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The Best Day Trips in Melbourne

Whether you are planning a trip in the summer, winter, spring or fall. Day trips are a lot of fun but they do take a bit more planning than a week-long vacation. If you are planning a trip with the family then there is more planning involved as opposed to planning a day trip with friends.

The Best Places in Melbourne

Beautiful beaches, quirky wildlife, spa towns, and spectacular wilderness areas - you'll find all this and more within a few hours' drives of Melbourne. One of the country's most dazzling scenic drives, the Great Ocean Road, lies less than 200 kilometers from the city, as well as gorgeous Grampian National Park, the gleaming white-sand shores of Wilsons Promontory, and the rugged Dandenong Ranges. 

Wildlife scores top billing at many of these city escapes. You can watch penguins parading up a pristine beach at Phillip Island and see colorful parrots, wild kangaroos, and wombats in the national parks. In addition to the rich natural beauty that beckons just a short drive from the CBD, Victoria's elegant seaside resorts charm visitors with their quaint shops, art galleries, and award-winning restaurants. History buffs can explore an old gold rush town, and in winter, skiers and snowboarders can carve up the slopes of Mount Buller less than a three-hour drive from the city...read more at - Planetware.com.

Mornington Peninsula

With beaches, wineries, parks, gardens, and spas, Mornington Peninsula boasts an embarrassment of getaway riches. These diverse attractions are best discovered by car, and it’s an easy 90-minute drive south of the CBD. Not to mention the views overlooking Port Phillip Bay are nothing short of amazing.

Great Ocean Road

It’s a Victorian icon for a reason – this windy stretch of road snakes all along the south-west coast of the state, starting at Torquay (1.5 hours from the CBD) and finishing up just before Warrnambool. It’s about a four-hour drive without stops, but heed our warning: you’ll definitely want to stop. There’s just too much happening along the coast not to, especially for those who like nature and native Australian animals. 

Bellarine Peninsula

The Bellarine Peninsula has stood in the shadow of its eastern cousin for too long. Travelers are starting to realize that the rugged coastal region has just as much to offer as the Mornington, and it’s considerably less expensive. Whether you’re looking for wineries, beaches, luxury accommodation or great food, the Bellarine is ready to assist. 

Yarra Valley

It’s kind of hard to believe that the Yarra Valley is less than an hour’s drive from Melbourne’s CBD. One minute you’re in the CBD, then next it's suburbia, and all of a sudden you’re surrounded by rolling hills covered in vines and paddocks with cows aplenty. The region’s world-renowned producers of cool-climate wines have helped put the Yarra Valley on the map. So pick your designated driver and get rolling...find out more at - Timeout.com.

The 1000 Steps (Kokoda Track Memorial Walk)

This popular walking track is only 3km long, but on a steep incline that will test you even the most gung-ho fitness fanatic. The 1000 Steps is a memorial track to commemorate what Australian soldiers went through on Papua New Guinea’s notorious Kokoda Track during WW2. Whether you’re training for the actual Kokoda Track or are a fitness amateur, the 1000 Steps is fine for all levels – just go at your own pace. 

A Ride On Puffing Billy 

This is a great day out for the kids and for the adults and is a chance to ride one of Australia’s only preserved steam trains through the stunning Dandenong Ranges on its original mountain track. Travel back in time and explore the many historic towns of the Dandenong Ranges. It’s a forever favorite for those visiting Melbourne...more at - Jonesaroundtheworld.com.

Phillip Island

Phillip Island is found just off the south coast of Victoria and makes for one of the most exciting day trips from Melbourne.

The island is rugged and wild, but it’s not the natural scenery that draws people here, it’s the wildlife.

Phillip Island is home to a huge colony of seals; thousands can be seen basking on the rocks from the appropriately named seal rocks.

More famous than the resident seal population though, is the Penguin Parade.

Wilsons Promontory

Wilsons Promontory is a long wedge of land that juts out far into the ocean.

It’s famous because it can claim to be the most southernmost spot on mainland Australia.

When you stand at the southern tip by the dramatic lighthouse and look out to sea, you know there is nothing but ocean for a long way.

It’s a spectacular national park too, with many beaches and some great hiking opportunities through the wild landscapes...go to - Thecrazytourist.com to read more.

Final Words

There is much you can do in a day trip if you plan out what you want to do and where you want to go. Planning is the key to a great day trip. Sometimes you just need to get away and the perfect way is to take a day trip alone or with the family. Melbourne on the Move provides bus hire services that will make you enjoy every moment of your day trip.