Day trips

Day trips from Melbourne

The trips worth the ticket from Melbourne — with honest travel times.

Photos for Melbourne are still on their way. Every listing below is real.

Great Ocean Road (~250 km loop)

Getting there: Tours or car (full day, 12h+).

The Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, koalas at Kennett River — the essential Victorian day trip. Go with a small-group tour.

Getting there: Tours or car (~2h).

The Penguin Parade at sunset: little penguins waddling ashore. Book the parade ahead — it sells out.

Getting there: Tours or car (~1h).

Wine, the Healesville Sanctuary (platypus, koalas), hot-air ballooning at dawn.

Getting there: Car (~1h15).

Hot springs, beach boxes at Brighton on the way, wineries and the bay beaches.

Getting there: Train + bus (~2h).

The gold-rush open-air museum: panning, the mine tour, Victorian streetscape.

What's the single best day trip from Melbourne?

The first one above — it's the trip the town is known for.

Can I do these without a car?

The entries say how: trains and tours cover most; a couple need wheels.

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