Victoria

One of the best things about Victoria is its size. Big is not necessarily better and for backpackers to the Garden State, you have the top advantage of seeing so much so easily so quickly. Getting around Victoria by train, bus, car, and bike or even on foot is quick and cheap. You won’t spend heaps of your holiday getting from A to B. Mind you if you’re from Europe, the whole of the UK can fit into the state of Victoria so size is certainly relative.

Melbourne is the capital, has about 4 million people, is spread out around the huge Port Phillip Bay and is the sporting capital of the universe. If you love sport, there’s heaps to see and do. From a spectator point of view there are national and/or international teams in tennis, soccer, rugby, cricket, hockey, cycling, basketball, motor car and motor bike racing and more. There are water sports galore with glorious and spectacular surf beaches [some used for international surf carnivals] only 90 minutes from Melbourne.

Accommodation for backpackers in Melbourne is generous in range and price. Cheap eateries abound and there are even books and web sites which promote the best places and types of food available. It’s a cosmopolitan city and while you should get out into the regional areas of Victoria, you could spend your entire holiday in and around Melbourne.

The climate is interesting. If you don’t like the weather, wait ten minutes and you’ll have something different. It never snows in Melbourne – well if it did there would be banner headlines announcing the fact and it can get damn hot in January and February. Bushfires are a problem in some country areas. But weather-wise, travel time can be any time in Victoria. Even in the depths of winter you can travel without weather worries.

And still in Melbourne you’ll find heaps of artistic activities. Galleries and theatres abound. In summer there is outdoor theatre. Major theatre productions abound with plenty of fringe and pub shows as well. In fact Melbourne has a thriving amateur theatre scene too where standards are high and prices are low. Galleries large and small are dotted around the city and suburbs.

Some interesting spots to visit in Melbourne include the Queen Victoria Market which is close to some backpacker accommodation and the gardens of Melbourne. The Fitzroy Gardens have Captain Cook’s cottage and the Botanical Gardens have a spectacular array of indigenous and overseas plants. From the Botanical Gardens you can wander to the Music Bowl, Shrine of Remembrance and Albert Park Lake – home of the Formula 1 racing track. One great way to get around the city is to hop on and off the free Circle Line tram. Yes Melbourne still has trams.

If shopping is your bag then the city obviously has many stores including those which specialize in camping, hiking and outdoor adventures. But there are major centres in the suburbs and two lively strips in Bridge Road Richmond and Chapel Street Prahran. You could, at a pinch, walk to both from the city or hop on a tram and be there in a few minutes. Clothes in particular are in abundance.

Getting out of Melbourne is easy and cheap. Trains run east, west and north. You don’t want to run south as you’ll get quite wet in Bass Straight, the water between Victoria and Tasmania. There are tours to tourist attractions or you can take on some more unusual ones with your pack on your back. Rock climbing in the Grampians, sailing through the Gippsland Lakes, paddling down the mighty Murray river or picking grapes and oranges in Mildura are all great ways to see the state, maybe earn some money and taste the great outdoors in Victoria.

Other interesting areas include the Great Ocean Road with its spectacular scenery of the ocean and even the chance of some whale watching. The Dandenong Ranges are close to Melbourne and feature spectacular fern gullies and the famous Puffing Billy steam locomotive. Phillip Island is reached across a bridge a few hours from Melbourne and it’s there that the famous fairy penguins waddle ashore at night under artificial light – a fantastic sight. Wilson’s Promontory is a few hours drive but packed with things to do. You can climb Mount Oberon, walk on Squeaky Beach where your feet and the sand make a squeaky sound, swim or walk the trails through the natural vegetation. There are great camping facilities at the Prom.

Country areas have pubs, caravan parks and B and B places for backpackers. Of course with your swag [Australian for sleeping bag] on your back and so much open space, you can sleep under the stars to your heart’s content.

Victoria is the smallest mainland state with sites and sights to satisfy the most particular backpacker.