The ultimate bucket list for Melbourne & Victoria

1. The Pink Lakes Trail, Murray-Sunset National Park

Head to Murray-Sunset National Park in summer and see Lakes Hardy, Crosbie, Becking and Kenyon shine a ravishing pink. 

2. Visit the Phillip Island Penguin Parade

See penguins dash across the sand each evening at Phillip Island Penguin Parade. Keep an eye out for other resident wildlife, including swamp wallabies, Eastern barred bandicoots and Cape Barren geese.
 
3. Climb Victoria’s highest peak

Tackle the grueling 21-kilometre climb up and down Mount Bogong (1,986 metres), the route goes via the staircase spur which isn’t for the faint-hearted, but the views at the summit are well-worth the burning legs and laboured breathing. 

4. Tackle the hike at Mount Feathertop

Head up Mount Hotham after the snow has melted and the weather has warmed to hike 22-kilometres across the ridgeline, with incredible alpine views to keep you company along the way. The hike can be tackled in one day or overnight, with a campground located near the peak.
 
5. See an AFL match at the MCG

See your favourite athletes don their colours and battle for glory on the hallowed grounds of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). 

6. Catch a show in the East End Theatre District

Encompassing the Regent Theatre, The Princess, Her Majesty’s, the Comedy Theatre, The Athenaeum and The Forum Melbourne, see a world-class musical, blockbuster play, comedy show or live music in Melbourne’s East End. 

7. Take a Yarra Valley Winery Tour

Take a tour of the Yarra Valley cool-climate wine region and taste drops from a selection of the area’s 70 different wineries. 

8. Stroll through a Californian Redwood Forest

Just 15 minutes from Warburton, is a forest of 1500 red-barked trees towering up to 55-metres high. Walk down to the river to find a selection of peaceful walking trails. 

9. Australian Alps Walking Track

Fancy a casual 650-kilometre walking track? Starting in historic Walhalla in Gippsland and ending in Canberra? This challenging hike requires a lot of preparation and planning, but will take you up some of the country’s highest peaks, through tall forests, snow-capped mountains and is utterly breathtaking. 

10. Skydive over the beach or rolling green hills

Skydive from 15,000 feet over the iconic Bells Beach in Torquay, soar like a bird at around 200 kilometres an hour over the sparkle of Port Phillip Bay with views of the city in St Kilda, or get your thrills with a freefall over the Yarra Valley wine region. 

11. Soar to new heights in a hot air balloon

Take to the skies with Global Ballooning for a flight like no other over Melbourne, the Yarra Valley or Mansfield. 

12. Dinner and Stay at Brae on the Great Ocean Road

A premier dining destination and absolute treat for the senses, dine on world-class food with ingredients sourced direct from Brae Farm, then stay in one of six luxury, carbon-neutral guest suites on their 20-acre working farm. 

13. Dine at Melbourne’s best

The culinary capital, Melbourne, is home to some damn good restaurants. Try our favourites, Reine & La Rue, Attica, Yugen, Society, Gimlet at Cavendish House, or Atria, to name a few. 

14. Ride the Puffing Billy Railway

Step back in time at Australia’s oldest and best preserved heritage steam railway. Ride through lush fern gullies from Belgrave to Emerald in the Dandenong Ranges and dangle your legs out the open side carriages.
 
15. Silo Art Trail

With 23 works of art and growing, see mammoth murals dotted across rural towns, stretching from Kaniva in the west and Goorambat in the east.
 
16. Drive the Great Ocean Road

Road trip the 243-kilometre road which is one of the most popular coastal routes in the world. 

17. Eat fresh seafood at Lakes Entrance

Head to the picturesque Gippsland Lakes region and eat fresh seafood at restaurants like Sodafish or Sea Shanty in Lakes Entrance.
 
18. Chase waterfalls in the Otways

The Great Otway National Park is a site to behold. Throw in gushing falls like, Triplet, Beauchamp, Hopetoun and Little Aire and you’ll never want to leave. 

19. Hike the Grampians Peaks Trail

Spend 13 days/12 nights on the trail, camping under the stars and hiking through forests, native bush and up granite peaks. Highlights include Mount Zero, The Pinnacle, Mt Rosea and Mt Abrupt. 

20. Helicopter over the 12 Apostles

Take flight in a helicopter over the Great Ocean Road’s iconic 12 Apostles and get a birds-eye-view of the magnificent limestone stacks. 

21. Splurge on a stay at the pole house

Sleep suspended 40-metres above Fairhaven Beach in the luxurious Pole House on the Great Ocean Road. 

22. Visit the beach boxes at Brighton Beach

Built over a century ago, see 82 colourful bathing boxes built along Brighton Beach which have become an iconic part of the bayside beach. 

23. Shop ‘til you drop at Queen Victoria Market

The heart and soul of Melbourne for over 140 years, the market is home to over 600 small businesses, with independent makers, designers and artists, as well as food – so much food! From street vendors to established brands. 

24. Husky sledding in the High Country

Make the most of a snowy winter with a husky-led dog sled ride in the Alpine National Park. Tour companies operate at Mount Buller, Mount Hotham and Dinner Plain. 

25. Bathe in a Hot Spring 

Steaming thermal waters are bountiful in Victoria’s regions. Tick this item off your bucket list on the Mornington Peninsula, with Alba Thermal Springs & Spa or Peninsula Hot Springs to choose from. Or head down the coast to Warrnambool for a soak at Deep Blue Hot Springs, or deep into the heart of Gippsland for Metung Hot Springs. 

26. Watch the sunrise from the top of Mount Oberon

See the beautiful and dramatic meeting of land and sea at the southernmost point of Australia’s mainland atop Mount Oberon, in Wilsons Promontory National Park, at sunrise or sunset.

27. Visit Bright in autumn

See this alpine village transformed by a kaleidoscope of colours in autumn. Visit during the Bright Autumn Festival in April/May for a celebration of the season, with food, shopping, live music and community events. 

28. Walk Melbourne’s iconic laneways

Street art, freshly roasted coffee, cutting edge boutiques and chic restaurants await down city laneways in Melbourne. 

29. 4WD the Blue Rag

One of the High Country’s most spectacular 4WD tracks, drive epic climbs and descents that lead you to the Blue Rag Trip Point, 1726 metres above sea level with incredible 360-degree views. (The track is remote and only suitable for appropriate 4WDs). 

30. Spend the night on a Melbourne rooftop 

Sleep in a 1970s Airstream on a rooftop in Melbourne at Hotel No.

31. Swim in the rockpools at Cape Schanck

Hike to Bushrangers Bay in Flinders on the Mornington Peninsula and swim in crystal clear rock pools at Cape Schanck. 

32. Go to the Grand Prix

For four days from March to April, the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit becomes a rev head's dream, as the Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix™rolls into town.
 
33. High tea at the Windsor

Channel your inner Bridgerton lover with a formal high tea at The Hotel Windsor. 

34. Picnic over a cliff at Mount Buffalo

Dine over a private ledge, 300-metres above the valley floor, on a picnic with Bright Adventure Company. Sunrise, lunch or dinner picnics are available. 

35. Surf at Bells Beach

Home to the famous Rip Curl Pro, catch a wave at Bells Beach and follow in the footsteps of surfing greats the world over. 

36. Treat yourself to hot pot in the city

Get together around the Panda Hot Pot table and dine in a martial-arts themed interior – complete with a 1.5 tonne dragon and live performances. 

37. Go karting at Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit

Get your motor running on a 750-metre replica Go Kart Track overlooking the official MotoGP Grand Prix track and the stunning Bass Strait. 

38. Great Ocean Walk

Journey 110-kilometres along the Great Ocean Walk, starting in Apollo Bay and finishing at the 12 Apostles.

39. See native wildlife up-close

Visit Healesville Sanctuary for a taste of native Australia, with furry creatures both big and small cared for at the sanctuary. 

40. Drive the Great Alpine Road

Hit the open road and travel 339-kilometres from Wangaratta in the High Country to Metung in Gippsland, travelling through mountain ranges and lush forests, through vineyards and to the coast.
 
41. Great Prom Walk

Start and finish at Telegraph Saddle car park and walk the highlights of Wilsons Promontory National Park. There are two routes available, one is 35.5-kilometres, the other 52.8-kilometres.
 
42. Dine at Hogget Kitchen

Take a trip to West Gippsland and eat at hatted restaurant, Hogget Kitchen, sampling exquisite food from Chef, Trevor Perkins who creates an authentic paddock to plate experience too good to miss.
 
43.Attend or participate in the Cadel Evans Road Race

Australia's premier cycling event is yours for the taking. Watch elite cyclists perform at their best, or compete for glory. 

44. Stay in a bubble tent 

Sleep under the stars in a luxury clear-roofed tent with Skyview Bubbletent. Located on a private farm, your tent will be nestled in a leafy woodland that’s only a five-minute drive from central Daylesford. 

45. Hypedome overnight snow experience

Embark on an adventure with Alpine Nature Experience, where you’ll snowshoe through mystic snow gums to a hidden eco-village and central tipi. Indulge in a three-course meal including cheese fondue and then stay overnight in an intimate hypedome in the heart of the Victorian alps. 

46. Walk a llama around the infamous Hanging Rock

Visit Hanging Rock, made famous by the book and film of the same name, but make it interesting with a walk around the base with llamas in tow, thanks to the genius operator, Hanging Rock Llama Treks.
 
47. Shrine of Remembrance

Take a moment to peacefully reflect and pay thanks to the brave men and women who have served their country. Soak up a breathtaking view of the city and wander through the Galleries of Remembrance with over 800 artworks and artefacts. 

48. Buchan Caves

Discover Victoria’s largest limestone cave system and learn about its importance to the Gunaikurnai Traditional Owners. 

49. Stay in a houseboat on the Murray

Make the Murray River your home for a few nights as you rest easy in a luxury houseboat. 

50. Tee off on a world-renowned golf course

Test your skills on manicured greens and fairways in Melbourne’s Sandbelt region, home to Kingston Heath, The Metropolitan and The Royal Melbourne Golf Club.