Autumn Leaves Victoria | TOT: HOT OR NOT

Autumn is in the air and that can only mean one thing: glorious autumn leaves. It’s time to experience the beauty of autumn in Victoria.

During autumn Victoria shines. March, April and May are the months that the vibrant autumn foliage of Regional Victoria transforms country towns into a breathtaking sight. Additionally, autumn festivals mean that there’s no better time to visit the regions this season.

There are plenty of places to catch a view of the autumn leaves Victoria has to offer, but here are 11 of the best.

Some towns are easy day-trip locations from Melbourne but for some you might prefer an overnight stay.

Click here if you’re looking for places to see Autumn leaves in Melbourne.

Places to Visit in Victoria in Autumn

1. Bright

Victoria’s High Country is home to some of the state’s most spectacular seasonal autumn foliage.

That makes it the perfect setting for the Bright Autumn Festival, one of Victoria’s most charming autumn celebrations. This year it’s from Friday 22 April to Sunday 1 May, with the Gala Weekend on Saturday 30 April featuring a market, music in the streets and a grand parade.

2. Marysville

Autumn in Marysville is a time of great beauty, with its colourful trees, crisp mountain air and all-around peaceful atmosphere. The deep reds, oranges and yellows of the deciduous trees are visible through the town, bringing the mountain town to life.

3. Ballarat

Ballarat’s Avenue of Honour is lined with 3801 trees, each representing a man and woman from Ballarat who served in World War One. It is the longest memorial avenue in the Southern Hemisphere. Walk down the spectacle of red and golden oaks and elm trees and be captivated by the sight.

4. Walhalla

This sleepy gold rush-era town in Gippsland is home to only 20 permanent residents and visiting is like taking a step back in time.

Take a peaceful ride on the Walhalla Goldfields Railway through the beautiful Stringers Creek Gorge and Happy Creek. In Autumn the majority of the train line trundles through vibrant hues of colourful foliage. You can also walk along the Walhalla Goldfields Rail Trail to enjoy the same picturesque views if that’s more your style.

The Walhalla Tramline Walk also offers great views of Walhalla township, nestled amongst gold and red leaves below.

5. Daylesford

Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens and Lake Daylesford both offer opportunities to spot autumn leaves in Daylesford.

At Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens make sure you climb up the Pioneers Lookout Tower for panoramic views of the Autumnal tapestry below as well as uninterrupted views of the town.

6. Castlemaine

Castlemaine is an excellent destination for those who want to unwind in a quaint country town where creativity, gold rush era history and great food and wine are celebrated.

The Castlemaine Botanical Gardens is home to an impressive collection of established native and exotic trees, with a beautiful ornamental lake surrounded by open landscaped gardens. In autumn the oaks and poplars show off their spectacular colours, making it a veritable kaleidoscope of yellows, reds and browns.

The gentle paths and an adventure playground make it a popular destination for families.

The Goldfields Track that crosses through Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park offers a delightful tunnel of colourful deciduous trees in Autumn.

7. Dandenong Ranges

‘The Hills’ are close enough to Melbourne to escape there at a moment’s notice, but far enough away to appreciate nature and the tranquillity on offer.

There’s no time like autumn for a walk in the Dandenongs – take your time to appreciate the panorama of colours in some of the Dandenong Ranges’ best gardens, including Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden, Alfred Nicholas Gardens, George Tindale Memorial Garden and RJ Hamer Arboretum.

8. Buchan

Buchan is a small town in an East Gippsland valley that is surrounded by European trees, which makes for a stunning show in autumn.

The town is most famous for Buchan Caves, formed by underground rivers cutting through layers of limestone rock and featuring impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations.

9. Macedon Ranges

The cool climate of the Macedon Ranges makes it the perfect location for spotting autumn colours near Melbourne and the whole region celebrates the season with the Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival. The program of events, nature experiences, art exhibitions and food and wine trails is running from Friday 25 March to Monday 25 April 2022.

One of Macedon’s most popular tourist attractions is the Avenue of Honour, an avenue of Pin Oak trees that honours the 154 men and women of Macedon and Mount Macedon who fought in World War I.

the Avenue of Honor attracts a lot of visitors in Autumn, so there are temporary traffic management measures in place during this time.

As you head up towards Mount Macedon, peek inside stunning private gardens that are open to the public, such as Forest Glade. In Autumn these gardens offer the perfect opportunity to stroll amongst autumnal foliage, woodlands and gullies.

The Macedon Ranges also has two notable historical gardens with European trees that provide a colourful leaf fall – Kyneton Botanic Gardens and Malmsbury Botanic Gardens.

10. Heathcote

The Valley of Liquidambers is a beautiful, tranquil location that’s close to the centre of town and adjacent to the McIvor Creek and caravan park. It’s not very big, but that doesn’t stop it from being superbly colourful in autumn. A great place for a picnic!

After exploring the area, head back into Heathcote’s main street via the swinging bridge.

11. Mansfield

This charming town at the base of Mount Buller turns from green to red to gold during autumn. Most prominent are the tall poplars dotted throughout the farmland, roadsides and riverbanks.

While you’re there explore the natural beauty of the lake and local walking tracks or go even go ballooning.

11 Best Places to Visit Autumn Leaves in Victoria