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Victoria’s most memorable guided tours to book now

Lara Picone Lara Picone
Get around the natural beauty and bounty of regional Victoria on a guided tour that reveals extraordinary moments from coast to country.

Walk the Great Ocean Road

forest walk along the Great Ocean Road
Swap your car for walking shoes on the Great Ocean Road.

The Australian Walking Co’s immersive three-day, lodge-based walk is absolute bucket-list fodder. The easy-going, guided coastal hike is marked by epic scenery and end-of-day luxury. You’ll have no need for heavy packs or tents, instead expect fresh-caught crayfish, post-walk canapés and local wines. Each day explores the drama of this ocean-facing landscape with an approachable three-hour-ish walk, leaving plenty of time to unwind at the lodge.

Swim with seals and dolphins at Port Phillip Heads

dolphins swimming in Port Phillip Head Marine Park
Swim with dolphins in Port Phillip Head Marine Park.

Dive into Popes Eye, within Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park, for this wild swimming experience with mankind’s BFFs of the sea. On the See All Dolphin Swims 3.5-hour experience, departing from Queenscliff, you’ll begin in shallow, calm waters before venturing off to Chinaman’s Hat and beyond to meet seals and dolphins in their own habitat. All gear is provided and all ages are welcome.

Get your ghost on in the Grampians

For those with a penchant for the paranormal, get ready for goosebumps when you embark on the Lantern Tours J Ward Paranormal Investigation excursion that takes place under the moonlight in the west wing of Aradale Lunatic Asylum. As you keep a lookout for supernatural activity, you’ll enjoy tales of the criminally insane inmates that will make the hairs on your neck stand to attention.

Paddle along the mighty Murray

a woman on a stand-up paddle board along the Murray
Glide along the scenic Murray on a stand-up paddleboard.

Swoosh softly through the silky waters of the mighty Murray on a stand-up paddle board with Echuca Moama Stand Up Paddle. This gentle downstream sojourn meanders for one-and-a-half hours covering 4.5 kilometres of the river, taking in the beauty on the banks and the vibrant birdlife.

Drift into the ultimate slow escape… a houseboat holiday on the Murray River is all about golden mornings, lazy afternoons and the kind of quiet that feels like magic.

From Echuca Moama slip under the Moama Bridge and glide beside its iconic paddlesteamers and the historic port.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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Sip and cycle in the Yarra Valley

cyclists exploring Yarra Valley
Cycle around Yarra Valley wine country.

Wine and wheels make a great pairing on the Tour De Vines six-hour Yarra Valley tour that weaves through vine-threaded roads. It’s a relaxed pace along 20 kilometres of the Warburton Rail Trail as you spot native birds and stop in at local vineyards and produce stores. You’ll pull in at a local winery for a tasting and enjoy lunch before hitting up a couple of cellar doors. Depending on your pedal power, there may be time to sneak in a visit to a chocolate or cheese factory.

Dig for gold in Bendigo

Think you have what it takes to unearth a gilded treasure? Try your hand at prospecting and learn the art of gold-digging (in the geological sense) on the two-hour Gold Nugget Hunter tour in the Loddon Valley. On the tour, mine the wisdom of locals Shane and Jackie – who have honed their hobby of gold-detecting into an art – to learn how to read the land and use a gold detector. You may even go home with a nugget of your own.

Cruise around Wilsons Promontory

the Skull Rock in Wilsons Prom
Cruise around Skull Rock in Wilsons Prom. (Image: Connor Vaughan)

It’s a thrill to drive directly from the sand into the waves aboard the Wanderer Adventures’ bright-yellow amphibious boat. On this 2.5-hour tour, you’ll skip along the water to take in Wilsons Prom’s top highlights, such as the imposing Skull Rock, The Glennies, Anderson Islets and Anser Island. Spot seals, penguins and seabirds as you absorb the tranquillity of this stunning environment.

Walk with llamas in the Macedon Ranges

a llama in the Macedon Ranges
Make friends with a llama in the Macedon Ranges.

If you’ve always felt an affinity for long-lashed camelids, then bonding with a llama on a leisurely walk might just be the thing for you. Opt for either a three-hour, five-kilometre hike or a longer 12-kilometre trek along the Domino Rail Trail paired with a gentle, hooved friend. Things kick off with a llama orientation, where you’ll learn how to lead and look out for your new mate before you hit the track. It’s a lovely way to explore the beauty of the region with a sensitive and curious companion by your side.

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Go underground in the Grampians

a subterranean tour of Seppelt Wines
Take a subterranean tour of Seppelt Wines. (Image: Ben Savage/We Are Explorers)

Oenophiles and cave-lovers alike will enjoy going underground at Seppelt’s ‘Drives’. The largest underground cellar in Australia, The Drives were dug by local goldminers in 1868 and meander for three-kilometres – keeping wine treasures at a temperate 16-degrees year-round. A 50-minute tour through the heritage-listed granite tunnels happily conclude with a tasting of the label’s celebrated sparkling wines.

Discover island life in the Mornington Peninsula

a guided tour of French Island
Discover the Mornington Peninsula’s flora and fauna on a guided tour of French Island.

Eject from the mainland on a catamaran bound for the wildlife haven of French Island with Naturaliste Tours. Once you disembark from the boat, you’ll hop into a 4WD to explore the pristine flora and fauna, from salt marshes to vast Fairhaven Beach.

Look out for echidnas and koalas and enjoy short walks and historic sites on this half-day tour.

seals in Wilsons Prom
The southernmost tip is a haven for wildlife. (Image: CMcConville)
Lara Picone
Working for many of Australia’s top publications, Lara Picone has had the distinct pleasure of writing, editing and curating content about the finer things in life for more than 15 years. Graduating from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, her editorial foundation began at Qantas: The Australian Way magazine, before moving on to learn the fast-paced ropes of a weekly magazine at Sunday Magazine and picking up the art of brand curation at donna hay magazine. Pivoting a near-problematic travel lust into a career move by combining it with storytelling and a curious appetite, her next role was as Deputy Editor of SBS Feast magazine and later Online Editor of SBS Food online. She then stepped into her dream job as Editor of Australian Traveller before becoming Online Editor for both International Traveller and Australian Traveller. Now as a freelancer, Lara always has her passport at-the-ready to take flight on assignment for the Australian Traveller team, as well as for publications such as Qantas Magazine, Escape and The Weekend Australian. As ever, her appetite is the first thing she packs.
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6 nature-based experiences to prove the Bendigo region comes alive in autumn

    Dilvin Yasa Dilvin Yasa
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    A change is as good as a holiday, but never more so than in the Bendigo region when it’s the seasons putting in the transformative work.

    With its gold rush history, opulent architecture and booming food and wine industry, there’s no denying that the Bendigo region is beautiful to visit at any time of year. Visit between March and May, however, and you’ll find the Bendigo in autumn really comes alive. Foliage erupts in a canvas of golden colours and the cooling air makes immersing yourself in nature all the more enticing.

    Need a few ideas to get you started? We’re so glad you asked.

    1. Tackle the bike trails

    Pink Cliffs Reserve
    Pink Cliffs Reserve in Heathcote can be seen on the O’Keefe Rail Trail. (Image: Visit Victoria/Emily Godfrey)

    Welcome to a region that punches well above its weight when it comes to cycling. This is where hammies are tested on multi-day rides, and first-timers fall in love with the sport on short (and ridiculously pretty) trails.

    The 49-kilometre O’Keefe Rail Trail is the headline act, following the old railway line between Bendigo and Heathcote. Cross the Campaspe River at Axedale Recreation Reserve and pause at the Platypus Compass Sculpture and the First Nations mural marking the connection between Djaara and Taungurung Country, with Axedale acting as the perfect halfway stop to refuel at a pub or cafe.

    Pedal a little further Heathcote’s Pink Cliffs Geological Reserve to be rewarded with views of sculpted pink clay cliffs and narrow gorges that are perfect for a photo stop. Searching for a different type of reward? The Heatchote Wine Region is full of inviting cellar doors.

    There are plenty of other options in the Bendigo region, from the 210-kilometre Goldfields Track, to the Bendigo Creek Trail and Back Creek Trail – both ideal for riders of all abilities. The 3.7 kilometre Little Lake Boort loop is a great family-friendly option.

    Prefer something more adventurous? Spring Gully Mountain Bike Park has been keeping BMX Bandits’ dreams alive for years.

    2. Enjoy the crunch of autumn leaves

    two people having a picnic at Valley of Liquidambers heathcote
    Pack a picnic and head to the Valley of Liquidambers.

    Blinding clusters of crimson, burnt orange and brilliant yellow; here, autumn leaves are crisp confetti of fire and gold. See the magic up close with a slew of parks seemingly dedicated to showcasing Mother Nature’s colour wheel, especially from mid April to early June.

    Pack a picnic for an afternoon at Valley of Liquidambers in Heathcote, where Liquidamber trees transform into a wonderworld of magical foliage. Don’t miss taking a leisurely stroll across the swinging bridge back towards the main street.

    Rosalind Park might be celebrated for its annual tulip display come springtime, but it’s hard to compete with the theatre of autumn. Here, many trees date back to the 1800s, and there’s no better place for a romantic stroll than along the elms, oak and Queensland Kauri that dominate this park.

    Head straight to Lake Weeroona, where an ornamental lake begs for a leisurely lap around its edges, either on foot, or with pedal power.

    3. Immerse yourself in First Nations culture

    woman exploring Kooyoora State Park with guides
    Explore Kooyoora State Park on a cultural tour.

    Its ‘Mountain of Light’ (Guyura in the Dja Dja Wurrung language) title is impressive, but so too is Kooyoora State Park’s rugged landscape of granite outcrops, rocky ridgelines and wide-open skies.

    While there’s nothing to suggest you couldn’t explore Kooyoora’s walking tracks on your own, the best way to understand the 40,000 years of history behind its natural wonders is to book a 2.5-hour Kooyoora Cultural Tour with Dumawul Tours.

    Led by Djaara cultural guides, expect a traditional Welcome to Country smoking ceremony, before engaging storytelling rewinds the clock to reveal the deep cultural significance of the land, its flora, fauna and its continuing connection to Country.

    Keen to stay a little longer? Consider staying overnight at the campground and committing to the park’s wealth of walking trails, such as the 5.3-kilometre hike from the camping ground to the lookout on the Long Rock Walking Track.

    4. Splash in the region’s waterways

    Serpentine Creek Canoe Trail
    Paddle through Serpentine Creek Canoe Trail. (Image: Visit Vic)

    Water babies rejoice: the Bendigo region offers a wealth of waterways to explore.

    Flowing 392-kilometres from the Great Dividing Range to the Murray River, the best way to enjoy Loddon River is with a stop at Bridgewater. Here you can swim in the natural infinity pool or tackle the all-abilities, five-kilometre Serpentine Creek Canoe Trail before browsing the cute stores in town. Hungry? Grab a bite at Bridgewater Hotel.

    Lake Eppalock is popular for water activities, but don’t miss a visit to Little Lake Boort and Big Lake Boort. Birders, in particular, will love the former, thanks to the large variety of bird species that nest in the boardwalk area surrounding the lake.

    Meanwhile, Big Lake Boort is celebrated for its significant Indigenous history and over 400 scarred trees, and offers an opportunity to spot birds and go canoing.

    Meanwhile, watersports and recreational activities at Crusoe Reservoir, located on the outskirts of Bendigo, are the order of the day. Take a walk to the picnic spots of No. 7 Park nearby, and maybe even camp there for the night.

    5. View epic lookouts

    customers at Peregrine Ridge
    Spend time at Peregrine Ridge.

    Sometimes a holiday requires a phenomenal spot on which to perch as you survey your temporary kingdom below. The Bendigo region, happily, doesn’t do anything by halves.

    Located in Heathcote-Graytown National Park, Viewing Rock Lookout – a rocky outcrop offering spectacular views over Heathcote and surrounds – remains a popular choice. Take the hour-long Viewing Rock Circuit Walk and try your hand at gold prospecting nearby.

    Prefer the romance of sunrise or sunset? Pyramid Hill, a stunning granite hill rising 187-metres above sea level, is the place to be (preferably with a coffee and a bagel)

    Over in Terrick Terrick National Park, a walk to the summit delivers a full 360-degree panorama of woodlands, farms and open-sky plains. Pack lunch – and perhaps a tent – as picnic tables and camping are available.

    Carve out time for Peregrine Ridge, a vineyard situated at the eastern side of Mt Camel Range with an elevation ranging from 250-290 metres. Be rewarded with delicious wine and a cellar door which offers floor-to-ceiling views.

    6. Enjoy the Bendigo region’s parks and gardens

    Rosalind Park in bendigo
    Stroll through Bendigo’s best gardens. (Image: Visit Vic)

    Rosalind Park, located right in the centre of town, is considered Bendigo’s backyard and rightly so. Home to the Bendigo Easter Festival, it’s just as popular year-round for its sixty acres of rolling lawns, towering elms, fernery and winding paths – not to mention the playground which has plenty of little fans of its own. A short drive away, Bendigo Botanic Gardens – established in 1857 – offers a more tranquil space for deep-level nature immersion.

    Those who favour something a little more formal, cottage-style Canterbury Park Gardens – famous for its dahlias in autumn – delivers.  Stroll through its meticulously maintained ornamental gardens before checking out Lake Tom Thumb and Lake Neangar nearby.

    Time to start planning your adventure to the Bendigo Region, visit bendigoregion.com.au.