Victoria in five days: the grand loop

1. Fed Square & NGV~1 h 30 min at the stop

The main square and Australia's oldest public gallery: general entry is free.

Tip: The NGV permanent collection is free. Federation Square is the meeting point before the galleries.

↓ walk · 3 min · 0.2 km

2. Hosier Lane~20 min at the stop

Melbourne street art's calling card: walls repainted almost weekly.

Tip: The paintings change. Early morning puts fewer people in the photo.

↓ walk · 25 min · 1.9 km

3. Queen Victoria Market~1 h 30 min at the stop

A heritage market trading since 1878: cheeses, bakeries and hot jam doughnuts from the van.

Worth knowing: The market has traded on this site since 1878, on land the city set aside for produce.

Tip: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 6am to 3pm, Saturday 6am to 4pm, Sunday 9am to 4pm. Closed Monday and Wednesday.

↓ tram · 15 min · 2.5 km

4. Melbourne Skydeck~1 h at the stop

Level 88 of Eureka Tower (~285 m): the Southern Hemisphere's highest deck; time it for sunset.

Worth knowing: Eureka Tower was finished in 2006. The Skydeck is on level 88, and the glass cube called the Edge slides out past the facade.

Tip: Price: from A$33. Book a sunset slot online: up to 15% cheaper than at the door. The deck is 285 m up; The Edge glass cube is a paid upgrade.

5. Royal Botanic Gardens~1 h 30 min at the stop

38 hectares from 1846 on the Yarra: a morning lap of the lake before heading for the bay.

Worth knowing: The gardens were reserved in 1846 on a bend of the Yarra.

Tip: Entry is free. The lake and the lawn hold children for an hour.

↓ drive · 25 min · 12 km

6. Brighton bathing boxes~45 min at the stop

The brightly painted Victorian bathing boxes on Dendy Street Beach: the bayside photo you can't skip.

Worth knowing: The boxes have stood on Dendy Street beach since the 19th century, when sea bathing needed a private changing hut. They are still privately leased.

Tip: The boxes are private. Look from the sand. Stay off the porch and the roof.

↓ drive · 15 min · 7 km

7. St Kilda penguins (free, book a session)~1 h 30 min at the stop

A little penguin colony lives on the St Kilda pier breakwater and comes ashore each evening after sunset. The rebuilt pier with a fully accessible walkway opened in December 2024; viewing is free with a ticket.

Tip: Free tickets are released Tuesdays at 10am for the following week and go fast. Sessions start about 30 min and 1.5 h after sunset and last 45 min. Flash off; torches are banned.

8. Bells Beach~30 min at the stop

The legendary surf arena beneath ochre cliffs: the ocean road's first big view.

Tip: This is a surf break. Swim only if you know this beach. The lookout above it is the safe photo.

↓ drive · 1 h 15 min · 70 km

9. Kennett River wild koalas~30 min at the stop

A short stop for wild koalas in the gums above Grey River Road: the road's most reliable sighting.

Tip: Look in the gums along Grey River Road. Do not feed them. Early morning has fewer cars.

↓ drive · 1 h 40 min · 105 km

10. Twelve Apostles~1 h at the stop

Limestone stacks in the surf. From 16 October 2026 the lookouts, the centre and the car park need a booking.

Tip: The booking is free until April 2027, and a card is still needed to complete it. It covers the centre, the lookouts and a parking space. Come at sunset, when the stacks glow copper.

↓ drive · 12 min · 13 km

11. Port Campbell overnight

A tiny town on a sheltered cove: dinner by the water and a bed before the westward leg.

Tip: Book the night. The town is small, and January rooms go.

12. Bay of Islands~30 min at the stop

Dozens of limestone islets in turquoise water. Apostles-grade scenery with barely a crowd. The lookout is 120 m from the car park.

Tip: A short lookout between the gorge and the road west. Leave the car in the bay and stay back from the edge.

↓ drive · 50 min · 62 km

13. Tower Hill reserve~1 h 30 min at the stop

A wildlife reserve inside an extinct volcano crater: emus stroll past the cars and koalas doze in the gums. Free entry.

Tip: Don't feed the emus and keep food in the car: they're bolder than seagulls.

↓ drive · 1 h 15 min · 98 km

14. Dunkeld: southern gateway to the Grampians~45 min at the stop

A township beneath Mt Sturgeon and Mt Abrupt. From here the most scenic road to Halls Gap runs straight through the ranges.

Tip: The southern gate of the Grampians. If Halls Gap has no room, sleep here.

↓ drive · 55 min · 63 km

15. Halls Gap overnight

The only village inside the Grampians: at dusk kangaroos graze the lawns right up to the cabin doors.

Tip: Book the night inside the park. If you still have an hour of light, walk to the Venus Baths.

16. Boroka Lookout~30 min at the stop

Halls Gap and Lake Bellfield spread out beneath a rock ledge: just 100 flat metres from the car park.

Tip: Sunset is the slot. The road is narrow. Go up before dusk and drive down with the headlights on.

↓ drive · 20 min · 16 km

17. Reed Lookout & the Balconies~1 h at the stop

From Reed Lookout an easy trail (about 2 km return) leads to the Balconies: rock ledges jutting over the Victoria Valley.

Tip: Reed Lookout, the Balconies and Boroka are open and stay accessible during the Mackenzie Falls works. Mackenzie Falls itself is closed for construction until the end of 2026.

↓ drive · 2 h 10 min · 175 km

18. Sovereign Hill, Ballarat~4 h at the stop

A full-scale recreated 1850s gold-rush town: coaches, smithies, candle shops, and real gold in the creek.

Tip: Adults from A$68, open Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm; Mondays are school groups only, so don't plan Ballarat on a Monday. About 115 km back to Melbourne.