Country Victoria’s hottest indoor attractions and activities
Country Victoria has an exceptional collection of indoor attractions.
And whether part of a cosy winter getaway, to escape the heat in summer, or just because, these engrossing attractions are ripe for exploration.
We’ve compiled an almighty selection of indoor-focussed attractions and places to visit in regional Victoria with a distinct emphasis on inland areas.
Cultural, gastronomical, historical, visual – all tastes are covered.
Regional Victoria is dotted with top-class art galleries, and this one is among the best. The warm, spacious rooms explode with colour as artworks detail a host of subjects, including local goldfields history. Better yet, the gallery’s permanent collection is backed by a first-rate exhibition program. One of Bendigo’s best attractions, indoors or not.
Nearby parks: BIG4 Bendigo Ascot Holiday Park, BIG4 Bendigo Marong Holiday Park, and BIG4 Bendigo Park Lane Holiday Park.
A massive Australian and international ceramics collection is the highlight here, which is well-supported by its many landscape paintings and thought-provoking contemporary art. A brand-new gallery is due to be completed in late 2020.
Nearby park: BIG4 Shepparton Park Lane Holiday Park.
Inject some colour into your life with a wander around this expansive gallery. View a dynamic collection of varied works across several spaces: regional artists to national touring exhibitions all feature here. With tours, children’s programs, and talks, there’s plenty to keep visitors entertained.
Nearby park: BIG4 Traralgon Park Lane Holiday Park.
This grand art-deco building houses a wonderful collection of art and historical pieces with a distinct Australian flavour. Its central focus is notable works from the late 1800s, regarded as the ‘golden period of Australian painting’, featuring some of the nation’s most talented artists.
Nearby park: BIG4 Castlemaine Gardens Holiday Park.
There’s plenty to see within this lively space, which mixes permanent collections with roving exhibitions. Among its mainstays is a broad Australian naïve (visual) art collection as well as various pieces depicting the local area. Well worth a visit.
Nearby parks: BIG4 Riverside Swan Hill and BIG4 Swan Hill.
Prepare for a visual banquet inside the oldest regional gallery in Australia. This Ballarat beauty showcases exceptional art from some of the nation’s most talented creators – including Sidney Nolan, Norman Lindsay, and Tom Roberts – and couples this with roving exhibitions and much more. One of the best indoor activities in Victoria.
Nearby parks: BIG4 Ballarat Goldfields Holiday Park and BIG4 Ballarat Windmill Holiday Park.
While clearly not confined to the indoors, visiting a prized wine region and its cellar doors warrants mention. And Rutherglen is a gem, steeped in gold-rush history and with a wine heritage that is just as pronounced. Today, the town and its surrounds boast a rich collection of boutique wineries offering a wide selection of varieties, including robust reds.
Nearby parks: BIG4 Borderland Wodonga, BIG4 Wangaratta North Cedars Holiday Park, and BIG4 NRMA Yarrawonga Mulwala Holiday Park.
Another region with a golden past, Heathcote is revered for its top-shelf shiraz. Clustered wineries make cellar-door hopping a simple task in this delightful part of the state.
Nearby parks: BIG4 parks in Bendigo, BIG4 Seymour Holiday Park, and BIG4 Castlemaine Gardens Holiday Park.
Arguably Victoria’s most famous wine region, the Yarra Valley explodes with cellar-door options that blend big-name producers with cosy and welcoming boutique wineries.
Nearby park: BIG4 Yarra Valley Park Lane Holiday Park.
There are some brilliant red varietals to enjoy in this excellent grape-growing area, which delivers a select but emerging offering of wineries. It adds to the appeal of a romantic escape to the Murray River.
Nearby parks: BIG4 Riverside Swan Hill and BIG4 Swan Hill.
You could dismiss this as just another military museum with a few bits and pieces here and there. Instead, this underrated attraction hoards a massive collection of military artefacts, including tanks and other vehicles, guns, medals, and so much more. Allow plenty of time to view it all.
Nearby park: BIG4 Borderland Wodonga.
The focus here is on a very specific piece of World War II history, but it’s thoroughly enthralling all the same. This was the site of a secret repair depot for flying boats used during this major conflict and the many displays, along with passionate volunteer staff, explore this theme in great detail. A hidden gem.
Nearby parks: BIG4 Riverside Swan Hill and BIG4 Swan Hill.
Admire more than 100 impressive vehicles, including vintage cars, trucks, motorbikes, and pedal cars under the one roof. This extensive vehicle collection is coupled with a wide array of fascinating motoring-related memorabilia, making the museum a must for petrol heads.
Nearby park: BIG4 Shepparton Park Lane Holiday Park.
Chinese culture has a rich past and influence in Bendigo resulting from the gold-rush days, and this vibrant attraction is the best place to explore the compelling link. There is a cluster of interesting, intricate, and opulent indoor and outdoor attractions to admire, including some seriously ancient relics.
Nearby parks: BIG4 Bendigo Ascot Holiday Park, BIG4 Bendigo Marong Holiday Park, and BIG4 Bendigo Park Lane Holiday Park.
While not completely indoors, this attraction provides a thorough insight into an engrossing snippet of Australian history. Post-World War II, Bonegilla was a migrant reception and training centre, and a whopping 300,000-plus migrants wandered through its corridors. Today, the centre retraces this interesting past and the countless stories that go with it.
Nearby park: BIG4 Borderland Wodonga.
If you’re thinking about what to do in country Victoria, a visit to a cracking country pub should be in the mix. And the Healesville Hotel is a beauty. Central and instantly inviting, this wooden-floored, multi-section pub is superb. It’s extensive menu places a firm emphasis on locally sourced produce and there's a tempting drinks menu to back it up.
Nearby park: BIG4 Yarra Valley Park Lane Holiday Park.
This is a classic country pub albeit with a touch of class. It’s rustic, has a homely feel, and features a delectable menu with plenty of hearty dishes. A decent selection of craft ales and local wines adds to its extensive appeal.
Nearby park: BIG4 Taggerty Holiday Park.
This gorgeous and spacious café is situated within Castlemaine’s The Mill precinct, a heritage area that’s been rebirthed as a foodie, produce, and arts hub. Das Kaffeehaus dishes up excellent coffee alongside its Austrian-inspired menu.
Nearby park: BIG4 Castlemaine Gardens Holiday Park.
The Royal Mail is a Victorian icon, steeped in history having opened in 1855. While it’s been refurbished since, the hotel retains its charm and is a great place to dine. It features two restaurants – one high end; the other more casual – and the bulk of its produce is grown on site.
Nearby park: BIG4 NRMA Halls Gap Holiday Park.
This cosy eatery is a popular place featuring seasonal menus that emphasise local produce and beverages. The coffee is highly regarded, too.
Nearby park: BIG4 Seymour Holiday Park.
While combining indoor and outdoor activities, Sovereign Hill deserves inclusion in this line-up. It brings to life the enthralling, vibrant gold-rush days of the 1850s through its collection of recreated historical buildings and various activities. And this regular award-winning attraction also has a fascinating Gold Museum. For more fun, visit Sovereign Hill’s Winter Wonderlights, usually held in June-July.
Nearby parks: BIG4 Ballarat Goldfields Holiday Park and BIG4 Ballarat Windmill Holiday Park.
When it comes to indoor activities for kids in Victoria, this fun-filled educational attraction has immense appeal. Inside is a series of clever, quirky, and unique interactive exhibits that will captivate children big and small. The centre is home to the southern hemisphere's tallest vertical slide, and the planetarium is an enthralling addition.
Nearby parks: BIG4 Bendigo Ascot Holiday Park, BIG4 Bendigo Marong Holiday Park, and BIG4 Bendigo Park Lane Holiday Park.
Looking for somewhere for excitable children to burn off energy? Enter Inflatable World. This excellent indoor facility features a series of stimulating inflatable attractions, and parents are encouraged to join in the action. This is the perfect rainy-day activity in Victoria across several locations, including Mildura.
Nearby parks: BIG4 parks in Mildura.
This attraction is regarded as the first municipal observatory in Australia, having opened in 1886, and offers dazzling opportunities to marvel at the night sky. Winter nights are regarded as offering the best viewing, which is an added bonus for families, as this means less confliction with kids’ regular bedtimes.
Nearby parks: BIG4 Ballarat Goldfields Holiday Park and BIG4 Ballarat Windmill Holiday Park.
Guests at BIG4 Traralgon don’t need to venture far to keep little ones entertained. That’s because within the park’s boundaries is a massive multi-level indoor play centre complete with a wealth of fun. This facility is free for those staying at the park, so finding indoor activities for toddlers and bigger kids is sorted with ease.
More info: BIG4 Traralgon Park Lane Holiday Park.
This indie stalwart is an absolute winner. Bright Brewery has an excellent tap range that includes various seasonal brews, combined with tasty food, and an inviting indoor (and outdoor) setup. And its central location is a welcome bonus.
Nearby parks: BIG4 Bright Holiday Park and BIG4 Porepunkah Holiday Park.
This spacious, funky, and chilled-out venue is the coolest kid on the craft beer block in Ballarat. Its substantial rotating tap and bottled beer range is backed by a generous wine list, and cocktails and spirits are on the menu, too. Its good, honest pub food won't leave you hungry, and the live music is well-suited to a Sunday session.
Nearby parks: BIG4 Ballarat Goldfields Holiday Park and BIG4 Ballarat Windmill Holiday Park.
The rustic Malt Shed offers the ideal setting for a quite ale or two. Its brew delicious core beers alongside small-batch and seasonal releases, complemented by delicious food, and family-friendly vibes.
Nearby park: BIG4 Wangaratta North Cedars Holiday Park.
On the roof of Coldstream stands a bronze-coloured statue named Shivering Man. Inside, it’s nothing but warm and snug, with a distinct pub vibe. The beer is fantastic: seasonals mix with regular brews, and the food is top notch, too.
Nearby park: BIG4 Yarra Valley Park Lane Holiday Park.
Housed inside a historical building with a nice, relaxed interior, the distillery has immediate appeal. Grab a tasting paddle and sip on a great range of delicious hand-crafted gin. The friendly staff will talk you through the gin-making process, too.
Nearby parks: BIG4 Golden River Holiday Park and BIG4 Mildura Getaway Holiday Park.
This is one of those attractions you have to visit for yourself to truly understand. It’s quirky, it’s filled with the most eclectic of odds and ends, and it silently defies you to walk out empty-handed.
Nearby park: BIG4 Castlemaine Gardens Holiday Park.
Bendigo’s vintage trams are a fun way to see the city’s landmarks and soak up local history. Themed tram rides at selected times add more colour and fun to this novel experience, and self-guided depot tours are available, too.
Nearby parks: BIG4 Bendigo Ascot Holiday Park, BIG4 Bendigo Marong Holiday Park, and BIG4 Bendigo Park Lane Holiday Park.
Enjoy a night out at The Cube Wodonga. This vibrant multi-purpose, conference, and performance facility is situated in Wodonga’s CBD and hosts touring bands and theatre shows, local performances, film screenings, and more. The performance season includes comedy, dance, music, morning melodies and children’s theatre complete with a café and bar.
Nearby park: BIG4 Borderland Wodonga.
This historical art deco-style structure enhances the romanticism of a couples' escape in Castlemaine. Theatre Royal features a cute wine bar, a bistro, and a cinema and it also earns accolades as a live music venue. So versatile!
Nearby park: BIG4 Castlemaine Gardens Holiday Park.
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