A Roadside Attractions column for Australian Traveller Magazine on the route between Melbourne and Mildura via the Calder Highway.
Roadside Attractions – Melbourne to Mildura via the Calder Highway
Let AT liven up your next roadtrip. Each issue we take a well-worn path and provide you with plenty of perfect distractions along the way. By Kim Richards
“Not another road trip," you’re thinking. The kids will get fidgety and ask the dreaded “Are we there yet?" 1000 times or more. But with AT’s quick stops and long stretches your trip is happily broken up as we steer you happily along the A 79. Here’s how to best enjoy the 650km Melbourne-Mildure stretch . . .
Stop 1 // Bendigo, 150km northwest of Melbourne
Let your creative juices run wild at Bendigo’s Art Gallery (42 View St), one of the most beautiful provincial galleries in the country. Be inspired. Art’s always a great conversation starter, and massively educational for the more creative family. Before hitting the road, grab a cuppa from any coffee bar – the café culture is pretty prominent here.
Stop 2 // Charlton, 245km from Melbourne
Here’s one for the fitness fanatic family: walk the 4km return trek along the Avoca River and set up your (prepacked) picnic on your return (easily done for the organised mum). There are tree-lined avenues and riverbanks running through town so finding a spot for your outdoor spread shouldn’t be hard.
Stop 3 // Mount Wycheproof, 270km southeast of Mildura
Turn onto the C 267 for a quick peek at the smallest registered mountain worldwide. It’s a mere 43m high but boasts great little views. From town, turn right into High St, left into Mount St and follow your nose towards Mount Wycheproof. And if you didn’t stop at Charlton, here’s your chance to take a short walk uphill. (It shouldn’t take long.)
Stop 4 // Lake Tyrrell Wildlife Reserve, 180km from Mildura
Five to ten minutes from Sea Lake, turn right off the Calder Hwy towards Lake Tyrrell, where you’ll find amazing views of Victoria’s largest salt lake (impressive even when dry, which is most of the year). Islands dotted around the lake are breeding grounds for thousands of seagulls. Keep an eye out – there’s a lot of wildlife around.
Stop 5 // Ouyen, 102km south of Mildura
Stop for a delicious meal at the Victoria Hotel (22 Rowe St). We reckon it’s one of the nicest country pubs in Victoria. And although you’ll be rushed for time (as all travellers are), you’ve got to grab a take away Vanilla Slice for desert; Ouyen is home to the annual Vanilla Slice Day, so they’ve got a reputation to uphold.
No matter your age and no matter your interests, Victoria’s coastal Bellarine region makes for a memorable getaway for the whole family.
Curving into Port Phillip Bay and extending south from Geelong, The Bellarine is a gorgeous coast-meets-country destination. It’s a captivating mix of beachside towns, rolling farms and vineyards, effortlessly cool eating and drinking spots and coastal vistas that seem to stretch beyond the horizon.
Among its many highlights is a plethora of family-friendly activities to suit all ages and all interests. Here’s your guide to the ultimate Bellarine getaway guaranteed to keep every generation happy.
1. Tuckerberry Hill Farm
Pick your own fruit at Tuckerberry Hill Farm.
There may be no better way to spend an early morning than by foraging and feasting on your own bounty of berries. At Tuckerberry Hill Farm, you can pick blueberries, strawberries and stone fruit from November through March. Take them home or enjoy on the farm’s sun-dappled grounds.
Tuckerberry also has a regular market selling farm-fresh produce, plus an inviting on-site cafe doing light lunches, drinks, home-baked treats and condiments – many of which incorporate the farm’s own harvest.
2. The Oxley Estate
Wake up to the neighbours.
A memorable holiday starts with a memorable place to stay, and The Oxley Estate delivers. Situated in the relaxed coastal town of Portarlington, the sprawling site offers thoughtfully styled rooms and activities that’ll keep both parents and kids entertained.
Wander the fragrant rose gardens, olive grove and fruit-laden orchards. Meet the resident alpacas, donkeys, goats, sheep, chickens and ducks. Challenge your crew to a round of giant chess or mini golf. Or cool off in the shimmering saltwater pool after a busy day of exploring.
Different room types cater to different groups, with the largest able to comfortably sleep eight.
3. Oneday Estate
Taste small batch wines at Oneday Estate.
Oneday Estate is a must-visit, featuring a restaurant, winery and bar. The winery lets you try small-batch, estate-grown shiraz, pinot noir and riesling. It’s also a vibrant and character-filled Sunday lunch spot in an eclectic stone-and-timber hall crafted from recycled materials and 100-year-old relics repurposed from the surrounding region.
The on-site eatery and bar hosts weekly Sunday Sessions accompanied by tunes from local musicians, a buzzy atmosphere and flavour-packed food and drink. Order a round of delicious woodfired pizzas with toppings to suit all tastes, alongside a glass of Oneday’s signature wine.
4. BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Queenscliff Beacon
Kids will love BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Queenscliff Beacon.
BIG4 holiday parks are renowned for their all-ages appeal, and BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Queenscliff Beacon in the coastal enclave of Queenscliff is no different. The pool and gym are a given, but there’s also a playground, pickleball and basketball courts, a jumbo-sized jump pad, an interactive games arena and an indoor games room equipped with toys, activities and entertainment.
The diverse range of accommodation spans compact studios designed for three guests, all the way up to expansive beach houses accommodating up to 10, providing comfort and flexibility to suit every size of family.
5. Bellarine Railway
Take a journey aboard the Bellarine Railway.
If your entourage includes any locomotive enthusiasts, book a journey aboard the Bellarine Railway. The more than 100-year-old steam train transports you to a bygone era and takes you through the rolling farmland and windswept coastal landscapes that make The Bellarine so beautiful.
The Swan Bay Express is an easy 45-minute ride perfect for younger passengers (and even allows dogs on board), or you could opt for a themed trip. There are seasonal events like the Polar Express (a festive favourite in the lead-up to Christmas), along with the Blues Train (a high-energy experience of live music and dancing) and The Q Train (a roving fine-dining feast celebrating regional produce).
6. The Dunes
Save room for dessert. (Image: Visit Vic)
The Dunes offers the perfect balance of polished and playful, a breezy beachside bar and restaurant that appeals to adults and kids alike.
Feast on moreish snacks, share plates and mains from the Italian-inspired menu, or a selection of San Marzano-topped pizzas fresh from the wood-fired oven. Pair your meal with a classic cocktail, an ice-cold beer or a glass from the generous drinks menu, which brims with local drops. Little ones are well catered for with a line-up of kid-approved meals for breakfast and lunch.
If you’re simply swinging by en route to the family-friendly beach, grab a bite at The Dunes’ beachside kiosk before strolling down for a paddle or surf.
7. Sea All Dolphin Swims
Spot the locals with Sea All Dolphin Swims. (Image: Visit Vic)
The sparkling waters around The Bellarine are home to dolphins, fur seals, plus a flurry of seabirds. Sea All Dolphin Swims lets you see some of these magnificent animals up close aboard one of their small-group vessels.
Head out on a sightseeing tour and spot local wildlife darting around the boat, or dive right in with a swim adventure tour. You’ll be swimming alongside dolphins and seals in their natural habitat – a bucket-list experience you won’t forget fast.
Swimming and snorkelling gear is provided, and guides are trained to ensure a gentle, eco-friendly encounter for both swimmers and sea creatures.
8. Jack Rabbit
Everyone has a menu to enjoy at Jack Rabbit. (Image: Visit Vic)
If your mood leans laid-back, the House of Jack Rabbit is a lovely spot for brunch, lunch or dinner. The cafe serves a produce-driven all-day menu filled with seasonal mains, generous sharing platters and a playful kids menu to suit even the pickiest of eaters.
If you’re after something more elevated, Jack Rabbit Restaurant does plates that change with the seasons and incorporate plenty of local produce. Even younger guests are well catered to, with a considered yet familiar kids’ menu that’s just as vibrant as the grown-up one.
