It is pretty special that you can experience the dramatic coastlines of the Great Ocean Road, sip world-class wines in the Yarra Valley, and take in the laid-back summer days at the Mornington Peninsula and Wilson’s Prom on one of the many Melbourne day trips.
When the weekend or that eagerly anticipated public holiday arrives, it can be difficult to decide where to choose from the many day trips from Melbourne.
Are you a beach person, or do you love old towns and delicious food? I love leaving the busyness of Melbourne for some beach time, in any season.
National parks, gold rush towns and sandy beaches are only a few of the places in Victoria where you can get away from it all and still be an hour or two to away from the Melbourne CBD.
These 10 Ultimate Melbourne day trips will provide you with inspiration and are ideal for a day trip to escape the stress of the city.
Tidal River
Tidal River, Wilson’s Promontory is one of the best kept secrets in Australia, and has joined the list of popular Melbourne day trips. Tidal River is a place close to my heart, and many others for its natural charm, warm, clean river water and sheltered coves.
The ‘tidal’ river meets the sea at Norman Bay and is a stones throw to the Tidal River Campground. With its boulder-lined riverbank, the tea tree-coloured river is the perfect place for young families, or to go canoeing or kayaking.
The 3 hour drive to Wilson’s Prom from Melbourne is worth it, to see the much loved, stunning landscape within this national park.
You’ll no doubt see plenty of Australian wildlife at Tidal River, including wombats, koalas and wallabies, some of which are very tame and used to families camping in the area.
If you love beach time, take your pick of the 10+ beaches near Tidal River. Make the most of it and leave Melbourne early, to ensure you have plenty of hours at Tidal River and the wider national park of Wilsons Promontory.
![Melbourne Day Trips, Tidal River.](https://notatourist.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/11-768x1024.png)
Macedon Ranges
When choosing where to go for a day trip in Melbourne, The Macedon Ranges in regional Victoria are an easy and beautiful choice. Located at the southern end of Victoria’s Great Dividing Range, The Macedon Ranges feature many natural and cultural attractions.
Taking only one hour drive northwest of Melbourne, Macedon Regional Park and the small towns throughout the Ranges are perfect for a day trip from Melbourne.
You can have a picnic at one of the 6 picnic spots. Harbison Picnic Ground has free bbqs, under cover areas and toilets. Days Picnic Ground has great space for both small and larger groups, while historical Sanatorium Picnic Ground is the perfect spot for smaller groups with easy access to the Sanatorium Lake Eco Trail.
There are also many scenic drives and optimal lookouts, between the affluent properties and well maintained gardens. Note that some of the roads are subject to seasonal closures. You could stop for tea and scones at the Top of The Range Tea Rooms, or discover one of the many historic gardens like Forest Glad Gardens.
Autumn is beautiful in this area of Victoria, when the change in season creates stunning colours in the towns and surrounding areas of Woodend and Macedon.
The Grampians
If you visit to The Grampians National Park, you will find untamed mountain ranges, beautiful displays of wildflowers, and many Aboriginal rock art sites.
The Grampians are a group of five stunning sandstone ridges that stretch from north to south. The eastern side of the ridges have steep, rocky slopes, while the western side has softer edges which are perfect for day hikes.
If you are interested in seeing waterfalls on your day trip, there are several spectacular waterfalls and lookouts with big sweeping views. Splitters Falls is an easy walk you can take from Halls Gap to see some waterfalls while on a short day hike.
For a short trip to see some stunning and memorable views, add The Grampians to your list of ultimate Melbourne day trips.
Surf Coast
One of the best Melbourne day trips, is to the Surf Coast in Victoria. The famous beginning to the Great Ocean Road spans the Wadawurrung and Eastern Maar peoples’ territory from Torquay, via Anglesea and Aireys Inlet, along to Lorne.
As the name suggests, surfing is popular down here. The world-renowned Rip Curl Pro surfing competition is held annually at Torquay, the birthplace of surfing in the country. For more experienced surfers, Bells Beach and Jan Juc are popular, and towering cliffs offer ideal viewing points to watch the action.
There are also plenty of top rated restaurants, nearby wineries, shopping and beaches which are perfect for families to swim and and take in the coastal breeze.
The towns closer to Melbourne which are best suited to a day trip are Torquay, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet and Fairhaven. Further along the Great Ocean Road, the larger towns of Lorne and Apollo Bay are great to visit but will take a longer drive time out of your day.
![Melbourne Day Trips, Surf Coast Torquay.](https://notatourist.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/13-768x1024.png)
Sorrento
Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula is a popular holiday destination, with many of the real estate in the area mainly owned by wealthy families. This beach side town offers a wide selection of clothing, home décor, antiques, toys, books, surf wear, and more.
Sorrento also offers top rated dining options, including pubs, restaurants, cafés, and gourmet foods.
There are many different types of accommodation available in Sorrento, including Airbnb, hotels, serviced apartments, a backpackers, and vacation homes with views of the sea, countryside or the town centre.
Visiting Sorrento really feels like you are getting out of town. If you like the ease of shopping and dining options readily available on a day trip to the beach, it’s one to consider for a day trip from Melbourne.
Yarra Valley
Take your pick of the many wineries in the Yarra Valley and learn where Victorian wine growing started. Sample the wines, take a tour and try a delicious a meal as you discover the local produce.
The Yarra Valley is perfect for taking one of the many Melbourne tours, or to build some of your own day trips from Melbourne and travel through rolling hills and secluded natural valleys, set against a stunning mountain backdrop and lush forest.
There are hundreds of wineries to choose from. Start with this list of some of my top winery recommendations in the Yarra Valley!
![Melbourne Day Trips. Yarra Valley.](https://notatourist.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/16-768x1024.png)
Castlemaine
One of the best Melbourne day trips in recent years is to the arts focussed country town of Castlemaine. A former gold mining town, Castlemaine is situated in a valley at the crossing of three creeks, halfway between Ballarat and Bendigo.
Located in the Goldfields area of Victoria, Castlemaine is a town approximately 130 kilometres north-west by car from Melbourne. Constructed on the Dja Dja Wurrung’s land, Castlemaine started out as a gold rush boom town in 1851, and on December 4 1965, it was formally declared a city.
There are lots of fun things to do for singles, couples, and families in Castlemaine, like hiking, exploring botanical gardens, and visiting historical places and buildings, as well as shopping for antiques and collectibles.
The recent influx of live music and arts community in Castlemaine means there is always something interested to see in the main town. See this list for current events on in the area of Castlemaine.
Hepburn
Many people visit Hepburn and the surrounding towns of Clunes, Creswick, Daylesford and Trentham to join the thriving community of artists, healers, gardeners, writers, and musicians. Here you can unwind in the healing natural waters of Hepburn Springs, on the ancestral territory of the Dja Dja Wurrung people.
A visit to Hepburn for some ultimate relaxing and pampering is truly one of the best day trips from Melbourne. All you need is in the same area, from massage, delicious food, vintage and craft stores, and the Hepburn springs, which are full of rejuvenating healthy minerals.
You can sample several mineral mixtures from vintage pumps and pipelines, and
Lorne and Erskine Falls
Erskine Falls is a short drive from the popular seaside town of Lorne. It is among the most well-liked and easily located waterfalls in the Otways.
These 30-meter waterfalls are stunning as they cascade into a pool below. The first overlook is a short hike from the carpark, offering a breathtaking view of the falls, or head to the second lookout which a more difficult trek down some steps, but the view from the lovely fern valley makes the effort worthwhile.
If you visit the town of Lorne, you’ll discover some great restaurants, shopping and good surf breaks on your front doorstep. Lorne is another ideal place for a Melbourne day trip when visiting the Great Ocean Road in one day.
Arthurs Seat
Situated around 80 kilometres south-east of Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula is home to the highest peak in the area, Arthurs Seat.
The rural area of Arthurs Seat includes farms, large properties and scenic viewing spots. The Arthurs Seat Eagle or the Enchanted Adventure Park are fun attractions for the family, and for the ultimate views and taking in the surrounding areas.
Arthurs Seat is easy to get to, and a pretty place to visit, with only a short drive to the beach and stunning views of the peninsula and beyond.
Conclusion
There are a lot more Melbourne day trips, and this list is only a start for those not familiar with all the options in outer Victoria. Victoria really is beautiful, and to make the most of your trip, day tripping in Victoria from October to April are the best times to visit.
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