Overview

The past is always present in Victoria. Nearly everywhere you look, you'll discover evidence of the state's proud and fascinating history, from elegant Victorian-era buildings and Murray River paddle steamers to maritime museums and steam trains.

Discover beautifully preserved goldmining towns, bushrangers lairs, and ancient burial sites testifying to the long history of Aboriginal occupation. Explore the wealth of history and heritage in each of Victoria's regions.

Highlights

Heronswood Estate, Mornington Peninsula. Photo by Andrew Paoli

Victoria's grand homes and gardens

History & heritage
Step back in time and spot the local wildlife on a trip to Victoria's grandest homes and gardens.
Stoneleight, Beaufort, near Ararat Victoria, by Eugene von Gerard.

Victorian stories

History & Heritage
As Europeans start to appear in the southern territories, several personalities emerged who would go on to shape and define Victoria as we know it.
Anchor on Wreck Beach, Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia

Maritime history

History & heritage
A journey along Victoria's 2,000 kilometres of coastline evokes a rich maritime history of mysterious shipwrecks and significant international events.
Ned Kelly Vault, Beechworth, High Country, Victoria, Australia

Bushranger history

History & heritage
Visit the site of the infamous Kelly Gang siege, and learn about 'Mad Dog' Morgan at the many bushranger related attractions in the region.
Walhalla cemetery, Walhalla, Gippsland, Victoria, Australia

Ghostly experiences in Victoria

History & heritage
Jump on a tour or self-guide your way through ghostly gaols, abandoned asylums, haunted hotels and creepy cemeteries in regional Victoria.
Echuca Paddlesteamers, The Murray, Victoria

Paddlesteamers

History & heritage
Relive the glory days of the pioneer era and take in the sights along the way with a journey down the Murray River on an historic paddlesteamer.
Puffing Billy Steam Railway, Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges, Victoria, Australia. Photo: Robert Blackburn

Heritage trains and trams

History & heritage
Take a ride back in time on Victoria's heritage trains and trams. Ride heritage steam, electric and diesel locomotives from village to village across Victoria.
Kilcunda Bridge, Kilcunda, Gippsland, Victoria, Australia

Historic bridges

History & heritage
Discover Victoria's historic bridges, record-breaking bridges, accidental bridges, bridges to nowhere and bridges that definitely lead somewhere.
Eerie Tours, Ballarat, Goldfields, Australia. Credit: Tourism Australia

Victoria's spookiest ghost towns

History & heritage
Plan a trip to one of Victoria's ghost towns to see if you can spot spirits in haunted hotels, gruesome gaols and abandoned asylums.
Coombe Yarra Valley, Coldstream, Victoria, Australia

Victoria's heritage houses

History & heritage
See Victoria's magnificent historic houses, and hear the stories they tell.
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Explore the regions

Manchester Unity building

Melbourne

Art & culture
Explore Melbourne's rich and diverse cultural heritage from the Aboriginal people to early European settlers in historic buildings and monuments.
Port Fairy Lighthouse, Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia

Great Ocean Road

Art & culture
Delve in the rich history and heritage of the Great Ocean Road region, from Aboriginal Dreamtime to maritime museums, lighthouses and shipwrecks.
Lavandula Swiss/Italian Farm, Shepherds Flat, Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges, Victoria, Australia

Daylesford & the Macedon Ranges

Art & culture
Feel the history in all you do in Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges, from generations-old farms to mineral waters charted during the gold rush.
JB Plain Hut, Dinner Plain, High Country, Victoria, Australia

High Country

Art & culture
Discover the rich history of Aboriginal migration, gold, bushrangers, and the romance of the cattlemen who worked and lived in the high country.
Bonegilla Migrant Experience, The Murray, Victoria, Australia

The Murray

Art & culture
Board a paddle steamer, explore pioneer homesteads, and learn about indigenous tribes who have lived in the area for over 40,000 years.
Puffing Billy, Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges, Victoria, Australia

Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges

Things to do
Explore historic sites and enjoy the romance of steam travel when you visit the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges.
Wagon rides at Churchill Island, Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia

Phillip Island

Things to do
Visit the original Churchill Island homestead, walk through traditional herb and flower gardens and discover nineteenth century farming techniques.
Brambuk – The National Park and Cultural Centre, Grampians, Victoria, Australia

Grampians

Art & culture
Dig down into the ancient, rugged landscapes of the Grampians region and uncover a rich history, from Aboriginal rock art to European exploration.
Old Gippstown Post Office, Moe, Gippsland, Victoria, Australia

Gippsland

Art & culture
Stop by some of Gippsland's historical attractions including the Coal Creek Heritage Village in Korumburra and the Maritime Museum in Port Albert.
Cape Schanck Lighthouse, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia

Mornington Peninsula

Art & culture
Unlock the peninsula's historic discoveries from earliest Aboriginal times to the evocative era of European adventurers, mariners and pastoralists.
Books at the Ballarat Mechanics Institute, Goldfields, Victoria, Australia

Goldfields

Art & culture
See magnificent architecture, learn about gold rush and Chinese history at a local museum, or visit one of the region's landmark historic attractions.

Tours

More tours
The Council Chamber

Melbourne Town Hall Tours

Walking tours
Free tours of Melbourne's historic Town Hall give visitors the chance to learn about the architectural, social and political significance of this impressive...
Golden Mile Guides

Golden Mile Heritage Walks

Walking tours
A Golden Mile Heritage Walk is a ‘must do’ activity in the city for history buffs and is also a wonderful way for visitors to orientate themselves around...
Mine Manager Geoff Anderson underground with a family on a tour deep underground.

Walhalla Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine Tour

Walking tours
Come and learn about the history of the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine in Walhalla, an original living historic gold mining town. Explore deep underground...
Point Lonsdale Lighthouse Tours

Point Lonsdale Lighthouse Tours

Walking tours
Visit the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse and take part in a tour, exploring the lighthouse lantern and admiring the spectacular views over the entrance to Port...
Bendigo Town Hall Tours

Bendigo Town Hall Tour

Walking tours
Step back into the Golden Era and experience one of the most remarkable boom time buildings in Victoria. Bendigo's Town Hall features stunning interiors,...
Our beautiful Gardens and Timber Slab Kitchen

YesterYear Tour at Mont De Lancey

Walking tours
Experience Yester-Year with a Guided Tour at the Mont De Lancey Historic Property. This tour includes the 1880's homestead and timber slab kitchen, 1920's...

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Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village, Warrnambool, Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia

Museums

Art, theatre & culture
From the living history of Sovereign Hill to the wonder of Scienceworks, there are many worlds to explore in Victoria's fascinating, diverse museums.
Heritage architecture in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Architecture

Art, theatre & culture
From heritage buildings to bold contemporary designs, Melbourne and Victoria boast vivid streetscapes highlighted by the contrast of old and new.
Flower, Dinner plain, High Country

Parks and gardens

Nature and wildlife
See for yourself exactly why Victoria is the Garden State - inspiring, bold and distinctly Australian, the state's parks and gardens leave an impact.
King Valley Winery, Victoria

Eat and drink

Victoria
Find your flavour in Victoria, where cups runneth over with fine restaurants, eclectic cuisines, country pubs, regional produce and wineries galore.