BOOK REVIEW: Undiscovered Victoria

Undiscovered Victoria (Hardie Grant Explore, November 1, $45) is a beautiful travel guide that will inspire you to hit the road and uncover hidden locations scattered across regional Victoria.

The One Hour Out team draws on its many years of exploration to showcase the most enriching ways to travel this incredibly diverse state.

From secret waterfalls and isolated beaches, to farm tours, art galleries and elusive wine bars, you'll realise the marquee locations of the Twelve Apostles and Phillip Island penguins don't even scratch the surface when it comes to the breadth of visitor offerings awaiting discovery.

There are compehensive guides to farms, shops, art, eating, drinking, where to walk the water's edge and where you can get close to nature.

Featuring stunning photography, recommended itineraries, First Nations information, historical facts and interviews with locals, this inspirational guide will be your constant companion for unearthing the hidden secrets of Victoria.

Led by founder Jay Dillon, One Hour Out is a collective of writers and photographers who are dedicated to championing the people, products and places of regional Victoria.

Dillon explains that the book was born out of Melbourne's ultra tough COVID-19 lockdown when road trips and regional travel ground to a halt and putting the bins out once a week became our only adventure.

He said once the worst of the pandemic had passed "boy, did we make the most of it".

"Victorians have always been good travellers within their own state, but now a renewed interest in our local surroundings appeared," he said.

"Suddenly a 10-day package deal to Phuket didn't have the same appeal. Instead, a three-day canoeing trip down in the south-west of Victoria, paddling through the mist rising against the limestone cliffs as birds darted to and fro from their nests sounded far more appealing."

Instead of heading to Europe, Dillon said try a weekend in a town like Kyneton where you stumble on an old pub completely refitted as a department store including a cocktail bar.

Or rather than book flights elsewhere, drive up the Hume Highway to check out one of the world's largest collections of motor vehicles in Shepparton which includes a selection of Harleys that would make a hardened biker cry.

Their website emphasises what makes regional Victoria so vibrant, and celebrates the lifestyles you can enjoy one hour (or more) out from Melbourne.

So what are you waiting for? Read the book then head off on an adventure.