Where to start
Melbourne, the state’s capital, is widely recognised as the nation’s sporting and cultural capital. Its gay and lesbian community is well integrated into the general populace, spread throughout the densely-populated inner-city suburbs that encircle the CBD, rather than clustered into a single ghetto.

On the south side of the Yarra River, which divides the city, Commercial Road in fashionable Prahran is home to numerous gay clubs and cafes. An array of clubs and bars for gay men are spread throughout Collingwood, on the north side; while a little further out from the city is Northcote, a popular lesbian destination.

Drawcards for GLBT tourists include the Midsumma Festival in late January, the Melbourne Queer Film Festival and – out of town – Daylesford’s ChillOut Festival in March. For news, check out www.eevolution.com.au 

Where to eat
Quite simply, everywhere! Melbourne boasts some excellent dining options, including Richmond’s ‘Little Saigon’ in Victoria St and Fitzroy’s cluster of tapas bars; the Italian precinct along Lygon St, Carlton; and the Greek quarter in Lonsdale St in the CBD.

Where to shop
For up-market fashion stroll down Little Collins St in the CBD or along Chapel St, Sth Yarra; for clothing bargains try the factory outlets clustered along Bridge Rd, Richmond and Smith St, Collingwood; or for something more individual, shop along Brunswick St, Fitzroy.

Where to party
Northside venues including Sircuit and The Peel cater for an almost exclusively gay male clientele, while The Laird is strictly for the boys. The Glasshouse provides a welcoming space for the girls, with Drag King nights on Fridays a must! If you’re looking for a friendly local pub you’ll love DT’s. Opium Den is home to the long-running gay Asian night, Lotus, while a stone’s throw away is the relaxed and welcoming Stingo’s.

On the Southside you’ll find Melbourne’s super-club, The Market; the ever-popular Xchange, with drag shows featured almost every night of the week; the always welcoming Diva Bar; the cheap and cheery Greyhound; and of course The Prince of Wales, home to the iconic monthly party, Girl Bar.

Where to get away from it all
Daylesford, the gayest town in country Victoria, is 108 kilometres north-west of Melbourne, in the heart of spa country.

On Melbourne’s doorstep is the Yarra Valley, home to some of the best wineries in the state; and the Dandenong Ranges, where you can enjoy a Devonshire tea and meander through fern tree gullies and misty, mountain ash forests.

Phillip Island boasts Victoria’s most popular tourist attraction, the Penguin Parade, and is also home to colonies of koalas and fur seals. Take a dip in the sheltered beaches of the north coast, or enjoy the rugged splendour of the south coast and its wild surf beaches.

Speaking of surf, a few hours drive down the cliff-hugging Great Ocean Road is the world-famous Bells Beach, home to the Rip Curl Classic.

If you really want to get away from it all, head east from Melbourne to Gippsland, and explore the gold rush ghost town, Walhalla.

In Victoria’s High Country, you can trek the alpine plains in summer, or escape to one of seven snowfields in winter, including Mt Hotham, just three hours drive from Melbourne. And further afield, to the state’s north, is the mighty Murray, Australia’s longest river.