When to go — Victoria

Victoria is best visited from October to April, with a preference for March-April (austral autumn) and November which offer balanced climate and spectacular foliage in the Yarra Valley and at Mount Macedon.

Austral summer (December to February) is the main tourist season: 22-28 °C average in Melbourne, generally clear sky, ideal conditions for the Great Ocean Road and Phillip Island. BUT: Melbourne is famous for its capricious climate ('four seasons in one day') — rapid variations are possible, always plan a jacket and umbrella even in summer. Headline events: Australian Open tennis (mid to late January, Melbourne Park, tickets AUD 50-300), St Kilda Festival (February, free), Australian Grand Prix F1 (March). Bushfire risk in the hinterland (Black Saturday 7 February 2009 killed 173 people, remains a national trauma).

Austral autumn (March-May) is Melbourne's signature season: 15-22 °C, clear sky, café cosy atmosphere, spectacular foliage in April-May (Mount Macedon, Dandenong Ranges, Yarra Valley). Yarra Valley harvests in March-April (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay). May already cooler, ideal for urban culture.

Austral spring (September to November) is also excellent: pleasant climate (15-22 °C), gardens in bloom at Royal Botanic Garden, Melbourne Cup first Tuesday of November (legendary horse race, 350,000 spectators at Flemington, Melbourne public holiday).

Austral winter (June to August) is cold and damp (6-14 °C, frequent rain) — less pleasant for urban Melbourne and Great Ocean Road (road and lookouts battered by storms). But excellent season for skiing in the Victorian Alps (Falls Creek, Mt Buller, Mt Hotham — June to September season, 1h30 to 4h from Melbourne depending on station). Humpback whale watching from Warrnambool (June-September, Logan's Beach Whale Nursery). Melbourne hotel rates at lowest.