5 Top Day Trips from Melbourne

While Melbourne often features on many travelers’ Australian bucket lists, there are so many awesome experiences to be found within easy reach of the city.

After you’ve hit the city’s numerous cultural sites, cruised the Yarra River, shopped till you dropped and enjoyed the main sightseeing spots, it could be time to venture a bit farther afield and discover surrounding areas. Diverse day trips from Melbourne can add even more depth to your travels in Victoria.

Yarra Valley Vineyards

Within an hour’s drive of Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is the oldest wine-growing area in Victoria. A popular day trip from Melbourne, spend time touring local wineries and vineyards as you soak up the scenic views.

A world apart from the hustle and bustle of the city, the area offers delectable cuisine as well as tasty wines. If wines don’t quite float your boat the area also has a number of breweries and cider factories.

Photo CC by Kym Wallis.

Phillip Island

Fewer than 90 miles from the city, Phillip Island is a top place for nature lovers. Connected to the mainland by bridge, you can reach the island by road or by ferry.

Watch the parade of Little Penguins each evening as the cute creatures come back to land after a busy day fishing out at sea. Seals, koalas and plentiful birds are other wildlife you can see around the island. The beaches are perfect for relaxing and surfing and there are terrific opportunities for fishing. Motor racing fans can check out the Grand Prix circuit.

Queenscliff

Queenscliff is a charming seaside resort that became popular in the Victorian period. It is also a magnet for artists, and you can pass several pleasant hours strolling around the small galleries and workshops.

Head out on the ocean for dolphin-spotting adventures or fishing fun. Learn more about the area’s sea life at the Queenscliff Marine Discovery Centre. Other local attractions include Fort Queenscliff Museum and Queenscliff Library.

Hanging Rock

Within the Macedon Ranges, Hanging Rock is one of the most unusual day trips from Melbourne. A natural curiosity, the large and ancient volcanic rock offers lots of small nooks and crannies to explore and heaps of cool photo opportunities. Climbing to the top will take around 45 minutes.

Sherbrooke Forest

Sherbrooke Forest is part of the glorious Dandenongs, a low-rise mountain range outside of Melbourne. Various walking trails make enjoying the great outdoors easy. Sherbrooke Falls is a popular walk. Lyrebirds call the forest home, as well as other interesting creatures. Exploring the forest is a top way to have a breath of fresh air and take a break from city life.

If you don’t mind a long journey, Gippsland and its diverse national parks could be a great destination for day trips from Melbourne. Try and stay overnight, though, if you have the time to do so. Other suggestions include the 12 Apostles, the Mornington Peninsula, Grampians National Park, Geelong and Lake Mountain.

Transport

Although tours are available for various day trips from Melbourne, why restrict yourself to somebody else’s itinerary if you don’t need to? Check out public transportation options’ you may be able to get there easily by local bus or train.

Alternatively, how about renting a car for a few days? If you don’t have a valid driving license, no problem; you can easily take some lessons and learn to drive in Melbourne.

As well as opening up terrific day trips from Melbourne, you can also then look into discovering other parts of the vast country on a fascinating road trip. Great Ocean Road, anyone?