Victoria Is Open For Business: Your Guide To Getting Out And Supporting The Regions

While the new year has tested Victoria's resilience with both fires and floods, thanks to a whole lot of grit and community spirit, local operators are already bouncing back.

The Great Ocean Road, Central Victoria and areas near Goulburn were hit especially hard, with the wild weather impacting the much-relied-on summer visitation season. But local operators are open and ready for business, with plenty of fun to be had in the regions. Keen to get in on the action? We joined forces with Visit Victoria to share some of the best places to visit right now, and how you can show your support.

Discover Award-Winning Wine, Mazes And More At Goulburn

While the Goulburn region managed to avoid direct damage to major tourism locations, the wider communities of Longwood, Avenel, Seymour, Euroa and Nagambie were hit hard this summer. Here's how you can show your support. 

1. Visit cool climate winery Fowles, nestled in the stunning Strathbogie Ranges. Despite losing both their home and all 300 acres of vines across their 1800-acre farm, their cellar door remains open to those seeking an award-winning tipple. What’s more, every Friday until April they’re hosting Fowles Summer Friday Night Dinners—a seriously dreamy farm-to-table dining experience showcasing stellar local produce matched to their glorious wines. 

2. Master the mazes at Avenel Maze. These guys will be opening again from Good Friday in April, when you and the kids can choose from the iconic Hedge Maze, Rock Labyrinth, Mini Golf course or Ned’s Knot Maze dedicated to the infamous Ned Kelly. Take the quiz while you’re there—it’s a shared learning experience to write home about.

4. Drive through the heart of the Goulburn Valley with fellow car enthusiasts on Saturday, 28 March to raise vital funds for bushfire-affected communities. Beginning with a bacon and egg brekkie in Shepparton, stopping for lunch at Fowles Winery, and wrapping up at the bar with MOVE Shepparton, you’ll finish the day with a full belly and a full heart. 

5. Immerse yourself in workshops, film screenings, poetry readings, live music and more at the 2026 Shepparton Festival. Running 20–29 March, this leading regional arts organisation is celebrating its 30th anniversary the only way it knows how—with creative expression, community connection and spaces that spark opportunity for artists, art businesses and audiences visiting from near and far. 

6. Impacted businesses from the region will be popping up in the Melbourne CBD, with Melbourne Backs The Goulburn heading to 24 Collins Street on Thursday 26 and Friday 27 March from 9am–6pm. Expect fresh flowers and local wines, sweet treats, beer and coffee—with the event serving as a reminder that the best way you can support regional communities is to shop local and get out to experience the area firsthand. Find all the details here. 

Keen to make a weekend of it? That’s the spirit. Be sure to check out Goulburn's amazing markets for a spot of browsing. Or if you fancy a culture hit, look no further than Shepparton Art Museum, which offers free entry six days a week and an array of seriously inspiring exhibitions. Before heading home, drop by Violet Town to fuel up at Jackson’s Produce Store and Cafe—the coffee and carrot cake is top notch. 

Dance, Drive And Dine Along The Great Ocean Road

It's hard to believe, but one of Australia's most iconic road trips has been unusually quiet this summer. Wild weather has kept crowds away from the legendary Great Ocean Road, slowing the usually steady stream of travellers along the coast. But local attractions and accommodation providers are raring to go—and with Easter and the school holidays looming, now is the best time to visit. Here's how you can get in on the action. 

1. Book a weekend away at The Wye River Caravan Park—a small, laidback park that serves up absolute beach frontage and family-friendly vibes. You’ll find some seriously good coffee, baked goods and other essentials at the nearby Lorne and Apollo Bay, or stroll to the local general store, cafe and hotel if you prefer to stay close to your home away from home. 

2. Soak up the views at The Perch. Sitting pretty on a hilltop along the Great Ocean Road between Apollo Bay and the 12 Apostles, this upscale spot serves lunch and dinner daily, with a focus on local and homegrown ingredients. They don't mess around on the hot chips either, so order a bowl or two for the table. Post-feed, take a stroll and soak up the views, with your eyes peeled for koalas and glow worms. 

3. Park up for a few local sips at Otway Estate Cellar Door, where you'll find Prickly Moses Beers, Forbidden Fruit Ciders, Redwood Whiskeys and Otways Rainforest Gins. If you're after something a little more substantial, book a spot at their new monthly degustation, a love letter to local Otway produce. 
    
4. Sample some of the world’s best seafood at the 2026 Crayfest. Held in Port Campbell on 20-22 March, the weekend is bursting with colour, tunes and fresh seafood goodness straight from the ocean. We’re talking wild rock lobster, crayfish and your classic fish and chips. Lap up the colourful street parade while you’re there, and don’t miss the local and emerging musical talent strutting their stuff on stage. 

Care to linger longer? Sounds like a plan. We highly recommend the three-day self-drive touring route down the Great Ocean Road. You’ll set off from surf capital Torquay, take in the iconic 12 Apostles and wrap up at historic fishing village Port Fairy. If you prefer bike rides over car trips, check out the many mountain bike trails on offer through Victoria’s rugged terrain, and steal a quiet moment to visit the nearby town of Birregurra—a haven for those who love food, art and small-town charm. 

Feast On Fine Food, Wine And Culture In Central Victoria

Harcourt was one of the hardest hit areas this summer, but the community has rallied together to raise much-needed funds, and family-friendly festivals are lifting spirits all around. Here's how you can show up and get involved. 

1. Jump ‘all aboard’ at Harcourt’s Victorian Miniature Railway. A variety of steam and diesel locomotives weave a 2.7km track to deliver a divine snapshot of Central Victoria’s natural wonderland. Think views of Mount Alexander, sparkling creek frontage and 65-acre grounds wrapped in mature trees. It’s a memory ripe for the making, open every Sunday from 11am to 5pm. 

2. Curious about woodwork or pottery? Lost Trades Fair is heading to Hanging Rock from 28 to 29 March, where world-class makers and specialist artisans will showcase their unique craft. Expect presentations, panel discussions and workshops—where you can try your hand at chair making and tin-type photography. 

Have time to spare? Sounds dreamy. Kick off a long weekend with a trip to Castlemaine's Theatre Royale, the mainland’s longest continuously operating theatre that regularly hosts a whole range of local and international artists, as well as the best new blockbusters. There’s pizza, a bar, popcorn, and choc tops—all you need now is your favourite humans.

The next day, discover the unexpected at The Mill Castlemaine, a reimagined 1870s woollen mill now home to more than 40 small businesses. You’ll find schnitzels and strudels and caffeine-rich brews alongside vintage treasures and handmade goods. Before heading home, check out Harcourt Produce and General Store—a cafe, restaurant and wine bar bursting with local produce and shelves lined with wine. We suggest you get almost everything, and take note of the local art that adorns the walls, you might just find your next lounge room masterpiece. 

Make Star-Studded Memories At The Grampians

The Grampians are described as a place where “ancient mountains rise, big skies stretch wide and time slows its pace”—now that’s somewhere we're making tracks to immediately. While this region was also impacted by wild weather this summer, we’re happy to report that local operators are eager to welcome visitors. Here's how you can show your support. 

1. Treat yourself (and your palate) at the Grampians Great Escape. If you enjoy fine wine, seriously good food, and believe not dancing at a festival is criminal, then pack your bags and head to the stunning Grampians National Park from Friday 1 to Sunday 3 May. 

If all that food and culture has bewitched your body and soul, stay a little longer. We suggest getting your hike on at Mount Arapiles and be rewarded by the breathtaking views, visiting the Murtoa Stick Shed for a ‘have-to-see-it-to-believe-it’ glimpse into an emergency wartime grain store, and snapping up some whimsical souvenirs at the Dimboola Imaginarium—a redbrick Renaissance-style building that was once a bank but sounds a lot like something out of Harry Potter if you ask us. 

Celebrate Poetry, Art And Cool Climate Wines In The High Country

Victoria’s High Country experienced damage across the Murrirundi Shire and the stunning Great Victorian and High Country Rail Trails. While recovery efforts are ongoing, the region is serving up a whole range of fun events and goodies for visitors far and wide. Here's how you can show your support. 

1. Hop online and check out High Country at Home. This growing online initiative has created a digital home away from home for more than 155 creative regional makers, producers and tourism operators, so you can show them some love at the click of a button. Tell your friends. 

2. Get the old gang back together and snap up tickets en masse to one of the many stellar events happening this March and April. For the runners with energy to spare, check out The Buffalo Stampede on 27–29 March. Lovers of beer and music, The High Country Hop is calling your name on 27–29 March. One for the history buffs, the iconic Man From Snowy River Bush Festival will celebrate the region’s beloved bush culture from 16–19 April. Art aficionados, you’re lucky last, head to the Benalla Street Art Festival from 17–19 April to witness the town’s streets transform into a living, breathing canvas. 

If all that excitement’s worked up an appetite, we strongly suggest you book a few extra days and savour the moment at these must-visit venues. Order a cool climate wine and cheese board to boot at Sedona Estate. Next, a delicious lunch beckons at Delatite Winery, where you’ll find more cool climate tipples and a side of incredible scenery. Finally, you could push the boat out (literally) and splurge on a WatersEdge House Boat at Lake Eildon, where you can while away the hours on the sundeck with a book or fishing rod in hand—whatever floats your boat. Need just one more hit of the High Country before reality kicks in? Check out Mount Buller and book a ride on the Northside Express chairlift. New meaningful moments will be officially unlocked.

Ready to hit the road? Check out more of what’s going down in our regions here. 

Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Visit Victoria and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.

Image credit: Supplied