22 Famous Landmarks in Victoria Australia You Should Visit
It would be a shame to go to Australia without visiting the state of Victoria! Indeed, Victoria is a great place to travel because of its amazing attractions, but also a great place to live: Melbourne, the state’s capital city has been ranked the best city to live in the world for 7 years in a row!
Do you know what are the most famous landmarks in Victoria, Australia?
Here is the list of 22 of the best landmarks of Victoria, natural and man made included!
The Full List of the 22 Most Famous Landmarks Victoria Has To Offer
There are 2 main kinds of landmarks: the natural and the man made landmarks. Here they are👇
Natural landmarks in Victoria:
- Great Ocean Road
- 12 Apostles
- Loch Ard Gorge
- Erskine Falls
- Yarra Valley
- Mornington Peninsula
- Phillip Island
- Wilsons Promontory National Park
- Grampians National Park
- Great Otway National Park
- Dandenong Ranges
Victoria man made landmarks:
- Shrine of Remembrance
- Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
- National Gallery of Victoria
- Melbourne Museum
- Queen Victoria Market
- Flinders Street Railway Station
- Fed Square
- St Kilda
- Eureka Skydeck
- Sovereign Hill
- Puffing Billy Railway
Natural Landmarks in Victoria Australia
Going to Victoria is going on an adventure, it’s an opportunity to experience Australia’s wildlife, beautiful nature, exceptional food, wine and coffee throughout the whole state. Victoria is so full of breathtaking natural wonders that you wouldn’t be able to visit them all in one single trip!
Here are 11 of them you should make sure to visit if you’re there!
1. Great Ocean Road
Considered one of the most beautiful routes in the world, the Great Ocean Road goes from Torquay to Warrnambool in the Melbourne area on 250 kilometers.
On the road, you can discover charming coastal towns, amazing rock formations including the Twelve Apostles, and beautiful beaches with turquoise waters.
Since it’s only 80 minutes drive from Melbourne, it’s actually possible to plan a day trip. But to really enjoy the scenery, explore the coast and do some activities, it’s ideal to plan a 3 or 4 days trip. Popular activities include surfing, as the Great Ocean Road has some of the best surfing in the world, walking along beaches, taking helicopter rides over the rugged coastline, watching Australian wildlife in the surrounding parks and reserves, and exploring the picturesque seaside towns and villages.
2. Twelve Apostles
Yes, the Twelve Apostles is located on the Great Ocean Road, but I couldn’t not mention this incredible landmark in such a post.
The Twelve Apostles is the most famous part of Port Campbell National Park. Those huge limestone pillars were once connected to the cliffs. There are, in fact, only 8 pillars that rise to more than 45 meters above sea level at this time. The 9th apostle collapsed in 2005 from a height of 50 meters. With the quick erosion rate, it’s expected that this number will decrease even more.
You can see them from one of the observation platforms you can access from the parking lots, preferably on sunrise or sunset. You can even go down to the beach to observe the rocks from below.
3. Loch Ard Gorge
Also on the Great Ocean Road 5 minutes away from the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge is a place full of history.
A ship left England in 1878 with 54 passengers. The ship sank 3 months later leaving only 2 survivors. These survivors were stranded on the beach that was named after the ship’s name, Loch Ard Gorge. You can walk there and discover the survivors’ history, as well as the cemetery of the crew members.
Of course you can take the stairs to walk on the beach, but you can also take one of the 3 hike trails to visit the site and avoid the crowds.
4. Erskine Falls
Also located on the Great Ocean Road, Erskine Falls is one of the most famous waterfalls in all Victoria.
Located in Lorne, a small seaside town popular among surfers, Erskine Falls is a 30 meter waterfall easily accessible. Indeed, you can view the falls from the upper lookout only 5 minutes walking from the parking lot. Or you can take the 240-steps stairs to see the falls from below and feel the mist.
5. Yarra Valley
Located only 1 hour east of Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is one of the favorite weekend destinations. Mainly known for its wineries, the Yarra Valley also offers fine restaurants and picturesque accommodations that are well worth a visit.
Wine tasting is the activity not to miss in Yarra. But there’s a lot more to do there and you definitely won’t get bored: you can visit the Healesville Sanctuary zoo where you can discover the Australian fauna and flora, slide on the Warburton river, or meet the hundreds of wild kangaroos at Yering Gorge Cottage.
6. Mornington Peninsula
The Mornington Peninsula, located 1 hour drive from Melbourne, is known for its beautiful beaches, good vibe, tranquility, and good wine.
One of the places not to be missed during your visit to the peninsula is the village of Sorrento. On the agenda: shopping, drinks on the terrace, ice cream and nightlife. The Back Beach on the ocean side is mostly frequented by surfers while the Front Beach, on the bay side, is more for families and children as it’s less dangerous.
There are other beautiful coastal villages to discover including Mornington and Dromana for a more relaxed and family atmosphere, Mount Martha to see the Beach Box and the famous Pillars from which you can dive.
7. Phillip Island
Phillip Island is located at the entrance of the Western Port Bay, at 2 hours drive from Melbourne. The island is not very big with a length of 26 kilometers and a width of 9 kilometers. The San Remo bridge connects the island to the mainland.
Phillip Island is mainly known for the pygmy penguins that come back every evening by thousands to spend the night. Indeed, the penguins come out of the water in small groups everyday at nightfall, and you can watch them walking to land where they will spend the night.
The island is also famous for the largest Australian colony of sea lions, in The Nobbies.
8. Wilsons Promontory National Park
Located 3.5 hours drive from Melbourne, this huge national park is part of the Gippsland region and covers 50,000 hectares of coastal wilderness on the southernmost tip of mainland Australia. A lot of hiking trails cross deserted beaches, eucalyptus forests, marshes and mountain peaks.
Also called “The Prom”, the park is a top place for campers but also for beach lovers. Indeed, there’s a lot of incredible beaches you simply can’t miss while in Wilsons Promontory. Among them, Norman Beach which is great to surf or bath, Whiskey Beach for more privacy or Squeaky Beach. Hiking the Prom is also a must to enjoy outstanding views of the coastline.
9. Grampians National Park
The Grampians are one of Victoria’s most remarkable natural sites. Its spectacular ridges rise in the west of the state about 300 kilometers from Melbourne, and give way to stunning nature. This national park protects a variety of flora and fauna, Aboriginal paintings, amazing rock formations and many other wonders that will appeal to all nature lovers, hikers and climbers.
Located 3 hours drive west of Melbourne and 2 hours drive north of Warrnambool, at the western end of the Great Ocean Road, The Grampians is an ideal destination for a road-trip.
In the middle of this great nature and mountains, there are many cute small towns you can visit such as Stawell, Dunkeld or Beaufort.
10. Great Otway National Park
Located 162 kilometers from Melbourne, Great Otway National Park is well known for its wide diversity of landscapes and vegetation types. The park stretches from Torquay at the beginning of the Great Ocean Road, to Princetown.
The park offers a lot to do. Indeed, there are huge camping areas from which you can easily access the beaches and the hike trails in the Otway forests. You can also start the Great Ocean Walk, a 100 kilometers hike from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles.
But the most iconic place of the Great Otway National Park is Cape Otway where you can admire Australia’s most famous lighthouse. You’ll definitely take your most beautiful photos there!
11. Dandenong Ranges
Located 30 kilometers from Melbourne, the Dandenong Ranges are a hot spot for Melburnians to escape the hustle of the capital.
There, you can enjoy the beautiful wooded landscapes and the picturesque villages such as Olinda, which houses the National Rhododendron Gardens where you can watch more than 15,000 rhododendrons and other exotic trees.
The best way to finish your day at Dandenong is to go to the Observatory for sunset and enjoy the spectacular panoramic view of the surroundings.
Man made Landmarks of Victoria Australia
Most of landmarks Victoria has to offer are located in Melbourne. Located in the south of the state, Melbourne is a large city with over 5 million people. But you’ll see there are some man made landmarks that are outside the capital city.
Let’s see 11 of the top man made Victoria Australia landmarks below!
12. Shrine of Remembrance
The Shrine of Remembrance is located in the center of Melbourne, on St Kilda Road. It was built in 1934 to commemorate the men and women from Victoria who have served during WWI. It’s one of the most important war memorials in Australia.
Inspired by the Parthenon of Athens, the building is very impressive: a gray mass, topped by heavy columns. An eternal flame burns on the square, symbol of strength and fragility. Every year on the 11th of November, celebrations are held to remember the end of the war.
13. Royal Botanic Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens are located in the heart of Melbourne, south of the Yarra River. Be ready, this place will leave you in awe.
Rich of 12,000 plant species, they cover 38 hectares. They are home to native and non-native vegetation, as well as small lakes. Besides the vegetation, the Royal Botanic Gardens are also home to numerous bird species such as black swans, kingfishers and cockatoos. The diversity of these gardens makes the visit very pleasant.
If you’re even just passing through Melbourne, make sure to check out these gardens, it’s an absolute must-do!
14. National Gallery of Victoria
Better known as the NGV, the National Gallery of Victoria opened in 1861 and is the oldest museum in Australia. The NGV is divided in 2 sites in Melbourne: the NGV International is located in the Arts Centre Melbourne, and the Ian Potter Center is located on Fed Square.
The NGV International houses a huge permanent collection of over 68,000 works of art from around the world. You’ll find works by some of the world’s greatest names in art including Bernini, Cézanne, Monet and Picasso. The Ian Potter Centre is dedicated to Australia and offers indigenous and international works dating from the colonial period to the present day.
Besides the exceptional arts you can admire at NGV, the building itself is magnificient and is worth the detour.
15. Melbourne Museum
The Melbourne Museum is an unmissable landmarks of Victoria Australia. Located on Nicholson Street in the Carlton Gardens, it’s the largest museum in Australia.
Inside, you’ll find amazing permanent and temporary art collections to discover the culture and history of Victoria, divided in 7 main galleries.
If you want to know more about the Aboriginal Australians, you definitely should visit the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre, the section dedicated to their culture and history.
16. Queen Victoria Market
Located in the heart of the city, Queen Victoria Market is the largest market in Melbourne with nearly 600 stalls selling food, clothes, accessories and souvenirs.
Divided in 2 sections, you’ll find a large choice of fruits and vegetables, meats, fish, specialties in the first one. The second section is dedicated to non-food purchases, such as clothing, jewelry and handicrafts.
On Wednesdays, the market is open in the evening: the food stalls are transformed into food trucks and you can attend live music concerts and other animations.
17. Flinders Street Railway Station
Built in 1854, Flinders Street Railway Station was the first railway station in Australia, and is one of the most iconic building in Melbourne nowadays.
The railway station is also at the origin of an expression used by all Melburnians, “I’ll meet you under the clocks“, referring to the famous clocks above the station main entrance.
The station is actually very huge as it has a 400-people capacity ballroom and a gymnasium that were used back in the days. Both are now closed.
18. Fed Square
Federation Square is one of Melbourne’s main public squares. This large esplanade, ideally located near Flinders Street Station and Saint Paul’s cathedral, is THE cultural place of the city center.
Full of museums, attractions, restaurants and cafes, it hosts all the major events of the city. You’ll find the tourist office, the Ian Potter Centre (the first gallery dedicated to Australian art), the Australian Centre for the Moving Image and the National Design Centre specializing in Australian design.
Fed Square is the perfect spot to start your visits in Melbourne!
19. St Kilda
Located 30 minutes by tram from the city center, St Kilda neighborhood houses famous Melbourne attractions: Luna Park, the Melbourne iconic amusement park; Fitzroy Street, well-known for its street art; Acland street, the hot place to shop and party; and St Kilda Beach where you can swim while enjoying a beautiful view on the harbor and the buildings of the CBD.
But the most amazing thing to do there is to watch the evening penguins parade at St Kilda Pier! Watching hundreds of them coming back after a long day in the ocean is the most magical phenomenon you can watch in Melbourne.
20. Eureka Skydeck
Located in Melbourne’s Southbank, Eureka Tower is the highest building of the city with its 91 floors, and offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. The building rises at 285 meters above the land and is actually fully residential!
The observation deck called “Eureka Skydeck 88” occupies the entire 88th floor. Thanks to viewfinders and binoculars, visitors can identify Melbourne’s landmarks. There’s also an outside area called “The Terrace” for the most adventurous visitors, and a glass cube, “The Edge”, which extends itself from the building to hang over the edge of the tower.
Definitely a must-do when in Melbourne!
21. Sovereign Hill
Located in Ballarat, 1.5 hour drive west from Melbourne, Sovereign Hill is an amazing reconstruction of the life of the Australian pioneers.
In this open-air museum, you’ll discover the basic living conditions of thousands of men and women who took part in the gold rush. Costumes, coaches … everything is there to immerse you in this era.
Treat yourself to a horse-drawn carriage ride among the costumed soldiers or an underground tour of the mines aboard a wagon!
22. Puffing Billy Railway
Located in the Dandenong Ranges 30 kilometers away from Melbourne, the Puffing Billy Railway is one of the best preserved steam trains in the world.
The Puffing Billy Railway crosses the Dandenong Ranges eucalyptus forests on wooded rails and stops in cute picturesque towns where you can have wonderful views over the surroundings up to Port Phillip Bay.
For a full experience of the steam train, you can take special train trips that includes lunch and dinner in the car.
Map of the 22 Victoria Australia Landmarks
Here is a map of Victoria with all the listed landmarks in this post. To get it, click on the image below to open it in Google Maps. Then click on the “star” icon to save it to your own maps.
So here are 22 of the best landmarks in Victoria, Australia!
More Landmarks in Australia
Want to discover more famous Australia landmarks? Well, I have other posts that you might like!
Here is the main guide of all famous Australia landmarks 👉 The Very Best Landmarks in Australia.
Find the best landmarks in Australia by state:
- Famous landmarks in New South Wales
- Famous landmarks in Queensland
- Famous landmarks in South Australia
- Famous landmarks in Northern Territory
- Famous landmarks in Tasmania
Find the best landmarks in Australia by city:
- Famous landmarks in Sydney
- Famous landmarks in Brisbane
- Famous landmarks in Darwin
- Famous landmarks in Cairns
- Famous landmarks in Adelaide
- Famous landmarks in Wollongong
- Famous landmarks in Hobart
I hope you could’ve made your list of the must-see places in Australia thanks to these guides. Don’t hesitate to comment below if this is the case, I would be very pleased to read your feedback!
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