Spring is the perfect time to start warming up for summer travel by taking a few local daytrips.
And for such a small state, Victoria packs a punch, with famous sights including the Great Ocean Road and the Grampians all within a day’s drive from Melbourne, so there are plenty of daytrips for whatever suits your mood.
We’ve picked four of our favourite daytrips – be sure to let us know which daytrips you like to take from wherever you live in Australia.
Finding the historic town of Walhalla feels like striking gold. Nestled in a valley and surrounded by dramatic forested hills, this town is a world away from Melbourne (it was only connected to electricity in 1998) yet only around two hours’ drive.
Explore the town’s goldmining history on a tour of the Long Tunnel Gold Mine, which burrows deep into one of Walhalla’s mountains. Although it hasn’t operated as a working goldmine since 1911, the mine is remarkably well preserved. Don’t miss taking a ride on Walhalla’s steam train, which was brought back to life by a team of passionate volunteers.
Eat (and stay overnight, if you want to make a weekend of it) at Walhalla’s Star Hotel, which is at the centre of this small community.
Once you visit the Great Ocean Road, you’ll want to return again and again. And that’s not just due to the incredible views, but the small and welcoming towns that are dotted along the route.
You’ll have just enough time to make it to Lorne, one of the bigger holiday towns on the Great Ocean Road, and back to Melbourne in a day. The drive into town through the winding hills that line this stretch of the Bass Coast is one of the most spectacular things about visiting Lorne, although the views once you get there aren’t shabby either.
In front of the town is the ocean, and the town is backed by the mountainous stretches of the Otway Ranges. It’s only a short drive into the hills to Erskine Falls, a rainforest waterfall in Great Otway National Park that feels completely different to the sunny stretches of the coast. Or you could just spend your day at the beach, learning to paddleboard or eating at one of the cafes along the main strip in town.
Melbourne’s boundaries extend almost to the base of the Dandenongs, so it’s only a quick trip out of the city until you’re driving up into the hills. The area is renowned for its array of tearooms and antique shops, but if you don’t feel like stopping for a tea break with Miss Marple, you can explore the views and lush rainforest of Dandenong Ranges National Park. There are a variety of bushwalks you can take in the national park, including the well-known 1000 Steps Kokoda Memorial Track. If you’re interested in something slightly more adventurous, the Dandenongs is now home to a high-ropes course, so you can get a bird’s-eye view of this region’s beautiful forests.
Bendigo’s streets are still lined with the grand old buildings that were built with the wealth from Victoria’s gold rush. But apart from its buildings, there’s nothing old-fashioned about this rural-urban centre, which has a thriving foodie and cultural community.
Experience the town’s history at the Central Deborah Gold Mine or the Golden Dragon Museum, which celebrates Bendigo’s Chinese heritage. Once you’ve had your fill of history, take a peek around the Bendigo Art Gallery, which has a fantastic collection of work by Australian artists, as well as a great roster of world-class exhibitions.
After an exhausting day checking out the sites of this town, treat yourself to dinner at one of Bendigo’s restaurants. The Dispensary Enoteca, tucked down a small graffitied laneway, is a little taste of Melbourne in the country.
