Ten things to do in Victoria for $10 and under

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If the best things in life are free, then the second-best things must cost just under ten bucks. To that end, budget travel hound Sarah Tierney has come up with some great ideas for saving money on travel in these lean times.

1. Ride the city circle on Melbourne’s trams

See the famous sights of the city from the inside of the iconic car. The city circle tram stops at sights such as Parliament House and the Princess Theatre. Best thing? It’s free.

2. Drink a beer with Chloe

Visit Young and Jacksons Hotel, one of Melbourne’s oldest and sit in the bar with the legendary Chloe, a nude portrait by Frenchman Jules Joseph Lefebvre that caused scandal when it was shown at the national gallery during the 1800s.

3. Explore the hidden laneways of Melbourne

Find hidden art, little cafes and shops, entries to secret clubs and bars in the little lanes around the city. The most popular is the ACDC Lane, named after the Aussie rockers or visit the Croft Institute, in Croft lane, which is an out of the way quirky bar. One level holds a lab, another is a hospital themed waiting room and the top level is a 1930s gymnasium, which features a grass bar.

4. Choose a weird pizza from Mojo’s Weird Pizza

Okay, maybe this one is $11, but it’s totally worth it if you can scrounge up the extra dollar for Mojo’s Weird Pizza. With names like Dog’s Breakfast (not real dog food), Royale With Cheeze (yes, it is a burger on a pizza) and Go Banana (banana and bacon) how can you go wrong? They even have dessert pizzas.

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5. Go whale spotting

Logan's Beach, Warrnambool
Logan’s Beach at Warrnambool is a great place to see whales from July.

The whales visit Victoria in July and the best place to see them is on Logan’s Beach at Warrnambool, about a 3.5hr drive from Melbourne, or 7hr drive on the Great Ocean Road. Stand on Logan’s Beach and see the whales and the calves as they frolic in the ocean.

6. Try visiting a different museum

Australian Centre for the Moving Image
Head to the Australian Centre for the Moving Image

The Australian Centre for the Moving Image celebrates moving pictures rather than still ones. They have free entry to the normal museum, plus some exhibitions (Len Lye is free) and the cinemas there show all types of films from $8.

7. See Melbourne from above

To see Melbourne from the sky usually involves paying for an expensive trip up to the top of a building to crowd around with heaps of people, hoping to catch a glimpse of something. We’ll let you in on a little secret. Catch the elevator up to the 35th floor of the Hotel Sofitel on Collins St and go to the bathrooms, where you can quietly take in the view of Melbourne’s south side.

8. Art & Culture walk in Geelong

Head down to Geelong and pick up an arts and culture walking trail map. The map has plenty of walks you can do that go past historic and interesting sites in Geelong –the Old Post Office, Corio Villa, The Carousel (one of 200 wooden carousels in the world), and sculpture trails to name just a few.

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9. Learn all about Melbourne’s history at the Old Treasury

The Old Treasury, Melbourne.
Learn all about Melbourne’s history at the Old Treasury.

From the beginnings of the John Batman settlement, through the goldfields of Victoria and all the way up to the invention of the bionic ear. Entry to the Old Treasury Building in Melbourne is just $8.50 for an adult.

10. Rock along to the Digital Media Street Festival

For the week of July 3-10, Gertrude Street in Fitzroy will become a free gallery at night. The festival will have projections of moving and still images as well as installations designed to surprise the audience. The Digital Media Street Festival runs free from 6pm – 12pm.

 

 

If you have a great Victorian experience under $10, share it by adding a comment below.

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Goat yoga to gastronomy: The ultimate guide to Wimmera Mallee, Vic

    Australian Traveller Australian Traveller
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    A world away from the hustle, bustle and chaos of the big smoke – yet with a distinct sense of familiarity – Victoria’s Wimmera Mallee region is an incomparable place.

    Victoria’s Grampians are a visual feast, a seemingly endless vista of craggy cliffs, rolling valleys and untamed bushland. But they’re also much more than a scenic mountain landscape. Diverse and storied, each region within the range has its own rhythm. The Wimmera Mallee – a pocket in the state’s north-west, stretching from Horsham to near Mildura – is one of the most captivating. 

    Once known as Victoria’s agricultural heartland, the Wimmera Mallee has evolved in recent years into a dynamic, slightly offbeat hub. It buzzes with a creative hum and welcoming energy, and harbours an eclectic mix of long-time locals and tree-changers. Once you encounter its unmistakable charm, feel its warm country hospitality and taste its nationally celebrated vanilla slice, you may find yourself lingering longer than planned. 

    Eager to explore? These must-visit spots let you experience the inimitable spirit of this special part of the world. 

    Wimmera Mallee’s quirky attractions

    The Dimboola Imaginarium, Wimmera Mallee victoria
    Step into the whacky Dimboola Imaginarium. (Image: Denis Bin)

    If you’re after something a little more unconventional, the Wimmera Mallee delivers in droves. 

    The Dimboola Imaginarium – located in a historic bank building in its namesake town – is a gift shop and boutique accommodation in one. Shop for unique and whimsical keepsakes, stay overnight in an elegant themed room, and lose yourself in one of the Imaginarium’s interactive experiences.  

    Also in Dimboola, just a short drive from the Imaginarium, is a menagerie of utter delight. Tiny Goats and Co. is home to a herd of miniature goats, with the farm offering group visits and special events like goat yoga and cuddle sessions. 

    Arcade aficionados should visit the Australian Pinball Museum in nearby Nhill. Here, you’ll find the biggest selection of playable pinball machines in the country, featuring modern models and classics dating all the way back to 1931.  

    Arts and culture in Wimmera Mallee

    Step into the Wimmera Mallee’s storied history at the Stick Shed
    Step into history at the Stick Shed. (Image: Visit Vic)

    As a thoroughly creative community, it’s no wonder the Wimmera Mallee has a host of venues focused on its rich arts and culture scene. 

    Wander Trickbots Metal Art & Sculpture Garden in Nullawil, a winding trail filled with unique and quirky creations fashioned from metal odds, ends and scrap. A walk through the garden is inspiring enough, but consider buying a piece to take home and treasure. 

    The town of Nhill also has a significant Karen-Burmese refugee community, who make up 10 per cent of the local population. Discover the artistry of this vibrant culture at Paw Po, where you can purchase traditional hand-woven and textile products. Choose from a selection of beautifully crafted homewares, fashion and dolls. 

    Step into the Wimmera Mallee’s storied history at the Stick Shed, the only WWII emergency grain store still standing today. This National Heritage-listed structure takes you on a journey through the region’s agricultural past and is a dramatic sight with its towering and eerily striking timber poles. 

    Nature escapes around Wimmera Mallee

    pink Lake Tyrrel, Wimmera Mallee, Victoria Australia
    Take in the pink hues of Lake Tyrrell. (Image: Visit Vic)

    Much like the majestic beauty of the wider Grampians, the Wimmera Mallee is a mélange of serene and spellbinding nature escapes. 

    Victoria’s pink lakes are famed nationwide, and two of them are found right here. See the flamingo-pink hues of Loch Iel, particularly vivid after a heavy downpour, or the vast and ancient Lake Tyrrell, which turns pink during wet and warm conditions. 

    The Snowdrift dunes in Wyperfeld National Park are ideal for adventurers. Set amid the area’s semi-arid landscape, the dunes are expansive mounds of sand deposited around 40,000 years ago. Hike or sandboard them and make sure to visit at sunset, when the sand glows golden. 

    And while some travellers chase the highest peaks, you can see the most modest in the Wimmera Mallee. Standing a mere 43 metres above the surrounding terrain, Mount Wycheproof is considered the smallest registered mountain in the world. Courtesy of its relatively gentle inclines, it’s a lovely spot for a walk and a picnic. 

    Culinary adventures in Wimmera Mallee

    border inn in the Wimmera Mallee
    Meet the locals at Border Inn.

    As a region rich in agricultural bounty, it’s little surprise the Wimmera Mallee has such a robust and vibrant food scene. The community is fiercely proud of its local produce, showcasing the flavours and heritage of the area. 

    The Border Inn in the village of Apsley is a quaint country pub and meeting spot for the local community, featuring a classic country menu and warm hospitality. 

    The Horsham Golf Club is a popular spot for golf buffs with an adjoining bistro and bar. Try a modern twist on hearty favourites while taking in views of the green.  For a taste of the area’s vintages, head to Norton Estate Wines – a boutique wine producer and cellar door open weekends.  

    A Wimmera Mallee jaunt wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the famed Sharp’s Bakery in Birchip. Here, you’ll find a velvety vanilla slice that’s been crowned as Australia’s best seven times. 

    Wimmera Mallee accommodation

    Fulham Homestead in wimmera mallee
    Escape to Fulham Homestead.

    If you’re enjoying an extended trip, you’ll need somewhere to rest. After a day tackling Wyperfeld’s epic dunes, visit Pine Plains Lodge, also in the national park. Built from reclaimed timber planks and logs, and anchored by rugged stone fireplaces, the lodge is a rustic and cosy hideaway. 

    For a refined yet relaxing escape, head to Fulham Homestead – a gorgeously restored guesthouse on an idyllic working farm, complete with farm animals and scenic vistas. Built in the 1840s, it has all the elegance and charm of its heritage, plus contemporary comforts like a modern kitchen, wi-fi and air-conditioning. 

    The Hermitage Hotel is Victoria’s oldest inland pub and an equally delightful blend of old and new. The restored rooms are perfectly appointed and adorned with period furnishings and high-quality linens. The pub itself is a favoured food and wine spot among locals and travellers alike. 

    If camping is more your style, the Lake Lascelles Cabins and Camping (formerly Mallee Bush Retreat) is a sprawling oasis with powered and unpowered sites and snug cabins. The setting is stunning too, the pristine Lake Lascelles sitting right in its centre. 

    Annual events

    Wimmera Mallee Nhill Aviation Museum
    Time your visit to Nhill Aviation Museum for the annual air show.

    You may not need an excuse to revisit the Wimmera Mallee, but these annual and bi-annual events will almost certainly have you returning again and again. 

    Each year, the Lake Chelegrark Country Music Marathon takes over the town for a spectacular line-up of musicians from around Australia. The event is easygoing, family-friendly, and set in scenic surrounds on the shores of Lake Charlegrark. 

    Every two years, the region holds colourful events like the Wimmera Steampunk Festival, a raucous celebration of 19th-century steampunk culture with a different theme each time; the Nhill Air Show, which features jaw-dropping aerial stunts, aircraft displays, music, activities and more; and the Nati Frinj, a festival of art, culture and performance showcasing the many talents of the Natimuk community. 

    From the quirky to the tasty, start planning at visitwimmeramallee.com.au

    Top 10 Cheap Things to do in Victoria