There’s more to explore in Victoria than you might think. Plan your next holiday around one of these less-touristed, underrated and hidden Victorian destinations and towns.
Victoria
Cool and quirky towns in Goldfields and Central Victoria
Regional Victoria's coolest and quirkiest small towns
Whether you're a history buff, nature lover or adventure seeker, these quaint, quirky and captivating towns in regional Victoria are worth the drive.
Victoria might be known for its best historical experiences, spectacular scenic drives and great coastal getaways, but off the beaten track there are some hidden gems in our midst.
From a gorgeous gold-rush era village to an International Book Town, Victoria's roads-less-travelled are punctuated with must-see spots worthy of any road trip. Here are some of the most captivating and unique Victorian towns.
Before you embark on your adventure, stay road trip happy by packing your emergency roadside kit and updating your emergency roadside assistance plan. Electric car owners are advised to check EV charging availability along the route prior to leaving.
Cool and quirky towns in Goldfields and Central Victoria
Clunes: a living book town with literary flair
All bibliophiles should bookmark this pretty little Goldfields town north of Ballarat. Located a 15-minute drive from the RACV Goldfields Resort, Clunes is home to so many bookshops that it's been declared Australia's first official International Book Town - a designation shared with just a handful of places worldwide.
It's a badge that Clunes wears proudly, with bookshops, second-hand dealers, scholarly events and literary displays everywhere you look. Each March, the Clunes Booktown Festival draws thousands of readers to browse rare finds, hear from authors and wander the streets transformed into an open-air book market.
Even outside festival season, the historic village centre, used as a filming location for many period movies, feels like a living museum. The National Trust-listed buildings, wide balcony verandahs and ornate facades create an atmosphere straight out of the 19th century.
Those who explore beyond the main street will find quirky local bric-a-brac shops, welcoming country pubs and scenic walking trails.
The Clunes Book Festival draws bibliophiles from around the state. Image: Visit Victoria
Maldon: preserved township with vintage charm
Recognised as Australia's first 'Notable Town' by the National Trust, Maldon is celebrated for its exceptionally preserved gold rush architecture and old-time ambience. Here, it feels as though time has slowed, offering visitors a nostalgic trip into Victoria's past. Maldon's combination of heritage, friendliness and a touch of eccentricity makes it one of the coolest historic towns to explore.
The quirky side of Maldon comes through in its proud embrace of all things vintage. As well as having one of the best country pubs in Victoria, antique emporiums line the main street, filled with curios that span generations of rural life. The iconic Maldon Lolly Shop is a sweet tooth's dream, selling handmade treats and retro favourites that evoke childhood memories.
A ride on the Victorian Goldfields Railway adds to the town's charm. Passengers can board a restored steam train travelling between Maldon and Castlemaine, with volunteers sharing stories from the region's colourful past.
On weekends, the old-school market draws locals and visitors in search of homemade preserves, artisan crafts and eclectic treasures.
More: The ultimate travel guide to Victoria's Goldfields region
Maldon's preserved township lends it a sense of vintage charm. Image: Visit Victoria
Heathcote: a wine town with volcanic character
Heathcote may be famous for its shiraz, but its cool factor goes far beyond wine tasting, making it a standout stop between Bendigo and Nagambie.
The region sits atop ancient Cambrian volcanic soils, giving its wines unique depth and intensity. The town itself has a mix of quirky cellar doors, artisanal producers and warm country hospitality. Many boutique wineries offer unpretentious tastings in rustic sheds or contemporary spaces with panoramic views of the Heathcote ranges. The annual Wine and Food Festival brings the streets to life each October.
Meanwhile, that Cambrian volcanic soil also lends the landscape striking red and ochre tones that set it apart from other Victorian wine regions. The Pink Cliffs Geological Reserve offers one of the region's most unexpected attractions with its soft, pastel-coloured cliffs created by old mining activity, creating a dreamlike landscape that feels almost otherworldly.
More: The ultimate travel guide to Victoria's Goldfields region
Heathcote is famous for its shiraz. Image: Visit Victoria
Charlton: a riverside town with cinema nostalgia
Located on the banks of the Avoca River, Charlton is a peaceful northern Victorian town with one very cool quirk: its beautifully restored Rex Theatre. Operated almost entirely by volunteers, the 1938 art deco cinema screens films and hosts community events in a lovingly maintained venue that feels straight out of Hollywood's golden age.
The Rex is the heart of Charlton's cultural life, and catching a movie here is like stepping back to a simpler era. The nostalgic interior, original projection equipment and warm sense of community give the theatre a charm rarely found in modern multiplexes.
Beyond the cinema, Charlton offers scenic river walks, family-friendly picnic spots and a relaxed rural atmosphere. The nearby Wooroonook Lakes provide opportunities for boating and camping, while local shops and cafés add to the town's welcoming feel.
Cool and quirky towns in the High Country and North East Victoria
Dookie is known for its rich red soil, in which vines thrive to produce great wine. Image: Visit Victoria
Dookie: a great town with a great name
Along with having one of the most memorable names going round, Dookie is a scenic slice of the Goulburn Valley, with a progressive reputation and community feel.
Surrounded by springtime golden canola fields and the trio of hills Mount Major, Mount Saddleback and Gentle Annie, the town offers hidden gems including Dookie Emporium – a vintage treasure trove with a popular cafe – and laidback Tallis Wine in Dookie Hills, where vines thrive in red volcanic soil.
As well as being close to Shepparton, you can also head north to explore the Murray River, with a stay at the RACV Cobram Resort, which is about 30 minutes away by car.
More: 10 best stops on a Melbourne to Canberra road trip
Chiltern: Victoria's earliest pharmacy
Get a taste of Victoria's earliest pharmacy at Chiltern, located in Victoria's north-east. It makes a great stop just 15 minutes before entering the wineries of Rutherglen.
The historic township and old gold-mining town is home to Dow's Pharmacy, which includes an original apothecary workshop replete with original fittings, as well as equipment, medicine and other stock dating back more than 100 years. The original pharmacy operated since 1859, and one of its early pharmacists was David McEwen, father of the Australian prime minister Sir John McEwen.
More: Melbourne to Sydney: your ultimate guide road trip guide to the Hume Highway
Cycle from Yackandandah to Beechworth and explore both gold rush towns. Image: Ride High Country
Yackandandah: gold rush town turned artisan enclave
Tucked into the foothills of the Stanley State Forest, Yackandandah is one of Victoria's most beautifully preserved gold rush towns - but it's the quirky mix of artisan energy and community spirit that makes it unforgettable.
The heritage streetscape sets the tone, with perfectly maintained 19th-century shopfronts housing cafés, indie boutiques and local art studios. The town's creative streak shines brightest at the many galleries and craft shops, where you can meet local makers who specialise in everything from woodturning to contemporary textiles.
Music is another part of Yackandandah's identity. The town is the home of the famous Yackandandah Folk Festival, a lively, grassroots musical celebration held every March that transforms the main street into a festival village.
Visitors can follow the Yackandandah Gorge Walk to discover natural swimming holes carved out by miners over a century ago, or take a short drive to the region's cool-climate wineries. Alternatively, cycle from Yackandandah to Beechworth on the 31km trail that runs through picturesque bushland and farmland. The mix of history, creativity and friendly country hospitality makes 'Yack' an essential stop on any tour of Victoria’s northeast.
More: Best towns to visit on a trip to Victoria's High Country
Cool and quirky towns in Gippsland
The Fish Creek Hotel is a looming art deco building. Image: Visit Victoria
Fish Creek: a famous hotel in South Gippsland
You can't miss the fabulous Fish Creek Hotel. The looming art deco building topped with a huge, stunned mullet by Gippsland artist Colin Suggett has become a beacon to those travelling through the rolling countryside to Wilson Promontory, or those tackling the Great Southern Rail Trail.
Go for a gallery hop around the 'arts capital of South Gippsland' – including the gallery/bookshop of adored children’s author and illustrator Alison Lester, and Celia Rosser's eponymous gallery showing her intricate botanical drawings – before a lunch of fine Gippsland pub grub at the destination watering hole.
Fish Creek is about 165km from Melbourne via the South Gippsland Highway, and you can break up the journey with a stay at RACV Inverloch Resort.
More: 10 best stops on a Melbourne to Sydney coastal road trip
The rolling hills around Mirboo North make for a scenic drive. Image: Visit Victoria
Mirboo North: quirky village surrounded by nature
Mirboo North is a small town with a big personality. Surrounded by tall forests and rolling hills, it's best known for the scenic Grand Ridge Road and the Mirboo North–Trafalgar Rail Trail, both of which make the town a hub for cycling and walking.
But it's the community's quirky, creative spirit that stands out. In the past, the Mirboo North's Italian Festa has drawn crowds from across the region, while its community-owned volunteer-run arts hub, The ARTSpace, continues to showcase Gippsland artists and makers. Housed in a former butter factory, this place is a treasure trove for thoughtful presents.
The local brewery has become a cultural landmark, mixing craft beer experimentation with live music and a welcoming atmosphere. Visitors can also explore boutique shops, pick up local produce at the weekend market, and enjoy hearty meals at the town's cafés and pubs.
Loch sports a thriving community of artists, foodies and fine-beverage producers. Image: Visit Victoria
Loch: dotted with cosy cafes, galleries and antique shops.
Step out of the city and into a fairytale with a trip to Loch, about 1.5 hours down the South Gippsland Highway from Melbourne. The stunning town, set against the rolling emerald green hills of the Strzelecki Ranges, is studded with 20th century buildings that are now home to an array of bustling cafes, galleries, antiques stores, artisan grocers and a gin distillery.
For one of the best vantage points in town, don't miss the Cape Horn Lookout on the Loch-Wonthaggi Road. Loch is great place to visit if you're staying at the RACV Inverloch Resort.
Walhalla is a gateway for those keen on camping, fishing, and four-wheel driving. Image: Visit Victoria
Walhalla: preserved gold mining town with historic train
Step back in time at Walhalla, a sleepy mountainside village at the edge of the Victorian Alps that might just be Victoria's ultimate ghost town.
After the discovery of Cohen's Reef in the 1860s - a 3km vein of gold running through Walhalla, which yielded more than 50 tonnes of gold – the town became one of Australia’s richest, with some 4000 gold-digging hopefuls calling it home.
These days, the charming village is home to about 35 residents, with the historic centre lovingly restored to its gold rush-era glory. A train ride with the Walhalla Goldfields Railway will take you through the spectacular Stringers Creek Gorge. The picturesque spot offers myriad biking and hiking trails but, if you like eerie experiences, take a ghost tour of the old cemetery on the hill.
More: Victoria's 10 best heritage train journeys for kids and adults
You'll find Kitt Bennett's Albacutya Silo Art about 10km away from Rainbow. Image: Visit Victoria
Rainbow: relaxed with a vibrant main street
There’s no pot of gold at the end of this Rainbow, but the small town on the southern fringe of Victoria’s Mallee is still a hidden gem known as the 'Gateway to the Mallee.'
The Mallee region is a destination in itself, as part of Victoria's great silo art trail, with the Albacutya Silo Art by Kitt Bennett a short distance from Rainbow.
The colourfully named destination is situated at the edge of the Big Desert, and surrounded by desert lakes and vast Wimmera wilderness. It's also home to an impressive 23 murals depicting the life and history of the town’s pioneers.
If you want to go 'rainbow hunting', 16 of the murals are located on and around the main street (Federal Street), while the most recent installation is at the rear of the heritage-listed Yurunga Homestead, a beautiful Edwardian-era home built in 1909.
More: The best Australian road trips to tick off your bucket list
Lake Boga is a peaceful place to relax by the lakeside. Image: Visit Swan Hill
Lake Boga: wartime secrets and lakeside relaxation
At first glance, Lake Boga appears to be a tranquil Mallee lakeside village known for water sports, birdwatching and fishing. But this small town holds one of Victoria’s most unusual historical attractions: the underground Lake Boga Flying Boat Museum.
During World War II, Lake Boga served as a top-secret repair depot for the Royal Australian Air Force's fleet of Catalina flying boats. The museum tells the fascinating story from inside the original communications bunker, showcasing a fully restored Catalina aircraft and rare wartime artefacts. It's an unexpected discovery in an otherwise serene rural environment.
Beyond the museum, Lake Boga offers relaxing lakeside hospitality, with calm swimming spots, boating opportunities and beautiful sunsets across the water. The blend of history and relaxed Mallee vibes gives Lake Boga a unique personality perfect for slow travel.
Tatura: dairy town with unexpected attractions
Located in the heart of the Goulburn Valley's dairy country, Tatura is a small town with a fascinating mix of rural industry and surprising historic sites. Its quirky highlight is the Tatura Irrigation and Wartime Camps Museum, which reveals the town's role in housing both POW and internment camps during World War II.
Nearby, the Cussen Park wetlands offer a tranquil escape with birdwatching trails and boardwalks. The town’s connections to both agriculture and wartime history give it a distinctive blend of pastoral beauty and cultural depth. Visitors also enjoy the local bakeries, small eateries and friendly country atmosphere typical of the Goulburn Valley.
Cool and quirky towns in South West Victoria
Don't miss the great country pubs around Dunkeld. Image: Visit Victoria
Dunkeld: gourmet food and dramatic mountains
Dunkeld sits at the southern gateway to the Grampians and delivers one of the most visually stunning small-town experiences in regional Victoria. The twin peaks of Mount Sturgeon and Mount Abrupt frame the town dramatically, creating a postcard-worthy backdrop visible from almost every street.
Dunkeld also enjoys a world-class food scene. The town is home to one of Victoria's most celebrated regional restaurants, which attracts diners from around the country. The contrast between high-end cuisine and the quiet simplicity of rural life gives Dunkeld a charm that feels both refined and relaxed.
Visitors can enjoy scenic walks, explore the arboretum, meet local makers or use Dunkeld as a base for exploring the southern Grampians.
Timboon's ice cream is some of Victoria's finest. Image: Visit Victoria
Timboon: the ice cream capital of Victoria
When it comes to reputations, being known as the town with the best ice cream in the state seems like a pretty enviable one. This Surf Coast hinterland hot spot, known for its cheese and dairy industry, has become a foodie's haven.
The local Timboon Fine Ice Cream shop has been scooping hand-churned ice cream made using the freshest local ingredients - the milk and cream comes from their neighbour's farm for more than 20 years. There's even 'scoopys': ice cream just for dogs.
Timboon is also home to an award-winning whisky distillery, which has been pouring fine spirits from its converted railway shed headquarters since 2008. It's also a great place to visit if you decide to take an inland route after exploring the Great Ocean Road.
More: Ultimate Great Ocean Road itinerary: Torquay to Warrnambool
Port Fairy is one of Victoria's prettiest towns. Image: Visit Victoria
Port Fairy: creative charm on the coast
Beautiful Port Fairy may be more established on the tourist map than some other small towns, but it maintains an eccentric, artistic spirit that keeps it cool year-round. With a thriving arts community, creative festivals and colourful maritime heritage, Port Fairy balances seaside calm with cultural energy.
Visitors can explore the Griffiths Island Lighthouse, wander the historic fishing village precinct or browse the independent galleries and boutiques scattered throughout town. The Port Fairy Folk Festival has become one of Australia's most iconic music events, drawing performers from around the world and filling the streets with song every March.
The beaches are pristine for swimming and boating, the dining scene is vibrant and the wharf area buzzes with cafés and seafood eateries. Port Fairy's blend of creativity, history and coastal relaxation makes it one of Victoria's most appealing regional destinations.
More: The best rest stops on a Melbourne to Adelaide road trip
Koroit is a quaint town with great cafes and a number of second-hand shops. Image: Visit Victoria
Koroit: charming town with Irish heritage
It might be known for its vibrant local pub, but Koroit, on the northern slopes of Victoria's dormant Tower Hill volcano, is also a history buff's treasure trove.
The charismatic rural town, located 15km inland from Warrnambool, describes itself as an 'Irish Village', and is hailed as one of Australia`s most complete examples of an early Irish settlement.
Nestled in a dormant volcano formed some 30,000 years ago, the wildlife haven was declared Victoria’s first National Park in 1892, and offers visitors an up-close-and-personal experience with some of Australia’s most iconic native birds and animals.
