|
Holiday
Planner
A
better way to plan your trip
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
A
simple guide to planning your holiday in Western Victoria
( and South Australia)
There have been numerous tourist guides published covering
this region but most of them suffer from the fact they are
highly structured, a typical example is "The Great Southern
Touring Route, which assumes that your trip will start in
Melbourne and then you are told in which towns you should
stay and for exactly how long.
Our system is better and simpler - simply choose the region(s)
that you would like to see and stay at least one night in
each (or longer if you have time).
Each region on the map below is about about 2 hours driving
from edge to edge ( or centre to centre) which should help
you plan travel times, the only exception to this is if you
take The Great Ocean Road which due to the tight winding road
conditions along the coast will take at least 4 hours driving
time from Geelong to Port Campbell - if you take the main
highway the driving time across this region is still only
two hours
If you were Michael Schumaker you could could
cover all of the five regions in one day but you wouldn't
see much, so if enjoyment is your aim rather than kilometers
covered then try to stick to the suggested one region - one
night.
|
|
|
Great
Ocean Road
One
of the most scenic coastal drives on the planet - rain forest
and bush on one side and the southern ocean on the other, dotted
along the road are secluded sandy beaches, pretty coastal villages
and rugged coastline - what more could you ask for - well maybe
an Aston Martin convertible to do it in !! |
|
Torquay (pop
6000) - the centre of Australia's surfing industry
and busy and bustling holiday resort town and being close
to Melbourne means that it is packed during peak holiday seasons.
Whistle-stop touring - a visit to Surfworld
Surfing Museum, the factory outlets of Quicksilver and Rip
Curl and a drive along the Front Beach - allow about 2-3
hours
Longer stays -
there are a number of interest day trip around the Bellarine
Peninsula including trips to Queenscliff, Portarlington St
Leonards and Geelong also there are several good wineries
and historic steam railway
|
|
|
Anglesea
(pop 2000) - 15 kms from Torquay,
Anglesea was once considered to be a family seaside resort,
now becoming a destination for "Seachangers". still
a very popular during the holiday season
Lorne
(pop 1100) - A popular and fashionable
(albeit trendy ) town in the centre of the Great Ocean Road,
very busy during peak seasons.
Whistle-stop touring
- Apart from the town itself there is not much in the way
of "must see" attractions, Erskine falls which is
about 10km out of Lorne is a good way to fill in an hour -
a lunch time stop over or an overnight stay will give you
plenty of time to see the town
Longer stays - a number of good rain forest
walks plus thriving cafe culture, good swimming beach and
a good place to take your Porsche or BMW on a holiday where
it is sure to meet other cars of a similar class
Apollo Bay (pop
1200) - As Lorne has become busier, towns like
Apollo Bay are becoming more popular, originally a small coastal
fishing town that also serviced the Otways timber industry,
is now a thriving tourist destination. Quite a few good restaurants
and loads of accommodation options
Whistle-stop touring
- a walk around the foreshore and harbour and a drive up to
Mariners lookout are a good introduction to the town, and
a visit to the Cable station historical museum are the main
things to see in the town. 10 kms to the West is Maits Rest
which is a worthwhile stop over but best done coming into
or out of Apollo Bay ( depending on the direction you are
traveling) . an overnight stay in Apollo Bay is a common
option for anyone traveling on The Great Ocean Road
Longer stays -
Apart from the obvious seaside holiday attractions - day trips
to Cape Otway light station and rain forest walks are high
on the list of things to do if you have a few days
|
Western
District - Shipwreck Coast -
If you are looking for Mary McKellars "Wide
Brown Land" then you won't find it here! This is some of
the prettiest farming country in the state ( if not Australia
). Against this backdrop of green is the spectacular coastal
scenery of the 12 Apostles and the national parks at Peterborough
and Port Campbell, the historic towns of Portland and Port Fairy
and not forgetting |
|
Port
Campbell (pop 450) is
a small coastal village which in recent years (due to its
proximity to the iconic 12 Apostles), has been transformed
into a popular tourist destination
Peterborough
(pop 200) set at the mouth of
the Curdies river, it was once the favorite summer holiday
destination for many farmers and graziers of the western district,
Is now becoming an alternative destination to Port Campbell.
A good fishing destination -
|
|
|
(Peterborough
and Port campbell are only abbout 10kms apart and the suggested
itinerary applies equally to both towns)
Whistle-stop touring plan to stop at 3 or 4
spots along this 20 kilometer strip of spectacular coastal
scenery - 12 Apostles - Loch Ard Gorge - London Bridge - Bay
of Islands are probably the best choices
Longer stays trips
into the hinterland to visit the farming towns of Timboon
Cobden and Simpson also a winery tour to Heytesbury Ridge
and to Timboon farmhouse
cheese
Warrnambool
(pop 30,000)- the major city
in the region, but still small enough to retain that seaside
holiday feel, also large enough to have live theater's, a
multi screen cinema complex, numerous pubs and clubs, a full
range of sporting facilities, plus something over 50 restaurants
( at last count ) The city also has one of the best beaches
along this section of the coast and attracts large numbers
of tourists during the summer months
Whistle-stop touring
, a walk around the breakwater and a BBQ or picnic lunch at
the Lake Pertobe Adventure playground, plus a drive to Thunder
Point, Pickering Point and Hopkins River should fill in an
hour quite nicely.
Longer stays a
visit to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, a cruise up the
the Hopkins river or a trip to Port Fairy, Koroit and Tower
Hill should be on the list of things to do.
Port Fairy (pop
2700)is a quaint historic fishing village built
at the mouth of the Moyne river. Originally called Belfast
( and privately owned ) it suffered several economic setbacks
in the late 1800's and has become one of those "frozen
in time" destinations. There are more than 50 National
Trust classified buildings in the town and the area around
the wharf is picture postcard material
Whistle-stop touring
a walk from Sackville St to the wharf, including a visit to
the History centre is a good way to see many of the towns
historic buildings and the picturesque Moyne river, possibly
fish and chips on the wharf
Longer stays day
trip to Tower Hill, Koroit and Warrnambool, plus on the Western
side of the town "The Crags"
Portland
(pop 9500)- Victoria's oldest
city and now a predominantly industrial town with a major
deep water port and the Alcoa Aluminium smelter. Portland
gives little in the way of concessions to tourism but if you
look below the surface you will quickly find Portland's rich
historic heritage. There is over 200 National Trust-listed
buildings which date back to the 19th century.
Whistle-stop touring
a walk around the beach front past some of the historic buildings
and a ride on the cable tram, also a drive around the wharf
and the aluminum smelter
Longer stays Portland
is one of the states great fishing spots with plenty of wharfs
and piers to fish from, or a visit to Cape Nelson State Park
and the Cape Nelson lighthouse or to either of the two local
wineries
Nelson
a small village situated at the mouth of the Glenelg river,
just a few kilometers east of the South Australian border
and comprising of a pub, motel and a general store.-
Back to Map
|
S.E.
South Australia - Limestone Coast
This is Australia's premier wine region and if
you are visiting Western Victoria then it is definitely worth
driving an extra two hours to visit the part of the country.
Apart from the famous Coonawarra wine region, there is also
some great tourist attractions which includes the seaside villages
of Robe and Port MacDonnell, some very impressive limestone
caves, cave diving and not forgetting Mount Gambiers famous
blue lake |
|
Robe
(pop
750) a
pretty coastal fishing town and popular holiday resrt town
with an interesting history.
A 17km strip of white sand known as Long beach , great fishing
and a number of great wineries are three good reasons to visit
Robe.
Whistle-stop
touring call into the local
Information Centre so see some of the towns fascinating early
history plus spend an hour walking around the town and fishing
marina
|
|
|
Port
MacDonnell (pop
650)located about 30km south of
Mt Gambier, Port MacDonnell’s was once an important trading
port, these days best known as a commercial and recreational
fishing port
Whistle-stop
touring . A couple of kilometer
out of town stands Dingley Dell, the restored home of poet
and horseman Adam Lindsay Gordon
Millicent
(pop
5075), a thriving town 50km from
Mt Gambier, and the centre of the states paper industry.
Whistle-stop
touring a visit to the National
Trust Millicent Museum, whose collection includes 16 immaculately
restored horse-drawn vehicles and carriages, and the Admella
Gallery are well worth while.
Mt
Gambier
(pop 24,000) the 'Blue Lake City' is South
Australia's second largest City, located midway between the
major capital cities of Melbourne and Adelaide,known for its
volcanic craters, lakes and interesting caves The tourist
attractions include Tarpeena Fairytale Park, the Mt Gambier
Animal and Reptile Park, The Apple Farm and Granny Smith's
Tearoom
Whistle-stop touring
visit the Lady Nelson Discovery Centre or a take a historic
walk around the city centre which takes you past a variety
of 19th century buildings constructed in local limestone,
freestone and pink dolomite.
Longer stays the
city has quite a few interesting galleries and museums or
a day trip to one of the pretty coastal towns ( Port MacDonnell
Robe, Beachport) and a winery tour to Coonwarra region should
be on the agenda
Penola (pop 1200)-
Gateway to one of the worlds great wine regions, Penola is
also famous for one time resident,’ Sister Mary McKillop,
founder of the Josephite Order and short-listed by the Vatican
for sainthood.
Whistle-stop touring
Penola's Petticoat Lane recreates a shopping street of the
1850s.
Longer stays Winery
tour -Winery tour - Winery tour -
Narracorte (pop 4650)a
little further north from Penola, Naracoorte is a laid-back
town at the centre of thriving pastoral, agricultural and
viticultural community. Local attractions include two cave
systems, Victoria and Alexandra and the Wonambi Fossil Centre
Whistle-stop touring
a visit to Sheep’s Back Museum, while you can watch the
manufacture of woolen products from the viewing gallery
Longer stays .a
visit to the Narracorte caves or Winery tours
Back
to map
|
Wimmera
- Grampians
The Australian Postcard - This is the quintessential
Australia all in one small area - Traditional wheat and sheep
country, with flat plains dotted with homesteads, shearing sheds
and gum trees, and neatly placed the middle of this plain is
a an attractive mountain range ( The Grampians) filled with
Australian native flora and fauna, throw in some historic goldfields,
ancient aboriginal art sites and a few wineries and you have
the recipe for great holiday |
|
Halls
Gap (pop 300) - this
small township is located at the Northern tip of the Grampian
National park is the main stopping off point for visitors
to the Grampians. Halls Gap has a small shopping centre with
one supermarket, one service station, several restaurants
and a large number of motels and cottage style accommodation
|
|
|
Dunkeld (pop 450)
located at the southern tip of the Grampians is not as
dependent on tourism as Halls Gap and more typical of country
towns in the region, and now a good alternative destination
to Halls Gap
Whistle-stop touring
- the main attraction in this region is the scenery and geography
and the drive through the National park will show you that,
also worth visiting, Brambuk ( the local aboriginal cultural
centre) or a drive to Boroka lookout, or McKensies Falls should
only take about an hour.
Longer stays -
This area is good bush walking country and abounds with wildlife,
also has some fairly significant aboriginal rock art. Visits
to local wineries, day trips to Stawell and Ararat and ballooning
tours are also popular.
Casterton
(pop 2000) a quiet country town
that has one major claim to fame - it is the birthplace of
the Australian Kelpie
Stawell
(pop 6250) - Gold was found near Stawell in 1853
and is still producing gold today. The town is a service centre
for the local region and is overshadowed by is proximity to
the Grampians but is worth visiting, and has a fascinating
history if you are willing to do a bit of searching
Whistle-stop touring
A visit to the Stawell Gift hall of fame and
a drive past Central Park to at least say that you have "been
there", also Casper World in Miniature is a bit quirky
but worth looking at if you have an hour or two to spare
Ararat (pop 7000) - A landing
tax to deter the Chinese from going to the Ballarat goldfields
forced many to disembark in Robe(SA) and make their way overland
to Ballarat. Many of them found gold in Ararat and stayed,
and today the town has many descendants of the original miners
and also a thriving Chinese heritage. Its early wealth created
a thriving township with many fine buildings, most of which
still exist today.
Whistle-stop touring
the Gum San Chinese Heritage centre and "J Ward"
which was a maximum security prison for the criminally insane
are both worth visiting, but will take about two hours, if
you only have limited time then a walk around the main streets
and look at some of the fine historic buildings
Longer stays a
visit to one of the many wineries in the area and day trips
to the Grampians ( applies equally to both Stawell and
Ararat )
Back
to Map
|
|
Central
Goldfields
-
For anyone with an interest in Australian history,
this is a "must visit" region - The discovery
of gold in the early 1850's and the miners rebellion a few
years later have left a unique legacy to Australia's heritage.
Australia's Gold mining - The birth of Australia - historic
towns - famous wineries - bush
walking are just some of the reasons to visit this region
|
|
Ballarat
(pop 82,000) Ballarat has
had a profound influence on the Australia's history, from
the discovery of Gold and its effect on attracting settlers
from the old world, and also the "Eureka Rebellion"
which has become a symbol for Australian autonomy. Gold was
also responsible for generating a large amount of wealth in
the city and provided a legacy of some of the states finest
Victorian buildings and architecture
|
|
|
Whistle-stop
touring the "must see" attractions
in Ballarat will take most of the day, and include Sovereign
Hill, The Eureka Stockade, The Gold Museum, if your time is
limited then and a drive around the CBD to see the impressive
collection of Victoria era buildings in Lydiard St, Sturt
St and a drive around the lake will take about an hour.
Longer stays lots
of interesting places to visit if you have the extra time
- Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, the Botanic Gardens, Ballarat
Wildlife Park and an Aviation Museum are just a few of the
numerous attraction in the city and that is before thinking
about visiting some of the many interesting towns in the area
Castlemaine
(pop 7500) - a charming country
town which was founded on gold, but which quickly ran out
leaving the town virtually frozen in time. Lots of magnificent
old buildings which have been faithfully preserved, including
the ornate Market Building (1862), which now home to the Castlemaine
Visitor Centre
Whistle-stop touring
a visit to the Theatre Royal ( the oldest surviving theatre
in the state), where femme fatale Lola Montez once entertained
the miners, also the historic Castlemaine gaol
Longer stays the
Castlemaine Art Gallery whose collection includes Frederick
McCubbin's Golden Sunlight which was donated by Dame Nellie
Melba. Also on the itinerary should be a trip to one of the
regions historic townships such as Clunes and Talbot
Daylesford - Hepburn Springs
(pop 3500) - boasting 50 per
cent of the nation’s known mineral springs, has made
this area the spa centre for Australia, in fact Daylesford
was a fashionable health resort for Melbourne's upper crust
as early as 1870. The town also has a large population of
alternate lifestylers which is reflected in the large numbers
of galleries and arty crafty shops
Whistle-stop
touring a visit to one of the spa centres or
just browsing through the many art galleries and craft shops
Longer stays there
are numerous short and long walking tracks in the area
|
| |
|
Motel Price Guide -
the following list is based on the average prices for a double room
in a 4 star rated motel in the various towns and cities in the region.
Typically 3.5 star rated properties will be about 10 to 15% less -
|
| Town/City |
Off Peak
|
Peak
|
| Apollo Bay |
110
|
150
|
| Ararat |
$75
|
$95
|
| Ballarat |
$85
|
$100
|
| Daylesford |
$100
|
$140
|
| Dunkeld |
$100
|
$130
|
| Geelong |
$85
|
$100
|
| Halls Gap |
$95
|
$130
|
| Lorne |
$110
|
$150
|
| Mt Gambier |
$85
|
$110
|
| Narracooorte |
$80
|
$100
|
| Penola |
$80
|
$100
|
| Port Campbell |
$100
|
$140
|
| Port Fairy |
$100
|
$130
|
| Robe |
$100
|
$140
|
| Stawell |
$85
|
$110
|
| Torquay |
$100
|
$130
|
| Warrnambool |
$85
|
$105
|
| The
Whirlwind tour option (not something that I would recommend)
but if your time is restricted and you don't mind getting up
at 6:00am in the morning and checking into your accommodation
at 8:00pm at night, then it is possible to cover two regions
per day and still see the major attractions - all you need to
do is select the regions you want to visit then from the descriptions
below, select 2 or 3 of the whistlestop options from each region
and use that as an itinerary. If you can arrange for your meal
stops to coincide with one of the destination you have chosen
to visit, then you can also save a bit of time. |
Port
Campbell one travel writer described
Port Campbell as a windswept village with one pub and a few
take away food places that catered to passing tourists!!
Was he having a bad day or did someone in the town offend him??
|
 |
| To find
out more about this historic little coastal township you need
to read our Port Campbell / Peterborough accommodation page
to find out when and where to stay |
| Robe
- a picturesque , historic fishing village
with great beaches in the middle of Australia's premier wine
growing region. It is a little bit off the beaten track which
means that you don't have fight your way through crowds of tourists. |
|
| Robe also has great seafood
restaurants, lots of local wineries and loads of history - so
if you are planning a relaxing spring holiday then visit our
Robe Accommodation page |
| Cheapest and Dearest the
smaller towns along the Great Ocean road are the most expensive,
and during peak holiday season many have two and three night
minimum stays - this also applies to the Grampians. The least
expensive are the smaller inland towns such as Terang, Camperdown,
Colac and Ararat ect - Also the larger cities of Warrnambool,
Geelong and Mount Gambier will generally be a bit cheaper due
being in a larger and more competitive market |
| Port
Fairy a small historic fishing village
and one of Victoria's earliest settlements. The town has over
50 historically listed buildings and a lot of the town remains
substantially unchanged over the last century |
|
| In recent times a lot
of "top end of town" investment money has poured in
the township creating some up market accommodation that has
added to the towns existing motels, B&B's and caravan parks.
So to find out where to stay and how much you will pay then
you should look at out Port Fairy Accommodation
page |
Warrnambool Information
Page
The first in a series of information pages covering the major
towns and cities in the region - for more information on planning
your summer holiday in Warrnambool - please click on the picture
|
|
Lake
Pertobe
Mini Golf
open 7 days a week from 10 AM to 4 PM
close to the beach on Pertobe Road Warrnambool
|
 |
Grampians
in Bloom
If you are planning a weekend escape then a short spring break
in the Grampians might be the answer - Sunny spring days (
ideal for bushwalking ) and cool nights - curled up in front
of an open fire.
|
|
|
If that sounds like the sort of spring holiday you would like,
then follow the links to the Grampians
Accommodation Page |
|
|
|
