The Best Time to Visit Victoria
Ready to explore but not sure what time of the year to visit Victoria? With vastly different seasons and weather across this Australian state, make the most of your road trip holiday by planning your travel itinerary around these must-see Victoria events, seasons, and important timings.
The weather in Victoria
Ah, the weather. There is a reason why queries like ‘What is the best weather in Victoria, Australia?’ are frequently searched online – the weather can have a very positive impact on your Victoria road trip. However, unlike some states in Australia, Victoria doesn’t have a specific dry season so if you’re wondering when the rainy months in Victoria are, it’s not quite as clear cut in this southern state. Ranging from hot, balmy days to snow fall, the weather in Victoria is highly changeable. February in Victoria is generally the warmest time of the year. However, this differs across the state as you’re more likely to experience hot and semi-arid temperatures in north-western Victoria where it will still be cooler and temperate along the coast.
In winter, Victoria High Country’s snowfall makes it popular for skiing and snowboarding and while many ask what is the best month to visit Melbourne, Melbourne weather is famous for literally changing by the hour (although October tends to be Melbourne’s wettest month). So, if you’re asking ‘What is the best season in Victoria?’ the answer really depends on what type of a holiday you are after and that’s why we’ve broken down how to make the most of each season in Victoria below.
The busiest time for travel in Victoria
As December to February tends to be the warmest time in Victoria and, of course, hosts the summer school holidays, this is often the most popular time for travel in Victoria. If you’d rather escape the crowds, it’s a good idea to aim for spring and autumn Victoria road trip holidays as the weather tends to be cooler and slightly wetter, thus quieter. You may need to pack an extra jumper or two, but you’ll be able to enjoy your family motorhome holiday with less people around.
The cheapest time for travel in Victoria
If you want your dollars to stretch further, the cheapest time to travel to Victoria is in the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn. Winter is also a great season for the budget conscious traveller as less people around tends to equal cheaper prices. As a general rule, Victoria holiday parks are usually cheaper outside of summer and the Australian and New Zealand school holidays.
Don’t forget to keep an eye out on Apollo motorhome and campervan hire specials, including our long hire discounts.
Things to do in Victoria in Spring
Attend Cherry Hill Blossom Festival
If you’re road tripping Victoria in spring, you cannot miss the Cherry Hill Blossom Festival. Experience the Cherry Hill Blossom Festival magic with flower displays, workshops, craft stalls and food vans. Be sure not to leave without a scoop of their famous cherry ice-cream.
Watch the Massive Murray Paddle
November brings the Massive Murray Paddle event to Victoria. Held each year to fundraise for local charities, the Massive Murray Paddle is a phenomenal 5-day padding race down the Murray River. Starting in Yarrawonga and finishing in Koondrook Wharf, ensure your Victoria road trip coincides with enroute race watchpoints at Tocumwal, Moama, Echuca, Gunbower, and Koondrook towns.
Things to do in Victoria in Summer
Attend the annual event Feastival
Celebrate the Victoria region’s country character at the three-day summer festival ‘FEASTIVAL.’ Held at Falls Creek in High Country Victoria, enjoy music, art, comedy, food, markets, and even stargazing expeditions. Sing, dance, and laugh your way through the weekend festival with performances from both the internationally renowned and local talent.
Hit the water to cool off
There’s no doubt that summer is the best season in Victoria for swimming. So be sure to include some of the best beaches and waterholes to cool off in your summer road trip travel itinerary. If you’re hitting Victoria’s beaches, from the famous surfing Bells Beach to Melbourne’s St Kilda Beach and Brighton Beach, remember to always swim between the flags, and if you’re exploring inland be sure to include Lake Bolac in Eastern Grampians, the famous Murray River, and Rock Steps in Yarra Valley to your summer swim list.
Things to do in Victoria in Autumn
Enjoy the Gippsland wine region
One of the most beautiful places to visit in Victoria in Autumn is Gippsland. Located in the south-eastern part of Victoria, Gippsland Vic is renowned for wineries and delicious produce. From the Cannibal Creek Vineyard, found just an hour out of Melbourne, to the award-winning Gippsland Wine Company, you can spend a few days working your way through the delectable food and drink of the Gippsland region. Just a friendly but obvious reminder to secure your campervan at its night destination before visiting the wineries and not drink and drive.
Visit the farm gates in High Country
Foodies rejoice, for the farm gates in the High Country Victoria are just waiting to welcome you. Take your motorhome through the Victoria High Country and indulge in the region’s best produce. Enjoy cheese from the Little Cedar Farmhouse and olives from Gooramadda Olives before partaking in cooking classes at Black Barn Farm and berry and cherry picking with the kids at High Grove Berry Farm. We guarantee the High Country farm gates have something for everyone – even the pickiest of eaters.
Things to do in Victoria in Winter
Attend Mansfield Lantern Festival
Winter may mean longer nights, but in Victoria they celebrate this with the Mansfield Lantern Festival. Held on the longest night of the year (also known as the winter solstice) this free entry festival is set at the base of the beautiful snow-capped Mt Buller in High Country Victoria. Watch the lantern parade and enjoy brilliant live music and performance. After you’ve indulged in all the tasty local food and drink, your Apollo campervan (and warm bed!) is only a short distance away.
Enjoy the snow
If you’re visiting in winter, make the most of the weather and head to the Victoria ski resorts! Victoria boasts some of the best skiing and snowboarding conditions in Australia and the popular Mount Buller Ski Resort and Falls Creek Ski Resort see thousands of visitors each winter. Pick up your Apollo motorhome in Melbourne and head to the High Country. Here there is something for all skill levels, from the well-seasoned cross-country skier to those starting out with skiing and snowboarding lessons. Got little ones that aren’t ready to ski? Every Victoria High Country mountain has room for snowball fights, snowmen and tobogganing making it the perfect family winter road trip destination.
Where to stay in Victoria
BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Inverloch
Situated just 90 minutes from Melbourne, BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Inverloch is the perfect base for exploring both the Anderson Inlet and the nearby Phillip Island and Wilsons Promontory. This family friendly motorhome and camper park features an indoor heated water park (complete with tipping bucket!) and pump track for bikes and scooters.
BIG4 Albury Tourist Park
While you may be hopping just over the border into New South Wales for this one, the BIG4 Albury Tourist Park is near the famous Murray River, making it a fantastic base for the northern Victoria region. Hosting a range of powered sites, a heated pool, and a barbeque area, keep the kids entertained at the BIG4 playground and enjoy a relaxing sunset at the nearby Hume Dam.
BIG4 Melbourne Holiday Park
To tick off the best things to do and places to visit in Melbourne, you need a base and that’s where BIG4 Melbourne Holiday Park comes in. With powered and unpowered sites along with a variety of cabins, this BIG4 park is located just 9km from the Melbourne CBD so you can enjoy the famous Melbourne coffee scene plus family friendly Melbourne tourist attractions like the Melbourne museum.
Need an itinerary for your Victoria adventure?
Now we’ve established the different types of holidays waiting for you at each time of the year in Victoria, it’s time to plan your perfect road trip. First, make sure you’ve got a list of everything you want to see. Our best things to do in Melbourne, the best stops along the Great Ocean Road and how to make the most of Melbourne as a family guides can help you.
Rather follow a pre-made travel itinerary? We’ve got you covered with our 3 days on the Great Ocean Road itinerary or our longer Great Ocean Road and Grampians road trip itinerary
Explore more of Victoria with Apollo
So, whether you visit in spring, summer, autumn, or winter, make the most of your Victoria adventure by hiring an Apollo campervan and starting your Victoria road trip adventure.