The 10 Best Hidden Gems Things to do in Victoria, Australia

• WINE • CHOCOLATE • ICE CREAM • Mont Rouge Estate is set in picturesque Red Hill surrounded by acres of stunning vineyards. Visit the Cellar door and Chocolaterie. Lunch on weekends and public holidays. The single vineyard wines, artisan chocolates and ice cream all showcase the uniqueness of the Mornington Peninsula region. A relaxing and enjoyable place to visit, the estate has a warm friendly environment to which visitors are always welcome.

St Kilda Ferry is a ferry service running between St Kilda, Port Melbourne and Williamstown. It's amazing what you can see along the way, from the occasional Dolphin or Penguin to the large cruise liners that call Port Melbourne home during the cruise season. Jump aboard at Williamstown, Port Melbourne or St Kilda. You can disembark at any location and jump back on to resume your adventures at the next destination. See our website for departure times and pricing. We also give group discounts and can charter the boat to your group. We are operating weekends until further notice.

Dandenong Ranges National Park is a rainforest getaway on Melbourne's doorstep. This is a place of tranquil forest walks, quaint hilltop towns and charismatic animals. Conquer the famous 1000 Steps, discover Olinda Falls and enjoy stunning views over Melbourne and the Yarra Valley. Here you'll find steep volcanic hills covered in stands of the world's tallest flowering tree, the Mountain Ash. Living among the greenery are wallabies, lyrebirds, wombats and the Powerful Owl. Please ensure you leave your dogs at home to avoid disturbing the local wildlife. Take an energetic walk up the 1000 Steps from Ferntree Gully Picnic Area and learn about its poignant association with Australia's Second World War veterans and the Kokoda Track Campaign.

The Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden is Victoria's premier cool-climate garden. With breathtaking views over the Yarra Valley, the garden features important collections of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and more, in a setting of native and exotic trees. Seasonal changes ensure the garden is a year-round delight. Meander down to Serenity Point where the sculpted landscape opens to stunning views. A network of paths criss-cross the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden and highlight the ever-changing seasonal landscape. Bring a picnic basket and set up on one of the lawns within the gardens for a scenic day out. Ride the 'Garden Explorer' - a fee-for-service people mover which provides a 25-minute guided tour of the garden.

Magnificent views, birdlife and a mecca for walkers, horse riders and mountain bikers - welcome to the You Yangs! The distinctive granite peaks of this park rise abruptly from the flat plains below. Flinders Peak and Big Rock have panoramic views out to Melbourne, which is just an hour away. Explore over 50 kilometres of purpose-built mountain bike trails for beginners and experts or see the diverse scenery of the You Yangs from your car along The Great Circle Drive. Climb Flinders Peak, the highest point in the You Yangs and be rewarded with uninterrupted views out to Melbourne and Geelong. Come with family or friends and picnic among the boulder-strewn landscape. Choose from nine designated picnic areas.