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GAMBIT XI

17–21 Feb 2020
School of Physics and Astronomy, Monash University
Australia/Melbourne timezone

Attractions and what to do

Melbourne attractions by area

 

CITY – CBD (Central Business District)

  1. Free tours and transport

    • Free CBD tour: 10:30, 2:30 from Sir Redmond Barry statue outside the State Library; itinerary: laneways, street art, Federation Square, Yarra, Eureka Tower, Chinatown; free but tips to guides are expected

    • Free City Circle tram (35): around CBD loop

    • CBD: free tram zone (don’t have to touch Myki on/off within the zone)

  2. Federation Square (Swanston & Flinders St): stunning modern architecture, museums, cafes, visitor centre

    • National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) Australia collection at the Ian Potter Centre: Aboriginal art, free

    • Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI): free

    • Niska Robotic Ice-cream Bar: be served by 3 robots from ordering to getting your treat

    • IceBar Melbourne (Atrium): $39 (incl. snow gear + cocktail), 10a-10p, -10 ⁰C, walls, tables, chairs made of ice, snowcape & gloves provided, ice sculptures, may take photos

    • St Paul’s Cathedral (across from Fed Square, corner of Flinders St)

    • Hosier Ln, Duckboard Place/ACDC Ln (Flinders Ln btw/ Russel & Exhibition St): famous street art

    • Yarra river cruise (melbcruises.com.au): 

      • 1-hr River Gardens (up-river): $25

      • 1-hr Port and Docklands (down-river): $25

      • 2-hr Melbourne highlights (up & down combo): $35

      • 2-hr City to Williamstown: $32

  3. Historic arcades and lanes:

    • Hosier Ln (across from Fed Square, famous for its graffiti), Duckboard Place/ACDC Ln (Flinders Ln btw/ Russel&Exhibition)

    • Croft Alley (Lt Bourke, street art; near Chinatown & Greek Precinct);

    • The Causeway (Bourke & Lt Collins), Royal Arcade, Union Ln (Lt Collins to Bourke, street art), Block Arcade (mosaic tile floor), Centre Pl (cafes), Degraves St;

    • Howey Place/Presgrave Pl (Lt Collins to Collins, framed artwork on walls), Manchester Ln (Collins to Flinders Ln);

    • Hardware Ln (Lt Bourne to Lonsdale, cafes), Niagara Ln (Lt Bourke to Lonsdale, pre-war bldgs), Somerset Place (Lt Bourke)

  4. Southbank (South side of the Yarra river): walking paths along the river with bridges, shopping, restaurants, street performers, entertainment and theatre precincts

    • Alexandra Gardens & King’s domain

    • La Trobe’s Cottage (Birdwood Ave & Dallas Brooks Dr, The Domain): $5, Su 2-4 (Oct-Apr), Melbourne’s oldest surviving building, original home of Victoria's first Lt. Governor, Charles Joseph La Trobe 1839-54

    • Botanic Gardens (free): great walks and gardens, punting on the lake $25 (puntinonthelake.com.au)

    • Shrine of Remembrance (St Kilda Rd near Botanic gardens): nice views of city skyline

    • NGV International (National Gallery Victoria, St Kilda Rd): free, special exibitions: $30-35

    • Eureka Tower observation deck (96th floor): $20

    • Polly Woodside museum tallship (21 South Wharf Promenade): S-Su 10-4, $16; 3-masted cargo vessel built in 1885, it carried coal and wheat between England and South America;

    • Crown Casino & Crown Entertainment Complex

  5. Docklands – NewQuay:

    • Webb-bridge – Docklands Park – Harbour Esplanade walking trail

    • Victoria Harbour: nice view of the CBD, yacht harbour, artworks, galleries, restaurants

    • Light House (888 Collins St, corner of Bourke & Collins): 15-storey bldg lights up at night reflecting the weather/temperature in a light show; fed real-time data from BOM & roof-top weather station

    • Melbourne Star observation wheel: 11a-10p, $36, 30-min ride with city views

    • ArtVo (26 Star Cres., Level 1, Harbour Town, Docklands): $28, 10-6 M-Su (artvo.com.au)

      • Interactive trick-art gallery with 3D and illusionary artwork

      • City Circle free tram, Trams 70 & 86 (free tram zone)

    • Dialogue in the Dark (29-31 Star Crescent Level 1, Docklands, upstairs, opposite ArtVo): $30.55, hour-long tour in complete darkness, in groups of up to 8 people; book: dialogueinthedark.com.au

  6. CBD West of Swanston Street:

    • Queen Victoria Market (Vic Market): largest surviving 19th c. open-air market in the city, covered aisles, food, produce, clothing, opals, gifts, specialty; open: Tue, Thu, Fri 6-3, Sat 6-4, Sun 9-4

    • St Francis’ Church (Lonsdale & Elizabeth)

    • Rialto Tower observation deck

    • Melbourne Aquarium: $41.50

    • Immigration Museum

    • Arcades:

      • The Causeway (Bourke & Lt Collins), Royal Arcade, Union Ln (Lt Collins to Bourke, street art), Block Arcade (mosaic tile floor), Centre Pl (cafes), Degraves St; Howey Place/Presgrave Pl (Lt Collins to Collins, framed artwork on walls), Manchester Ln (Collins to Flinders Ln)

      • Hardware Ln (Lt Bourne to Lonsdale, cafes), Niagara Ln (Lt Bourke to Lonsdale, pre-war bldgs), Somerset Place (Lt Bourke)

    • Manchester Unity Building lobby (Swanston & Collins): first skyscraper, neo-gothic, modelled on Chicago Tribune Bldg; 1-hour guided tours w/ meal: $55-69 incl. boardroom & rooftop (manchesterunitybuilding.com.au)

    • TRAPT escape rooms (377 Lonsdale St, basement, at Elizabeth St): $40pp, M-W 2-10, Th-F 12-late, Sat 10-late, Sun 10-10; Alchemy Room: Harry Potter inspired escape room; book: https://www.traptmelbourne.com.au/

  7. CBD East of Swanston St – Spring St:

    • Victoria State Library (Swanstone & La Trobe): free, M-Th 10-9, Fr-Su 10-6, viewing platform on level 6, exhibitions surround the dome w/ rare medieval manuscripts; Free CBD tour: 10:30, 2:30 from Sir Redmond Barry statue outside the Library

    • Town Hall (Swanston & Collins St): free tours daily 11am, 1pm (townhalltour@melbourne.vic.gov.au)

    • Collins St (from Swanston St to Parliament House): high-end shopping, hotels, financial district with an interesting mix of modern and historic buildings

    • Parliament House (Spring St): free tours on non-sitting days, M-F 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 2:30, 3:30

    • Hotel Windsor (111 Spring St): traditional afternoon tea since 1883, with scones, pastries, sandwiches on tiered silver stands; M-T 12-2, W-Fr 12-2, 2:30-4:30, Sat-Sun 12-2, 3-5p; M-F $69/p with a glass of French Sparkling Wine, S-Su $89 w/ wine & dessert buffet

    • Treasury Gardens & Old Treasury Building (20 Spring St): Su-Fr 10-4

    • Fitzroy Gardens: conservatory, historic Cook's cottage, majestic tree lined alles, fountains, walking paths

    • St Patrick’s church – neo-Gothic Catholic church

    • Greek precinct (East end of Lonsdale St)

    • Croft Alley (off Lt Bourke St): street art

    • Chinatown (Little Bourke St): ornamental gates, restaurants

    • Chinese Museum (22 Cohen Pl, chinesemuseum.com.au): 10-4, $9, biggest processional dragon in the world, drums, festive robes, lanterns, mythical animals, weapons, inventions, reconstruction of a mine and living quarters from the 1850s goldfields, furniture, artwork, historical artefacts

  8. Carlton – Parkville (North of CBD):

    • Old Melbourne Gaol (Russel & Victoria): $28

    • Carlton Gardens: Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne Museum (history, cultural & natural museum), IMAX

    • Lygon Street (Italian precinct)

    • University of Melbourne Parkville campus

    • Melbourne Zoo

CITY – SUBURBS

  1. St. Kilda:

    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Luna Park (oldest in Australia)

    • St Kilda Pier: view of Melbourne skyline over the bay, may spot penguins in the rocks

    • Beach & Esplanade

  2. Port Phillip Bay beaches (SE suburbs):

    • Chelsea: great beach walks on wide sand, shallow waters

    • Edithvale-Aspendale-Mordialloc: great beach walks on wide sand, shallow waters

    • Half Moon Bay and Black Rock: pretty orange and yellow standstone formations, black swans

    • Brighton Beach: famous colourful beach huts

  3. Williamstown (SW on the Bay): ferry from Southbank landing

    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Botanical Gardens (along Esplanade, 950 m from Gem Pier)

    • Beach (near botanic gardens)

    • Point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park (along Battery Rd)

    • ScienceWorks and Planetarium (ferry from Southbank: https://williamstownferries.com.au/)

  4. Historic mansions

    • Rippon Lea House and gardens (192 Hotham Street, Elsternwick): Sep-Apr 10-5, $15, 19th c. historic estate

    • Labassa Manor (2 Manor Grove, Caulfield North): Open 3rd Sunday every month (except December) 10.30- 4:30, $10, Tours: 11.00 am and 2.30 pm, external tour: 12.30pm

    • Como House (Williams Rd & Lechlade Ave, South Yarra): 9-5 garden, house tours Sat-Sun 11, 12.30, 2pm, $15, (45 mins, pre-book online: https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/places/como-house-and-garden/ ).

    • Australian Regency and classic Italianate architecture, built in 1847. Devonshire Tea at The Stables

    • Montsalvat (7 Hillcrest Ave, Eltham): daily 9-5, $14, artist colony, galleries, historic buildings, restaurant, gardens, peacocks, kangaroos along the Yarra & Yarrambat golf course

  5. Lysterfield Park & Churchill NP (Lysterfield in the Eastern suburbs): walking trails, kangaroos, echidnas in their natural habitat

  6. Heide Museum of Modern Art (26km/50mins, 7 Templestowe Rd, Bulleen): T-Su 10-5, $18. Art, architecture, landscape, 3 galleries, gardens & sculpture park

  7. ​​​​​​​Yarra row boat hire:

    • Studley Park Boathouse

    • Fairfield Park Boathouse & Tea Gardens (M-F 9-5, S-Su 9-dusk, $32/first hr + $5 add. hr

    • Fairfield Park Dr, Fairfield)

 

OUTSIDE CITY - DAYTRIPS:

  1. Dandenongs (Eastern outskirts): hills with fern tree gullies, mountain ash forests, gardens and hiking trails
    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Bird feeding (Grants Picnic Area): hand-feed wild red and green rosellas and yellow-crested cockatoos
    • Olinda Falls & Olinda Creek track
    • Olinda: antique stores, The Cuckoo restaurant (German buffet)
    • Alfred Nicholas Gardens: hydrangeas in summer
    • National Rhododendron Gardens
    • Rickett’s Sanctuary: clay sculptures along fern-lined paths, 10-4:30, free
    • Pirianda gardens
    • Hamer Arboretum
    • Mt Dandenong observatory
    • Puffing Billy Railway: from Belgrave station
  2. Werribee (South-West of Melbourne):
    •  Werribee Wildlife Park – zoo and safari park
    • Werribee Mansion and rose garden: 19th century historic country mansion with beautiful gardens
    • Werribee Park theatrical performances: What was that? & Down to Earth (essenceproductions.com.au)
    • K Road Cliffs on the Werribee River (past the zoo entrance on K Road, near The Views Function Bar & Grill/golf course): pretty red banks & green islands at the river bend
    • Werribee River Park (Main Dr): 260-hectare park on the west bank, to the mouth of the river
    • Werribee South Beach (Beach Rd): walk from beach to Wyndham Harbour marina
  3. Mornington Peninsula – upper (East side of Port Phillip Bay)
    • Seaford Beach (bayside): sand bars, turqoise waters, sand dunes stretching to Frankston, great beach walking, wading, swimming
    • Frankston sand sculptures (bayside): Dec-April
    • Moonlit sanctuary (550 Tyabb Tooradin Rd, Pearcedale): 10-5, $21, small wildlife park
    • Mt Martha, Mt Eliza, Mornington (bayside)
    • Tall Ship cruise from Mornington (http://www.enterprize.org.au/): $35/1-hr, 1 weekend in Dec or Mar; replica of a 19th c. sailing ship
  4. Mornington Peninsula – lower (East/SE side of Port Phillip Bay)
    • Magnificient ocean beaches, rockpooling in Mornington Peninsula National Park (from West to East):
      • London Bridge (London Bridge Rd, Portsea): beautiful rock pools & rock formations
      • Sorrento Ocean Beach (Ocean Beach Rd, Sorrento): natural swimming holes
      • St. Pauls Beach (St. Pauls Rd, Sorrento): rock pools, snorkeling
      • Jubilee Point (St. Pauls Rd, Sorrento): rock pools, sand dunes, cliffs
      • Diamond Bay & Bay of Islands (Diamond Bay Rd, Sorrento): arch, cliffs, shells, wade to islands at low tide
      • Koonya Beach (Hughes Rd, Blairgowrie; or longer track from Spray Point Rd to East end of Koonya)
      • Spray Point (Spray Point Rd, Blairgowrie): tip of promontory btw/ Koonya & Montforts beaches, extensive rock platforms and rugged cliffs; track continues West to Koonya Beach
      • Montforts Beach (Central Ave or St. Johns Wood/track West, Blairgowrie): reef flats, rock fishing, 10-20 m bluffs
      • Fowlers Beach (St. Johns Wood Rd, Blairgowrie, track East): reef flats, rock fishing, 10-20 m bluffs
      • Bridgewater Bay (St. Johns Wood Rd, Blairgowrie, track West): low tide rock platforms
      • Dimmicks & Pearses Beaches (Pearse Rd, Blairgowrie): 4 small pocket beaches
      • Number 16 Beach (dirt road to car park off Tasman Dr at Marcia, Rye): 700 m sandy bay w/ reefs, rocks to West
      • St Andrews Beach (Paradise Dr, St Andrews): long sandy beach, sand dunes
      • Gunnamatta Beach: long sandy beach
      • Fingal Beach (Fingal Picnic Area off Cape Schanck Rd): 1.5 km walk to secluded beach through tea tree tunnels and steps; visit at low tide to explore submerged rock pools and reef; Fingal Beach cops the full force of southerly and westerly winds, so avoid days w/ strong S-SW winds
      • Cape Schanck: lighthouse, Pulpit Rock, black rock pools, swim in rock pools
      • Bushrangers Bay (track from Cape Schank): 2.6 km clifftop track, kangaroos early in the day; beautiful cliffs, rock pools, swimming hole
      • Flinders Blowhole (Blowhole Track off Boneo Rd): 410 m on Blowhole Track to car park/lookout, then 200m walk to blowhole on cliff top, at the end of Elephant Rock, and short track/boardwalk to pebble beach below; rugged basalt coast
      • Flinders Ocean Beach & Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary/Mornington Peninsula Nat. Park (South side of Flinders, along Golf Links Rd): long white sandy beach with basalt cliffs, several car parks off Golf Links Rd, shallow reefy waters, ending in a long narrow rocky cape; amazing rock pools at low tide in the huge exposed mushroom-shaped rock platform extending from the beach.
    • Point Nepean National Park: vehicle access 8-5, bus every half hr: $10/day (last bus back from fort: 4:30)
    • Sorrento-Blairgowrie (at the narrow tip of the peninsula): beaches both ocean & bay side
      • Sorrento Ocean Beach: swim in natural rock lagoons
      • Sorrento & Blairgowrie Beach (bayside): shallow turqoise waters
      • Dolphin cruise & Dolphin swim: www.polperro.com.au , https://www.moonrakercharters.com.au/
      • 3-hr dolphin & seal swim (Chinaman’s Hat): $165 incl. breakfast or lunch
      • 2-hr swim w/ dolphins (for 6 guests only): 1:30 daily, $169
    • Rosebud-Tootgarook-Rye West (on the Bay): great wading and swimming in warm, shallow waters, black swans, sea stars
    • Peninsula Hot Springs (Browns Rd, Fingal): natural hot springs and day spa centre (https://www.peninsulahotsprings.com/)
    • Coolart Wetlands and Homestead (56km/1hr, Lord Somers Road, Somers, on Western Port Bay): 10-5, $8. 1895 red-brick mansion, formal gardens, walking tracks, bird hide.
      • ​​​​​​​Woodland Walk: koala spotting, walk continues across Merricks Creek Bridge to the beach, from here you can look out over Westernport Bay to Philip Island
      • Wetland paths: winter and spring are the most spectacular seasons, when over 1000 Australian white ibis and other waterbirds congregate on the lagoon to breed.
      • Somers Koala Reserve (55 Beach Hill Avenue, Somers, next to Coolart Wetlands): free, may spot koalas
    • ​​​​​​​McCrae Homestead (11 Beverley Road, McCrae, near Arthur’s Seat): $10, Su 11-4 (Sep-Jun), one of Victoria's oldest homesteads, built in 1844 by lawyer Andrew McCrae and his artist wife Georgiana
    • Heronswood House and gardens (105 Latrobe Parade, Dromana): 9-5, $10, pretty vegetable and flower gardens, restaurant in the historic house
    • Enchanted Adventure Garden (55 Purves Rd, Arthurs Seat): $30, 9-6 (winter: 9-dark), gardens, mazes, canopy walk, topiary, sculpture walk, tube slides, indoor 3D spooky maze, tree surfing, cafeteria, allow 3-5 hrs
    • Seawinds Gardens (Purves Rd, Arthurs Seat): free, managed by Parks Victoria; short walks around gardens, tracks from car park west to "Bay Lookout" (views of McCrae, Rosebud), north to "Northern Lookout"
    • Eagle Skylift, Arthur’s Seat (base: 1085 Arthurs Seat Rd, summit: 795 Arthurs Seat Rd): $24 r/t, $17.50/o-w, 10-5 (3/31-12/20), 10-7 (12/21-2/26 & 2/27-3/30 F-S), 10-6 (2/27-3/30 Su-Th), café at the summit station (314m), free parking at both stations
    • Green Bush (part of Mornington Peninsula National Park): between Arthurs Seat & Cape Schank:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​
      • Baldry Crossing Circuit (1.6 or 3.6km r-t): Baldry Rd, Main Ridge (73km/60mins from NH), car park at Baldry Crossing Picnic Area, opposite side of road from the track; fern gullies, woodlands, creeks; may spot kangaroos, echidnas or koala; the longer Two Bays Walk can be accessed half way through Baldry Crossing walk
      • Long Point Circuit (4km r-t): accessed off Two Bays Track, or midway between Highfield and Gate 3 on Rogers Road, this circuit passes through eucalypt woodlands and shady gullies of Coast Banksia and Blackwoods
    • Panorama Garden Estate (Boneo, panoramagardenestate.com.au): $30, open: W, Th, Sat, Sun 10am; wildlife sanctuary and gardens; rose garden, boardwalk, crater garden, wetlands, rainforest, waterfalls, streams, emus, wallabies, white kangaroos, alpacas, peacocks, views of Bass Strait
    • Ashcombe Maze & Lavender Gardens (15 Shoreham Road, Shoreham)
    • Wineries
  5. Ballarat (120km/1:30 East of Melbourne)
    • Sovereign Hill: $55.50, historic open-air museum from the gold rush era with 19th c. buildings, streets, shops, period costumes, activities; pan for gold, see gold melted, go down a gold mine, see giant gold nuggets
      • ​​​​​​​Botanic Gardens

      • Craig’s Royal Hotel (10 Lydiard St, Ballarat): gold-rush era hotel with heritage charm, high tea in the ballroom

      • Ghost Tour

    • ​​​​​​​Wildlife Park: 9-5 daily, $35, hand feed free roaming kangaroos, see giant tortoises, rattlesnakes, anacondas, pythons, Tasmanian devils, crocs, wombats

    • Kryal Castle (121 Forbes Rd, Leigh Creek, 8 km East of Ballarat): 10-4 (weekends & school holidays), $35 medieval advanture park: replica medieval castle, maze, dungeon, live performances, village alehouse, stables, village traders; murder mystery show w/ dinner ($85), medieval feast dinner ($65), lantern ghost tours

  6. ​​​​​​​Phillip Island (140km/2 hrs SE of Melbourne)

    • Koala sanctuary: treetop boardwalk in natural setting, see koalas upclose

    • Phillip Island Wildlife Park: walk among and hand-feed free roaming kangaroos, wallabies, geese, emus

    • Penguin parade: see little penguins return to their nests from the sea after sunset

    • Nobbies: rocky outcrop with nesting birds

    • Wildlife coast cruises (http://www.wildlifecoastcruises.com.au/): seal rock ($78-85)

    • A maze ‘n things (1805 Phillip Island Rd, Cowes): 10a-5p, $34, $44 w/ mini-golf

    • Phillip Island Chocolate Factory: $17

  7. Yarra Valley-Yarra Ranges
    • Healesville Sanctuary (70km/1:15 NE): wildlife park
    • Blue Lotus Water Garden (2628 Warburton Hwy, Yarra Junction): $17, 10-4 or 5 (Dec 27-Apr 3), picturesque lakes, islands, bridges with waterlilies and lotus flowers, giant Amazon lily leaves
    • Lake Mountain, Marysville (120km/2:10): scenic drive to summit of Lake Mountain (1433m), hiking or cross-country skiing in eucalyptus forests, Steavenson Falls
    • Yarra Valley wineries – wine tasting
  8. Ballarine Peninsula (South-west side of Port Phillip Bay)
    • Port Phillip Ferries (131 Harbour Espl., Docklands, across from Marvel Stadium): $32 r-t to Portarlington ($16 o-w), S-Su: 10:45-12:05, return: 4:30-5:50; to Geelong & Portarlington, 400-seat ferry, dolphins along the way; www.portphillipferries.com.au
    • Jirrahlinga Koala and Wildlife Sancturay (Taits Road, Barwon Heads): $18, 10-5
    • Portarlington Mill (Turner Court, Portarlington, Ballarine Peninsula): $5, Sat-Sun 12-4 (Sep-May), Wed (Jan); flour mill from 1857
    • Adventure Park (Geelong): open Oct 29-Apr 17, theme park/water park, $43 (RACV pre-book: $39)
  9. Sunbury-Bacchus Marsh area (West-NW of Melbourne)
    • Werribbee Gorge State Park (90km/1:30, Myers Rd, Pentland Hills near Bacchus Marsh):
      • ​​​​​​​ River Walk (3.5km/1hr r-t): easy; from Meikles Point picnic area along river through gorge to beach and return
      • WG Circuit Track (8.5km/3.5hrs), grade 3, 340m climb/descent, rough trail, involves rock scrambling, steep sections, may walk in either direction; Start at Meikles Point Picnic area & follow Werribee River.
    • Organ Pipes National Park (30km/30 mins): black basalt columns hanging over picturesque Jackson Creek
    • Rupertswood Mansion (3 Macedon St, Sunbury): birthplace of the Ashes, built in 1876, beautiful building, now used as administration offices for the Catholic Salesian College, open on Melbourne Open House day
    • Sunbury Bicentennial Park: The Nook, small pond on Jacksons Creek, walk along Emu Bottom Wetlands and Platypus Ponds
    • Sunbury Historical Tours: in the former Lunatic Asylum on Jacksons Hill
    • Dingo Discovery Sanctuary (366-400 Gisborne-Melton Rd, Toolern Vale): open by appointment, http://www.dingofoundation.org/
  10. Mount Macedon (100km/1:30 via Calder Fwy/M79 & C322/Mount Macedon Rd)
    • Elev. 1000m, heritage gardens, trees turn vivid reds and yellows in autumn, walking tracks, rock formations
    • Hanging Rock Reserve (South Rock Rd, Newham): 9-5, $10/car
      • Hanging Rock Summit Walk (1.6km/30mins o-w, moderate): sealed, steep path to moonscape-like rocky summit, rock wallabies & kangaroos along trail
      • 2 other rock formations nearby: Camels Hump & Brock’s Monument (East on Romsey Rd).
    • ​​​​​​​ Honor Ave (Mount Macedon): tree lined avenue, beautiful colors in autumn
    • Forest Glade Gardens (816 Mount Macedon Rd): $10, 10-5, private garden open all year round, English, Japanese, Italian, woodland sections, fern gully, statues, water features, maples in autumn, azaleas/rhododendrons/peonies in spring, hydrangeas in summer
    • Garden of Tieve Tara (751 Mount Macedon Rd): $10, 10:30-5 (weekend/holiday), 10-4 (weekdays), open in spring and autumn, lawns, lakes, creek, fountain, ducks, seasonal colours
  11. West Gippsland (around Warragul, 100km/1:30 East of Melbourne)
    • Broughton Hall Gardens (85km/1hr; 125 Palmer Rd, Jindivick): $20, Thu-Sun10-4; beautiful large private gardens, Oct 1-14 cherry blossoms, Oct 24-Nov 17 high spring, autumn colors; https://muskersbroughtonhall.com.au/broughtonhall/
    • Mount Worth State Park (Seaview, 108 km/1.5 hrs): fern gullies, walking tracks; Giant’s Circuit Walk through mountain ash forest, access from Moonlight Creek picnic ground
    • Toorongo Falls Reserve (120km/1:40; 70 km/1:10 north of Mount Worth State Park on Toorongo Valley Rd): at the foot of Mount Baw Baw and the Yarra Ranges, easy 2.2km/1hr circuit walk to two year-round waterfalls – Toorongo & Amphitheatre Falls in forest & fern gullies; on the way: Trestle Bridge in Noojee
    • Baw Baw National Park (156km/2.5 hrs to Baw Baw Village): walking tracks, hike to summit of Mount Baw Baw
    • Tarra-Bulga National Park (170km/2:10, South Gippsland): walking tracks from Visitor Centre and Bulga Picnic Area; on clear autumn days views across Latrobe Valley to Wilsons Prom; rainforest, ferns, mountain ash, waterfall, suspension bridge

  12. Cathedral Range State Park (112km/2hrs North, Little River Rd, Taggerty): in the Yarra Ranges, off B360 Maroondah Hwy. Short and long hikes: Southern Circuit, Northern Circuit

 

LONG DAYTRIPS and/or OVERNIGHT TRIPS

  1. Lorne & Surf Coast (142km/2hrs South):

    • Anglesea golf course: kangaroos (1 Golf Links Rd, Anglesea)

    • Ironbark Basin Walk (10.5km r-t): easy-moderate; tucked away between Bells Beach and Point Addis, beautiful bushed inland basin that runs down to the beach, part of Surf Coast Walk; from Bells Beach Southside carpark / Point Addis carpark

    • Henderson Falls & Canyon (2.5 km r-t + 2 km r-t Canyon)

    • Sheoak Falls (3 km r-t)

    • Phantom Falls (3 km r-t); combined w/ Henderson Falls & Canyon: 8.6 km

    • Kalimna Falls (8 km r-t)

    • Erskine Falls

    • Teddy’s Lookout

  2. Great Ocean Road (South-SW of Melbourne on the Southern Ocean) :Victoria’s top tourist attraction, may book day-trips by coach from CBD

    • Beautiful shoreline with magnificient cliff formations, beaches, fern tree gullies, rainforests and waterfalls

    • Kennett River (off Grey River Rd): spot koalas in their natural habitat, feed king parrots in parking lot

    • Apollo Bay: Marriners Lookout

    • Maits Rest: fern tree gully

    • Cape Otway lighthouse

    • Castle Cove & Wreck Beach

    • Great Otway National Park: Melba Gully, Otway Fly Treetop Walk, Hopetoun Falls, Triplet Falls, Beauchamp Falls, The Redwoods, Stevensons Falls

    • Port Campbell area: The Arch, Loch Ard Gorge, Twelve Apostles, Gibson Steps, London Bridge, The Grotto

    • Bay of Martyrs, Crofts Bay, Bay of Islands, Childers Cove, Wild Dog Cove

    • Tower Hill State Game Reserve: in volcanic crater; koalas, emus, kangaroos, possums, waterbirds

  3. Wilson’s Prom National Park & coastal Gippsland (East)

    • Inverloch: coastal formations between Inverloch & Cape Paterson, boardwalk along Screw Creek to Townsend Bluff, kangaroo spotting in Venus Bay

    • Wilsons Prom: Waratah Bay (expansive beach & emerald waters), Tidal River, Whiskey Bay (stunning surf beach w/ giant granite boulders), Squeaky Beach, emus and wombats along the way

    • Tongue Point Coastal Walk (9.6km/3-4hrs r-t): moderate, from Darby River Car Park

    • Mt. Oberon Summit Walk (6.8km/1.5hrs circuit): moderate, from Telegraph Saddle Carpark; stunning sunrise

  4. Alps/High Country (North-east)

    • Mount Buller (227km/3:10, near Mansfield)

    • King Valley (250km/3.5 hrs, near Mt Buller/Mt Buffalo & Wangaratta): hills, wineries, Lake William Hovell, Australian Alps Walking Track, Powers Lookout above Whitlands

    • Mount Buffalo National Park (373km/4.5 hrs, near Wangaratta): famous autumn foliage in Bright, hiking and scenic drives on Mount Buffalo, Mount Hotham

    • Alpine National Park/Falls Creek (411km/5 hrs, near Wangaratta)

  5. East Gippsland (2020 fire affected area)

  6. Grampians (W-NW)

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