Where to avoid footy fever
- Written by Victorian Government
While Australian footy is considered a religion and the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground a place of worship for many Victorians, the AFL Grand Final long weekend is an opportunity to escape the city to explore Victoria’s diverse natural landscapes.
For those who don’t know the difference between a ruckman and a rover, here are the top 10 alternative long weekend activities to avoid the Grand Final frenzy that engulfs the footy-mad city.
Discover Wilsons Promontory’s beautiful rugged granite coastline and unique wilderness before uncovering the iconic granite monolith that is Skull Rock. Launching on September 23, visitors can explore the region like never before with a 2.5-hour eco-tour by award winning operator Pennicott Wilderness Journeys. Travel in Pennicott’s world first, custom built amphibious boat to witness iconic South Point, the southernmost tip of mainland Australia and cruise into the waters of Bass Strait and Victoria's first marine national park. Wilsons Promontory Cruises, Tidal River, Victoria, 3960. (03) 6234 4270.
TarraWarra Museum of Art in the Yarra Valley, will exclusively play host to Australia’s oldest and most prestigious art award, the Archibald Prize 2019 from 14 September to 5 November. The annual exhibition provides a snapshot of Australian culture – from politicians and celebrities, to sporting heroes and authors. Among the 51 works in this year’s exhibition are paintings which portray significant Australian subjects including renowned actor David Wenham by Tessa MacKay; director of Queensland Ballet Li Cunxin by Jun Chen; Anh Do’s portrait of artist George Gittoes; Vincent Namatjira’s tribute to his friend and fellow artist Tony Albert; and media commentator Annabel Crabb by Jordan Richardson. TarraWarra Museum of Art, 313 Healesville-Yarra Glen Road, Healesville, Victoria, 3777. (03) 5957 3100.
The iconic Great Ocean Road will celebrate its 100th birthday with a program of events, screenings and experiences titled 'The Story of the Road' from 18 September to 6 October. Celebrating the Great Ocean Road’s rich history, the program connects visitors with one of the most iconic and beautiful coastlines in Australia which stands as the largest war memorial in the world. The centrepiece of the program is a documentary detailing the road's construction and of their lives of World War I returned servicemen as they built the 243-kilometre road. The Story of the Road includes three documentary screening experiences, architecturally designed seating installations, local art works, an augmented reality trail plus a series of short-films housed in art-deco inspired, intimate cinemas made from converted shipping containers. Torquay to Apollo Bay, Great Ocean Road, Lorne, Victoria, 3232.
4. Ballarat International Foto Biennale
Featuring the work of some of the biggest international names in photography, the 2019 Ballarat International Foto Biennale delves deep into photographic explorations of human behaviour and human intervention, traversing the terrain of ecology, rights, race, capital and conflict. Headlining will be an exhibition of work by photographer and social activist, Liu Bolin titled Camouflage, alongside a mid-career retrospective of key photographic works by revered Indigenous Australian artist, Dr. Fiona Foley. The festival includes an outdoor program which will transform the entire city into an open air gallery. The Ballarat International Foto Biennale ends 20 October. National Centre For Photography, 4 Lydiard Street South, Ballarat Central, Victoria, 3350. (03) 5331 4833.
The arrival of spring’s warmer weather marks the return of wildflowers as they transform Victoria into a colourful natural canvas. The Grampians Wildflower Show in Halls Gap will celebrate the wonderful flowers of our Grampians Gariwerd National Park and nearby forests. On-site will be flower displays, experts to help you identify flowers, a display of local indigenous food plants, works from local artist John Tiddy and renowned textile artist Lynn Stone. Halls Gap Hub, Grampians Road, Halls Gap, Victoria, 3381. 0429 201 139.
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