreds of tourists daily. The nearby Arts Centre, National Gallery of Victoria and Melbourne Theatre Company also contribute to the artistic atmosphere of the city centre.  In contrast to the arts Melbournians are also sport-fanatics, particularly for Australian Rules Football which has professional competitions every year at the Telstra Dome and the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The Great Ocean Road runs along the coast of Victoria heading toward the South Australian border, and a road trip along through this area is a great way to see the stunning coastline. The most famous outlook from this is the Twelve Apostles in the Port Campbell National Park, a group of 45 metre-high rock stacks stand majestically in the waters of the Southern Ocean. This is a sight that is most breathtaking when the light is softer, so dawn and dusk area ideal times to visit.