9 Prettiest Small Towns In Victoria
As a whole, Australia has many great towns to visit, but often a great deal of charm is placed in the small towns tucked between places like Sydney, Melbourne, or Newcastle. One state in particular that shouldn't be overlooked is the Australian state of Victoria. It's the second smallest state in the country; however, it has so many cute destinations that you must check out.
And if the scenery of these towns isn't enough, the rich history and activities these towns have to offer are more than enough to compel you to go there and check it out. Below are just some of the many pretty small towns in Victoria.
Sassafras
Just a short drive from Melbourne rests a charming town with an equally amusing name to drop into a conversation, Sassafras. The main draw to this place is, without a doubt, the Miss Marples Tearoom. With the owner greeting you herself and a group of lovely staff, you can enjoy the traditional English Tearoom atmosphere that's heavily inspired by Agatha Christie's famous character, Miss Marple. But the charm doesn't end, as the rest of the town has an English feel to it, too.
After you've had your fill, take a walk through the Kokoda Memorial Walk, a 1000-step climb that lets you experience a tiny sense of the exhaustion that was felt by Australian soldiers following the Kokoda Trail during wartime. For a calmer walk, the Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda is equally pleasant, especially as it's part of the overarching Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden.
Bright
Arguably one of the most beautiful towns in Victoria, the town of Bright is an experience you shouldn't pass up. Bright brings in the biggest crowds in autumn when their valleys' trees are at their brightest and most colorful. That being said, there is ample to do and enjoy regardless of your timing.
Spring and summer are perfect for hiking the Canyon Walk, a three-kilometer hike where you learn about Bright's gold mining history. Bright also hosts their monthly event, the Make It, Bake It, Grow It Market, which is an opportunity for locals and visitors to enjoy the local produce and unique wares. During the wintertime, you can enjoy some tobogganing or build a snowman at Dinner Plain. For some excellent food, good wine, and cozy vibes, Tomahawks has you covered with an assortment of wines and pub food, with gluten-free and vegetarian options too.
Beechworth
There are three primary reasons to visit the town of Beechworth, and they're pretty good ones: the historic architecture, the incredible food, and the gorgeous nature that surrounds the town. For the history lover, visiting the Old Beechworth Gaol is a must. They offer a guided tour of the facility, discussing the essential history and characters who lived, worked, and served time there. For the foodie, the Bees, Flowers, and Food: Tasting Experience is a unique one that takes you beyond the honey tasting counter. For a full hour, you are treated to a curated range of Beechworth Honey products, including honey, confectionery, drinks, and skincare. Finally, you can end your trip with a visit to the Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park, where the gorgeous Woolshed Falls rest, a popular and scenic waterfall, especially after heavy rainfall.
Benalla
While Melbourne has some incredible street art, there are several small towns that offer some steep competition, too. Out of them all, Benalla is one of the strongest contenders, and you don't have to travel too far to see it. For those living in the capital, it's a three-hour drive at most towards the northeast.
The street art scene in Benalla is actually one of the biggest draws to this town, as every surface you can think of has been painted. You can also wander through Benalla's history on the Benalla Heritage Trail, complete with iconic figures, interesting historical stories, and historic sites. Alternatively, you can check out the Benalla Bowls Club, a multi-faceted entertainment and sporting center with two state-of-the-art needle-punch greens, along with two turf greens. There's even a bistro that serves quality meals.
And if you've got the time, be sure to swing by Benalla Cinema, which is attached to the Benalla Visitor Information Centre. The cinema itself shows classic and contemporary films in a comfortable, unique, and intimate movie-going experience you don't want to miss.
Maldon
If you've ever wanted to know what it was like to live during the gold rush of the 1850s, visiting Maldon is the closest you'll get, visually speaking. As you'd expect, Maldon is great for antique shopping, but there is still a lot to see and do.
To start, Maldon Taste of Gold is a good first stop where you can sample local wines, produce, and experience cellar doors. For the person who loves food, be sure to plan ahead, as Maldon has many regional events that show off its amazing tastes. Visiting the Victorian Goldfields Steam Railway gives more of that historic feel and wave of nostalgia, too, as you look at the surrounding countryside. Otherwise, driving up Mt. Tarrangower for a full 360-degree view of the area from the lookout tower there will do just fine.
Port Fairy
While the Great Ocean Road is by far Victoria's most popular tourist destination, the various stops along the way are very pretty to take note of. Port Fairy is one such stop that has transformed from a fishing village to wide streets, gorgeous cottages, and old stone churches.
Take a walk with Port Fairy Historic Walking Tours to get a feel for the town's rich history and vibrancy. If you want some good food, the Bank St & Co offers many inspiring dishes that go above and beyond your typical cooking. The owners have travelled all over the world and have eaten at all kinds of different eateries, after all. Or if you want to test your golfing skills, try out the 18-hole mini golf course at the BIG4 Port Fairy Holiday Park. Their landscaped gardens, along with paved pathways, make for a fun and vibrant setting.
Trentham
One of the smallest towns on our list by far, but even a town like Trentham has plenty to offer in the area. The region is blessed with fertile soil nearby, giving produce and other goods a unique taste and richness unlike any other. It's for this reason that checking out places like Sisko Chocolate Studio is well worth the effort. Outside of the amazing food scene, the Trentham Falls is another incredible sight to behold, being Victoria's highest single-drop waterfall and all. In addition, the shaded and cool Domino Trail is great for walking off all that delicious food, as it leads into the Wombat State Forest alongside Trentham's rich rail heritage expressed through interpretative signs.
Clunes
A close second to Maldon's historic theme has got to be given to the town of Clunes. After all, it was the setting for films like Ned Kelly and Mad Max. Beyond that, it's one of the only 21 internationally recognized 'Booktowns' in the world.
The historical buildings of Clunes have all been beautifully preserved and maintained, and you can see that in the attractions the town has, many of which have been remodeled. The Clunes Museum, for example, was a warehouse before it was converted into this museum showcasing what life was like during the gold rush era. Then there is Lee Medlyn Home of Bottles, a former school building now a museum devoted to showing off the largest collection of rare and unusual bottles in Australia. Round off the whole trip by checking out the National Hotel for steaks, burgers, seafood, roasts, and pizzas. They even have a beer garden and an open fire.
Dimboola
In the northwestern part of Victoria is the town of Dimboola, a cool town with a cool-sounding name. The town serves as a gateway to the Little Desert National Park and rests near the Wimmera River. The Little Desert National Park is a great place to check out, as it offers hiking, bird watching, and wildlife watching. But what really is spectacular is the Pink Lake that is 10 kilometers northwest of town. Due to the algae in the area, the water has a rosy hue to it and is one of the few pink lakes in all of Victoria.
If you want to know more about the town's history, the Dimboola Print Museum is a good enough spot, as it was the former home to the local newspaper, the Dimboola Banner.
From the captivating street art of Benalla to the historical charm of Clunes and Maldon, Victoria has several of these small towns packed into the area to enjoy. For those looking to take things slower and enjoy a quieter vacation, visiting any of these towns, even for a day trip, is well worth it. You may even make one of them a regular family outing.
