kcdig

So we will be going to Victoria for 2 weeks and have many, many questins. I've gotten the L.P. Guide, and am reading it.

The second week we will be in the eastern part, and a local friend will be helping with that. It is the first week that is the real bugger-bear for us to plan (especially with our hyper work-travel schedules). So this can't be a "nailed down" trip. We are not likely to be able to say that we will be "X" on a specfic day. Roaming will be then norm.

PERSONAL PREFERENCES:
Our main interests are exploring and wine (and exploring wine). We are trying to fight the belief that we must "see it all". We don't want to "rough it" but we'd rather spend our money on events and wine than sleeping; so deluxe accomodations won't be the norm.


1. We are thinking about renting a camper of some type and roaming. It doesn't look like this will be especially cheaper, but may provide best flexibility, and bed- and pack/unpack consistency.

* Is this a reasonable assumption?
* Can anyone advise on the current price of gas/petro in Oz?
* It looks like a lot of places also have cabins, perhaps that is a reasonable way this time of year?

2. Where should we point our car or van? What 3 areas are not-to-be-missed?

I'm reading the posts here as rapidly as I can, but that magic moment when geography and context all come together hasn't happened yet so I'm in need of any and all help.

kcd

shandy

For the western part of the state I would primarily be looking at spending time along the Great Ocean Road and the Grampians. You can easily spend a week covering those if you do them properly, rather than just racing through them.

There are a few wineries up around the Grampians and you could check out the Yarra Valley just to the west of Melbourne before heading over to meet your friends.

You shouldn't have any problem with accommodation. School holidays do not start until 31 March, so you could easily rely on cabins in camping/caravan parks. I have no idea about the costs of renting a camper. Petrol costs fluctuate between $1.05 to $1.20 per litre.

Bokhara

The easy bits first:
Rental cars/campervans: I agree with you. Flexibility, save on accommodation, reduces packing/unpacking.
Are you thinking of a round trip or one-way hire? The latter can be more expensive, but may suit your purposes if you're not arriving & exiting from Melbourne.
Try this website: http://www.campertravel.com.au
Fuel: All over the place - today in Sydney $1.10/litre Varies between $1.05 & $1.25 (that's basic unleaded). Have a feeling campervans may use diesel (Someone else will know).

Lots of places do have on-site cabins and these are an excellent alternative to motels etc. I'd prefer these to the campervan, both for the extra space, and also for ease of getting about in a smaller vehicle. Don't know about the cost comparisons.

It will help if you can give an idea of where (town/area) in the Eastern part you will be. You can rent cars in most suburbs and certainly the larger towns if you're not Melbourne based.

Here's a link that might be useful for wineries etc.
http://www2.visitvictoria.com

Victoria's a fabulous State. Good road systems, easy accessibility from Melbourne for regional areas.

Is there a guide to the wine areas in the LP guide? That might give you a start.

Another handy link is: www.wotif.com.au for accommodation.

That's a start ....

lancefan

So basically you have 1 week to kill. Gee, this is tough. Do you have any idea where you'll be going in the 2nd week and what you'll see? That could impact. (eg, you'll see Melbourne, Yarra, Great Ocean Road or are you talking East - like Lakes entrance)

What's your budget for accom?

At that time of year, i doubt whether you'd need a campervan (it will chew more fuel, which is anywhere from $1.06 - $1.30 per litre. Check this site: http://www.exploroz.com/OntheRoad/FuelPrices/VIC.asp ).

you're right there's a lot of places with cabins and you'd just need linen (and not even that in some places). Without school holidays, you shouldn't have too many problems in most places.

Depending on what you're doing in that 2nd week, I would suggest these as starting possibilities

Great Ocean Road, Grampians, (Mildura f you really feel like driving - great but it's a hike), back along Murray to Echuca.

Mildura is a great food and wine oasis on the Murray River and made more well-known by Stefano di Pieri, a chef. His restaurant at the Grand Hotel is worth the money (especially when he's pouring your wine like when we were there!) .

Yarra Valley, High Country (King Valley), Rutherglen, Echuca.

For me, if i was visiting Victoria, I'd want to see the GOR. But, if wine is the aim, then I'd look at the second option. You'll see and taste some great wine and get a look at the 'country' of Victoria this way.

When you're in Australia you can get a great free booklet from the Tourist Info Centres on Wine regions of Vic. We used this and a copy of the James Halliday Wine Companion and this was great.

When you narrow it down, I'd be happy to share my fave wineries in the areas - I'm not super expert, but can tell you the ones that I went to and liked.

DownUnder

One of the great areas of Victoria is the area known as the Goldfields area. It includes all the towns in the Ballarat, Bendigo, Horsham tri-angle. Daylesford is fantastic for all gourmet travellers, Avoca has wineries www.mountavoca.com. Kyneton some of the best Olive Oil www.kynetonoliveoil.com.au to be found anywhere and Castlemaine and Maldon are historic gems. The countryside is also some of the best in the state.

RosieR

Hey if you want Wineries and last count there were 85 of them head for the Mornington Peninsula,its more country and beautiful beaches too, also down this way you could drive to Phillip Island and see the fairy penquins. have fun.

kcdig

What FABULOUS information.

I heard from my friend (who lives in Metong<?sp>. It seems that we'll be traveling together the first half of the trip, not the second.

That should give us more information about where to go. I get the impression that she will "plan the event" for us during that week. And I am (as of 2/11) clueless where we'll go.

So the information posted here will be a great help. I love this website.

Thanks a bunch, and keep any recommendations coming. When we went to Oaxaca in 05, I got info from people like you that made the trip truly, truly memorable. Information and restaurants that weren't necessarily in LP.

kcd

RosieR

It's Metung! LOL

shaje

KCD,

My favourite Victorian region for wines is Rutherglen. I also quite liked the Yarra Valley.

I have been to Rutherglen a few times, last time a few months ago (November 2006). The B&B we stayed at will also give you a personalised half or full day wine tour in a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow MkII(for a price of course). By personalised, I mean they will take you to whichever wineries you'd like to visit. We had a fabulous lunch at All Saints as well.

If you'd like any more information, I'd be happy to help if I can.

Sharon