Travel guide Victoria for Art & Craft

Rye, Victoria In a quiet location, close to Rye’s Bayside Beach, The Shell Croft is part of the Blue Moon cottages site, a group of three cottages in established gardens in the lovely seaside village of Rye. Overall rating?    Great, with excellent ambience and location What makes The Shell Croft different? When we arrived there was classical music playing, the cottage was warm and welcoming and all this, combined with the glow of the bedside lights and the complimentary bottle of wine, made us feel relaxed and welcome. Accommodation overview There are three bedrooms, two with queen-size beds and a third room with bunks (accessible via one of the queen bedrooms). Our bedroom was beautifully presented with a white cotton and embroidered doona cover and ... Read more

We all know that life is busy and pulling us in many different directions … work, family, friends, community obligations – but what about our obligation to ourselves? We all need the chance to step away, take stock and recharge, otherwise life becomes merely an obstacle course to overcome, rather than the great adventure it is meant to be. Places like Saltus allow us to draw breath and remember what is really important, and the beauty of the surrounding countryside in the Hepburn Springs region of Victoria makes it easy to forget about pressure and deadlines. These luxury villas are set high above the Mineral Springs Reserve, with panoramic views across the valley below, and yet they are in the heart of the village itself, with easy access to the many delights and attrac... Read more

The Victorian goldfields are a treasure trove and we are not just talking about gold.  They are liberally sprinkled with other precious finds, such as Lochinver Homestead, a magnificent 1860s property nestled in 1000 acres of fine farmland in the glorious Carisbrook region, rich in history and things to see and do. The area abounds with attractions, such as driving through Maldon – the setting for the highly regarded film ‘Romulus, My Father’, visiting Kyriong, a traditional farm with resident emus, and you don’t need to be a trainspotter to marvel at Maryborough Railway Station with its café and antique shops … so much to do, so little time! Not if you stay at Lochinver – as this historic homestead is a place of peace and relaxation and t... 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

Imagine beginning a dinner party conversation with, “Back when I found myself in The Jaws of Death…” You’ll certainly get everyone’s attention. If the mere thought leaves you quaking however, fear not! The Grampians’ remarkable cliffs overlooking the picturesque Lake Wartook and Victoria Valley are easily accessible and nowhere near as scary as they look. In fact, just a short walk can lead you to a view you’ll never forget, as well as the opportunity to snap photos that will impress your friends, without risking your life. (Note: These cliffs have been renamed “The Balconies”, which doesn’t sound nearly as dangerous, but don’t worry – we won’t tell your mates.) The 400 million-year-old series of four distinct ... 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

  Dreaming of dreamtime travel? One of the great attractions of outback travel is the contact with the rich and ancient history and culture of indigenous Australians.  But did you know that it is not just the outback that offers you the opportunity to learn more about the cultures of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples? The establishment of Indigenous Tourism Australia (ITA) has seen a cohesive approach being applied to the 300 or so Indigenous Tourism operators that are working energetically towards making a sustainable indigenous tourism experience available around Australia.  ITA was founded as part of Tourism Australia and is funded by the Australian Government as part of its commitment to grow quality indigenous niche tourism businesses in Aus... Read more

"The grand Werribee Mansion, with its magnificent pleasure garden, gives visitors a glimpse of how Victoria's squattocracy once lived." Maree Blackburn, Visitor Services Coordinator, Werribee Park Werribee Park is an elaborate heritage property located just 30 minutes from central Melbourne. The jewel in this property's crown is an exquisite 60-roomed Italianate-style Mansion, the largest private residence ever built in Victoria. "Werribee Park is a truly unique property with many stories to tell," says Maree Blackburn, Visitor Services Coordinator based at Werribee Park. "From Aboriginal communities that are known to have lived in the area, to the arrival of Scottish immigrants making their fortune in the 19 th century and subsequent use as a seminary by the ... Read more

Switch on your sense of adventure, rekindle your love of history, fine tune your appreciation of the natural world, and take a trip to Ballarat, where you will discover a city with a rich cultural heritage and vibrant lifestyle. Ballarat is situated 110 kilometres north west of Melbourne, and is a fantastic day trip, short break or longer stay destination.  Built on the wealth of gold, Ballarat is a monument to the pioneering adventurers who left their distant homelands in search of prosperity in the gold rush of the 1850’s. Also referred to as the ‘Garden City’ and the ‘City of Statues’, Ballarat offers a wealth of attractions and activities. Step back in time to the 1850’s and be caught up in the thrill of gold fever at Sovereign Hill.  A l... Read more

Can you keep a secret? Metung Village is tucked away, like a well-kept secret, in a peaceful corner of the Gippsland Lakes. This picture-perfect village is almost surrounded by the Lakes. Everywhere you look there’s water and boats. Metung offers a true escape, a chance to share simple pleasures. It’s both incredibly romantic and fabulous for families. Getting to Metung is easy, as you travel along the Princess Highway, turn off at Swan Reach and follow the Tambo River, within 5 minutes you will arrive at this tiny village, with it’s peaceful atmosphere, beautiful setting and the friendly locals will surprise you. Boating is a way of life in Metung, and you can share this passion by hiring a boat- from a small day boat to a large, elegant yacht or cruiser. By water y... Read more