Sometimes we all need a break from the city, right?! Melbourne can get extremely hectic, and I know that better than anyone after leading tours through the Melbourne CBD for nearly a year! That’s precisely why I’ve organized a fabulous little list of the best Melbourne weekend getaways for those moments where you need to get away from it all… for a little bit of nature, pampering, and/or relaxation.
A getaway can mean many things – it can mean a spa weekend, a romantic weekend, or even just a weekend disconnecting from the concrete jungle and reconnecting to nature.
But one thing that I’ve made sure to accomplish is that these trips truly work well as Melbourne weekend getaways… not just quick day trips. I have a whole different article on Melbourne Day Trips here, but below are ways to spend a full weekend relaxing or exploring your chosen destination.
Pin these ideas for Melbourne weekend getaways!
Although I could honestly make a list of 30 Melbourne weekend getaways, I have narrowed it down to what are definitely the top 6. All the destinations below are a massive general area where you can use my tips to choose your own adventure for a weekend. Included are the Yarra Valley, the Great Ocean Road, Grampians National Park, the Dandenong Ranges, the Mornington Peninsula, and Daylesford.
I chose these because of the variety of activities and proximity to luxe getaway accommodation (with affordable options listed too), which I have also linked to. So keep reading for weekend getaways from Melbourne with options from fabulous spa resorts to secluded Airbnb’s and more. Save more Melbourne content:
Melbourne Weekend Getaways to:
The Yarra Valley
Distance from Melbourne: about an hour
Best For: WINE! and lovely views
Ah, the Yarra Valley: where wine flows like water, green hills roll into the distance, and an abundance of trams and trains is happily replaced by wineries and fields of vines. It’s an obvious choice for a list of Melbourne weekend getaways.
The Yarra is dotted with wineries, distilleries, breweries, dairies, and even a famous chocolaterie… so yep, it’s basically paradise. If you want a weekend getaway to the Yarra Valley, you can stay either in remote and green bushland or within an adorable country town – take your pick!
There are lots of fun things to do in the Yarra Valley besides relax and take in the views. Hopping around and doing tastings at a few wineries is a MUST, although you can always book a wine tour if you’re worried about driving.
Try getting a fancy lunch/dinner at a winery, such as Rochford Wines, TarraWarra Estate, Fergusson Estate, or (if you want to get fancy) Domaine Chandon. The Yarra Valley Chocolaterie is a must. If you REALLY want to impress… try a Hot Air Balloon Sunrise with Champagne Breakfast. Yep, you read that right!
Best Yarra Valley Getaway Accommodation
Below are my top picks for getaways, but if you’re a TRUE wine-lover, check out my guide to Yarra Valley Winery Accommodation. Why not just go straight to the source and stay on a winery itself?
Top Pick- Self Contained Villas – Araulen Boutique Accommodation
Araulen is a true getaway. With all self-contained villas with luxe amenities, beautiful views, and more, yo really can’t get much better. It’s also located within jsut minutes’ drive of a lot of the main Yarra Valley attractions – cough cough the Chocolaterie.
More Affordable Hotel – The Yarra Valley Grand
The Yarra Valley Grand is a heritage-listed historic hotel right in central Yarra Glen. It’s more affordable (the building was built in 1888!) and has easy access tto all the main points of interest in the Yarra Valley.
PROPER Airbnb Getaway – Self Contained Private Retreat
If you don’t even WANT to be close to the action or around other guests, CHECK THIS PLACE OUT. It’s a beautiful, self-contained, wooded home with sweeping views. This is the place to book a romantic weekend getaway from Melbourne. Have a wine on the balcony!
Melbourne Weekend Getaways to:
The Great Ocean Road
Distance from Melbourne: 2-4 hours (beginning to end)
Best For: Secluded Beach Time
The Great Ocean Road is one of Melbourne’s top tourist destinations for a reason, people. But this time we will be avoiding the massive day tour busses, and will instead be spending a weekend relaxing on one of the most beautiful coastlines to spend Melbourne weekend getaways.
Beginning just after Torquay/Anglesea and ending past Port Campbell, the Great Ocean road is surely some of the most rugged and scenic coastline in the whole country. You can stay at either end of the road trip, or select a nice place to stay in the middle – in beautiful Apollo Bay or Lorne. Coastline + beaches = the perfect getaway from the city, right?!
Spend your days walking/laying on the beach, searching for Koalas in Kennet River, hiking through rainforests, or exploring some amazing viewpoints. You can take surfing classes in Anglesea if you’d like as well! All the small towns along the road have lovely quaint food and drink options. The 12 Apostles Gourmet Trail is a route of food artisans where you can try things like cheese, olives, berries, chocolate. beer, and ice cream – a must for foodies.
If you want the perfect adventurous Great Ocean Road weekend itinerary, read mine!
Best Great Ocean Road Getaway Accommodation
Here are some of my favorite places to stay on the Great Ocean Road. But if you’d like more options, check out my Great Ocean Road Accommodation Guide here.
Secluded Hilltop Airbnb Getaway – “Charming Stopover”
If you can snag it when it’s available, the ‘charming stopover’ on the Great Ocean Road is absolutely the place to be. With a gorgeous space and a view to die for, this would truly be the ultimate remote weekend getaway from Melbourne.
Affordable Beachside Hotel – The Apollo
A great budget option for a Great Ocean Road getaway is The Apollo Hotel in Apollo Bay. With quaint rooms and a great location, you can’t go wrong.
Modern beachside Airbnb – “Little Beach House”
If you want something a bit more beachside, Apollo Bay is the perfect place to base yourself for a melbourne weekend getaway to the Great Ocean Road. This little charming beachhouse is as modern and sleek as can be and right next to the water.
Melbourne Weekend Getaways to:
Grampians National Park
Distance from Melbourne: About 3 hours
Best For: Hiking + Adventure
The Grampians National Park is one of Victoria’s most scenic mountainous regions. It’s home to gorgeous mountain peaks, secluded waterfalls, and some fascinating aboriginal cultural areas.
The best place to access the Grampians National Park is from Halls Gap, which is known for being full of wild kangaroos and other wildlife. Boroka Lookout is a must, along with MacKenzie Falls. If you have time, the cultural center is fantastic.
This is the best of the Melbourne weekend getaways if you’re really going to get out into nature, rather than a lot of luxury. This is because the area is not particularly known for luxurious resorts, rather, quaint little hotels and small private properties. But I have listed my favorites below:
Best Grampians Getaway Accommodation
Secluded Airbnb- “A Heavenly Getaway”
This little property is all you really need in a getaway – bath tub, lovely space, outdoor deck, tree cover, and WINE!
Affordable Hotel – The Grampians Motel
So, yes, this is called a ‘motel,’ but I told you the options are scarce, didn’t I? Either way, the Grampians Motel is actually lovely and quaint. The rooms are modern, they have a restaurant, and it’s essentially the only sizeable accommodation in the area.
Amazing Space – The A Frame
The A Frame is a beautiful property with a, you guessed it, A-framed design. You’ll have kangaroos right on your doorstep in this property that looks right out to the National Park. This is a great idea for bigger groups – it fits up to 6.
Melbourne Weekend Getaways to:
The Dandenong Ranges
Distance from Melbourne: About an hour
Best For: hiking, nature, relaxation
The Dandenong Ranges, in my opinion, are one of the most underrated parts of Melbourne. Once you ascend up into the scenic little mountain towns, you’ll truly feel that you are transported to a different country (it reminds me a lot of England, to be honest).
The Dandenong Ranges is one my very favorite weekend getaways from Melbourne, for a few reasons. First of all, there are TONS of secluded and beautiful apartment/airbnb rentals – the kind where you don’t even want to leave! Next, there are LOTS of hiking trails, beautiful botanical gardens, and amazing viewpoints.
Burke’s Lookout is a must-see, which is right next to the hilltop viewpoint and restaurant, Sky High, in Mount Dandenong (the biggest/main town). Olinda, Sassafrass, and Kallista are adorably quaint little mountains towns to get a coffee or a meal. 1000 Steps Hike is very popular, as is the famous historic Puffing Billy Railway.
Best Dandenong Ranges Getaway Accommodation
Viewpoint Apartment Splurge: 180 degree view hot tub
If “180 degree hot tub on the top floor” isn’t saying enough, I don’t know what is! This property has a lovely space and an outdoor hot tub looking out over ALL of Victoria. Melbourne skyline included.
Romantic + Private/Secluded: Linden Cottage Rainforest Getaway
If you’re on a romantic weekend, this property is AMAZING. With lots of privacy, forest views, a hot tub, and even white robes, this is a gorgeous place for a weekend getaway with that special someone.
Beautiful Wooded Hotel-Style Apartments – Arnica Views Summit Retreat
This lovely B&B is one of few multi-room properties in the Dandenongs, and it does it VERY well. Think – leaf-covered cottages with open spaces nestled right in the forest.
Melbourne Weekend Getaways to:
The Mornington Peninsula
Distance from Melbourne: 1 -2 hours
Best For: Beaches, Wineries, bush walking
The Mornington Peninsula is one of the most incredible options for Melbourne weekend getaways. The peninsula has calm bay beaches on one side, rough ocean waves on the other, and gorgeous wineries and farmland in the middle. It’s basically perfect for getaways! I also have a whole post about the Mornington Peninsula activities – it’s full of them!
Arthur’s seat has amazing sweeping views of the Port Phillip Peninsula. Mornington itself is a quaint and trendy beach town. There are lots of secluded wineries set among rolling hills and estates, like the Pt Leo Estate (winery, sculpture garden, AND Michelin star restaurant).
Gunnamatta has some great (sometimes dangerous) waves for surfing. Sorrento is the base of the peninsula and has calm beaches, while the back beaches of Portsea have more waves. Here are all the best Mornington peninsula beaches. The Peninsula Hot Springs are an absolute must for relaxation and zen time.
Choosing where to spend your Mornington Peninsula weekend getaway depends if you want beaches, secluded rolling hills of vineyards, or even a lot of craft breweries. Here are my top picks (but there are MANY more to check out, too):
Best Mornington Peninsula Getaway Accommodation
Remote Winery Hotel SPLURGE – Jackalope Hotel
The Jackalope Hotel may be one of the best-known high-end luxury properties in Victoria. This is the place to pick if you’re into winery views, rolling green hills, sleek decked-out rooms, extensive spa treatments, infinity pools, gourmet restaurants, and local wine. Close in proximity to other major wineries.
Luxury Near the Beach – Carmel at Sorrento
If the beach is more your vibe, Carmel at Sorrento offers 1 and 3 bedroom apartments right on the main strip in the gorgeous beachside town of Sorrento. This is on the very tip of the Mornington Peninsula, meaning you can access a bayside calm beach and a wavey back beach within about 20 minutes.
Luxe Airbnb – Tantilize Romantic Retreat
If you’re more the type to have an apartment to yourself (and don’t mind an outdoor tub and modern beautiful spaces) this airbnb may be for you. It’s just off the main strip in the town of Mornington, which is full of trendy cafes and near the water and bathing boxes.
Melbourne Weekend Getaways to:
Daylesford + Hepburn Springs
Distance from Melbourne: 1.5 hours
Best For: Countryside, spa getaways
Daylesford may be the most pampering option for Melbourne weekend getaways. This area is right at the base of the Macedon Ranges, and is home to plenty of spas, hot springs, 5-star accommodation options, and gourmet food options.
There are mineral springs and bathhouses in both Daylesford and Hepburn springs, which are a must t be enjoyed between lakeside walks and quaint cafes.
You can wander through art galleries, peruse markets (the Sunday Market is a must), visit the Daylesford Cider company, check out wineries, and even go bush walking – it’s the perfect getaway from Melbourne where you can choose your own adventure.
Best Daylesford/Macedon Ranges Getaway Accommodation
Proper Luxurious Gourmet Spa Hotel – Lake House
The Lake House may just be one of the most incredible Melbourne weekend getways there is – however, they definitely charge as such. If you;re in the mood for a proper getaway, book a room at the Lake House in Daylesford. Breakfast AND Dinner are included at their gourmet restaurant, and there are spa treatments, amazing views, and more.
Hilltop 5 Star Bush Views – Clifftop at Hepburn
Clifftop at Hepburn is the kind of place you book if you want a weekend in a remote place where you don’t even need to leave the accommodation. The attention to detail and entertainment in their luxe villas is impeccable, and the views will make you feel secluded and in touch with nature.
Affordable Secluded Airbnb – All Views Cosy Cottage
For a more affordable yet still very detailed option, the Cosy Cottage Airbnb is a great choice. This private cottage has its own little area near the Daylesford Lake and it the definition of getaway.
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.