Spring into Victoria

by NICK BOND

With spring in the air and the sun warming our bones, our minds start to turn to long weekends and trips away.

Those looking for something a little more adventurous than what is on our doorstep should consider Victoria’s diverse range of gay and lesbian-friendly tourist areas.

The Mornington Peninsula is perfect for short trips -” the tip of the peninsula is only 90km from Melbourne. There are heaps of great activities, from the relaxing Peninsula Hot Springs (the best hot springs you’ll find outside of the greater Daylesford area) to the wonders of Point Nepean National Park.

Make sure you stop at Brighton Beach on your way through and check out the world-famous Brighton beach boxes which stand as colourful pinnacles on the edge of the blue-green ocean.

Hire a bike and spend the day exploring the park, which encompasses the final few kilometres of the peninsula. You can see the beach where Harold Holt drowned (or was abducted by aliens, depending on your viewpoint) and investigate what remains of Fort Nepean, built in 1882.

Be warned: the entire population of Toorak relocates to Sorrento main street on long weekends, clad in their chunky knits and clutching their soy chai lattes, so if you’re looking for a complete escape from urban life you may struggle to find it on the peninsula.

Gay mecca Daylesford is 110km from Melbourne, and you can always break up the trip by stopping for a picnic at Hanging Rock on the way (all together now: Mirandaaaaa!). The surplus of B&Bs, hot springs, and lovely little artsy-craftsy-shoppes in the area should be more than enough to keep you occupied for a weekend.

South-west of the city, the beaches of the Great Ocean Road are always visually spectacular and worth checking out if you haven’t already done so.

The Dandenongs, at less than an hour east of Melbourne, are the closest mountain range to the city and a trip up to the Sky High lookout offers expansive views of Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, the city and the bay.

Past the Dandenongs, you’re entering wine country with the numerous wineries of the Yarra Valley. If you’ve got a designated driver handy, stop and try a few samples. Once you’ve sobered up, Mt Donna Buang, overlooking Warburton, is a 1,245m peak with a spectacular Sky Walk -” a 17m high, 40m long walkway that traverses the forest at treetop level.

Mt Buffalo, around 2.5 hours north-east of Melbourne, is another popular destination, and is a great alternative to the busier Mt Buller nearby.

Beechworth is a great town to base yourself in while you explore the area.

The town even hosts an annual Ned Kelly Festival in August. It’s no Mardi Gras, but if you’ve ever felt the urge to plonk a tin bucket on your head and prance down the main street of a country town, this could be the festival for you.