Sea change, Victoria, Australia

Restore yourself with sunny walks along expansive beaches, through pristine rainforest canopy and atop dramatic sea cliffs. Discover the region's cutest wildlife, and jump on your bike for a scenic coastal cycle. Swim, surf, fish or stroll along the local pier, and follow village heritage trails.

Beachside accommodation is part of the fun. Wake to bright summer's mornings or to spring’s golden light in your home by the sea. 'Tis the season for barbecue dinners: get grilling with local seafood and fresh produce, and settle in at the end of the night with a glass of wine and calm ocean views beneath the twinkling sky.

Fancy a break from cooking? Pop out to the local eatery – some of the smallest villages are host to the biggest names in hospitality. Local ingredients and warm welcomes come hand in hand. All you need to do is set out on your coastal escape and find out for yourself.

Port Fairy

Meander the Shipwreck Coast to historic Port Fairy, where wild nature is at its best.

Set yourself up for summer on the Great Ocean Road. Test your skill on the waves with surfing lessons, head out for paddle boarding, or don your snazziest sun visor for a round of golf. Spot seals, birds, koalas, emus and plenty more wildlife on a visit to Tower Hill Reserve, a tour to Lady Julia Percy Island or on a beach walk all the way to Warrnambool's Thunder Point. Make it a relaxed afternoon following an art trail or historic walking tour around the village. At night, sample the seasonal menu at Merrijig Kitchen, and bed down in boutique accommodation for an easy breezy escape.

Top tips

283 kilometres (3.5 hours) out of Melbourne (inland route)
Bring your binoculars for wildlife spotting

Drift House

Hotels

Drift House is a small, multi-award winning luxury hotel consisting of just six beautiful king suites, a bespoke reception area and 'The Salon'; a free-standing...

Merrijig Kitchen

Restaurants

Book for a memorable experience with outstanding local wines and a daily-changing menu of seasonal produce that's locally sourced and French inspired.

Griffiths Island, Port Fairy, Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia

Mahogany Walking Track

Walking & hiking

Walk from Warrnambool to Port Fairy past the last known resting place of the elusive Mahogany Ship and spot echidnas, bird life and whales on the way.

Port Fairy Glamping

Glamping

Glamping is camping in luxury and Port Fairy Glamping is committed to providing you with a truly special experience, adding style and luxury your holiday...

View of living room with lounge suite and large windows

Tides Port Fairy

Apartments

Architecturally designed to take advantage of the ocean views, King Tide caters for couples or families and provides the perfect location for a mid-week...

Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve

National parks & reserves

Meet koalas, emus, kangaroos and many species of waterbirds roaming freely in Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve, which sits inside an extinct volcano.

San Remo

Make a quick getaway to the seaside village of San Remo, gateway to Phillip Island.

Take time out on the island's pristine beaches: head south for Southern Ocean surf and north for gentle Port Phillip bay waters. Walk along the pretty sands and dig sand castles with the kids. Look out for a pelican or two. Explore dramatic blowholes and rock formations, and take your board for a surf – the waves are outstanding here. There's angling to be done, cycling trails to free-wheel and tasty seafood to be savoured. At night the famed parade of adorable waddling penguins is guaranteed to steal your heart.

Top tips

125 kilometres (1.5 hours) out of Melbourne
Bring your surfboard to catch some waves

San Remo to Cowes Cycling Track

Cycling

Starting at the bridge onto Phillip Island and ending at Cowes jetty, this flat ride is great for families and passes many island attractions.

Silverwater Resort

Resorts

The stunning Silverwater Resort is the region's newest family-friendly, four and a half star lifestyle resort - unlike anything else seen in Victoria...

George Bass Coastal Walk

Walking & hiking

Walk in historic footsteps along the cliffs from San Remo towards Kilcunda, taking detours to deserted beaches accessible only by foot or boat.

Cape Woolamai

Beaches & coastlines

Catch a wave against the backdrop of ancient pink granite at Cape Woolamai, one of Victoria's most popular surfing beaches and bird-spotting mecca.

A family walking along Nobbies boardwalk, Phillip Island, Victoria.

The Nobbies

Beaches & coastlines

Take in a myriad of stunning sights and curious creatures at The Nobbies, a magnificent headland on the south-western tip of Phillip Island.

Rhyll Inlet, Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia

Bush to Bay Trail

Walking & hiking

Trek along the mangroves from the Koala Conservation Centre to Rhyll and spot rare migratory wading birds and other wildlife.

Sorrento

Find quality comfort and seaside adventure in Sorrento, on the Mornington Peninsula.

Dine along the waterfront, sleep in historic hotels, tee off on the golf course and browse designer boutiques. The pier is your launching pad for afternoon fishing or a dolphin tour out on the water. Hop on the ferry over to historic Queenscliff to explore the Bellarine Peninsula. This picturesque stretch of coast between Sorrento and neighbouring Portsea has inspired numerous artists – discover which sights have been captured on canvas on a stunning bay beach walk, then relax with a soak at the renowned Peninsula Hot Springs a short distance from the village.

Top tips

108 kilometres (1.5 hours) out of Melbourne
Bring your fishing rod for pier-side angling

Mornington Peninsula National Park

National parks & reserves

This narrow strip of coast and bushland offers a wonderful blend of natural scenery and fascinating historic features.The park is popular for swimming,...

Sorrento All Year Round 3 Levels of Fun, Pool, Spa, Trampoline, Kids Entertainer, Walk to the Beach

Beach House Rentals

Booking services

Discover Beach House Rentals – Your premier destination for holiday escapes on the Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.For over 18 years,...

Portsea, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia

Sorrento-Portsea Artists Trail

Art & culture

Take a scenic walk along the coast taking in Sorrento Pier, Point King and St Pauls' Beach and discover the real-life scenes that made it to canvas.

A pod of Port Phillip Bay's resident dolphins glides by.

Polperro Dolphin Swims

Tour operator

Swimming with wild dolphins and seals are rare and magical experiences, so who better to help you connect with these magnificent creatures than the people...

Alba Thermal Springs & Spa

Spa & wellbeing

Alba Thermal Springs & Spa is a world class luxury wellness sanctuary located in the heart of Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.Positioned in beautiful landscaped...

Searoad Ferries Sorrento

Ferry

Searoad Ferries, Australia's favourite car and passenger ferry service, crosses the southern tip of Melbourne's Port Phillip Bay and connects the Great...

Shelley Beach

Beaches & coastlines

Shelley Beach, between Sorrento and Portsea, is a much loved sandy beach with private jetties, colourful boat sheds and bathing boxes nestled among the...

Diamond Bay

Beaches & coastlines

Diamond Bay is an ocean beach surrounded by impressive sandstone cliffs. The site is a popular location for surf fishing as it has extensive rock platforms...

Peninsula Hot Springs

Spa & wellbeing

Pamper yourself at Victoria's first natural thermal mineral springs and day spa, located just over an hour from Melbourne on the Mornington Peninsula.

Inverloch

Shake off the work week in wee Inverloch, Gippsland's perfect nature escape hub.

Step out for a dose of salty Southern Ocean air on beaches and boardwalks, through marshlands and atop coastal cliffs, or pedal along magnificent rail trails. You're bound to spot plenty of birds and wildlife while you're out exploring. Water lovers can swim, surf or wakeboard, and pretty Anderson Inlet provides sheltered family fun beside turquoise waters. It's easy to add a side trip to world-famous Wilsons Promontory 75 minutes away, or simply stay put and savour the magnificent Bass Strait views from luxe coastal accommodation.

Top tips

149 kilometres (2 hours) out of Melbourne
Bring your wetsuit for a dip or surf

Bass Coast Rail Trail

Cycling

Take a leisurely ride along this picturesque path, the only coastal rail trail in Victoria that travels through farmland to the Bass Strait coast.

RACV Inverloch Resort

Resorts

A leisurely two hour drive from Melbourne, RACV Inverloch Resort is set on a 32 hectare site opposite the beach and boasts magnificent sweeping views of...

Screw Creek Nature Walk

Walking & hiking

An undulating walk over boardwalks, salt marsh and mangroves up to a lookout on Townsend Bluff with gorgeous views over Anderson Inlet.

Lorne

Relax, explore and graze in seaside Lorne, nestled on the dramatic Great Ocean Road.

Head down to the white-sand beach for a quick dip or stroll along the pier to meet the locals. Hike easy or more challenging trails through the Otway National Park, exploring lush fern undergrowth and ancient forest canopy, waterfalls and coastal lookout points. The bustling village has a bunch of enticing options for wining and dining next to the sea: enjoy Med-style tapas with a view at MoVida. Just down the road, Wye River is worth a coffee stop or a holiday house stay with a dreamy ocean outlook.