45 days in Victoria Itinerary

The state of Victoria crown jewel, Melbourne boasts shaded streets, leafy residential neighborhoods, vibrant street life, and a picturesque city center.

Visiting Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park and Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne will get you outdoors. Step off the beaten path and head to William Ricketts Sanctuary and Eastern Beach Reserve. Get out of town with these interesting Melbourne side-trips: Heronswood (in Dromana), Kevin Hoffman Walk (in Lara) and Geelong Botanical Gardens (in Geelong). Dedicate the 14th (Sat) to wine at some of the top wineries in the area. There's much more to do: get up close to creatures of the deep with WaterMaarq, enjoy the sand and surf at Rye Beach, contemplate the long history of St. Patrick's Cathedral, and learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Melbourne Zoo.

To find more things to do, traveler tips, reviews, and tourist information, read Melbourne itinerary planner.

The Route module shows you travel options from your home to Melbourne. Expect a daytime high around 24°C in October, and nighttime lows around 9°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Fri) early enough to drive to Lorne.

Lorne is a seaside town on Louttit Bay in Victoria, Australia. Explore hidden gems such as Erskine Falls and Lorne Beach. Escape the urban bustle at Great Ocean Walk and Mait's Rest. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Lorne: Torquay (Bells Beach & The Great Ocean Road). There's lots more to do: identify plant and animal life at Kennet River Koala Walk, admire the sheer force of Sheoak Falls, and enjoy the sea views from Split Point Lighthouse.

To see other places to visit, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Lorne road trip planning app.

Traveling by car from Melbourne to Lorne takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus; or do a combination of train and bus. In October, daytime highs in Lorne are 24°C, while nighttime lows are 8°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Mon) early enough to drive to Port Campbell.

Port Campbell is a coastal town in Victoria, Australia. Visiting Loch Ard Gorge and Port Campbell National Park will get you outdoors. Step off the beaten path and head to Otway Fly Treetop Adventures and The Grotto. There's still lots to do: tour the pleasant surroundings at Gibsons Steps, get great views at Twelve Apostles, take in the dramatic natural features at London Bridge, and kick back and relax at Wreck Beach.

Take the guesswork out of planning a Port Campbell vacation by using our trip itinerary maker.

Traveling by car from Lorne to Port Campbell takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Thu) early enough to drive to Halls Gap.

Halls Gap serves as a home base for visiting Grampians National Park.

Explore hidden gems such as The Pinnacle and Venus Baths Loop. Get outdoors at Climbing Tours and Grampians National Park. Venture out of the city with trips to Great Western (Seppelt Great Western & ATR Wines), J Ward Museum Complex (in Ararat) and Mt Stapylton (in Laharum). There's lots more to do: take in the dramatic scenery at MacKenzie Falls, get great views at Reed Lookout, don't miss a visit to Boroka Lookout, and learn about winemaking at Fallen Giants.

For where to stay, traveler tips, other places to visit, and other tourist information, go to the Halls Gap trip maker site.

You can drive from Port Campbell to Halls Gap in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Ballarat.

Modern Ballarat is known for its study and innovation of alternative energy sources.

Step off the beaten path and head to Ballarat Wildlife Park and Daylesford Cider Company. Take a break from the city and head to Lake Wendouree and Hepburn Lagoon - Trail Rides. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Ballarat: Daylesford (Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens & Lake Daylesford). There's much more to do: steep yourself in history at Sovereign Hill, take in the architecture and atmosphere at St John's Anglican Church, explore the galleries of Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute, and take in nature's colorful creations at Ballarat Botanical Gardens.

To find traveler tips, maps, photos, and more tourist information, you can read our Ballarat visit planner.

Drive from Halls Gap to Ballarat in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of bus and train. Expect a daytime high around 24°C in October, and nighttime lows around 8°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Bendigo.

The architect Vahland had designs to make Bendigo a "Vienna of the south" by encouraging European artisans to immigrate to the city.

Rosalind Park and Castlemaine Cemetery will appeal to history buffs. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion and Lake Weeroona. Explore Bendigo's surroundings by going to Tahbilk (in Tabilk) and Maldon (Maldon General Cemetery & Mount Tarrengower Lookout). There's lots more to do: explore the world behind art at Bendigo Art Gallery, sample the fine beverages at Henry of Harcourt, go deep underground at Central Deborah Gold Mine, and take in nature's colorful creations at Bendigo Botanic Gardens.

To plan Bendigo vacation without wasting time, ask Inspirock to design an itinerary.

Drive from Ballarat to Bendigo in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus; or take a train. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Thu) so you can drive to Echuca.

Echuca is a town located on the banks of the Murray River and Campaspe River in Victoria, Australia. Port of Echuca Discovery Centre and Byramine Homestead will appeal to history buffs. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at The Great Aussie Beer Shed and Boat Tours & Water Sports. Explore Echuca's surroundings by going to Swan Hill (Pioneer Animal Nursey Inc & Pioneer Settlement), Noorilim Estate (in Strathbogie) and Cactus Country (in Strathmerton). The adventure continues: see the interesting displays at National Holden Motor Museum : Echuca, experience rural life at The Strawberry Pick, look for gifts at Rich Glen Olive Estate, and get engrossed in the history at Echuca Historical Society Museum.

To see other places to visit, reviews, more things to do, and tourist information, refer to the Echuca day trip planning site.

Drive from Bendigo to Echuca in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus; or take a train. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 14th (Tue) so you can go by car to Wilsons Promontory National Park.

Fondly known as ‘The Prom’, Wilsons Promontory is one of Victoria’s best loved national parks.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Wilsons Promontory National Park and Lilly Pilly Gully. Escape the urban bustle at Squeaky Beach and Cape Liptrap Coastal Park. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Wilsons Promontory National Park: Long Jetty Prom Cruises (in Port Welshpool), Agnes Falls (in Hazel Park) and Great Southern Rail Trail (in Toora). The adventure continues: trek along Mt Oberon Summit Walk, enjoy the sand and surf at Picnic Bay, tour the pleasant surroundings at Venus Bay No. 1 Beach, and explore the striking landscape at Tongue Point.

To see photos, ratings, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the Wilsons Promontory National Park online road trip planner.

Getting from Echuca to Wilsons Promontory National Park by car takes about 5.5 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Mon) to allow time to drive to Cowes.

Resting on the northern coast of Philip Island, Cowes is sandwiched between a coast and a forest.

Get in touch with nature at Wildlife Coast Cruises and Conservation Hill Reserve. Explore hidden gems such as Phillip Island Wildlife Park and Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. Spend the 24th (Fri) exploring nature at Churchill Island Marine National Park. And it doesn't end there: step off the mainland to explore Churchill Island, try for a hole-in-one at A Maze'N Things, identify plant and animal life at Rhyll Inlet State Wildlife Reserve, and join in the after-dark buzz at National Vietnam Veterans Museum.

For reviews, other places to visit, traveler tips, and tourist information, refer to the Cowes trip builder.

You can drive from Wilsons Promontory National Park to Cowes in 2 hours. In November, daytime highs in Cowes are 24°C, while nighttime lows are 13°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 26th (Sun) early enough to go by car back home.