The former mansion of the Chirnside‘s, a very wealthy Australian family, who made their money from sheep farming, is Werribee Park. 
 
Werribee Park is a fascinating educational and heritage property offering a diversity of experiences within one location. Brothers Thomas and Andrew Chirnside travelled to Australia from Scotland in the mid 1800s and, armed with resolve, and inspired  by their family motto 'Do or Die', the two started creating a vast rural empire. Werribee Park is a tribute to their successful business ventures and offers visitors of today a rare peek into the excessive opulence of a bygone time.

A fine Italian style house built between 1873 and 1878 and recently renovated to create a wonderful visitors paradise.

 

Port Phillip Bay curves to the south in a horseshoe shape in the direction of Bass Strait, the body of water which separates mainland Australia from Tasmania. At the top of the horseshoe is the state capital of Melbourne, whilst the Bellarine Peninsula is at the south-western tip.

 

Geelong 
The largest city on the Bellarine Peninsula is the historic port of Geelong, which is also Victoria’s second-biggest city and well known for its stylish Art Gallery and outstanding National Wool Museum. Over 200 of Geelong’s buildings are listed as historically significant.Located facing north on curio Bay, Geelong has a strong industrial and rural past.  It is the second largest city in the state of Victoria, and once very popular in the early part of the 20th century for recreational facilities and activities.  The city has been rejuvenated by the refurbishment of many of these facilities and by promotion of activities and events.
At Eastern Beach for example, a 1930 Art Deco bathing complex, complete with its own grounds and beach has been restored to its former glory at late as 1994.
Redevelopments of old warehouses at Steampacket Place and Pier have also taken place allowing restaurants, hotels, cafes and shops to bring the area back to life.
The National Wool museum is also located here showing the history of wool from the sheep shearing sheds to the fashion catwalks.

Great Ocean Road
The famous Great Ocean Road is probably one of the world most spectacular coastal drives. To the west of Geelong and one hundred and six kilometres long it winds along the coast past isolated beaches,  beautiful bays and unique rainforests.  Panoramic gorges, caves and startling columns of rock protruding from the sea make breathtaking unforgettable scenery.
                                             
Along the way you will find many hotels, self catering holiday cottages, resorts and farm which offer accommodation.  There is also not shortage of good quality restaurants.

During the winter, Southern Right Whales can be observed from the viewing platform at Logans Beach, Warrnambool, as they migrate here to the grounds where they were born.
 
On Swan Bay at Queenscliff, near the bottom perimeter of the Bellarine Peninsula, is the slender entrance to Port Phillip Bay, which started as a pilot station in 1838 and later became an important fishing village.

 

The Queenscliff Maritime Centre and Museum is a glimpse into pastimes. Every Sunday, a steam engine puffs its way along a 20 kilometre track to Drysdale,and is an experience not to be missed. At the Bellarine Peninsula’s southern end is one of Australia’s top surfing spots, Torquay, and Bells Beach famous for its awesome waves.  Torquay’s surfing museum is definitely worth a look.

 

Torquay is the first stop along the way and is known as Australia’s ‘Surf City’  because it is second to none for surf after Hawaii.  Every April the most prestigious World Championship Tour event in the world the Rip Curl Pro and Sun Smart Classic is held on Bells Beach.

Now a thriving city of some 25,000 people, Mildura was once no more than a small village on the banks of the Murray River, surrounded by a red sandy desert.

In 1887, however two Canadian brothers, William and George Chaffey came to Mildura having just completed an irrigation system in California. They began Australia’s very first large scale irrigation project, turning the desert sands into wonderfully fertile farmland which stretches for about 60 miles.

Vineyards, wineries, olives and citrus fruit are rapidly expanding industries in the area.

Tourism, as well as farming, has helped the city’s economy in recent years and well worth a visit is Rio Vista, the magnificent former home of William Chaffey, which was built in 1890 and has been restored to its former glory.

Located 338 km north-west of Melbourne, Swan Hill was once a busy Murray River port and was once a party to the paddle boat era. Swan Hill is a lovely rural town of some 10,000 people with the economy surviving  mainly on commerce and tourism.
The mild sunny climate here attracts many visitor to the town who arrive to take advantage of the good fishing and boating. There is a Pioneer Settlement and Folk Museum on the Little Murray River which are both popular with the tourists.  The settlement, is a recreation of  pioneer life which also includes local Aboriginal culture and here the staff  dress in period costume.

 

There are leisure cruises on the river, which leave the town where you can dine or just relax and take in the scenery. There is a Regional Contemporary Art Gallery in Swan Hill with interesting and diverse collections and displays reflecting the towns multicultural and rich ethnic disposition.

 

Two convicts sentenced, in the English court in Lancaster in 1834, to transportation, and who became arch enemies when they arrived in Australia, became the founders of the towns of Moama and Echuca on the Murray River. Henry Hopwood opened a hotel and operated a ferry from the Echuca bank of the river whilst James Maiden established a punt crossing on the northern bank. Whilst James Maiden closed his punt crossing  for a refit, Hopwood took advantage because he was then the only operator and it is said that the twin towns have never closed the economic gap.  Echuca then became the bigest inland port in Australia during the age of the paddlesteamers.

 

The Barmah forest, the largest red gum forest in the world is only 19 miles upstream from Echuca. This forest is well worth a visit as some of the gums are 300 years old and the area has important Aboriginal sites.

 

With a population of over 94,600 people Bendigo city is one of Victoria’s biggest and most progressive regional municipalities. .

Located in the exact centre of the state of Victoria and only 90 minutes from Melbourne, Bendigo is a contemporary and flourishing city with a lively local economy and a lovely mild climate. Bendigo boasts wonderful restaurants, fantastic shopping, celebrated wineries, stimulating attractions, superb streetscapes, great parks and gardens, outstanding heritage buildings, and best of all - a great lifestyle!

 

On reaching Bendigo after the 150 km drive from Melbourne, the first sight you have of this historic city, through the lovely avenue tunnel of plane trees, is a glimpse of the 19th century cathedral. Sandstone buildings are dotted between colonial gardens and century old trees. Pavement cafes, art galleries and little antique shops wait for exploration by visitors.

 

Bendigo burst into life during the gold rush and today tourist rush to experience the heritage of its past in this unique destination. During the first year of the gold rush in 1851 the town became one of the main magnets for immigrants looking to make their fortune. One bucket of surface dirt was found to contain 50lbs of gold. The wealth from this era meant that many 19th century buildings in Bendigo are extravagant and stylish. In the 1870’s a new gold rich quartz reef was discovered, reviving the rush once again and in 1871 this boom saw over 760 new companies being floated at the Beehive Mining Exchange in Pall Mall, London.  By the 1880’s Bendigo was the richest city in the world and all down to its production of gold.  Gold production was sustained here right up to the 1950’s and today there has been a revival of the industry due to Bendigo Mining tunnelling under the city.

 

The name of this gold rush town originated from a shepherd, William “Abendigo” Thompson, from the Ravenswood near Bendigo, who was handy using his fists and became well known as a world famous bare knuckled boxer.

The lovely mild climate is due to Bendigo’s location on the northern edge of the Great Dividing Range. The area receives approximately 240 rain free days per annum with an average January temperature of 29 degrees and in July 12 degrees.

The train line to Melbourne was opened in 1862 and Bendigo was proclaimed a city in 1871.

There are some 4,000 business in Bendigo which employ over 30,000 people and have an approximate economic output of around 32 billion Australian dollars per year.

 

The Bendigo Bank is the only regionally based bank in Australia and the city also boast the BSX, the Bendigo Stock Exchange.

Today Bendigo is the seventh largest goldfield in the world and the second largest producer in Australia.

The Bendigo Racecourse,  in operation since the 1850s and where the Bendigo Cup is held, pre-dates the famous Melbourne Cup.
     
Australia's oldest ongoing festival is The Bendigo Easter Fair which began in 1871.

There are many fine cafes and restaurants in Bendigo, many of whom will serve you with a selection of wines from the famous vineyards around the city.

 

Food from all over the world is available in the multitude of well visited restaurants and bistros whether you desire Chinese, Thai, Italian, Mexican, Turkish, Indian Japanese or `Australian', Bendigo city can accommodate.
 
Eating Al Fresco is an all year round pleasure with Bendigo's fabulous  Mediterranean climate, and there are plenty of  pubs, wine bars, coffee shops and take away outlets of every kind to cater.

The Central Deborah Goldmine is well worth a visit and takes tourists down the 260ft shaft into the deep reef mine. There are also exhibits of mining techniques.

 

Just outside Ballarat is Sovereign Hill which was named Australia’s number one tourist attraction in 2005. Sovereign Hill is a reproduction of an 1850’s town in the goldfields.  Authentically replicated, if you are in the area, this tourist attraction is one not to be missed.

There is an impressive sound and light show in the evenings and all the staff dress in period costume. A peek into history, this attraction is a sheer joy.

 

The name of this fine elegant gold mining city is taken from an Aboriginal word meaning ‘resting place’.

The beauty and grandeur of this place cannot fail to impress with a wonderful Edwardian and Victorian buildings, avenues lined with trees and period parks and gardens.

On the banks of Lake Wendouree you will find the Botanical Gardens where you could easily forget you were in a gold rush city, as its lush green lawns, statues and serene corners are typically Victorian. Walk down the Avenue of Prime Ministers and you can view a bust of every Australian Prime Minister to date.

Walk through the Arch of Victory and you will enter the Avenue of Honour lined with 4,000 trees in memorium of citizens who served in the First World War.

 

Also not to be missed is the $4 million Eureka Centre which is located in East Ballarat, and stands on the site of the Eureka Stockade. The Stockade was the site of a rebellion by the miners against the high price of licences to dig the gold. The stand off at the stockade ended when 30 miners were killed by an attack by soldiers and police, however, due to public outcry about the brutality, the licence fees were abandoned by the government.

There is also a self guided Heritage Walk which takes the visitor around the streets of the inner city uncovering its historic sites and buildings.

 

The Macedon Ranges and Spa Country are located to the northwest of Melbourne in a landscape covered in vineyards, wineries and little towns. This area is a sheer delight with plenty of places to stay and things to explore.

The Hepburn Spring Mineral Reserve is an area of bush land and is ideal for walkers or those people wishing to experience drinking the spring waters from old fashioned hand pumps.

Trentham Falls is the biggest single drop waterfall in Victoria and is a place of outstanding natural beauty.

 

In the main street of the town there is a memorial to the three troopers shot dead by the Ned Kelly Gang in 1878 in the nearby Stringbark Creek. Ned Kelly was hung for this crime in the Old Melbourne Gaol in Melbourne in 1880.

The town is probably best known because it was the location of the film Man from Snowy River made in 1981.

 

Shepparton is located in the middle of the Goulburn River Valley, and offers a varied range of unique natural wonders to the visitors. The city lies at the junction of the Broken and Goulburn rivers and attracts horse-riders, cyclists, joggers, walkers and horse-riders. The city  began as a little river crossing during the 1850s. Shepparton now has a population of some 25,500 people who enjoy an average of seven hours sunshine a day which is more than anywhere else in Victoria. Reedy Swamp Wildlife Reserve is a fascinating large wetland region, which has extensive reed beds and is home to a variety of water birds. Some 100 species have been recorded in the wetland, including a colony of ibis.

 

A rural locality and township on the road between Albury and Melbourne, Glenrowan is just 184 km to the north-east of the state capital and 14 km from Wangaratta.
Drivers who take the Hume Highway and train passengers will pass through the town, but those who take the Hume Freeway will bypass it. The town was named after the pioneer pastoralists James and George Rowan who lived on pastoral stations between 1846 and 1858

Lake Mokoan, formerly a swamp to the east of Glenrowan, is man made and was artificially formed in 1970.

The Jones Hotel in Glenrowan was the town where the Ned Kelly gang siege took place. Ned Kelly, had considered that police would come by train and made plans to ambush them, but the school teacher who was being held captive, escaped from the Hotel and managed to stop the train before it reached the part of the track which had been torn up so as to derail it. A seige followed and three of the four gang members were killed and the leader Ned Kelly captured and taken to Melbourne for trial.  The town of Glenrowan has opened two museums and a visitors centre devoted to this historical incident.

 

At the foot of the Dandenong Ranges is the gorgeous Yarra Valley the home of some of Australia’s most famous cooler climate wines. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and a selection of sparkling wines are amongst the selection produced here.  World class wineries open their doors for tastings and many have their own wonderful restaurants serving great food to complement the wine.

The Gulf Station owned by the National Trust, just outside the little bush town of Yarra Glen, allows the tourist to take a peek into farming life at the end of the 19th century.

 

Over 160 ships have sunk or foundered on this piece of treacherous coast and they now attract visitors from all over the world. 

 

Logans Beach is popular for whale watching as the rare Southern Right Whales calve in the shallow waters here from May to September.

 

Travel far enough along the Great Ocean Road and you will arrive at Port Fairy, an historic fishing village once home to a large Irish community. The little village now boasts colonial architecture, cafes, traditional accommodation and art galleries to cater for the international visitor.