Great Southern Touring Route

Widely regarded as Australia's culture capital, this is a place where fashion, music and food come together. It's also a great sporting city plus its suburbs could keep any shopaholic busy for weeks. What better way to start your explorations than to venture along its laneways to check out the riotous colour of street art, cutting edge boutiques, chic restaurants and bars.

Collect your hire car and ease into your road trip with a leisurely drive to Torquay, which marks the official start of the Great Ocean Road. Here, you can explore some of Australia's best-known surf beaches or, if you prefer, stop at Anglesea for a detour to the golf course, famous for the kangaroos lounging under the trees surrounding the greens. Continue to Lorne, which is a perfect lunch spot before following the Great Ocean Road into the lush Otway National Park where, if you wish, you could take a tour of the Cape Otway lighthouse.

Back on the Great Ocean Road, ensure your camera is to hand for the spectacular coastline leading to Port Campbell and its famous Twelve Apostles. Stop and descend the Gibson Steps for a walk on the wild beach for a ground-level view of these magnificent rock stacks that rise up from the Southern Ocean (60 miles).

Veer away from the coast and drive inland for the Grampians, a majestic mountain range and forest rising out of flat farmland (93 miles). Spend day 6 getting acquainted with Grampians National Park. Discover grand and rugged mountain ranges, spectacular wildflower displays, a wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities, and a wealth of Aboriginal rock art sites. Set out on one of the numerous walking tracks, stopping here and there to absorb the stunning panoramic views.

Travel eastwards today for the rich cultural hub of Ballarat. Explore the city's gold rush heritage with a visit to Sovereign Hill, Ballarat's open-air museum which depicts life in the region during the 1850s. If food is your thing, you'll be delighted to learn that Ballarat is an established foodie destination so, recharge and refuel at one of the town's popular eateries, breweries or cafés (90 miles).

Linger a little longer by taking a stroll around Ballarat Botanical Gardens or while away some time at the Art Gallery of Ballarat, one of the oldest in Australia. During the drive back to Melbourne, perhaps stop for a leisurely lunch in Daylesford whilst taking in the lake views. Another possible detour is to Hepburn Springs where you can taste the waters or even soak them up with a pampering spa at Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa.