Grand Victoria

Inclusions:

Days of operation:

• This tour departs on Thursdays, twice per month,
• Visit their website for 2026 departure dates.

Tour highlights:

• Victorian Goldfields region: Discover the legacy of Victoria's gold rush, in the Goldfields region, visible everywhere, from the tree-lined boulevards and botanic gardens to the architecture, artistic communities and charming towns. The splendid streetscapes of Ballarat, Bendigo, Maldon and Dunolly and in grand buildings such as the Maryborough Railway Station and the Market Building in Castlemaine. At Central Deborah Gold Mine, you have the unique opportunity to descend underground and explore a real gold mine. On the outskirts of Castlemaine, you experience the Castlemaine Diggings Heritage National Park, Australia's first national heritage park harbours fascinating tales of a golden past and retains much of its gold-rush character.
• Victorian Goldfields region: From the remains of house sites and puddling machines to the gold mines and gullies that yielded up fortunes.
• Daylesford/Hepburn Springs & Spa Country: On the central highlands of Victoria is the region of Daylesford & Macedon Ranges. From the Dja Dja Wurrung people, who first inhabited the land thousands of years ago, to the Swiss Italian migrants of the gold rush and Melbourne's turn-of-the-century holidaymakers, Daylesford has long been considered a special place of healing. Historic Hepburn Springs is in the middle of Australia's largest concentration of mineral springs, which are full of health-giving minerals. Taste the different mineral formulations at old-fashioned pumps and pipes in Hepburn Springs Mineral Springs Reserve.
• The Murray region of Victoria: Explore the winding Murray River, Australia's longest river as you wander through red gum forests that have been standing for over 500 years. Lose yourself amid the tranquillity and myriad bird life of Gunbower Island National Park, Gunbower Island, Australia's largest inland island is located between the Murray River and Gunbower Creek. It is also internationally recognised as a wetland of significance for its importance to birdlife, native mammals and amphibians. Head to the Lake District near Kerang, home to over 150 species of native plants. Cruise downstream on an Ecotourism cruise to learn of the wonders of the mighty Murray River. In Swan Hill explore the Pioneer Settlement, an open-air museum where the whole family can have a glimpse of life as an early settler. The streets, shops, homesteads and community buildings bring to life a nineteenth century port town and take you back in time to Swan Hill's pioneer heritage. For a bit of history from another era, we check out the Lake Boga Flying Boat Museum.
• Silo Art Trail of the Wimmera/Mallee: Travel through the Wimmera/Mallee to experience Lake Tyrrell and the Silo Art Trail. At Lake Tyrrell we see the lake from a viewing platform, gaze out over the reflective surface of Lake Tyrrell, the biggest inland salt lake in Australia. The Silo Art Trail consists of many wheat silos painted by varies artists. We first journey on to Brim to see Guido van Helten's silo artwork, the first in Victoria. It depicts four anonymous, local farmers, demonstrating the strength and resilience of the local community. Driving onto Sheep Hills, to see Adnate's portraits of Wergaia Elder Uncle Ron Marks, Wotjobaluk Elder Aunty Regina Hood, Savannah Marks and Curtly McDonald celebrate the Indigenous culture of northwest Victoria. Heading to Rupanyup to see Julia Volchkova's mural of local sporting team members, Ebony Baker and Jordan Wiedemann. Don't miss Melbourne artist Georgia Goodie's two murals in town, each depicting local fire fighters.
• Grampians: Venture into the Grampians to see wildlife, waterfalls and spectacular views. The Grampians northern region is a great place for outdoor adventure and offers some of the most iconic natural attractions from Mackenzie waterfalls, to Boroka Lookout and the famous Reed Lookout and The Balconies. At the foot of Mount Sturgeon, the southern tip of the Grampians, is the village of Dunkeld. Dunkeld's charming main street features shops, cafes and the Royal Mail Hotel which is regularly voted one of the best dining destinations in Australia, and also our overnight accommodation.
• Victorian Volcanic Plains: On our way to Geelong we travel across the Victorian Volcanic Plains, the 3rd largest volcanic plains in the world. At Penshurst, we go to Volcanoes Discovery Centre, and drive to the top of an extinct volcano, Mt Rouse to view the crater and excellent views of the plains.
• Victorian Volcanic Plains: Stopping at Camperdown, we see the two ex-maar volcanos, now Lake Bullen Merri and Lake Gnotuk before going to the top of Mt Leura, another extinct volcano to take in views of the surrounding plains.