The Best Day Trips From Melbourne, Victoria

Tempting as it may be to exclusively explore Melbourne’s tapestry of shops, restaurants, cafes, laneways and culture, there is plenty waiting outside the border of the city.

A day trip is the perfect way to relax from the inner-city grind. Wineries, spas, national parks and secluded beaches – Victoria is brimming with marvel and the opportunity to enjoy it all is a mere stone’s throw from Melbourne.

Driving is the best way to maximise your time as it means you can town hop on the way to your destination, take in the views from the many roadside lookouts, and make a few popular detours. We opted for a Ford Puma. Open the sunroof and pump the speakers, how you fill in the blanks is up to you.

Here, find a collection of the best day trips from Melbourne.

Great Ocean Road

There’s a reason they call it the ‘Great’ Ocean Road. It’s one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives, but it also offers adventure, natural beauty, culinary delights and wildlife aplenty.

Located on the south-west coast of Victoria, the route – which starts in Torquay and ends in Allansford – was built by returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932. Its 255 kilometres makes it the world’s longest war memorial, and it also boasts plenty to see and do on a day trip.

Torquay is the Great Ocean Road’s official launch point. It’s a pretty little town and a must-stop for surfing aficionados. Check out Bells Beach, to visit the home of the Rip Curl Classic Surf competition, as well as the nearby National Surfing Museum.

Lorne is another favourite day trip haunt for Melbourne residents. Here you’ll find Art Deco style buildings, sea baths, safe swimming spots, surfing and paddle boarding as well as loads of cafes and shops to peruse. From Lorne it’s a short drive to Teddy’s Lookout and Cape Patton Lookout, both are heavy hitters if views are your thing.

Make the Twelve Apostles your final stop. The time of day you visit is of course up to you, however, there is something pretty darn special about seeing it at sunset. They’re a highlight of the Great Ocean Road and well worth waiting around for. After the sun goes down penguins come ashore each evening at the base of the 70-metre cliffs. If you want to get to the water’s edge yourself, the nearest access is via Gibson’s Steps, one-kilometre to the east.

Getting there: Head west along the West Gate Freeway, across the West Gate Bridge, and then the Princes Freeway. Take the Anglesea Road exit off the freeway and follow this road for around 14 kilometres until you reach the Great Ocean Road.

Bells Beach is considered Australia’s surfing capital.

Phillip Island’s Penguin Parade

Speaking of Penguins, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more famous place to spot them than the nightly Phillip Island parade.

You’ll find Phillip Island stretching out into the Bass Strait nestled between San Remo and the Mornington Peninsula. Connected to the mainland via the San Remo Bridge, its location (combined with the Ford Puma’s agility) makes for an easy day trip. It’s most famous residents (aside from the Hemsworth’s) are the fairy penguins – who waddle their way up to their burrows around Summerland Beach.

While there is plenty of merit in packing a picnic and watching the magic from viewing platforms and boardwalks, Phillip Island Nature Parks offer an intimate experience with their Ultimate Adventure Tour. Groups of less than 10 people can sit on the beach, equipped with specialty torches and infrared goggles, and watch on as these clumsy but cute critters venture past, calling out to their waiting families. Despite full bellies and tiny legs, they somehow manage to climb sand dunes and walk up to two kilometres each night.

Getting there: Phillip Island is located 90 to 120 minutes from Melbourne. Allow a further 20 minutes from the bridge to get to the Penguin Parade. There is free car parking on site.

Phillip Island is best known for its parading penguins.

A wine tour of Red Hill

Mornington Peninsula is a labyrinth of wineries and a foodie haven. It’s home to more than 50 boutique cellar doors and renowned for their pinot noir. The hinterland villages of Main Ridge and Moorooduc, as well as the coastal spots of Merricks, Balnarring and Dromana should all make your hit list. But it’s in Red Hill where the day trip opportunities really shine.

Red Hill lays claim to a number of the best wineries in the region. Staindl is a biodynamic winery that is open by appointment only. Indian winemakers at Nazaaray Estate produce pinot noir and pinot gris and their cellar door is housed within a 1930s red rattler. It holds a “secret" lunch club every couple of months; non-locals are welcome if they book ahead. Polperro’s premium, single vineyard label specialises in pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot gris. Foxey’s Hangout is a more modest fitout, with scenic views and a farm-to-table eatery. Red Hill Brewery provides excellent pale ales, wheat beer and bohemian pilsner. Cellar & Pantry is a great place to grab picnic supplies, including local drops.

The best way to construct your own tasting schedule is to go to Mornington Peninsula Vignerons website and download a wine-touring map which shows all the cellar doors.

Getting there: Red Hill is just over one hour’s drive from Melbourne via the M1 and Mornington Peninsula Freeway.

Red Hill lays claim to a number of the best wineries in the region.

Colonial charm in Sovereign Hill

Visiting the living outdoor museum of Sovereign Hill is a rite of passage for all Melburnian’s. Since 1970 the town has been replicating life in 1850s Ballarat, taking visitors back to the greatest gold rush the world has ever seen.

This Victorian icon is built on a former gold-mining site and features costumed characters, horse-drawn carts alongside shops, hotels, a theatre, schools, factories, gold digging and underground mines.

Adding to the magic is Aura, an immersive theatre experience that launched in 2019. The light and sound show projects hundreds of stories that follow the town’s connection to gold from its inception, incorporating the Wadawurrung creation story.

Pan for gold in the diggings, enjoy a coach ride, stock up at the lolly shop, watch the live street performances and get your picture taken in full Victorian costume.

Getting there: Take the 110-kilometre journey along the Western Freeway. Sovereign Hill is just one hour and 15 minutes west of Melbourne.

Read more: Top 12 things to do in Ballarat

Revisit Ballarat’s Sovereign Hill. (Credit Tourism Australia)

Have a picnic at Hanging Rock

Immortalised in book and screen, Hanging Rock is as evocative today as it was in Joan Lindsay’s novel and Peter Weir’s film. Picnic at Hanging Rock tells the haunting tale of the disappearance of a group of school girls at the site on Valentine’s Day in 1900 – and as is the case in all good Australian mystery tales, the bodies were never found…

Hanging Rock is located around 80 kilometres to the north of Melbourne in the Hesket Plains near Mt Macedon. It is 718 metres above sea level, and is the perfect place for a picnic.

From the main town jaunt of Woodend, follow the walking trail to the summit at Hanging Rock. Numerous picnic tables and 13 free-to-use barbecues are located throughout the reserve.

The recently refurbished Hanging Rock Café is a great option for a light snack, meal, ice cream or beer. There are also a few nearby pubs, including the Lancefield Hotel, Macedon Railway Hotel and Mount Macedon Hotel.

Getting there: Hanging Rock is a 60-minute drive north-west of Melbourne.

Sunset at Hanging Rock.

Bellarine’s Black Lighthouse

Travel one hour south of Melbourne, past Geelong and onto the Bellarine Peninsula to find Queenscliff. Grand Victorian-era buildings line its main street, providing a snapshot into the town’s past.

Historic Fort Queenscliff guards the coast; it was originally built during the 19th century gold rush to protect laden ships from privateers. The Fort fired its last gun in WWII and now displays an outstanding war memorabilia collection.

Inside the Fort lives one of only three black lighthouses in the world – and the only one in the Southern Hemisphere. Also known as the High Light, the structure played an important role in turning Queenscliff into a significant trading town.

While you’re there, dedicate some time to exploring the surrounding Bellarine. It’s a treasure trove of charming seaside villages, award-winning cool climate wineries, towns with rich maritime history and some of the best seafood you’ll find in Australia.

Getting there: The Bellarine Peninsula begins 106 kilometres (one hour) southwest of Melbourne.

The Queenscliff High Light.

Treat yourself in Daylesford

Nestled in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, Daylesford (and adjoining Hepburn Springs) has a charming mix of rural and urban attributes. Cafés and farm gates neighbour lavender crops, boutique wineries, mineral springs and local spas; the latter has earned the town the title of Australia’s spa capital. Most of the town’s bathhouses, spas and retreats incorporate the local mineral water into the treatments in some way.

Hepburn Springs Bathhouse has been operating since 1895, and an obvious choice for day dwellers. Alternatively, head to The Mineral Spa at Peppers Springs Mineral Retreat – a multi-award-winning retreat offering shared (but intimate) mineral water baths overlooking beautiful gardens. Salus Spa at The Lake House is a light, white, traditional spa set amongst various David Bromley paintings.

After you’ve blissed out on spa treatments make your way to Lavandula Lavender Farm, it’s one of the loveliest spots for a wander and a bite to eat. The farm, set on six to seven acres and trawling with photo opportunities, features rambling vines, manicured gardens, sweet little picnic spots and, of course, plenty of lavender.

Getting there: Daylesford is about 110 kilometres north-west of Melbourne – approximately an 80-minute drive from the city or airport.

Want to extend your trip? See more of the state with our travel guide to Victoria.

Hepburn Springs Bathhouse is a no-brainer.

The Mornington Peninsula’s newest bathhouse just became a complete wellness destination with the addition of The Sanctuary.

It’s a quiet luxury mood board come to life. That’s my first thought when I enter the brand-new villa. It’s one of five perched at the highest point of the 15-hectare property that’s also home to Alba Thermal Springs and Spa. I remember meeting Kadi Morrisson, Alba’s Director of Sales & Marketing, at an industry event in 2024 as she excitedly revealed the renders of what was to become the luxury accommodation I’m now standing in. I can see that her excitement was completely warranted. This retreat is something special.

Location

The Sanctuary is located in the seaside town of Fingal on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. (Image: Supplied)

Tucked away on an idyllic seaside pocket of land in the Mornington Peninsula, The Sanctuary accommodation is the newest addition to Alba Thermal Springs and Spa, a 15-hectare bathhouse and wellness sanctuary fed by the region’s underground mineral springs. The seaside town of Sorrento, as well as world-class restaurants, wineries and pristine beaches, is all minutes away. It’s also an easy 90-minute drive south from Melbourne Airport, making it within reach of an interstate wellness weekend getaway.

Rooms and villas

The Sanctuary’s five luxurious stand-alone villas and two additional studio rooms opened in June 2025. I’m staying in one of three villas that feature an en suite with an oversized stone bathtub set in front of a floor-to-ceiling glass wall (villas 1-3 only). It means I’m treated to expansive views of the bay and native bushland while soaking in Alba’s signature bath salts – a blend of native Australian botanicals, moisturising oils and mineral-rich salts. Aesop amenities are also supplied in the shower and bathroom.

Glass doors open onto a private deck from the en suite and bedroom; the perfect place to sit with a cheese board and wine at the end of the day to watch the sunset or to stargaze come nightfall. And if you’re feeling in the mood for a stretch come morning, make use of the provided yoga mats and salute the sun at daybreak.

My second-favourite addition (after the bath) is the indoor log fireplace that is set of an evening by the concierge (they can be called to add another log before 10pm as needed). Listening to the crackle of the fire from the comfort of the king bed makes drifting off to sleep a breeze.

Find wine from 10 Minutes by Tractor in the villa’s bar. (Image: Supplied)

The extensive all-inclusive (minus champagne, cocktails and spirits) mini bar champions local businesses with wine from Ten Minutes by Tractor, St Andrews Beach Brewery beer, Peninsula Cold Press Juice Co. and Alba’s Signature tea. Snacks include Chappy’s kettle cooked chips, Choca Mama peanut brittle, pretzels and nude nuts. As well as still and sparkling water and T2 tea. An Illy coffee machine and pods are also included.

Style and character

Local design studio KWD in Mt Martha crafted the interiors from a soothing palette of muted hues – think every shade of cream imaginable. I’m greeted by soft afternoon light leaking through the chiffon curtains; it makes me feel like I’m sinking into a cafe latte-inspired dream. With accents of wood and black metal, as well as exquisite design details like the subtle silver sheath covering the bedside lights, this is understated luxury at its best. I never want to leave.

Facilities

Undoubtedly, one of the major drawcards of a stay at The Sanctuary is inclusive access to Alba Thermal Springs and Spa for each day of your stay, plus you get to enjoy one upgrade to a private pool (The Terrace, The Clouds or The Salts). Concierge transfers via buggy between your villa and the springs are also available – but it’s an easy walk if you don’t mind the hill up to the villas.

Alba Thermal Springs and Spa

The Terrace at Alba Thermal Springs & Spa

The Terrace is one of the private pools at Alba that guests get access to once during their stay. (Image: Supplied)

Opening in 2024, Alba’s pools and landscape architecture were designed by MALA Studio. The team transformed the expansive property into six regions through the thoughtful curation of over 60,000 native and endemic plants.

There are 34 pools, a mix of geothermal, cold plunge and herbal-infused botanical, that range in temperature and design – some to create a feeling of seclusion, while others invite social connection – all fed by natural geothermal mineral waters that flow from 550 metres below ground. I gravitate towards The Hemisphere, with its dry sauna, steam room, cold plunge and dreamy open-air pool called The Hide. I leave my robe at the entrance, slip into the sunken geothermal pool and immediately feel the tension from my travels melting away.

Inside, Alba has 22 spa treatment rooms, including a steam room, Vichy shower, and single or double massage rooms with a spa menu designed to renew, repair and recalibrate guests. The wristband that acts as a key to your villa also gives you access to the change room and bathhouse – just speak to reception on arrival. In addition to lockers and showers, the change rooms also feature a clever swimsuit drying spinner – I find this makes for a more comfortable dining experience (more on that below) in your robe minus wet swimmers.

Thyme Restaurant

Breakfast at Thyme by the springs is included. (Image: Katie Carlin)

Breakfast is included at the in-house restaurant Thyme throughout your stay. I opt for yoghurt panna cotta with toasted house granola topped with local honeycomb, fermented blueberries and berries. But I admit to having FOMO when I see my husband’s choice of poached eggs, Adelaide Hills bacon, layered thyme potato with roasted mushroom and fresh sourdough arrive at the table. Barista-made Little Rebel coffee, smoothies and cold-pressed juices, as well as tea, are also included.

The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the springs. It’s strongly encouraged to dine in the provided robe, which means you can easily go from soaking in the pool to dining and back again without needing to change.

Both The Sanctuary breakfast menu and The House menu for lunch and dinner were created by award-winning chef Karen Martini, with head chef Mario Di Natale at the helm. Expect fresh, healthy and flavour-driven dishes made with sustainability in mind. For dinner, my husband and I ordered the tuna crudo, scallop and prawn wontons for entrées and roasted cod and sake-braised beef short rib for mains to share with seasonal greens.

Does The Sanctuary have access for guests with disabilities?

The pools at Alba Thermal Springs and Spa are designed to welcome all guests, and a full accessible studio is part of The Sanctuary.

Is The Sanctuary family-friendly?

Guests of all ages are welcome at The Sanctuary, and rollaway beds or cots can be provided upon request. The springs require adult supervision for children aged under 16, and the private pools and spa are reserved for visitors aged 16 and over only. However, I didn’t see any children during my visit.

Details

Best for: A romantic retreat or indulgent girls’ weekend away

Address: 282 Browns Rd, Fingal, Victoria

Room rate: Prices start at $1300 per night for two guests in a Villa with bath, $1150 for Villa without bath.

Tips for visiting Alba Thermal Springs and Spa:

1. Pack waterproof footwear so you don’t have to walk on the cold paths barefoot (plus, footwear is required inside the restaurant).

2. Phones and smartwatches are not permitted – leave them in your locker or room.

3. The minerals in the water can cause jewellery to tarnish; lock them away in the in-room safe.

4. Bring a reusable water bottle and fill up at the drinking fountains – you will dehydrate quickly in the pools and saunas.

The best day trips from Melbourne