Victoria is simply
Australia in miniature. The smallest of the mainland states crams snow-capped mountain country, searing deserts, wineries, rainforests and the largest inland waterway in Australia into its pint-sized borders.
Its biggest lure of all is
Melbourne - Australia’s cultural capital, choc-o-block with galleries and museums, and its calendar filled with sporting events and festivals. Melbourne is such a liveable city too, with its planned grid of streets well-serviced by public transport and a wonderful
gastronomic scene that includes flavors and fusion
from around the globe. Graceful
Victorian edifices share space with some
cutting-edge design.
Affectionately referred to as the ’Garden State’, its landscape ripples with
rolling hills and meandering valleys. Victoria’s mountains also offer some of the best
winter sports in the country. The
Great Ocean Road is considered one of the best scenic drives in Australia, with startling rock formations, such as the Twelve Apostles lone sentinels off the coast.
The state broke away from New South Wales in 1851. The celebrations continued when, only weeks later, it was announced that gold had been discovered in Victoria. The population grew quickly, as did the state’s wealth. Victoria is no longer Australia’s most-affluent state, but it still has a wealth of riches to tempt any visitor.
GeographyVictoria is Australia’s most diverse state and its major agricultural and industrial producer. Located in the southeast, bordered by South Australia and New South Wales, its landscape consists of mountains, rainforests, deserts, snowfields, beaches, vineyards, wheatlands and market gardens. The Australian Alps are only three hours away from Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road to South Australia is a day’s drive. Victoria has 32 national parks, amounting to a third of Australia’s total.
Next Page »
