Victoria

Victoria
Victoria may be mainland Australia’s smallest state, but it’s blessed with far more than its share of fantastic attractions of the cultural, natural, and historical varieties. Its environment runs the gamut from the dry and empty western plains of the Mallee to the inviting wineries along the fertile banks of the Murray River, from the ski resorts of the Victorian Alps to the forested parks of the Gippsland coast. The capital of the state and the cultural center of the nation, sleek and sophisticated Melbourne overflows with stained glass and elaborate iron latticework. Its multifarious districts offer verdant gardens, eclectic ethnic neighborhoods, seaside strips, and student haunts. And because Victoria is compact and has a well-developed infrastructure, its attractions lie within easy reach of one another and of Melbourne.
Victoria’s most distinctive attractions are found on the coast. West, of Melbourne, which perches conveniently in the center, the breathtaking Great Ocean Road winds its way alongside the roaring Southern Ocean. Hand-cut between 1919 and 1931 from the limestone cliffs, the road passes surfing beaches, coastal getaways, temperate rainforests, and geological wonders, including the Twelve Apostles rock formation, which pokes precariously from the sea like ancient fingers. East of the capital, the coastline unfolds past Phillip Island’s penguin colony and the beach resorts of the Mornington Peninsula, heading into Gippsland. Here, crashing waves collide with granite outcroppings to form the sandy beaches at the edge of the renowned Wilsons Promontory National Park. East Gippsland’s Riviera climate and resort beaches slowly give way to stony, sandy tidal estuaries teeming with birds and fish.
Most of the state’s interior is remarkable less for its natural grandeur than for its historical significance. The mid-19th century gold rush flooded central Victoria with seekers of the sweet stuff. When the ore waned, a host of charming, elegant country towns were left in its wake, today preserved in tourist-oriented nostalgia. Later, legendary bushranger Ned Kelly had a plan to stick it to the man in his wanderings throughout the Hume Corridor. Today, this area is a fertile land of wineries nestled in the shadow of Australia’s ski mecca, the High Country. The 20th century brought extensive agricultural and commercial development, including several massive hydroelectric public works projects that continue to impact the state’s ecosystems. Still, Victoria’s physical beauty remains, tempered by a refined sensibility and cosmopolitan flail- that add a touch of class to Australia’s down-to-earth grit.