7 Of The Quietest Victoria Towns
Dreaming of a peaceful escape to the land Down Under? The perfect retreat awaits in the quiet towns of The Garden State. Indeed, Victoria is the second-smallest state in southeastern Australia and shares its nickname with one of the U.S. states as well. For millennia, long before European settlement, Aboriginal Australians roamed the land. The cool winters and warm summers make for a fairly hospitable environment, allowing Indigenous tribes to flourish. Today, visitors enjoy exploring Melbourne’s laneways and cafés, visiting the Yarra Valley for wine tasting, and driving down the Great Ocean Road while staying in wonderful retreats. Your search for the quietest Victoria towns is over!
Maldon
In the Shire of Mount Alexander, you will find this small town of 1,600, kept peaceful by strict heritage preservation laws and designated as “Australia's first notable town.” The first thing you will notice is its 19th-century aesthetic—a remnant of its gold rush days—and its many jaw-dropping landmarks. The Victorian Goldfields Railway Maldon Station is a famous first stop, as it is close to the Beehive Mine Chimney and Mine Ruins. A walk in Maldon is not just peaceful—it is educational. You can learn all about this wonderful community and living museum at the Maldon Museum and Archives Association as you make your way down High Street, where you can also dine at local cafés like Maldon Rose.
Port Fairy
Do you wish to see where the Moyne River enters the Southern Ocean? Port Fairy sits in southwestern Victoria and enjoys coastal isolation around Port Fairy Bay. A leisurely stroll down Griffiths Street would quickly wash away any stress you might have had on your way in—best started at East Beach. As you move farther south, you will find where all the hotspots come alive. The Port Fairy Historic Lifeboat Station is a popular museum, and it also features a fortress known as Battery Hill, which commemorates the region’s 19th-century defense efforts. You can also check out the Port Fairy War Memorial at Railway Place—a nearby park just to the north—if you find yourself hooked on the local history.
Walhalla
Founded as a gold-mining settlement in 1862, the tiny town of Walhalla—home to fewer than 50 residents—is the perfect escape for some peace and quiet. With many charming stays near all the hotspots, you can begin your trip with a tour of the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine, then make your way to the Walhalla Band Rotunda, a historic landmark and the perfect place to explore Victoria’s rich heritage and old-world charm.
A quiet stroll here would ease any burdens and nowhere is that truer than a walk around the Walhalla Pearson Memorial. Just a short stroll north of that, you will find Ned Stringer’s Park, a peaceful spot perfect for relaxing or a casual picnic. Everything is conveniently close in this small community, making it easy to explore and enjoy.
Clunes
Best known as the site of Victoria's first registered gold discovery in 1850, Clunes enjoys a rich history and some incredible landmarks that are paired with its quiet atmosphere. In the heart of town, you will find the Clunes Museum, the best place to learn about the town while exploring its incredible collection of items. Like a lot of towns in this Australian state, one of the more prominent landmarks is a mining site, such as the Historic Miner's Site 1873, just south of town. But there are also popular spots like Government Bridge and The Vicarage At Clunes around the downtown area to explore as you wander near Creswick Creek.
Daylesford
The healing powers of Daylesford's natural mineral springs await you in this small town. As quiet as a wellness retreat could be, your first stop, naturally, should be the Mineral Water Spring. If you feel that is not cleansing enough, though, the Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens just north of it should fix you right up with its shaded paths and pristine picnic areas. The entire area is like its own therapeutic haven, giving you a sense of calm and rejuvenation from the moment you arrive. You can learn more about the origin of this community with a visit to the Daylesford Museum & Historical Society.
Beechworth
North-east of this gold-laden state is a town famous for its growth during the mid-1850s. Beechworth boasts a good bit of history but also greatly relaxing areas like Lake Sambell Reserve, where the Beechworth Chinese Gardens can instantly put your mind at ease. The nearby Silver Creek Wetlands are also worth exploring if you wish to hike around Beechworth Historic Park.
You can also see the town’s history come alive in the center of town. For instance, the Beechworth Historic Courthouse stands on Ford Street—the same street where you can find the Old Beechworth Gaol, a museum that used to be a prison!
Castlemaine
Castlemaine is a small town in the Goldfields region that enjoys a thriving arts community, which quickly becomes apparent once you reach Mostyn Street. There, you can find the Castlemaine & District Festival of Gardens, as well as the great Theatre Royal. There is also an art gallery north of that known as the Nunan Brian V, but no trip to Castlemaine is complete without seeing one of its main tourist attractions: the Buda Historic Home & Garden. This Victorian-era home is a living museum that puts Castlemaine on the map and is definitely worth a visit if you are looking for a quiet retreat!
There are good reasons why some of the best places to spend a vacation are in small towns like the ones in the Education State, as it is often referred to. Victoria offers a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of the big city, with more than a handful of unforgettable experiences to take home. A trip here means a chance to unwind and reconnect with nature and also learn a thing or two about Australia’s past! The state of Victoria gives a deeper sense of relaxation compared to fast-paced, noisy vacations, where the constant rush leaves little room to stop and smell the roses.
