You could make the journey from Ballarat to Geelong and onto Warrnambool in around three-and-a-half hours, but you’d be skipping all the best bits – the country charm of a historic gold town, the twinkling blue of a bustling bay, the wild coastline that draws visitors in droves.

Instead, take your time to explore. Start with the grand, heritage buildings of Ballarat and the city’s burgeoning local food and wine scene, which heroes superb local produce. When you’ve had your fill, drive south-east past the towering red river gums and the browns and greens of Victoria’s Central Highlands before you arrive at the shimmering waters of Geelong’s Corio Bay. Here, the sea infuses everything, from beachfront eateries serving fish fresh off the trawler, to the cool climate wines of the surrounding Bellarine Peninsula.

Your next stop? Warrnambool, at the western end of the iconic Great Ocean Road. This coastal hamlet’s tranquillity belies the region’s showstopping natural wonders, including the limestone behemoths of the 12 Apostles. Get your cameras ready…