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.
Melbourne
Guide to Werribee Park: history, mansion and rose gardens
From historic tours to acclaimed gardens, fine wine and food to luxurious spa experiences, here are the best things to see, do and discover at Werribee Park.
Experience the grandeur and serenity of Werribee Park, the elaborate 19th-century heritage-listed estate and gardens, 35 minutes' drive southwest of Melbourne’s CBD. Walk the expansive manicured grounds, visit the park’s original orchard, and picnic near the impressive Victoria State Rose Garden, one of Victoria’s best rose gardens, where 5,000 roses bloom from November to April.
Werribee is the halfway point between Melbourne and Geelong, where there are plenty of free activities for all the family, while the nearby coastal town of Torquay has beaches, day spas and accommodation. For those travelling to Tasmania or further afield, Werribee is 40km away from the Spirit of Tasmania Quay in Geelong and 26km away from Avalon Airport. Discover everything you need to know about Werribee Park in this handy guide.
The mansion's Italianate/Roman Renaissance Revival architecture is impressive. Image: Visit Victoria
Everything you need to know about Werribee Park
What is there to do and see at Werribee Park?
One of the top tourist attractions to see in Melbourne, and only 35km from the CBD, Werribee Park features the heritage-listed Werribee Mansion, formal gardens, a rose garden, a grotto, a lake, and a heritage orchard.
Can you tour the heritage-listed Werribee Mansion?
Werribee Mansion has several rooms open to the public. You can see the exterior of the grand, two-storey Italianate mansion and its main hall and grand staircase, along with several downstairs and upstairs rooms like the Refectory Parlour, main dining room, morning room, and children's room. Tickets are available to purchase at reception.
Guided tours are also available every Thursday and Friday for vision-impaired visitors, with the chance to touch objects in each mansion room. Bookings are essential.
What other tours and events are there at Werribee Park?
The grounds host a wide range of events, from concerts, festivals, cultural gatherings, markets, and more. Check out the Visit Werribee website to see what’s on.
What is the history of Werribee Park?
Scottish brothers Thomas and Andrew Chirnside built Werribee Park Mansion between 1874 and 1877, funded by their wool and land empire. The 60-room estate, in the Italianate/Roman Renaissance Revival style, showcased their wealth and hosted lavish social events.
Sold to the Roman Catholic Church in 1922, it served as a seminary for 50 years before the Victorian Government restored it in the 1970s. Its architectural, historical, and aesthetic significance earned it heritage status, with ongoing conservation efforts.
The 400ha grounds, with formal gardens, lawns, and an orchard, are a major drawcard. The bluestone outbuildings, once the estate's working heart, contrast with the mansion's intricate craftsmanship.
How do I get to Werribee Park?
Werribee Park is an accessible destination only 35km from the CBD.
- Car: Reach Werribee Park by car in around 30 minutes via Princes Freeway, then K Road, through Gate 2. Parking is outside the Victoria State Rose Garden, 300 metres from Werribee Mansion.
- Public transport: Take the Werribee line train to Werribee Station, then bus #439 to Werribee Park. Allow 75-90 minutes for your journey.
- Bike: For keen cyclists, the Werribee River Park trail is a scenic way to reach the park. Park your vehicle at Tarneit, then bike for an hour along the trail.
The Victoria State Rose Garden is one of the main attractions at Werribee Park. Image: Getty.
What is there to see and do in the gardens at Werribee Park?
While Werribee Park once covered more than 35,000ha, the grounds now sit around 400ha. This includes 10ha of formal gardens, beautifully manicured with exotic plants and native Australian species. There are also an ornamental lake and charming bluestone and granite grotto, constructed in 1877.
The internationally acclaimed Victoria State Rose Garden impresses with its Tudor-Rose design. November to April is the best time to visit, with 5,000 roses bursting into bloom throughout the gardens.
While visiting Werribee Park, explore the heritage orchard and farm. Planted by the Chirnside family in the 1870s, the gardens fell into a derelict state; however, a community group has been reviving this slice of Victorian heritage since 2010. Visitors are invited to join volunteer days to support the orchard’s rejuvenation.
Entry to the grounds, rose garden, orchard, and farm is free for everyone.
Read more: The best botanic gardens in Melbourne.
Where can I eat and stay at Werribee Park?
Packing a picnic is one of the simplest ways to appreciate the beauty of Werribee Park. Bring supplies from home and choose a shaded spot in full view of the mansion or blooming roses. Alternatively, organise a pop-up picnic on the Refectory lawns with food, drinks, seating, and décor taken care of.
For a chance to experience the grandeur of the Scottish brothers’ legacy, stay in the prestigious Lancemore Mansion Hotel Werribee Park, which is located next to the historic Werribee Mansion. This 5-star boutique property offers modern comforts in this 19th-century heritage gem. Dine at Joseph’s Restaurant or, on weekend afternoons, book Lancemore’s delectable high tea. Top off your visit with a facial, massage or full body treatment at L.M. Day Spa.
Melbourne’s closest winery is nearby. Shadowfax has a popular restaurant serving seasonal local produce that complements their award-winning wines.
Located next to Werribee Mansion, Lancemore boutique hotel offers accommodation, dining and spa experiences. Image: Visit Victoria
Werribee Park: entry fees, visiting hours, and accessibility
Here are some additional tips to maximise your time at Werribee Park:
- Admission fees: Entry is free to the grounds, orchard, farm, and rose gardens. Werribee Mansion is currently $12.20 for adults, $8.80 for concessions and children aged 4-15 years, with children four and under entering free. Family rates are available.
- Visiting hours: From October to April, Werribee Park is open daily from 10 am until 5 pm. In the cooler months, it’s open until 4 pm, except on public holidays (5 pm). The last entry is thirty minutes before closing time, with the car park gates closing thirty minutes thereafter.
- Accessibility: Werribee Park is accessible, thanks to wide, flat, granitic paths suitable for wheelchairs and mobility aids. Puddling can occur after rain, however. Follow the Werribee Park Lake Accessible Walk for a 1.5-kilometre trail past the ground’s major attractions. There is an accessible toilet and ramp near the park’s cafe. Parks Victoria has social script resources for children on the autism spectrum. Prams are not permitted in the mansion.
- Pets: Only assistance dogs are allowed anywhere on the grounds. If you’re looking for somewhere nearby to take your beloved pooch, the best dog parks in Melbourne and regional Victoria include Seagull Paddock Dog Park in Norlane, north of Geelong.
Learn more about hippopotamuses at Werribee Open Range Zoo. Image: Getty
What other activities are recommended near Werribee Park?
Take a road trip along the Bay West Driving Trail Route 11 to experience Werribee’s highlights. Bay West Driving Trail covers Werribee Park Precinct, K Road Cliffs, Werribee South Foreshore, Wyndham Harbour & Marina, RAAF Museum, Point Cook Coastal Park and Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary.
Werribee Open Range Zoo
Werribee Park is not the only attraction worth your attention here. The African-themed Werribee Open Range Zoo is home to giraffes, rhinos, hippos, elephants, meerkats and more. Spread over 225ha and 20 minutes on foot from Werribee Park, this is an ideal complement to time spent exploring the heritage mansion and pretty grounds.
Western Treatment Plant
It comes as a surpise to many people that the Western Treatment Plant is one of Australia’s best birdwatching sites. Its vast lagoons are home to nearly 300 bird species - some travelling all the way from Siberia - with the sewage treatment facilities making up only a fraction of the site. Book a tour with the only licensed tour operator or apply for a birdwatching access permit for you chance to see the orange-bellied parrot, pied cormorant and rare shorebird species.
Wineries and cellar doors
For a more grown-up addition to your Werribee day trip, stop at nearby Shadowfax Winery and visit their cellar door. For those enjoying a mini-break or weekend away, there are more than 40 wineries and cellar doors on the Bellarine Peninsula, including Bellarine Estate Winery, Jack Rabbit Vineyard and Scotchman's Hill Winery. Ditch the car and book a guided winery tour to ensure you can enjoy the tastings without the need to drive.
National Equestrian Centre
For those with a love of horses, check the events at the National Equestrian Centre. It's the largest facility of its kind in Victoria, hosting showjumping events and competitions like the prestigious Melbourne 3-Day International Event which winds through the mansion’s gardens.
Visit the K Road Cliffs at sunset for a truly spectacular view of the Werribee River. Image: Getty.
K Road Cliffs
The K Road Cliffs in Werribee South are stunning, especially at dusk and sunset when they change colour. The cliff top offers views of the Werribee River, wetlands, and the You Yangs. The area is a habitat for water and migratory birds, as well as platypus, making it ideal for birdwatching.
Point Cook Homestead ghost tours
Learn about the history of the Chirnside family with a nighttime tour of their original 1850s country homestead. This experience is run by Lantern Ghost Tours, who claim this tour to have a high level of paranormal activity.
Wyndham Harbour Marina
As well as offering facilities for boats, yachts and marine enthusiasts, you’ll find dining options and mini golf on offer here.
Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary
The sanctuary is popular for beach walking, bird watching and sightseeing. It is also a great spot for scuba diving and snorkelling.
RAAF Museum
Bookings are essential to visit the RAAF Museum. However, parents with children who love planes should keep an eye on the museum website for open days during school holidays.
Wyndham Art Gallery
Wyndham Art Gallery presents year-round contemporary exhibitions in an expansive and new space. Its program highlights local diversity and centres First Nations stories. Entry is free.
