MLSS Travel Guide

Coffee, culture & sport. Step out of the lecture hall into Melbourne's vibrant street culture. Sip espresso in laneways, explore galleries at the NGV, stroll through Fitzroy's street-art alleys, or visit Queen Victoria Market after dark. The MCG often hosts cricket or footy matches, and stadium tours run year-round.

Hot springs & wineries. Just 90 minutes from the city, the Peninsula offers open-air thermal pools at Peninsula Hot Springs, seaside walks, and long winery lunches. End the day with a sunset dip at Sorrento's surf beaches.

Penguins & koalas. Depart midday, stop by the Koala Conservation Reserve, and arrive in time for the famous Penguin Parade at dusk. You can also visit wild surf beaches, seal colonies, and the motorsport museum.

One of the world's great drives: rugged coastlines, surf towns, and the Twelve Apostles. With two nights, you can explore Otway rainforest walks, glow-worm dells, and scenic lookouts.

Hiking & wildlife - Victoria's most-loved national park. Camp at Tidal River and hike to Mount Oberon or Squeaky Beach. For longer stays, try an overnight trek to Sealers Cove. Keep an eye out for wombats at dusk.

A 90-minute flight lands you beneath the Harbour Bridge. Spend mornings from Opera House to Bondi, explore Indigenous art at the Art Gallery of NSW, and sample multicultural dining in Newtown.

String together surf towns, national parks, and heritage villages on the scenic Princes Highway. Swim with stingrays at Merimbula, photograph kangaroos at dawn on Pebbly Beach, and taste fresh oysters in coastal towns.

Fly or ferry to Hobart and circle an island half the size of Ireland: convict-era Port Arthur, dramatic sea-cliffs of the Tasman Peninsula, cool-climate wineries, and the alpine lakes of Cradle Mountain. Keep an eye out for the elusive Tasmanian devil.

Direct flights to Christchurch or Queenstown open up Southern Alps peaks, turquoise glacier lakes, and adventure sports. A two-week circuit includes kayaking Milford Sound, hiking the Abel Tasman Coast Track, and wine tasting in Central Otago.