Best Country Towns in Victoria
Bendigo
The scenery here is incredibly beautiful and has a very European small-town vibe. It was peaceful, cozy, and picturesque. Popular places to go are:
Sacred Heart Cathedral: Victoria’s largest cathedral with magnificent Gothic-style architecture. The grassy lawn in front of the cathedral is also very beautiful and looks like something out of a movie.
Bendigo Art Gallery: A lovely art gallery with a cute and cozy interior. There is also a painting space for children.
Rosalind Park: You must visit the lookout point for an amazing view of Bendigo. I took lots of pictures and posted them on social media, and my friends loved it!
Central Deborah Gold Mine: An underground gold mine experience. I have written a guide on it in my next article. You can buy tickets on their official website for AUD 35 for adults and AUD 25 for children.
Ballarat
Sovereign Hill in Ballarat is a must-visit attraction. There were still plenty of things to see and do! At Sovereign Hill, you can try gold panning by the river, visit the underground tunnels, watch how gold was smelted, explore the newspaper office to see how newspapers used to be printed, make candy at the candy store, take a horse-drawn carriage ride, and even go on a 45-minute immersive experience about the story of workers being trapped underground in the past!
Warrnambool
Warrnambool is also the end point of the Great Ocean Road, and there are too many fun things to do there, such as whale watching and visiting the Deep Blue hot springs.
Daylesford
Daylesford retains many Victorian-era features. Due to the gold rush, many immigrants from Switzerland, Italy, and other countries settled here. Their influence on local gardening and architecture has made the whole town full of European colours. In addition, it is also a spa town, and the local hot springs are also very good.
Warburton
Warburton is a charming town on the Yarra River, surrounded by dense forests. There is an artist’s grandfather’s castle in the town that you must visit. The famous redwood forest is also nearby and is very spectacular, giving off a Twilight-esque feeling.
Sassafras
This town is located in the Dandenong Ranges, and its cafes, tea rooms, and bakeries are all worth checking out. There’s even an old-fashioned lollipop shop. Miss Marple’s Tearoom is a must-visit for afternoon tea.
Dunkeld
This town is located at the foot of the Sturgeon (Wurgarri) Range, adjacent to Grampians National Park. You can hike up Mount Abrupt and enjoy stunning views of the Grampians. You can also camp at Lake Wartook, which has breathtaking scenery.
Macedon
This town is located at the foot of Mount Macedon, and Honour Avenue, a famous maple tree-lined street, is a must-visit during autumn. There are several famous cafes in town, and you can also hike in Macedon Regional Park.
Noojee
Noojee is a small town in Victoria that features a must-visit attraction – the Noojee Trestle Bridge. You can walk on the bridge and have a fantastic experience. Nearby, Toorongo Falls offers a magical ambience with towering ferns and rainforests. Walking along the creek is a particularly enjoyable experience.
Bright
Bright is a small town in Victoria that is famous for its stunning autumn foliage along Maple Avenue, a popular spot for leaf-peeping. Additionally, the nearby Mount Buffalo offers an abundance of beautiful scenery to explore. The mountain has excellent hiking trails and a fantastic lookout at the summit.
Wilsons Promontory Gippsland
Located at the southernmost point of Victoria, Wilsons Promontory is home to the Big Drift desert and Wilsons Promontory National Park. Visitors can also see koalas, kangaroos, and emus on the Prom Wildlife Walk. Wilsons Promontory Cruises offer boat tours to see seals and whales.
Echuca
Echuca used to be one of the busiest ports on the Murray River and the steamboat capital of Australia. It has a strong historical flavour. You can take a steamboat tour on the Murray River, stroll along the coastal road, grab a cup of coffee at a historical café, or visit a museum if you’re interested.
Mornington
Mornington Peninsula is a popular destination for its hot springs, rainbow-coloured beach boxes, and scenic cable car rides (weather permitting). It’s a breathtakingly beautiful place.