6 Prettiest Downtown Strips In Victoria
Despite accounting for barely three percent of Australia’s total landmass, Victoria is one of the country’s most visited states. It certainly helps that the “Garden State,” as it’s affectionately known, is home to stunning coastal scenery, magnificent alpine landscapes, as well as some of the most picturesque downtowns in the country. Victoria’s smaller towns have not only managed to preserve their near‑perfect 19th‑century architecture, but they’ve also nurtured the kind of community feel that makes them so authentic. Together, these six pretty downtowns show why a road trip through rural Victoria is definitely a 'bucket list' thing to do.
Daylesford
Vincent Street still wears Daylesford’s 1850s boomtime with pride. It’s everywhere evident, with quaint weatherboard-clad houses alternating with old stone and redbrick commercial buildings, all vying for attention. Original cast‑iron lacework adorns both, making a stroll through this pretty downtown a delightful way to pass the time. Standouts include the Presentation Convent. Constructed in 1862, it’s now home to The Convent Daylesford, a complex combining exhibition spaces, a preserved chapel, and a garden café backing onto Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens. Wombat Hill itself is well worth a climb for the views from the Pioneer Memorial Tower and afternoon tea at Wombat Hill House.
A short stroll further south along Vincent Street and you’ll find yourself at Lake Daylesford. A pleasant, level path circles the lake, which is swimmable if you’re in need of a cooling dip. The Daylesford Museum & Historical Society provides everything you’ll ever want to know about the town and the surrounding region, while the Brick Lane Bazaar provides a fun local shopping experience for collectors, antiquers, and browsers.
Staying on Daylesford’s downtown strip is a great idea. The former Commercial Bank (circa 1888) is now Hotel Frangos, a charming boutique property with a ground‑floor eatery, Café Koukla. Just a little further south, the pretty Lake House boasts six acres of gardens, studio suites, and an on-site restaurant overlooking Lake Daylesford.
Beechworth
Gold poured through Beechworth in the 1850s, and the proceeds of this bounty are still evident along Ford Street, the town’s main drag. Located almost mid-way between Melbourne and the Australian capital, Canberra, the best of these older buildings are now part of the Beechworth Historic & Cultural Precinct. This immensely walkable district features architectural eye-candy at every turn. Highlights include the elegant Italianate-style Post Office, constructed in 1858, and the Telegraph Station, built in 1863 and now a great little museum.
The Historic Precinct is also where you’ll find the Burke Museum. Set in the old Beechworth Athenaeum from 1857, it’s named after one of the country’s leading explorers (and Beechworth resident), Robert O'Hara Burke. Beechworth Historic Court House is another must-see, with guided tours revealing a fascinating connection to the infamous outlaw whose trial began here.
By far the town’s most important event is the Golden Horseshoes Festival. This Easter happening re‑enacts the legend of a horse that was shod with real gold and features a real blacksmith shoeing a horse,e which then leads a fun downtown street parade. To get the most out of your visit (there’s a lot to see here, after all!), check out the Freeman on Ford, a cozy adults-only establishment set in an elegant 1876 mansion complete with cast‑iron balconies.
Bright
Approaching Bright from the Great Alpine Road, you’ll be greeted by an arch of mature elms and maples that shade Gavan Street, the town’s main commercial route. Set in a lovely valley on the edge of the Australian Alps, the Ovens River adds to this pretty picture, cementing Bright’s reputation as one of the prettiest places to visit in Victoria. And there’s no better way to enjoy a day of downtown exploration than with a visit to Bright Brewery with its deck placed directly over the water (tastings and tours available).v
After a brew or two, head to nearby Bright Canyon Walk, a 3.5 kilometer (two-mile) trail over a series of suspension bridges that cross the Owens River. If you prefer two-wheeled adventures, the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail can be joined at Bright Station, now a museum. As for when to visit (as if you need an excuse!), the Bright Autumn Festival features vintage cars and pipe bands marching along Gavan Street. Winter events include Darker Days, a June celebration featuring fire pits, live blues, and local food trucks.
An overnight stay in Bright is a must. Hara House, just two blocks from Gavan Street, offers classy rooms, a heated pool, and a day spa. Cyclists, however, may want to consider Bright Velo Hotel on Ireland Street, a 1950s shopfront turned motel and café with secure bike storage and an in‑house workshop in case repairs or tuning are needed.
Port Fairy
Port Fairy was laid out by whaler John Griffiths in the 1840s and has changed little since. Start exploring in the Port Fairy Commercial Precinct, a pretty district comprising 50 mostly bluestone commercial buildings set around the waterfront and along Bank and Sackville Streets. Many of these well-preserved old buildings now house chic design stores and cafés in spaces once used to store wool, wheat, and hides.
The Moyne River wharf still sees cray boats used to catch crayfish tie up beside 19th‑century sheds reminiscent of scenes captured in photographs from the early 1900s. For a great selfie, Griffiths Island Lighthouse is easy to get to from the downtown area. Built in 1859, it’s an ideal spot to catch a glimpse of the island’s population of short‑tailed shearwaters returning at dusk.
The Port Fairy Folk Festival brings four days of roots music over the Labour Day weekend, while the volunteer‑run Winter Weekends program in June features art walks, whisky masterclasses, and a family Fairy Hunt over the King’s Birthday long weekend. Staying in downtown Port Fairy is a must-do, with Drift House blending an 1850s bluestone façade with modern suites and a Salon Bar reserved for guests. Down on the riverfront, Oscars Waterfront Boutique Hotel features comfortable rooms with water view balconies.
Kyneton
Piper Street, laid out in Kyneton in 1850, was once the main supply route for gold diggers heading to the larger town of Bendigo an hour to the north. It remains the town’s chief tourist draw to this day, boasting an unbroken run of attractive architectural landmarks that make the downtown strip one of the finest in the country. Highlights include the Piper Street Food Co., famous for its tasty pork pies and charcuterie classes, and the Stockroom Art Gallery, set in an old building from the 1850s and showcasing contemporary art. Oak Lane & Co. is also worth a visit for its antique and vintage furniture and collectibles.
The Kyneton Museum is set in an old bank on Piper Street and features displays relating to the town’s history. Notable in-town events are also worth experiencing. One of the best is the three‑day Lost Trades Fair in March, which features traditional skills such as blacksmiths, glass‑blowers, and furniture‑makers on the grounds of the Kyneton Racing Club. Six months later, the Daffodil & Arts Festival dresses shopfronts in vibrant yellows and stages open gardens, concerts, and a grand parade.
Need a place to stay? Accommodations include the Royal George, a Piper Street hotel above the must-try Botanik Bar, the perfect location to sample delicious cocktails before hitting the sack.
Queenscliff
It has been said that a visit to Queenscliff’s Hesse Street is akin to stepping into a time capsule. Featuring wrought‑iron verandas and charming bay windows, this tiny yet perfect community is begging to be explored on foot. As you stroll, check out the Vue Grand, an 1881 hotel with an elegant corner turret and one of the best rooftop bars you’ll ever experience (overnight stays are also highly recommended). Just a block east, the Queenscliff Harbour Observation Tower offers panoramic views over Port Phillip Bay.
Other highlights include Fort Queenscliff, built in 1860 to defend the strategically important entrance to Port Phillip Bay. Interesting 90‑minute heritage tours are highly recommended. The Queenscliff Music Festival in November is another good reason to visit, with much of the action taking place on Hesse Street. This popular event features buskers and pop‑up stages, along with extended bar opening hours. May and June are also ideal times to visit, thanks to the Queenscliff Low Light festival, a fringe‑style arts program spanning light installations, tasting menus, and spoken‑word events.
The Final Word
Exploring Victoria through its small towns is a great way for curious travelers to get an authentic taste of this beautiful Australian state. Best of all, the distances between them are modest thanks to the state’s relatively small size, so you’ll never be faced with more than a three-hour drive from Melbourne (it’s often less if you’re traveling from one town to another). Whatever season you visit, you’ll find something fun to do in these six pretty downtown strips in Victoria.
