Bay Of Islands Coastal Park, Peterborough

You know Port Campbell and the 12 Apostles? Drive past them and leave the crowds behind. For the most part. If you’re in Peterborough between May and October, there’s a better than decent chance you’ll see Southern Right whales as well as wallabies in the coastal heath and scrublands. Let the dogs of the leash at Sandy Cove. The Bay of Martyrs is way more fun than it sounds and the nine-hole seaside links course feels like you’re in Scotland. But without the frostbite.

Spring Street Grocer Cheese Cellar, CBD

The neon Spring Street Grocer sign has long been a beacon for the city’s gourmands but descend the spiral staircase and you will discover Australia’s first underground cheese maturation cellars. Or more accurately, a pair of them. Soft, hard, creamy, blue, domestic, international - whatever your pref, it’s down there. Sweet dreams are made of this, who are we to diss a brie?

Central Deborah Gold Mine, Bendigo

Yes it sounds like something your dad might yell when he’s stubbed a toe and is trying desperately not to swear. The reality at this non-operational mine is way more fun. You can now descend 61 metres underground to see what conditions were like for workers when the mine operated from 1939 to 1945. If you’re heading there in the lead up to Christmas, check out the Elf Academy program for kids. Photography: Andrew Webster

ArtVo, Docklands

Props to the many art galleries which have added kids' programs to cater for younger visitors who wouldn’t know their Degas from their Da Vinci - and couldn’t care less. ArtVo counters this with 1400 square metres of artworks unified by the idea that visitors become part of the illusion. One minute, you’re patting King Kong, the next you’re riding a swan or balancing a castle on your back. There are over 80 works from 15 artists. 

The State Library of Victoria, CBD

Nothing secret about this neoclassical pile that’s been a part of the urban fabric since 1854 right? Guess again. The art of magic is about making the everyday mystical and within the library’s catalogues you’ll find the William Alma Magic Collection. The Collection contains around 2000 books on magic, 60 magazine titles, 1500 photographs, 300 posters, over 400 detailed magician research files on individual magicians and other magic memorabilia. According to the library, “You do not need to be a magician to access the collection. Collection material is listed on the catalogue. Library staff will assist you with ordering. Items will be delivered to the [magnificent] Heritage Collections Reading Room and can only be read in that room.” Either way, it feels like you’re being granted access to a world of secrets in a room that could be straight of Hogwarts.

The Mission To Seafarers, CBD

The team in this heritage-listed building has been supplying succour to salty sea dogs since 1917 and, if architecture floats your vessel, it is a beautiful merging of the Arts & Crafts and Spanish Mission Revival styles. These days, however, it is one of the city’s best low key bars. Every Thursday, it hosts a sea shanty singalong. Picture: Josie Hayden

The Blue Lotus Water Garden, Yarra Junction

Set over 50,000 square metres at Yarra Junction and operating from December 26 to April 1, the Blue Lotus Water Garden is a Monet version of heaven. There is a cafe and barbecue facilities, 40 ponds and a waterfall. Set that Insta alight. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Above Board Bar, CBD

In a city teeming with alleyway libations, this intimate bar just off Smith and Perry is one for those in the know. Dispensing the good stuff is Hayden Lambert - ex Bar Americano - and with only 13 spaces and no standing you’re sure to get proper service. The martinis are some of the best in town but if you want to push the alcoholic boat out a touch, try the Cherry Rascal with Islay whisky, blackberry liqueur, cherry brandy and absinthe.

Urbnsurf, Tullamarine

The idea of catching a wave near Melbourne would have many surfers scratching their heads but this facility knocks out perfect waves seven days a week for every level of surfer or boarder. There is even a Three Blue Ducks diner on site for the appetite you will no doubt work up.

Easeys restaurant, Collingwood

One of the most valuable pieces of travel advice you will ever receive is ‘don’t forget to look up’. And at 48 Easey Street in Collingwood, you will notice a series of train carriages perched atop the building. Once the workhorses of the local rail system, they now function as one of the city’s best burger joints with views to the city skyline and items such as the Oklahoma Fried Onion Cheeseburger - which, according to the menu, is “best paired with a Greasy Fingers Shiraz”

No Lights No Lycra, Flemington

Groove into the Newmarket Baptist Church in Flemington on a Thursday night at 7pm, hand over $10 and you will find yourself in one of the city’s most joyous spaces. As the name suggests, No Lights, No Lycra is a dance club with no booze, no pretensions and zero scene.

Brickville, Kensington

Did someone say Lego paradise? Brickville buys, sells and trades rare, retired and hard to find Lego sets and figurines. There hundreds of kilos of pieces to sort through including items from the Icons, Harry Potter, Ghostbusters, Indiana Jones and Jurassic World series.

Melbourne Dumpling Discovery Walking Tour, CBD

There are 379 Asian restaurants in Melbourne and that’s just on the Australian Good Food Guide. In other words: totes overwhelms. This tour will guide you through a quartet of the best. You get four different styles united by the fact that all are made by hand on the premises. 

Redwood Forest, Warburton

With the upgrades to the Cement Creek Road Bridge nearing completion, this slice of California will soon be within easy reach once again. As in you will no longer have to do the 16 kilometre O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail just to get there. This stunning forest of uniformly planted Sequoias is now almost 100 years old and simply breathtaking. Check here for updates on the bridge reopening.

Lake Tyrrell, Mallee

This 120,000-year-old inland salt lake is the largest in Victoria. In winter, the shallow water is so still it reflects the sky above like a mirror making for incredible photographs and when the temps rise and the rain falls, the lake even turns pink.

Mira Mira, Crossover

In an era where multinational hotel chains have created exactly the same room in Melbourne, Malta and Manhattan - and that’s a mere sampling of the ‘m’s - Mira Mira in Crossover is its own vibe. There are four separate accommodation options here. The first is a typical Tudor-style English Cottage. The second is a Japanese Zen Retreat influenced by Kyoto Palace. Things get a tad weirder after that. The Tanglewood cottage is a merger of Spanish icon Antoni Gaudi spherical architecture and the colour of the Australian bush. Finally, there’s The Cave. Allow them to explain: "By entering the doorway in the mouth of Magog and descending the winding steps lit by fire lanterns, you will find yourself in an underground world of intrigue and surprises. Two feature bedrooms, each truly unique with the unusual 'Bedwomb' (double bed) or the 'Master Bedroom' (aka 'The Naughty Room'), (queen size bed), with its chains and leather is a little bit naughty."

Naturestrip Records, CBD

Head up to level 8 of the Nicholson Building on Swanston Street and you’ll discover a vinyl wonderland. There is also a selection across a wide range of genres on cd and cassette. The book section ain’t too shabby either. Beautifully lit and laid out, it feels more like a curated gallery than record store. 

Redbeard Bakery, Trentham

How seriously do they take their bread here? They recently closed for a fortnight to service their 140-year-old oven. There are no shortcuts and the sourdough with a smear of butter is a revelation. If you want to learn to make your own, there are Sunday workshops. 

See also:

-Best short breaks in Victoria

-Best hotel day spas in Melbourne

-Best camping experiences in Victoria