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From towering sea stacks and ancient mountain ranges to giant redwoods, Victoria is home to some seriously spectacular natural scenery. And while Melburnians don't have to travel far to find some of it, a few of these wonders are worth a proper road trip.
Global travel publisher WorldAtlas has just rounded up the best natural wonders in Victoria to visit at the moment; here are seven of them…
1. The Organ Pipes
There's a surprising geological wonder hiding north-west of Melbourne. At Organ Pipes National Park, towering columns of basalt look uncannily like the pipes of an enormous church organ (pictured above). The distinctive formation was created when ancient lava cooled and cracked into striking, near-vertical columns. Follow the walking track down towards Jacksons Creek for the best views, then explore other formations in the park, including Rosette Rock. It's one of those places that feels far further from the city than it actually is.
2. The Californian Redwood Forest
Victoria has its own redwood forest, and it really is as magical as the photos suggest. Deep in the Otways near Beech Forest, rows of towering Californian redwoods create a scene that feels distinctly un-Australian. The trees were planted in the 1930s and have grown into an atmospheric grove where sunlight filters through the canopy and the trunks seem to disappear into the sky. The forest sits near the Aire River and makes a peaceful detour when exploring the Great Otway National Park. It can get busy, particularly during peak holiday periods, so visit outside summer if you're hoping for a quieter wander among the trees.
3. The Twelve Apostles
You've seen them on postcards, calendars and approximately one million Instagram grids, but the Twelve Apostles are famous for a reason. Rising dramatically from the water along the Great Ocean Road, these limestone sea stacks are one of Victoria's most spectacular sights. Despite the name, there were never actually 12 stacks – and there are now seven standing after years of erosion and rough seas. But the constantly changing coastline is part of what makes this place so remarkable. Come at sunrise or sunset to see the formations at their most dramatic. While you're there, make time to explore more of the national park and the surrounding Shipwreck Coast, where rugged cliffs, beaches and other dramatic rock formations stretch along the shoreline.
4. Cleft Island
If the name Skull Rock sounds like something dreamed up for a pirate movie, wait until you see it. Cleft Island, better known as Skull Rock, is a dramatic granite formation off Wilsons Promontory whose huge cave-like opening gives it an unmistakably skull-shaped appearance. Wind and waves have spent centuries carving the rock into its eerie form, creating one of Victoria's most striking offshore sights. The island is also important habitat for seabirds and fur seals. You can't access it, but boat cruises around Wilsons Promontory offer some of the best views, while binoculars or a decent zoom lens can help you spot it from the mainland.
5. The Grampians
Of course, few places in Victoria pack as much natural drama into one national park as the Grampians. Think jagged sandstone peaks, expansive valleys, ancient rock pools, waterfalls and lookouts that seem to go on forever. There are plenty of ways to experience the landscape depending on your appetite for adventure. Boroka Lookout offers sweeping views without an epic hike, while The Balconies and Reed Lookout deliver some of the park's most iconic panoramas. Mackenzie Falls is another must-see, particularly after rain, while more committed hikers can tackle trails including the climb up Mount Sturgeon. Spring and autumn are particularly lovely times to visit, when conditions are generally better suited to walking and the landscape is buzzing with wildlife.
6. Dandenong Ranges National Park
Not far from Melbourne, the Dandenong Ranges offer fern-filled forests, towering mountain ash and winding walking tracks that make the city feel a very long way away. The area is packed with different ways to explore. Take on the famous 1000 Steps, wander through the region's gardens or soak up the views from SkyHigh Mount Dandenong. Spring is especially pretty, with mild weather and plenty of colour in the gardens, but this is one of those Melbourne escapes that works in almost every season.
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