10 minute read
Spectacular road trips
SPECTACULAR
ROAD TRIPS
The Great Ocean Road is one of the world’s bestknown drives. Here we have highlights you may not have discovered – four more spectacular road trips proving our State is well worth exploring.
BEYOND THE 12 APOSTLES, THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD DRIVE
The Great Ocean Road, which celebrated its centenary last year, is one of world’s most famous drives for a reason. The 243km road was built by ex-servicemen following their return from World War 1, forming the world’s largest war memorial. It takes in a region rich in diversity with contrasting natural beauty, with hinterland waterfall walks traversing lush forests and lively salt-washed villages serving tantalising gourmet fare. Head inland after Geelong to allow yourself plenty of time to savour Dan Hunter’s Brae, awarded Regional Restaurant of the Year 2020 in the Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards. Set on a hillside in Birregurra, Victoria, Brae is a contemporary restaurant set on a working organic farm – a place to be immersed in nature and savour the land’s bounty. An ever-changing set menu incorporates produce from Brae Farm, coupled with its surrounding land and local, ethical producers to showcase a unique Australian cuisine built around an immense respect for nature and seasonality. After your meal, there’s the option to spend the night in one of six spacious, eco-friendly guest suites reflecting Brae’s gorgeous natural surrounds. Visitors can break up one of the world’s most spectacular coastal drives by embracing the lush greenery and getting up close and personal with the region’s thriving flora, fauna, and habitat on one of many wildlife walks. Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve offers visitors a naturally diverse experience of the Australian bush, home to some of the country’s iconic native birds and animals including emus, koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, and echidnas. Take one of five self-guided walks and learn about the area’s Aboriginal Heritage at the Worn Gundidj Visitor Centre.
After venturing to the Twelve Apostles, top off the day with dinner in nearby Port Fairy. Dine in the historic dining room at the Merrijig Inn (Victoria’s oldest), where you can book an overnight stay in country-style comfort. Or make the short journey back to Warrnambool for seafood chowder and a drink or two with stunning bay views at Simon’s Waterfront, staying overlooking the beach in coastal luxury at the Lady Bay Resort.
Extend this road trip by taking an exclusive guided tour through south-west Victoria’s Budj Bim National Heritage Landscape.
Budj Bim Tours operate out of Heywood, Victoria, with itineraries ranging from two hours to a fullday journey. You will learn about the Gunditjmara people’s history and culture from a Gunditjmara guide. During your tour, you will see stone house sites, reconstructed stone houses and stone aquaculture systems over 6,000 years old.
Learn about native food plants, as well as how the Gunditjmara people engineered the landscape to ensure they could live a settled rather than nomadic lifestyle. Even a journey as spectacular as this one must come to an end, so take the inland route back along the Princes Highway and discover welcoming inland villages. (You’ll just have to return at another time to get to know them better.) g
Road trippers can combine the spectacular scenery of the rugged Grampians mountain range with western Victoria’s rich pastoral heritage, beautiful nature reserves and sublime food and wine experiences on this inspiring touring route.
Begin the trip in picturesque Dunkeld and revel in the stunning views of the Grampians’ Piccaninny, Mount Sturgeon and Mount Abrupt. Spend the night at Royal Mail Hotel and indulge the senses with dinner at its two-hatted restaurant, Wickens, before journeying the following day to Halls Gap to discover the ancient history of the area traditionally known as Gariwerd. Delve into the dreamtime stories of the local indigenous people and see enthralling displays of art and artefacts at the architecturally fascinating Brambuk, the National Park and Cultural Centre. Join a tour with Aboriginal guides to visit rock art sites and learn about local Aboriginal culture, including the land’s spiritual significance.
Amid some of Australia’s most aweinspiring wilderness, from gentle walks to multi-day adventures, visitors can test their stamina with a hike through the Grand Canyon up to The Pinnacle. For something a bit less strenuous, wander out to spectacular Mackenzie Falls. The Balconies, located just 30 minutes from Reed Lookout, is a mustvisit for sweeping views of the region. For an unforgettable hiking experience, the first stage of the Grampians Peaks Trail has opened with a three-day, twonight trek through some of the park’s most popular scenery. Rugged mountain peaks, rocky gullies and breathtaking panoramic views dominate this route. Make the most of what the region has to offer and book at least a few nights’ stay. Experience ‘glamping’ under the endless stars at Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park or stay at Aquila Eco Lodges. Perfect for couples, this secluded destination is completely surrounded by dense bushland and wildlife.
As visitors explore the Grampians region, there is plenty to discover. The shiraz at Mount Langi Ghiran is iconic, as are the drops of Halls Gap Estate and Pomonal Estate. No visit to the region is complete without swiping your finger along the dusty barrels in the hand-dug 1860s cellars at Seppelt Great Western, then step back in time underground with a tour of the heritage-listed – and longest – cellar in the Southern Hemisphere.
THE GRAMPIANS
THE GREAT ALPINE ROAD – HIGH COUNTRY
Head to the High Country, where stunning mountains, valleys, rivers, and lakes offer perfect locales for year-round adventure and relaxation. Recharge at renowned restaurants and wineries, discover the vibrant craft brewery scene, or fill your basket at provedores and farm gates brimming with local delights. Visit boutique wineries before stocking up on stunning produce and taste local ingredients in village cafes and restaurants. Visitors can get their caffeine fix at the family-owned small-batch coffee roaster and café, Sixpence Coffee. Go for coffee in the morning and stay for an afternoon drink, when the shared space becomes Reed & Co Distillery. Those with a sense of adventure can take their lunch to the extreme with Bright Adventure Company’s Cliff Picnics, a private dining experience suspended 300 metres above the valley floor.
Victoria’s High Country is one of Australia’s premier cycling destinations. Cyclists can go it alone or book in for one of the region’s newest cycling tours. The new self-guided twilight tour, Sunsets & Sombreros, kicks off at Bright Electric Bikes where visitors can collect their eBike before cycling to Porepunkah for a Mexican Meal at the Rail Trail Cafe, trading a mini-sombrero for a life-size one on arrival.
The neighbouring village of Beechworth possesses an acclaimed food and wine scene set amid stunning gold rush architecture. A stop at Feathertop Winery on the drive from Bright to Beechworth is a must for visitors to pick up a Sparkling Shiraz or a bite to eat on the stunning lawn terrace. Stroll through this picturesque township, filled with lush green trees, boutiques and renowned restaurants and cafes. Stop at the famous Beechworth Honey, combining retail with a fascinating honeybee encounter and a tempting honey-tasting station with more than 30 Australian varieties to enjoy. Popping in to the iconic Bridge Road Brewers or Billson’s Brewery is also a must, with both offering unique craft beers in refurbished historic buildings. For the ultimate indulgent weekend, visitors should book to stay onsite in a luxury suite located in the private courtyard garden at the back of the twohatted Provenance, or at boutique wellness accommodation The Spa Beechworth. Live la dolce vita with fine food, wine, and accommodation, where genuine Italian hospitality lies at the heart of the King Valley experience. Prosecco Road is one of Australia’s oldest gourmet regions, famous for its world-class Prosecco. This exciting food and wine trail will see visitors enjoy intimate tastings with the makers. Dal Zotto were the region’s pioneers of Prosecco when they planted the first Prosecco vines in 1999. It didn’t take long for the variety to sparkle, with Brown Brothers, Chrismont, Pizzini and Sam Miranda following suit.
Stay a few nights among the vines at Lancemore Milawa or close to nature at Valley View Glamping. Book in a pasta-cooking class with Katrina Pizzini, who runs a school at Pizzini, or Politini for cannoli or salami-making classes. Alternatively, grab a map, hop on a bike, and pedal between small producers and wineries, filling basket with cheeses, nuts, honey, wine and olives. g
CLIC K HERE TO LEARN MOR E
DRIVE SOUTH GIPPSLAND COASTAL
The South Gippsland coastal drive provides the opportunity to discover the lush hills of the hinterland through to dreamy coastline, offering gourmet eats and incredible wine along the way.
En route from Melbourne, visitors should make their way towards the small village of Loch. Set among the verdant hills of the Strzelecki Ranges, the picture-perfect town resembles something out of a fairy-tale. The 20th century buildings make for a stunning streetscape as you wander the cafes and boutique stores in this disarmingly charming town. Meeniyan has seen foodies, cafe owners and restaurateurs flock to the area over the past few years, marking the town a worthwhile base for exploring the South Gippsland region.
Check into the stunning property known as Ross Farm, overlooking two acres of open space with uninterrupted views across the Tarwin Valley.
Originally a small dairy farm, the property has been sensitively transformed into beautifully designed modern accommodation, perfect for a break in South Gippsland.
Wilsons Promontory National Park, known as ‘The Prom’, is one of Victoria’s best-loved national parks and the State’s largest coastal wilderness area. Head to Tidal River for the award-winning Pennicott Wilderness Journeys’ yellow amphibious boat ecotour. Witness iconic South Point, the southernmost tip of mainland Australia, and discover a rugged and raw coast like no other.
Marvel at the prehistoric boulders of Mount Oberon situated behind the white quartz sands of Norman Beach before uncovering the iconic granite monolith that is Skull Rock. Sculpted by waves and surrounded by crystal blue waters, Skull Rock’s eerie facade becomes even more mysterious as more skull shapes reveal themselves the closer you get. Visitors can enjoy water-based activities year-round with recreational boating, fishing, sailing, snorkelling, scuba diving and windsurfing. Take the time to enjoy walks and see a variety of wildlife including kangaroos, wombats and emus set against the backdrop of stunning beaches. A longstanding favourite is the 6.9km Squeaky Beach Track. Starting at the Tidal River footbridge, the walk offers spectacular coastal views as it climbs up and over the headland separating Norman and Leonard Bays before descending to Squeaky Beach – don’t forget to take your shoes off and hear the squeak as you walk across the pristine sand.
Be ready for delicious discoveries from the cafes and restaurants across the region that use fresh local food and visit boutique wineries and breweries who create their magic from the crystalclear water of nearby mountain streams.
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