The state with the second-highest population in the country, Victoria covers around 227,600 square kilometres of diverse landscapes, from picturesque beaches and sweeping coastlines to flourishing rainforests and snow-capped mountains.
Once referred to as the ‘Garden State’, there is much to explore when you leave the bustling capital of Melbourne, with many incredible experiences and attractions just a short car journey away.
Having recently highlighted some of the best small towns in South Australia, now it’s time to shine a light on Victoria.
Read on and discover the best small towns in Victoria.
Maldon
Named ‘Australia’s most notable town’ by the National Trust, Maldon is a charming 19th-century settlement in Victoria’s north. Visiting Maldon is like stepping back in time, with the town retaining its historic colonial look.
The town is home to plenty of antique stores and museums, but If that’s not your bag, explore the Maldon Vintage Machinery & Museum, take a ride on The Victoria Goldfields Railway or hike up Mount Tarrengower and enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding area.
Like all great small towns, there are plenty of top cellar doors and pubs in and around Maldon, with our picks being Heybridge Estate and the local watering hole, the Maldon Hotel.
Daylesford
Daylesford is hands down one of the most picturesque small towns in Victoria. Perched at the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, it’s famous for its natural springs, with several wellness centres attracting city dwellers looking to relax and recharge at properties like the Daylesford Day Spa and The Spa at Lake House.
Massagers and spa treatments aside, Daylesford has plenty of cafes, restaurants and pubs where you can feast on hearty meals made with local produce, with the Farmers Arms Hotel Daylesford and The Royal Hotel Daylesford two favourites.
The Amazing Mill Markets is also a must when stopping in Daylesford. This huge complex is made up of multiple stalls selling all manner of vintage treasures, from clothing and furniture to jewellery and vinyl.
Koroit
Just a stone’s throw from the dormant Tower Hill volcano, Koroit is a hidden gem in Victoria’s west. The rural town was settled by Irish immigrants in 1857, with many of the buildings built back then still intact. The annual Koroit Irish Festival brings Irish folk from all over the country together for a weekend’s celebration every April.
Most who visit Koroit are there to explore Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve. Choose a guided tour of the beautiful region or walk the many trails yourself. Chock full of native flora and fauna, don’t be surprised if you encounter kangaroos, emus or wombats while exploring the reserve.
A visit to Cheese World and Museum is also a must. Learn about the local dairy industry while stuffing your face with local cheeses and other dairy-related products.
Apollo Bay
The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s premier road trips connecting Adelaide and Melbourne. While it can be done in a day, you’re best taking your time and stopping along the way, with Apollo Bay great for an overnight rest stop.
The beachside town caters to all types of travellers. Those who want to relax can get some rays while reading a book down the beach while the more adventurous can try kayaking, take surf lessons or go for a wander through the amazing Wildlife Wonders sanctuary.
History buffs will want to explore the Cape Otway Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in mainland Australia, while the Twelve Apostles is a must, even if only eight remain.
Apollo Bay is full of culinary delights, with plenty of eateries serving up fresh seafood and several breweries and distilleries where you can taste some local brews.
Castlemaine
Another short drive from Melbourne, Castlemaine often sits in the shadow of nearby Bendigo, but it’s a fantastic small town in the Goldfields region that makes for a great day trip.
Castlemaine is a creative hub, with The Mill Castlemaine a bustling precinct with over 40 artisan stalls, food vendors, vintage stores and small businesses.
Other top activities that make your visit worthwhile include a trip to the Castlemaine Art Gallery and Historical Museum, a self-guided tour of the historic township and a hike around Mount Alexander Regional Park.
End the day watching live music at one of the town’s many great venues, such as the Theatre Royal and The Bridge Hotel.
Forrest
On the outskirts of Otway Forest Park, this small town is inundated with outdoor operators on the weekend. Some of Victoria’s best mountain bike tracks are located in the region, along with great walking and hiking trails catering to all ages.
As well as attracting fitness fanatics, Forrest is also a wildlife enthusiast playground. A haven for bird watchers, there’s also a plethora of native animal species to be found, including platypuses, koalas, kangaroos and echidnas. You might even spot the elusive Otway Panther if you’re lucky.
When your day is down, grab some food and a cold one at Terminus Hotel Forrest or Forrest Brewing Company, which reopens in October.
Clunes
Clunes is a book-lover paradise. Another gem in Victoria’s Goldfields, Clunes is where the annual two-day Clunes Booktown Festival takes place, attracting around 20,000 visitors and over 50 book traders from around the world.
If you’re not much of a reader, Clunes has several historic gold rush sites to discover along with one of Australia’s most unusual collection of bottles located at Lee Medlyn’s Home of Bottles.
You can also play a round of gold at the challenging Clunes Golf Club or just take a lazy stroll down the main street and enjoy a bite to eat at O’Hara’s Café-Bakery before finishing the day at the National Hotel.
Healesville
Head east out of Melbourne for just over an hour and you’ll find yourself in the scenic town of Healesville. While there’s plenty to see and do, with the TarraWarra Museum of Art and Healesville Sanctuary (where you can get up close and personal with a Tassie Devil) highlights, most people stop in Healesville for the tip-top food and drink.
Monroe’s Burgers & Beers, Herd and the Healesville Hotel top the list when it comes to local grub, while Four Pillars, Watts River Brewing and Innocent Bystander cater for your adult beverage needs.
Boonie Doon
Made famous by Aussie cult classic The Castle, Boonie Doon is a gorgeous lakeside town where watersports are at the top of things to experience.
4WDing, hiking, fishing, horse riding and trail biking are also popular activities you can enjoy when spending a weekend at Boonie Doon. Or take it easy in a deck chair with a beer by the lake and bathe in the serenity like Darryl Kerrigan.
Fun fact: the original town was flooded during the construction of Lake Elidon in the 1950s, causing Boonie Doon to be relocated to higher ground.
Queenscliff
Take a scenic drive to the tip of the Bellarine Peninsula for a day out in Queenscliff. Discover more about the small town’s nautical past at the Queenscliff Maritime Museum and then take a ride on the steam-powered Bellarine Railway. After that excitement, experience a guided tour through the historic town before stopping off for a cold one at Queenscliff Brewhouse.
Queenscliff is a seaside locale on Port Philip Bay where water adventures also take centre stage. Go swimming with the dolphins, fishing on a charter boat or try your hand at scuba diving, with several reefs and shipwrecks nearby making for breathtaking dive spots.
Music fans will want to organise their trip around the iconic Queenscliff Music Festival that takes place nearby every November.
Ballarat
Ballarat might seem a controversial pick considering the population is around 100,000, but it remains one of Victoria’s most popular weekend destinations and deserves a spot on this list.
Just under two hours from Melbourne, Ballarat was a gold rush town that’s now home to the Art Gallery of Ballarat, one of the most underrated galleries in the state.
When visiting head to Sovereign Hill and discover Ballarat’s gold prospecting history, take a heritage walking tour through town and visit some of the surrounding wineries, especially Michael Unwin Wines and Passing Clouds.
Foodies will also be delighted with the many culinary options in Ballarat, from the fine dining found at Underbar and Ragazzone to the tasty pub grub and 200 craft brews on offer at Hop Temple.
