Melbourne is one of the most exciting cities in the world – but venture just beyond the city limits and you’ll discover a side of Victoria you never knew existed. Here are the best day trips from Melbourne by train, car, and public transport.
Photo © Getty Images/Boy_Anupong
Within easy distance of Melbourne, there are beautiful natural wonders, award-winning restaurants, cozy cafes, and innovative galleries. So jump in a car, train, tram, or bus for the day and get exploring.
Melbourne has an extensive public transport network. For travel on trams, trains,
- Bendigo
- The Mornington Peninsula
- Mornington Peninsula National Park
- Torquay
- Yarra Valley
- Philip Island
- Dandenong Ranges National Park
- Plenty Gorge
Bendigo
Two hours northwest of Melbourne, Bendigo is a historic gold rush town, and between 1850 and 1900 more gold was found here than anywhere else in the world. Check out the Bendigo Art Gallery which has a reputation for design and fashion-focused shows. On the way, hop off the V/Line train from Melbourne when it passes through Woodend, Kyneton and Castlemaine, thriving villages great for vintage shopping, craft breweries, and artisan producers.
The Mornington Peninsula
An hour southeast of Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula is known for its beautiful coastlines, abundant marine life, vibrant coastal villages, wooded hamlets and outstanding food and wine. As well as local wineries there are a number of luxe restaurants, as well as low-key options such as in the charming towns of Flinders and Balnarring which are great for pub meals and cafes. The Village Café in Flinders is known for delicious,
Mornington Peninsula National Park
The rugged and historic Cape Schanck Lighthouse Reserve, in Mornington Peninsula National Park, has spectacular wild beaches and rugged basalt cliffs. The Bushrangers Bay Walking Track provides stunning views over the pristine coastline and, further
Torquay
It’s a perfect day for a surfing safari when you stand on Torquay’s beaches surrounded by the high cliffs forming a natural amphitheater, the golden sand, and rolling swells. Torquay is just over an hour from Melbourne, so there’s plenty of time to surf as well as visit the world’s largest surfing/beach culture museum, the Australian National Surfing Museum.
Yarra Valley
An easy 90 minutes east of Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is a thriving wine region, and home to many cellar (and distillery) doors including Four Pillars, a boutique gin distillery that uses Australian native botanicals, and TarraWarra Estate, known for its wine and spectacular views.
Philip Island
There are few things cuter than seeing tiny penguins in their natural environment. A popular day trip destination, Phillip Island is a two-hour drive southeast of Melbourne, and home to the Penguin Parade at Summerland Beach. With spectators a safe distance away, every night at dusk, hundreds of the small penguins emerge nervously from the ocean to make their way up the beach to their burrows for the night. Adorable.
Dandenong Ranges National Park
The winding roads of the Dandenong Ranges National Park are punctuated with quaint villages and artists’ studios, forests of mountain ash and verdant fern gullies, but many travel the hour from Melbourne to walk or run up the 1,000 Steps, a 1.8mi (3km) track ascending through a damp fern valley up through tree ferns and manna gums. (Note: the 1000 Steps is closed for repairs until mid-2022.)
Plenty Gorge
For a quick dip on a hot day, Melbournians head to Plenty Gorge, 12.4 mi (20km) from the city. The water is clear and refreshing, and there are abundant kangaroos and parrots in the area.
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