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
Victoria may be one of Australia's smaller states but it's big on surprises. From the tropical north to the wild southern coast, 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 and you’ll find plenty of lesser-known locations offering unique travel experiences without the crowds.
If you're embarking on a road trip, ensure your car is prepared and safe, pack an emergency car safety kit, and update your emergency roadside assistance plan.
During summer, it's also essential to stay bushfire safe by checking the Fire Danger Rating for your destination and downloading the VicEmergency App for updates. Parks Victoria also has the latest information on any park closures due to bushfires or flooding.
Jimmi Buscombe's painting of a Barking Owl on a silo is a key attraction in Avoca. Image: Visit Victoria
Hidden gems and places to visit in regional Victoria
The Pyrenees Ranges and Avoca
Exploring the Pyrenees Ranges in Victoria is a delightful journey through charming towns with heritage buildings, wonderful wineries and cellar doors, and stunning natural attractions, including the Mount Buangor National Park, Pyrenees State Forest, Mount Cole State Park and St Arnaud National Park.
Situated about 30 minutes from Ballarat, you can plan a day trip or spend a week exploring the region.
Avoca and Beaufort are two must-visit towns, each with its own unique character. Avoca has a riverside market on the 4th Sunday of each month and holds the Pyrenees Unearthed Festival in April, while Beaufort has craft and antique shops, and a lake that's popular with locals for fishing, waterskiing, swimming and boating.
This picturesque region is home to some of Australia’s top wine producers and is a much quieter alternative to the Yarra Valley or Mornington Peninsula.
The Pyrenees Ranges also offer a multitude of hiking and nature trails. For a panoramic view, you can hike to Governors Rock Lookout in the Pyrenees State Forest or immerse yourself in the lush forest with a leisurely Valley Walk.
The Benalla Art Gallery is one of Australia’s premier regional art galleries. Image: Visit Victoria
High Country and Benalla
Victoria’s High Country is well known for its rugged mountains and picturesque valleys, but it also has some hidden beauties. While the autumn leaves in Bright and the historical significance of Beechworth attract attention, places such as Benalla are often overlooked. This small town is a fabulous place to stop if you're on the ultimate Hume Highway road trip from Melbourne to Sydney. It boasts one of the finest displays of roses in Victoria. The outdoor dining pods, located near the Ceramic Mural and Splash Park, are a unique place for picnics, along with Lake Benalla.
Benalla is the starting point for the North East Victoria Silo Art Trail, while the Benalla Art Gallery collection includes a tapestry of Sidney Nolan's Glenrowan, which depicts the capture of bushranger Ned Kelly. If you're interested in Victoria's bushranger history, then venture further north to Beechworth (76km north-east of Benalla) to see the Kelly Trials Exhibition at the historic Beechworth Courthouse.
Benalla's 8,750ha Winton Wetlands offers a range of outdoor activities, including canoeing, birdwatching, bushwalking and star gazing.
In winter, the High Country transforms into a skiing paradise, with several resorts providing excellent slopes for all skill levels.
More: Beechworth and beautiful country towns to visit in Victoria
Thompson's Beach on the Murray River is a great place for relaxing and swimming. Image: 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.
Thompson's Beach in Cobram is said to be the biggest inland beach in the southern hemisphere.
The major regional town of Shepparton is also part of the Goulburn Valley. Attractions include the Shepparton Motor Museum, Shepparton Art Gallery and monthly Farmers Market. For families, there's KidsTown, hailed as the largest outdoor adventure playground in Victoria. Spread over 2ha, it includes an interactive bushfood and edible garden space, making it a great pitstop on a road trip.
More: The best things to do in Cobram for families and tourists
Mallacoota boasts beautiful isolated beaches that provide a respite from city life. Photo: Visit Victoria
East Gippsland and Mallacoota
A largely overlooked area with stunning coastline, forests and lakes, towns like Mallacoota are perfect for those wanting to escape the crowds, while enjoying nature and beaches. It's distance from Melbourne accounts for its isolation. You can break up the six to seven-hour drive with an overnight stay in Inverloch or Lakes Entrance.
Mallacoota is situated on an inlet that offers a wide range of recreational activities, such as boating, kayaking and fishing. There are several nearby beaches, such as Gipsy Point Beach and Betka Beach, for swimming and relaxing.
Mallacoota is surrounded by stunning national parks, including Croajingolong National Park, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve with pristine beaches and hiking trails. The area is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including birds, koalas and marine life. One of the most popular hikes is the Mallacoota to Cape Howe Coastal Walk.
Although the Black Summer bushfires in 2019-20 heavily impacted the Croajingolong National Park, many campgrounds and park facilities have since reopened or been rebuilt. If you plan to visit this part of Victoria, check the Parks Victoria website for updates, and download the VicEmergency app to your phone to check for official bushfire and extreme weather warnings.
The Otways hinterlands, Forrest, and Dean's Marsh
The Otways is known for its temperate rainforests, and you'll find some of Victoria's best waterfalls here, including Triplet Falls, Hopetoun Falls and Beauchamp Falls. Attacting hikers and photographers year round, the dense forest, towering trees and lush vegetation provide a magical atmosphere.
Lovers of fine food will also love exploring the small towns that dot the foothills of the region. 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.
The nearby town of Forrest is one of Australia’s premier mountain-biking destinations, and a great pitstop on the way to Apollo Bay. You can kayak at Lake Elizabeth and work up an appetite for a meal at the Forrest Brewing Company or The Corner Store.
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 further afield to experience the majesty of the Otway Fly Treetop Walk.
The Otways is a key part of the Great Ocean Road, one of Australia's most famous scenic drives.
Mildura has outdoor activities, cultural experiences and fabulous food and wine. Image: Visit Victoria
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 small 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.
More: Get ready for a road trip with this car safety checklist
French Island is an almost untouched pocket of wilderness not far from Melbourne. Image: Visit Victoria
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).
