Looking for a fun day out? Hit the road and escape the city to one of these must-see day trip destinations in Victoria, all close to Melbourne.
Victoria
Best underrated and hidden places to visit in Victoria
From the Shipwreck Coast to the tropical north, Victoria may be one of Australia's smallest states but it's big on surprises. Plan your next holiday around these underrated and hidden gems in Victoria.
Victoria has plenty of popular tourist destinations: the Great Ocean Road, Ballarat, Bendigo, Phillip Island and Mornington Peninsula to name a few.
But detour off the beaten path on a day trip or longer road trip, and you’ll find plenty of lesser-known locations that present unique travel experiences without the crowds.
French Island is an almost untouched pocket of wilderness not far from Melbourne. Photo: Visit Victoria.
Hidden gems and places to visit in regional Victoria
The Pyrenees Ranges
Known for its wine, but it is much quieter than the famous regions like Yarra Valley or Mornington Peninsula. The area offers a peaceful retreat with scenic wineries, historic gold rush towns and fewer tourists.
High country
Particularly the towns of Mansfield, Jamieson and Tolme. These regions provide beautiful alpine scenery without the crowds that flock to Mount Buller. It's ideal for hiking, fishing and winter sports in the colder months.
The Goldfields town of Clunes is renowned for its annual celebration of books and storytelling. Photo: Visit Victoria.
Goulburn Valley and Cobram
For those who prefer rivers to oceans, Cobram is a great destination. Located right on the Murray, the land here has been cultivated to produce everything from olives to strawberries to wine, not to mention a healthy patch of premium golf courses.
Cobam is a great location for family holidays, especially for those with a penchant for caravanning. The town is well positioned to explore some of the region’s best tourist attractions like Cactus Country, Murray Paddlesteamers and Byramine Homestead, while also offering opportunities to relax at the local river beaches.
Fun fact: Thompsons Beach in Cobram is said to be the biggest inland beach in the southern hemisphere.
East Gippsland and Mallacoota
A largely overlooked area with stunning coastline, forests and lakes. Towns like Mallacoota and Buchan are perfect for those wanting to escape the crowds, while enjoying nature and beaches.
Port Fairy is perfectly positioned as a base to explore some of best sites in Victoria's west. Photo: Visit Victoria.
The Otways hinterlands
The Otways Rainforest is renowned for its beauty, but there are some very tasty reasons to detour through some of the small towns that dot the foothills of the region as well.
From pick-your-own berries at Gentle Annie’s and Pennyroyal Raspberry Farm to the haute cuisine of Brae and the famous handmade pies at The Store in Dean’s Marsh, there’s a surprising number of gourmet treats to discover in this region of Victoria. For a drink, try Blake’s Estate, Otway Estate or Forrest Brewing Company.
Keen gardeners or families might also enjoy a visit to Yan Yan Gurt West, a fifth-generation sheep farm that welcomes visitors to learn about how their regenerative practices are protecting the landscape. Or travel just a bit further afield to experience the majesty of the Otway Fly Treetop Walk.
Fun fact: Brae has been named as one of the top 50 restaurants in the world – book in advance as reservations can be hot property.
Victoria's best regional pies - The Store Deans Marsh | RACV
Mallee region and Mildura
If you venture into the far northwest of Victoria, the Mallee offers an entirely different experience. With a unqiue outback feel, it's home to samll towns like Ouyen and Mildura , and the beautiful Murray-Sunset National Park.
Enjoy an outback road trip without leaving Victoria in Mildura. You might know the region for its long history of citrus agriculture (and a visit to Orange World is always a fun day out for the family), but the red earth is just as good for producing viticulture grapes with wineries like Trentham and Oak Valley some of the top to visit.
Head out for a tour of the Murray on a paddlesteamer or really go bush with a day out in Murray-Sunset National Park (where if the season is right you can see pink lakes) or over the border to Mungo National Park where you can visit one of the most important archaeological sites in Australia. Swan Hill, a haven for water and nature lovers, is also just a few hours’ drive from Mildura.
Mildura is also a haven for gastronomes – top restaurants to visit include Stefano’s Restaurant for upmarket Italian, Andy’s Kitchen for fun, fresh Asian cuisine in a tropical themed venue, or Brass Monkey for the kind of coffee and café fare that wouldn’t be out of place in Fitzroy.
Fun fact: Mildura really is for wine lovers – 80 per cent of Victoria’s grapes are produced in the local area.
French Island
Phillip Island might be Victoria’s best-known island, but it’s by no means the only island you can visit. French Island is located in Western Port Bay and is a haven for travellers looking for wildlife and outdoor adventures.
There are no sealed roads on French Island, and the only cars you’ll see belong to the small number of permanent residents. There are however several scenic walking tracks (try the West Coast Walking track to the Pinnacles or stroll along Fairhaven Beach) as well as more than 500 species of native birds to spot.
Amongst all the windswept nature and wildlife, you’ll also find a winery which is open for visitors during summer. Don’t want to explore the island solo? You can also book a tour departing from the mainland covering all the main attractions. Limited accommodation, including camping, is available on the island though ferries to the island can be caught from either Phillip Island (near RACV Inverloch Resort) or Stony Point (close to RACV Cape Schanck Resort).
