You don't have to rough it just because you've got a dog,writes Lindy Percival.
Patricia Maunder finds a mud-brick haven in the woods where wildlife abounds.
Susan Gough Henly checks in and gets comfortable at some of the best boutique hotels in country Victoria.
Paul Daffey buckles up for a grand road tour of his home state.
<b>French Island</b><br><b>Fascinating historic island south of Melbourne</b><br>French Island is located in Westernport Bay,to the south-east of Melbourne. It measures 18 km by 12 km,has a coastline of 144 km,encompasses 21 800 ha and has a population of less than 60 people. Remarkably,French Island has escaped development over the years and two-thirds of the land mass have recently been declared a State Park. Thus its many natural attractions have been preserved,largely intact.
<b>Shoreham (including Merricks,Merricks North and Point Leo)</b><br><b>Small seaside township on Mornington Peninsula</b><br>Shoreham is a small and very tranquil seaside township of about 200 people located 80 km south of Melbourne on the eastern edge of the Mornington Peninsula. It is just off the Flinders-Frankston Rd and 200 metres from the western shore of Western Port Bay.
<b>Somers (including Balnarring)</b><br><b>Seaside resort on Western Port Bay which is home to Coolart Mansion</b><br>Somers is a popular seaside resort with a safe and pleasant swimming beach located 85 km south-east of Melbourne on the southern shore of the Mornington Peninsula,facing out towards the western entrance to Western Port.