No trip to Australia’s most vibrant city is complete without taking at least one of these Melbourne day trips.
Melbourne’s most famous day trip destinations are the Great Ocean Road and Phillip Island. But beyond the Twelve Apostles and Penguin Parade you can discover some absolute gems which will make your visit to Melbourne memorable for all the right reasons.
Try a morning relaxing in hot springs, or riding aboard a century old steam train. Visit national parks with incredible scenery and wildlife. Or taste your way around the food bowl of Victoria.
Whatever you choose, we guarantee you’ll be satisfied with your Melbourne day trip and we look forward to welcoming you aboard a Go West Tour!
Great Ocean Road
Explore Victoria’s Surf Coast, winding coastal road, rainforest and more! On our Great Ocean Road tour you can enjoy a 12 Apostles tour, visit picturesque cities and townships along this world-famous coastline, and soak up the history of sites like the Loch Ard Gorge. There’s much more to the Great Ocean Road than just the photo opportunities – come and see for yourself!
Highlights:
- Enjoy morning tea on the picturesque beaches of Victoria’s Surf Coast
- Scenic drive along the Great Ocean Road
- See the Twelve Apostles in Port Campbell National Park
- Visit the Loch Ard Gorge, the site of the Loch Ard shipwreck
- See koalas in their natural habitat in the eucalyptus forests of the Kennett River township
- Visit the charming coastal township of Apollo Bay
Phillip Island
The ultimate Melbourne wildlife tour – including the world-famous Penguin Parade. Our Phillip Island Tour is the best way to meet Australian wildlife up close. Capture your magic moment hand-feeding a kangaroo, cuddle up to a koala, and watch as thousands of Little Penguins waddle right past your feet. This tour from Melbourne visits the Brighton Bathing Boxes, Moonlit Sanctuary conservation park and the nightly Penguin Parade.
Highlights:
- A visit to the famous Brighton Beach boxes
- A guided tour at the award-winning Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park
- Meet and feed a wide range of Australian animals including koalas, wombats, dingoes, and many more
- Visit Point Grant to view the Nobbies and Seal Rock
- Stroll the coastal boardwalks to enjoy amazing panoramic views
- See the penguins waddle up the Phillip Island Penguin Parade at sunset
Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs
If you need a day of indulgence during your trip to Melbourne – this tour is for you! Enjoy a morning of relaxation and pampering at the award-winning Peninsula Hot Springs. Choose from hot pools, reflexology walk, cold dip pools, and more. You’ll then spend the afternoon exploring some of the Peninsula’s best lookouts and riding the Arthur’s Seat Eagle gondola for the best Peninsula views.
Highlights:
- Relax in the thermal hot springs of Peninsula Hot Springs Bath House
- Take advantage of the massaging showers and a Turkish steam bath
- One-way gondola ride on the Arthur’s Seat Eagle
- Chocolate tasting at the Mornington Peninsula Chocolaterie
- Optional strawberry picking (November-March)
Grampians National Park
This Grampians day tour is a chance to connect to nature and explore an iconic Australian destination. You’ll marvel at the waterfalls, wilderness and wildlife that is part of the Grampians National Park. Walk with your guide along some of the trails to learn about the Aboriginal history of the area and spot wildlife such as kangaroos and rare birds. Take spectacular photos at the various lookout points that boast panoramic views over the mountains and valleys below.
Highlights:
- Take a stroll through shady forests to Silverband Falls
- Time to explore the wildlife and surroundings of Grampians township of Halls Gap
- Take a short hike from the Wonderland Turntable into the spectacular Grand Canyon
- Hike to one of the Grampians most famous sites, MacKenzie Falls
- Enjoy panoramic views from Reeds Lookout and views over the mountain range from Boroka Lookout
- Spot wild animals in their natural habitat
Yarra Valley
Melbourne’s finest wine region, the Yarra Valley, is a foodie haven! Not only are there endless wineries to choose from, but an excellent choice of local produce as well. Join our tour to taste wines, cheese, chocolate and more – as well as indulge in a gourmet winery lunch.
Highlights:
- Taste some of the valley’s freshest fruits, juices, and other local products at Yarra Farm Fresh
- Sample wine and cheese at the iconic Balgownie Estate – one of the great wineries of the Yarra Valley
- Taste the valley’s freshest cheeses at the Yarra Valley Dairy
- Enjoy a delicious lunch at Rochford Wines – choose from four different meal options and enjoy a glass of Rochford’s quality wine
- Sip away at a wine tasting in one of Australia’s great wineries, Yering Station
- Enjoy an exclusive chocolate tasting at the valley’s sweetest location, The Yarra Valley Chocolaterie
Wilsons Promontory
Wilson Promontory, affectionately known as The Prom to Melburnians, is known for its pristine beaches, idyllic coastline and untouched bushland. It is home to many different native Australian animals which you may be able to spot on our tours – including kangaroos, emus and wombats. You might even spot a wallaby along one of the walking trails. This tour takes you bushwalking to a panoramic viewpoint, strolling along Squeaky Beach, and spotting wildlife throughout the afternoon.
Highlights:
- Explore pristine beaches and hear the sand squeak on Squeaky Beach
- Walk along Squeaky Beach to Tidal River
- Join a guided walk to the summit of Mount Oberon or Mount Bishop for stunning coastal views
- Marvel at the rugged granite mountains that make this area so picturesque
- Spot native wildlife like kangaroos, wombats, and emus
Puffing Billy + Penguins
For a day of iconic Melbourne experiences, take our Puffing Billy, wildlife and penguins tour. Ride on a century-old steam train – Puffing Billy – through the Dandenong rainforest. Meet and feed some of Australia’s iconic, native wildlife, at Moonnlit Sanctuary – including kangaroos, wallabies and koalas. Finish the day with a visit to Phillip Island for spectacular coastal views and watching the resident Little Penguins waddle to shore in the nightly Penguin Parade.
Highlights:
- A memorable journey on the century-old steam train, Puffing Billy through Sherbrooke Forest, situated in the heart of the Dandenong Ranges
- Guided tour of the wildlife exhibits at Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park
- Explore Phillip Island’s scenic coastline at The Nobbies Boardwalk
- Gaze out to sea and be met with spectacular views at Point Grant
- Watch the little penguins waddle up the shore to their nests at the magical Penguin Parade
- Spot other local wildlife like Australian fur seals on the beautiful coastline of Phillip Island
Ultimate Mornington Peninsula
A great out from Melbourne where you can discover why the Mornington Peninsula is one of Melbourne’s most treasured holiday destinations. Visit the Peninsula’s famous, colourful bathing boxes. Explore ocean beaches and historic seaside towns. Ride the Arthurs Seat Eagle Gondola for fantastic Peninsula views – and finish the day tasting chocolate or hand-picking strawberries.
Highlights:
- Explore the coastal enclaves of Portsea and Sorrento, home to Melbourne’s rich and famous
- Visit the Peninsula’s iconic and colourful bathing boxes
- One-way gondola ride on the Arthur’s Seat Eagle
- Chocolate tasting at Mornington Peninsula Chocolaterie
- Optional strawberry picking – Nov to March only
Great Ocean Road Sunset Tour
See one of Australia’s most iconic views – the spectacular Twelve Apostles – at the perfect time of day. A sunset visit to this incredible coastline is sure to be a highlight of your visit to Melbourne. Start the day with a later departure time than most tours. Avoid the crowds as you journey along the Great Ocean Road, and be ready for an incredible show to end the tour!
Highlights:
- Visit the beaches of Victoria’s famous Surf Coast
- Spot wild koalas while strolling in the sweetly-scented eucalyptus forest
- Drive through the Great Otway National Park
- Marvel at the natural beauty of Loch Ard Gorge and hear the famous tale of shipwreck survival
- View two of the Apostles from beach level at Gibsons Steps (time permitting)
- Visit the charming coastal township of Apollo Bay
Written by: Leah Furey – Digital Content Coordinator @gowest.com.au
