Bright Days and Brilliant Getaways

Springtime in Victoria is a brilliant time to hit the road and experience vibrant events and festivals around the regions. This season, the calendar is packed with Insta-worthy flowers festivals, tempting wine and good gatherings, musical shindigs and plenty of outdoor adventures for your itinerary. Join bloom lovers in the pretty fields at Tesselaar Tulip Festival and CherryHill Blossom Festival in the Yarra Valley.

Celebrate gourmet edibles at the TIDAL Seafood Festival and toast with top bubbles at DalZotto Wines Prosecco Festival. Regional stages are set to resound with bluegrass and classical music and there’s every rev-head’s favourite MotoGP on Philip Island and the Massive Murray Paddle on Victoria’s iconic river. Plan a gateway around these events and more – book your stays in advance and discover regional foodie delights on the way.

SPRING BLOOMS

Be sure to work one of these flower-filled festivals and events into your brilliant spring itinerary.

Tesselaar Tulip Festival (13 September – 12 October)
Fill your world with color and fun at the Tesselaar Tulip Festival, with over a million spring flowers in bloom and live entertainment daily.  Enjoy a changing series of live music and entertainment, indulge in delicious foods from around the world, try fun garden game activities for all ages, wander the market stalls, take a tractor train ride, visit the fairy in her garden and more! The Tulips are the stars of the show and plenty of photo opportunities await! To celebrate tulips, a full line up of entertainment is in store; Turkish Days (to celebrate its origin), Dutch Days (a lively historical and family connection), Food Wine and Jazz (celebrating the local area), Rock the Fields (a rockin’ good time), Children’s Days (with celebrity guests) and at the end of the rainbow, their Irish Weekend (for the craic).
www.tulipfestival.com.au 

Blossom Festival (10 September – 5 October)
Every spring, CherryHill Orchards welcomes guests to witness the stunning cherry blossoms in bloom. This year, the popular annual event will be held at their Wandin East orchard, nestled amongst some of the finest views in the famous Yarra Valley, just an hour from Melbourne. Cherry trees only blossom for a four-week period each year, from late September to early October before turning into the delicious, juicy cherries everyone loves.

Visit throughout the week for a peaceful and relaxed experience, with plenty of space to explore and lay out a picnic, or visit through to the weekend to enjoy an atmospheric festival buzz, with market stalls, live music and much more.
www.cherryhill.com.au/events/blossom-festival

Blossom By Light (19-22 September)
CherryHill’s premier evening event, Blossom by Light, will also be introduced, where illuminated cherry blossom trees turn their Wandin East orchard into a mesmerising display of light and colour, a truly unique way to experience the beauty of the cherry blossoms. Witness the magic as night falls, revealing the breathtaking transformation of their orchard into a spectacle unlike any other.
www.cherryhill.com.au/events/blossom-festival 

Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne (open daily)
Just a 45-minute drive from Melbourne’s city centre, discover the astonishing beauty and diversity of more than 170,000 individual native plants at the Cranbourne Gardens. You will find them displayed in settings that capture the essence of Australia’s diverse landscape from the Red Centre to the coastal fringes. The Australian Garden comprises 11 precincts and facilities at the northern end of the garden, boardwalks and viewing platforms on Howson and Gibson Hills, and an amphitheatre for education programs and performances. It is a place where you can explore the evolving connections between people, plants and landscapes.
www.rbg.vic.gov.au/cranbourne-gardens 

Bendigo Botanic Gardens (open daily)
Picnic by the pavilion, stroll by the lagoon and admire the native, rare and fine botanic specimens at Bendigo’s historic botanic garden. Established in 1857, the garden was one of regional Victoria’s earliest botanic gardens and the first public garden in Bendigo. The garden is known for its eclectic mix of shade trees and lush green turf and is a very popular destination for both local residents and visitors alike. The garden provides an excellent place for family gatherings, picnics, BBQ and celebrations and is a special and much loved part of Bendigo.
www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/things-do/gardens-and-natural-reserves/bendigo-botanic-gardens 

THE ULTIMATE REJUVENATION

Visit these hot springs and spas to unwind, before springing back into action!

Alba Thermal Springs & Spa, Mornington Peninsula
Contemporary bathing meets luxury wellness at Mornington Peninsula’s Alba Thermal Springs & Spa. Nestled amongst manicured gardens is everything from a rain pool, herbal-infused botanical pools, forest pools, sunset viewing pools and private rooftop pools. Outside of mineral bathing, you can engage in a half or full day of spa treatments, or dine on seasonal produce at the in-house restaurant, Thyme.
www.albathermalsprings.com.au

Peninsula Hot Springs, Mornington Peninsula
Immerse yourself in a blissful sanctuary at Peninsula Hot Springs. The coastal oasis has more than 70 bathing experiences, ranging from affordable communal bathing to the epitome of luxury in the Spa Dreaming Centre where you can get a zen chi massage, soothe your body in an infrared sauna or chill out in a Moroccan hammam. Soak in soothing water and take in 360-degree views of green spaces in the hilltop pool, or visit the Bath House Amphitheatre and choose from seven geothermal pools, an ice cave, two saunas and a wellness centre to return your mind and body to a state of peace.
www.peninsulahotsprings.com

Metung Hot Springs, Gippsland
Geothermal springs, peaceful lake views, and a day spa make Metung Hot Springs the ultimate place to switch off and show up for yourself. Take in views of the Gippsland Lakes on the hilltop escarpment, where you can sink into a warm bathing barrel or plunge into a cold tub to help boost your body’s white cell count. Reconnect with the natural world on a slow-paced nature walk around the venue, and when the sun sinks below the horizon, make the most of the star-gazing pool and watch the magic of the night sky while relaxing in natural mineral water.
www.metunghotsprings.com

UNIQUE & LAIDBACK EXPERIENCES

Take a respite from the hustle and bustle, and go on the unbeaten track to discover hidden gems.

Chase waterfalls
Follow the roar of white-water rapids to towering cliffs and secluded lagoons throughout Victoria. Let the state’s beautiful waterfalls captivate your imagination as they flow freely after heavy winter rains in scenic locations from the iconic Great Ocean Road to the bushy Macedon Ranges and everywhere in between.

Head to Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park just outside Beechworth for views of cascades at Woolshed Falls or deep into the tree fern gully of the Erskine River in the Otway National Park to see Erskine Falls plunging 30 metres to the raging river below.

See the majestic MacKenzie Falls from the lookout platform or tackle the steep climb to the base of the falls – it’s touted as the most iconic and spectacular waterfalls in the Grampians. Meanwhile, Trentham Falls in Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges is one of the longest single drop waterfalls in Victoria, plunging 32 metres over ancient basalt columns making it a truly spectacular sight. 

Take a hiking trip
If you feel like immersing yourself in nature, there are scenic tracks and epic mountain peaks to discover in every corner of Victoria. Make a visit to The Peaks trail in the Grampians, with different hike difficulties for discerning travellers.

In Phillip Island, go on the George Bass Coastal Walk, a discovery voyage over 200 years ago, stretching from the outskirts of San Remo at Punchbowl Road to the Bass Highway in Kilcunda that offers spectacular panoramic coastal views.

For cycling enthusiasts, whisk yourself away to the best-developed rail trail in Victoria, the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail and dive into the heart of the Victorian alpine region. Savour delightful hidden valleys with views, spectacular mountain scenery and the bounty of gourmet producers, renowned cellar doors, cafes and craft brewers. Cool down in rivers and streams along the way. The Murray to Mountains Rail Trail stretches for more than 100 kilometres, meandering through the Ovens Valley.

Plan a road trip

Venture out to regional Victoria on the Great Southern Touring Route where you’ll be met with the spectacular coastline of the Great Ocean Road, a summit climb to the magnificent Grampians National Park and soaking up the riches of the spa country’s mineral springs.

For a different adventure, hit the open road with the Go Beyond Melbourne Touring route with an array of experiences awaiting you in the beautiful south-eastern surrounds of Melbourne. Travel from Melbourne to the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges, down to Phillip Island and on to the white beaches and wineries of the Mornington and Bellarine Peninsulas. Travel through lush valleys and pristine coastal landscapes, sample fine wines and fresh local produce at cellar doors and farm gates; see native wildlife up close; and unwind in beautiful parks and gardens.

And of course, what’s a trip without photos? Make pretty canola fields in The Bellarine Peninsula, Ballarat or the Grampians the backdrop of your Kodak moments and stay in glamping tents to marvel at the starry night, for a truly immersive trip. For a luxe bell tent or retro caravan, stay at Port Fairy Glamping and take in the sights of the iconic Great Ocean Road, or tuck away from reality with the plethora of glamping options at Phillip Island.


Whether you’re looking to frolic amongst florals, soak into calming hot springs, spend the night stargazing, or go on a hiking adventure; Melbourne and regional Victoria has got you covered.

For more information visit www.visitmelbourne.com.

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