Shepparton, Ballarat, Warrnambool: Regional Victoria’s ultimate holiday guide

From Philip Island’s penguins to Shepparton’s motor museum and the nation’s oldest regional art gallery in Ballarat, there’s so much to do across Victoria this Easter.

From Philip Island’s penguins to Shepparton’s Museum of Motor Vehicle Evolution and the nation’s oldest regional art gallery in Ballarat, there’s so much to do across Victoria this Easter.

Ballarat 

Just under a two-hour drive from Melbourne, families can drive up to Ballarat and visit the famous Sovereign Hill; Ballarat’s first ten years after the discovery of gold there in 1851.

If that’s not for you, Kryal Castle is a medieval theme park and resort and is open every day during the school holidays.

And there’s also Australia’s oldest regional art gallery, the Ballarat Art Gallery.

Sovereign Hill. Picture: Laura Haughey

Albury-Wodonga

Take a walk in Albury-Wodonga along the Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk; or hire a bike and to see the sights.

The Victorian-NSW border community is also home to the Army Museum Bandiana.

Eight minutes trip from Wodonga, the museum first opened its doors in 1972, and displays the Australian Army’s history.

The building itself is a remnant of World War II; a timber framed warehouse with corrugated iron sheeting.

Inside the Army Museum Bandiana.

Goulburn Valley

Shepparton is home to The Museum of Vehicle Evolution (MOVE) which is one of the largest regional museums in Australia, featuring vintage cars, bikes, trucks and driving memorabilia.

Shepparton also has the popular Moooving Art; 90 life-size sculptures of cows who move around the Goulburn Valley.

Then there’s the Shepparton Art Museum, which collects Australian art in all forms, focusing on contemporary and Indigenous art.

It’s only closed on Good Friday, Christmas and News Year’s Day.

Shepparton’s new art museum.

Phillip Island

If you’d prefer the beach, visit the penguins at Phillip Island.

See the seals at Nobbies Outcrop or visit the Koala Conservation Reserve to see the cuddly animals up close or spot the whales along the coastline of Phillip Island and Bass Coast.

And you can walk the whale trail from May to October.

The penguins at Philip Island.

Bendigo

In Central Victoria, the must-see exhibition, Elvis: Direct from Graceland, is now open in Bendigo.

But there’s also the popular Easter Fair, which has returned after a two-year hiatus, celebrating its 150th year.

You can also take a trip on the Bendigo Tramways – a tourist staple of history tours — or visit the Central Deborah Gold Mine for an underground tour of the mine.

The Bendigo Tramways. Picture: Chloe Smith.

Warrnambool

In south-west Victoria, the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village in Warrnambool is a maritime village and also a museum.

The village is spread over 10ha and includes 40 different buildings.

It also hosts Victoria’s largest shipwreck collection, and has a nightly sound and light show.

Finally, visit the Bay of Islands, a coastal park spanning 22km with lookouts and the acclaimed 12 apostles.