victoria road trip ideas Page 497

Planning a Victorian road trip? Start with the Great Ocean Road - surfy towns, the Twelve Apostles, and koala-dotted Otways packed into roughly 250 km of coastal theatre.

For civilised sipping, loop the Yarra Valley and Dandenongs, then slide to the Mornington Peninsula hot springs.

Walkers get the Grampians via Halls Gap, and thrill-seekers can carve the High Country loop through Bright, Falls Creek, and Mount Hotham.

Beach addicts: Wilsons Prom and the Gippsland Lakes deliver white sand and starry nights - bring mozzie spray and smugness.

History and art types will love the Goldfields circuit (Ballarat, Bendigo) and the Silo Art Trail across the Wimmera and Mallee.

Book fuel and stays early in peak season, and expect sudden roadworks - Victoria loves a surprise detour.