Overnight Escapes and Road Trips From Melbourne
A single day only skims Victoria. These longer trips give coastline, bush and country towns the time they deserve.
Great Ocean Road, 2 to 3 days
Driving figures from the city: Torquay 100 km, Lorne 145 km, Apollo Bay 190 km, Twelve Apostles 275 km by the coast or 220 km inland. The coastal bends hold average speeds near 60 km/h, which is why the official guide suggests the faster inland road for the way home. Winter daylight is short, so keep tricky stretches for the daytime. Parts of the road flooded in January 2026, and a Fairhaven landslip was reported, so check road status before you leave. Planning help is on the Great Ocean Road itineraries page.
Phillip Island
Sleeping on the island lets you watch the sunset parade and go to bed without a late motorway drive. General Viewing costs AUD 34 for adults, and the Nature Parks site sells the tickets.
Wilsons Promontory
Victoria’s southernmost national park offers beaches and walks, with camping at Tidal River booked through Parks Victoria. Conditions change with weather and with works such as deer control, so read the Parks Victoria alerts first. Take water, sun cover and a plan that someone else knows about.
Grampians (Gariwerd)
This is bush walking country northwest of the city. Treat fire-danger ratings seriously in summer and look at Parks Victoria notices before choosing a track.
Ballarat
A night in Ballarat means an unhurried visit to Sovereign Hill, which is open Tuesday to Sunday. Adult tickets start at AUD 68, and trains from Southern Cross run at half price until 1 January 2027.
Mornington Peninsula
Two thermal spring complexes sit at Fingal: Peninsula Hot Springs, from about AUD 60 for bath house entry, and Alba Thermal Springs and Spa. Reserve ahead.
Packing and safety
UK government advice notes a higher bushfire risk across Australia from October to February. Carry the emergency warnings app, avoid walking on days of extreme fire danger, and bring a rain shell, since weather turns fast in any season. Fill the fuel tank before long coastal and park stretches, because services are far apart.
Without a car
Ballarat is the one overnight on this page that suits a train, and coach tours cover the peninsula. The coast, the Prom and the Grampians reward a vehicle.
Choosing a base
| Trip | Nights | Best way to go |
|---|---|---|
| Great Ocean Road | 2 to 3 | Car or multi-day tour |
| Phillip Island | 1 | Car or coach |
| Ballarat | 1 | V/Line train |
| Mornington Peninsula | 1 | Car or coach tour |
Booking
Beds along the coast can be compared on Booking.com .
Read more: Day trips from Melbourne and Activities in Melbourne .