Ten top family road trips near Melbourne

The picturesque township of Bright is the perfect base from which to explore Victoria’s High Country. Break up the 3.5 hour drive with a wander through native gardens and outdoor sculptures at the Euroa Arboretum, then stop by Milawa Bakery Café for coffee, fresh pastries and gourmet pies. When you arrive in Bright you’ll be surrounded by breathtaking mountains, valleys, rivers and lakes that offer year round splendour for bushwalking, kayaking and biking. Highlights include the stunning Canyon Walk, biking along the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail and fishing or feeding the slippery fish at Buxton Trout and Salmon Farm.

The border town of Echuca is bound by the Murray River, making it a hotspot for water activities. Wake up and be on the river in minutes, with fishing, swimming, paddle boarding and water skiing all at your doorstep. Take the Calder Freeway up to Kyneton, stopping by Country Cob Bakery (awarded Australia's Best Pies three years running) for a bite. Take a second break at Heathcote to see the stunning Pink Cliffs, where hydraulic sluicing in the gold rush era revealed the dramatic, colourful cliffs on display today. While you’re in Echuca, make sure you rent a canoe and go cruising down the river, visit desert landscapes of Cactus Country and go on a historic paddle steamer ride. Don't let on about the famous Echuca Chocolate Company unless you're willing to let the kids have a treat – it's nigh-on irresistible.

The Gippsland Lakes are made up of a vast network of waterways, with hundreds of kilometres of shoreline lending themselves to fishing, boating and sightseeing. Stay in the charming waterfront town of Metung, where storybook views and excellent local restaurants give the grownups something to enjoy as well. You’ll want to make a couple of stops on the way to freshen up – perhaps a walk among the peaceful forests of Mount Worth State Park, just south of Warragul, or lunch at cosy Badger & Hare in Stratford. At the lakes, let someone else do the driving by chartering a boat for the day, or get on your feet to tackle the Bataluk Cultural Trail, which follows significant traditional routes used by the Gunaikurnai people for over 30,000 years.

No list of road trips is complete without mention of the Great Ocean Road with its awe-inspiring views and rugged landscapes. The midway town of Lorne is a lovely place to set up base, full of popular surf beaches, rushing waterfalls and vibrant local culture. Spend your days exploring the ancient forests of Great Otway National Park, or head out at night to catch a glimpse of magical glow worms living in the damp banks of Melba Gully. Take the kids to Otway Fly Treetop Walks, where an elevated walkway lifts you 30 metres above ground for unrivalled views of the region's flora and fauna, or send them on a zipline tour for extra exhilaration. Break up the two-hour drive from Melbourne with a stop at Torquay, where you can recharge with breakfast at Third Wave Café while overlooking the shore, or duck into the Australian National Surfing Museum to see stories of beach culture new and old. 

At only two hours drive from Melbourne, a roadtrip to Marysville is the easiest way to have a snow holiday. It neighbours the Lake Mountain Alpine Resort, where you can ski and snowboard while the little ones will love sliding down the slopes on toboggans, zipping on flying foxes and spinning down their giant tube run. Back in Marysville, discover the rustic charm of the Marysville Old Fashioned Lolly Shop or walk up to the stunning Steavenson Falls. Don’t miss magical Redwood Forest in Warburton on the drive down, where 1500 exotic Californian redwoods, planted almost 100 years ago, now tower over 50 metres tall. 

At only two hours drive from Melbourne, Phillip Island is a well-worn daytrip for animal-loving families, but you may want to stay overnight if you want to witness the famed penguin parade at dusk. You’ll barely need to stop on such a short journey, but if you do, Pakenham is about halfway and home to a state-of-the-art eco playground. Deep Creek Reserve sports an all-abilities playspace and water play area, sensory gardens and a café, making it a great spot for everyone to stretch their legs. When you arrive at Phillip Island you can get close to cuddly friends at the Koala Conservation Centre, drive go-karts around a replica grand prix track and tour the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory. Come evening, it’s all about the penguin parade, so make sure you book tickets to get a closeup glimpse of the spectacle.

The historic gold rush town of Ballarat is a bonanza for family-friendly activities and outdoor adventures. Give the kids a taste of 1800s life at Sovereign Hill where they can pan for gold, travel through an underground mine and make their own candles, or take them on a vintage tram ride around Lake Wendouree. Alternatively, go on an adventure in nature, exploring the waterfalls and caves in Mount Cole State Forest or climbing Mount Buninyong. On the drive there or back, stop by Naturipe in Bacchus Marsh for a wholesome session of pick-your-own fruit. Depending on the season, you can pick strawberries, cherries, peaches and apple – perfect for healthy road-trip snacking.

Healesville may be located in the centre of the Yarra Valley food and wine district, but there’s plenty for the kids to enjoy as well. Spend the afternoon exploring Healesville Sanctuary’s tranquil bushland reserves, getting up close and personal with native wildlife and majestic birds of prey. Take budding train enthusiasts for a ride on the vintage Yarra Valley Tourist Railway before packing a picnic to enjoy in Maroondah Reservoir Park, where you’ll find easy-going waterfront walks, gardens, historic buildings and a charming playground. On the way home stop by the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery, a wonderland of sweet treats. They’ve got several chocolate tastings on offer and expansive gardens outside for the kids to work off their sugar high.

You don’t even have to leave Greater Melbourne Metropolitan to go on holiday. The Mornington Peninsula is barely an hour’s drive from the CBD but it’s got sand, surf and attractions galore. Feed wallabies, stroke a wombat and even cuddle a koala at Moonlit Sanctuary, a relaxed wildlife park that lets you get up close with Australian animals. Over at Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens the kids will love running around their manicured Cypress hedge maze, while 25 acres of gardens and lavender displays make for great photos. Meanwhile, older kids will enjoy the adrenaline rush of tree-top climbing and ziplining at Enchanted Adventure Garden. If you need to make a stop on the drive down, the beachside suburb of Frankston is a good place to do so – grab a brew and pastries from Commonfolk to enjoy on a stroll along the sandy shores of Frankston Beach.

The lively beach town of Torquay has been a beloved holiday destination since time immemorial. Legendary surf, sprawling nature reserves, fish and chips by the water – it’s no wonder the population swells considerably in summer. Spend the morning soaking in salt and sunshine on the Surf Coast Walk, then recharge with sustainable seafood at local institution Fishos and pick up dessert at the Great Ocean Road Ice Creamery down the road. The M1 takes you there in less than 90 minutes but a break in Geelong never goes astray, particularly if you’re stopping by the Museum of Play and Art, an interactive wonderland of tactile play and creativity. Older kids will enjoy the immersive experience offered at the Geelong Gaol Museum, Victoria's most intact 19th century prison, where visitors can get a feel for the brutal conditions faced by prisoners of yesteryear.

The MG HS is an SUV of refined style, uncompromising safety features and dynamic performance. The spacious leather interior has room for all your family’s bits and pieces, heated seats on select models for extra winter comfort, and the boot opens and closes automatically. The Panoramic Stargazer Sunroof on the Essence model, one of the largest SUV sunroofs available, will keep the kids transfixed at the view overhead.

Everyone can keep ventilated thanks to rear air vents for passengers, and everyone can keep connected thanks to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and colour satellite navigation. There are even front and rear USB ports offer four charging points, so ‘Are we there yet?’ never becomes an issue. And parents, relax: the ISOFIX system is built into the car for simpler installation of children's safety seats. 

A powerful 2.0L turbo engine and all wheel drive allow you to take on unsealed roads with ease. A full suite of advanced safety features, known as the MG Pilot Safety Suite, keeps your family safe: it includes Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, 360 Degree Camera, Active Emergency Braking, Lane Assist System, Door Opening Warning and Blind Spot Detection. All this starts at just $37,990 drive away including a seven-year, unlimited kilometre warranty. Find out more about the MG HS AWD.