Overview
Now that March is in full swing, it's time to don those jackets and look forward to the cooler months ahead. Lucky for Melburnians, the chill in the air also means that spots all over regional Victoria start transforming into a glorious blaze of red, orange, brown and gold as we speak. Whether you're up for an entire weekend away or can only swing a half-day trip, there's an autumnal sight within reach. Here's our guide to the best views that regional Victoria has to offer this season.
Tieve Tara Website
MOUNT MACEDON
Named after an Ancient Greek kingdom, Mount Macedon lies around 60 kilometres northwest of Melbourne in, well, the Macedon Ranges. Autumn splendour abounds everywhere you look, but one of the most striking sights is the Gardens of Tieve Tara. Its 7.5 acres make a dreamy landscape of pristine lakes and majestic trees. Expect a considerable variety of deciduous plants on offer — from maples, aspens and silver birches to liquid ambers, virginia creepers and copper beeches.
Meanwhile, in the centre of Macedon Village, you'll find Honour Avenue. Lined with colourful, massive oak trees, the main street acts as a stunning tribute to the 154 local men and women who enlisted in World War I.
HIGH COUNTRY
You can find the most vibrant autumnal hues in all of Victoria in the High Country. Begin in the village of Bright, around a 3.5 hours drive northeast of Melbourne. Two of our favourite hikes in the region are the three-kilometre Canyon Walk and the five-kilometre Cherry Walk, both of which wind through brilliant forests and babbling brooks. To really get into the spirit of the season, visit during the Bright Autumn Festival from April 26 to May 5.
An hour's drive north will land you in the village of Beechworth, famous for its impeccably preserved 19th-century architecture. After you're done perusing the historic designs, take a leisurely stroll nearby — be it on the Lake Walk, the Churches Walk or some other route. Prefer to be on two-wheels? Conquer the Pedal to Produce Cycling Trail, along which you can combine your sight-seeing with sampling the autumn harvest.
George Tindale Gardens
DANDENONG RANGES
What started out as a tiny reserve in 1882 has grown to become the 3500 hectares of the Dandenong Ranges National Park. It offers a range of opportunities to surround yourself with autumnal beauty — all within an hour's drive of Melbourne. Visit Cloudehill Gardens to see the enkianthus shrubs turn from purple to crimson in April, and catch the golden maples in May.
Other landscapes in the Dandenong Ranges to visit include the Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens, renowned for its waterfalls and ornamental lake; the George Tindale Gardens, where rare plant species shelter under towering mountain ash; and the town of Olinda, which houses the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden.
GIPPSLAND
Gippsland, one of Victoria's most diverse regions, contains thousands of kilometres of beaches, rivers, forests, mountains and snowfields. And Walhalla, about 2.5 hours east of Melbourne, is one of the best areas to lose yourself in this autumn. The gold mining town was once among Australia's wealthiest but, according to the 2017 census, has just 20 residents left — meaning you can wander through the autumnal colours without battling the crowds. For the most breathtaking views, take the Walhalla Tramline Walk.
Even more vibrant colours are on display in the Nunniong Plains, within Snowy River National Park. The Nunniong Forest Drive is a 67-kilometre adventure through subalpine grasslands, heathlands and old-growth forest. Keep an eye out for black cockatoos, who are particularly active in autumn.
DAYLESFORD
Rather than merely gazing at your surrounds, head to Daylesford and properly enjoy the season at Lavandula — a lavender farm found 90 minutes northwest of Melbourne. Here, you can experience the lush autumn harvest, immersed in the heady scent of lavender and surrounded by green hills. Better yet, plan a trip on Sunday, May 19 for the farm's autumn festival packed with local artisans, producers and plenty to explore around the gardens and farmland.
Back in town, Lake Daylesford is an explosion of colour. The man-made lake is a magnet for birds, picnickers and boaters alike. In autumn, the deciduous trees around its shore transform into gold, red, orange, brown and all shades in between. If you're looking for other things to do while you're in town — or considering staying over — check out our weekender's guide.
MURRAY RIVER
Given that the Murray River is around 2500 kilometres long, there are plenty of spots where you can enjoy autumn on the water — and so many ways to do it. If you have time for an overnight escape, hire a houseboat and drift along at your leisure or get adventurous and pull up alongside the river's bordering villages, stop by wineries for tastings or try your hand at fishing. If you've cash to splash, go for a luxury model, such as Magic Murray Houseboats' Magic or Murray River Houseboats' Decadence, which all include a spa and sun deck, perfect for enjoying the scenic views. Meanwhile, Mildura Houseboats' fleet ranges from back-to-basics to total extravagance, so there are options for any budget. Stacks more boats are listed on the Visit Victoria website. Or, for day-trippers, hire a kayak or canoe. There's no shortage of picturesque camping spots on sandy beaches, either.
Alternatively, choose a riverside town as a base from which to launch your adventures — take Echuca, for example, which lies around a 2.5-hour drive north of Melbourne. See the leaves from the water on a legendary 19th-century paddle steamer, or go rolling along local cycle paths. While it is possible to ride the entire length of the Murray, from its source on the slopes of Mount Kosciuszko to its mouth in Coorong, if you don't have weeks to spare (and Amazonian legs), then there are plenty of shorter cycle paths to explore. In Echuca, the Food and Wine Trail takes in numerous cellar doors and local producers, including Morrisons Winery and Cape Horn Vineyard. You can even drive the ten minutes from Echuca to Billabong Ranch, a 390-acre property where you can jump on a horse's back and canter alongside the river and through red river gum forest.
For more autumnal places, spaces and events in regional Victoria, visit Your Happy Space.