Travel guide Victoria for Winter Holiday

  A trip to Maldon is a treat for any history buff. Listed as Australia’s ‘First Notable Town’ by The National Trust in 1966, this old gold mining town has beautifully preserved buildings dating back to the 19th century and a genuine steam train. At one time in history, the town had some of the world’s richest quartz reefs, with wealthy fortune-hunters flocking to the area where they built luxurious homes and businesses at the height of the boom. Today, the miners have gone, along with the quartz and gold – but in 2006 The National Trust referred to Maldon as “…the most intact historic streetscape in Victoria.” It is truly a picturesque preservation of Australian history.   Fans of Australian literature and movies will be intere... Read more

Sometimes, a person wants to escape the rat race and get back to the simple life. But not if you live in Walhalla! If you lived there, you probably wouldn’t encounter much traffic, as today there are only ten permanent residents! But it is this simplicity that makes Walhalla such a delightful destination to visit. Over a hundred years ago, thousands of gold miners and support businesses made this town a thriving community, but today only their ghosts remain.   Ghosts? Well – friendly ghosts anyway. If you fancy some intrigue, a local favourite tour is the Walhalla Ghost Tour where you will hear eerie stories about the characters that once roamed the town (and never left…).    Things to do: If the idea of a ghost tour gives you the chills, conside... Read more

  Apollo Bay lies on Victoria’s iconic Great Ocean Road and is less than three hours by car from Melbourne. Featuring stunning coastal scenery and nestled into rolling green hills, Apollo Bay is a treasure trove of things to see and do and features a wide range of accommodation options.  The Great Ocean Road stretches for 300km along the coast and is dotted with villages like Apollo Bay, which welcome the influx of visitors over the summer months and offer a range of experiences to enjoy, as well as glorious views around every bend of the road.   Featuring a variety of swimming and surf beaches, as well as a boat harbour, and with the marina home to a large fishing fleet, there is no shortage of attractions. Many visitors like to relax on the beaches, while... Read more

Australia’s favourite winter getaways Where’s your favourite destination in winter? Heading for the cool of the highlands or north for the heat? We asked you to vote on your favourite winter holiday destination. TakeABreak.com.au, Australia’s only independent holiday rental website, initiated a first time ‘Best Places to Stay’ award for Australian destinations, which recognised towns and cities that have outstanding facilities in specialist segment categories. Winners were voted on by the public, with 8 categories presenting finalists across each state. Just some of the TakeABreak Winter Destination Finalists: Goldfields, VIC 0.70% Darwin, NT 2.82% ... Read more

Expect more than ‘great ocean’ on this iconic touring route. Rightly regarded as one of the most spectacular coastal roads in the world, the Great Ocean Road loops like a rollercoaster along the southern sea-cliffs of Victoria. Carved out of the mountains, the road winds its way around some 300km of rugged, exposed coastline from Geelong to Warrnambool, past cliffs, roaring seas, tranquil coves and some of Australia’s best surf beaches. Along the way it links the deliciously quaint fishing villages and seaside holiday towns of Torquay, Lorne, Anglesea, Airey’s Inlet and Apollo Bay before heading inland through the Otway Ranges. Emerging from the forest, the road then reveals a vastly different landscape as it runs behind sandstone cliffs, which face the onslaught of... Read more

Those of us who live in Australia grow up understanding the joys, dangers and safety rules that make it such a great place.  However, many visitors to our country find Australia an alien, but starkly beautiful country, and they have little or no understanding of the best way to stay safe and enjoy their time here. A few very simple rules can help to make a visit to Australia a safe and pleasurable experience, and Tourism Australia has a brochure available for download that lists safety tips in a variety of languages. Driving tips One of the first things to remember is that speed limits are strictly enforced in Australia, more so than in many countries overseas.  Generally, when driving in urban and suburban areas, the speed limit is between 50 and 60 kilometres per hour. When ... Read more

We know that our teenage children can be delightful, exasperating, funny, sullen, adventurous, shy, talkative, slothful and manic – and sometimes that is just in the space of an hour!  All these moods are magnified when it comes to travelling, be it in Australia or overseas, as teens and parents are forced into one another’s company without a ‘get out of jail free’ card, such as time with friends. Travelling overseas with teenagers tends to be a better experience for a number of reasons, such as the brilliant entertainment systems now available on most flights, menus that let them eat things they like, resorts that have activities that cater for most age groups and the “wow” factor.  So let’s concentrate on surviving travelling in Austra... Read more

BRISBANE BRISVEGAS FASHION AND BEAUTY Brisbanites love to look good and there are many places to give that plastic card some exercise. FORTITUDE VALLEY This is the 'Fashion Hub' of Brisbane and is filled with high-end boutiques. If you love the finer things in life, then this is the place to visit for everything from a wide range of home-oriented retailers to fashion specialty stores for females. ‘The Valley’ stocks the likes of international labels such as, Collette Dinnigan & Collette Dinnigan Enfant, Citizens of Humanity Denim and Christian Louboutin shoes. There are also great male and children ranges thrown into the mix. • Faves are Ultra Suite and Blonde Venus for up-to-the-minute style. • Also, Jean Brown at Emporium, Ann St. A fantastic boutique... Read more

Whenever you drive along The Great Ocean Road, you could be forgiven for having illusions of grandeur. You might picture yourself as James Bond zipping along in a shiny Aston Martin. Or perhaps you'll wonder if you're actually part of a luxury car advertisement. The scenery is so incredible; your mind will transport you into a world of extravagance - even if you are puttering along in a broken-down heap. The stretch of road between Torquay and Allansford in southwest Victoria was predominantly built by World War I returned soldiers. Commencing work with picks and shovels back in 1919, the men laboured hard, and few would have lived to see the whole expanse of road complete. Various sections opened over decades, with the first 75km between Anglesea and Apollo Bay completed in 1932. More t... Read more

Whatever the season, whatever the reason, a stay in Mansfield - in Victoria’s northeast - is the perfect way to relax and revive. The Mansfield area is renowned for its spectacular national parks, state forests, mountains, lakes and rivers, and historic links. Its sense of history and adventure is still evident in the homes and buildings that have graced the landscape for several generations. New industries with a stronger tourism focus have given visitors and residents alike many more reasons to the stay in the area. The rivers, lakes and mountains await lovers of the great outdoors; the shops, galleries, restaurants and wineries welcome lovers of the great indoors. Go driving, hiking, camping, biking, horse riding all year round, and snow skiing in winter. Wonder at the sweeping ... Read more