Feel good road trip

Connect with nature as you travel from rolling plains to rugged mountain ranges. Navigate the region's extensive network of tracks and trails by foot – go for a short stroll or opt for a multi-day hike. Take to two wheels along world-class mountain bike trails, or slow it down as you drop into local wineries, breweries and farm gates.

Support local businesses – pack an Esky and bring your own produce bags to load up on regional offerings, from colourful veggies and fresh fruit to more gourmet delicacies. Discover off-grid distilleries for a sustainable tipple. Have an eco-adventure in a green lodge or fully sustainable tiny house, or sleep simply in a swag, under the full splendour of the night's sky.

Lace up your hiking boots and get set to explore Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park. Take in the sights on a casual stroll, or plan an epic multi-day adventure along the Grampians Peaks Trail. Get up close to local wildlife and cross paths with colourful native flora. Look out for ancient Aboriginal rock paintings, evidence of Australia's Indigenous people's long association with the region.

At night, enjoy a chef-created tasting menu dictated by the day's harvest from the kitchen garden, or cook your own feast from the produce you've collected on your travels. Rest your head in a secluded bush shack surrounded by kangaroos and emus, or make like-minded friends at an eco-focused hostel.

Immerse yourself in lush rainforest scenery in the Otway Ranges. Wander to free-flowing waterfalls, weave through remarkable redwoods and stroll past ancient plant life. Swap out the car entirely and head by foot along the Great Ocean Walk or cycle the Forrest Mountain Bike Trail.

Sleep under the stars with the help of walk in and walk off camping along the route. Learn about Aboriginal history and culture at Budj Bim Cultural Landscape. Or opt for an eco-lodge or retreat, where green amenities are paired with dramatic coastal views. Ease aching bones with a geothermal bathing experience at Warrnambool, or simply let the sound of the ocean soothe your soul.

Get face-to-face with nature in stunning settings on Phillip Island. Check in with native wildlife including fur seals, wallabies, bandicoots and those famous fairy penguins. Walk among koalas as you connect with the Australian bush. Get off-grid at Churchill Island, where you can explore wide-open spaces under the watchful eye of Cape Barren geese and purple swamp hens.

Taste the bounty of the region and the season with uninterrupted views of the Southern Ocean, or sip craft beer fresh from the tap. Feed the animals by hand at your farm-stay accommodation, or mix sustainability with luxury as you glamp just steps from the beach.