Victoria
Victoria is Australia’s second smallest state by area and its second largest by population. Its trend-setting capital, Melbourne, is the nation’s cultural and sporting capital, with impressive architecture, stately gardens, a world-famous cafe scene and non-stop calendar of events.
Victoria itself delivers a plethora of landscapes and experiences, from award-winning vines, dining and art in the Yarra Valley, to the mineral springs and Gold Rush architecture of its Spa Country towns, to the brooding coast and rainforest trails of the Great Ocean Road.
Air: Melbourne International Airport is Australia’s second busiest airport, with extensive international and domestic flights.
Melbourne’s second commercial airport, Avalon, services low-cost domestic flights to popular East Coast destinations. Mildura aside, intra-state destinations are limited due to Victoria’s relatively small size.
Bus: Greyhound Australia coaches connect Melbourne to Canberra and Sydney. Firefly Express buses reach Sydney and Adelaide.
Train: The Overland runs between Melbourne and Adelaide. Regular V/Line trains connect Melbourne to numerous smaller Victorian cities and towns, including Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and Warrnambool. V/Line buses commonly connect to smaller towns not reached by rail.
Sea: Car-and-passenger ferry Spirit of Tasmania sails between Melbourne and Devonport on Tasmania’s north coast. SeaRoad operates car-and-passenger ferries between Sorrento and Queenscliff on Port Phillip Bay.
Car: The best way to explore Victoria given the state’s compact size. From Melbourne, the Hume Hwy (M31) heads northeast towards Canberra and Sydney. The Western Hwy (M8/A8) heads northeast to Adelaide.