Can you keep a secret? Yeah, neither can we. Victoria’s best-kept secret natural landmarks have just been revealed, and we think they’re just too good to gatekeep. From hidden waterfalls and coastal trails to secluded beaches and breathtaking lookouts, these off-the-beaten-track spots are well worth the detour on your next Victorian road trip.
While everyone has their own idea of a ‘hidden gem’, the crew at Mitsubishi Motors crunched the numbers to find the real deal. They sorted through more than 50,000 Aussie attractions on TripAdvisor, filtering out the big-ticket spots, before landing on a list of the top secret natural hotspots – all with high ratings, but barely any online searches. We then narrowed it down by state to reveal the ten best-kept secret gems in Victoria – all within easy reach on your next road trip.
The Great Ocean Road is the furthest you can get from a hidden gem in Victoria – but tucked along the route is a spectacular coastal walk that topped Victoria’s list. Hugging the coastline in Warrnambool, the peaceful 4.2-kilometre Thunder Point Coastal Reserve trail offers sweeping views of the Southern Ocean, sandstone cliffs and rocky shores. The car park looks straight out to sea, so on wild and windy days, you can still enjoy the vistas from the comfort of your car. However, the best views can be enjoyed on the lookout platform. At the far end of the car park, you’ll find a trail leading to Shelly and Levy’s Point Beaches, which are hidden gems in their own right.
It’s no secret Aussies love chasing waterfalls, so we're not surprised that a hidden waterfall, Woolshed Falls, made the list of top secret road trip hotspots. Tucked in Beechworth’s Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park, about three hours from Melbourne, this hidden gem ranked second overall in Victoria. You can admire the cascading falls from an observation deck up top, or take a short walk to the valley where the water gushes over weathered rocks into waiting rock pools below.
Thanks to its movie fame, Hanging Rock is hardly a hidden gem – but the national park landed third on the list of secret natural gems. The hike to the top of the rock is relatively easy, with views that are worth the breathlessness. If you're not feeling energetic or are not up to the climb, you can do a gentle stroll around the base of the rock. Keen for more adventures? You can check out the full list below.
These are the ten best secret natural wonders in Victoria
- Thunder Point Coastal Reserve, Warrnambool
- Woolshed Falls, Beechworth
- Hanging Rock Reserve, Macedon Ranges
- Cape Patton Lookout Point, Kennett River
- Mariners Lookout, Apollo Bay
- Canyon Walk, Bright
- Logan’s Beach, Warrnambool
- Fisherman’s Beach, Torquay
- Whisky Beach, Wilsons Promontory
- Carisbrook Waterfall, Apollo Bay
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.