VICTORIA

Melbourne, capital of Victoria and site for 2006 Commonwealth Games, is the sporting capital of Australia with events like the Australian Open (tennis), Australian Grand Prix (formula car racing), Melbourne Cup (horse racing), AFL grand final (football) and International cricket at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

You will also discover a City renowned for its culture, excellent shopping, restaurants and beautiful gardens.

Within a short drive from Melbourne, are the hilly Dandenongs (visit Puffing Billy steam engine and Healesville Sanctuary), Phillip Island (visit Penguin Parade at night), historic goldfields around Ballarat (visit Eureka Stockade and Sovereign Hill) and Bendigo (visit under ground Gold Mine), and the Bellarine peninsula near Geelong. The Great Ocean Road to the South West is a must for spectacular scenic views, great surf beaches, and history of shipwrecks.

Some other major attractions in this State are the Grampians, Murray River (Paddle Steamers at Echuca), East Gippsland waterways and Victorian Alps. Relax while you cross Port Phillip Bay on the Queenscliff - Sorrento car and passenger ferry.