6 days on the Great Southern Touring Rout

Feel immersed in the local Indigenous culture at Narana Aboriginal Culture Centre. Try your hand at boomerang throwing, meet emus and wallabies, watch traditional ceremonies and taste Indigenous flavours at the centre’s café.

Stop by the National Wool Museum to discover the impact of the 1788 First Fleet (and its sheep) on Australia's sheep farming industry, the local Wadawurrung people and the town of Geelong.

Spot koalas sitting in gum trees, join an off-road Savannah experience to see giraffes, hippos, cheetahs and zebras, or sleep under the stars at a luxury lodge on the African-inspired plains at Werribee Open Range Zoo.

Vineyard views don’t get much better than the 360-degree vistas from Jack Rabbit Vineyard. Order a tasting to sample the region’s finest cool-climate wines before indulging in a gastronomic lunch bursting with local ingredients.

The laid-back town of Torquay is the birthplace of Australia’s surfing culture. Dive into its history at the Australian National Surfing Museum – the largest museum of its kind in the world – showcasing celebrated surfers, artefacts and retro surfboard art.

A walk along the legendary Bells Beach staircase is a must. Gaze out over the sand to admire the craggy limestone cliffs and rolling waves that host the professional Rip Curl surfing competition. Watch the surf or paddle out to join the locals.

Swing by Anglesea Golf Club to tackle the challenging 18-hole course with the local residents – more than 300 kangaroos who you’ll find roaming on the fairways. Afterwards, enjoy fine dining cuisine at the 19th Hole Bistro.

Spend your first night in the seaside town of Anglesea. Recharge overnight at the Great Ocean Road Resort, where deluxe spa suites meet rejuvenating wellness treatments and an artisan menu crafted with local and Indigenous ingredients.

The coastal town of Lorne makes a worthy first stop on your second day along the Great Ocean Road. Grab a bite to eat by the beach while watching the waves, refresh with a dip in the ocean and wander around the town’s boutique shops.

The Great Otway National Park is a landscape coated in rainforest hinterland, cascading waterfalls and native wildlife. See it from above at Otway Fly Treetop Adventures, where you can walk through the rainforest canopy on a raised platform.

More than 20,000 wild koalas live along the Great Ocean Road. Take the Kennett River Walk to see our furry mates among native birdlife, or spot them around the Cape Otway Lightstation – mainland Australia’s oldest serving lighthouse.

Continue along the Great Ocean Road to the fishing village of Apollo Bay. Experience the village’s love affair with seafood at Chris’s Restaurant, where locally sourced fish is served with views overlooking the eucalyptus-fringed beach.

Lay your eyes on the 45m (150ft) tall 12 Apostles from the lookout point, or get a bird’s-eye view on a helicopter ride around the coastline. Stop by their equally impressive neighbours: Loch Ard Gorge, the Grotto and London Bridge.

Drive past the scenic Bay of Islands to reach Warrnambool. Experience the town’s fascinating maritime history come to life through the Sound and Light Show, held at Flagstaff Hill's immersive outdoor theatre.

Settle into a modern oceanside apartment at Lady Bay Resort in Warrnambool, or spend the night at Victoria’s oldest inn, the historic Merrijig in Port Fairy. Before you hit the hay, feast on seasonal fare at Merrijig Kitchen.

Before leaving the coast, visit Logan's Beach for a chance to see southern right whales migrate along the coast between June and September. Afterwards, take in the coastal scenery along Warrnambool’s Foreshore Promenade.

Discover both international and Australian artworks at the Southern Grampians’ Hamilton Gallery. With over 9,000 pieces on display, this small gallery is a gold mine for art lovers. Plus, entry is free.

The Grampians is graced with some of the world’s oldest – and lauded – vines. Stop by Pierrepoint Wines, nestled in the foothills of Mount Pierrepoint, to sample their celebrated pinot noir overlooking the vineyard.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, call into Parker St Project to feast on classic plates of food made with hand-picked ingredients from the restaurant’s garden. In summer, sit outside to enjoy an alfresco lunch looking up at Mount Abrupt.

Learn about the Aboriginal heritage of the Grampians at Brambuk – The National Park and Culture Centre. Master the art of boomerang throwing, taste Aboriginal bush foods and wander through ancient rock art sites.

Tackle a section of the 160km (99mi) Grampians Peaks Trail, stopping by Zumsteins Picnic Area for an afternoon snack. Standing atop the mountain, you’ll feel a sense of awe for this captivating landscape and its rich history.

Continue your nature experience overnight, glamping in a queen bed tent at Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park. Cook up a gourmet barbecue on your private deck before watching the stars next to your crackling campfire.

Compare tasting notes this morning at some of the region’s best vineyards. Sip award-winning shiraz with a side of mountain views at Grampians Estate and Mount Langi Ghiran vineyard, and in the Pyrenees Wine Region, try Blue Pyrenees Estate.

Take a trip back in time to the 1850s gold rush era at Sovereign Hill, an outdoor museum that brings Ballarat’s history to life. Pan for gold, go underground on a mine tour or ride a horse-drawn carriage up Main Street.

More regional art awaits at the Art Gallery of Ballarat – the oldest and largest regional gallery in Australia. Here, local artworks grace the heritage-listed walls, painting a picture of Ballarat’s past, present and future.

Sit down for a cosy dinner at the iconic Craigs Royal Hotel. A long-standing local favourite since 1862 and Ballarat’s first licensed pub, these four walls have seen famous poets, royals and prime ministers.

Opt for Craigs Royal Hotel’s boutique accommodation, where each room is uniquely curated with remnants of the 19th century. Or sleep at the Provincial Hotel’s playfully decorated guest rooms, located along a historic street.

Have a ‘wow’ moment with your favourite Aussie animals at Ballarat Wildlife Park. Meet hundreds of free-roaming kangaroos, watch a croc jump for its lunch and see the world’s smallest penguins. You can even take a photo with a koala.

Stop by the family-run Creswick Woollen Mills to experience ‘A Very Fine Yarn.’ This interactive exhibition takes you on a journey of the mill’s history and natural alpaca fibre production – a process that’s been going since 1947.

A casual countryside lunch is on the menu at Wombat Hill House Cafe. Order freshly baked goods from their in-house bakehouse, or munch on beautifully prepared seasonal produce in the sun-lit olive tree garden.

You can’t visit Daylesford without experiencing one of the region’s natural mineral springs. Check yourself into Peppers Mineral Springs Spa for an almighty pamper and a visit to ‘The Retreat’ – an idyllic spa pool complete with an open fireplace.

Enjoy your last night at the elegant Lake House, a luxurious retreat nestled on the water’s edge. Relax in the heated infinity pool, wander the six-acre garden, enjoy the tennis courts and dine at their renowned restaurant.

After dining at the Lake House’s lauded restaurant, learn the art of crafting paddock-to-plate fare from some of Australia’s most cutting-edge chefs, winemakers, growers and producers at the Lake House Cooking School.

Daylesford has several boutique stores worth browsing. Wander down the town’s main street to pick up Provincial-inspired clothes, vintage threads, speciality chocolates, antique knick-knacks and more.

On your way back to Melbourne, fill your belly with piping hot coffee and buttery delights at Red Beard Bakery. If time permits, take a sourdough workshop to nurture your inner baker and learn the secrets to crafting a beautiful loaf of bread.