9 Most Picturesque Small Towns in Victoria
The southernmost state on the Australian mainland, Victoria, is home to fascinating nature, a rich history, and fun attractions. From the soulful town of Apollo Bay to the mountainside village of Walhalla, these nine picturesque towns scattered throughout the state are worth a visit despite the travel time from Melbourne. Consider this: the farther you are from Melbourne's rooftop bars, the more you'll encounter remote scenery, especially while traveling along the Great Ocean Road—a journey you'll never want to end!
As you speed towards adventure, you'll be embraced by the local foodie scene and a water-loving culture, along with small-town shopping and entertainment. Victoria continues to offer picturesque scenery filled with adventures for every taste. Take Lorne, for instance, which encapsulates all the state's best features. Home to the ancient and sprawling national park with the lush Otway Rainforest, you can chase spectacular waterfalls and encounter countless wildlife species here.
Apollo Bay
This seaside town, located along the iconic Great Ocean Road following the southern Victoria coastline, is almost as stunning as its seaside. Add the Koala-populated forests, accessible waterfalls, and the unmissable front beach to this picturesque location on one of Australia’s most famous coastlines, and you've got a real paradise. The population multiplies during the summer holidays, but the gorgeous scenery maintains a sense of calmness.
Apollo Bay's beauty is matched by the warmth of its villagers, welcoming you to experience this soulful town in any season, including the literally hot Christmas time for unforgettable holidays! The festive vibe and local cheer enhance your shopping adventures under pleasant sunshine, with just the right amount of local bustle to complete the experience, including friendly dinners. Filled with boutiques and great coffee stops, it's all a stone's throw away from playtime at the spectacular beachside and the BIG4 Apollo Bay Holiday Park, which features an adventure playground for kids.
Inverloch
This charming town along the Bass Coast greets you with unique coastal scenery. The beautiful Inverloch surf beach, situated beneath the Bunurong Coastal Cliffs, hugs the town. From Eagle’s Nest to Shack Bay beaches, the Caves site is a hidden gem. Featuring dinosaur teeth and footprints dating back 115 million years, thousands of rock pools and interesting rock formations are revealed at low tide. The small seaside community at the mouth of Anderson Inlet enjoys calm waters for family swims, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and kitesurfing.
Popular with active young families, the scenic Screw Creek Townsend Bluff Estuary Walk rewards even the little adventurers with some of the best views in the region after an easy hike. Inverloch's heart welcomes you to explore a selection of cafes, restaurants, and shops, with Dirty Three Wines on the town's outskirts offering a perfect spot to unwind with a wine tasting and a platter. Home to about 5,500 residents, the town, just 2 hours from Melbourne, is popular for stays of all tastes, including Ingenia Holiday Park, Eugenie's Luxury Accommodation, and RACV Inverloch Resort.
Lakes Entrance
Lakes Entrance, one of Victoria's most beautiful coastal towns in the east of the state, is a lakeside gem with numerous opportunities for water enthusiasts or families. At the junction of the Gippsland Lakes and the Southern Ocean, the town boasts Australia's largest inland network of waterways, located at the edge of Ninety Mile Beach, a pristine surf beach accessible by footbridge. Once inhabited by the Gunaikurnai people, Lakes Entrance, just off the Princes Highway, is a long-time favorite Gippsland holiday destination. It's no surprise that the fanbase celebrates the seaside culture daily with activities and an abundance of seafood.
From water sports to fishing, boating, and swimming, the surrounding national parks offer a variety of hikes for all levels and seasons, including wildlife trails through Croajingolong National Park and Lakes National Park. With fishing trawlers dotting the area, locals treasure sea delicacies, evident in great restaurants, fresh seafood shops, or the joy of catching your own fish to enjoy over a campfire. Popular with young families for the protected southern beach and modern accommodations, the area also offers a wide range of camping spots around the calm lake waters and along Ninety Mile Beach for those seeking a more adventurous experience.
Lorne
Are you craving lush, adventurous, or tranquil experiences for your next Australian travel destination in Victoria? In Lorne, you don't have to choose—this town adapts to your mood, encapsulating the best of the state! The appealing seaside town stretches beyond the beaches, offering stunning nature perfect for photography and adventure. Located just off the world-famous Great Ocean Road, Lorne allows for scenic drives along the unique and rugged Victorian coastline, dotted with several heritage-listed historical sites. Food enthusiasts will love Lorne's local take on Victorian cuisine, with many waterfront cafes to enjoy the views.
Start your day with a morning coffee, then explore the delicious local scene and stroll through the quaint downtown. Here, stunning views, accommodations, and activities are just a short walk away. The magnificent Otway National Park, with its well-maintained trails weaving through lush rainforests, is home to some of Australia’s most spectacular waterfalls and countless wildlife species. This ancient and expansive national park truly embodies the great outdoors! Surprisingly, the waterfront Cumberland River Holiday Park, nestled between the rugged cliff faces of the Victorian coastline and the rolling waves of the Southern Ocean, offers a serene getaway. With riverside camping options, you can connect with nature and drift off to the sound of waves under starry skies.
Mildura
Nestled along the Murray River, the picturesque waterfront town of Mildura in the far north of Victoria offers expansive views. Flat and devoid of hills, the region was settled by Europeans in the 1880s, but the Latje Latje Aboriginal people had chosen this area thousands of years earlier. Across the river in New South Wales, Europeans used paddle steamers for transporting goods, while the Kureinji and Barkindji people used single sheets of red gum bark to cross the river and fish. Evidence of canoes carved from trees is visible along the river. Today, Mildura's long-standing agricultural prosperity, especially in food and wine, results in excellent cuisine at its many restaurants, cafes, and markets. The local wineries are renowned beyond state borders.
The picturesque river draws fishermen and watersports enthusiasts, with houseboat holidays being especially popular. You can explore the river on a paddleboard tour or enjoy the riverside paths and national parks on foot. The waterfront, enhanced with dining and entertainment options, includes an all-season wave pool, perfect for the region's very hot summers. Outdoor pools and water parks, open from October to April, attract visitors escaping colder climates. This multicultural town hosts the historic Chaffey House and Big Lizzie in Red Cliffs, along with annual events that celebrate food and water, such as a vanilla slice competition and speed boat and skiing races!
Port Albert
Port Albert's charm lies in its sleepy seaside town ambiance in South Gippsland. With a population of just under 300, this tiny town, named after Prince Albert, showcases its history through many original buildings, from downtown to the port. Popular with families, water enthusiasts, and historians, Port Albert offers water sports in summer and pleasant walks along Wharf Street in all seasons. The town's architecture, dating back to the 1850s, is interspersed with galleries and cafes that infuse modern charm into the historic port town.
Indulge in the day's best fish and chips at Wildfish right on the water, or explore the town center, where the old Victoria Bank now houses the Port Albert Maritime Museum. For the more active visitor, the Christopher Robinson Coastal Trail offers a 5.7-kilometer path teeming with birdlife and natural coastal bushland. As one of Victoria's best towns for a weekend getaway, Port Albert provides welcoming accommodation options like the Port Albert Motel, Gowrie Guest House, and various holiday rentals.
Port Fairy
Located about four hours from Melbourne, Port Fairy is a gem on the South West Coast, accessible after a scenic journey along the Great Ocean Road. Established as a historic shipping port with a thriving whaling industry in 1835, Port Fairy has transformed into a tourist destination, home to approximately 3,500 residents today. Situated at the mouth of the Moyne River, it's recognized as one of the country's best small towns, offering nature and easy access to Griffiths Island. The island is abundant in plant, bird, and marine life, and hosts the Port Fairy Lighthouse. Nearby, the Tower Hill Crater Reserve features dormant volcanic craters, kangaroos, koalas, and emus.
Despite its small size, Port Fairy offers a wealth of attractions, such as the popular Killarney Beach with its protected waters, ideal for families. The town's vibrant food and wine scene, boasting various cuisines and local delicacies, especially seafood, is noteworthy. The Wharf area is perfect for enjoying outdoor bars and cozy spots for sunset drinks or takeaway fish and chips. While summer crowds are common, the town also provides a peaceful winter getaway with a range of accommodations for families, luxury seekers, and solo travelers.
Portland
Portland, a tranquil yet dynamic town with a population of under 10,000, offers new experiences with each visit, including opportunities to discover regional treasures. While modernizing, Portland maintains its deep history, evident in streets lined with buildings constructed by convicts. As the only deep sea port between Adelaide and Melbourne, Portland plays a significant role in trade, with a bustling, picturesque waterfront that belies its small-town fishing community roots.
The town's sheltered harbor provides great fishing and swimming beaches, calm waters, and unique wildlife encounters, including friendly seals. Visitors can enjoy waterside strolls with picnic spots and vantage points, or take boat tours along the scenic coastline. Portland, near the end of the Great Ocean Road, offers attractions like Cape Nelson Lighthouse and the Powerhouse Motor and Car Museum, making it ideal for day trips.
Walhalla
Once one of Australia's richest towns during the gold rush, Walhalla, now home to only 20 residents, retains its historical charm with beautifully restored buildings against a sleepy mountainside village backdrop. Visitors are drawn to its historic downtown, the Walhalla Goldfields Railway, and relics of the past, such as old hotels, shops, schools, and churches. The town is especially picturesque during autumn and offers ghost tours at the hillside cemetery.
Located in the narrow valley of the Victorian Alps, Walhalla is part of the rural and remote Baw Baw region, surrounded by stunning scenery and rich history. Attractions include the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine and proximity to Baw Baw National Park. In warmer months, visitors can enjoy hiking, camping, and nature photography, as well as spring wildflowers and activities along Stringers Creek Gorge. The town offers a range of accommodations and comes alive in the Australian summer.
Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road, Victoria's most famous attraction, traces the rugged southwest coastline of the state. Along this route, visitors can see iconic Australian wildlife and marine life, as well as various famous attractions and historic sites.
The reversed seasons in Australia provide unique experiences: colorful spring wildflowers in Walhalla, a warm Christmas in Apollo Bay, and year-round charm at Port Albert's wharf. Most beach towns along this route, including Portland and Mildura, offer calm surf and family-friendly environments, such as seal encounters in Portland and an all-season wave pool on the upgraded Mildura waterfront.
