3 Day Getaway Suggestions - Vic

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Thinking about getting away for a few days/nights next week and I'm after some suggestions of places to go.

No snow (there's not much around atm, it's too cold to go sightseeing if there's not much snow there and I think it will be packed for school holidays)

Would prefer warmer rather than cooler.

Commercially available accommodation. No camping (I don't have the gear for it).

Not in Melbourne.

Must be in Vic.

Enough to keep a teenager or two entertained.

Suggestions?

[Citroënbender]

Echuca? The river is a good thing, even when it’s too cold for swimming.

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Yeah, I've been to Echuca a couple of times, but the daughter hasn't. Might be worth considering.

[T3rminator]

Originally Posted by FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0

Would prefer warmer rather than cooler........

That would eliminate 80% of Vic in July

Lake Eildon?

Or...
https://www.traveller.com.au/52-week...or-2020-h1s2tt

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Originally Posted by T3rminator

That would eliminate 80% of Vic in July

Lake Eildon?

Or...
https://www.traveller.com.au/52-week...or-2020-h1s2tt

Warmth is a relative term. Was thinking of the Grampians but checked out the forecast for Stawell and Ararat next week: 6°C maximum!

Too cold for me!

[T3rminator]

One thing good about Victoria is that you could probably do a couple of places within the 3 days. Grampians, then a couple of hours drive north or south and you are in Mildura or Warnambool. Embrace the cold.......all part of the experience.

You are from Sale aren't you?

Drive through Great Ocean Rd, Otways - Day 1-2

Grampains - Day 2-3

Thinking back to when I was a kid, half the fun was actually being in the car on the road, looking out at the scenery

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Originally Posted by T3rminator

You are from Sale aren't you?

Drive through Great Ocean Rd, Otways - Day 1-2

Grampains - Day 2-3

Thinking back to when I was a kid, half the fun was actually being in the car on the road, looking out at the scenery

Yep, from Sale. Didn't particularly want to do a driving holiday, would rather just drive somewhere and then drive around the area.

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

What do the kids want?

They’ll probably say “nothing” but try digging deeper.

Don't know, haven't really asked. Daughter would like to go to the snow (she has been wanting to go for years), but there's not much around atm and I don't want to pay a fortune to battle it out with the Melbournites. And I know this sounds harsh, but the daughter's boyfriend will be happy no matter what we did, He'll just be happy to tag along.

Originally Posted by galaxy xr8

The river (Murray) is your best bet but it all depends on your likes and what you fancy to do.

I'm happy to just to veg, really. Just need a bit of time away from home and work.

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone, some great ideas. I'll just need to ring around and see what accommodation is available.

[T3rminator]

Get in quick with your bookings....

https://www.theage.com.au/national/v...29-p5859d.html

[Vesper Martini]

Not sure there is anywhere in Vic warm this weekend.. most place are 3 deg or lower overnight.
we're heading to the vic high country open fire type accommodation where it will be warm inside
http://www.mansfieldholidayletting.com.au/

[prydey]

+3 for Grampians.

Halls gap to be specific. The halls gap lakeside tourist park is a very good place to stay. They have a range of accommodation options but they are a bit pricey. Still worth it in my view.

[Citroënbender]

What do the kids want?

They’ll probably say “nothing” but try digging deeper.

[zilo]

Sovereign Hill, Ballarat

[galaxy xr8]

Originally Posted by zilo

Sovereign Hill, Ballarat

Ballarat..... you know that Ballarat is the only town in Vic that suffers winter all year round .

If you want warmth you are going to have to go in the Northern region of Vic, the Great Ocean Road (albeit) is fantastic but this time of year it's cold and if the wind is around which it usually is then it doesn't make for a good day of sightseeing, drizzle usually hangs around persistently along the coast and you find yourself in and out of the car religiously all day long trying to avoid the scattered showers. Ok if you want to sit and laze about in a coffee shop but not for anything else.

The river (Murray) is your best bet but it all depends on your likes and what you fancy to do.

[FairmontGS]

Nagambie Holiday Park. Get a cabin on the lake and chuck a line in and kick back.

https://www.google.com.au/search?tbs...modPwCcTUA;mv:[[-36.7845771,145.15141340000002],[-36.799719700000004,145.1320156]]

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by FairmontGS

Nagambie Holiday Park. Get a cabin on the lake and chuck a line in and kick back.

https://www.google.com.au/search?tbs...modPwCcTUA;mv:[[-36.7845771,145.15141340000002],[-36.799719700000004,145.1320156]]

Doesn't Gerry Ryan (Jayco owner) own that? and most of Nagambie for that matter, caravan park, housing estate, Mitchellton winery

[Vesper Martini]

Stay on a house boat in Yarawonga?, take the Great alpine road there to see snow on the way?
but as above hard to find a booking now

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Originally Posted by Vesper Martini

Stay on a house boat in Yarawonga?, take the Great alpine road there to see snow on the way?
but as above hard to find a booking now

That's an interesting one. If you've been on the river, are you considered to have been in NSW for COVID purposes and would you therefore, need to isolate on the way back?

Not sure I'm prepared to run that risk atm.

[galaxy xr8]

That's an interesting conundrum as the River is classed as NSW property ?.

Might have to check with the relevant authorities concerning that as the last thing you would want is to be told you either can't board a house boat due to that reason, or that you have to isolate afterwards, I wouldn't just ask the tour boat/house boat operator either as they might not be up with all the right information as it does seem to change in a heartbeat.
Probably best to ask the relevant health (government) service, as much as that would probably be a difficult task in itself.

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Ended up booking a cabin in Horsham. Was the closest I could get to the Grampians. That's ok, I've never been to Horsham before, so won't hurt to check somewhere new out.

Got a basic cabin, but it is only costing $130 a night for the three of us, so I'm pretty happy with that.

Planning to head into Halls Gap and probs walk up to the Pinnacles on one day, weather permitting.

Looking forward to it.

Thanks again to everyone for their suggestions.

[roddy1960]

I guess one good thing about the Covid issue is how much more we appreciate our own individual States or even within Australia .. With travel restricted to fairly close quarters in many cases there are probably things we're doing now that we might not have in wider choices times ..

Not much else is good about Covid .

[prydey]

Originally Posted by FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0

Planning to head into Halls Gap and probs walk up to the Pinnacles on one day, weather permitting.

Looking forward to it.

Thanks again to everyone for their suggestions.

This is a very solid hike from the base. Might be a struggle for young kids.

You can do pinnacles starting from further up, off Mt victory rd. I'd also recommend doing the 3 lookouts off Mt victory rd also, Boroka lookout, Balconies and Reed. A little further along is Mackenzie Falls which is also quite spectacular although a lot of steps, which might be challenging for smaller children. Its not difficult though if you take your time. We did it with a 10yr old easy enough.

Another lookout, which also involves a rather steep walk, is the Top of Mt William. Its the highest point in the grampians or something. We did it with a bit of low cloud around and it was cool being above the clouds. It was July, so same time of year, and it can be very windy and very cold. The walk up is just the last 2km from the carpark and its all bitumen access road, not hiking trail. Nothing at the top except a weather station but the view is pretty good depending on the day.

Halls Gap also have a zoo, which is surprisingly big for the size of the town, and well worth the visit.

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Originally Posted by prydey

This is a very solid hike from the base. Might be a struggle for young kids.

You can do pinnacles starting from further up, off Mt victory rd. I'd also recommend doing the 3 lookouts off Mt victory rd also, Boroka lookout, Balconies and Reed. A little further along is Mackenzie Falls which is also quite spectacular although a lot of steps, which might be challenging for smaller children. Its not difficult though if you take your time. We did it with a 10yr old easy enough.

Another lookout, which also involves a rather steep walk, is the Top of Mt William. Its the highest point in the grampians or something. We did it with a bit of low cloud around and it was cool being above the clouds. It was July, so same time of year, and it can be very windy and very cold. The walk up is just the last 2km from the carpark and its all bitumen access road, not hiking trail. Nothing at the top except a weather station but the view is pretty good depending on the day.

Halls Gap also have a zoo, which is surprisingly big for the size of the town, and well worth the visit.

Cheers, Rob. Appreciate the advice.

Yeah, I checked out this site which seems to have some pretty good (but basic) info on some of the walks around. I hadn't appreciated the walk from Halls Gap to the Pinnacles was so long, so will probs go for the walk from sundial or wonderland. The Balconies/Reed Lookout walks sound good, too, especially considering they start at the same car park. Mount William also sounds good, but I guess it will depend a lot on what the weather is like.

The kids are 16 and 15, so age shouldn't be an issue, apart from just trying to get them to do anything physical

I'm really happy just to play it by ear. Happy just to go into Horsham one day and explore the town a bit. Not that I'm expecting a lot, but maybe a trip to the cinema, or tenpin bowling etc. Again, depends on what the weather is doing at the time.

Was going to load the bikes up into the back of the ute to take with us, but I really can't see us using them; it's not like the weather is going to be luring us out. So I'll save that for another time.

Yeah, the zoo might be an option. Just not sure how the kids will feel about that one; could go either way!

We'll explore and I'm sure we'll have heaps to keep us occupied for the few days we're there.

[prydey]

No probs. For some reason i thought your kids were younger. 15 and 16 should cope with everything pretty well.

[zilo]

Hepburn Springs Spa resort.

[Fordman1]

Port Fairy, but it’ll be COLD if that southerly is blowing !