If you are planning a visit to Melbourne, a tour is an excellent way to experience the best destinations near the city. We’ve created this list of the 6 Best Day Trips From Melbourne – to help you choose!
Iconic Australian Experiences on a Day Trip from Melbourne
Melbourne is known as a passionate and vibrant city. It is unique amongst other Australian cities for its arts, music, sporting and foodie scenes. It is also unique in the incredible range of experiences it offers to visitors.
On a day trip from Melbourne you can tour an iconic coastal road, see wildlife up close including kangaroos, koalas and penguins, relax in mineral hot springs, explore waterfalls and rainforests, and taste the finest local produce and wine. Here’s our pick of the best day trips from Melbourne.
The 6 Best Day Trips from Melbourne
Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road is an iconic coastal road near Melbourne with endless scenic views. It is home to some of the best surf beaches in Australia, plus cosy seaside towns that feel a world away from the city. There’s wildlife to spot including koalas and a host of native birds. Plus part of the road ventures inland, through stunning rainforest and towering eucalyptus trees. The highlight of the Great Ocean Road is the incredible Twelve Apostles rock formations, plus the beaches and lookouts surrounding it, including Gibson Steps and Loch Ard Gorge.
Day Trip Options:
- Great Ocean Road Day Tour – Explore Victoria’s Surf Coast and visit picturesque townships along this world-famous coastline. Spot koalas in the wild and walk through pristine rainforest. Soak up the history of sites like the Loch Ard Gorge and take a tour of the world-famous Twelve Apostles.
- Great Ocean Road Sunset Tour – If you are pressed for time, take our shorter tour which includes Sunset at the Twelve Apostles. It’s your opportunity to explore Idyllic coastal scenery, mysterious local history, and world-famous sights, plus enjoy one of Australia’s most spectacular views at the perfect time of day.
Phillip Island
Phillip Island is a wildlife wonderland – just 2 hours drive from Melbourne. While the island is relatively small, it packs a large punch in terms of wildlife and conservation. Phillip Island is famous for being home to tens of thousands of Little Penguins. These seabirds nest on the island and each evening they can be seen returning from the ocean in what is known as the ‘Penguin Parade’. While this is the highlight of a visit to Phillip Island, there are other scenic beaches and opportunities to see other wildlife including seals, whales, wallabies and many species of seabirds.
Day Trip Options:
- Phillip Island Day Tour – On this Phillip Island day tour, you’ll start the day with a visit to Melbourne’s iconic and coloourful bathing boxes at Brighton Beach. You’ll then meet and view local wildlife at a multi-award-winning conservation park before reaching the highlight of the tour – the nightly Penguin Parade.
- Phillip Island and Puffing Billy Tour – Ride on a century-old train through the forest, meet and feed some of Australia’s iconic, native animals at a wildlife conservation sanctuary. Then visit Phillip Island for spectacular views of coastal landscapes and end a memorable day by watching penguins waddle to shore on the Penguin Parade.
Yarra Valley
The Yarra Valley is a scenic 45 minute drive from Melbourne and provides a great day trip for foodies and wine-lovers alike. The region is renowned for its wines and wineries – most of which specialise in chardonnay and pinot noir. There are big name wineries like Yering Station, Balgownie Estate and Domaine Chandon, as well as a host of smaller boutique wineries scattered around the scenic valley. In addition to the winemakers, there are plenty of local producers making gourmet delights such as cheese, chocolate, relishes, fruit juices and more.
Day Trip Options:
- Yarra Valley Gourmet Tour – The Yarra Valley Gourmet Tour is one to get your taste buds tingling. Wine is only half the story of this gourmet wonderland and our tour provides a perfect blend of the very best of the region’s wines and other gourmet produce. Sample expertly made cheeses, chocolates, wines, and more on this Yarra Valley day tour in foodie heaven!
Mornington Peninsula
The Mornington Peninsula is known as the playground of Melbourne’s rich and famous. It boasts idyllic beaches, historic seaside towns and incredible ocean views from many different lookout points. It is also home to the Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs, which is the ultimate place to relax and rejuvenate during a trip to Melbourne.
Day Trip Options:
- Ultimate Mornington Peninsula Tour – Come and discover why the Mornington Peninsula is Melbourne’s most treasured destination. You’ll find the famous, rainbow-coloured bathing boxes, glorious beaches, national parks, cellar doors, regional produce, grand gardens, and adventure activities.
- Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs Tour – This package is the ultimate in pampering! After a morning of relaxation at the award-winning Peninsula Hot Springs, you’ll spend the afternoon exploring some of the Peninsula’s best offerings and ride the spectacular Arthur’s Seat Eagle gondola for awesome bay views.
Grampians National Park
The Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park is rich in Aboriginal history, native flora and fauna, and incredible natural environments. The sandstone peaks of the Grampians mountain range are best explored on foot. You can expect to encounter grand waterfalls, rare wildflowers and native Australia wildlife like kangaroos, wallabies and emus. For anyone wanting to take a day trip from Melbourne to a lesser known destination, the Grampians is a nature-lovers paradise waiting to be explored.
Day Trip Options:
- Grampians National Park Tour – The Grampians day tour lets you explore the National Park by walking the different trails to see canyons, waterfalls, forests and valleys. Learn about the local history and culture and spot wildlife such as kangaroos and rare birds. Take spectacular photos at the various lookout points that boast panoramic views over the park and surrounding region.
Wilsons Promontory National Park
Wilsons Promontory is often referred to as Australia’s best-kept secret. The national park at the southernmost tip of mainland Australia is the place to walk remote coastal bushland trails and swim at pristine beaches dominated by granite boulders. The Prom is a truly unique and unspoilt region, characterised by its pristine beaches and untouched wilderness. It’s where you can really get back to nature!
Day Trip Options:
- Wilsons Promontory Day Tour – On the Wilsons Promontory day tour from Melbourne you can try your hand (or should we say your feet) at bushwalking in native Australian forest. You can expect to encounter native animals – kangaroos, wallabies, wombats and emus are commonly seen in this national park. Reach one of ‘The Prom’s’ highest peaks for incredible panoramic views over the coastline, and finish the day with a walk along Squeaky Beach.
What did you think of our 6 Best Day Trips from Melbourne? Do you have any to add to the list? If these touring destinations sounds like places you would like to visit – then we look forward to welcoming you on a Go West Tour very soon!
Written by: Leah Furey – Digital Content Coordinator @gowest.com.au