The best road trips from Melbourne
Australians love road trips, and for great reason! Australia is sparsely populated so once you head out of the major cities you’ll easily find a slice of nature all to yourself. There are so many Victoria road trip ideas out there but these are my favourites.
What you will find here
I’ve done quite a few road trips around Victoria and beyond since I moved to Australia. Here you’ll find what I would consider the 5 best road trips of Victoria (I’ve personally done these all so they’re based on my experience). If you’re coming to Melbourne and hoping to do some road trips, these must be on your list!
Five Victoria Road Trip Ideas
Great Ocean Road
Best for: beaches
The Great Ocean Road drive is one of the most popular road trips in all of Australia. It features the coastline from the edge of Melbourne toward the western border of Victoria. This is perfect for people who want to see some of the best beaches and coastline that Victoria has to offer. This is a great option if you have a few days or you’re driving from Melbourne to Adelaide. I wrote a full itinerary for a Great Ocean Road road trip if you’re interested!
The Grampians National Park
Best for: hiking
Grampians National Park is one of the best parks that Victoria has to offer. It is only a 3hr drive from Melbourne so it makes a great road trip option for a long weekend. If you’re a hiker, climber, or just someone looking to get out into nature, Grampians make a great option. I wrote a post all about my trip to the Grampians!
Wilsons Promontory National Park
Best for: animal spotting
This is my personal favourite road trip option in Victoria. Wilsons Promontory (or The Prom) is also about 3 hours drive and is located in Wilsons Promontory National Park. This is the perfect place to go if you want to camp alongside wombats, kangaroos, and emu! I wrote a detailed post about my experiences visiting Wilsons Prom to help you plan your road trip.
Mornington Peninsula
Best for: a day trip
Mornington Peninsula is a great option if you want to do a road trip but are short on time or just don’t enjoy driving too much. Mornington Peninsula is technically located in Melbourne, but as a collection of small, affluent coastal towns, it feels like a vacation in itself. You can reach Mornington Peninsula in around an hour from Melbourne CBD and there are plenty of vineyards and villages to visit that will keep you busy all weekend. I wrote a guide on what to see in Mornington Peninsula for you!
Phillip Island
Best for: penguins and bird spotting
Phillip Island is another option that isn’t too far from Melbourne. It is only about a 2 hour drive and is connected to the mainland via a bridge. It is the best place to go if you enjoy bird spotting or want to see one of the largest little penguin colonies in the world as they waddle from the sea to their burrows as the sun goes down. Phillip Island is also great for coastal walks and beaches. I wrote a post all about my visit to Phillip Island, too.
VERDICT
What is the best road trip to do in Victoria, Australia?
It really depends on what you like, so it will be different for everyone. My personal favourite is Wilsons Promontory, but I think you should try all of these 5 road trips if you are staying in Melbourne.
Did this article speak to you?
I’d love to hear your thoughts! If you’re on Instagram, you can find me over here: @apicturesquelife so feel free to reach out or use #apicturesquelife and I’d be happy to connect!