You can’t beat a good road trip, and from Melbourne, you are spoilt for choice as to where you can go. From big cities and beach locations to charming country regions and the Victorian Alps, you can see it all.
Here is our pick of the top seven road trip destinations to put on your ‘must-do’ list.
1. Marysville
Marysville plucked the heartstrings of the nation when it was devastated by the horrific Black Saturday fires of 2009.
If you haven’t been there since, you’ll be pleased to know that the town has been rebuilt completely, and the Great Dividing Range that surrounds it has been wonderfully rejuvenated.
It will take you about two hours to drive the 98 km from Melbourne to Marysville. But once you are there, you can see the magnificent sight of Steavenson Falls, a majestic cascade that drops 350 metres. Be sure to head on over to Lady Talbot Drive to walk among its picturesque creeks and moss-covered forests.
2. Adelaide
If you really fancy taking the car for a spin, why not head on over to Adelaide?
On this adventure, you’ll embark on an 8.5 hour, 725 km trip through the guts of regional Victoria and South Australia. During it, you’ll navigate your way past plenty of places of interest, including Ballarat and the Little Desert National Park on the National Highway A8.
Once in the city of churches, you’ll be able to check out the Central Market, Botanic Garden and Adelaide Oval. This guide from ROLLiN’ will give you an idea of what else you can do.
3. Bright
Bright is a gorgeous little town that resides at the foot of the Victorian Alps. To get there, you’ll need to cover a distance of around 322 km along the Hume Freeway and Snow Road.
If you are a foodie or an oenophile, you’ll want to spend some time at the local cafes and wineries on your arrival. Meanwhile, the mountains provide excellent opportunities for skiing in the winter and hiking at other times of the year.
Nearby, the Buckland River is perfect for swimming, fishing, and kayaking, and the winding, scenic country roads are perfect for lazy drives.
4. The Grampians
If you head about three hours north-west of Melbourne via the M8 and National Highway A8, you’ll find yourself in The Grampians.
This stunning region is home to some of Victoria’s most rugged and beautiful scenery, which you can experience in the heritage-listed national park.
You can stay in quaint country towns like Moyston, Beaufort and Ararat or camp under the stars if you prefer. There are also plenty of cellar doors to check out, while those into indigenous rock art can marvel at several sites within the area.
5. Port Fairy
If you fancy taking in the best of the Great Ocean Road, then you’ll have to commit to a 385 km journey to it from Melbourne.
However, not only will you get to see the magnificent Twelve Apostles and sensational views of the sapphire ocean waters, but you will also be able to visit Port Fairy.
This seaside town is the last stop on the iconic drive and is a terrific place to enjoy some of the best fish and chips in Victoria. Eat them down by the beach, where you might even see dolphins, whales and seals frolicking just offshore.
6. Wilsons Prom
Australia’s most southerly tip is just a 2.5-hour drive from Melbourne along the Gippsland Highway. Therefore, you should make a point of road-tripping there, if only to sing the chorus to ‘Great Southern Land’ by Icehouse!
This area comprises a majestic landscape of sensational beaches, granite mountains, and lush rainforests. It’s also a terrific place to stretch your legs, with several top–notch bushwalking trails, ranging from ones that take an hour to three days to complete.
If you are a fan of wildlife, you will encounter plenty of kangaroos, wombats, emus and echidnas in the area. It is also the home of Squeaky Beach, which you’ll quickly understand how it got its name as soon as you walk on it.
7. Phillip Island
As it is just a cruisey 90-minute drive along the M1, Phillip Island is a nice place to head to for a few hours.
Although it is well known as the home of MotoGP and Superbikes, when races are not on, it is a fantastic place to visit.
The island is home to hundreds of penguins and spectacular white sandy beaches offset by turquoise water. These beaches are perfect for swimming, surfing, and snorkelling, which you can do until your heart’s content.
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