These towns have just been ranked the best in Victoria.

Whether you’re a foodie, festival addict or outdoor adventurer, Victoria’s diverse array of towns will no doubt dazzle you – if you let them. We’ve put together a list of the 20 best towns in Victoria to visit this year, based on Australian Traveller’s industry-judged 100 best Aussie towns to visit list.

1. Port Fairy

Overall rank: 4/100

Maar Country

Expect the ratio of bushranger beards and pixie haircuts to spike during the annual Port Fairy Folk Festival, which is a highlight on Victoria’s cultural calendar. From its 1977 beginnings, the folk festival now fills the Labour Day weekend in March with music, markets and roving performances. The town at the western end of the Great Ocean Road also has year-round appeal, boasting picturesque waterfront, streets lined with 19th-century cottages and cruises to see the seal colony on nearby Lady Julia Percy Island. As panellist Catriona Rowntree says, Port Fairy is “secretly everyone’s favourite town on the Great Ocean Road."

Don’t miss: Lunch at Pippies by the Bay and a stay at the newly opened Basalt Retreat.

2. Beechworth

Overall rank: 10/100

Baarmutha

Steeped in rich gold-rush history, you’ll find Beechworth tucked into the rolling green folds of Victoria’s High Country. The past and present intertwine in this little slice of paradise, where historic streetscapes blend seamlessly with cosy cafes pouring top-notch coffee.

While undeniably easy on the eye, the town’s natural surrounds are more than just a pretty backdrop. Fertile soils produce locally grown fare in abundance, from organic wines and artisanal cheeses to its world-famous honey.

Don’t miss: A carb-loaded brunch at much-loved Beechworth Bakery – “One of the best bakeries in the country; you have to get the Ned Kelly Pie!" says panellist Rae Johnston.

3. Lorne

Overall rank: 11/100 

Gadubanud Country 

Lorne has long traded on its good looks. But the seaside town along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road is also building a reputation for what’s on the plate as much as the roaring surf and limestone sentinels offshore. Just two hours from Melbourne, it draws day-trippers for its polished pubs, bakeries, bars and ambitious eateries such as IPSOS Restaurant & Bar. Factor in a few coastal walks and hinterland drives between all that wining and dining. 

Don’t miss: “The sweeping coastal drive to Lorne is almost as memorable as the destination itself," recommends panellist Rae Johnston. 

4. Daylesford

Overall rank: 12/100

Dja Dja Wurrung Country 

With its soothing mineral waters and bucolic beauty, Daylesford and nearby Hepburn Springs really do emphasise the long and languid ahhh in spa. Here you’ll find a good handful of places to sink into wellness rituals, including the recently renovated Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa, which has been reviving souls since 1895, and The Spa at much-celebrated Lake House. “Lake House is a must to stay and dine at; the town is also super cute," says panellist Anna Polyviou. Indeed, if you like your wellness with a side of indulgence, there are plenty of great restaurants in this charming former gold-rush town.

Don’t miss: Restaurants Bistro Terroir and Sault, as well as a walk through the Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens for a well-rounded escape.

5. Meeniyan

Overall rank: 27/100 

Gunaikurnai & Bunurong Country 

Meeniyan might be read as a blink-and-you-miss-it stop on Gippsland’s food and wine trail. But exploring the modest village panellist Irene Jones describes as “tiny but surprisingly trendy" feels like an epicurean’s own adventure. Start at Mahob at Moo’s, then move on to woodfired pizza at Trulli Outdoors. Stock the esky at The Meeniyan Store with cheeses, condiments and preserves that catch your fancy. 

Don’t miss:  A pie from Pandesal Bakery, a tasty reason to pull over on your way to Wilsons Promontory. 

6. Torquay

Overall rank: 30/100

Wadawurrung Country 

Surfers know that immersion in the ocean is its own kind of wellness ritual, and Torquay has always been a beacon for wave riders. So it makes sense that this Great Ocean Road town is starting to plump out its wellness offerings to dovetail nicely with its already-wholesome ocean-sprayed lifestyle. A treatment at one of the area’s spas makes a lovely bookend to days spent taking in the scenery along the Great Ocean Walk and diving into Torquay’s reviving waves.

Don’t miss: The shopping! “Is it OK to say I go to Torquay to shop?" asks panellist Catriona Rowntree. “It’s so cool! Surfing’s heartland is also home to its OG brands – psst, the luggage at surf shops is 11/10!"

7. Geelong

Overall rank: 34/100

Wadawurrung Country

Geelong’s events calendar spans the southern hemisphere’s largest keelboat regatta, a national cycling race and steady run of exhibitions and festivals. Curled around Corio Bay, the city is home to Geelong Football Club, founded in 1859. During AFL season – March to September – Geelong has a match-day energy that feels like a festival. As panellist Adrian Williams puts it, Geelong is “the only regional AFL team in the country that was part of the birth of football."

Don’t miss: Trace the waterfront lined with galleries, restaurants and shops as it twists around Corio Bay, said to have inspired the navy-and-white Geelong Cats guernsey.

8. Metung

Overall rank: 35/100

Gunaikurnai Country 

A four-hour-ish drive from Melbourne, this Gippsland beauty perches on glassy waters at the lake’s edge. Described as “quietly delightful" by panellist Brad Farmer, Metung’s serene aura elicits a physical unburdening of tension the moment you catch sight of the pretty township. Along the lake, you can take your wellness in myriad forms, from golfing and fishing to yachting, sunset strolling and slipping into hot springs.

Don’t miss: At Metung Hot Springs stay in glamping tents that take relaxation further with bathing barrels to slip into on your own private deck.

9. Ballarat

Overall: 50/100 

Wadawurrung Country  

Tucked into Victoria’s gold-rush heartlands, heritage streetscapes meet a rebellious arts streak in Ballarat, a regional city shaped by its history of political defiance during the 1854 Eureka Stockade. This UNESCO City of Craft and Folk Art is home to the country’s oldest regional gallery. Victorian-era homes dot the boulevards, maintaining a charm you won’t find in many other Aussie towns. “All praise to the locals who fought to retain the heritage features of this town – now they’re hauling in hospitality gold," notes panellist Catriona Rowntree. While the Art Gallery of Ballarat is currently undergoing a renovation, the team has cleverly decamped to a pop-up on Mair Street, keeping the creative pulse alive.  

Don’t miss: Panning for gold at nearby Sovereign Hill, stargazing at the Ballarat Municipal Observatory and Museum, and a gin masterclass at Kilderkin Distillery. 

10. Bright

Overall rank: 52/100

Dhudhuroa, Taungurung, Waywurru, Gunaikurnai & Jaithmathang Country

Some places are exactly what they say on the tin, and that sure is the case for Bright. Set amid Victoria’s High Country, the town shines year-round – but come the cooler months, it dials up the charm tenfold. As autumn arrives, hundreds of deciduous trees shed their leafy layers, but not before setting the streets ablaze in a glory of reds, oranges and yellows.

Each year, the town celebrates this vibrant phenomenon with the Bright Autumn Festival, a 10-day homage to the autumnal tones of its foliage – as well as the region’s friendly community, local retailers and seasonal produce.

Don’t miss: The region’s under-the-radar ski slopes come winter. “Part of the Victorian ski fields, it is underrated and less commercial than some of the other ski locations," says panellist Paul Hamra.

11. Healesville

Overall rank: 57/100

Wurundjeri Country

“Once famous for its wildlife sanctuary, the ripple effect now offers brilliant food and wine alongside a calmer pace of life," says panellist Catriona Rowntree of this charming Yarra Valley town that has all the ingredients for the perfect weekend getaway. Dine in a converted cabinet makers factory at No.7 Healesville and stop in for a limoncello spritz at recently opened Zoncello Yarra Valley. Check into Kangaroo Ridge Retreat, where each mudbrick cabin features its own all-local wine bar and larder.

Don’t miss: Panellist Adrian Williams recommends checking out the platypus at Healesville Sanctuary, which he describes as one of Australia’s great zoos. While for panellist Paul Hamra, the Four Pillars Gin distillery is a standout experience.

12. Castlemaine

Overall rank: 60/100

Dja Dja Wurrung Country

It won’t take you long to tune into the pulse of this former gold-mining community with a big personality in central-west Victoria. Art aficionados and culture vultures alike will have a field day in Castlemaine, with almost every turn revealing a studio gallery, live music gig or artisan market.

For the indecisive traveller, panellist Catriona Rowntree has the perfect pick. “Try to plan your stay for the Shades of Gray exhibition; we go every year and have our creative cups filled." The annual event, held from 31 October to 8 November this year, sees locals Chelly and Peter Gray open their art-filled property to the public.

Don’t miss: A slow morning at The Mill, an arts precinct platforming local makers. Browse vintage fashion and antiques before joining a ceramics workshop or simply watching artists in residence as they work.

13. Rutherglen

Overall rank: 64/100 

Yorta Yorta Country 

Founded in the gold-rush era but best recognised as one of Australia’s oldest wine regions, Rutherglen is a treasure trove for vino lovers and history hunters alike. The region abounds in kitchens turning local produce into top-notch tucker, along with family wineries (such as Campbells Wines) that have been pouring fortified drops and robust reds for generations. Meanwhile, the Murray River and leafy surrounds invite outdoor exploration – from cycling, kayaking and birdwatching to ambling past rolling vineyards. 

Don’t miss: The Rutherglen leg of Victoria’s Pedal to Produce Cycle Trail for a gourmet journey sampling wine, fruit and produce at picture-perfect orchards and cellar doors. 

14. Echuca Moama

Overall rank: 65/100 

Yorta Yorta Country 

Straddling Victoria and NSW on the Murray River, this sleepy twin-town destination packs a punch for foodie travellers lured by quality produce. Once a key trade route and bustling paddlesteamer hub, it now delights with local eateries, boutique shops, farmers’ markets and river experiences that panellist Irene Jones sums up as “paddlesteamer nostalgia done right." It will soon be home to Australia’s first five-star overnight paddlesteamer, PS Australian Star, set to add a splash of luxury to this family-friendly hideaway.  

Don’t miss: Strolling the historic wharf precinct and taking to the water – kayak, waterski, board an authentic heritage paddlesteamer or extend the magic with a Murray River houseboat holiday.

15. Halls Gap

Overall rank: 71/100

Djab Wurrung & Jardwadjali Country

The jagged peaks of the Grampians/Gariwerd have been shaped over millennia. It’s a landscape that is home to some of Victoria’s largest waterfalls, deep rock pools and the highest number of Aboriginal rock art sites and shelters in southern Australia. In spring, swathes of wildflowers cover the rugged landscape. It’s a wildly beautiful place – “visually majestic," according to panellist Paul Hamra – and, at its heart, the quaint town of Halls Gap/Budja Budja is where you’ll find small stores, a brewery and winery cellar doors nearby.

Don’t miss: From town, you can embark on many walking tracks, including to the naturally formed Venus Baths, the 720-metre-high Pinnacle, Clematis Falls and more.

16. Bendigo

Overall rank: 74/100 

Dja Dja Wurrung Country 

Recognised as a City of Gastronomy, Bendigo is a full-bodied cultural experience. You’ll find plenty to sink your teeth into, literally, but also first-rate galleries, such as the Bendigo Art Gallery and Post Office Gallery; architecture from the gold-rush era; and a thriving festival calendar. “Bendigo is becoming cool," affirms panellist Paul Hamra. “It’s also a great base to visit smaller local tourist towns like Kyneton, Castlemaine and Heathcote." Then there’s Dumawul Tours, which explores the city through the lens of First Nations storytelling. Bendigo is both composed and – thanks in part to La Trobe University’s Bendigo campus – unexpectedly lively; come for the food, stay for the art, and plot your return. 

Don’t miss: DJs at the Babylon Lounge & Garden Bar, which keep the tunes spinning until 3am. 

17. Sorrento

Overall rank: 79/100

Bunurong Country 

The Mornington Peninsula is rich in spa culture and sweet seaside Sorrento, with its elegant eateries and laid-back coastal tempo, makes a good base from which to explore it. Throw a spa slipper in any direction and you’ll hit a tranquil wellness experience, from Aurora Spa and Bathhouse to Alba Thermal Springs and Marlo Spa. Add some time on, in and by the water, and you’ll have a comprehensive wellness schedule.

Don’t miss: “Sorrento is a great place for a family getaway with beaches, restaurants and relaxing. Go for the vanilla slice and fish and chips, also the Hotel Sorrento – I loved it there," says panellist Anna Polyviou.

18. Portsea

Overall rank: 80/100 

Bunurong Country 

You can drive the curve from Melbourne to Portsea in less than two hours, arriving at this last township on the Mornington Peninsula. This spectacular spot, on the edge of Point Nepean National Park, is well-known as a coastal haven of the ultra-rich. If you’re curious about how the top per cent of wealth is spent, gawk as you follow Millionaires’ Walk past meticulous gardens and stately mansions. Of course, it attracts money because it is simply breathtaking, but you needn’t manage a hedge fund to enjoy the beaches and national park. 

Don’t miss: Portsea is bequeathed with two coastlines, the bay side’s Front Beach and the ocean-edged Back Beach. “Sure, it gets way too busy, but having a front and back beach is super cool," says panellist Adrian Williams. 

19. Inverloch

Overall rank: 90/100 

Bunurong Country 

On route from Phillip Island to Wilsons Promontory, travellers find ample reason to pause in pretty Inverloch. Here, sheltered Anderson Inlet is frolic-worthy for everything from swimming to wakeboarding and windsurfing. Outside Point Smythe’s protective arm, accomplished surfers will appreciate the sets rolling in at Eagles Nest and Inverloch Surf Beach, while off-sand, there’s strollable cliffs, the Bass Coast Rail Trail and Bunurong Coastal Drive. The Gippsland village seems intentionally curated for lazy weekend mooching with worthy eateries and boutiques, but come the first weekend of August, the long-running Inverloch Jazz Festival tunes things up with plenty of jams. 

Don’t miss: “Inverloch is perfect in the summer holidays," says panellist Adrian Williams. If you’re taking the kids, lean into those carefree vibes with a stay at the Big4 Ingenia Holidays park, set right on Anderson Inlet. 

20. Mildura

Overall rank: 95/100 

Latji Latji, Ngintait & Nyeri Nyeri Country 

Along the banks of the Murray, Mildura brims with creative energy. This “cute rural town with plentiful orange groves and strawberry picking," according to panellist Anna Polyviou, leans into its cultural mix: part orchard pantry, part regional gallery circuit, part festival hotspot. Renowned artist Bruce Munro’s Trail of Lights on Lock Island threads 12,500 firefly lights and Gone Fishing sculptures along the riverfront, blending art with landscape. Across the water in Wentworth, his Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra (FOSO) installation adds immersive sound and light spheres. 

Don’t miss: A visit to Mildura Arts Centre for both its dynamic contemporary galleries and Rio Vista Historic House to inspect the glorious period details of its interiors. 

This article is part of Australian Traveller’s 100 best Aussie towns to visit, as chosen by a panel of industry experts, well-known Aussies and travel insiders. See our full list of 100 best Aussie towns here and visit the special 100 best Aussie towns hub here.