Best Places to Visit Outside Melbourne: Day Trips and Weekend Getaways

Melbourne’s magic doesn’t stop at the city limits. Within one to four hours’ drive, you’ll find wildlife encounters, coastal icons, cool-climate forests, and historic estates. Most destinations below are ideal full-day adventures; a few tempt an overnight stay so you can slow down, savour local food and wine, and explore without rushing. We’ve put together this list of the best places outside Melbourne for you to visit. We’ve been to all these places and some like Phillip Island and the coastal drive along the Great ocean Road are best planned with overnight accommodation. If you are staying in Melbourne, also check out the best things to see and do in Melbourne

Top Things To See & Do Outside of Melbourne

• Phillip Island
  A wildlife-rich coastal escape famed for the sunset Penguin Parade, rugged Cape Woolamai hikes, quiet coves, and abundant wallabies. Boardwalks at the Koala Conservation Reserve bring you eye-level with Australia’s sleepiest icons. Stay for golden-hour cliffs and Southern Ocean swells.

• Werribee Park & Open Range Zoo
  Step into sweeping 19th-century elegance at Werribee Park Mansion, then switch to safari mode at the open-range zoo. Guided bus tours roll through grassland habitats with giraffe, rhino, zebra and more. Linger over gardens, picnics, and an optional high tea.

• Mount Dandenong (Dandenong Ranges)
  Cool fern gullies, towering mountain ash, and storybook villages await. Ride the heritage Puffing Billy steam train through forested trestle bridges, then head to SkyHigh for city-wide views, gardens, and a maze. Perfect for misty mornings and café-hopping afternoons.

• Great Ocean Road
  An iconic coastal drive of wave-sculpted cliffs, surf towns and rainforest. Marvel at the Twelve Apostles near Port Campbell, wander Otways trails and treetop adventures, and soak in seaside hot springs further west. Plan two to five days to do it justice.

• Healesville Sanctuary (Yarra Valley)
  Meet Australia’s native superstars—koalas, kangaroos, platypus—and watch the Spirits of the Sky raptor show. Conservation programs spotlight endangered species and local habitats. Pair your visit with nearby wineries and produce markets for a full Yarra Valley day.

• South Melbourne Market
  A short hop from the CBD, this community market packs in premium produce, expert fishmongers and butchers, speciality breads and cheeses, and global street eats. Time your visit for cooking demos or live music, and graze your way through lunch.

• Mount Macedon
  Leafy lanes, grand gardens, and misty lookouts. Visit the Memorial Cross for sweeping views, hike Camel’s Hump in Macedon Regional Park, and tour historic estates and nurseries. Peak colour arrives in autumn; spring blooms are equally spectacular.

• Hanging Rock
  A dramatic volcanic outcrop near Mount Macedon, threaded with caves and mysterious nooks. Hike to the summit for plains vistas, picnic beneath native gums, and explore the lore behind “Picnic at Hanging Rock” via local tours and events.

Other Places To Visit Outside of Melbourne

• Yarra Valley Wineries
  Cool-climate Pinot noir and Chardonnay, cellar-door lunches, hot-air ballooning at sunrise, and wildlife at Healesville nearby.

• Mornington Peninsula
  Soak at Peninsula Hot Springs, cliff-top walks along Cape Schanck, bay beaches, boutique wineries, and farmgate produce.

• Daylesford & Hepburn Springs
  Mineral spa country with art-filled villages, lake walks, slow-food dining, and cosy B&Bs.

• Grampians (Gariwerd)
  Sandstone ranges, waterfalls, epic lookouts like Pinnacle, and native wildlife around Halls Gap; great for multi-day hikes.

• Wilsons Promontory
  Granite peaks, white-sand coves, squeaky beaches, and wombat-spotting at dusk; pristine national park hiking.

Where To Stay: In or Outside the CBD

• In the CBD
  Best for first-timers and nightlife. Choose high-rise hotels or serviced apartments near Flinders Street, Southbank, or Docklands for easy freeway access to day trips.

• Inner-Neighbourhoods
  Fitzroy/Collingwood (boutique, artsy), South Melbourne (market and tram links), St Kilda (beach vibe) with tram/train connections plus car-share options.

• Near Destinations

• Great Ocean Road: Lorne, Apollo Bay, or Port Campbell for sunrise/sunset at the Apostles.

• Yarra Valley/Healesville: Vineyard stays and country cottages.

• Mornington Peninsula: Hot-springs resorts and coastal retreats.

• Macedon Ranges: Garden estates, B&Bs around Woodend/Macedon.

• Phillip Island: Beach houses close to the Penguin Parade.

Places To Stay In Melbourne

Travel Costs (Approx., AUD)

• Car rental: $60–$120 per day (compact to SUV), plus $25–$50/day insurance if needed.
• Fuel: $1.90–$2.30 per litre; typical day trip 200–400 km ≈ $30–$70 fuel.
• Tolls (CityLink/EastLink): 5-20 per day, depending on route.
• Parking: $0–$20 (many regional sites free; popular lookouts may charge).
• Entry fees (guide only):
  • Penguin Parade: from ~$32–$45 adult (more for premium viewing).
  • Healesville Sanctuary: ~$45 adult.
  • Werribee Open Range Zoo: ~$46 adult (safari bus included).
  • Puffing Billy: ~$40–$70 return (route/class).
  • SkyHigh Mount Dandenong: small parking fee.
  • Great Ocean Road lookouts: free; some attractions extra.

Suggested Budgets (Per Person)

• Day Trip (Self-Drive)

  • Shoestring: 7$0–$120 (car share split, fuel split, free lookouts/hikes, BYO picnic).
  • Mid-range: $150–$250 (car hire, 1–2 paid attractions, café lunch).
  • Splurge: $300–$600 (premium wildlife viewing, winery lunch, spa session, private tour add-on).

• Overnight Getaway (1 night)

  • Shoestring: $160–$260 (budget motel/B&B, simple meals, free hikes).
  • Mid-range: $300–$550 (boutique stay, one paid attraction, nice dinner).
  • Splurge: $700–$1,200+ (coastal resort/vineyard lodge, degustation, spa, premium tours).

Note: Car rental is included/assumed in the above where applicable; costs drop significantly when shared among 2–4 travellers.

Money-Saving Tips

• Travel off-peak (weekdays, shoulder seasons) for cheaper stays and fewer crowds.
• Share a rental car and fuel; book early for weekend demand.
• Pack a picnic; use local bakeries/markets for great-value lunches.
• Buy tickets online in advance for occasional discounts and to secure times.
• Consider a zoo membership if visiting multiple zoos in Victoria.
• Use fuel-price apps and free public lookouts; choose 1–2 paid hero experiences per day.

Best Time To Go

• Summer (Dec–Feb): Beach days and long light; busiest and pricier on coasts.
• Autumn (Mar–May): Crisp hiking weather; Macedon foliage is stunning.
• Winter (Jun–Aug): Misty forests, hot springs, whale watching (May–Sep) near Warrnambool.
• Spring (Sep–Nov): Gardens in bloom, waterfalls flowing, milder crowds.