10 Things to Do for Valentine’s Day

When most people hear ‘regional’ in Australia their immediate thoughts tend to be open plains and nothing but farms, but we can safely say that regional Victoria has plenty to offer, especially for romantic occasions like Valentine’s Day.

If we’re going to give you a guide to regional Victoria, it’s probably worth answering a few common questions like ‘Where is regional Victoria?’ and ‘Where does regional Victoria start?’.

To answer the first question, regional Victoria (which is also known as country Victoria) is technically defined as encompassing all the areas of the state of Victoria outside of Melbourne.

As a result, this means the regional areas in Victoria are expansive, but there are 10 key local government areas that are considered regional cities.

This means the regional areas of Victoria are:

● Ballarat

● Greater Bendigo

● Greater Geelong

● Greater Shepparton

● Horsham

● Latrobe

● Mildura

● Wangaratta

● Warrnambool

● Wodonga

Now with the geography lesson is out of the way, we can get back to helping you craft the perfect Valentine’s Day and avoid the last-minute scramble for ideas, or worse, the 8am morning-of supermarket run for flowers.

Whether it's your first Valentine’s Day out in the country or another spent with a partner you love, our roundup is sure to help keep you both busy and set the mood for the day.

For Those Who Want to Escape

Sometimes the best thing for couples is a break from the mundane and a change of scenery to help fan that romantic spark, and there are plenty of places to visit in regional Victoria to give you just that.

1. Japanese Mountain Retreat

If you want to get away, Montrose is home to a Japanese Mountain Retreat that is the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. With beautiful scenery in the Japanese gardens, each couple will get their own private bathing space, but you can also enjoy massages, aromatherapy facials and their Roman bathhouse. Perfect for a weekend getaway or more.

Japanese Mountain Retreat

2. Lakeside Villas at Crittenden Estate

Located on the water overlooking the vineyards of the Crittenden Estate in Dromana, these lakeside villas are the perfect way to relax for a weekend getaway. Make the most of the restaurant and winery on the grounds, mixed with quality time spent with your partner enjoying the tranquil views from your villa.

Lakeside Villas - Crittenden Estate

For Those Who Want to Relax

If you’re a couple that enjoys the finer things and life’s quieter moments, a spa trip could be the perfect way to spend Valentine’s Day and you’ll be spoilt for choice with many tucked around the regional areas in Victoria.

3. Deep Blue Hot Springs

Out in Warrnambool Deep Blue Hot Springs has geothermal rock pools, aromatherapy pools and much more. With options including 15 bathing experiences, massages, body scrubs and facials you can enjoy all the classic spa experiences or soak in water enriched with natural minerals.

Deep Blue Hot Springs

4. Ballarat Day Spa

As the name suggests, you’ll find this gem of a spa in Ballarat, offering holistic healing and nurturing treatments. With plenty of gorgeous features including a floating pedicure lounge, sauna, and heated hydrotherapy pool plus a relaxation lounge with an open fireplace, filling a day here with activities to unwind will be no challenge at all. This spa has won Australia’s Best Luxury Spa award not once, but twice in 2019 and 2021, so bookings are a must!

Ballarat Day Spa

5. Piaf Day Spa

Known as the Yarra Valley’s specialist spa destination, Piaf Day Spa is the epitome of peacefulness thanks to its 10-acre rainforest sanctuary. With beautiful views and products made from natural botanicals, by the time you leave both you and your partner will feels relaxed and re-energised. Indulge in facials, massages, or a range of any of their rituals for a day well spent.

Piaf Day Spa

For The Adventurous Couple

We know some couples love a bit of adventure, and luckily regional areas in Victoria have plenty to offer.

6. Tandem Skydive

If you and your partner prefer to walk (or in this case jump) on the wild side, there’s no time like the present to dabble in some skydiving. Skydiving over the Great Ocean Road is hard to pass up for any adrenaline junkie, assuming they manage to keep their eyes open on the way down.

If you’re worried about missing the view, don’t worry - there’s a 20-minute flight before your tandem jump so you can still take in the ambience at your leisure. Enjoy a 60 second freefall with the best views of Torquay and Bells Beach. You’ll be sure to work up an appetite after the adrenaline burns off, so be prepared to go for a bite afterwards or pre-plan a little picnic nearby for the ultimate Valentine’s Day experience.

Tandem Skydive

7. Hot Air Balloon Ride

If you want to see the sky without jumping out of it, you always have the option for a hot air balloon flight over Mansfield. You can take in the Alpine Ranges and the beautiful Victorian countryside. With the option of a souvenir like a take home pack including photos from your experience, this could be the perfect day well spent.

Hot Air Balloon Ride

For the Foodie

It’s not really a Valentine’s Day guide unless there’s some romantic restaurants on the list. If you’re looking for a delicious meal (since you’ve got good company sorted) we have a few of regional Victoria’s best restaurants to recommend.

8. Wickens At Royal Mail Hotel

Located three hours outside of Melbourne in Dunkeld, Wickens at the Royal Mail Hotel offers a chef’s tasting menu, which changes seasonally based on the produce of the season which is grown on site. Often referred to as ‘destination dining’ the incredible scenic views of the Grampians National Park provide a beautiful backdrop to your meal. As if that isn’t enough, all the tables are positioned facing the kitchen, so you can watch a team of cooks create your meal. The restaurant can take your dietary preferences into account ahead of time (vegetarian, vegan, gluten or lactose intolerance and more) and you can book wine pairings with your menu.

If you’re planning to be in a food coma after your meal, you can turn it into a staycation with any one of their Royal Mail Hotel rooms. Choose from mountain view rooms, apartments, cottages and more. Whether dining in or staying the night (or the weekend) this restaurant is sure to dazzle and delight, having been awarded two hats by Good Food Guide 2020.

Wickens At Royal Mail Hotel

9. Brae

If garden to table tickles your fancy, it’s hard to go past Brae, which is located in Birregurra on a hillside with its own working organic farm. Their Australian cuisine puts a focus on local ingredients, whether grown by Brae’s farm or their network of ethical producers. Designed for guests to explore the grounds and learn more about their food production, Brae is as educational as it is astounding. Another two for one deal, Brae also features six guest suites so you can take in the beautiful natural surroundings from the comfort of a king bed or a sky light (perfect for some post-dinner star gazing). Named as one of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2021 by Good Food Guide, this is one not to be missed any year.

Brae

10. IGNI

Located in the Geelong CBD Igni is perfect for fire and smoke lovers since their entire experience is centred around the charcoal grill. Indulge in drama, flavour and seasonal produce for an experience that is all about food. An understated interior means your focus stays on the food (and each other). The set lunch menu is sure to delight, especially given Igni was a finalist for 2020’s Gourmet Traveller’s Restaurant of the Year and has been awarded not one but two hats from Good Food Guide.

Igni

Whether you need some inspiration to make this year memorable or want to get a jump start on planning for Valentine’s Day 2023, our top picks are undoubtedly some of the best places to visit in regional Victoria.

Must Do: Valentine’s Day in Regional Victoria

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