11 Most Breathtaking Towns In Victoria

Although Victoria is Australia’s smallest mainland state, it boasts 1,800 km of coastline, and over a third of its inland acreage is covered in lush forests. Victoria’s diverse landscape is dotted with lovely towns, from the vineyards of the Highlands to the rainforests of the Yarra Valley and the gold-mining towns of the north-east to the seaside towns along the coastline.

With so much to discover, it helps to narrow down your choices.

Whether you are planning a day trip, weekend getaway, or extensive road trip, discover 11 of the most breathtaking towns in Victoria to add to your must-visit checklist.

Daylesford

Daylesford is located in the Shire of Hepburn’s central highlands on the shores of Lake Daylesford. The town's pastoral countryside is dotted with lush vineyards offering eclectic cellar door experiences surrounded by captivating scenery.

An exceptional way to start your exploration is a Daylesford Wine Tour through the beautiful Victoria Highlands, visiting the area's best cellar doors. Local winemakers share their passion for the grape and introduce you to the distinct characteristics of regional varietals.

Although Lake Daylesford is a manmade lake, it has spent almost a century snuggling itself into the Daylesford landscape. Peaceful lake walks follow gentle paths shaded by trees, with changing vistas discovered along the way. You can also hire a paddleboat to experience the scenery from the lake.

The Convent is a 19th-century former convent and boarding school sitting atop Wombat Hill. Now a renowned art gallery and café, the idyllic hilltop location offers lovely views of the Highlands. Experience art in seven gallery spaces, history in the museum, or stroll the magnificent gardens. Stay for afternoon tea at Bad Habits Café in a splendid atrium draped in sunlight.

Discover first-class country hospitality at The Daylesford Hotel. Cosy renovated rooms and exceptional dining offer a twist on the everyday hotel and pub experience. Whether you choose a casual meal and drinks in their lively pub or a more bougie experience complete with tablecloths, candlelight, and a crackling fire in their bistro, your taste buds will thank you.

Beechworth

Historic Beechworth is in northeastern Victoria, where well-preserved heritage buildings reflect the town's storied gold-mining history. The lovely architecture and stone façades of the town’s historic precinct are home to its most iconic landmarks. Discover the town’s culture on streets dotted with magnificent oaks, including the lucrative gold rush era at the Burke Museum.

The 27-acre gardens at Mayday Hills date back to the 19th century, when the Royal Botanical Gardens in Melbourne donated a selection of exotic trees and shrubs. Combined with wonderful brittle gums, the gardens feature over 200 trees of significance, including a 50 metre high Douglas Fir along the White Oak Walk.

Plan a visit to Baarmutha cellar door in a historic goldfields building to sample fine, hand-crafted wine served by the growers and makers. The enthusiastic vignerons share the journey from grape to wine for an intimate underground barrel wine tasting experience. ​

​Dine at Provenance Restaurant in the former Bank of Australasia building. The grand design reflects the boom of the gold rush era in 1856, complete with soaring ceilings, ornate detailing, and charming arched windows. Gorgeous surroundings aside, the food is the highlight here, earning mention by Gourmet Traveller and retaining its two-chef's-hat restaurant status for the last 14 years.

Halls Gap

Set between the Wonderland and Mount William ranges, Halls Gap offers breathtaking views at every turn. It also happens to hold the Silver Tiny Town title for the 2025 Top Tourism Towns.

Halls Gap is made for the adventurous at heart. However, if you do not fancy yourself much of an adventurer, you can take a scenic drive to Boroka Lookout. Known for its breathtaking sunrises, you do not need to strain yourself on a hike to experience the stunning views from this convenient spot.

MacKenzie Falls is about 20 kilometers away, where an easy one-kilometer path takes you to one of the largest waterfalls in Victoria. The impressive cascading water tumbles over massive rocks into the stunning gorge below.

Although the trails can be challenging, the Pinnacle walk and lookout is a major attraction in the Grampians. The easiest round trip takes two hours from Sundial Car Park, although hikers need to rock-hop their way across water along the way. You can admire “Australia’s Grand Canyon” along the slightly more challenging Wonderland Trail. Diehard hikers prefer the longest route from Halls Gap Caravan Park to take in the views of Venus Baths and Splitters Falls.

Restore your weary body at the Halls Gap Hotel, tucked away in the foothills of Mount William. The bistro’s expansive veranda offers views of the Grampians and an eclectic menu sure to satisfy any craving.

Maldon

This former gold-mining town is known as “Australia's First Notable Town” following the declaration by the National Trust in 1966. Maldon continues to impress with its carefully preserved 19th-century buildings and country hospitality, where food, wine, history, and art come together in one beautiful destination.

Maldon Historic Reserve is a unique step back in time where the ghostly figures of gold mining relics range from abandoned shafts and tunnels to mullock heaps and lovely stone walls and chimneys to quartz roasting kilns scattered through ironbark forests.

It is surprising to find a thought-provoking gallery in such a small town. However, Cascade Art Gallery offers a masterful collection of paintings, sculptures, and displays featuring both established and emerging artists. The space in a former Gothic Revival church built in 1863 is streaming with light, enhancing your viewing pleasure.

Pair tasty cheese with a selection of wine while admiring the views of the lake, gardens, and vineyards at Panacea Estates. For teetotallers, an indulgent high tea at Maldon Rose is just the ticket. The historic building dates back to the 1860s when Victorian ladies achieved perfect curls at Mohr’s hairdressing salon. Today, the charming spot carries on the tradition of elegance with an authentic Victorian-style high tea. Reservations are required to partake in this age-old ritual.

Sorrento

If you are looking for oceanside views, Sorrento’s idyllic spot on the Mornington Peninsula offers sandy beaches on the Port Phillip Bay side and wide-open waters of Bass Strait on the other. The upscale feel adds to the impressive scenery, with iconic hotels, boutique shops, and a touch of historic architecture completing the town’s allure.

Explore Diamond Bay's breathtaking sandstone cliffs overlooking the turquoise ocean and sandy expanse at the base of the impressive bluffs. Extensive rock platforms add protection for surf fishing, and the cliff tops offer stunning views as you explore the rugged coastline. St. Paul's lookout lies to the east, where you can get a panoramic view of the Bay of Islands, and heading west offers views of Sorrento from Jubilee Point.

Collins Settlement is located on Leggett Way, where coastal scrubland and the foreshore of Port Phillip Bay create a breathtaking setting. A lack of freshwater and agricultural land led to the abandonment of the settlement, named after Lieutenant Collins. Follow the short circuit walk to learn the full story via interpretive signage, and do not miss the views of Port Phillip Bay from the Eastern Sister headland lookout.

Book an appointment to visit Portsea Estate Winery overlooking Bass Strait from a century-old Tintagel property. The views from the tip of Mornington Peninsula elevate your private tasting experience, where complex characteristics created by the unique peninsula terroir are captured in every note of their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay selections.

Bright

Bright is nestled in Victoria's "Alps" on the banks of the Ovens River. The town balances scenic walks and stupendous lookouts with a splash of community “spirit” at local distilleries and cellar doors.

Follow the loop around Bright along the Canyon Walking Trail, hugging the banks of the peaceful Ovens River to the Mountains Rail Trail.

Billy Button Cellar Door features award-winning wines from old-world classics to alternative varieties you will not find anywhere else in the area. Pair your tasting with small goods from their deli section, including cheeses and local produce.

If you prefer your drinks a little more spirited, Reed & Co Distillery’s Spirit Lab Tasting Room offers tasting flights and selected cocktails made from gin and Japanese-inspired Koji Spirits. After 5pm, the distillery's Koji Bird Restaurant serves woodfire-grilled meals with a Japanese twist.

Beer lovers and cyclists head to Bright Brewery to sample mountain-crafted beers brewed in town. The Victorian Alps backdrop is the picture-perfect setting to enjoy a leisurely afternoon sampling craft beers or indulging in chef-created brewpub fare focused on seasonal, locally sourced dishes.

Healesville

Healesville is tucked away in the Yarra Valley, surrounded by breathtaking mountains and forests. This popular spot on the Maroondah Highway is a scenic 60 km drive from Melbourne.

Despite its natural beauty, Healesville has become a foodie destination driven by the creative regional menu at the Healesville Hotel. Known as the joint that started it all, the hotel is a Healesville landmark where casual food is anything but, with the attention to detail and commitment to fresh local ingredients elevating even the most basic offerings. Both their shaded beer garden and comfy bistro offer welcoming spaces to sample their tasty morsels.

Local wineries and food producers have helped build Healesville’s food and wine scene, including Boat O’Craigo. The second-generation boutique winery produces handcrafted fine wines, where floor-to-ceiling windows provide captivating views of the foothills of the Black Spur Ranges and Graceburn Creek. A welcoming stone fireplace takes off the chill in winter, while open decks provide unmatched views in the summer. Casual lunches paired with your choice of wine include cheese and charcuterie boards, pizza, and fresh salads.

Foodies make the most of the stunning landscape with a gourmet picnic at Badger Weir Park. Visit the Kitchen and Butcher to fill your basket with yummy delights.

Warburton

Warburton is another Yarra Valley gem on the upper reaches of the Yarra River. Lush green forests of mountain ash tower above serene trails made for hours of biking or hiking.

A hike to La La Falls is all the more impressive following heavy rain when the falls are at full power. The trail takes you through a towering Mountain Ash forest and peaceful, ferny glades before you reach the tumbling falls.

The Warburton Rainforest Gallery, located in the Yarra Ranges National Park, is a 350-metre-long elevated walkway beneath a canopy of 65-metre-tall old-growth Mountain Ash trees and ancient Myrtle Beeches. The lush green trails dotted with ferns and mosses take you through a diverse rainforest and a skywalk 15 metres above the forest floor. A short boardwalk leads back into the forest, where you can stop at multiple viewing areas and relax as the sounds of the flowing Cement Creek surround you. Bird watchers keep their eyes peeled to spot Australian King Parrots, Crimson Rosellas, Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, and Galahs.

The 21 metre lookout tower at the summit of Mt Donna Buang sits 1,245 metres above the ground. Views span for kilometres from the Yarra Valley to Melbourne and encompass all the surrounding hills and ranges.

Refuel your energy with a spicy lunch at the famed Babajis Kerala Kitchen along the Birrarung/Yarra River. Specialising in a very specific region of India, the exotic spice-laden dishes earned them a chef’s hat two years running.

Queenscliff

This historic seaside town on the Bellarine Peninsula sits at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay. Eclectic museums and heritage streetscapes dotted with grand Victorian-era hotels, stately churches, and quaint fishermen's cottages make Queenscliff the ideal destination for history buffs.

Fort Queenscliff Museum is a fully restored Fort combining glimpses of local history and sweeping views of the bay. Tours introduce visitors to indoor and outdoor displays with a focus on Australia’s military heritage.

Explore the rich, fascinating maritime culture of Port Phillip Bay at Queenscliffe Maritime Museum. The museum considers different aspects of Australian history, from shipwrecks to fishing and lighthouse keeping to brave rescues at sea. A visit on Sunday morning includes a tour of the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse.

Take a scenic train ride in the comfort of stylish heritage timber carriages pulled by a century-old steam engine. The 45-minute Swan Bay Express starts out from Queenscliff Station and runs alongside the picturesque Swan Bay.

To experience the town in all its glory, join a guided heritage walk tour with Queenscliff’s beaches looming in the distance and stops to admire the classic Victorian-era buildings that hint at days gone by. Tours include an afternoon tea and conversation with your guide and fellow town explorers.

Yackandandah

Yackandandah shares a rich gold mining past with its fellow northeastern town, Beechworth. Nestled in the foothills of Stanley State Forest, this heritage village is heavy on the pretty, attracting a diverse mix of artists inspired by the lovely landscape.

The carefully restored 1878 Athenaeum building immerses you in quiet beauty at Sluga Gallery. Take your time exploring the original watercolours and photographs of Charles and Nancy Sluga.

A rush of miners flocked to the area in late 1852, carving out a winding creekside trail now shaded by a canopy of overhanging trees. The Gorge Walk is the remnant of the crazed search for gold cut by pick, shovel, and eventually dynamite. The running water over sandy-toned rocks is a relaxing trek, and lucky hikers might spot the odd platypus.

Backwoods Distilling Co. serves up tasting paddles and cocktails made with their award-winning craft whisky and gin. The copper stills steep away in their light-filled tasting room, and guests are welcome to partake in their Whisky Hand Fill Experience, creating handwritten labels for bottles of the distillery's Special Reserve Cask whisky.

Apollo Bay

Apollo Bay is on the eastern side of Cape Otway on the banks of the Barham River. It is a popular stop along the Great Ocean Road, where golden beaches are an intriguing contrast to the silent, petrified rainforests and waterfalls.

Set against the foothills of the Otways, Apollo Bay offers stunning scenery on all sides. Almost anything you choose to do guarantees breathtaking views, including sampling beer at the local brewery. The Great Ocean Road Brewhouse is located in the former Ballarat Hotel, between the hills and the ocean. The welcoming beer garden and charming 1887 building overlook the ocean, offering aspot to sample over 100 craft beers.

Good times and food await at the slightly retro, mostly nautical-themed Apollo Bay Hotel. Soak up the views of the foreshore and beach with wine in hand, or treat yourself to fresh-caught seafood at the bistro.

Head inland to Maits Rest Rainforest Trail to hike the rainforest boardwalk over tree-fern gullies and through towering 300-year-old trees. Drive up to Marriner’s Lookout for panoramic views of the bay and settle in to watch the sunset.

So there you have it. Victoria's small towns hit all the right notes, whether you love the food and wine scene, history, or the arts. Several towns are within a short drive from Melbourne and do not even require an overnight bag. Whether you choose the short and easy routes to towns like Daylesford, Healesville, and Halls Gap, or have all the time in the world to travel from coastal towns like Sorrento and Apollo Bay to charming rural towns like Beechworth, Maldon, or Bright, there should be nothing holding you back from discovering Victoria’s 11 most breathtaking towns.