Victoria

Just because it's a cliché doesn't mean it isn't fabulous - the Mornington Peninsula is beloved for a reason. Foodies, nature-lovers, and sun-seekers alike adore this corner of the Earth. Hike through some native coastal bush, visit vineyards and restaurants, or simply relax at the beach. But don't forget to stop by the magnificent Sorrento for lunch and a stroll.

The Dandenong Ranges offer a peaceful realm of eucalypt forests and ferny glades on the edge of Melbourne. From the restaurant terrace at the SkyHigh Mount Dandenong Lookout you can see the city skyline in the distance. Visit the Arboretum, National Rhododendron Gardens, William Ricketts Sanctuary, Grant's Picnic Ground and the Puffing Billy Railway. Small local villages offer cafés, cinemas and boutique shops. Roadside stalls sell Dutch…

There no place that shows the city sprawl of Melbourne better than SkyHigh Mount Dandenong. The restaurant on the top of Mount Dandenong has a roof terrace that overlooks the city and the bay, with several mountain ranges on the horizon. There is an English Garden, Secret Garden, carved tree and a "wishing tree". The giant's chair is fun for group pictures. Save money and bring a picnic/barbecue for a lunch with a view.

When it comes to natural mineral springs, Melbourne doesn't immediately come to mind. But travel a little way way northwest and you'll find yourself deep in Victoria's volcanic plains. The village of Daylesford is a great spot to rest and recuperate. The Hepburn Springs been used as a health and wellness spa since the 19th century, and there's some pretty spectacular architecture and gardens to prove it.

The Macedon Ranges are definitely worth a look-in if you're interested in Victorian wines. A winery tour of country towns such as Kyneton, Woodend and Gisborne are a must - but you'd probably want to take more than a day to get the full experience. If you want to put in a bit of work before cracking a bottle, make the trek up Mount Macedon or go swimming at nearby Turpins Falls.

Formerly known as the National Rhododendron Garden, the Dandenong Ranges Botanical Gardens gives a little hint that there's plenty more here than just rhododendrons. Visit at the sweet spot in springtime to see an amazing burst of pink, red and white rhododendrons, magnolias and azaleas. Visit a little earlier to see cherry blossoms and daffodils put on a show. The temperate rainforest by the riverbank is gorgeous all year round.

Mount Dandenong has everything you need for a full day out. Just quick trip on the eastern freeway and in no time you'll find yourself amongst misty temperate rainforests. I like taking on the national park's hiking trails and exploring the fern groves and stands of mountain ash. You can also check out summit lookouts, picnic areas and nice little cafes in nearby Olinda.

The You Yangs are a distinctive formation on the skyline between Melbourne and Geelong. If you're passing through, you can see the granite ridges sticking out from the surrounding volcanic plains. Head into the national park to explore a totally different landscape. The views from the granite peaks are pretty special, too. The trails are lots of fun for mountain biking and the park is dog friendly if you've got your four-legged friend in…

It might not be much compared to its Victorian Alpine neighbours, but the craggy ridge is definitely worth the hike. The Cathedral Ranges sticks up out of flat pastureland northeast of Melbourne. The steep track is that leads up the ridge is lots of fun to drive. You can hike a challenging 11km circuit or just scale the rocky summit in an hour or two. There's also some space for camping and picnic shelters near the trailhead.

Castlemaine is a little nugget in Victoria's Goldfields region. As a former goldmining town, it's got some pretty speccy architecture, gardens and a heritage railway. Lately it's also become a magnet for city families looking for a tree change - earning it the nickname "North Northcote". Castlemaine's got some great restaurants, cafes and artists studios to check out, as well as a beautiful old cinema.

Wye River? Because it's bigger than a creek! Dad jokes aside, Wye River is my pick of the bunch on the Great Ocean Road. This cozy village has a great surf beach and a General Store that doubles as a neat little cafe/restaurant. Better yet, it's got foreshore camping and a couple of resident koalas that you might spot in the big old manna gums by the waterfront.

Discover fine and contemporary art in Victorias oldest regional art gallery. Located in the historic western Victorian country town of Bendigo, the gallery exhibits both local and international artists and has a fantastic cafe and gift shop on the premises. Enjoy a lunch of local produce at one of the many cafe's and bakeries in the town.

The beautifully preserved gold rush era buildings of Maldon will transport you back in time. Stroll beneath the ornate verandas of the main street, enjoy local produce at the cafe's and bakeries and explore the historical remnants of it's 19th century heyday.

Castlemaine boasts a great deal of culture and variety for a small regional city. You can see films and concerts from touring and local musicians at the art deco Theatre Royal, shop for antiques and local produce at the weekly Wesley Hill market, have a coffee in the towns picturesque main street or visit the local art gallery.

Visit the historic town of Echuca, located on the banks of the Murray river that divides the states of Victoria and New South Wales. Here you can take a memorable paddlesteamer boat ride up the river and witness the unique ecology of the riverside landscape. Cool off with a dip in the river and enjoy a lunch of fresh Murray cod from the local restaurants.

A laid back coastal get away, Barwon heads has the best of the Ballarine peninsula is at your finger tips. 13th Beach is a beloved surf spot but for calmer water check out the front beach that's just a short walk from the bustling main street. Nature reserves and walks are plentiful and peaceful and you can feast on fresh seafood at one of the fantastic restaurants by the beach.

Heidi is a one of the kind place to discover Australian architecture, art and history in an iconic bushland setting. Exhibiting some of the most beloved Australian artists of the 19th, 20th and 21st century you can weave through the galleries that are set in beautifully landscaped the gardens.

A great place for hiking and rock climbing, with numerous tracks that range in difficulty. Pack a picnic and take in the gumtree lined slopes of this stunning gorge located only 65km's from Melbourne.

Take in the delightful architecture of this Victorian era mansion located just 30 minutes from Melbourne. The grand house is set up as a museum where you can peruse the luxurious interiors of it's former inhabitants, enjoy a coffee in the Mansion Café, and play croquet in the sprawling gardens. A wonderful day trip for young and old alike.

A wonderful destination for families and animal lovers, enjoy a safari style tour of this open range zoo that is home to a combination of African and Australian animals. It has educational exhibitions, opportunities for behind the scenes action with the animals and zoo keepers as well as evening events with live music and food.

A magical place to take the kids, Fairy Park is a fairytale themed amusement park located about an hour from Melbourne. Little ones will delight in the animatronic exhibits of fairy tale and nursery rhyme favourites as well as the many playgrounds the park has to offer. Bring your own snacks or purchase lunch onsite from the food caravan.

A truly magical place that offers the best of Victorian nature, beaches and wildlife, you won't run out of things to do on a visit to Philip Island. Explore rock pools, cliffs and forests in the coastal Nature Park, hit the surf at Cowes or make some furry mates at the Koala Conservation Centre.

Soar above the tree's and take in stunning coastal views of the Mornington Peninsula at Arthurs Seat. The state of the art Sky Lift will tour you down the slopes of the state park and when your done you can have a swim and some fish and chips at the beautiful sandy beach of neighbouring Dromana.

This massive National Park holds several waterfalls, lush ferny gullies, caves and an abundance of wildlife. Enjoy a wide range of hikes and circuit walks through dense forest and towering gum tree's in this spectacular landscape. Come for the day or stay and camp at one of the many campsites.

Venture underground into the maze of stalactite and stalagmite laced caves of Buchan. These magical caves are filled with beautiful limestone formations that have developed over thousands of years. Take a tour and learn more about this awe inspiring geological occurrence.

Squeaky Beach is named for it's quirky quartz sand that squeaks when you walk on it but this beach is loved for it's picturesque turquoise waters and sheltered, cove bay. Surrounded by pristine forest, you can take a 50 minute walk from Tidal River through scrub and coastal scenery before taking a dip in the dazzling waters of the beach.

Youngsters can learn through interaction and play at this educational, hands on science museum which is equipped with a state of the art Planetarium. Events and activities are held daily so check out their programme and exercise your brain while having fun.

Badger Weir Reserve is a magical parkland with a lush, shaded walking track that runs alongside a fern lined stream. Great for the young and old, there are beautiful picnic grounds and a range of birdlife living in the Eucalyptus canopy above.

Set amongst massive Mountain Ash gumtrees, ferns and mystical fog, the Sherbrooke Forest Walk in the Dandenong Ranges is awe inspiring. The magical walk is easy going and you'll be rewarded with bird and wildlife sightings, crisp mountain air and picnic and BBQ grounds to relax in.

Whether you like roaring surf beaches or peaceful bay waters, you can take your pick in Sorrento. The suburb is the next-to-last stop on the Mornington Peninsula and is the perfect spot for a sunny beach trip from Melbourne. Seal the deal with a visit to the Portsea Pub for a pint and chippies.

See some of the Yarra Valley parkland's amazing mountain-ash forests in Toolangi State Forest. My favourite trail is the Tanglefoot Track, which weaves though fern groves at the foot of towering eucalyptus trees. Keep an ear out for the vocal gymnastics of the lyrebirds that live in this forest. You might also see parrots, rosellas, cockatoos, honeyeaters and whistlers in the treetops.

Rent a car and head out along one of Australia's most spectacular coastal highways. It starts in Torquay (just outside of Melbourne) and runs about 250km to Allansford. There's surf beaches, lighthouses, wildlife, the Twelve Apsotle rock formations and much more to discover.

Beaches, wildlife and motor sports. Yep, that's the curious combination that awaits on this island set a quick ferry ride from Stony Point. There aren't too many places in the world where you can walk with penguins, visit a koala conversation center and watch classic car and motorbike races in the same day.

Werribee Gorge feels a world away from the western city fringe. Pack a picnic and your birdwatching binoculars to make the most of this secret pocket of bushland. Visit in early springtime to see the woodlands turn golden with blossoming wattle.

Go the extra mile along Port Philip Bay and experience the amazing beaches on the Mornington Peninsula. Mount Martha's broad southern beach has a lifesaving club and golden sands. Don't forget to explore the craggy cliffs and rockpools that border the beach. Definitely a few treasures to be found!

Dromana is one of those beaches that gets everything right - turquoise waters, colourful beach boxes, a nice long stretch of sheltered sand backed by banksias and a great fish and chip shop to top it all off. A bit of a trek from Melbourne but worth it for the beautiful clear waters and wide open space.

Just a half-hour drive from Melbourne on the eastern freeway, Warrandyte marks a leafy bend in the Yarra River. If the sun's out, grab your swimmers and head for rocky beaches shaded by enormous old gum trees. Warrandyte has a few walking trails and mining heritage sites to explore, too, so there's plenty to explore whatever the weather.

The eastern suburb of St Andrews is one of Melbourne's prettiest pockets. Visit on a Saturday to check out the weekly market, where local stallholders sell honey, flowers, handcrafts and other goodies. I'd recommend taking the 30-minute walking trail through Peter Franke Reserve to reach the market and discovering the woodlands and gold mining history along Smiths Gully Creek.

If the sun is shining, pack an esky and head for Turpins Falls. This deep-water billabong tucked within acres of farmland nearby Kyneton will definitely take you by surprise. Steep rock walls seem to appear out of nowhere and surround a deep pool on three sides, making it a pretty amazing spot to explore and go swimming.

Plenty Gorge is a secluded little pocket of bushland northeast of Melbourne. I enjoy spending a bit of time exploring the walking trails that wind around the wetlands and lakes in this area. The park shows how Melbourne might have looked prior to European settlement. You can go birdwatching or check out some of the Wurundjeri artifacts located throughout the park.

Rain or shine, Healesville is a perfect little getaway. I love visiting the Healesville Sanctuary or taking a trip to the TarraWarra Museum of Art. Plus, the Yarra Ranges National Park on your doorstep so you can go hiking or kayaking in beautiful temperate rainforest just an hour's drive from Melbourne. Afterwards, there's loads of wineries and breweries to take your fancy.

Warburton is a wonderful escape just a little over an hour's drive from Melbourne. It's pretty special to see the mighty Yarra River as a gentle mountaintop stream flowing from nearby Mount Donna Buang. Visit on a hot day to swim in the river waters or explore the snowy rainforest on a cold winter's day. The view from the mountaintop across the Yarra Ranges is something else!

Make the 38km journey from Lilydale railway station to the mountain-ash forests of riverside Warburton by bike along the Lilydale-Warburton Rail Trail. I'd recommend doing this trip at a leisurely pace over two days, but if you're a keen cyclist you can get it done in a day. Formerly a railway bed, the trail is mostly flat and passes through some beautiful riverside towns.