The Best Victorian Towns for a Luxe Weekend Away
Although many people save up their precious annual leave for big, extravagant trips to places like Europe or Japan, you actually don’t need to commit that much time, energy, or money to take a nice break from daily life and recharge your batteries in the beauty of nature.
Right in our backyard, Victoria boasts a series of idyllic towns with many luxurious stays and experiences, from witnessing breathtaking views of natural landscapes to indulging in wine-tasting tours. Many of these trips can even be done on the weekend – no annual leave necessary.
So what are you waiting for? Fill up the car with petrol, take the esky and a picnic blanket, and experience a luxe weekend away in these five Victorian towns.
Daylesford
If you’re looking to relax your muscles after a long week of work, Daylesford, famous for its mineral springs, is the place to be. Around the springs, you’ll find countless auxiliary services, from spa treatments to massages and aromatherapy experiences, meaning there are all sorts of delightful, luxurious ways to delight the senses and wind down.
With so many springs and acres of fertile soil, Daylesford is also famous for its food and drink, which sells at a premium all over the country. Why not indulge in a feast at one of Australia’s best restaurants with produce pulled straight from up the road, or wine-taste your way to a light buzz, before sinking into a warm, mineral spring?
Sorrento
About a 1.5-hour drive south of Melbourne, Sorrento is known for its main street, where you’ll find gorgeous gems to satisfy your inner shopaholic, from vintage knick-knacks to boutique Australian designers, to galleries showcasing the best of local art. Apart from the shops, the main street itself is also a sight worth seeing, with its historic limestone buildings and gorgeous architectural design. Then, after shopping to your heart’s content, you can pop down to the Sorrento Ocean beach for a little swim or a surf if you’ve brought your surfboards — and if not, no worries: you can always rent them on the main street, after all.
Ballarat
With a population of more than 100,000 people, Ballarat is more of a city than a town, and with its huge size and historical importance comes a long list of things to do in Ballarat. For example, you might decide to explore the story of Ballarat’s gold rush, and the role it played in Australia’s social and cultural history — in that case, you’ll certainly want to check out Sovereign Hill, an open-air museum consistently rated one of the best outdoor museums in the world, where you can pan for gold yourself, watch displays of traditional trades, and tour a real mine. If history’s not your thing, you can also enjoy the natural landscape at the Ballarat Botanic Gardens and the Ballarat Wildlife Park.
Emerald
The town of Emerald, in the Dandenong Ranges, is a small and quaint location where you’ll find gorgeous natural views. It’s an especially family-friendly location; for example, you might bring some sausages and bread to have your own barbeque at Emerald Lake Park, where you can let the kids run wild on the playground or in the swimming pool. Afterwards, you might decide to go for a fish at the designated fishing spot or take a paddle boat onto the lake. Emerald is also famous for being one of the stops for the Puffing Billy — you can take the historic train from Belgrave, and perhaps upgrade to first class for a romantic, nostalgic vibe. There’s no other train experience quite like it.
Red Hill
Finally, Red Hill is the place to go for any foodies or wine aficionados. About an hour’s drive from Melbourne, the little town is famous for its many award-winning vineyards and wine economy — it has 60 wineries, 50 cellar doors and 200 vineyards, so there’s certainly going to be an option for everyone here. With good wine also comes good food, and there’s no shortage of highly-accoladed restaurants in Red Hill, all serving beautiful local produce with a glass of — you guessed it — local wine.
At the end of the day, you don’t need to splash out big to experience a little luxury. Keep your wallet happy, and nourish your heart and body with a trip out to a local Victorian gem.
