Undiscovered Victoria

Undiscovered Victoria 

The weekend is approaching. The picnic rug and hiking boots are in dire need of use. Melbourne’s forecast is (surprisingly) bright, sunny and clear – an opportune time to set out on a day trip. From secret waterfalls and water holes to country art galleries and cultural landscapes, Undiscovered Victoria is brimming with ideas for your next adventure and is your perfect companion for exploring the state’s hidden gems.

From the team behind One Hour Out, an online publication dedicated to promoting all things outside Melbourne, Undiscovered Victoria celebrates Victoria’s natural wonders and the innovation, resilience and creativity of regional communities. Founder Jay Dillon reflects that the trials and tribulations Victoria has experienced in recent years – a series of COVID-19 lockdowns and devastating bushfires and floods – have sparked the desire to connect with our communities, stay local and explore our own backyard.

Ideal for the local explorer, this book is designed for those willing to drive up dirt roads, stop at roadside stalls, dine at a country pub and climb a hill simply to gaze at the breathtaking surroundings. Undiscovered Victoria is a comprehensive guide and is structured by adventure type, such as ‘Where we walk the water’s edge’, ‘Where we shop’, ‘Where they farm’, ‘Where we art’, ‘Where we get close to nature’, ‘Where we eat’, and ‘Where we drink’. The beginning of the book includes a map of Victoria, some handy tips on how to get around, and some advice on how to have a fun, family-friendly and comfortable journey.

Perfect for the coffee table collection, Undiscovered Victoria comes to life with stunning photographs cataloguing the true beauty and diversity of our state’s geography. Each review of a natural wonder or venue includes a hashtag defining how far away the place is from the city. For instance, Diamond Bay, a hop, skip and jump from Sorrento’s centre is listed as #Oneandahalfhoursout and Shepparton Art Museum is listed as #Twohoursout.

Flicking through the book, my FOMO was triggered and my mental list of places grew exponentially. Some of my recommended gems include the Edible Forrest in the Yarra Valley, where the foraging garden is designed for produce to be gathered throughout the year and used by the chefs. In the township of Nhill, you will encounter the Australian Pinball Museum and each machine costs $1 to play so BYO coins. Off the track between Kangaroo Ground and Christmas Hills, is the Gawa Wurudjeri Resource Trail which explains the pre-colonial lifestyle lived by the Wurundjeri-willam, a clan that consisted of several extended family groups who moved seasonally through the land until the land was gazetted in 1840 as Watsons Creek Station. For a longer yonder, consider The Flats in Mooroopna. To eat, Torquay’s Mortadeli. To drink, The Alexandra Hotel, on the way to Lake Eildon.

Published by Hardie Grant Explore and available from Friday 1 November 2023, Undiscovered Victoria is the perfect Christmas present to a partner or friend who possesses an adventurous spirit and yearns to explore all that Victoria has to offer. RRP $45.

Undiscovered Victoria
Available from Friday 1 November 2023