road trippin'
Well sometimes you've just got to get out of Dodge for a bit, you know what Mamma means - jump in the car and zoom off for a half a day or more. But where to go?! We have been rounding up some of our fave spots for a road trip with the family and it's high time we shared them with you all in the one handy spot! Happy adventures Eastie folk.
Would you believe us when we tell you that there is a place you can visit in East Gippsland where you can head underground (well … into a hillside) and through an incredible natural occurrence that has been in this land for millions of years? That is exactly what you can do at the Buchan Caves. Parks Victoria run guided tours through two of the most amazing cave systems in the area
Mamma never thought you could fall in love with a place - but Beechworth is it! Victoria’s High Country invited Mamma and here crew to visit the region this summer and this town - and its surrounding villages - have blown us away.
The most imposing building of the entire town of Beechworth is the historically significant and well preserved Old Beechworth Gaol. There are lots of tales that these walls could tell and your expert guide will share many of the good, bad, but mostly ugly as you make your way through iron bars into the exercise yard, the empty hallways and the tiny prisoner cells.
This is luxury accommodation with the most exquisite gardens and grounds that we have ever seen. Host Genevieve has designed the most amazing oasis on her property and staying here is so relaxing.
Every summer holiday destination needs a lake that can help bring the temperature down and Beechworth has Lake Sambell. This used to be the site of a gold mine (along with most places in the area!) and now is a family friendly lake that you’ll all enjoy.
Mamma definitely learnt HEAPS on the Echoes of History Guided Walking Tour of Beechworth. This 45 minute walk around town is a great way to see the historical sights and learn some things about the European history of the area spanning back 170 years.
The Burke Museum is a treasure trove of Beechworth history, assembled all in one place. It covers natural history, the street scape of the past and the icons of the area.
It’s not just the beautiful people and interesting past that makes Beechworth an awesome spot to visit. The natural wonders are stunning and you just have to check out Woolshed Falls in Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park
We love little treasures in little towns and we were amazed to see that there still is a working telegraph station in Beechworth. Located in one of the original gold rush era buildings, this telegraph station used to be the hub of the latest in communication technology - morse code.
Mamma knows the perfect spot for a rest, a picnic and a tiny splash while on a High Country adventure up to Mt Buller - Mirimbah Park!
A summer getaway with views for days, cool breezes and incredible scenery … it has to be at the top of Mt Buller. Green season in Victoria’s High Country is the perfect spot for a weekend getaway!
Mamma’s kids had the time of their tiny lives hanging out in the pool, as well as ensuring every toy in the library was played with, then went out back to hang out in the cubby house at this brilliant family friendly retreat!
Kinglake is a beautiful country town that is so easy to get to and has so many little treasures to be found. One of the best ways to do this, with a delicious reward at the end, is on the Cheeky Fox Trail.
Bek and Adam have worked tirelessly over the past 2 years to open up this hobby farm to other families and are now welcoming guests to their newly renovated cottage on the property. Sleeping 5, the house has everything you need for an enjoyable stay and farm life experience.
Take your time to scour all the bright and beautiful confectionary and choose your recent favourites, and also some old ones you haven’t seen since you were a kid!
This little gem is tucked away in Mount Beauty and is an idyllic spot to wander in the winter and splash around in the summer with the family.
With little kids, the best day in the snow is a day that is easy, fun and free! Mt Donna Buang is the an ACE place to catch some snow and it's FREE, making it ideal for snow play
Ever wanted to know how a bird - or maybe more accurately, a Bogong Moth - views the world below them? Perched on top of giant granite boulders, high above the Australian Alps, you will.
On the plateau of Mount Buffalo, the still cool waters of Lake Catani stretches out, inviting you to jump on the kayak, paddle at the shore and bask by the bank.
If you’ve ever been curious as to what it might have felt like as a dinosaur roaming the Earth … then walking through the ancient fern filled valley of Tarra Valley might give you an inkling.
A popular spot with families, there is plenty to do in the valley of the Tarra Bulga National Park
This location makes FernGully seem not like a cartoon movie, but for real life!
Mamma never would have guessed that The Great Ocean Road would have a match but we sure have found it’s little sister! The Bunurong Coastal Reserve is a STUNNING piece of coastline stretching from Invervoch to Cape Paterson, and beyond to Coal Point at Hamers Haven.
We love finding treasure and sometimes it is the rusty gold type of treasure. Coal Creek Community Park is Korumburra’s historical heartland.
Wanna go for a crab hunt? We’re not going to find many BIG ones, but it is still fun all the same. The Screw Creek Nature Walk is a beautiful quiet spot to explore right close to the beach.
This historically significant site in Wonthaggi is where 17 million tonnes of coal was mined for Victorian industry railways back in the 1900s and now is an educational and tourist destination. The site is huge and all enclosed so the are safe to explore where they choose, including the old K192 engine.
Big shells, little shells, tiny shells and colourful shells. More shells than you could possibly carry in your bucket after a day at the beach.
The Nooj Pub is famous. In a tiny town, mid way from Yarra Junction to Mt Baw Baw, this place is the heart of it all and been here for nearly 100 years. All weekend the kitchen churns out hearty aussie pub meals served with a huge chunk of country hospitality.
This tiny little bar is what dreams are made of! Featuring an entire wall with every flavour of cordial from the famous Billson’s Brewery - you can order cordials, sodas, milkshakes and even spiders at this Soda Bar in Beechworth.
This cordial factory is super impressive. Established in 1865, the brewery is one of Australia’s oldest and has recently been lovingly restored and revitalised into this thriving tourist destination - and top notch beverage producers. Drop in for a meal, a tour, buy your sodas OR taste the entire range of traditional cordials at the tasting bar.
Mamma has got stars in her eyes for this place! The Star Hotel is THE place to be in the sweetest of all towns - Yackandandah. The American style BBQ menu is delicious and full of flavour.
You can’t really say you have done Beechworth until you have been to Beechworth Bakery. This place has been an institution since 1984 and you just HAVE to try a pastry, or a pie, a snot block, a bee sting AND a meringue.
If you want to learn about any small Australian town - head to the local watering hole. In Stanley, the entire heart of this tiny village is the Stanley Pub. This establishment which was first opened in 1854, has had a resurgence in recent years under the guidance of new ownership and it has made its mark with the locals as well the visitors to Victoria’s High Country.
Paradise in a paddock - that is what Mamma has uncovered at Bonfire Station in Taggerty. This absolute gem is found in Taggerty. The Station is open on Sundays for beers and pizza - some of the best we have ever had!
There is nothing quite like an ice cold beer, a slice of beer and a place for the kids to play after they’ve spent some time in the car. Anvil Brewing Co hits the perfect spot at their family friendly brewery and restaurant in Mansfield.
It is so good to have a little pot of gold waiting for you at the end of a long car ride. Mansfield Botanic Park is just the spot to have a run around, a play, a laugh and that all important toilet stop while road tripping in the state’s North East.
Playgrounds don’t get much more stunning than this. This largely timber adventure playground sits on the banks of the Ovens River and is surrounded by the grand old trees that Bright is famous for - changing their glorious colours as the seasons pass.
The Wyeth-McNamara Park - or what Mamma heard a local call it - The Rainbow Park, is everything you need in a playground after a long drive in the car
Talk about pretty! Civic Park in Warragul is an awesome little playground with plenty to do and space to stretch your legs, especially if you are driving through.
Traralgon has to have the biggest regional playground space Mamma has seen. Newman Park has 4 playground structures, plus a sandpit, a rocking car AND an old school flying fox.
There is a lot of heart in this playground and is GREAT fun for all the kids. Pack your towels and change of clothes too - you will most likely end up in that river!
Looking for a little more inspiration .... head to Mamma Knows West for their rockin road trippin' page OR even a collection of short stays!
Did you know that in the beautiful lakeside Gippsland town of Paynesville, you can catch a free ferry to a tiny island full of koalas, kangaroos and wombats?