Mountainous regions are found in the northeast, the center and some parts of the west, while the far north- west corner is a sparse desert area. The states wealth is sustained with wheat, wool, coal, gas and crude oil.

Melbourne is a multi-cultural city having the largest Greek population in the world outside Greece. It has International hotels, many sporting venues, entertainment centers and boutique shopping. The Yarra River has become a focus for picnics overlooking the river and Botanic Gardens.
The Dandenongs are scenic hills 50 kilometers east of the city centre, an easy and popular day trip. The native rain forests, giant ferns and extensive gardens are mostly for the production of fruit and berries. The Puffing Billy train, cafes, galleries and craft shops are all there for the tourist.

To the west along the Great Ocean Road in the Port Campbell National Park are the "Twelve Apostles". They are spectacular limestone stacks, once part of the ocean cliffs nearby and are one of the most photographed sights in Victoria. Boardwalks and platforms allow viewing of the dramatic coastal features.

• We have been to Victoria many times, I love touring in our car through the countryside, the small towns and visiting Melbourne. It normally gets good rainfall and although it gets very hot sometimes in summer and very cold in winter, the climate at other times is good touring weather. The roads are good no matter where you drive. The main artery from Sydney to Melbourne is very busy so I keep away and wend my way off the beaten track. We like going to Bright in the autumn. It's very pretty and about an hours drive over the NSW border and set in the Oven's Valley. Tobacco is grown there. A great attraction is where the ice cream is made on the premises. Beechworth, a town nearby has a superb bakery and cake shop visited by most of the tour buses.
• We have been to the Melbourne Cup which is the No 1 horse race in Australia and for which the whole nation stops at the time of the race.
• We have cruised the Murray River with friends in two houseboats for a week.
• We have played golf at various courses along the Murray, a different course each day.
• Metung is a village on the Gippsland Lakes east of Melbourne and empties into the sea at Lake's Entrance. We had a wonderful day on a small 2 master with bird life all around. I remember it well as the weather was perfect, the motel was new and the pub had good beer and meals.
• In Melbourne we stayed at a 4star hotel on the park about 5 minutes from the city centre. We walked the city and the parks and rode on a tram to see other sites outside the city. The many restaurants along the south bank of the Yarra River we frequented each night. We visited the Crown Casino that is also on the South Bank of the river and lost money.
• We have driven the Great Ocean Road. Everyone wants to do this.
• We have been to the penguin colony on Phillip Island. It can be very cold on a winter's night. The Australian motorcycle championships are held each year on Phillip Island.

• visitvictoria.com.au