It might not be the largest state in Australia, but Victoria has a huge range of options when it comes to hitting the road. Whether you’re on a coastal drive, a cruise through the bush, a jaunt between country towns or a trek to its far borders, you’ll have a great time seeing the landscape and meeting the people who live here.
Whether you’ve got just a few days or a longer amount of time to explore, here are three of the best road trips in Victoria.
Follow the Great Ocean Road
There’s probably no more famous driving journey in Australia than the Great Ocean Road. It follows the southwest coastline of Victoria from the surf town of Torquay to Allansford, 243 kilometres away. Give yourself three or four days to enjoy it all.
There are too many highlights to mention them all but don’t miss a sunrise visit to the 12 Apostles. The golden light hitting the limestone pillars erupting from the see is magical and, because the tour buses haven’t yet arrived, you’ll have a peaceful experience.
Pull over and leave the rental car behind to walk down the 350 stairs to Wreck Beach with its long stretch of sand, crashing waves and the anchors of the Marie Gabrielle and the Fiji, which lie as reminders of the treachery of this stretch of ocean.
The Great Ocean Road is dotted with seaside towns, each harbouring their own personality. Grab some fresh crayfish and prawns at the Apollo Bay Fishermen’s Co-op then have a picnic overlooking the waves and marina. Lorne is a popular weekend destination for Melburnians, andPort Campbell is surrounded by national park with some excellent coastal walks.
If luxury is calling, book a night or two at Alkina Lodge. Designed by acclaimed architects Glenn Murcutt and Wendy Lewin, the three lodges are oriented to take in the landscape and wildlife while maintaining privacy. Spend the day exploring the area then retire to your accommodation where you can relax in the spa, on the deck or in front of the fire with a bottle of local wine.
Discover the Riches of the Goldfields
Whether you’ve got two days or two weeks, there are endless options northwest of Melbourne around the Macedon Ranges and towards the regional cities of Bendigo and Ballarat.
Head to Daylesford and Hepburn Springs, where natural mineral waters still bubble from the earth thanks to immigrants from Switzerland and Northern Italy, who could see the damage gold mining was doing to the springs in the 1860s and campaigned for their conservation. Spend the morning soaking in the luxe surrounds of the Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa followed by lunch at the acclaimed Lake House. Sitting on the deck, overlooking the water, with the kookaburras laughing in the trees as you enjoy the culinary skills of chef Alla Wolf-Tasker’s kitchen team is something you’ll never forget.
Ballarat was once home to world’s richest alluvial gold fields and, in the early 1850s, thousands of migrants from all over the world flocked here each week to find their fortune. Today, many of the grand buildings constructed during this time are beautifully preserved. You can visit a re-creation of the goldfields at popular attraction Sovereign Hill, visit the excellent art gallery, or take part in one of the immersive Made of: Ballarat experiences with local creators that include things like poetry walks or art classes combined with gin tastings. At night, lay your head at Hotel Vera, a nineteenth-century mansion that’s been converted into seven personalised, contemporary suites.
Depending on your interests, you could also visit wineries in the Heathcote region, explore the stores of makers, creators and vintage sellers at The Mill in Castlemaine, or marvel at the display of spring tulips in the heritage streets and parks of Bendigo.
Head High on the Great Alpine Road
This is a road trip for those with some time on their hands. Head east of Melbourne through Gippsland and spend some time exploring the wonderful coastal landscape. You might even want to spend the night in a luxe glamping tent at Metung Hot Springs before heading out on the main adventure: the Great Alpine Road.
This route of about 340 kilometres follows Australia’s highest year-round accessible road through a diverse range of landscapes, including lush forests, rolling vineyards and lofty ranges. Along the way, you’ll want to stop the rental car frequently to admire the views and take some of the beautiful walks. You’ll travel from Metung to the old gold town of Omeo then steadily ascend the Australian Alps to Mount Hotham, Victorian’s highest alpine village. There are brilliant hikes around here and Dinner Plain where the grasslands are covered in wildflowers during spring.
From there it’s down the mountains again to Bright. Sitting on the Ovens River, it’s one of the prettiest towns in the region. Nearby Mount Buffalo National Park is a drawcard for nature lovers, with walks to waterfalls, massive granite formations and lookouts that take in the alps.
The end of the road comes when you arrive in Wangaratta, where it’s time to head back to Melbourne, 250 kilometres away.
Before you leave Melbourne, hire a rental car to get your road trip started.
