Best Weekend Breaks in Victoria | Australian Traveller

A weekend in Victoria offers the chance to indulge in the state’s best bits including fresh country air and heritage charm. Here, the best weekends away in Victoria for your hit list.

Loch

Located in the rolling, lush farming countryside of South Gippsland in ‘Prom Country’, Loch is the kind of delightful small town that Victoria does as stock-and-trade.

An easy drive from Melbourne, the township was bypassed back in 2008, which led to a revival of quaint here. The main street is infinitely strollable, passing by small shops filled with antiques and collectibles and cosy cafes like Udder & Hoe.

Basing yourself in Loch also allows you to sample the wares of the craft breweries, distilleries and wineries that thrive in the area.

The quaint town of Loch is the heart of Gippsland.

Dunkeld

With a population that hovers well under the 1000 mark, Dunkeld is a picture-perfect town that is also a gateway to the impressive scenery and nature of the Southern Grampians.

Divide your days into nature-based pursuits in the morning like hiking the mammoth forms of Wurgarri (Mt Sturgeon), Mud-Dadjug (Mt Abrupt) or Bainggug (the Piccaninny) to absorb panoramic views of the Southern Grampian range, and then spend the afternoon wandering the Dunkeld Arboretum walking track and browsing the shops along the main street before retiring to the Royal Mail Hotel to sample its acclaimed menu (you can – and should – stay here, too).

Clunes

This former gold rush town in Hepburn Shire holds the distinction of being an internationally recognised Book Town, one of only 15 in the world along with the likes of Montereggio in Italy and Ingstrup in Denmark.

The title comes into its own with the staging of the annual book festival; this year’s month-long Turn the Page event will see author talks, panel discussions and workshops held over two weekends in May.

Outside of this, the town is a gem to discover, with much of its gold rush architecture – such as the Clunes Town Hall – wonderfully preserved.

Clune's Town Hall, Victoria. — Clune’s Town Hall, Victoria.

Mildura

Sitting proudly on the mighty Murray River near its junction with the Darling, the fertile soils around Mildura have earned it an enviable reputation for fruit growing, from the juicy citrus variety to the ones you can make seriously good wine out of.

Sample the fruits of the city’s labour (pun intended) at any of the restaurants and bars dotted along Langtree Avenue, or go straight to the source at the cellar doors, farm gates and roadside stalls scattered throughout the region.

Fuel up on coffee and bagels slathered with local avocado at Nash Lane before riding one of the vintage paddle steamers that cruise the distinctive brown waters of the Murray.

Metung

The peaceful waterfront village of Metung is a bit of a secret gem of the East Gippsland region for interstaters, but Victorians love it come holiday time.

Find out what they know by visiting to soak up the lazy village atmosphere, swim, fish and boat its calm waters and enjoy the local produce and fresh seafood that is in plentiful supply; plan your trip to coincide with the farmers’ market, held on the second Saturday of the month.

Finish each day here walking the boardwalk before scoring a table at a nearby café with a glass of something dry and fruity in hand.

Halls Gap

If your idea of the perfect weekend away involves less lounging and more adrenalin, then Halls Gap is for you.

Right in the heart of Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, days here can be filled with everything from abseiling to bushwalking, rock climbing and cycling, before heading back to the village for great coffee and food at any of its cafes and restaurants.

For those who like to take things a bit slower, try a Grampians wine tour or discover the Aboriginal rock art at Gulgurn Manja that tells the stories of the local Jarwadjali people.

Play ‘Paper Scissors Rock’ to determine designated driver before visiting the microbrewery of the same name and checking into your dinky Dulc cabin.

Halls Gap Paper Scissors Rock — Paper Scissors Rock Brew Co., Halls Gap.

Queenscliff

The history and attractions of the Bellarine Peninsula town of Queenscliff belie its size and general laid-back demeanour.

Its position at the entrance to Port Phillip bestowed the town with strategic importance in times gone by, leaving behind a historic fort that you can visit as part of a guided tour, and its distinctive black stone lighthouse – Queenscliff High Light – which is one of only three black lighthouses in the world.

Weekenders should also tick off a visit to the town’s pier, built in 1884, a shopping expedition around its galleries and antique shops, and a snorkelling expedition to swim with the sea lions that dash and dart through the waters offshore.

Trentham

Another gem of a town in Hepburn Shire, Trentham boasts lovely tree-lined streets and a thriving local food scene.

The latter is not surprising considering the rich volcanic soil of the Great Dividing Range is the perfect base for growing all manner of produce – from chestnuts to olives and fruit. But it is the humble spud that is the star here, with many considering Trentham potatoes to be the best around.

The town also has an award-winning bakery – Red Beard Bakery – that produces crunchy, tangy sourdough you are going to want to take away with you.

While here, make time to walk to Trentham Falls – it will help work off the bread and potatoes!

Healesville

This Yarra Valley town and its surrounds are home to a divergent roster of attractions, from verdant national parks to manicured vineyards to a statement-making art gallery with a sharp, modern design that sits in pleasing contrast to the rolling hills of the countryside it looks out at.

Plan to fill a few days here by sampling all of these: wander through the Rainforest Gallery in Yarra Ranges National Park and climb the stairs to its vertiginous observation platform; hit up the cellar doors at TarraWarra Estate and nearby Oakridge Wines; spend an hour or two browsing the art at TarraWarra Museum of Art.

And, while you are in town, it would be remiss of you not to pop into Four Pillars Distillery, which has put the Victorian township on the gin map.

Melbourne

Melbourne has long topped the list as an ideal city to dash to for a quick break filled with shopping, eating and exploring.

Add headlining sporting events, abundant galleries and museums and big-name theatre productions and you still haven’t scratched the surface.

The best thing to do is book a flight now and add to the list yourself.

From cabins to canvas, craft distillers to destination dining, Heathcote locals reveal their eco-savvy passions in ways that resonate with those seeking to travel lightly.

Heathcote , on traditional Taungurung Country in Central Victoria, is synonymous with its garnet-hued shiraz, but wine isn’t the only string to its bow. The town itself is sprinkled with heritage buildings from the gold rush era, and beyond that a growing collection of sustainable gastronomy and eco-friendly escapes. Nearby Bendigo, one of only 65 cities in the world recognised as a UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy, plates up an astonishing calibre of produce, wine and food for its size. Increasingly the entire region is taking up the challenge, though Heathcote in particular shines with its focus on sustainability.

Pink Cliffs GeologicalReserve — The dramatic landscape of Heathcote’s Pink Cliffs Geological Reserve. (Image: Visit Victoria/Emily Goodfrey)

The eco-stays bringing sustainability to Heathcote

Yellow BoxWood’s safari-style tents — Yellow Box Wood’s safari-style tents are nestled on 40 hectares of bushland. (Image: Emily Goodfrey)

Andee and Lisa Davidson spent years working in southern Africa before settling in Heathcote. “We had a vision of how this could be,” explains Andee. “We wanted a retreat, but one that was off-grid and environmentally sustainable.” Now, at Yellow Box Wood , two luxury safari-style tents are at the heart of 40 hectares of rolling hills and native bush, with kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, goanna and birdlife aplenty. It’s all solar-powered, wood for the fire is mainly fallen timber, and water is collected on the carport roof. No lack of creature comforts though – en suite with rain shower, espresso coffee maker, comfy seating, wood-burning fire all set to go. There’s also a solar-heated, mineral salt pool in a bush setting, walking tracks, and even a mini bush golf course. On my visit, I put the vision to the test. Cocooned in the plush four-poster bed I can glimpse the stars, while the heater casts a golden glow on the canvas. In the morning, I wake to a blush-pink sunrise, kangaroos feeding and a soundtrack of magpies.

If a tent is not your style, Stephen and Cally Trompp’s carbon-neutral Mt Ida Eco Cabin might entice with its generous deck and farmland views. Inside the cabin, corrugated iron walls as rusty as a shearing shed, gleaming (recycled) floorboards, timber truss ceiling (crafted by Stephen), wood-fired heater and an old-school turntable with a pile of vinyls to spin. It’s fun, and a little boho. “Everything is recycled. The cabin takes maximum advantage of the sun in winter. It’s all solar-powered. Don’t panic, though,” says Stephen, “you can still charge your phone and get 4G reception!” Settle into an Adirondack chair on the deck or pedal off on a mountain bike to suss out the wineries.

A taste of Spain in Central Victoria

Another person with a vision is Evan Pritchard at his Three Dams Estate where the wines reflect his deep love of Spain and of Spanish-style grapes, such as tempranillo. Afternoons in the ‘wine shed’ or cantina are matched with music (flamenco is a favourite), Spanish bites from tapas to paella (with Evan on the pans!) and views to Mount Alexander. Sustainability is also a passion. “You don’t need to buy anything. We decided to be off-grid from the start, but it is a lifestyle change,” he says. “You need to think about it and be careful.” Everything here is recycled, reassembled, refurbished. Evan has an electric car (with solar-powered charger), solar-power for the winery, and even a jaunty little electric tractor/forklift. “I love the idea of all the things you can do using the sun.” Sipping a crisp rosado (a Spanish rosé) with Evan in the sunshine, I couldn’t agree more.

The vineyard redefining sustainable winemaking

Silver Spoon winery — The Silverspoon Estate winery is completely off-grid. (Image: Graham Hosking)

On the other side of Heathcote, Silver Spoon Estate demonstrates sustainability on a more extensive scale. Tracie and Peter Young’s winery, cellar door, award-winning restaurant and their own house are all solar-powered and off the grid. Sustainability is intrinsic to everything they do. The property sprawls across 100 hectares, with 20 hectares under vine – shiraz, viognier, grenache, tempranillo. As the climate has changed, so too has the approach. These are dry-grown vineyards. “We prune for drought. That means lower yields but more intense flavours,” says Peter. The fine-dining restaurant offers sweeping views, a wood-burning fire and a deck for languid lunches. Head chef Ben Hong sources regional, sustainable ingredients and weaves estate wines into the menu – think crispy wild mushroom arancini, viognier-infused chicken breast.

Silver Spoon’s award-winning restaurant.

Heathcote’s other hidden gems

Not all local wineries have a cellar door, but I find local treasures at the Heathcote Wine Hub , a petite 1855 timber church in the main street, lovingly returned to life by Karen Robertson and Carey Moncrieff. “Carey is a scrounger,” says Karen. “He doesn’t throw a single thing away.” He does, however, craft things into something quite special. Heritage floors, light-filtering lancet windows and shelves of regional wines create the perfect ambience for wine tasting. Or order a glass and linger over a cheese platter.

Heathcote is not all wine, of course. Nathan Wheat and partner Vanessa Curtis run Envy Distilling with a committed sustainable ethic – and a serious love of gin. Their small-batch distillery produces grape-based gin, and soon brandy. Distilled water is reused in an ingenious cooling system. All waste is treated on site. They buy excess wine from winemakers to distil and buy recycled barrels. “Distilling with the sun,” as Nathan says. Each Envy gin has its own story. Spicy, award-winning The Dry, is designed to capture the region’s dry, rugged nature. Pull up a stool at the bar (reclaimed timbers and tiles, of course), order a Gin Flight, or kick back with a cocktail and let Nathan share his eco journey.

Envy gins — Sample gins at small-batch distillery Envy.

A traveller’s checklist

Getting there

It’s less than two hours’ drive from Melbourne. The scenic route we take goes past Sunbury, then along a splendid country road through Romsey and the magic, boulder-strewn landscape of Lancefield. Watch for kangaroos on the road!

Staying there

Go off-grid in style at Yellow Box Wood for glamping or try Mt Ida Eco Cabin for a couple’s weekend hideaway.

Eating there

French dishes at Chauncy — Award-winning French restaurant Chauncy.

At award-winning Chauncy , French chef Louis Naepels and sommelier wife Tess Murray have created a tiny, elegant pocket of rural France. Meticulously restored 1850s sandstone building, sun-drenched dining room, impeccable service, a menu suffused with local flavours and thoughtful wine pairings.

Fodder is both cafe and social hub. Chef Mo Pun and sister Lalita serve classic Aussie breakfast-to-lunch fare, though their Nepalese heritage sneaks through.

Playing there

Sanguine Estate ’s cellar door and terrace overlook bucolic vineyards. Its award-winning, dry-grown wines include the distinctive D’Orsa Blanc dessert wine, reflecting the family’s Swiss-Italian heritage. Order a charcuterie board and stay a while. Keep it carbon neutral by cycling some (or all) of the 50-kilometre O’Keefe Rail Trail to Bendigo.

At Bridgeward Grove , learn about the property’s Old Mission Grove heritage olive trees, do a sommelier olive oil tasting, and stock up on sustainably grown olives and oil. Explore the unique landscape, wildflowers and wildlife of pink cliffs geological reserve.

Ultimate weekends away in Victoria