8 Stunning Small Towns In Victoria

Victoria possesses a verdant beauty that shines especially well in its small towns. Australian history makes itself known in each place, and it is these details combined with idyllic surroundings that make a visit to these towns so special. In Mount Beauty, you can go skiing as you take in the ‘Shangri-La’ vibe and views of this stunning mountain town. In Lorne, you can explore the Great Ocean Road or lose yourself in the Otway Ranges forest. Wherever you find yourself in Victoria, you are bound to have experiences that will stay with you long after you leave and enjoy scenery that will imprint itself on your memory.

Bright

The delightful town of Bright is the gateway to Mount Buffalo National Park, which is home to Australian wildlife like wallabies, possums, kangaroos, sugar gliders, and more. But that does not mean beauty is only found in this park. If you take the 1.5-kilometer hike up to Huggins Outlook, the views from the top will stun you. If you do not feel like making the steep trek, head to Bright Splash Park to enjoy a fun afternoon swimming in the river and trying the water canons. Afterwards, you can take a stroll along the Ovens River, courtesy of the Bright Canyon Walk, which will take you to the scenic Bright Canyon. When you are done with the day’s fun outdoor activities, grab a well-deserved glass of wine at Ringer Reef Winery, where you can enjoy the views of Mount Buffalo and the Buckland Valley.

Mount Beauty

Mount Beauty is located just 30 minutes away from Bright, so you can explore both towns in a day or over a couple of days. It is a good idea to visit during winter or summer, so you can make the most of the warm days at the nearby Alpine National Park or go skiing on Mount Hotham during the snowy months. If you want to hike, the Mount Bogong Summit hike offers all the views you could want. If you travel to Mount Beauty during the summer and prefer a less strenuous outing, stroll the pretty Bogong High Plains and inhale the scent of the intoxicating alpine wildflowers. Should you want to experience the evergreen forests, you can do so while speeding past the trees on a mountain bike in Big Hill Mountain Bike Park. After an exhilarating ride, make your way towards Falls Creek following the posted signs, cross the swing bridge, and enjoy the great gorge views before you get to a stunning swimming hole.

Walhalla

Walhalla may as well have been called Valhalla simply because it is so beautiful. There may only be 20 or so permanent residents here, but you will not even notice that small detail, since you will be too busy taking in the sights and views. Known as the ‘Valley of the Gods’, this restored gold mining town lies within a valley flanked by the steep hills of the Baw Baw Mountains. It was named after the Walhalla gold mine, which was actually named after Valhalla. You can learn more about the town’s mining history by going on a tour of the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine. You can even ride a section of the Walhalla Goldfields Railway and marvel at the river and forest scenery along the way. The Walhalla Tramline Walk will take you along the old tramline and past the old mines. Back in the town itself, you can view all the heritage sites, including the old Post Office that was built in 1886, and the Corner Store & Museum. For something a little different, you can also book a Walhalla Ghost Tour, which runs on Saturday nights and goes into detail on the many ghosts that do not want to leave this blissfully beautiful paradise of a town.

Sorrento

Sorrento’s beauty is a double whammy since the town is gorgeous and so is its setting on the Mornington Peninsula. There are incredible rock formations along the coast, unmatched ocean views, and the opportunity to experience a magnificent sunrise over the water before the crowds show up. If you are traveling to Sorrento from Queenscliff, you can take the ferry and potentially see some wonderful marine life along the way, including dolphins. Enjoy more of the ocean atmosphere on Sorrento Ocean Beach, where you can surf or snorkel. There are also several rock pools here filled with sea life. If you want to do a bit of scenic walking, take the Sorrento-Portsea Artists Trail, which includes Millionaire’s Walk. You get the best of both worlds on this trail with panoramic bay views and the chance to admire some of the most affluent homes in town. And, if you want to have an unforgettable nature experience, sign up for a ‘swim with the dolphins’ tour, which will allow you to share the waves with dolphins and seals.

Port Fairy

With a whimsical name like Port Fairy, you would be right to expect a magical destination. And, this stunning town lives up to that expectation on every level. Here, you will find a historic lighthouse and breakwater pier. It is the ideal place to take a stroll or get some of those selfies done. If you like fishing, you can also spend a couple of hours casting a line off the pier. When you are done with fishing, you can walk along the trails to the nearby Griffiths Island Lighthouse or go kayaking at the Moyne River Estuary. Both activities will provide you with unforgettable views of water, and you might just spot some of the wallabies roaming the island or the shearwaters taking to the skies. If you want to end your day relaxing next to the water, make your way to Pea Soup Beach, where you can float and swim in the shallow waters or just sit on the soft sand and watch the sun go down.

Lorne

Lorne is another stunning Victoria town that is close to Otway National Park and home to a section of the magnificent Great Ocean Road. If you take this road to Lorne, remember to stop at the Erskine Falls just 12 minutes outside of town, inside the park. These falls are one of several throughout the park, and they feature a trail with more than 200 steps that you can take down to the base. When you get into town, you can make a day of strolling on Lorne Beach or walking down the 140-year-old Lorne Pier and taking in the views of the water. If you visit during May and October, you may be lucky enough to spot humpback whales or killer whales along the shore. Other must-do activities include exploring the forests of the national park and rambling along the Shipwreck Trail for views of the town and the ocean.

Olinda

Spring is the best time to visit the literally blooming town of Olinda, which sits high up in the Dandenong Ranges. As the weather gets warmer, flowers pop up everywhere, creating a visually stunning vista. There are private and public gardens that house these flowers, and a must-see is the Dandenong Ranges Botanical Garden, where thousands of azaleas, daffodils, and rhododendrons grow. After admiring the abundance of flowers, you can climb to Sky High Mount Dandenong on the outskirts of town to watch a magical sunset. Or you can head to Sherbrook Forest to see if you can spot a lyrebird. Make some time to visit the Pirianda Garden, where you will find terraced gardens and exotic trees. If you visit during the fall, you will be surrounded by fiery shades of orange, red, and gold.

Warburton

In stunning Warburton, located in the Yarra Valley, you can see Californian redwoods planted in rows in the Redwood Forest. These trees are beautiful and massive and create the perfect backdrop for photos. A trip to Mount Donna Buang should be next on your agenda, preferably via the Rainforest Walk, which will take you to a landing around 15 meters above the forest floor. At Mount Donna Buang, you will be elevated much higher as the summit sits at 1245 meters and includes a 21-meter-high lookout tower. From here, you will be able to see Melbourne, the Dandenong Ranges, the Cathedral Ranges, the Alps, Mount Baw Baw, and the Yarra Valley. Back in Warburton, you can hike the O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail, which runs 30 kilometers along the ridge above the town. It follows the old aqueduct route and will reward you with forest views on one side and valley views on the other. And, if you carry on in an eastern direction, you will once again find yourself in the Redwood Forest for another look at those magnificent trees.

Victoria’s Small Towns Will Meet All Your Expectations

The geography in Victoria is widespread enough that you can see alpine peaks and rainforests within just hours of each other. The state’s stunning small towns are fantastic bases for exploring Victoria’s natural beauty and history while enjoying everything that small towns should be. If you are expecting views, thrilling tales of the past, and historic buildings, Victoria delivers on all those expectations. So, next time you are in search of adventure, head to Victoria for the trip of a lifetime as you make your way from one beautiful town to the next.