15 Day Trips From Melbourne | Road Trips, Island Getaways & Nat’l Parks

Day trips from Melbourne enable locals and tourists to experience the diversity of Australia and temporarily escape the confines of city life. With options like Churchill National Park, Mount Buller and miles and miles of ocean road and vineyards, tourists seeking an authentic Australian experience are sure to find a perfect vacation destination. Get tips on 15 of the best-rated Melbourne day trips, and start planning an itinerary for a holiday in Australia today!

Day Trips from Melbourne | 1. Great Ocean Road

Great Ocean Road is a 243 km scenic driving trail that runs along the southeastern coast of Victoria and spans from the city of Torquay to Allansford. Torquay is only about 100 km from Melbourne – making it one of the most accessible day trips from Melbourne. Listed as an Australian National Heritage, Great Ocean Road is a coastal mecca for road trip enthusiasts, as its route passes through spectacular cliffs and epic rock formations, including Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge Great Ocean Road, and Twelve Apostles. The drive also takes you to Great Otway National Park and along Kennet River – popular places for hiking, zip-lining, and seeing koalas in their natural habitat.

Check In to Great Ocean Road Resort, Step Out to Great Ocean Road

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Day Trips from Melbourne | 2. Lorne

Accessible by Great Ocean Road and definitely worthy of a day trip from Melbourne for its beauty and charm, Lorne is an enticing town that embodies Mediterranean splendor. This may not be an ideal quiet getaway during Christmas or peak travel time, as this is a popular destination for seasonal tourists.

Check In to Anchorage Motel & Villas Lorne, Step Out to Lorne

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Day Trips from Melbourne | 3. Phillip Island

Just southeast of Mornington Peninsula, Phillip Island is thriving with wildlife. The iconic penguin parade has been preserved to protect the penguins that populate Summerlands peninsula every evening as the sun descends. You will also find kangaroos, seals, and a variety of other animals native to Australia.

Check In to Phillip Island Apartments, Step Out to Phillip Island

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Day Trips from Melbourne | 4. Hanging Rock Reserve

Located 77 km northwest of Melbourne, Hanging Rock Reserve is an excellent outdoor venture to get away on a day trip. It has an extensive history and is listed on the Victoria Heritage Register. Aside from its moving history, the landscape of Hanging Rock Reserve is stunning. This is one of the best day trips from Melbourne for picnics and a leisurely hikes, venturing through side trails and exploring the heartwarming wilderness of Australia. Many travelers report that in a day’s time, they come close to different wildlife, including echidnas, kangaroos, koalas, wallabies and wombats.

Check In to Hanging Rock Family Motel, Step Out to Hanging Rock Reserve

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Day Trips from Melbourne | 5. Yarra Valley

Yarra Valley, also known as the Yarra Ranges, is only about 30 km from Melbourne and offers a tremendous number of fun options for travelers of all ages. Picking fresh fruits and vegetables from farms and farmers markets, walking trails, theme park excitement, wine tasting and vineyard tours, animal sanctuaries, playgrounds, and a seemingly endless list of other options make Yarra Valley one of the best day trips from Melbourne.

Check In to Yarra Valley Lodge, Step Out to Yarra Valley

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Day Trips from Melbourne | 6. Grampians National Park

Grampians National Park is a nature reserve which is listed as a national heritage and honored and protected by the Australian Heritage Council. The park is about 260 km northwest of Melbourne and is teeming with floral varieties, wildlife and Aboriginal rock art and features a rich and diverse landscape.

Check In to The Grampians Motel, Step Out to Grampians National Park

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Day Trips from Melbourne | 7. Wilsons Promontory National Park

Wilsons Promontory National Park is located at the southernmost tip of Australia’s mainland. You can catch a seasonal migration of whales during the months of September through November, and the region is a perfect place to spot wallabies.

Check In to Prom Coast Apartments, Step Out to Wilsons Promontory

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Day Trips from Melbourne | 8. St Kilda

Just 7 km south of Melbourne CBD, St Kilda is a unique beach city that hosts peculiar diners, coffee shops and traveler bars. Throughout the entire year, you can find exuberant nightlife in St Kilda, as well.

Check In to Melbourne St Kilda Hotel, Step Out to St Kilda

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Day Trips from Melbourne | 9. Daylesford

For a luxurious day trip from Melbourne, Daylesford is only 114 km northwest of Melbourne. Daylesford offers upscale shops, exquisite galleries, international cuisine and the Daylesford Spa Country Railway. You can even follow all that up with a relaxing evening at the Daylesford Spa Accommodation.

Check In to The Daylesford Hotel, Step Out to Daylesford

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Day Trips from Melbourne | 10. Dandedong Ranges

Located only 48 km east of Melbourne, Dandedong Ranges contain an impressive variety of forests, hiking trails, picnic areas, and even an opportunity to board a 100-year-old steam engine train.

Check In to Dandedong Ranges Cottages, Step Out to Dandedong Ranges

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Day Trips from Melbourne | 11. Geelong

Situated southwest of Melbourne, on the opposite side of Port Phillip Bay, Geelong offers a more tame alternative to the bustle of Melbourne. For one of the more scenic day trips from Melbourne, Geelong is a great choice for picturesque scenes from the harbor and great food without the sense of being overcrowded.

Check In to Novotel Geelong Hotel, Step Out to Geelong

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Day Trips from Melbourne | 12. Williamstown

Not far from Geelong and accessible by ferry via Port Phillip Bay, Williamstown is an iconic harbor town that hosted Australia’s first European immigrants. A beach with calm waters, a lighthouse, and rich maritime history make for one of the nicest seascapes and day trips from Melbourne.

Check In to Quest Williamstown Serviced Apartment, Step Out to Williamstown

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Day Trips from Melbourne | 13. Lake Mountain Alpine Resort

Located 119 km northeast of Melbourne, Lake Mountain Alpine Resort in Marysville is one of the top-rated ski resorts in Australia. Australia’s winter months of July and August are the best time to find snow and experience an outback ski adventure.

Check In to Kerami Manor & Day Spa, Step Out to Marysville

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Day Trips from Melbourne | 14. Mornington Peninsula

Mornington Peninsula is one of the most highly-rated day trips from Melbourne, mostly because it’s a great place to spend a day but also because it requires minimal travel time. Surrounded by three bodies of water, Mornington Peninsula is a trove of moderate to intense coastline, containing a national park, prime recreational fishing spots, walking trails, and an impressive list of ocean activities.

Check In to Mornington Hotel, Step Out to Mornington Peninsula

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Day Trips from Melbourne | 15. Peninsula Hot Springs

Peninsula Hot Springs are located within Mornington Peninsula. For a day of lavish spa treatment in natural, mineral-enriched spring water, there is no better destination. Peninsula Hot Springs was the first site in Victoria to be converted to a natural spa resort, and it’s an amazing way to get centered and nourish the mind and body.

Check In to Peppers Moonah Links Resort, Step Out to Peninsula Hot Springs

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