Editing Melbourne (section)

=== '''Around the State''' ===
For cost and environmental reasons, public transport is a good option for traveling around Victoria (and Australia). [http://www.vline.com.au/discovervictoria/discover/index.html VLine] offers tour packages as well as the usual travel routes. V-line tickets are often cheap, especially for students. 
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'''[http://www.bendigotourism.com/ Bendigo]''' is one of Australia's oldest, grandest cities. For a few brief years during the 1850s and 60s, it was one of the world's richest cities. That wealth was reflected in many opulent buildings which now line the main streets. And the gold that created those riches are still visible in reefs under the ground - one mine is literally around 800 metres below the city's main centre. It takes around an hour and 15 minutes to drive to Bendigo, or two hours on the train. 

'''[http://www.visitgeelongbellarine.com.au/ Geelong & the Bellarine Peninsula]''' is about one hour west of Melbourne via the Princes Freeway. The waterfront is worth a walk - gorgeous at sunset. The Bellarine Peninsula has a wealth of hidden secrets to explore, including a tourist railway & some great lighthouses at Queenscliff and Airey's Inlet. There's also really good beaches at Torquay, Anglesea and Lorne. Torquay is the the birth place of Rip Curl, Quicksilver and Billabong surf brands and the home of Bells Beach, the most renown surf town in Australia. There is a definite surf culture down there, with surf lessons available. If this is your very first time and want to get into it quickly try Anglesea, which is the next main town down the coast. The waves are more friendly for beginners so you're more likely to get on your feet, or at least your knees sooner. 

'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You_Yangs You Yangs]''' are some granite hills between Melbourne and Geelong. They provide a good view towards Geelong and Melbourne. "Big Rock" is nice. No 4WD needed - easy roads, which make for a good day trip.

'''[http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/brisbane-ranges-national-park Brisbane Ranges National Park]''' only shares the name with the known city. It is located in the middle of the triangle Melbourne-Geelong-Ballarat. The National park offers some hikes including a three day hike. The Anakie Gorge Walk is easy & nice. 40% of the National Park burned a few years ago, but nature is coming back with all its power. Most of the roads are easy to drive with any 'normal' car. Some parts may be a bit tricky after heavy rain - there are some steeper valleys.

'''[http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/cathedral-range-state-park Cathedral Ranges State Park]''' is a small park north of Healesville next to Maroondah Hwy. It features a great hike along a ridge with light rock climbing (no ropes needed; beware: not for people who have claustrophobia - there is a tight rift to squeeze through). The park is the start for an easy 4WD-only track up mountain to 1145m height - good for newbies.
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'''[http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/yarra-ranges-national-park Yarra Ranges National Park]/ [http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/yarra-ranges-national-park/things-to-do/drive-the-black-spur The Black Spur]''' has breathtaking mountain ash trees with masses of ferns at their feet. Maroondah Hwy curls through these hills with down to 35km/h sections. A dangerous road, so watch out, especially if you are on a motorcycle. Not as long as Great Ocean Road, but definitely worth seeing. You can stop in at the [http://www.zoo.org.au/HealesvilleSanctuary Healesville Sanctuary] on the way through . Other sights worth seeing in Healesville include the Judith Eardley Save the Wildlife Bookshop, and the Cherry Tree Fish & Chip Shop which has the best potato cakes in Victoria.

'''[http://www.visitdaylesford.com.au/ Daylesford] & [http://www.visitvictoria.com/Regions/daylesford-and-the-macedon-ranges/Destinations/hepburn-springs.aspx Hepburn Springs]''' is the centre of Victoria's alternative complementary therapies. Massage, counseling, second hand books, rowing a boat on a lake, snazzy restaurants, old convents converted into gallery and restaurant, Tarot readings, natural springs, bath house, cheap accommodation, etc. all set in an old growth forest of gum trees and gentle hills. Getting there: Calder Highway to Woodend, then turn north west. Not far from Daylesford is beautiful Castelmaine, also worth a look.

There is some surprisingly good '''[http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/experiences/adventureactivities/scubadivingsnorkelling/ SCUBA diving]''' on the Victorian coastline. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portsea_Hole The Portsea Hole] is a great boat dive, amongst several options including a beautiful wreck (non penetrative), and the Rye Pier a pleasant enough shore dive for macro life.

'''[http://www.divevictoria.com.au/activities/snorkel-with-the-seals Snorkel Dive with Seals in Melbourne Bay]''' ($85 trip and gear hire) has been highly recommended by CouchSurfers. Snorkelling with the attention-loving big brown-eyed seals (actually sea lions) is amazing fun (and much better than scuba diving) as they are attracted to the movement so you really can swim with seals as they come incredibly close. Be warned though, they do not like to be touched. This trip includes two dives, including the array of wonderful Australian fish at Popes Eye sanctuary, which sometimes includes dolphins.