Home to breathtaking landscapes, renowned gastronomic experiences, and unique cultural and sporting events, Victoria, Australia invites travelers to embark on a one-of-a-kind experience. Discover the diversity and beauty of the destination’s regions, as well as the streets of Melbourne, the Australian state’s buzzing gateway city, this season with new and immersive offers and events. From a new luxury riverside hotel and spa to unrivaled wildlife experiences and world-class wine and comedy festivals – this month we highlight unique places and happenings that bring to life Victoria’s dynamic persona.
NEW Hotel: Mitchelton Hotel and Spa
Situated just over an hour north of Melbourne in the fertile plains and sparkling waterways of Nagambie, The Mitchelton Hotel and Spa, opened December 2017, provides a new standard in laid-back luxury for the Victorian countryside. Nestled where the rolling hills meet the banks of the Goulburn River, the $16-million Mitchelton Hotel and Spa is the most recent addition to the spectacular family-owned Mitchelton Winery Estate. Featuring spacious rooms adorned with earthy tones, the 58-room hotel was designed to have a relationship with its countryside setting, particularly, the horse studs surrounding the region. Guests can take advantage of the hotel’s infinity swimming pool, expansive trails for bushwalking and cycling tracks which circumnavigate the vineyard.
Food & Wine: Grampians Grape Escape
A stunning 3-hour drive from Melbourne, Grampians Grape Escape will bring together the best of Victoria’s food and wine connoisseurs at one of the most breathtaking places in the state – the Halls Gap Recreation Reserve – known for its sandstone mountains and walking trails that lead to awe-inspiring waterfalls, wildlife and wildflower displays. On May 5 and 6, 2018, festival goers will get the chance to taste newly discovered wines from the region, along with boutique beer, cider and other distillery delights. The two-day festival will also offer a variety of exhibitor stalls, one-of-a-kind tastings, masterclasses, and even a guest appearance from one of MasterChef AU’s most loved contestants, Matt Sinclair. Complete with an impressive lineup of live music, the Grampians Grape Escape truly showcases the unparalleled talent of Victoria, from food, wine and the arts. Tasting tickets come with a souvenir glass, enviro bag and free tastings until 4 p.m. each day and start from just $43 USD per day.
Nature & Wildlife: Moonlit Sanctuary
Located 50-minutes from Melbourne and on the way to Phillip Island, Moonlit Sanctuary is home to over 60 species and more than 300 animals. Wander around 24 acres of Australian bushland, meeting endangered species, feeding kangaroos, and wallabies. The park offers a range of up-close experiences with Australian animals including its exclusive behind the scenes tour, 12 different encounters each day, 11 keeper talks daily, the popular Conservation in Action show, as well as the firsthand” Keeper for a Day” experience. The latest exhibit that visitors will find at Moonlit Sanctuary is the 10,000 sq. ft. koala experience. Beautifully built with care, it includes five habitats for the koalas, specially set up to encourage their breeding. Visitors will also find an encounter area where they can get close and cuddle up to a koala. During these memorable moments, visitors are welcome to take photos and share memories with their friends.
Arts & Culture: 2018 Melbourne International Comedy Festival
From March 28 to April 22, 2018 the Melbourne International Comedy Festival brings three and a half weeks of wholehearted happiness to all corners of the “world’s most liveable city.” As Australia’s largest provider of laughs, the comedy festival leaves no stone unturned with free family entertainment, hundreds of the world’s funniest presenting stellar shows across various venues each evening and a late-night Festival Club that keeps the laughs coming through the wee hours of the night. Noteworthy comedians in the lineup, include the likes of Jim Gaffigan, Kate Willett and Jaret Logan. With the December 2017 launch of Qantas' 236-seat Dreamliner now flying six days a week on the Los Angeles to Melbourne service – there’s no excuse to miss a good laugh.
Sports & Events: 2018 World Cup of Golf
Melbourne, best known as “the sporting capital of the world,” will play host to the 2018 World Cup of Golf on November 21-25, 2018, in which 28 two-person teams representing their respective countries come together to battle it out on the green. The golfing world shines on Melbourne, as fans watch their favorite players compete at the only event, outside of the Olympics, that sees the world’s best come together and play for their countries. Attendees can expect a world-class course and discover why Victoria, Australia is becoming the “bucket list destination for golf enthusiasts globally.” Victoria will grab the golf spotlight once more in December 2019, as well, as Tiger Woods and Ernie Els head to Royal Melbourne Golf Club as Presidents Cup captains.
