• Explore the sights of Melbourne, frequently voted as one of the most liveable cities in the world. The ultramodern Melbourne Museum (website: http://museumvictoria.com.au/MelbourneMuseum) is Australia's largest museum. Fantastical Federation Square (website: www.federationsquare.com.au) is a city block devoted to culture.

• Catch a sporting event (such as a test cricket match or game of Aussie Rules football) at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (website: www.mcg.org.au), a colosseum that seats around 100,000 people and, when full, creates an unforgettable atmosphere.

• Absorb the excellent views over Melbourne from the Dandenong Ranges. At Mount Dandenong check out the haunting carvings of Aboriginal faces - part of the Galeena Beek Aboriginal Culture Centre.

• Relive the excitement of the gold-rush at Sovereign Hill (website: www.sovereignhill.com.au), 120km (75 miles) northwest of Melbourne in Ballarat, an old gold mining town, restored to its original condition. For a similar era, try Bendigo with its huge granite, Victorian buildings.

• Spot a huge variety of wildlife at Phillip Island Nature Park (website: www.penguins.org.au), with birds, koalas, fairy penguins (marching up the beach in the evenings) and fur seals. Another famous wildlife area crawling with emus and wombats is Wilson's Promontory National Park.

• Watch the famed music festival (website: www.qmf.net.au) in Queenscliff, a town which also has Victorian architecture and a historic railway, as well as horse and cart rides. There are some great handicraft and antique shops.

• Indulge in a river cruise (on a paddle steamer or hire a houseboat and have a go yourself) down the beautiful, meandering Murray River at Mildura in the far northwest of the state.

• Tour the Lakes District, the largest inland waterway system in the country. The lagoons connect with the ocean at Lakes Entrance, a holiday town with good facilities that has access to Ninety Mile Beach.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.