Sometimes all you need is a quick getaway to a location you can drive to, yet still feel like you have had a break. So, pack the car and get driving to these four easy to reach spots within Victoria!
Top 4 Victorian Roadtrip Destinations
1. Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road, two and a half hours drive away from Melbourne, is synonymous with Victoria. We all know of the 12 apostles, and as fantastic as they are, there is more to the Great Ocean road than the awe-inspiring limestone structures. One of the lesser known attractions, only a 15-minute drive away from the apostles, is the Great Ocean Road Wildlife Park. Here you can have interactive encounters with some of Australia’s most treasured wildlife such as emus, dingos, kangaroos, and wallabies. With so many great areas to stay along the Great Ocean Road you’ll be spoilt for choice if you choose to stay a night (or two!). One of these many beautiful places is Lorne, an idyllic location where the beach meets the bush. Located between the glistening waters of Loutit Bay and the majesty of the Otway National Park, Lorne is a prime location to stay during your road trip. Offering great walking tracks with beautiful beach views along its borders, and the magnificent waterfalls of Erskine Falls, Sheoak Falls, and Henderson Falls all within a 10-kilometre radius, you’re sure to have a great stay.
2. Mornington Peninsula
Over on the other side of Victoria, south east from Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula is home to many sights and experiences. It is also a really easy and convenient road trip destination that can comfortably be explored within a day, as it is just over an hour’s drive from Melbourne. Being a Peninsula, the area is home to many great Victorian beaches, such as Safety Beach, and Sorrento Beach further down the coast. Another great place to stop along your drive if you’re looking for something other than the beach, is Arthurs Seat. Once you reach the top of the 304-metre-high granite hill you will be greeted with spectacular views of the beaches below, the Mornington Peninsula, and a view of Melbourne city in the distance on the other side of the bay, giving you that true getaway feeling. If you want to experience the beautiful surroundings from a bird eye view, take the Arthurs Seat Eagle, a cable gondola which soars high above the trees.
3. Daylesford
Located at the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, Daylesford is a quaint little spot oozing regional charm, one and a half hours drive away from Melbourne. If you’re looking for a place where you can relax, unwind, and really slow down for the day (or more!) Daylesford really delivers. If you do decide to stay the night, The Lakehouse is a wonderfully romantic location set within a six-acre country garden that extends down to the water of Lake Daylesford, giving you direct access to the lake shore. Even if you decide to just make your drive to Daylesford a day trip, Lake Daylesford should be on the top of your “to explore” list. The walking track around the lake will take you only 40 minutes which leaves plenty of time for you to replenish yourself at the Boathouse café (which sits directly on the edge of the lake), explore the second hand books from the Bookbarn, or enjoy some non-motorised water sports. Once you’ve taken in Daylesford’s main attraction you’ll be pleased to find it has many other things to offer, such as The Convent Galley, which dates back to the Gold Rush era and houses both local and international works of art, and the Mill Markets which are open 7 days a week from 10am – 6pm (finally a market where you don’t need to rush your Sunday morning brunch to attend!)
4. Phillip Island
Just under two hours’ drive from the heart of Melbourne lies Phillip Island, and its famous penguins. Of course, the main attraction here is the penguin parade – it’s an amazing experience to be able to watch these cute little creatures waddle up onto the sand at sunset, both for kids and adults alike. However, if you aren’t a fan of penguins or are looking for something different to do, there’s no shortage of other options. One such attraction is Antarctic Journey, which is an informative exhibit located in Nobbies Centre that includes informative displays and interactive exhibits to learn about the Antarctic region, including a multimedia exhibit that gives you a taste of what it feels like to be in Antarctica, temperature and all! If you enjoy chocolate (and who doesn’t!) than a trip to Panny’s Phillip Island Chocolate factory is a must. You can pop in for a quick coffee and chocolate fix, or stay a while longer and learn about how chocolate is made, with exhibits including scaled down versions of equipment used that you can test for yourself, as well as being able to make your own customised chocolate!
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