For most of us, Australia is a dream destination where stunning beaches, lively cities, and amazing wildlife all come together in perfect harmony. Among its many wonders, Victoria stands out as a state full of surprises. With its stunning coastlines, charming countryside, delicious food, and rich culture, Victoria has something for everyone. One day, you can explore the outdoors, and the next, you can enjoy the buzz of the city.
I have spent over 20 years exploring places and creating wonderful experiences for our customers. I found that even experienced travellers like me can still be surprised by many unexplored destinations. Recently, I had the amazing chance to be a part of a Fam trip hosted by Visit Victoria, the official tourism board of the state. The trip was carefully planned to show us the best of Victoria, taking us beyond the famous city of Melbourne. From driving the famous Great Ocean Road to enjoying local food on the Mornington Peninsula, every moment showed off the best of Victoria.
Stay tuned as I take you through this inspiring experience, sharing every detail of my incredible trip.
Our journey started in Melbourne, a city full of life and charm. Now, instead of exploring the city in the usual way, we did it with the Melbourne Foodie Trail. It is one of the best walking and food tours in the city. This Foodie Trail is a unique way to explore the city, experience the local vibe, but the best part was to savour all the popular delicacies of the city. This was not just a food tour it was a chance to explore the flavours that make Melbourne special. Walk through famous laneways, arcades, and old buildings while tasting delicious food. We explored four amazing places, from coffee shops to ice cream spots, while learning about the city’s history. It is a perfect way to enjoy both the food and history of Melbourne! The walk is easy, and there are plenty of vegetarian options at each stop. Wear comfy shoes and come hungry – the food samples are quite filling.
Now, this was just the first half of the day in Melbourne – the second part took us to the most famous Australian symbol – Melbourne Cricket Ground. It is the largest stadium in Australia, holding up to 100,000 people. Walk through the MCG, see where the games are played and learn about its history with a guide.
We took a behind-the-scenes tour to discover the rich history of the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Explored iconic spots like the MCG Long Room and players’ changing rooms and enjoyed panoramic views of Melbourne. It is a perfect experience for group bookings, whether for a team or a fun day out. Want to give your group a taste of Melbourne’s sports vibe? If you have a group of 20 or more, we can also try a special meal at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Dine while taking in the views of the famous field where cricket and AFL history have been made.
After our MCG tour, we had a fun dinner with fellow folks in the travel industry. Then we were back to Crown Metropol Melbourne for the night, feeling excited about what tomorrow would bring.
Day 2 was spent productively with meetings, B2B appointments, and networking. Melbourne is known for having probably one of the best nights after a long busy day at work. So our next visit was to Melbourne, the Skydeck and Eureka 89.
Melbourne Skydeck offers a thrilling experience with its state-of-the-art virtual and augmented reality technology. The multi-million-dollar Voyager Theatre takes guests on a unique journey through Melbourne and Victoria in stunning 8K video, complete with 6D sensory effects, offering an unforgettable, immersive experience.
The real adventure was “The Edge” – a glass cube that comes out from the building with you inside! As I stepped onto the glass-floored EDGE, a platform extending from the building, I felt a rush of excitement. Floating above the city, I could see Melbourne’s buildings, parks, and even the ocean in the distance. It was a view that left me amazed and in awe. When the glass changed from opaque to clear, revealing Melbourne sprawling beneath our feet, I heard gasps from our entire group.
We ended our day at Bar 88 with tasty drinks and snacks. It was Melbourne like never before.
After a busy morning – checking out some of the finest hotels in Melbourne, we headed to Phillip Island – a natural paradise just two hours from the city. Phillip Island is a special place in Victoria where the focus is on wildlife. We had our lunch at Saltwater restaurant. The meal was a treat, perfectly paired with breathtaking ocean views.
It proved to be extremely enjoyable to visit the out-of-the-ordinary sites on Phillip Island. At the Chocolate Factory, we saw amazing chocolate art and a working chocolate village with tiny trains! A Maze N Things made sure that we had belly laughs at some of the incredible optical illusions and mind-bending tricks.
The best part of the day came at sunset when we visited The Nobbies. This stunning coastline has boardwalks where you can walk and see seabirds. Then came the highlight – the Penguin Parade. From the new Premium viewing platform, we saw hundreds of tiny penguins returning to their homes after being out in the sea. Some even came so close that it felt like they were saying hello!
After this magical day, we settled into our comfy rooms at Phillip Island Apartments, with the sound of waves in the background.
This morning, we enjoyed a delightful breakfast at Mon Dieu – a charming local café on Phillip Island that serves fresh farm-to-table dishes in a cozy cottage setting.
Then we proceeded to Visit Maru Koala and Animal Park for an up-close wildlife experience.
Feed and cuddle koalas, kangaroos, and rare white wallabies. Join hourly koala tours to get close with koalas and get inside their enclosure. Do not miss the animal keeper talks, sheep shearing, and wildlife shows!
After visiting Maru Koala and Animal Park, we went to Mornington Peninsula. Just an hour from Melbourne, it was the perfect place to relax. We enjoyed the fresh sea breeze, tasty local food, and the calm coastal atmosphere. There were cozy cafes, art galleries, and small wineries to explore. Next, we headed to Arthur’s Seat Eagle for an amazing gondola ride. As we gently glided above the trees, we took in beautiful views of Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne’s skyline, and the nearby coastline.
Our experience continued with a delightful lunch at Pt. Leo Estate. We savoured delicious local food surrounded by stunning views of vineyards and the ocean. The estate also had a Sculpture Park with over 60 artworks, making it a perfect mix of art, nature, and great dining.
After a delicious lunch, our next stop was the Peninsula Hot Springs. It offered a unique experience, with outdoor thermal pools under the open sky, unlike indoor hot springs in other parts of the world. Each pool felt like a natural spa in which one could swim while sunbathing during the day or gazing at the stars at night. The best part was the infinity pool on the top of the hill where the warm wind and majestic views of the rural countryside take over. Here, the fresh air and open skies made the pool experience peaceful and refreshing.
We started the new day with more memorable experiences ahead. Starting with Sorrento – it charmed us with its history, coastal views, and cozy cafés. From here, we took a ferry ride to Queenscliff – the gateway to the Great Ocean Road.
This ferry ride added a magical touch with stunning views of clifftop mansions, hidden coves, and even dolphins playing in the waves. From Queenscliff – we took off for the iconic road trip on the Great Ocean Road – spanning 243 kilometres along the stunning Victorian coastline. Driving along the Great Ocean Road was a dream, with its dramatic cliffs, lush rainforests, and endless beaches. We stopped at Lorne for its lively vibe and Apollo Bay, surrounded by waterfalls and serene forests.
We enjoyed a delightful lunch at the Great Ocean Road Brewhouse, a popular local spot known for its craft beers, delicious food, and lively atmosphere. It was a great chance to enjoy local dishes and taste the true flavours of the region. The showstopper was Port Campbell National Park, home to the famous Twelve Apostles and London Bridge. Watching these towering rock formations at sunset was incredible. A helicopter ride over the coastline gave us a whole new perspective.
We ended the day in Warrnambool or Whale City. It is renowned for whale watching at Logans Beach. Staying at the cosy Lady Bay Resort, close to the ocean, was the perfect way to wind down after such a beautiful day.
Day 6 started with a relaxing breakfast at The Pavilion Cafe, where we enjoyed beautiful ocean views while having our morning coffee. Then we headed to Ballarat, a charming old city – once the heart of Victoria’s gold rush. Our big adventure for the day was exploring Sovereign Hill
At Sovereign Hill, we stepped into a real-life gold rush town from the 1850s. This huge outdoor museum is super fun – imagine people walking around in old-time clothes and showing us what life was like back then. They bring history to life by acting it out right in front of you!
The best part was trying to find real gold ourselves. Everyone got to use special pans to swish water and dirt around, just like the old-time gold miners did. We could even go down into real mine tunnels underground to see where miners used to work. It was like being in a time machine that took us back to one of Australia’s most exciting times!
After our fun gold rush adventure, we returned to Melbourne and had some nice downtime at our hotel. The best part of the evening was dinner at the Sea Life Aquarium, where we dined while watching sharks swim past and penguins waddle around. It was such a cool way to say goodbye to everyone, sharing our favourite memories of the trip while colourful fish swimming all around us.
As I packed my bags on this final morning, I couldn’t help but smile thinking about this incredible place. Beyond Melbourne, Victoria offers so much more than I ever imagined—an insight I can’t wait to share. I can confidently tell my clients that missing out on the rest of Victoria is like watching only the trailer of a great movie.
Just a few hours from Melbourne, every spot tells a different story – from wild coastal drives to historic gold rush towns. What makes it even better is how easy it is to add these experiences to a trip – the distances are short, and the rewards are big.
So, now, when clients say they want to visit only Melbourne, I am all set to inspire them to add a few more days in this beautiful state. These places are not just stops on a map – they are the magic moments that will make your trip to Australia truly special.
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I Mrs. Ketika Shah (Sales Manager, Flamingo Transworld) Joined Flamingo Transworld in 2002 and started the outbound tour department. I got a chance to explore many countries, took international tours, deal with many people, and understood customers’ psychology. I graduated with B.sc and entered in Aviation and Tourism Industry with the certified course of IATA. I believe in selling quality tours to our customers as our employees are our biggest strengths.
