The best scenic drives in Melbourne and Victoria

Get ready to meet some dinosaurs. Or at least that’s what it feels like what’s about to happen when you drive the Black Spur. Some call it Victoria’s most beautiful road trip and it's plain to see why. As you tootle underneath gum trees and past verdant ferns on a foggy morning (and it does not take much to make it foggy up there), it’s not hard to imagine a velociraptor darting across your path. The road is best started at Lilydale and then followed through to Marysville. Drive carefully and keep an eye out for wildlife, fallen trees and hairpin turns on the way. Look out for lyrebirds, kangaroos and other native animals. 

Distance: 56km one way from Lilydale to Marysville (via B360 and C512) – the Black Spur is a 30km section within this route

Need to know: Mobile phone reception may drop out

We cannot stress this enough: it is not called the okay ocean road or the pretty good ocean road. It is called the Great Ocean Road because it is truly great, especially to drive. This scenic route was built by veterans after the First World War. The winding 243km stretch takes you through fern-laden eucalypt forests and past sheer cliffs that peer out over an endless blue sea. There are plenty of small hamlets like Apollo Bay, Lorne,  to stop in for coffee on the way as well as beaches aplenty. Keep an eye out for wildlife and blind corners. And, of course, the Twelve Apostles. 

Distance: 243km between the Victorian towns of Torquay and Warrnambool

Need to know: Sights like the Twelve Apostles get extremely  crowded, especially during the school holidays in summer

You’ve probaly met the Great Ocean Road. Now meet its colder, aloof, but just as magnificent sibling. This road stretches from Wangaratta in the west to Bairnsdale in the east, all the while traversing forested mountains and (in winter) snowy peaks. The B500 takes you through picturesque towns like Bright and Omeo and gives you the chance to meander off and explore regions like Beechworth. During winter, as the name suggests, the Great Alpine Road is also your ticket to ski resorts like Mount Hotham and Falls Creek.

Distance: 308km from Wangaratta to Bairnsdale

Need to know: Give yourself a minimum of three days to complete the drive, with time to enjoy charming towns, hike alpine trails and farm-to-table dining.

Travelling between Melbourne, Sydney, or Canberra? Take a detour. The Silo Art Trail features a chain of silos and other large regional buildings that have been upcycled into massive artworks by street artists. The North East trail starts at Benalla then continues to Goorambat where there is a trio of grain silos featuring works from Jimmy Dvate. The trail then takes you to Devenish, St James, Tungamah and Winton Wetlands, showcasing large-scale public murals along the way. Driving and art – together at last. 

Distance: 132km

Need to know: Take it slow. Enjoy a Devonshire tea or savour a cold beer in one of the charming country pubs

Melbourne might not be known for its beaches in a way that Sydney is, but no one told that to Beach Road. This suburban roadway that runs along the northeastern shore of Port Phillip Bay between Mordialloc and Brighton is a great option for those wanting a good drive, but not a long one. On the way, you can stop at some of Melbourne’s best beaches, as well as rubberneck at the gorgeous beachfront homes of the city’s one per cent. 

Distance: 18km

Need to know: Watch out for cyclists! Beach Road is one of the most ridden roads in Australia

The Grampians is arguably one of Victoria’s best national parks, with dramatic sandstone mountains and views that will make you say, "Kosciusko who?". If you’d prefer to enjoy the region from the comfort of your car, the Grampians Way drive from Halls Gap to Dunkeld is a wonderful way to do so. This route  circumnavigates the Grampians National Park, allowing you to hop on and off the route as and when you want. This self-guided road trip allows you to see the rugged mountain ranges on one side, and endless craggy plains on the other. Make sure to stop by beautiful Lake Bellfield.

Distance: 64km

Need to know: Rich in Aboriginal history, the region traditionally known as Gariwerd 

Thanks to the magic of ferries, you can drive a full loop around Port Phillip Bay. Starting from (and ending at) Melbourne, head west to Geelong and then down to Queenscliff. From there, book a trip for you and your vehicle on Searoad Ferries to Sorrento where you can follow the Nepean Highway back to Melbourne. You’ll get the best ocean views from Queenscliff onwards, but there’s definitely a certain windswept charm to the scrubby, straw-coloured fields of the Bellarine.

Distance: Approximately 230km

Need to know: Take in everything from historic villages and beautiful beaches to stunning coastal scenery and local wildlife 

Arthurs Seat is the highest point on the Mornington Peninsula and unsurprisingly has some pretty neat views of the bay. Heading up the hill makes for a perfect Sunday drive. Be warned though – this is one of the windiest roads in the state with plenty of hairpin turns. Once you’ve made it up the 304-metre granite hill of Arthurs Seat, you're rewarded with an amazing view of golden beaches, Mornington and Bellarine. You can do a loop by travelling on Purves then Main Creek Road, or you can head further north and explore Red Hill that's known for its wineries.

Distance: 20km

Need to know: Soar above the treetops on an aerial gondola ride