Victoria can easily be divided into 2 major regions, the East and the West. West
Victoria is the area to the west of the Hume Highway that cuts through the state from Wodonga in the North to
Melbourne in the south. Including the Goulbourn Valley, Swan Hill, Mildura, and the desert regions that stretch to met the SA border and includes the Great Ocean Road, the
Grampians, Ballarat and Geelong.
The Goulbourn Valley is home to SPC (old name for Shepparton Preserving Company) and Ardmona canneries due to its propensity for good fruit plantations. This area has a large requirement for itinerant workers in season and therefore can be useful if you are running low on cash during your travels. The northern area of the Goulbourn Valley is where you'll find the largest watercourse in
Australia, the Murray River. There are numerous
camping locations scattered along the entire length of the Murray that a perfect for
fishing,
boating or just relaxing with a
beer as you watch the power of the river just pass you by.
Mildura is another of
Victoria's fruit growing areas. Set on the banks of the Murray River this is truly a very picturesque town. Surrounded by vineyards and orchards Mildura offers the winebuffs some magnificent treats and the fruit lovers some really sweet fruit. Another area that has a large requirement for itinerant workers in season, which can be useful if you are running low on cash during your travels. South of Mildura is an area known as Sunset country. Encompassing the Murray -Sunset National Park, Hattah-Kulkyne National Park and
Wyperfeld National Park are some remote and beautiful areas.
Murray-Sunset National Park is a truly remote area, encompassing the
Pink Lakes (salt lakes that appear pink due to microorganisms present) and other natural phenomenon (Raak Plain, a gypsum plain that looks like something from Star Wars or the moon). Hattah-Kulkyne National Park is a series of permanent lakes surrounded by magnificent river red gums, ideal for animal and bird life to prosper.
Wyperfeld National Park is another of the areas National Parks and provides an excellent opportunity to see the uncommon Mallee Foul. The
Grampians National Park is a spectacular area of rugged mountain ranges and spectacular scenic lookouts. This is a bush walkers' and rock climbers' heaven. Walks to
places like the Pinnacle, where a spectacular view over the small town of
Halls Gap is given (you are literally sitting on top of the town), and to the Balconies where sheets of rock extend over cliffs giving unobstructed 180° views of the rugged surrounding countryside are the highlights.
Bendigo, Ballarat and
Stawell (famous for the
Stawell gift run each Easter) form an area rich in history known as the Golden Triangle. In Bendigo you can take a ride on the talking tram, or venture underground on a gold mine tour. Ballarat was the location of the Eureka Stockade uprising in the 1800's and is famous for the Sovereign Hill old gold fields attraction and the nightly showing of the Blood on the
Southern Cross reenactment. The countryside around Ballarat offers the Daylesford and Hepburn Springs area, famous in
Melbourne for their natural springs and fantastic Bed and Breakfast's.
Echuca is the old port of the Murray River. A very pretty, clean town set on the banks of the mighty Murray River,
Echuca is steeped in history of the days when paddle steamers used to transport goods up and down the river.
Camping nearby in Barmah State Forest is a beautiful easily accessed secluded getaway, of which there are many to be found the whole length of the Murray River.
And then of course, is the Great Ocean Road that snakes and winds its way from
Torquay to Port Fairy offering breathtaking views of the Southern Ocean, quaint historic townships where antiques shops abound and devonshire teahouses will tempt you at every turn. The majestic Twelve Apostles are mammoth stone pillars rising up out of the ocean along the shoreline near Port Campbell and are the most popular attractions along this route, although everyone finds something special here.
| All travellers need to be aware that there is a zone across NSW, Victoria and SA called the "Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone". The Fruit Fly Exclusion zone means it is illegal to take ANY fresh fruit - including tomatoes, capsicum and avocadoes into any area within the zone. Random roadblocks operate within the zone and $200 minimum on the spot fines apply.
For more detailed information ring the TriState Fruit Fly freecall number 1800 084 881 (b/h).
|
Closest Weather Station
Hamilton at 17:00 22 Nov EDT
Distance from Hamilton 11.17km N
| Temperature | Feels Like | Rel. Humidity | Dew Point | Pressure | Rainfall | Wind Direction | Wind Speed | Gusts |
|---|
| 18.6°C |
11.1°C |
45% |
6.4°C |
1011.8hPa |
0.0mm |
SW |
35km/h
19knots |
48km/h
26knots |
Closest Climatic Station
Hamilton Airport
Distance from Hamilton 11.17km N
| | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun |
Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Mean Max. °C |
26.1 | 26.6 | 24.0 | 19.9 |
15.7 | 13.0 | 12.1 | 13.3 |
15.1 | 17.5 | 20.5 | 23.8 |
| Mean Min. °C |
10.9 | 11.1 | 10.1 | 8.2 |
6.4 | 5.0 | 4.3 | 4.8 |
5.8 | 6.5 | 7.8 | 9.4 |
| Mean Rain mm |
34.7 | 24.4 | 33.5 | 38.0 |
49.4 | 68.0 | 64.4 | 78.9 |
72.3 | 60.1 | 48.5 | 41.2 |
