Victoria is Australia's most compact yet culturally rich state, home to the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne, world-famous Great Ocean Road, and diverse landscapes from the Grampians to alpine regions. The state blends urban sophistication with natural wonders, offering everything from world-class dining to pristine national parks.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Great Ocean Road Highlights
The Great Ocean Road is Victoria's most iconic day trip, stretching 244km along the dramatic southwestern coastline. A full-day trip covers the highlights from Torquay through Lorne, Apollo Bay, and into Port Campbell National Park to see the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge.
Highlights: Bells Beach (world famous surf break) · Lorne (charming coastal town for lunch) · Cape Otway Lighthouse (koala spotting) · Twelve Apostles (iconic limestone stacks) · Loch Ard Gorge (dramatic coastal gorge)
Yarra Valley Wine & Wildlife
The Yarra Valley, Victoria's oldest wine region, is just 60km from Melbourne and makes a perfect day trip combining cellar door tastings, exceptional food, and the native wildlife experience at Healesville Sanctuary. The valley produces outstanding cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Highlights: Healesville Sanctuary (native wildlife zoo) · Domaine Chandon cellar door (sparkling wine) · Yering Station cellar door · De Bortoli winery and restaurant · Coombe Farm (formerly Dame Nellie Melba's estate)
Phillip Island Wildlife & Penguins
Phillip Island is one of Victoria's most popular day trips, combining wildlife experiences throughout the day with the famous Penguin Parade at sunset. The island hosts the world's largest little penguin colony alongside koalas, kangaroos, and wallabies.
Highlights: Koala Conservation Centre · Nobbies Centre and seal colony viewing · Churchill Island Heritage Farm · Penguin Parade at Summerland Beach (sunset) · Phillip Island Nature Parks
Ballarat Gold Rush History
Ballarat, 114km west of Melbourne on the Western Highway, is Victoria's most significant gold rush city. Sovereign Hill is the centrepiece — an extraordinary open-air museum recreating the 1850s gold rush township where visitors pan for gold and explore underground mines.
Highlights: Sovereign Hill living museum · Pan for gold (and keep what you find) · Underground mine tour · Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka (MADE) · Ballarat Botanical Gardens · Blood on the Southern Cross evening sound & light show
Mornington Peninsula Wine, Hot Springs & Beaches
The Mornington Peninsula is Melbourne's backyard playground, offering world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from over 60 wineries, the extraordinary Peninsula Hot Springs, beautiful bay beaches, and scenic coastal walks.
Highlights: Peninsula Hot Springs (book in advance) · Red Hill winery tastings (Montalto, Ten Minutes by Tractor) · Bay beaches at Mornington and Mount Martha · Red Hill Market (first Saturday of month) · Mornington Racecourse Sunday Market
Dandenong Ranges & Puffing Billy
The Dandenong Ranges are Melbourne's closest nature escape, offering tall mountain ash forests, giant tree fern gullies, charming villages, and the Puffing Billy heritage steam railway. The 90-minute Puffing Billy journey from Belgrave to Gembrook is one of Victoria's great railway experiences.
Highlights: Puffing Billy steam railway (Belgrave to Gembrook) · William Ricketts Sanctuary (unique sculpture garden) · Village of Sassafras (tearooms and gardens) · RJ Hamer Arboretum · Sky High Mount Dandenong (views and gardens)
Grampians National Park
The Grampians is a full 3-hour drive from Melbourne, making it better suited to an overnight trip though a long day is possible. The highlights include the Pinnacle walk, MacKenzie Falls, Boroka Lookout, and the Aboriginal rock art at Bunjil's Shelter. Spring wildflowers (August-October) are extraordinary.
Highlights: Pinnacle Lookout (hike or short walk) · MacKenzie Falls · Boroka Lookout · Bunjil's Shelter Aboriginal rock art · Halls Gap village and kangaroo feeding
Daylesford & Macedon Ranges Spa Country
Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges form Victoria's 'spa country', sitting atop natural mineral spring aquifers. The town of Daylesford is home to the renowned Lake House restaurant, the Convent Gallery, and multiple day spas with signature mineral water treatments.
Highlights: Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa (mineral spring bathing) · Lake House Restaurant (one of Australia's best regional restaurants) · Convent Gallery · Mineral springs walking trail · Mount Macedon (magnificent gardens)
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Tours
- Organised day tours from Melbourne for Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island, and Yarra Valley start from AUD $80-130 per person and include transport and guides
- Private
- Private car hire or ride-share from Melbourne CBD is available but expensive for longer distances; consider car hire instead
- Public
- V/Line trains and coaches serve Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, and Ballarat without a car; Belgrave train line reaches Dandenong Ranges in 1 hour
- Rental
- Car rental from AUD $45-70/day from Melbourne Airport or CBD; drive on the left in Australia; international driving licences accepted
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Leave Melbourne early (by 7-8am) to maximise your day, especially for more distant destinations like the Great Ocean Road.
Book train tickets at vline.com.au in advance for regional rail discounts, particularly for Ballarat.
Many popular experiences including Peninsula Hot Springs, Penguin Parade, and winery lunches require advance booking — do not leave until the day.
Hire cars available at Melbourne Airport and CBD from AUD $45/day — essential for most day trip destinations.
Myki cards work on regional buses connecting to train stations — top up at Southern Cross Station before departing Melbourne.
Check fire danger ratings at cfa.vic.gov.au before driving through forested areas December-March.