Here's where to see a riot of red, orange and yellow leaves this autumn
While Victoria is beautiful all year round (yes, even in the coldest depths of winter!), there's no denying autumn is one of the most spectacular seasons – especially when the deciduous leaves change colour to warm, crackly hues before dropping to the ground.
If you're keen to make the most of this fleeting season, here are the best towns, parks and gardens in Victoria to see the leaves at their most vibrant. Rug up, pack a picnic and make sure your phone is charged –you won't want to miss capturing this fiery spectacle.
The pristine natural environment of Marysville make it the perfect place to indulge in autumnal delights. From lush forests with impressive waterfalls – including natural wonders like the 85-metre Big Tree – to the quaint streets of the main village, this mountain town is awash with reds, oranges, yellows and greens. Oh, and keep an eye out for wallabies and lyrebirds.
Distance from Melbourne CBD: 90 minutes via car.
There are seven gorgeous gardens that make up Dandenong Ranges National Park, and autumn is the perfect time to visit them to admire the bright colours of the changing leaves. The most spectacular are Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden, Alfred Nicholas Gardens, George Tindale Memorial Garden and RJ Hamer Arboretum. The park is free to enter and open every day.
Distance from Melbourne CBD: 50 minutes via car.
If there’s anywhere you can escape the madness of the CBD without actually leaving it, the Royal Botanic Gardens is the place. And in autumn it transforms into a sepia-hued paradise, with crunchy rust-coloured leaves blanketing the manicured lawns and gravel walking paths. We suggest rugging up, grabbing a coffee and going for a crisp walk to properly soak up the seasonal glory – which includes 8,500 different plant species, zen lakes and large green spaces.
Distance from Melbourne CBD: Ten-minute walk.
Taste award-winning craft beer, wine, spirits and produce, explore the rich history of the area or go cycling along hundreds of kilometres of breathtaking terrain. Bright and the surrounding High Country are particularly gorgeous in autumn, attracting people from all over Victoria to see the changing seasonal colours of deciduous trees like elms, poplars, oaks and Japanese maples.
Distance from Melbourne CBD: 3.5 hours via car.
Researchers have dated these jaw-dropping caves back to the Devonian period, which was about 300-400 million years ago. The caves were formed by underground rivers cutting through layers and layers of limestone rock. The formations inside the caves were created by rainwater seeping through cracks in the roof depositing calcite and crystallising in the form of stalactites and stalagmites. The valley surrounding the caves is full of huge European trees, which make for a stunning show in autumn. Bring a picnic and soak up the golden sights.
Distance from Melbourne CBD: 4.5 hours via car.
Are you even a Melburnian if you haven't ran through the Carlton Gardens snapping pictures as you kick up the fallen leaves? If you have no idea what we're talking about, consider this your official sign to get down to this picturesque spot as soon as the temperatures set to drop. Trust us, the Royal Exhibition Building provides the perfect backdrop to admire the rows and rows of deciduous trees such as English oaks, white poplar, elms and conifers.
Distance from Melbourne CBD: Ten-minute walk.
Buckle up for a road trip and plan to stay the night in this beautiful (and tiny!) 19th century township located in Victoria's Gippsland region. Home to just 20 permanent residents, you can wander the heritage-facade dotted streets, pan for gold at Stringers Creek Gorge or go for a ride on the historic Walhalla Goldfields Railway. In autumn the town comes alive in a blaze of bright orange, red and yellow as the deciduous trees go through their seasonal transformation.
Distance from Melbourne CBD: 2.5 hours via car.
Head to the stunning Macedon Ranges to visit the picturesque township of Kyneton. This former Gold Rush village is surrounded by renowned cool-climate wineries and features plenty of gourmet dining options. The Kyneton Botanic Gardens are situated in the heart of the town and make for a beautiful spot surrounded by autumn leaves.
Distance from Melbourne CBD: One hour via car.
This sweet South Gippsland country town just so happens to be surrounded by the famed hills of the Strzelecki Ranges – meaning it's bathed in autumnal colour when the seasons change. Wander down the Mirboo main drag through an ocean of orange, then stroll around Baromi Park for impressive golden ash trees that live up to their names. Just along the highway (towards Leongatha) is Mossvale Park, which transforms into an oasis of colour thanks to some mighty towering European trees.
Distance from Melbourne CBD: Two hours via car.
At 314 metres, Arthurs Seat is the highest point on the Mornington Peninsula, and the views are panoramic, reaching all the way to Melbourne’s skyline. Arthurs Seat State Park has a range of walks of varying levels of difficulty, or you can opt for a relaxing ride on the gondola. The Seawinds Gardens are particularly pretty in autumn, with native plants and sculptures making for a gorgeous backdrop for your rambles.
Distance from Melbourne CBD: 1.5 hours via car.
Just 15 kilometres from Castlemaine is Australia's first national heritage park, which includes remains of Gold Rush house sites and machines that were used to dig up the precious substance. The park is perfect for bushwalking, cycling and gold fossicking, if you'd like to try your hand at striking it rich. The Goldfields Track is perfect for a stroll, and the deciduous trees are a delight in autumn.
Distance from Melbourne CBD: 1.5 hours via car.
These day trips from Melbourne are paved with cool things to see and do, and driving means you won't miss a thing along the way.
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