Travel: Victoria, Australia

It's a certainty that at some point during this arctic winter, probably during the next snow-induced shutdown of the country, you'll start pondering drastic escape routes.

With much of the Northern Hemisphere shivering in temperatures reminiscent of the last ice age the southern part of the globe is where that seemingly distant season of summer is currently hiding.

Sun-blessed Australia has always held an allure for the Scottish Diaspora and if you're driven to flee the excesses of this winter then you can't get much further away than down under to the state of Victoria.

Those making the 10,500 mile journey from Glasgow to Melbourne will find a vibrant city and region basking in the midst of an Australian summer.

So having landed in Victoria determined to banish the winter blues how do you make the most out of your stay?

Here we explore the highlights of what the state has to offer.

With its lush green city parks and countless galleries Melbourne is frequently lauded as being the most cultural and aesthetically pleasing

city in Australia.

The city, unlike its rival Sydney, has retained much of its older architecture.

Towering glass-fronted skyscrapers mingle seamlessly with 18th century buildings built during the gold rush era.

Those taking time to explore the city will discover an intricate urban fabric.

A walk with Hidden Secrets Tours, $115 per person, www.hiddensecretstours.com, will take you away from the main streets and into a cavernous network of alleyways rejuvenated through art, boutique shops and cafes.

Melbourne has a wealth of accommodation to suit any budget however if you're looking to spoil yourself then the Crown Metropole, rooms from $275 per night, www.crownmetropol.com.au, offers a big slice of luxury right in the centre of the city.

Part of the sprawling Crown Casino complex it exudes opulence inside and out.

The 28-story glass structure boasts a top-floor swimming pool with breath-taking views over the city.

You won't struggle for places to eat in Melbourne with over 3,000 eateries catering for all tastes.

The Yarra River, which snakes through the heart of the city, is dotted with a wide variety of restaurants.

One to look out for is Tutto Benne, an Italian influenced restaurant risotteria.

While Melbourne, thanks to its super-efficient tram service, is easy to get around Victoria is a big beast and it pays to hire

a car, take your time and enjoy some of the spectacular scenery on offer.

Upon leaving the city, the temptation for many visitors is to head west to the start of the Great Ocean Road .

However it's worth taking the scenic route south through the Mornington Peninsula.

Many Scots made their mark in business and politics in the 18th and 19th century and as you drive out of the city you'll notice

numerous signs pointing to Scottish sounding suburbs and placenames - St Kilda, Skye and Montrose to name but a few.

Half-an-hour on the road and you'll find yourself surrounded by lush green vineyards.

A boot-shaped land mass, the peninsula is the traditional seaside holiday destination for Victoria's residents.

Mornington is a Mecca for golfers with 14 championship courses, including Moonah which hosts the Australian Open, plus there are over 200 wineries in the region.

Worthy of a visit is the Montalto, www.montalto.com.au.

A pleasant afternoon can be had sampling chardonnay followed by lunch in the vineyard's timber-and-glass restaurant which overlooks 70 acres of vines and olive groves.

The estate hosts a sculpture prize every year with evidence of previous entrants' work scattered throughout.

Mornington also has its very own collection of underwater hot springs.

Visitors to Peninsula Hot Springs, entry costs from $25 per person, www.peninsulahotsprings.com, can enjoy plunging from one 40C mineral-rich pool to the next and expect to emerge refreshed and reinvigorated.

After touring the Peninsula, you can take the short ferry ride from Sorrento to Queenscliff and join the Great Ocean Road at Torquay, fares cost $7.50 per adult one way with a charge of $48 to $54 per car, www.searoad.com.au.

The Great Ocean Road is a Mecca for tourists although at many points along the route you'll feel as if you have the road to yourself.

Built by returning soldiers from WW1 in many places it is carved out of the cliff face.

The road truly is an engineering marvel while also being a joy to drive along.

It hugs the coast for much of the near 170-mile route from Torquay to Warrnambool however there are a few points where it heads inland.

The first break comes at Apollo Bay which also marks the start of the Great Ocean Walk, www.greatoceanwalk.com.

The 104-kilometre trail offers the chance to visit parts of the coast missed by those sticking to the traditional route.

Those opting to step out of the car and don their walking boots will be rewarded with deserted beaches, rugged cliff-tops

and remnants from long-sunken ships.

We were given a taste of one of these remote beaches by Gavin Brown, owner of walking tours company Bothfeet.

Standing on the deserted Johanna Beach with cold refreshing blasts coming in from the Antarctic was one of those

moments that makes you pause, take note and appreciate where you are.

While the hypnotic turquoise waves may seem peaceful, the 200 or so shipwrecks scattered along this coast are testament to

how ferocious these waters can be.

The ominously named Wreck Beach, near Princetown, is littered with anchors from shipwrecked vessels.

There are precious few places where the natural wonder and scale of what's in front of you leaves you lost for words.

The site of the Twelve Apostles, of which only eight remain standing, is one.

On the large wooden viewing platform , hundreds of visitors from all corners of the globe stood in hushed reverence marvelling at the

geological marvels ahead.

There was no noise bar the odd camera click and the humming from helicopters ferrying visitors above for a better view.

For around $95 you can be whisked 1,500 feet above these magnificent structures.

From this vantage point you are able to appreciate thousands of years of evolution in which the brilliant white waves below have devoured and moulded the soft golden rock of this coastline.

Facts

Emirates fly to Melbourne from Glasgow via Dubai with return economy class fares starting at 993 and return business class fares costing

from 3,457. For more information or to make a reservation, call 0844 800 2777 or visit www.emirates.com/uk.