The best road trips from Melbourne

Ready to travel? Here's where to go on a four-wheeled adventure around Victoria

By Time Out editors Posted: Friday June 25 2021

beaches, Mornington Peninsula — Photograph: Supplied

Victoria is a fantastic state to explore by car. From idyllic coastal towns to breathtaking alpine regions, our state has got a bit of everything. Buckle up and get ready to explore Victoria on one of the best road trips from Melbourne. We've done all the research so all you need to do is hop in the car and choose where to go.

For more holiday inspo, check out these national parks within driving distance or one of Victoria's best scenic drives.

Keep up to date with travel advice and what's currently allowed across Victoria.

Driving north of Melbourne

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The High Country

The Victorian High Country is home to award-winning craft beer, wine and food, plus bushranger history and glorious walks.

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Daylesford

There’s a reason that Daylesford is known as a haven of relaxation. Eighty per cent of the country's mineral springs are in this region, which makes it perfect for spa treatments and for growing high-quality produce, which you can enjoy at one of Daylesford's top restaurants. The region is extremely popular with weekenders from Melbourne, and once you visit you'll soon realise why many of them decide to make the tree change. Feeling adventurous? Here are our favourite day hikes from Melbourne.

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Ballarat

When it comes to creativity, Ballarat is bursting with artists and makers doing things differently and reaping the rewards.

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Castlemaine

Here is this buzzing creative centre of Victoria, music festivals and world-class restaurants are just the beginning.

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Yackandandah

Visit a town filled with quirky shops, delicious bakeries and some of the friendliest people south of the Murray.

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Bendigo

Venture just a few hours from Melbourne and you'll find a town packed with culture, history and top-notch dining and drinking.

Driving south of Melbourne

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The Bellarine Peninsula

Victoria's Bellarine Peninsula is a landscape like no other.

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The Mornington Peninsula

Take a break here for fine hot springs, wineries (some of the state's best) and a whole lot of golf.

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Phillip Island

Known for its healthy colonies of little penguins, seals and Hemsworths, Phillip Island has long been one of Melbourne's favourite destinations for a weekend away.

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Great Ocean Road

Justifiably one of Victoria’s most popular tourist destinations, the Great Ocean Road is one of the finest places to explore by car.

Driving east and west of Melbourne

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The Yarra Valley

Only an hour from Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is the perfect road trip for those who love fine food and wine

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The Grampians

This dazzling region is populated by high sandstone peaks, gorgeous wildflowers and the epic Pinnacle walk.

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Macedon Ranges

This cool climate wine region has a growing reputation for its sparkling wines.

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Mallacoota

Mallacoota is a small fishing town in East Gippsland that offers beaches, rivers, the bush and serenity.

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East Gippsland

If Melbourne’s market-fresh produce and overcrowded wine cellars aren’t quite authentic enough for you, a trip to East Gippsland should satisfy your cravings.

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Central Gippsland

You'll find everything from wineries to dairies, freshwater lakes to coastal beaches, hikes through temperate rainforests to boat trips down meandering rivers.