Day Trips from Melbourne

1. Ballarat

Ballarat is a gorgeous city in Victoria's Central Highlands, located along the banks of the Yarrowee River. The city, which is Australia's third-largest inland city, was a major center of the Victorian gold rush of the late 19th century and retains much of its gorgeous Victorian architecture and heritage today. The award-winning open-air Sovereign Hill museum recreates the city's gold mining days, consistently ranked as one of the world's top outdoor museum attractions.

Gold rush-related attractions abound, including the Gold Museum of Ballarat and Kryal Castle. The city's unique urban landscape is home to Australia's largest collection of public art, showcasing sculptures and statues dating back to the 1860s. Renowned annual festivals including the Ballarat Begonia Festival and the Ballarat Beat Rockabilly Festival. Map of Ballarat

2. Daylesford

Daylesford is a lovely town located in the foothills of Victoria's Great Dividing Range, best known for its natural mineral hot springs resort. The town, which is one of Australia's only spa towns, offers rejuvenating and relaxing spa experiences at full-service facilities like Daylesford Day Spa or the Salus Spa at the Lake House. Nearby, Hepburn Bathhouse offers more rejuvenation experiences on the waters of Hepburn Springs. Visitors can peruse the art exhibits of the Convent Gallery, housed within a 19th-century mansion, or explore the Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens, which are located atop an extinct volcanic peak.

Outdoor recreational opportunities around Daylesford include Jubilee Lake, a popular spot for canoeing and kayaking, and Wombat State Forest, which is home to rare native wildlife, including the spot-tailed quoll. Each year, the city hosts the annual Chill Out Festival, Australia's largest LGBT Pride event.

3. Geelong

Geelong is a charming city located just southwest of Melbourne, known for its beautiful bay waterfront and recently-revitalized downtown district. The city's Waterfront esplanade is home to a lovely Art Deco-style boardwalk, a preserved 19th-century carousel, and sea bath facilities at Eastern Beach. Cultural institutions include the National Wool Museum, which hosts rotating exhibitions related to the city's textile and manufacturing industries. Converted wool mill spaces and manufacturing buildings now house hip bars, cafes, boutiques, art galleries, and nightlife destinations, including acclaimed local microbreweries like Little Creatures Brewery and White Rabbit Brewery and Barrel Hall. Some of Australia's best dining destinations line the city's downtown neighborhoods, including winery restaurants like Oakdene Vineyards Restaurant and the Shed Restaurant at Terindah Estate. Map

4. Grampians National Park

Grampians National Park is one of Victoria's most beautiful natural reserves, protecting gorgeous sandstone mountains and rare native wildlife. The park, which was designated in 1984, was listed on the Australian National Heritage List in 2006 for its status as one of southeastern Australia's most important indigenous rock art sites. Visitors can enjoy excellent conditions for rock climbing throughout the year on the park's Wheel of Life and Groove Train climbing routes, known to attract world-class climbers from around the globe. Bushwalking is also popular along the Grampians Peaks Trail, which takes inspiration from Tasmanian-area bushwalks. Aboriginal history is on display at the Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Center, located near the village of Halls Gap and managed by members of the Jardwadjali and Djab Wurrung communities. Map

5. The Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road is a designated Australian National Heritage road stretching 243 kilometers along the country's southeastern coastline, spanning between the cities of Allansfor and Torquay. The road, which was constructed to honor fallen World War I soldiers during the 1920s and 1930s, remains the world's largest war memorial site today. It traverses gorgeous rainforest, beach, and cliff landscapes as it passes along Australia's Surf and Shipwreck Coasts, offering picturesque views of the Southern Ocean and the Bass Strait. Landmarks along the route include the unique Twelve Apostles limestone stack formations, Loch Ard Gorge, and the London Arch. Each year, the route hosts the annual Great Ocean Road Marathon, a part of the Great Ocean Road Running Festival. Map

6. Hanging Rock Reserve

Hanging Rock Reserve preserves a unique geological formation encompassing the remains of a former volcano, located within central Victoria approximately an hour northwest of the city of Melbourne. The formation, which is also known as Dryden's Rock or Mount Diogenes, stands 718 meters above sea level near the townships of Hesket and Newham. Prior to the 19th century, it served as an important cultural site for tribes of the Woi Wurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, and Taungurung Aboriginal people, who still maintain a significant connection to the site today. Visitors can explore the reserve's Hanging Rock Discovery Center, which details the rock's formation and offers information on its native flora and fauna. Walking paths and trails traverse the rock, showcasing unique formations such as McDonald's Lookout and The Eagle. The site is also sometimes used as an outdoor concert venue, showcasing major international acts like Bruce Springsteen, Rod Stewart, and Ed Sheeran.

139 S Rock Rd, Woodend VIC 3442, Australia, Phone: +61-18-00-24-47-11, Map

7. Lorne

Lorne is a lovely town located along Victoria's Great Ocean Road, known throughout Australia for its vibrant arts community. The gorgeous waterfront town is home to one of Australia's most popular surfing spots, Lorne Beach, which is located adjacent to the vibrant Mountjoy Parade shopping and dining district. Visitors can explore cultural attractions like Qdos ARTS, which is home to an art gallery and sculpture park, or attend games for the city's local Colac and District Football League team throughout its season. Stunning coastal views are offered from Teddy's Lookout, which stands over the St. George River. Outdoor recreational opportunities are offered at Angahook Lorne State Park, including opportunities to see lovely Erskine Falls. Each year, the city hosts the annual Falls Festival New Year's Eve celebration and the Pier to Pub Swim, the Guinness Book of Records-designated largest organized swim in the world. Map

8. Mount Buller

Mount Buller is one of Victoria's top skiing destinations, known for its impressive downhill skiing slopes and terrain parks. The charming resort village, which is located adjacent to Alpine National Park, boasts the most resort beds of any ski resort in the area, along with facilities connected to the Mount Buller Community Center, which is home to a cinema, gymnasium, and sports hall. The National Alpine Museum of Australia showcases exhibits connected to Australia's winter sports history, open to the public throughout the year. During the summer months, the resort area has become a popular site for cross-country and downhill mountain biking, hosting major races connected to the Victorian Downhill State Series and the MTBA National Series. Map

9. Peninsula Hot Springs

Peninsula Hot Springs is an award-winning spa destination located on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula, just an hour and a half outside of the city of Melbourne. The resort is known for its spectacular geothermal natural hot springs, which were converted into a public spa facility in 1997 by brothers Richard and Charles Davidson.

The spa facility, which is inspired by Japanese hot springs, is home to a family-friendly social bathhouse open to visitors of all ages, showcasing facilities like a Turkish hamam, thermal mineral pools, an aquatherapy pool, and a reflexology walk. 360-degree panoramic views are showcased from the facility's iconic hilltop pool, while an ice cave and seven geothermal pools are contained within its Bath House Amphitheatre. Guests can also enjoy world-class spa treatments at the facility's Spa Dreaming Centre or dine at several onsite dining destinations, including the gourmet Spa Dreaming Centre Cafe and the health-conscious Bath House Amphitheatre Cafe.

Peninsula Hot Springs, 140 Springs Ln, Fingal VIC 3939, Australia, Phone: +61-3-59-50-87-77

10. Phillip Island's Penguin Parade

Phillip Island's Penguin Parade is a unique attraction at Phillip Island Nature Park, which preserve 1,805 hectares of land as a conservation site of natural interest. The park, which is located just an hour and a half from Melbourne, is home to the world's smallest penguin species, the fairy penguin, which grows to an average size of 13 inches in height and is native to Australia and New Zealand.

Visitors can view penguins in their natural habitat at a 180-degree elevated viewing platform at Summerland Beach, which offers tiered seating for viewing nightly penguin population processions into their sand dune homes. Additional viewing spaces are offered at the Penguins Plus platform, which provides up-close viewing experiences and park ranger commentary, and the Underground Viewing experience, which offers bird's-eye views in an indoor underground viewing area. A visitor center offers informational displays and puppet play experiences for young children. Map