Enjoying the village life

Cosmopolitan Melbourne receives its fair share of attention from travellers.  There is more to Victoria than its bustling urban hub though and both visiting families and locals will benefit from exploring Victoria’s tiniest townships.    From the alpine regions to the coast Victoria’s villages offer opportunities for families to enjoy the outdoors and discover new activities together.

Metung

Metung on the Gippsland lakes.

Located on the Gippsland Lakes Meetung is an up-market village and sailor’s paradise.  In warmer months the lakeside beaches are perfect swimming spots for young kids.  School holidays are a great time to introduce your children to sailing – the Metung Yacht Club hosts holiday sailing schools for children 8 and over.  Don’t miss the daily pelican feeding at the hotel in town which happens at midday.

If you feel like getting back to a larger town, Lakes Entrance with its  multiple mini-golf courses, surf beach and hire boats is a short twenty minute drive away.

Stay:  At the Moorings Metung.    There are hotel room and self contained options at this small resort opposite the beach.  Perks include the indoor swimming pool and tennis courts.

Mallacoota

The wetland wilderness village of Mallacoota is just stunning

Most people don’t associate Victoria with wilderness but the remote village of Mallacoota on the coast near the Victoria-NSW border sits very much among the wilderness.   Mallacoota is a haven for fisherfolk who enjoy dropping a line among the inlet waterways and off the surf beach.  Families staying in Mallacoota will really be getting closer to nature in this stunning part of the world.   For family dining give the Golf Club a try – they have pub meals with a grassed area where children can play and watch the kangaroos on the golf course.

Stay – Mallacoota is beloved by camping families who stay at one of the caravan parks in town.  Alternatively there is a variety of self contained holiday homes available via website Stayz.

Halls Gap

Abseiling in the Grampian Ranges Victoria. We stayed at the Big 4 Grampians Parkgate Resort with a babysitter. They had school holiday kids club and this is what my son got up to while I was at work.

The Grampians are the rock climbing capital of Victoria.  Families visiting this holiday village should expect to be awed by the memorable hikes and prolific kangaroos.  If you do visit Halls Gap, don’t be shy about giving even your little family members a chance to try abseiling- our then five year old gave it a try and loved it.

Stay:  At the Parkgate Resort they have comfortable family cabins and a school holiday programs for kids that includes abseiling, discos and movie nights.

Aireys Inlet

Feeding the seagulls Aireys Inlet

Aireys Inlet on the Great Ocean Road is a charming seaside village.  Our own days at Aireys Inlet were spent meandering tidal rock pools, the boardwalk round the Inlet and exploring the Split Point Lighthouse.  In the summer and Easter school holidays there are eco-learning school holiday programs on offer.  The larger towns of Torquay and Anglesea are only a hop skip and jump away if you feel like visiting the surf outlets or taking a surfing lesson.

Aireys Inlet is another village that offers a variety of privately owned holiday rentals that you can access via Stayz.

Merrijig

Exploring the Victorian Highlands and meeting a mob of kangaroos in the process

Getaway to the Victorian High Country to unwind or try new activities like horse-riding or trout fishing.   This township also acts as a great base to visit the snowfields of Mount Buller during winter.

Stay:  We love the Sebel Pinnacle Valley Resort which has onsite mini golf, tennis courts, bonfires and stunning apartment accommodatin.

If you have another Victorian village that you love exploring let me know in the comments.

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