The best day trips from Melbourne

There’s a reason that Daylesford is known as a haven of relaxation. Eighty per cent of the country's mineral springs are found in this region, which makes it perfect for spa treatments. The region is extremely popular with weekenders from Melbourne, and once you visit you'll soon realise why many of them decide to make the tree change. 

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If you have the cash to splash and want the best of the best, there is one restaurant you must visit: Lake House, perched on the titular body of water. The multi-course menu changes all the time, depending on what is in season and what nearby Dairy Flat Farm, owned by the Wolf-Taskers and part of the Lake House mini-empire, is growing at the time. Everything is fresh and treated with the utmost respect, with a vegetable-forward menu that heroes local produce but is the opposite of ascetic.

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Thirsty? Stop into Daylesford Cider, which makes traditional and not-so-traditional cider from the onsite heritage apples. Owners Mackie and Clare are serious about cider, and they make numerous drops in both sparkling and still varieties. Many are classic English varieties made using traditional methods, but there are also a few that are just for fun. Paddles are the most popular way to taste all the ciders on offer at the venue, which is also dog-friendly.

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You’re here to relax, so begin your getaway by visiting arguably the most famous spa in the region, Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa. Similarly, the best time to take in art is when you’ve got the mental space – so head to the Convent Gallery and spend time with work from all manner of historical periods and styles. 

If you only do one thing... for a simple slice of tranquillity, pick up some picnic goods at the gourmet food shops on the main street and head to the pristine Lake Daylesford. You can take a walk around the lake or even go birdwatching. 

Known for its colony of Little Penguins, Phillip Island is an island packed with coastal wildlife experiences, cultural events and a growing food and wine scene.

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There are plenty of good food options on the island, and we'd highly recommend stopping in at Wild Food Farm and Café in Rhyll for breakfast or lunch. The property is a labour of love by Jude Mayall, whom you may know as the founder of bushfood company OutbackChef (and author of a cookbook of the same name). The farm grows native bush tucker like wattleseed and lemon myrtle, which is then used in the café as well as being packaged and sold online, in the gift shop and wholesale to chefs, distillers and brewers all over Australia. Fresh, native ingredients make the food here sing, and you can have a wander through hectares of native bushland before or after your meal. 

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Pop in for a wine tasting at Phillip Island Winery, which is set on 14 acres on the south side of the island. The region specialises in cool climate vino, and you can't go past the sangiovese.

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It’s always busy, but nothing beats the Penguin Parade. Every day at sunset, hundreds of little penguins waddle in from the sea on Summerland Beach.

If you do one thing... the five-kilometre return Pyramid Rock to Berrys Beach walk is well worth your time. The clifftop walk offers spectacular views, and the path is wide, mostly flat and easy to navigate. Keep an eye out for wallabies and the ubiquitous Cape Barren geese.

The coast gets all the glory, with its shining vistas and its glittering seascapes. But central Victoria should be your next weekend away destination, particularly the arty hub of Castlemaine. In recent years, Castlemaine and its surrounding towns have developed a reputation for being home to artists, musicians, writers and creatives. 

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In what used to be the ice-creamery of the Theatre Royal, you'll find Bistro Lola, a snug, two-tier restaurant with clusters of small tables and booths. With its low-lit charm and simple posies of flowers, it’s perfect date material. You might try an entrée of orange and coriander seed-cured Spanish mackerel, cucumber, currants and almonds, with green chilli oil; or a main such as Yapunyah chicken involtini with haricot beans, sage, porcini and speck.

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Looking for a chill, feel-good place to enjoy a beer? One of the three owners of the Taproom is Doug Falconer of Hunters and Collectors, so there’s plenty of music booked on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. Best of all, there’s no door charge. 

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Head to the Mill, an 1875 wool mill given a new lease of life when it was taken over in 2014 by a biodynamic sheepfarmer and a GP and transformed into a giant hub for food and artisan manufacturing. The biggest drawcard is the giant Vintage Bazaar, open seven days a week and packed full with groovy clothes and homewares. It's also home to the cellar door of the Boomtown Winemakers Co-op and traditional Viennese coffeehouse Das Kaffeehaus.  

If you only do one thing... do you know how to have a gouda time? Sorry, sorry, no cheese puns here – the people at the Cheese School in Castlemaine take the dairy arts very seriously, as well they should. The school aims to teach cheesemakers and mongers traditional French techniques to create and sell the most delectable artisan cheeses in the Australian market. Although primarily aimed at industry professionals, the school also offers classes for laypeople to better appreciate cheeses (yes, there are tasting classes), as well as half-day or two-day intensive courses in home cheesemaking. 

With beaches, wineries, parks, gardens and spas, Mornington Peninsula boasts an embarrassment of getaway riches. These diverse attractions are best discovered by car, and it’s an easy 90-minute drive south of the CBD. Not to mention the views overlooking Port Phillip Bay are nothing short of amazing.

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You’ll find excellent examples of barbecue, banana pudding and good ol’ Southern hospitality at Red Gum BBQ, a stellar barbecue restaurant inside a former machinery shed on Arthurs Seat Road. If you’re after something a little more luxe, Tedesca Osteria is the fine diner of the Mornington Peninsula to try, located in Red Hill.

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A produce-led restaurant, a fascinating sculpture garden and delightful wines crafted with care – Mornington Peninsula wineries don't get much better than Montalto. If you’re more of a cocktail fan, head to Flaggerdoot, the fancy design-driven cocktail bar at Jackalope Hotel.

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It’s often packed with visitors, but the Peninsula Hot Springs is definitely worth a visit if you’re in the mood for a soak. For a more elevated bathing experience try Alba. Underground wellness more your thing? Hit up Aurora Spa and Bathhouse.

If you do one thing... go for a walk down the Bushrangers Bay Trail at Cape Schanck. This coastal clifftop walk boasts picturesque vistas over Bass Strait.

It’s kind of hard to believe that the Yarra Valley is less than an hour’s drive from Melbourne. One minute you’re in the CBD, the next it's suburbia, and all of a sudden you’re surrounded by rolling hills covered in vines. The region’s world-renowned producers of cool-climate wines have helped put the Yarra Valley on the map. So pick your designated driver and get rolling.  

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Giant Steps do excellent charcuterie and cheese platters that you can match with fresh drops from the vineyard. Or hop across the street to Innocent Bystander for delicious wood-fired pizzas and moderately priced moscato.

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Visit TarraWarra Estate's cellar door for a tasting, or hit up Yering Station, one of the Yarra Valley’s oldest wineries. Another favourite is Hubert Estate, which has long been renowned for producing a cellar-worthy cabernet sauvignon.

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If you think the Yarra Valley resembles a pastoral wonderland from the ground, imagine how it looks from up in a hot air balloon. Global Ballooning Australia runs sunrise tours over the Yarra Valley for those looking to see the bucolic landscape from a bird’s eye perspective. Finish off with a visit to the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery for chocolate balls, blocks and many scoops of ice cream.

If you do one thing... get some cheese from Yarra Valley Dairy. These handmade farmhouse cheeses pair all too well with the local drops. 

It’s a Victorian icon for a reason – this windy stretch of road snakes all along the south-west coast of the state, starting at Torquay (1.5 hours from the CBD) and finishing up just before Warrnambool. It’s about a four-hour drive without stops, but heed our warning: you’ll definitely want to stop. There’s just too much happening along the coast not to, especially for those who like nature and native Australian animals. 

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Beachside dining got a whole lot more fun when Totti's Lorne opened up – this is fun, flavour-packed Italian fare that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

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The Aireys Pub is where it’s at. This much-loved watering hole regularly hosts live music sets, and it’s a great place to kick back with a bevvy post-swim. The pub serves up a great parma as well.

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The Great Ocean Road runs right past the cool, temperate rainforest of the Great Otway National Park, meaning you’re close to some of the country’s best native flora and fauna – keep your eyes peeled for eucalyptus-loving friends. If you can bear getting up early, watching the sunrise at the Twelve Apostles is well worth the effort. 

If you do one thing… Try surfing! There are plenty of places along the coast to do it; we’d suggest Anglesea if you like your waves friendly but not frisky.

The Bellarine Peninsula has stood in the shadow of its eastern cousin for too long. Travellers are starting to realise that the rugged coastal region has just as much to offer as the Mornington, and it’s considerably less expensive. Whether you’re looking for wineries, beaches or great food, the Bellarine is ready to assist. 

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We’d suggest a meal at Merne, which has carved out its own chunk in the region’s epicurean scene. For something more casual, try the Queenscliff Brewhouse which, yes, is a brewery, but it’s also a pub, bistro, tasting room, whisky bar and hotel.

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Take your pick from some of the peninsula’s best wineries including Jack Rabbit Vineyard, Curlewis Winery, Basils Farm and Scotchmans Hill. Switch up your winery visits with a trip to the Whiskery, a whisky and gin distillery. 

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In the summertime, when the weather is fine, be sure to stop over at Adventure Park for some exhilarating water slide fun. If all else fails, you won’t be disappointed with a swim or surf at Ocean Grove beach. 

If you do one thing… cycle the coast. The relatively flat terrain of the Bellarine makes it ideal for a little two-wheeled tourism. The main track cyclists will want to try out is the Bellarine Rail trail – a 35-kilometre track that follows the old railway line and winds past many of the region’s attractions. You can even take your bike over on Port Phillip Ferries which travels daily between Melbourne and Portarlington on a schmick two-floor catamaran.

If Sovereign Hill is all you know about Ballarat, it’s time for another visit to this historic Gold Rush town. From art galleries to winning dining destinations, this historic regional town is bursting with fun activities, especially during the colder months. The best part? VLine trains from Ballarat to Melbourne roughly run on the hour, and it takes less time than driving (about an hour and 20 minutes).   

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Babae (which is housed in Ballarat's boutique Hotel Vera) is a must-visit. The hospo crew at the helm are immensely passionate about the region, and take produce in showcasing its finest local produce. If you're after something a bit different, Peasant dishes up modern takes on historic working class fare. 

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One of the many benefits of catching the train to Ballarat is that Itinerant Spirits is just metres away from the station. This world-class distiller makes whiskey, gin and vodka from locally sourced grains and botanicals. Here, you can sink into one of the comfy lounges for a tasting or cocktail, or attend a fascinating masterclass.

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Grab a coffee and walk down Sturt Street to the Art Gallery of Ballarat. One of the oldest and biggest regional art galleries, the space boasts a huge collection of Australian art as well as rotating exhibitions throughout the year.

If you do one thing... you really can't pass up a visit to Sovereign Hill. This outdoor museum recreates what Ballarat was like ten years after the discovery of gold in 1851. Pan for gold nuggets, dress up in old-school garb and definitely take home some raspberry drops – they're really good.  

There is so much more to do in the Victorian High Country than ski and snowboard – though of course, the region is justly famous for its snowfields. Roughly three hours drive from Melbourne, the High Country region has award-winning craft beer, wine, spirits and produce, a rich history to explore and hundreds of kilometres of breathtaking scenery to walk, cycle or even paddle through.

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There are no shortage of places to dine in this beautiful part of the state. Ox and Hound Bistro in Beechworth is a great smart casual option, or level up to Provenance for a real fine dining experience. Bright Brewery and Tomahawks are consistently nominated as must-dos by regular visitors and residents alike. Get the chargrilled broccoli at Tomahawks – you will not regret it. 

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The High Country is home to a surprising number of craft breweries. If you're partial to a pint, check out Bridge Road Brewers in Beechworth or Bright Brewery in Bright. You can follow the High Country Brewery Trail to make a day of it – it's a good way to find some smaller, local makers.

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It would truly be rude not to set aside a portion of your visit to traverse the stunning winery landscapes of the High Country. Brown Brothers, Campbells and Ringer Reef are some of the must-sees – but that's truly only scratching the surface. 

There's also a tonne of fun historical stuff to see and do in the region. Check out the Old Beechworth Gaol tour and learn about Ned Kelly, or explore the historic precinct for enthralling facts about the town's Gold Rush era.

If you do one thing... eat and drink. The produce in the High Country is truly second to none – time spent exploring breweries, distilleries, wineries and restaurants is time well spent.