Want to Escape the City? Here Are the 8 Best Day Trips from Melbourne!

Keen on a day trip from Melbourne for a bit of an escape? 

To help you decide on where to go, we’ve compiled a list of the best day trips from Melbourne. From wildlife encounters to wine tastings, and even exciting activities for thrill junkies - we’ve got you covered! 

Here are the best day trips you can get on that are only 3 hours or less from Melbourne:

Famed for its iconic Penguin Parade, Phillip Island is one of our most recommended day trips from Melbourne, especially if you love interacting with wildlife.This tiny island is packed with spectacular coastal views, amazing animal encounters, and a bunch of action activities such as mountain biking and race car driving!

While you’re there, make sure to check out this Phillip Island 4-park pass that gives you front row seats to the magnificent Penguin Parade , and then 6 months from the date of booking to visit the Koala Conservation Reserve, Churchill Island and Antarctic Journey at the Nobbies too!

You can also head over to the well-loved Phillip Island Chocolate Factory and be chocolatiers for a day when you watch how they make these tasty treats! Of course, your trip isn’t complete without having a taste of the world-class chocolate the factory makes.

If you want to visit Seal Rocks and greet thousands of Australian fur seals, you can go on this seal-watching cruise out in the open seas!  You’ll also get live commentary onboard so you can discover more about these eccentric creatures.

Mornington Peninsula is an easy drive from CBD and gives you the escape you need, thanks to its idyllic beaches and rejuvenating spas. If you’re looking for a 1-day trip from Melbourne, Mornington is the place for you!

While you’re there, the Peninsula Hot Springs is definitely worth the visit. If you’re in the mood for a relaxing soak, its thermal pools and hot springs will ease tension from your body.  

Another iconic landmark in Mornington Peninsula that you shouldn’t miss is Arthurs Seat Gondola. Soak up the fantastic views of Mornington, Port Phillip Bay, and the surrounding areas as you ascend 314 metres high inside a gondola!

To see the best of Mornington Peninsula, you can also join a group day tour that departs from Melbourne. Visit Arthurs Seat and Peninsula Bathing Boxes, plus a beer paddle tasting at St Andrews Beach Brewery! Did you know that it also comes with a regional lunch hamper?

Every wine connoisseur knows Yarra Valley. If you’re a budding wine enthusiast, your day trip from Melbourne should include a stop at the rolling hills of Yarra Valley! Thanks to its cool climate, the Valley is a perfect region to produce well-loved wine variants such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. 

You can join tons of wine tours, such as this Yarra Valley Wine Tour that picks you up in Melbourne! Accompanied by a friendly guide, visit three excellent wineries in the region and get the opportunity to smell and taste incredible estate wines. Then, indulge in a superb gourmet lunch at one of the estates, matched perfectly, of course, with a glass of wine.

Of course, Yarra Valley boasts more than its fine wines, and a trip to Healesville Sanctuary will prove that. Find well-loved Aussie animals like kangas and koalas in their natural habitat, or get close with sneaky reptiles and majestic birds of prey in this wildlife sanctuary!

Test out your courage with this tandem skydive experience over Yarra Valley! Feel like you’re king or queen of the world when you experience 60 seconds of freefall after jumping out of a plane from 15,000 feet. No need to fret - your tandem master will make sure you’re completely safe!

Spend one of the best day trips from Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road by meandering along the expansive stretch of this scenic coastal road that comes with lots of great stops along the way.

From Melbourne, you can skip the self-drive and join this tour around the Great Ocean Road and 12 Apostles. Marvel at Victoria’s amazing coastline as you pass by iconic landmarks such as Loch Ard Gorge and Port Campbell.

While you’re there, challenge yourself to a breathtaking skydive experience where you can soak in the entirety of the Great Ocean Road and its surroundings. Head over to Barwon Heads Airport and leave your worries on the ground as you take a leap of faith and freefall at speeds of around 200 km/hr for up to 60 seconds!

Step into a winter wonderland when you go to Mount Buller! With this day trip from Melbourne, you’ll soon be skidding down the snowy slopes before you know it. If you’re a novice, there’s no need to worry because even beginners can conquer the thick snow of the mountain!

This day tour departs from St Kilda and takes you straight to Mt Buller, where you can enjoy a Swiss-style lunch at the village. You can also ride a Northside Express chairlift or explore the Horse Hill Toboggan and Snowplay Park. After lunch, you can either take a guided walk at the Village Circuit Track or spend the rest of your time playing in the snow before heading back to Melbourne!

If you have spare time, you can also head to the National Alpine Museum and discover more about Alpine Australia. Or, if your active day has taken a toll on your body, the nearby Breathtaker Spa is ready to help soothe your aching muscles!

Lake Mountain is a perfect destination for budding and pro skiers who don’t want to spend much time on the road during winter! Come the warmer months, this ski resort becomes a haven for hikers due to its challenging trails and cycling climbs!

For the best day trip from Melbourne to Lake Mountain, check out this whole day tour that takes you across the best of the ski resort. There are heaps of fun activities aside from skiing, like making snowmen, having a snowball fight, racing on a tube, or simply letting the majestic alpine views of the resort take your breath away! 

Afterwards, visit the magnificent Steavenson Falls at the Marysville township and the famous Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery for those with a sweet tooth before heading back to Melbourne.

Travel back to the Gold Rush and the Wild West at Ballarat’s Sovereign Hill. This one-of-a-kind open-air museum will undoubtedly pique your interest!

Watch history come to life when you explore the Gold Museum or experience the multi-sensory show Aura. You can even pan for gold on the Ballarat goldfields and learn the traditional art of ropemaking and candle-dipping at Main Street! 

With Klook, you can book your Sovereign Hill ticket with an underground mine tour or with a warm cup of Devonshire Tea.

While in Ballarat, make sure to drop by the Art Gallery of Ballarat, the oldest regional art gallery in Australia, and Ballarat Wildlife Park for incredible encounters with wombats and Tasmanian Devils!

For nature lovers, one of the best day trips you can take from Melbourne is a drive to Belgrave for Puffing Billy. This iconic steam train will take you to the most beautiful sights of Dandenong Ranges, a well-preserved temperate rainforest in Victoria. Climb aboard with your parents or grandparents as they relive their own childhood memories aboard this charming train!

From Belgrave, you can head to three different stops aboard Puffing Billy: the popular Lakeside Station, the charming country town of Gembrook, or Menzies Creek that comes with an entry to its museum filled with historic railway items!

Since you’re already in Belgrave, why not step into the Dandenong Ranges National Park and immerse yourself even more into nature as you walk under the lush rainforest canopy? On the other hand, film buffs will enjoy a wonderful time catching movie classics at the nearby Cameo Cinema!