Summer's coming up and it's an excellent opportunity to hit the road.
If you're heading across to Australia to soak up some sun, have an adventure and do the Sydney-Melbourne Heritage Drive.
The route, which is one of three to do in Victoria, connects Sydney to Melbourne through Australia's capital, Canberra, the Murray River and Bendigo. There's so much to see and do, it's recommended you allow at least six nights for the trip.
By starting in Sydney, you can tick off visits to its iconic landmarks - the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House and the famous Bondi Beach.
Your drive will take you through the Southern Highlands with its quaint villages and towns and onto Canberra, the perfect self-drive destination.
There are no tolls, traffic is minimal and parking affordable and there are world-class museums and galleries to explore.
For an unusual museum experience, check out the National Dinosaur Museum with more than 150 skeletons and realistic robotic dinosaurs, or go behind the scenes at the Australian Institute of Sport with an elite athlete as your guide.
Your self-drive tour will allow you time to tackle the mighty Murray River.
There is Albury-Wodonga, a friendly place where the great outdoors meets urban culture. See the unique Aboriginal sculptures at the riverside Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk and visit the heritage-listed Bonegilla Migrant Experience and get a glimpse of life as a post-war immigrant.
Echuca Moama, on the banks of the Murray River, is home to the famous paddle steamers and colonial attractions and one of the largest riverboat fleets in the world. No trip to the area is complete without taking a cruise and you can stop for a picnic afterwards.
The last leg of your journey takes you to Bendigo. With its grand gold rush-era buildings and historic attractions, it's rich in history as well as modern culture.
From an underground tour at Central Deborah Gold Mine to a contemporary exhbition at the Bendigo Art Gallery, toThe Great Stupa, home of the largest gem quality Jade Buddha in the world.
Don't leave until you've followed the Food Fossicking Tour, either on your own or with a guide, discovering some of the best restaurants and produce in the region.
Finally, you'll reach Melbourne, the end of your voyage, after taking a trip through history on your self-driving adventure.
This article was created for Visit Victoria. There are three unique self-drive touring routes to explore: The Sydney Melbourne Heritage Drive, Go Beyond Melbourne and the Great Southern Touring Route.
