Discover the world’s smallest penguins, visit old gold rush towns – 3 top travel tips for Victoria, Australia

▲ Urban and natural coexistence in Victoria, Australia. (Photo / Provided by Tourism Victoria, Australia; the same below)

Reported by Chen Ziying / Comprehensive report

Australia has always given travelers a wonderful sense of closeness to nature. Its southern hemisphere climate is just the opposite of Taiwan’s, with temperatures peaking at around 16°C. Many people choose to travel to Australia during this time. Victoria is considered one of the best destinations for family trips, offering sights such as the world’s tiniest penguin homecoming, hot air balloon rides, and gold panning in historic mining towns. Tourism Victoria recommends “Three Top Family Travel Tips for Summer Vacation” for Taiwanese travelers, as follows:

Tip 1: Find the world’s smallest penguins• Explore the Great Ocean Road

▲ Phillip Island, southeast of Melbourne, is famous for being home to the world’s smallest penguins.

Located 135 kilometers southeast of Melbourne, Phillip Island is home to the world’s smallest penguins, which stand only about 33 cm tall and weigh around 1 kg. For thousands of years, these little penguins have nested in the sand dunes of the island, heading out to sea to fish one or two hours before sunset and returning to their burrows in groups after dark.Watching the little penguins march home excites both adults and children. These tiny, proud birds waddle back to their nests with their catch in their beaks, swaying their chubby bodies and leaving behind a trail of small, playful footprints.

In addition, on the farms of Phillip Island, families can try milking cows and shearing sheep together, or sit on the grass bottle-feeding lambs. For those seeking tranquility, head to the west coast of Victoriaand visit the breathtaking Great Ocean Road, where towering rock formationsrise along the winding coastal highway. With the sea breeze in your face and music playing, you can take in miles of spectacular scenery and experience the majestic beauty of the coastline. Along the way,the must-see attraction is the Twelve Apostles— these towering rock formations, shaped by relentless waves, stand uniquely against the vast ocean, creating a magnificent sight.


▲ Scenic views of the Great Ocean Road.

Tip 2: Immerse in the culture of Sovereign Hill, a gold rush town
Sovereign Hill is an Australian gold rush-era town. Bring your kids to explore the gold mine area that recreates life as it was for 19th-century gold miners, or try your hand at gold panning in the creek sands using a tin pan in this living outdoor museum. You can also take a horse-drawn carriage ride around the goldfields or venture underground into the mining area to experience the tough lives of miners from the past. A nostalgic journey is best begun in this charming historic gold town.

The streets are lined with quaint pubs, and people in period-appropriate gold rush attire bustle about. Blacksmiths, tinsmiths, and goldsmiths go about their work just as they did over a hundred years ago, while the newspaper office still uses an old-fashioned printing press to print job ads and other news.

In the city center, don’t miss the National Gallery of Victoria. It’s said this gallery was built by Melbourne to rival Sydney’s Opera House, and the result was that Melbourne gave the world one of Australia’s most beautiful museums. The uniquely designed entrance features a glass mirror screen wall, with water continuously cascading down the glass to form a misty waterfall. Inside, there are over 70,000 art treasures—more than enough to captivate art-loving parents and their children for hours.

Tip 3: Dine inside the world’s oldest electric tram

▲ Melbourne’s unique antique tram restaurant.

At the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant, you can enjoy fine food and wine, and have a romantic Western-style dinner with your family inside the world’s oldest operational tram. The tram travels from the city center to the seaside, from sunset to nightfall.

As night falls, Melbourne transforms into a dazzling city with twinkling stars and countless lights. Standing at the “Eureka Skydeck 88” on the 88th floor, inside a slowly extending glass cube that moves out from the building, you’ll instantly feel the thrill of standing above the clouds. This cliff-like observation deck, located by the Yarra River, offers one of the best vantage points in Melbourne and provides a fresh perspective on the city.


▲ Eureka Skydeck 88, one of the best spots to view Melbourne.