Melbourne Day Trips: Your Ticket To A Quick Escape From The City

Pack your bags. Adventure awaits just beyond the city lines of Melbourne! Let’s journey through these top Melbourne day trips that offer memorable encounters and relaxing retreats for a much-needed break from the city hustle.

Melbourne is a vibrant metropolis teeming with cultural experiences and urban adventures. However, its allure extends beyond its cityscape, inviting residents and visitors alike to take refreshing Melbourne day trips. What’s more, recent studies have shown that such mini-escapes are actually good for health. With that, Melbourne was Australia’s second most popular destination for domestic day trips, with over 14 million trips taken in 2022. Whether it’s the serene landscapes or the adrenaline-fueled adventures, these excursions provide an enticing counterpoint to city life.

Today, join us as we journey through these exciting Melbourne day trips. These quick escapes aren’t just a mere trip but a refreshing experience that benefits both the mind and body.

Mornington Peninsula: Coastal Beauty at its Finest

Just an hour’s drive from Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula is the ideal coastal retreat. Renowned for its clear turquoise waters, golden beaches, and charming coastal villages, this place offers a rich diversity of experiences.

Start your day visiting the Peninsula Hot Springs, an award-winning natural hot springs and day spa. There’s also the Enchanted Adventure Garden, a nature-based theme park with hedge mazes, tube slides, and tree surfing courses. Then, perhaps explore the wine and culinary trail, visiting farm gates, wineries, and restaurants showcasing local produce. Be sure to stop by the quaint town of Sorrento and Portsea, famed for its limestone buildings and upscale boutiques to make your Melbourne day trip complete.

Staying overnight? Check out the accommodations in Sorrento, known for its wide array of beach houses and cozy cottages. But one of our favorites is Fishermans Beach Cliff Top, a contemporary family home designed by the celebrated architect Wayne Gillespie.

Dandenong Ranges: An Enchanting Retreat

The Dandenong Ranges, only about an hour’s drive from Melbourne, offer an enchanting escape from the city bustle. The ranges are home to quaint villages, such as Olinda and Sassafras, famous for their tearooms, antique shops, and artisanal boutiques. 

Nature enthusiasts will enjoy exploring the Dandenong Ranges National Park, which offers a network of walking tracks and is a haven for native birds. Don’t miss the historic Puffing Billy Steam Railway ride, providing a fun and unique way to see the beautiful forest and fern gullies that’s unique among other Melbourne day trips on this list.

For overnight visitors, Olinda offers a range of charming bed and breakfasts, perfect for immersing in the tranquil environment. Take a look at Arcadia Cottages, a 3-acre property with self-contained cottages with a fireplace and a spa bath.

Yarra Valley: A Gourmet’s Paradise

The Yarra Valley is just over an hour from Melbourne, a paradise for food and wine enthusiasts. The region is known for its world-class wineries.

Begin your Melbourne day trip adventure with a hot air balloon ride over the vineyards, followed by a gourmet breakfast. Spend your day exploring the vineyards, tasting wines, and enjoying exquisite meals at local restaurants. Be sure to visit the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery to satisfy your sweet tooth. A stop at the Yarra Valley Dairy is a must for cheese lovers!

The area has several luxury accommodations, offering stunning views of the vineyards, perfect for a romantic getaway. Yarra Valley Strawberry Farms, a Victorian-inspired home, is one of the most frequently booked properties in the area. If you’re traveling between November through May, you’ll have the chance to go strawberry-picking right at your doorstep! 

Great Ocean Road: Breathtaking Scenery Along the Drive

A 90-minute drive from Melbourne will bring you to the starting point of the Great Ocean Road, one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives. This famous route provides stunning views of Australia’s southern coastline, including the iconic Twelve Apostles. 

Along the way, you can explore beautiful rainforests, waterfalls, and pristine beaches for a truly enchanting Melbourne day trip. Lorne and Apollo Bay are great places for a lunch stop, offering fresh seafood and a wide range of eateries.

For those looking to extend their trip, Port Campbell is an excellent base for exploring the region, offering a range of accommodations to suit all budgets. The cabins by Anchors Port Campbell offer breathtaking views across the forever-changing valley to the rugged coastline of the Southern Ocean.

Phillip Island: Wildlife Wonders and Pristine Beaches

Phillip Island, just a two-hour drive from Melbourne, is a haven for wildlife lovers. One of the island’s major attractions is the Penguin Parade. At sunset, you’ll see these adorable creatures return ashore after a day of fishing. You can also visit the Koala Conservation Reserve to see koalas in their natural habitat or take a boat trip to Seal Rocks to observe Australia’s largest colony of fur seals. For beach lovers, the island offers stunning coastlines perfect for swimming, surfing, and sunbathing.

If you want to spend the night here, consider staying in Cowes, the main township on Phillip Island. The town offers a variety of accommodation options and is located near most attractions. For a night of luxury, checking in at The Grand is definitely worth it! From its concreted dam with waterfalls to its butler’s pantry and lavishly designed rooms, you’ll surely admire every corner of this property!

Getting Around: Transportation Options In and Around Your Melbourne Day Trip

Melbourne boasts an efficient and comprehensive public transport network, making navigating the city and its surrounding areas easy. Trains, trams, and buses service the metropolitan area, while regional trains and coaches extend to outer suburbs and regional Victoria.

For Melbourne day trips, you have several options. Regular trains and buses can take you to most of the featured destinations, including the Mornington Peninsula and the Dandenong Ranges. Car rental is another option, providing more flexibility to explore at your own pace. Numerous tour operators also offer guided day trips from Melbourne, which can take the hassle out of planning and provide additional insights about each location.

Remember that public transportation in Melbourne operates on a ticketing system called Myki. It’s a reusable smart card you’ll need to travel on trains, trams, and buses. If you plan to explore the region extensively, consider getting a Myki card.

Explore Melbourne’s Nearby Wonders with Rent By Owner

You’ve unlocked a world of coastal beauty, gourmet delights, enchanting landscapes, and scenic drives by exploring Melbourne’s day trip destinations. Health benefits are just a bonus compared to the breathtaking sights and soul-enriching experiences that await you. 

Whether it’s the breathtaking Great Ocean Road or the culinary delights of the Yarra Valley, these Melbourne day trips promise experiences that’ll make your trip extra fun and memorable. With the city as your home base, every day unfolds a new journey into the heart of Victoria. 

So why wait? The perfect day trip, paired with the ideal place to stay, is just a few clicks away. Get ready to discover the best of Melbourne and beyond!

TLDR

Ready for a quick escape from the city? 

Melbourne’s day trips offer health benefits and soul-enriching experiences. From the coastal beauty of Mornington Peninsula to the gourmet haven of Yarra Valley, there’s something for everyone. Transport options include trains, buses, car hires, and guided tours. Each journey is complemented by a comfortable place to stay, making every trip a delightful memory. 

Start planning your Melbourne day trip with Rent By Owner now!

Featured image credit: Daniel Pelaez Duque on Unsplash