Southwest of Melbourne, the lively suburb of Newport is well-placed for both urban adventures and rural escapes. Within a 20-minute drive, you can be in Melbourne CBD, browsing the shops and museums or working your way through the city’s foodie favourites. Alternatively, it’s a few minutes’ drive to the M1, which runs east to join the famous Great Ocean Road. In Newport itself, the former industrial centre is now better known for its innovative arts centre, The Substation, and a growing number of shops, restaurants, and cafés, though Newport camping is also a convenient choice to get away from the buzz. Two caravan parks sit within close distance, both with powered sites, amenities blocks, and cabin rentals. Neighbouring Williamstown has a beach, a botanical garden, and an impressive Seaworks precinct, while nature lovers can also enjoy walking and bird-walking at Newport Lakes.