Once you consider Australia’s hottest metropolis, you in all probability consider Sydney and the enduring Sydney Opera Home, however Melbourne is just not too far behind so far as reputation goes.
In addition to its bustling central enterprise district, a big selection of road artwork, an in depth tram community, and historic landmarks, Melbourne can be the gateway to unmissable sights dotted round Victoria and neighbouring South Australia.
Soaking your self within the metropolis and wandering round is an efficient approach to expertise the distinctive Melbourian tradition. However there will definitely be instances you’d wish to escape the hustle and bustle of metropolis and suburban residing and enterprise out into Victoria’s bountiful array of seashores and bushlands.
In the event you’re on the lookout for some concepts on your upcoming weekend getaway, you’ve come to the best place! Let’s look into six high spots close to Melbourne to go to in your weekends.
1. Nice Ocean Street
The Nice Ocean Street is a 243-kilometre highway stretching from Torquay to Allansford, and one in every of Victoria’s high locations to drive via. It’s a winding highway that overlooks the southern coast of Victoria—and it’s additionally the world’s largest WWI memorial.
A 2-hour automotive trip from Melbourne to the beginning of the route, spending a day or two navigating this scenic route is one exercise loved by each Melbournians and guests alike.
The Nice Ocean Street passes via beautiful cliffs, coastal cities, and seashores. A fast detour from the primary route and you will discover your self immersed in lush rainforest, pristine waterfalls, and jaw-dropping redwood timber.
There are plenty of must-visit landmarks on the Nice Ocean Street. The Twelve Apostles, The Gibson Steps, and the London Arch are some spots it’s best to add to your bucket listing—they usually’re all conveniently a brief drive away from one another.
The coastal cities like Apollo Bay are additionally residence to a few of the greatest pubs, breweries, and seafood eating places. You should definitely seize a hearty meal of fish and chips as you journey via the highway journey.
Contemplating the space, it’s essential to have ample safety on your automotive in case issues go awry.
Driving in locations just like the Otway Nationwide Park can lead you to unpaved and dusty roads—and lots of small mountain roads might not be secure for bigger automobiles like campervans.
2. Adelaide and Surrounding Areas
The closest huge metropolis to Melbourne is South Australia’s very personal capital, Adelaide. Identified for its festivals, museums, and wine areas, Adelaide has a novel allure that may make for a really fascinating multi-day highway journey.
In the event you swing by Adelaide throughout March, you’ll be spending your vacation amidst the Adelaide Fringe and Adelaide Cup festivities—that are annual occasions that boast the cultural aptitude of the town.
Go to every other month and also you’ll nonetheless end up with a number of different issues to see and do.
A stone’s throw away from the primary metropolis centre is Glenelg Seaside—a bustling beachside city that’s good for catching some waves and spending some high quality time with household and mates.
Situated throughout the metropolis, the botanic gardens within the metropolis centre supply a terrific alternative to walk round and immerse your self in nature.
Get pleasure from museum hopping? You possibly can go to a few of Adelaide’s greatest museums a strolling distance away (or via a tram) from the gardens.
And for those who’re hungry, there are a lot of (and we do imply many!) pubs dotted across the metropolis centre and surrounding suburbs. There’s additionally the Central Market and neighbouring Chinatown if you wish to take pleasure in native and multicultural gastronomy.
There are additionally plenty of locations you’ll be able to hike in Adelaide. Morialta Falls, Mt. Lofty, and Belair Nationwide Park all supply nice bushland path experiences. Additional afield is the Barossa Valley, a surprising wine area the place a lot of SA’s wines are cultivated and grown.
Driving from Melbourne to Adelaide is roughly a 12-hour journey. In the event you’re driving an electrical car, guarantee that you’ve got electrical automotive insurance coverage from respected insurance coverage suppliers like ROLLiN’.
3. Dandenong Ranges
Consisting of many hilltop cities, rainforest trails, and wildlife, the Dandenong Ranges is a good close by escape for nature lovers.
Located on the Jap outskirts of Melbourne, the Dandenong Ranges have a terrific array of trails that minimize via lush rainforests and picturesque landmarks.
You possibly can select many mountains to beat—however essentially the most esteemed one within the space is Mt Dandenong, a towering mountain standing over 633 metres tall. In the event you don’t wish to hike all the way in which to the highest, you’ll be able to drive and park within the observatory deck.
What’s extra, there’s a café on the summit, offering a picturesque spot to loosen up and benefit from the view of Melbourne, each in the course of the day and at evening.
One must-do exercise within the space is to trip the Puffing Billy Railway. This previous railway located in Belgrave cuts via the mountain ranges and offers riders an intimate peak of the untouched environment.
This vacationer attraction is exclusive as a result of it’s Australia’s oldest steam-operated prepare, being round because the starting of the twentieth century.
The Dandenong Ranges is a superb place to go to, that includes over 30km of scenic points of interest on the beneficial Vacationer Street. You should definitely cease by the Yarra Valley as nicely; for those who’re fortunate, you’ll be able to pattern some recent wine grown straight from the vineyards of that land.
4. Phillip Island
Need to absorb some solar and sea? Then take into account including Philipp Island to your bucket listing. A two-hour drive south of the Melbourne metropolis centre and a brief ferry trip away, this vacation spot is the proper weekend getaway for seashore fanatics.
There are a tonne of issues you are able to do on this island. The primary attraction right here is observing the distinctive wildlife within the Phillip Island Wildlife Park—that includes native animals like penguins and koalas.
One other top-tier attraction is the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, a closed-loop race monitor that means that you can drive as quick or as gradual as you need throughout chosen drive days. Alternatively, you’ll be able to simply sit again and loosen up as you witness the professionals zoom previous the monitor throughout scheduled occasions.
In addition to that, there are nonetheless a plethora of enjoyable issues you are able to do with your loved ones. You possibly can take part in strolling excursions, museum excursions, whale-watching excursions, and even biking excursions. You may as well go on a gastronomic journey with the eating places discovered all through the island.
And for those who don’t wish to participate in any organised excursions, you may as well go fishing, boating, and {golfing} across the island in designated areas. One go to is really not sufficient on this island paradise off the coast of Melbourne!
5. Grampians Nationwide Park
Appropriate as each a facet journey for an prolonged Grand Ocean Street highway journey or a standalone go to, the Grampians Nationwide Park is a surprising getaway from Melbourne.
This pure sanctuary options an abundance of beautiful sandstone mountains, lush greenery, and a wealthy array of endemic wildlife.
When within the space, remember to do the Pinnacle Stroll. A stroll on this path means that you can see the mountain ranges in full view. There are additionally many Aboriginal artwork websites across the space, making the go to each an enriching pure and cultural expertise.
Some folks go the additional mile and do the Grampians Peaks Path, a 164-kilometre, 13-day climbing expertise. Whereas undoubtedly extra gruelling than a weekend tour, it’s a testomony to the huge community of strolling trails you’ll be able to go to (or revisit) as you discover this nationwide park.
6. Daylesford
In the event you’d relatively loosen up in a single location relatively than go to a number of out of doors highlights, Daylesford presents a candy facet journey alternative an hour’s drive away from Melbourne.
Daylesford is named one of many nearest spa cities to Melbourne, that includes swimming pools with mineral spring water straight from the earth.
In addition to the abundance of springs, Daylesford additionally has cosy cafes, quiet gardens, cultural museums, and vintage retailers—all of the makings of a pleasant weekend out of busy Melbourne.