Melbourne is incredible in and of itself, but the extensive amount of day trips from Melbourne make it that much more incredible. While the culture, coffee, bars, history, laneways, and food make the city great, the amazing amount of natural beauty surrounding the city renders it a fantastic base to travel or to live.
I spent the second year of my working holiday visa (and a few more years thereafter) living in Melbourne and leading walking tours around the city each day. As it was literally my job to know the city and its surroundings, I have helped thousands of travelers plan their day trips in Victoria. I would like to think this makes me pretty darn qualified to recommend the best Melbourne day tours and trips (and general Melbourne tips!) to you as well.
I’ll give my best tips from my experience on these day trips, recommend staying more days when applicable, let you know where would be best to rent a car and drive, and always link to the most trusted day tour provider I have tried and tested myself.
Before You Go + Day Trips from Melbourne At a Glance
Before explaining each in detail, here are a few quick lists of day trips you can do based on your interests and distance:
Day Trips from Melbourne by Distance
- Under 1 hour: Dandenong Ranges (45 min), Yarra Valley (1 hr), Healesville Sanctuary (1 hr)
- 1-2 hours: Mornington Peninsula (30-90 min), Great Ocean Road start (1.5-2 hrs), Ballarat (1.5 hrs), Daylesford (1.5 hrs), Macedon Ranges (1.5 hrs), Phillip Island (2 hrs), Geelong (1-1.5 hrs)
- 2-3 hours: Grampians (3 hrs), Wilsons Prom (under 3 hrs), Great Ocean Road (end)
- 3+ hours: Mount Buller/Hotham (3.5 hrs), Silo Art Trail (3-5.5 hrs)
Best Day Trips from Melbourne by Interest
- Wine Lovers: Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Daylesford
- Beach Lovers: Great Ocean Road, Mornington Peninsula, Phillip Island, Wilsons Prom
- Wildlife Spotting: Phillip Island penguins, Healesville Sanctuary, Dandenong Ranges, Wilsons Prom kangaroos
- History Buffs: Ballarat & Sovereign Hill, Grampians Aboriginal culture
- Adventure Seekers: Grampians hikes, Mornington Peninsula hot springs/hikes/beaches, Macedon Ranges outdoors, Wilsons Prom hikes/camping, Mount Buller skiing
- Art & Culture: Silo Art Trail, Macedon Ranges, Geelong galleries
Best Seasons for Melbourne Day Trips:
- Summer (Dec-Feb) is perfect for beach day trips like the Great Ocean Road, Mornington Peninsula, and Phillip Island.
- Autumn (Mar-May) is STUNNING for Yarra Valley and Daylesford with the changing leaves.
- Winter (Jun-Aug) is obviously ski season for Mt Buller, but also cozy for the Dandenong Ranges with misty forests.
- Spring (Sep-Nov) is wildflower season in the Grampians and perfect for hiking on any of these trips
Melbourne/Victoria has unique and unpreductable weather – they say it has four seasons in one day for a reason! Always pack for both sun and possible rain storms, as both are likely on any day trip around Victoria.
If you are looking for other tips on Melbourne, I’ve got you covered as well – just click the links below! But for the best day trips from Melbourne, read on.
Don’t forget to obtain your visitor’s visa before getting to Australia!
Check Out My Other Articles about Melbourne Day Trips:
- 50 Places to Visit in Melbourne: A Melbourne Travel Guide Organized by Suburb
- Things to Do in Ballarat: A Melbourne Getaway
- Visiting Mount Hotham: A Snowy Getaway from Melbourne
- Great Ocean Road Itinerary: 2-3 Day Self-Drive Trip
- Mornington Peninsula Activities + Things to Do
Great Ocean Road
What it is: Gorgeous Rugged Coastline road trips
How far from Melbourne: The Great Ocean Road starts at least 1.5-2 hours from the city, and is at LEAST a 3-hour drive to the end.
How to Get There: Follow signs to Geelong and join the Great Ocean Road just past Anglesea
Recommended Day Tour: Great Ocean Road Day Tour with Go West Tours (thousands of 5-star reviews)
If you haven’t heard of this Melbourne day trip by now, you’re missing out! The Great Ocean Road is perhaps the number one option for day trips from Melbourne, as it allows you to experience the rugged and beautiful Victorian coastline. I have done this so many times when any friends or family visited me in Melbs, and it never got old (and I tried it many different ways, too).
The Great Ocean Road gives you an entirely different perspective on the region than you can get in the city. You’ll drive through quaint little beach towns like Lorne and Apollo Bay, get to search for wild koalas climbing gumtrees out in the country, experience the sheer power of mother nature through powerful waves crashing on distant rocks, and view famous natural landmarks you may have seen in guidebooks and on Pinterest.
Best Stops on the Great Ocean Road Day Trip from Melbourne
There are important Great Ocean Road trip stops throughout the entire journey, which your driver will be very familiar with. Perhaps the most famous stop on Great Ocean Road day trips from Melbourne is the Twelve Apostles. The 12 apostles used to have twelve standalone cliffs out amid the waves on the shore, but today there are only 6-7 remaining depending on who you ask. Either way, it’s a gorgeous must-see sight in Victoria.
My other personal favorite stops along the way are London Bridge (a beautiful sandstone rock out in the ocean that used to be connected to the land) and the Loch Ard Gorge. You’ll see all these stops on a tour from Melbourne, but you can see WAY more if you rent a car and explore for a few days. Check out my perfect Great Ocean Road 3 Day Itinerary here if you fancy renting a car and driving it yourself, or my Great Ocean Road Accommodation Guide if you’d like to do that. Or, you can view the 12 apostles from a Melbourne helicopter ride.
Must See: Memorial Arch, Teddy’s Lookout Rock, Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge
Dandenong Ranges – Puffing Billy and Belgrave
What it is: Beautiful mountain ranges (with a steam train) just outside the city
How far from Melbourne: about 45 minutes from the CBD
How to Get There: Rent a car and drive east, or travel by train to the base of the mountains
Recommended Day Tour: Puffing Billy + Rainforest Half Day, or grab a group and do a private tour of the whole area
The Dandenong Ranges are a bit of an undiscovered gem in my opinion. It’s not one of the most popular day trips from Melbourne, but really should be due to the remote beauty of the mountain ranges.
Within the Dandenong Ranges, you can find all sorts of undiscovered gems along the way. The beautiful town of Belgrave is home to some amazing eateries and the famous Puffing Billy train, which is a decked-out steam train that serves meals and provides amazing views to patrons riding it through the mountainous region.
You can explore some gorgeous small mountain towns and explore lots of different forest hikes and mountain trails even in the cool climate. There are a gorgeous botanic gardens too – an area called the Alfred Nicholas Gardens as well the William Ricketts Sanctuary, for any plant lovers out there.
Perhaps the most famous viewpoint of the Dandenong Ranges is from Sky High, a restaurant at the top of Mt Dandenong. Here you can try different types of food and telescopes looking out over the land, towards the city and other mountain regions of Victoria. Many people love to hike the Kokoda Memorial Walk (Thousand Steps) for. some exercise + views. Spot wild kookaburra as you hike to Burke’s lookout, which has a pristine view of Melbourne’s city skyline on a clear day.
Must See: Puffing Billy, Sky High, Burke’s Lookout
Phillip Island + Penguin Parade from Melbourne
What it is: An island inhabited by hundreds (thousands?) of indigenous (tiny!) penguins
How far from Melbourne: About 2 hours from the CBD
How to Get There: Take a day tour or rent a car driving south
Recommended Day Tour: Moonlit Sanctuary + Penguin Parade with Bunyip Tours (allows you to see Australian animals at a wildlife park along the way with lunch + 1000+ 5-star reviews)
Phillip Island is one of Australia ‘s best day trips, and rightfully so! Although kangaroos and koalas are definitely very exciting, one of the most local wildlife species to view in Victoria is the ‘little penguins.’ They used to be called the ‘fairy penguin,’ but they have been aptly renamed because they are, well…. little penguins!
What to See on Phillip Island on a Day Trip from Melbourne
When visiting Phillip Island, you can experience what they call the ‘penguin parade’ as dozens, if not hundreds, of these little guys pop out of the water at dusk to make their homes on land for the night. You’ll sit in a stadium-like area to make sure their habitat is respected while still having a great vantage point. This happens at sunset, so it depends on the time of year when the penguin parade will happen.
Some Phillip Island day tours are half-day, but some are longer and include a visit to a wildlife sanctuary to view other types of classic Australian animals. You may also want to look into an explore at Summerland Beach or the famous ‘seal rocks’ on Phillip Island also. Many tours, like the one I recommend below, stop at the Moonlit Sanctuary about halfway between the city and Phillip Island.
Must See: Penguin Parade, beaches + views
Grampians National Park
What it is: Bushy + Rocky Mountains with waterfalls, epic hikes, and rich aboriginal culture
How far from Melbourne: About a 3 hour drive from Melbourne CBD
How to Get There: Take a day tour or rent a car driving northwest up the M8
Recommended Day Tour: Grampians Day Tour with Go West Tours takes you to all important POI’s and the cultural center in one long but complete day!
The Grampians National Park is an area of outstanding natural beauty and rock formations in a more regional part of Victoria. Due to its distance, I honestly recommend it as a weekend trip, but it’s still doable to see its main sights in a day trip from Melbourne. Day tours from Melbourne to the Grampians will leave the city very early and take 13+ hours, but they will be worthwhile to experience main viewpoints, hikes, and waterfalls.
What to See on a Day Trip from Melbourne to the Grampians
The Grampians National Park is known for its extensive native wildlife and rock formations/mountain regions. You can walk to high vantage points like Boroka Lookout over the valley with many hikes of varying difficulties throughout the park. There are also some famous waterfalls that are popular to visit, namely MacKenzie Falls.
It’s highly advisable to explore the cultural center when visiting the Grampians National Park, as well. The local Aboriginal tribes have an extremely rich culture full of fascinating legends on how the area came about. You’ll learn all the different theories on colorful animals and regions while educating yourself on one of Australia ‘s historic indigenous cultures.
Must See: MacKenzie Falls, Hall’s Gap, Boroka Lookout, Cultural center
Yarra Valley from Melbourne
What it is: Wine Region with scenic rolling hills
How far from Melbourne: About an hour from Melbourne CBD
How to Get There: Take a full day tour or rent a car and travel directly east
Recommended Day Tour: Yarra Valley Gourmet Tour with Go West Tours – wine, fruit, cheese, AND chocolate!
The Yarra Valley is an absolute must for those who love wine, alcohol in general, and/or rolling hilly regions. Generally less than an hour outside the city, the Yarra Valley is a stunning departure from the city bustle and can be easily done in a simple day trip.
Many day trips from Melbourne to the Yarra Valley will visit 3-4 of the best wineries, as well as a selection of other venues to change it up a little. Check on the itinerary of your tour of choice to make sure it visits all the stops you’d like to see! My personal fave is the Go West tour linked above, which visits plenty of wineries AND places to taste fresh fruit/juice, cheese, AND chocolate!
What to See on a Day Trip from Melbourne to Yarra Valley
The Yarra Valley is pretty special because there are over 150 wineries dotted through the countryside. Some of the most famous ones include Domaine Chandon (for sparkling wines), Rochford Wines (stunning views), and De Bortoli (great for a relaxed lunch). If you’re new to wine tasting, don’t stress; most tours will guide you through the basics, and the staff at each winery is super friendly.
While exploring these wineries, you can also visit a fresh dairy (helloooo, fresh cheese), a famous Gin Distillery called Four Pillars, a cider brewery, and the famous Yarra Valley chocolaterie. In other words, there’s plenty of wine, and also variety of other treats as well!
If you have more time and want to stay on a winery for the ultimate experience, check out my guide to Yarra Valley wineries with accommodation!
Must See: a few wineries, at least! Also a few of a dairy, chocolaterie, gin distillery, and cider brewery.
Mornington Peninsula from Melbourne
What it is: A scenic peninsula south of the city with beach towns, farmland viewpoints, and more wine country.
How far from Melbourne: Between 30-90 mins from Melbourne CBD
How to Get There: Take a day tour or rent a car and drive directly south to the Mornington Peninsula. Public Transport only goes to the northern end of the peninsula.
Recommended Day Tour: My top recommendation to get a bit of everything is This Mornington Peninsula Day Tour with a viewpoint, winery, and hot springs. If you are in the area already, the Mornington Peninsula Hop on Hop Off Bus is fantastic and comprehensive for wineries/breweries.
The Mornington Peninsula may not grace the top of all lists on day trips in Victoria, but it’s yet another lesser-known gem in Melbourne tourism that I absolutely fell in LOVE with while living there for a bit. The peninsula faces Port Phillip Bay on one side (perfect calm waters and pristine beaches) and the open ocean on the other (heavy surf and rocky areas). There are some perfect Mornington Peninsula Beaches for surfing OR relaxing and plenty of Mornington Peninsula activities (linking to all my own articles on the area).
What to See on a Mornington Peninsula Day Trip from Melbourne
Between the two bodies of water are rolling hills of farmland, sheep/cows, small beachy towns, and beautiful viewpoints overlooking the coastline. Arthur’s Seat is a famously touristy part of the peninsula, with a cable car going up a scenic beachside hill. People love to visit the colorful bathing boxes scattered around the Peninsula – great for photos. There are dozens of wineries and also Mornington Peninsula Breweries to visit as you make your way around, the most incredible of which is a winery/restaurant/sculpture garden called Pt Leo Estate.
Sorrento and Portsea are well-known beachside towns on either side of the thin tip of the peninsula. Mornington is a trendy town on the bay side of the peninsula. There are lots of gorgeous walks to do along the cliffy coastlines, and once you’re finished, you can dip in the warm waters of the amazing Peninsula Hot Springs. If you want to stay longer, check out my Mornington Peninsula Accommodation guide.
Must See: Arthur’s Seat, wine tasting, bush walking, hot springs
Daylesford/Hepburn Springs
What it is: A relaxing mountainside getaway
How far from Melbourne: About a 1.5 hour short drive from Melbourne
How to Get There: Rent a car and drive northwest – there are a few day tours but mostly private/wine tours
Recommended Day Tour: These are newer tours, but look solid: Daylesford + Hepburn Springs tour from Melbourne (points of interest) and Daylesford Food & Wine Tour (not from Melbourne, begins in the area)
Daylesford and Hepburn Springs are known to be a relaxing getaway from Melbourne. Daylesford’s most popular feature is why it’s called a ‘spa town:’ pools of hot mineral springs at Daylesford Day Spa. You can visit mineral springs, explore galleries in the quaint town, and dine lakeside at some highly acclaimed restaurants. The Lavendar Farms near Daylesford have become a tourist hotspot for epic photos.
Although possible as a day trip, I would highly recommend Daylesford as a weekend getaway from Melbourne (also my article)! The area is also a popular wine region, with dozens of wineries in the area.
Must See: Hot Springs, Lake Daylesford
The Macedon Ranges + Hanging Rock
What it is: Adventurous hikes, historical mountains, and more wineries!
How far from Melbourne: About a 1.5 hour drive from Melbourne (near Daylesford)
How to Get There: Rent a car and drive northwest, visit after Daylesford, or take a train on the Bendigo line from Southern Cross and get off at Macedon or Woodend
Recommended Day Tour: I don’t think there are any – this is a real self-drive day trip from Melbourne
Nearby Daylesford, you will find the beautiful Macedon Ranges. If relaxing isn’t your thing (or before you unwind in the hot springs) there are plenty of trails to hike in the area. Check out Mount Macedon for the most incredible view, or many more trails and tiny country towns as well.
Hanging Rock is the most famous place in the Macedon Ranges, famous for its part in the movie Picnic at Hanging Rock. It’s a mysterious extinct volcano that also has rich aboriginal significance as well.
There are a couple of awesome wineries in the area too – head to Hanging Rock winery after hiking hanging rock for some amazing art and wine tasting. There are some great cafes, restaurants, and pubs/breweries in Woodend.
Healesville Sanctuary
What it is: Sanctuary to experience Australian Wildlife
How far from Melbourne: About an Hour
How to Get There: Rent a Car, Take a Tour, or travel by train and bus.
Recommended Day Tour: Healesville Sanctuary + Puffing Billy Combined Tour
Healesville Sanctuary is one of the most popular day trips from Melbourne and a great place for visitors to experience Aussie wildlife. It’s not a complete trip down under unless you get to experience some kangaroos and koalas, is it?! Healesville is a perfect destination to combine with a trip to the Dandenong Ranges or with Yarra Valley, and many day tours do so.
You can feel content that the animals are kept in a natural bushland setting and allowed to roam freely. Spend a few hours exploring many different species of marsupial, mammal, reptile, and bird!
Must See: Aussie animals!
Ballarat + Sovereign Hill Day Trips from Melbourne
What it is: An inland Gold Mining Town
How far from Melbourne: about 1.5 hours north
How to Get There: Rent a car, take a day tour, or take a direct train
Recommended Day Tour: Sovereign Hill + Ballarat Tour from Melbourne with Gray Line
Visiting Ballarat is like stepping back in time. Ballarat was the epicenter of Victoria’s massive gold rush in the mid-1800’s, and there are still many remnants of this rich history there today.
Sovereign Hill is an actual replica of what the gold rush town may have looked like all those years ago – complete with gift shops, craft stores, restaurants, and even gold panning opportunities! You can also visit an old mine and experience what it may have been like. If you can swing it, try to catch the ‘Aura’ light show at night (runs certain evenings) – it’s an immersive sound-and-light experience that brings the gold rush story to life in a totally different way.
The Gold Museum is a fascinating look back into the gold rush period, and you can also visit the Eureka Center to learn about a rebellion in 1854 that shaped the future of Australia. There are lots of trendy eateries in the Ballarat CBD, and you must also take a walk by Lake Wendouree for a bit of peace and quiet. See my Ballarat Travel Guide for an in-depth look at visiting the area!
Must See: Sovereign Hill, Gold Museum, Lake Wendouree
Wilson’s Promontory National Park (Wilson’s Prom)
What it is: A seaside national park with animals, coast, and forest
How far from Melbourne: Under 3 hours from the CBD
How to Get There: Take a day tour or rent a car and drive southeast.
Recommended Day Tour: This Wilsons Promontory National Park Day Tour is the best value out there – with Explore Australia
Wilsons Promontory National Park is another gorgeous area of nature in Victoria, and one of the most rugged day trips from Melbourne. It’s a National Park with gorgeous viewpoints looking down pristine coastlines and rock, complete with hiking trails that could take you for miles and miles. In fact, the hiking in Wilson’s Prom is among the best in Victoria.
What to See on a Day Trip from Melbourne to Wilson’s Prom
There are dozens of beaches to explore in what is actually the most south point of mainland Australia. The famous ‘squeaky beach‘ actually has sand so white and fine that it squeaks when you walk on it!
It’s a huge area, but the day tour will take you to all the best bits within one big day. You’ll see some of the best viewpoints such as Mt Bishop and empty beaches, but perhaps one of the biggest pulls of this day trip is the wildlife. ‘Wilson’s Prom,’ as they call it for short, is inundated with local kangaroos and other marsupials, so make sure to keep your eyes out!
Must See: Squeaky Beach, Mt Bishop
Mount Buller + Ski Area
What it is: One of the closest skiing mountains to Melbourne
How far from Melbourne: About 3.5 Hours
How to Get There: Take a day tour, rent a car, or travel by coach
Recommended Day Tour: Mt Buller Day Tour from Melbourne gives you at least 6 hours in the mountain in one day!
Many people are unfamiliar with the beautiful ‘Victorian Alps‘ region. Mt Buller could also be much better as a longer trip, but the area is worth checking out as a day trip if you don’t have much time.
Mt Buller is an alpine terrain park where you can explore and adventure to your heart’s content: skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, snowshoeing, and more. The ski season typically runs from June through September, depending on snowfall – but the village is open year-round with mountain biking and hiking in the warmer months.
You’ll have about 6 hours of free time on the Mt Buller day trip from Melbourne above, which surely is plenty to try out a few runs and more (and plenty of nap time in the van). You can also reserve snow gear as well. Some day tours will also stop in a few other small towns and scenic viewpoints to round out the journey.
There’s also a great alpine village in Mt Buller if you are not quite the skiing type but want to enjoy the area. Visitors can enjoy many different food options alongside walks and viewpoints. There are also sled dog tours! I visited Mt Hotham too, which is a mountain close by. I loved spending a weekend at Mt Hotham, but Mt Buller is a lot easier as a day trip!
Must See: Mt Buller Village Square, Mountain Vistas/Snow
Silo Art Trail
What it is: Massive murals painted on country silos
How far from Melbourne: Between 3 and 5.5 hours from beginning to end
How to Get There: Rent a Car and Drive!
Recommended Day Tour: You’ll have to rent a car and do this adventure yourself! 🙂
There are various parts of rural Victoria whose silos have been graced by the mural art of some incredible artists. These silos can be visited in order on what is known as the Silo Art Trail. Visit the silo art trail website to view a map and learn about all the official locations of these murals (as well as other things to do, places to eat, lakes to visit, and a full round-trip itinerary of the silos).
This silo art is actually known as Australia’s largest outdoor art gallery. It’s a brilliant way to get more people to visit the smaller country communities, and an incredible style of art not very attainable in other parts of the world. As of last update, there are over fifteen painted silos across Victoria, with new ones popping up every year. Some of my favorites are the Sheep Hills silo (a stunning portrait of a local farmer) and the Rupanyup silo (gorgeous images of local kids). Each one tells a unique story about the town it’s in.
To create these artworks, well-known artists met with local indigenous communities in the areas and created works that represented unique stories about those towns and their people. If you’d like to get out a bit more into real country Australia, and see how the farmers live in more remote corners of the state, this maybe the the Melbourne day trip for you!
Must See: Each silo that is part of the trail!
Geelong + You Yangs Regional Park + Bellarine Peninsula
What it is: Beachside city and bush walks
How far from Melbourne: 1-1.5 hours
How to Get There: Rent a car or travel by train
Recommended Day Tour: You’ll have to rent a car and explore yourself! 🙂
Geelong is the second-largest city in Victoria, so it’s worth a visit just for. that! It’s located on the Bellarine Peninsula in the southwestern part of Port Phillip Bay – just a quick drive away from the city. The Bellarine Peninsula has become a wine and food hotspot in recent years with incredible coastal views.
Geelong is much more laid-back than Melbourne and is defined by its beautiful botanic gardens, seaside paths, restaurants, museums, and galleries (I was very impressed by a few museums in Geelong, so don’t miss them – especially the Wool Museum and Boom Gallery)
A perfect day trip from Melbourne would be to mix in a visit to Geelong with a stop at the nearby beach, Torquay, and a beautiful mountainous regional park called the You Yangs. The Torquay area is roughly considered the starting point of the Great Ocean Road, and usually has lots of windsurfers and people on the sand.
The You Yangs regional park is the perfect place to have a classic Aussie bushwalk. The park has a few large hills with trails throughout; I’ve tried a couple of the trails and you can choose the length and difficulty of your walk. The trails are honestly only slightly challenging, but they give incredible views of the surrounding farmland and also of the Melbourne city skyline (like in the pic above).
All of the destinations above are fine as day trips, but many would be preferable as weekend trips so that you can spend more time and make the most of your time there.
So if you’d like to keep reading about other places to visit from Melbourne, but this time for places you should visit for LONGER than just a day trip, check out my article on Melbourne weekend getaways right here.
Passionate, full-time travel blogger with over 230k on social media and 150kMPV blog. Extraordinary photographer with two DSLR's + a drone with a love for capturing candid moments, epic drone shots, and magical compositions. I'm a natural-born content creator originally from California, but I've been on the road for 9 years living, working, traveling, blogging, and photographing my way around the world. I recommend the most amazingly adventurous and unique + boutique travel experiences/stays and helpful products to my audience and write comprehensive guides on my website that have helped millions of travelers so far. I love to inspire people to plan their dream trips, and many readers have given feedback as such. The reach on my platforms continues to soar, especially when combining cutting-edge social content with optimized articles on my high-authority website.