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Exploration

8 spots to escape 21st-century life deep in the Victorian bush

Whether it's summer, winter, spring or autumn, it's never not a good idea to get out there and grab Victoria's wild places by the cojones. Swap the daily grind for some time to unwind.
By Tom Bright
4 min readPublished on
Science has proven time and time again that being in nature works wonders for our stress and general happiness levels. And with winter just around the corner, there’s no time like right now to go and stock up on that essential Vitamin D before our rapid descent into Netflix and Chillblains.
Here are some of Victoria’s best spots for a weekend, or longer, away from Everyday Adult Life (hereafter referred to as EAL).

1. The Murray River

Talo Retreat is a goodlooking place

Talo Retreat is a goodlooking place

© Talo Retreat / Visit Victoria

Head out Echuca-Moama way and you’ll stumble across an 82-hectare chunk of bushland paradise. If you’re looking to get the bejeezus away from the trials and tribulations of EAL, Talo Retreat is your kind of place. You’ll stay in yurts – or gers, depending on if you’re Mongolian or not – that come complete with a barbecue, private bathroom, patio electric wood fire, air conditioning and – most importantly of all – no television.

2. Bear Gully, Walkerville

Part of Cape Liptrap Coastal Park, Bear Gully campground is a humble spot situated slap bang on the beach front. And not just any beachfront: looking out to sea affords some pretty spectacular views of Wilson’s Prom. The best part is that Bear Gully doesn’t attract the same amount of Weekend Warriors the Prom does, so you can enjoy a genuinely relaxing few days without worrying about bumping into that ex-colleague you never really had that much in common with but always felt an inexplicable duty to engage in a sure-to-be-uncomfortable conversation whenever you happened to cross paths. Take that, EAL!

3. Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges

Funky Bunker

Funky Bunker

© Bunker

Daylesford is already a veritable hotspot for those seeking some time away from the urban sprawl, but Bunker takes it to the next level. Set amidst some of rural Victoria’s most stunning natural nature, you can opt to kick back and relax, head out hiking along ones of Daylesford’s recognised walking tracks or go drink coffee until your heart beats weird in Daylesford proper.

4. The Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Walk is really great

The Great Ocean Walk is really great

© Ian Cochrane

Named after Johanna, the Greek goddess of free camping, Johanna Beach is a much-loved free campground situated in the lovely Otway National Park. Nestled in the sand dunes, you can take your dogs along for the trip and surf till your legs are numb and your arms are…also numb. If you’d rather go full bush, Bimbi Park offers up camping among manna gums and koalas, providing a gen-u-wine rural Aussie experience. Bonza, etc. If one of Victoria’s best spots to view native wildlife is more your thing, you should pay a visit to Cape Otway’s Great Ocean Ecolodge, which is…um…one of Victoria’s best spots to view native wildlife.

5. The Grampians

The Grampians is the godfather of Victorian nature escapes. There are fancy retreats, hotels, AirBnBs, campsites – you name it, you can sleep in it. Camping is, in our humble opinion, the optimal way to enjoy the area – Jimmy Creek Campground serves up a pretty idyllic location to spend a few nights. With Jimmy Creek flowing quietly beside you and the chatter of birdlife overheard, you’ll wonder if you haven’t died and gone to a really Australian version of heaven. If you fancy a bit more luxury, Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park serves up a few more creature comforts, including a heated outdoor pool.

6. Goldfields

Ecofriendly? Check. The forefront of indoor-outdoor living? Check. Japanese design principles? Check. Windows that cleverly expose the surrounding bushland and night sky? Check. The drive out to Chewton’s Riversdale Retreat will be worth it for all of this, as well as a distinct lack of EAL.

7. Phillip Island (OK – not really 'deep in the Victorian bush')

Named after Phillip, Phillip Island is one of Victoria’s most popular spots for those wishing to escape Everyday Adult Life. There’s the Penguin Parade, the Nobbies and the Koala Park – not to mention the peculiar yet endearing Phillip Island Wildlife Park that looks as though it hasn’t had a lick of work to it since the mid-1970s (it’s a must-visit, truly). The BIG4 Caravan Park, tucked up in the sand dunes of Newhaven Beach, is as good a spot as any to wind down and forget about the #dailygrind. Cowes Caravan Park is a viable alternative, though keep in mind it is ‘Cowes’ only by name, not by nature. There are no actual cows there.

8. Victorian High Country

Take a four hours’ drive north of Melbourne and you’ll find yourself in a place where ‘outdoor adventure’ reigns supreme. Set up camp at Porepunkah Pines Caravan Park (winner of Best-Named Caravan Park 2016, presumably) – the ideal home base for exploring the majesty of the surrounding country. Go mountain biking, hiking, fishing, microlighting, climbing, caving, fossicking and more by day, rest your weary head under an inconceivable blanket of stars by night. Or go to the pub. Either way, you’re in for a treat. And have you seen this place in winter? Sweet Jesus.