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 spend summer days at Wilson’s Prom on a Melbourne day trip.
When the weekend arrives, it can be difficult to decide where to choose from the many day trips from Melbourne, Australia.
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 some of the places in Victoria to get away from it all only an hour or two from Melbourne.
These 10 Ultimate Melbourne day trips will provide inspiration for a day trip to escape the stress of the city.
Tidal River
Wilson’s Promontory is a best kept secret in Australia, and has joined the list of popular Melbourne day trips. Tidal River is a place close to my heart 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 perfect for young families, or to go canoeing or kayaking.
The 3 hour drive from Melbourne is worth it, to see the stunning landscape within this national park.
You’ll see plenty of Australian wildlife at Tidal River, including wombats, koalas and wallabies. All which are very used to families camping in the area.
If you love beach time, take your pick of the 10+ beaches near Tidal River. Leave Melbourne early to ensure you have plenty of time at Tidal River and the wider national park.
Macedon Ranges
When deciding on a day trip in Melbourne, The Macedon Ranges in regional Victoria are a beautiful choice. Located at the southern end of Victoria’s Great Dividing Range, The Macedon Ranges feature many natural and cultural attractions.
Only a one hour drive northwest of Melbourne, Macedon Regional Park is 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 space for large groups. Sanatorium Picnic Ground has 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 scones at the Top of The Range Tea Rooms, or discover a historic garden like Forest Glad Gardens.
Autumn is beautiful in this area of Victoria. The change in season creates stunning colours in the towns and surrounding areas of Woodend and Macedon.
The Grampians
If you visit The Grampians National Park, you will find untamed mountain ranges, beautiful wildflowers, and Aboriginal rock art sites.
The Grampians are a group of five stunning sandstone ridges that stretch from north to south. The eastern side 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 spectacular falls, and lookouts with big sweeping views. Splitters Falls is an easy walk from Halls Gap to see some waterfalls while on a short day hike.
For 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 experienced surfers, Bells Beach and Jan Juc are popular. The towering cliffs offer ideal viewing points to watch the action.
There are plenty of top rated restaurants, wineries, shopping and beaches which are perfect for families to experience.
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.
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 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, Australia.
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, and surrounding towns are perfect for taking one of the many Melbourne tours. Or 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!
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. Hiking, botanical gardens, historical places, and shopping for antiques are all popular with visitors.
The recent influx of music and arts community in Castlemaine means there is always something interesting going on. See this list for current events on in the area of Castlemaine.
Hepburn
Many visit Hepburn and the surrounding towns of Clunes, Creswick, Daylesford and Trentham to join the thriving community. The area is known for artists, healers, gardeners, writers, and musicians. You can really 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 f rom the carpark, offering a breathtaking view of the falls. Alternatively the second lookout has a difficult trek down, but the view from the fern valley makes the effort worthwhile.
If you visit the town of Lorne, you’ll discover some great restaurants, shopping and surf breaks on your front doorstep. Lorne is another ideal place to stop when visiting the Great Ocean Road on a day trip from Melbourne.
Arthurs Seat
Situated 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 family attractions, and for the ultimate views.
Conclusion
There are many more Melbourne day trips. This list is only a start for those not familiar with all the options in outer Victoria. Victoria really is beautiful. Day tripping in Victoria from October to April are the best times to visit.
