Best Road Trips from Melbourne: Victoria’s Scenic Delights
Melbourne is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city that offers plenty of attractions, culture, and entertainment. But sometimes, you might want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and explore the natural beauty, history, and diversity of Victoria. Fortunately, some of the best road trips in Australia surround Melbourne, offering opportunities to explore stunning scenery, wildlife, food, wine, and more. Whether you are looking for a short getaway or a long adventure, there is a road trip for you.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these incredible road trips and see what makes them so special.
The Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road is one of the most famous and spectacular road trips in the world. It stretches for about 243 km along the southeastern coast of Australia, from Torquay to Allansford, in Victoria. It is one of the world’s longest war memorial roads, built by soldiers who returned from World War I.
The Great Ocean Road offers a variety of attractions along the way, such as Bells Beach (a famous surfing spot), Lorne (a seaside town with cafes and shops), Apollo Bay (a fishing town with a harbour and a beach), Otway National Park (a rainforest park with waterfalls and wildlife), and the Twelve Apostles (a series of limestone rock formations that rise from the ocean).
The Great Ocean Road is a road trip that you can do in one day or up to two or three days, depending on how much time you want to spend at each stop.
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The Yarra Valley
The Yarra Valley is one of the most popular and picturesque road trips from Melbourne. It is only an hour away from the city and it is home to some of the best wineries, restaurants, and attractions in Victoria. It is also known for its beautiful landscapes, rolling hills, and lush forests.
The Yarra Valley offers a variety of attractions along the way, such as Healesville Sanctuary (a wildlife park with native animals), Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery (a sweet treat paradise), TarraWarra Museum of Art (a contemporary art gallery), Yarra Valley Dairy (a cheese factory), and Domaine Chandon (a sparkling wine producer).
The Yarra Valley is a road trip you can do in one day or up to two or three days, depending on how much time you want to spend at each stop.
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Phillip Island
Phillip Island is one of the most fun and family-friendly road trips from Melbourne. It is about two hours away from the city and it is famous for its wildlife, beaches, and attractions. It is also known as the home of the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix
Phillip Island offers a variety of attractions along the way, such as Churchill Island Heritage Farm (a historical farm with animals and activities), Koala Conservation Centre (a sanctuary for koalas), Phillip Island Chocolate Factory (a chocolate wonderland), A Maze’N Things (a theme park with puzzles and games), and Penguin Parade (a nightly event where penguins return to their nests).
Phillip Island is a road trip you can do in one day or up to two or three days, depending on how much time you want to spend at each stop.
If you are looking for places to eat on Phillip Island then click here
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The Grampians
The Grampians are one of the most adventurous and scenic road trips from Melbourne. They are about three hours away from the city and they are a mountain range that offers spectacular views, hiking trails, waterfalls, rock art, and wildlife. They are also known as Gariwerd by the Aboriginal people who have lived there for thousands of years.
The Grampians offer a variety of attractions along the way, such as Halls Gap (a small town with shops and cafes), Brambuk Cultural Centre (a museum that showcases Aboriginal culture), Mackenzie Falls (a stunning waterfall), The Pinnacle (a lookout point with panoramic views), and Boroka Lookout (another lookout point with amazing views).
The Grampians are a road trip you can do in one day or up to three or four days, depending on how much time you want to spend at each stop.
If you are looking for things to do at The Grampians then click here
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The Mornington Peninsula
The Mornington Peninsula is one of the most relaxing and romantic road trips from Melbourne. It is about an hour away from the city and it is a peninsula that offers beaches, hot springs, wineries, golf courses, and more. It is also known as a playground for the rich and famous who have holiday homes there.
The Mornington Peninsula offers a variety of attractions along the way, such as Peninsula Hot Springs (a natural thermal spa), Point Nepean National Park (a historical park with forts and tunnels), Arthurs Seat (a hill with a chairlift and views), Portsea (a seaside town with a pier and a beach), and Red Hill (a wine region with vineyards and restaurants).
The Mornington Peninsula is a road trip you can do in one day or up to two or three days, depending on how much time you want to spend at each stop.
If you are looking for things to do on the Mornington Peninsula then click here
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The High Country
The High Country is one of the most diverse and exciting road trips from Melbourne. It is about three hours away from the city and it is a region that offers mountains, valleys, rivers, lakes, snow, and more. It is also known for its craft beer, wine, food, and history.
The High Country offers a variety of attractions along the way, such as Bright (a charming town with cafes and shops), Mount Buffalo National Park (a park with waterfalls and views), Beechworth (a historic town with gold rush heritage), Milawa (a gourmet region with cheese and wine), and Mount Buller (a ski resort with slopes and snow)1.
The High Country is a road trip you can do in one day or up to four or five days, depending on how much time you want to spend at each stop.
If you are looking for things to do in the High Country then click here
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Ballarat
Ballarat is one of the most interesting and cultural road trips from Melbourne. It is about an hour and a half away from the city and it is a city that offers art, history, nature, and nightlife. It is also known for its gold rush legacy and its role in the Eureka Rebellion.
Ballarat offers a variety of attractions along the way, such as Sovereign Hill (a living museum that recreates the gold rush era), Ballarat Botanical Gardens (a beautiful park with flowers and statues), Art Gallery of Ballarat (the oldest regional art gallery in Australia), Kryal Castle (a medieval-themed park with exhibits and rides), and Lake Wendouree (a scenic lake with activities).
Ballarat is a road trip you can do in one day or up to two or three days, depending on how much time you want to spend at each stop.
If you are looking for things to do in Ballarat then click here
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Bendigo
Bendigo is one of the most vibrant and artistic road trips from Melbourne. It is about two hours away from the city and it is a city that offers art, culture, nature, and wildlife. It is also known for its gold mining history and its Chinese heritage.
Bendigo offers a variety of attractions along the way, such as Bendigo Art Gallery (one of the largest regional art galleries in Australia), Central Deborah Gold Mine (a mine that offers underground tours), Golden Dragon Museum (a museum that showcases Chinese culture), Bendigo Joss House Temple (a Chinese temple that dates back to 1871), and Sacred Heart Cathedral (one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Australia).
Bendigo is a road trip you can do in one day or up to two or three days, depending on how much time you want to spend at each stop.
If you are looking for things to do in Bendigo then click here
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The Bellarine Peninsula
The Bellarine Peninsula is one of the most charming and scenic road trips from Melbourne. It is about an hour and a half away from the city and it is a peninsula that offers beaches, wineries, golf courses, and more. It is also known for its historic towns and its ferry service to Sorrento.
The Bellarine Peninsula offers a variety of attractions along the way, such as Queenscliff (a seaside town with Victorian architecture), Point Lonsdale (a coastal town with a lighthouse and a beach), Barwon Heads (a fishing town with a bridge and a river), Jack Rabbit Vineyard (a winery with views and food), and Adventure Park (a water park with slides and rides).
The Bellarine Peninsula is a road trip you can do in one day or up to two or three days, depending on how much time you want to spend at each stop.
If you are looking for things to do on the Bellarine Peninsula then click here
If you are looking for places to stay on the Bellarine Peninsula then click here
If you are looking for places to eat on the Bellarine Peninsula then click here
The Macedon Ranges
The Macedon Ranges are one of the most tranquil and natural road trips from Melbourne. They are about an hour away from the city and they are a region that offers forests, gardens, lakes, springs, and more. They are also known for their spa towns and their autumn colours.
The Macedon Ranges offer a variety of attractions along the way, such as Hanging Rock (a volcanic rock formation that inspired a novel and a movie), Mount Macedon (a mountain with views and gardens), Daylesford (a spa town with mineral springs and wellness centres), Woodend (a country town with cafes and shops), and Kyneton (a historic town with galleries and restaurants).
The Macedon Ranges are a road trip you can do in one day or up to two or three days, depending on how much time you want to spend at each stop.
If you are looking for things to do in the Macedon Ranges then click here
If you are looking for places to stay in the Macedon Ranges then click here
If you are looking for places to eat in the Macedon Ranges then click here
Final Thoughts
These are some of the best road trips from Melbourne that you should try at least once in your life. They will give you amazing experiences, memories, and photos. They will also inspire you to explore more of this wonderful state.
Have you done any of these road trips? Which one is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below. And don’t forget to share this blog post with your friends who love road trips.
Happy travels!
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