Once you’ve sussed out the scenes in Melbourne city, it’s time to hop in your camper for an epic Victoria road trip. We’re covering the top spots to visit near Melbourne in your campervan.
Epic alpine hikes and thrilling mountain bike trails make the High Country high on the list of every active traveller. If you’re not that energetic, the vast alpine region boasts a multitude of stunning hilltop towns and scenic lookouts to admire.
Not only is it Australia’s biggest river, but the mighty Murray is a mighty fine place to visit in a campervan. Dozens of dreamy free camps line the gum tree-fringed waterfront, while intriguing old towns offer insight into Australia’s colonial era. Treat yourself to a paddle steamer cruise for a real blast from the past.
Straddling Australia’s largest inland waterway, this charming Gippsland town affords abundant aquatic adventures. Whether you’re bopping between ocean waves or paddling tranquil canals, there’s no better place for it than here. Head to 90-Mile Beach to free camp right by the shore.
Victoria’s most enchanting national park, this postcard-perfect peninsula features pristine beaches framed by cragged granite tors. Summit lofty mountains for lookouts with panoramic views, then wash off the sweat with a refreshing swim in a secluded cove. Park your camper overnight at the stunning Tidal River Campground to make the most of it.
Watching the adorable Penguin Parade waddle across Summerland Beach is a rite of passage for any road tripper. Pumped to see more wildlife? Pop over to Nobbies Rock and see a colony of plump Australian fur seals frolic. Rev heads mustn’t miss the renowned Phillip Island Circuit—no, you can’t race your motorhome there.
A classic weekend destination, this action-packed peninsula brims with breathtaking beaches and world-class vineyards. But there’s plenty to keep you busy for more than a couple of days. Soak your stress away in a natural hot spring, peruse organic produce at a farmers market, or contemplate its eclectic open-air galleries.
An easy drive from the CBD, the Dandenong Ranges is a convenient place to escape the bustle of big city life. Embark on luscious rainforest trails flanked by verdant fern glades, or take the Puffing Billy Railway to soak it all in without breaking a sweat. The outlying Yarra Valley produces top-notch plonk should you crave a celebratory drink.
Australia’s most iconic road trip, this stupendously scenic stretch straddles sparkling beaches, cragged cliffs, and world-famous limestone stacks. Admire erosion-sculptured coastlines and venture deep into teeming rainforest the same day. Laidback seaside hamlets, booming surf breaks, and epic multi-day hikes await.
A quick drive north from the city sees you winding up scenic pine-clad mountains and savouring sweeping views. Nearby highlights include the atmospheric Hanging Rock, the thundering Trentham Falls, and the untamed Lerderderg Gorge. Swing by the leafy lakeside town of Daylesford for quaint country vibes.
Australia’s second-largest city has no shortage of worthwhile sites.
At its heart lies Federation Square, a sprawling block-sized plaza flanked by abstract edifices. Get there via the iconic Flinders Street Railway Station, taking a moment to admire its arched entranceways and early 20th-century façade. Across the road, you’ll spy St Paul’s Cathedral, a Neo-Gothic construction known for its razor-sharp spires.
Melbourne’s cultural cache gravitates around its eclectic collection of galleries and museums. The pièce de résistance is the National Gallery of Victoria, Australia’s oldest and most visited art museum. Other worthwhile options include the Melbourne Museum, the Arts Centre Melbourne, the Immigration Museum, ACMI and Scienceworks.
A stone’s throw from the CBD, the Royal Botanic Gardens spans 36 hectares of immaculately manicured flora. Nearby, the Fitzroy and Carlton Gardens offer additional quiet respite from the pulsating city life.
Interested in early-colonial architecture?
Melbourne has landmarks aplenty. Take a squiz at the State Library Victoria, the Royal Exhibition Building, the Shrine of Remembrance, Cooks’ Cottage, Abbotsford Convent, and Old Melbourne Gaol.
Shopaholics (and curious window shoppers) mustn’t miss Queen Victoria Market, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest open-air marketplace. Other unique retail spaces include the opulent Block Arcade and the colourful South Melbourne Market.
For the best panoramic views, head to the 88th-floor observatory at the Melbourne Skydeck. Animal lovers could check out the Melbourne Zoo or SEA LIFE Aquarium, while sports fanatics should snag match tickets for the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to wining and dining in Melbourne. Hit Chinatown for flavoursome Oriental eats, Southbank for chic riverside digs, or St Kilda for a youthful seaside vibe. Other gastronomic hotspots include Brunswick Street (Fitzroy), Lygon Street (Carlton), and Chapel Street (CBD).
Within easy reach of Melbourne, the Dandenong Ranges boasts lush canopies of towering ash trees. The outlying Yarra Valley is Victoria’s viniculture epicentre, with scenic wineries as far as the eye can see.
Top-shelf natural attractions unfurl in every direction on a road trip from Melbourne. Head east or west along the salt-lashed coastline, or venture inland to savour country Victoria’s charms.
The western route takes travellers along the Great Ocean Road, one of the world’s most sought-after road trips.
If time permits, make a pit stop at Geelong to peruse museums and kick back on its crescent-shaped waterfront esplanade. The adjacent Bellarine Peninsula is a worthy off-the-beaten-track detour with scenic vineyards and windswept beaches—don’t miss Queenscliff.
Back on the Great Ocean Road, the seaside settlements of Torquay and Anglesea boast beautiful coastal vistas and world-class surf breaks. Every Aussie 90s child should stop by Aireys Inlet to whistle Round the Twist melodies at Split Point Lighthouse.
Take it slow on the next westerly stretch to savour those stunning coastal views—stop off at Memorial Arch for an iconic photo opp. Laidback Lorne is a holiday hotspot for its splendid scenery and nearby natural sites. Check out Teddy’s Lookout and Erskine Falls.
Stop to stretch your legs at Wye River and Kennett River before rolling into Apollo Bay, an unpretentious seaside town and the gateway for Cape Otway adventures.
The most postcard-worthy Great Ocean Road sites reside around Port Campbell. While the jagged limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles take centre stage, cragged coastal photo ops abound. Don’t miss the Gibson Steps, Loch Ard Gorge, The Arch, London Bridge, The Grotto, and The Bay of Islands.
If more western adventures beckon, take the time to suss out the coastline surrounding Warrnambool, Port Fairy, and Portland.
Although the eastern route doesn’t receive the same international acclaim, this sparsely populated region, known as Gippsland, brims with beautiful beaches, mountains, and lakes.
First up is Mornington Peninsula, a scenic cape full of vineyards, open-air galleries, hot springs, and hikes. Kick back in Point Nepean National Park and enjoy sweeping vistas from the Arthurs Seat Eagle gondola. Worthwhile Mornington towns include Sorrento, Portsea, Dromana, Rosebud, Flinders, Mount Martha, and Rye.
Hit Phillip Island’s Summerland Beach at sunset to watch the adorable Penguin Parade. Next, try Nobbies Rock to see a colony of lazy Australian fur seals.
Heading east, stop off at Inverlock before rocking up at Wilsons Promontory, Victoria’s most mind-blowing national park. Outdoor adventures range from accessible scenic lookouts to stunning secluded beaches and multi-day backcountry forays.
A short detour inland leads to Tarra-Bulga National Park, famed for its lush rainforests and enormous tree ferns. The coastal route takes you to stunning seaside towns like Lake Entrance and Metung— both idyllic spots to laze the day away by the water. Near the NSW border, Mallacoota is a lovely coastal town wedged between a scenic inlet, and the untamed Croajingolong National Park
Occupying large swathes of northeast Victoria, the High Country offers some of Australia’s most dramatic alpine scenery.
Lofty hilltops in Mount Buller and Hotham draw skiers during the snow-smothered winter months. Warmer temps see hikers, mountain bikers, and intrepid 4WDers head to the hills. Some of the most sought-after protected areas include Alpine National Park, Mount Buffalo National Park, Snowy River National Park, and Cathedral Range State Park.
Picturesque townships lie peppered throughout the hills. Rutherglen, Beechworth, Bright, Yackandandah, and Myrtleford offer breathtaking alpine scenery and intriguing historical sites.
The central and western sections of inland Victoria give rise to rolling pastoral lands and historical Gold Rush towns.
Ballarat and Bendigo blend early Australian history with an energetic, urbanised vibe. Cute quaint settlements include the likes of Healesville, Daylesford, Dunkeld, and Clunes.
The mighty Murray River divides Victoria from New South Wales. A string of scenic free campsites line the waterfront and you’ll encounter plenty of character-filled towns. Echuca, Mildura, Swan Hill, and Albury Wodonga pull in the biggest crowds.
Avid outdoorsy types mustn’t miss Grampians National Park, one of the state’s most sought-after hiking destinations. Challenging trails scale the rugged mountainous terrain; routes span short easy walks to arduous multi-day adventures.
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