3 Fantastic Road Trips from Melbourne
A continent-sized country, Australia offers endless road trip opportunities. While many people think of Down Under as a place characterized by Outback desert scenery, there is, in fact, a lot of variety in Australia’s landscapes. From lush rain forests to epic coastlines, snowcapped mountains and fertile farmlands, this diversity makes for memorably scenic drives. One of the country’s best road trip hubs is Melbourne, so here we present you the three best road trips from Melbourne.
3 Awesome Road Trips from Melbourne
Melbourne’s location at the southern tip of the Australian mainland, amid a landscape made up of forests, beaches and countryside, is unparalleled in the country. Within a mere two hours from the city, you can be koala spotting, hiking through ancient forests or catching a wave at one of the world’s most iconic surf beaches.
Great Ocean Road
Few roads in Australia are as downright spectacular as the appropriately named Great Ocean Road. Starting in Torquay, arguably Australia’s surfing capital, the home base of both the Quiksilver and Rip Curl brands, this stunning coastal road runs for 243 kilometers along the coast of Victoria. After winding through rain forests and past renowned rock formations such as the Twelve Apostles, it ends in Allansford.
While you can cover this road in one afternoon, it is highly recommended to set aside at least three days. There is plenty to do, from the afore-mentioned surfing to hiking, waterfall hunting, wildlife spotting and sunbathing.
The Grampians
From Melbourne, it is about 3.5 hours to Halls Gap, the tourist center in Grampians National Park. This is one of southeastern Australia’s greatest national parks, filled with awesome trails, plenty of wildlife and epic vistas.
Rising abruptly out of the surrounding plains, these rugged mountain ranges invite all kinds of outdoor fanatics, from hikers to rock climbers and cyclists. Hike to a rocky summit, visit Aboriginal rock art sites or, if the season’s right, visit a cascading waterfall. Afterward, relax with a glass of locally made wine in one of the surrounding towns.
Wilsons Promontory
Encompassing the peninsula that is effectively the southernmost point of mainland Australia, Wilson Promontory lies only about 2.5 hours from Melbourne. This is without question one of the best road trips from Melbourne. Its gorgeous views, fine coasts, abundance of wildlife and great camping opportunities make this is a dream destination for bushwalkers
Many miles of hiking trails crisscross the park—both offering day hiking and phenomenal overnight treks to remote beaches. A must-do is visiting Squeaky Beach. Keep your eyes peeled for Australian wildlife such as emus, echidnas, kangaroos and wombats.