Ballarat is a city founded on the gold rush, one of the greatest the world has ever seen. The streets are lined with the profits of this, with grand Victorian buildings at every turn. The golden past of Ballarat casts light on a modern future for the third largest city in Victoria, with beautiful sights and delicious eats for today’s traveller. Located only 1.5 hours north-east of Melbourne, Ballarat is the perfect day trip or overnight getaway. SEE + DO…
Affectionately known as ‘Warby’, the identity of this little town is defined by the river. In the warmer months, it’s a place to cool down with picnics under the shaded shores and the gentle rapids attracting both swimmers and tubers alike. In the cooler months, the riverbank offers fresh air and beauty, for a brisk walk with a coffee in hand.
The Yarra River is a defining feature of Melbourne’s identity, starting up in the Yarra Ranges and flowing down to divide the north and south of the city. Many of our walking trails follow the river and for a full day adventure you can start in Fairfield and go all the way to Federation Square in the CBD.
Wilson’s Prom is a slice of rugged wilderness, a contrasting world to the hustle of Melbourne city life only three hours away. Either out of affection or laziness, or maybe a bit of both, many simply refer to the southern-most tip of Australia as ‘The Prom’. The vastness and diversity of landscape here is a hiker’s dream and no doubt you’ll spend your time here threading your way through the many trails.
The Dandenong Ranges is at its very best, when the weather is at it’s very worst. It’s the kind of place where the rain adds atmosphere – everything is just a little bit greener, the mist hangs low amongst the trees and woodfire smoke tinges the fresh mountain air.
When writing about the Yarra Valley, it’s hard not to start with the wineries. The Yarra Valley was Victoria’s first wine region with the earliest vines planted there in 1838. Today it is a world renowned producer of cool climate wines, known for its sparkling, chardonnay and pinot noir. Another time we’ll cover off some of the lesser knowns, but this is all about the classics – an essential guide for the first timer.
There was a time when Melbourne was the richest city in the world. With the discovery of gold in the 1850s, Collins Street became a hub of development and the end result is many of the beautiful and historic buildings that line the street today. My friends have poked fun at my tendency to post ‘yet another photo of Collins St’, but it’s hard not to admire.
