best scenic drives victoria Page 9

Victoria’s scenic drives are stacked like lamingtons at a country bakery—pick one and try not to wear crumbs on the seats. The headline act is the Great Ocean Road, about 243 km of cliff-hugging bends between Torquay and Allansford—go early, mind the tourists, and the 80 km/h zones. For alpine drama, the Great Alpine Road runs roughly 339 km from Wangaratta to Bairnsdale via Mount Hotham; in winter, bring chains and patience. The Black Spur (Healesville to Narbethong) packs ~30 km of rainforest curves and mist so thick you’ll feel like you’re driving through a eucalyptus-scented cloud. Fancy a shorter romp? Try the Grampians loop around Halls Gap for big rock energy, or cruise the Yarra Valley and Dandenongs—or the Mornington Peninsula up to Arthurs Seat—for wineries, views, and fewer brake temps.

Check road conditions, fuel up before the remote bits, and save the heroics for the track; the scenery looks better when you bring the car (and your licence) home.