Victoria

This is the most southerly and the smallest mainland state in the country (unless you count ACT). It is thickly populated (comparatively speaking) and an industrial powerhouse. As home to Melbourne, the state certainly punches its weight on the social, sporting and cultural front but it is also a state that is of historical significance for white Australians.

The prospector or 'digger' is an iconic image central to the Aussie idea of its own identity and Victoria is riddled with sites relevant to the construction of this image. Squatters helped define the agricultural life of early Australia, these hardy, sheep farming pioneers were the cornerstone of early settlement on the continent. The other Aussie male icon (no, not you Campo!) is the bushranger, epitomised by the steel-hatted Ned Kelly whose stamping ground was the area now covered by the Victoria wineries.

The scenery is not perhaps as awe inspiring as elsewhere but The Grampians and the Victorian Alps offer some great views with hill walking trails, horse riding and mountain biking. The Alps even offer a little skiing in the winter.

With mile on mile of coastline and some of the best surfing on the continent, the beach offers the visitor many different options.

The weather is less extreme than other parts of the country and is even described as 'English' weather with its tendency towards rain at any time of the year.