Looking for a fun day out? Hit the road and escape the city to one of these must-see day trip destinations in Victoria, all close to Melbourne.
Victoria
Daylesford: Victoria's spa capital near the Goldfields
Bright: a palette of seasons in Victoria's High Country
Healesville: Victoria's gateway to the Yarra Valley
Inverloch: coastal serenity in Gippsland
The best beautiful country towns to visit in Victoria
Explore these beautiful regions and discover the best towns to visit in Victoria.
Charming coastal gems, historical wonders, natural havens, and scenic blooms - the state of Victoria is home to some of the most picturesque towns in the country. From the seaside allure of Torquay to the spa haven of Daylesford, discover why some of Victoria's country towns are not just destinations, but a symphony of beauty, history, and natural wonders.
Before you head off, remember to keep road trip happy by reviewing your road safety checklist, packing your car safety and emergency kit, and checking that your emergency roadside assistance plan is up to date. Download the VicEmergency app to your phone for timely information about severe weather events, such as bushfires, storms or flooding events.
Electric car owners can check EV charging availability along their chosen route prior to leaving. RACV Members can access information about EV charging stations via the RACV app.
The best and most beautiful towns to visit in Victoria
Port Fairy: a coastal gem on the Great Ocean Road
Drive from Melbourne: about 3.5 hours
Port Fairy is a coastal town rich in history and natural beauty, with a unique blend of antique charm and community that makes it an ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Famed for its whale trail sightings, nearby volcanoes and annual folk festival, one of the key allures of Port Fairy is its historical significance.
Established in the early 19th century, the town played a vital role in the development of the wider Shipwreck Coast region. Its port was one of the busiest in Australia in the 1850s, with ships heading back to England full of wool, wheat and gold. Across the bridge from the harbour, Battery Hill preserves cannons and fortifications placed in 1887 to protect Port Fairy from the perceived threat of Russian warships.
Many of Port Fairy's buildings have been preserved by the National Trust, providing visitors with a glimpse into the town’s fascinating past. Grab dinner at country pub The Stump, Victoria's oldest continuously licensed pub (since 1844), to tap into the town's heritage.
Port Fairy is also renowned for its beautiful beaches, including the 5.8km-long East Beach and the smaller South Beach - known locally as Pea Soup - which are both popular for swimming, picnics, or simply enjoying the beautiful coastal scenery.
The Port Fairy Lighthouse (or Griffiths Island Lighthouse), standing proudly near the entrance to the Moyne River, offers panoramic views of the coastline on a 2.9km walk around the Griffiths Island circuit. A known nature reserve, it is home to a colony of shearwaters (mutton birds) and is a popular spot for birdwatching and leisurely scenic walks.
With its quaint heritage buildings and stunning ocean views, it’s no wonder that Port Fairy is often referred to as a hidden gem at the end of the Great Ocean Road. It's technically 39km away from where the Great Ocean Road officially concludes at Allansford, but well worth the extra drive.
The Moyne River is one of the many attractions in Port Fairy. Image: Visit Victoria
Daylesford: Victoria's spa capital near the Goldfields
Drive from Melbourne: about 1.5 hours
Whether you're seeking relaxation, unique experiences, or a nature retreat, Daylesford has it all. Daylesford is renowned for its therapeutic offerings, artistic community and charming beauty. Nestled amid rolling hills and forests, it is one of the most beautiful towns in Victoria, and only a 25-minute drive from RACV Goldfields Resort.
Visitors can stroll around the serene waters of Lake Daylesford, go hiking in the nearby Wombat State Forest, or marvel at the views from the Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens perched atop an extinct volcano. Sailors Falls is just a short drive away, offering views of a spectacular twin waterfall.
For 130 years, the town's natural mineral springs have drawn visitors seeking soothing mineral baths, while in more recent times, pampering spa treatments and luxury wellness experiences have become added drawcards. Visit Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm to sample blooming lavender from January to May, or pop into the Hepburn Bathhouse for a gorgeous day spa.
Art enthusiasts can explore the numerous galleries and art studios that showcase the works of local and international artists, like the famous Convent Gallery. Meanwhile, food lovers can indulge in the area's gourmet delights, with an array of farm-to-table restaurants, wineries and farmers markets to choose from in this beautiful country town.
Daylesford has a timeless quality with its natural beauty and historic buildings. Image: Visit Victoria
Sorrento: seaside paradise on the Mornington Peninsula
Drive from Melbourne: about 1.5 hours
Sorrento, located on the Mornington Peninsula, has long been a popular Victorian holiday destination. Whether you're seeking relaxation, adventure or beachside vibes, Sorrento has it all. The wider area boasts some of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in Victoria, with clear waters and soft golden sands along 30km between Cape Schanck and Point Nepean.
Relax and soak up the sun, snorkel some of the best reefs in Port Phillip Bay, or take a refreshing swim, with the area’s stunning beaches offering the perfect escape in summer. Ready to get out on the water? Join a waterbike tour, hire a sea kayak, snorkel with sea dragons, or embark on a dolphin and seal swim cruise.
Explore Port Nepean National Park at the tip of the Mornington Peninsula, full of World War II-era forts, barracks, tunnels and the 1852-built Quarantine Station that isolated infected incoming ship passengers. There are many walks to choose from, including a trail around Fort Nepean, where the first shot of the British Empire in World War I and the first Australian shot in World War II were fired. Cheviot Hill, the park's highest point, overlooks the beach where former Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt disappeared while swimming in 1967.
Unwind at the nearby hot springs on Mornington Peninsula near Sorrento after your adventures. Alba Thermal Springs and Spa offers 22 contemporary geothermal bathing options, while the Peninsula Hot Springs are famous for their bathing and wellness experiences, including private bathing sessions.
Sorrento's beautiful beaches and historic pier make it a year-round attraction. Image: Visit Victoria
Bright: a palette of seasons in Victoria's High Country
Drive from Melbourne: about 4 hours
Bright, a small town located in the heart of the Victorian Alps, is known for its stunning seasonal beauty, rustic charm and community festivals.
You'll be captivated by the ever-changing seasonal landscape in Bright. Come winter, snow-capped peaks transform the town into a winter wonderland, offering opportunities for skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing aplenty. Visit during the Darker Days Festival in June for live music and craft beers.
In spring, Bright bursts into a riot of colours as the cherry blossoms and wildflowers bloom, providing a perfect postcard view for nature lovers and beauty seekers alike. Tackle the 120km Murray to Mountains Rail Trail from Bright to Wangaratta across bushland, valleys and country towns or hike around the Alpine National Park.
During the summer months, go mountain biking against the backdrop of Mount Buffalo, cool off in the clear waters of Ovens River or join a tandem paragliding tour to see Bright from the sky. At the lauded Feathertop Winery, enjoy a delectable picnic hamper or go behind the vines on a guided winery tour.
But Bright is most famous for its autumn foliage, when the country town truly comes alive with vibrant hues of red, orange and gold. Walk along the tree-lined streets or enjoy a scenic drive through the surrounding valleys to witness nature's stunning display in this beautiful Victorian town. The Bright Autumn Festival (April/May) is held at the height of colour, with open gardens, farm tours, arts and crafts exhibitions and more celebrating the season.
Bright is known for its rustic charm and award-winning eateries. Image: Visit Victoria
Halls Gap: nature abounds in the Grampians
Drive from Melbourne: about 3.5 hours
Halls Gap is a tiny country town in the heart of the stunning Grampians National Park.
In town, visit the Halls Gap Zoo to see more than 120 species from around the world or head to Grampians Adventure Golf to enjoy an 18-hole mini golf course in the bush. There's also the Brambuk Cultural Centre, which teaches about the area's indigenous culture.
Head into the national park to discover waterfalls, lookouts, hikes and mountain summits aplenty. Boroka Lookout offers panoramic views over Halls Gap, while the Venus Baths offer cool freshwater rock pools to splash around in the heat. Tackle the steep summit walk up Mount William to the highest point of the park, or enjoy a ramble around Mount Rosea to see the Gate of the East Wind rock formation.
Don't miss country pub classic Halls Gap Hotel - its verandah is sunny in summer and it has a toasty fireplace in winter. The Halls Gap Bakery is another unmissable country icon.
Boroka Lookout provides panoramic views over Halls Gap and the east Grampians. Image: Visit Victoria
Healesville: Victoria's gateway to the Yarra Valley
Drive from Melbourne: about 1.5 hours
Healesville is a charming country town that welcomes visitors to the iconic Yarra Valley wine region, with plenty of experiences for nature lovers and winos alike.
In the Yarra Ranges National Park, walk through fern gullies and mountain ash rainforest at Donnelly's Weir, Badger Weir or Dom Dom Saddle. If you like your rainforest thick and jungly, embark on Tanglefoot Track or the Myrtle Gully Circuit in Toolangi State Forest nearby. If you prefer your nature orderly, visit the Maroondah Reservoir Park to view colourful European-style gardens.
The Yarra Valley Tourist Railway offers visitors to Healesville a historic railmotor round trip, while kids will adore the Healesville Sanctuary and clamour for an animal encounter with an echidna or dingo.
Don't miss the classic Healesville Grand Hotel and Beechworth Bakery Healesville before you go! For golf lovers, there's RACV Healesville Country Club & Resort.
Healesville is the gateway to Victoria's iconic Yarra Valley. Image: Matt Harvey
Torquay: a beachside retreat on the Surf Coast
Drive from Melbourne: about 1.5 hours
With its natural beauty, laidback community and lively food scene, Torquay is considered one of the most beautiful towns in the state for a day trip or longer stay.
Located on the Great Ocean Road's Surf Coast, Torquay has beaches, coastal scenery and a vibrant surf culture. It is considered the surfing capital of Australia, and its famous Bells Beach hosts the annual Rip Curl Pro surfing competition. The town is also known for its Australian National Surfing Museum, where you can discover the origins and highlights of surfing over the years.
Nature lovers will appreciate the picturesque coastline and Surf Coast Walk, which stretches from Torquay to Aireys Inlet. Meanwhile, the Point Addis Marine National Park offers up 10km of rugged coastline between Torquay and Anglesea, including Jan Juc Beach, Bells Beach and Addiscot Beach.
The town offers a choice of bohemian cafes, farmers’ markets, fine dining, international cuisine, and a range of wineries and breweries nearby. Take your pick and enjoy the beautiful ocean views on your visit.
With its coastal walks and surf culture, Torquay is the perfect place for a short stay or longer break.
Inverloch: coastal serenity in Gippsland
Drive from Melbourne: about 2 hours
Positioned along the stunning coastline of Bass Coast Shire, Inverloch is renowned for its pristine beaches, making it an ideal destination for sun seekers and watersports enthusiasts (think fishing, kayaking and paddleboarding). The powdery white sands of Anderson Inlet provide a peaceful setting for picnics, beachcombing, or simply soaking up the sun.
The Bunurong Marine National Park, located nearby en route from Melbourne, offers coastal walks with panoramic views of the rugged cliffs and pristine landscapes. Birdwatchers can also spot a variety of seabirds and waders, while seals and dolphins can be seen splashing along the Bass Strait coastline.
Inverloch holds historical significance, with dinosaur fossils, Indigenous history walks and diverse ecosystems around the area. The town's main street also boasts boutique shops for retail therapy and galleries that feature the work of local artists, rounding off a leisurely holiday in this serene seaside town.
For those seeking a culinary experience, Inverloch boasts charming cafes and restaurants offering fresh catches from local waters, including the fresh produce served at Radius Restaurant at the RACV Inverloch Resort.
It's also just a short drive from Inverloch to nearby Phillip Island if you're after a great day trip or overnighter near Inverloch.
Winter or summer, Inverloch is the perfect place for walks and relaxation. Image: Matt Harvey
