Lara’s best asset is its strategic location. Hop on the train, and you can stroll along the Southbank or explore the Arts Precinct in Melbourne within 20 minutes. Or, in the same amount of time, drive south to Geelong, Victoria’s second-largest city, where you can relax on the beach and enjoy miles of seafront parklands. Not to mention one of Australia’s most famous road trips, the Great Ocean Road, which starts from nearby Torquay. Lara itself has everything you would expect from a large country town, and it’s easy to escape to the countryside. Head to Serendip Sanctuary to go bird-watching around the wetlands and spot wild kangaroos and emus, then go hiking in the hills at You Yangs Regional Park. Lara campers will find plenty of options ranging from simple bush campgrounds and Hipcamps on local farms to holiday parks and caravan parks with spacious powered sites and full amenities.