Lara Hobby Horse Centre of Excellence

Lara Hobby Horse Centre of Excellence is a convenient overnight stop if you’re thinking of driving the scenic Great Ocean Road, which starts in Torquay (half an hour by car) and circumnavigates Victoria’s dramatic coastline. It’s also handy for urban forays into Melbourne (50 minutes’ drive to the city centre) to see Aussie art at its best in the National Gallery of Victoria, and learn about indigenous trees in the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria - Melbourne Garden. When all you want to do is chill, you’re in the right place for that too. You have a choice of beaches, from Bells (half an hour), backed by ochre-red cliffs and known for its surfing waves, to strolls along the sandy crescent at Torquay (35 minutes) or kayaking excursions from Avalon Beach (15 minutes). You can also go riding at Elcho Park Equestrian Centre (right next door), play a round of golf at Lara Golf Club (five minutes) or go fishing in Lake Connewarre Wildlife Reserve (35 minutes). If more challenging action is needed, join the Flinders Peak Trail in You Yangs Regional Park (10 minutes) and climb up to the lookout for views over Geelong to Melbourne.