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
The 7 best stops on a Calder Highway road trip
If you're planning a Calder Highway road trip from Melbourne to Mildura, you're in for one of Victoria’s most scenic and historic drives.
While not Victoria's most well-known road trip route - that goes to the Great Ocean Road – the Calder Highway showcases a different side of the Garden State.
Following the original gold rush route, this stretch of highway reveals a rich mix of heritage towns, award-winning wineries, creative hubs and sweeping country landscapes. Whether you're chasing fine food in Kyneton, the art scene of Bendigo or the river life of Mildura, every stop along the Calder Highway offers something distinct.
Here are seven of the best places to visit on a drive through the heart of regional Victoria.
As with any road trip, a little planning goes a long way for a happy journey. Before you depart, ensure that you’ve packed an emergency car kit, and that your emergency roadside assistance is up to date.
Here are the best rest stops along the Calder Highway.
The 7 best stops on a Calder Highway road trip
The Calder Highway between Melbourne and Sunbury is generally busy, so avoid peak hours (around 7-9am and 4-6.30pm) for a stress-free road trip. If you want a break from the traffic, Organ Pipes National Park is off the highway about 20km north-west of Melbourne. Its striking rock formations, which resemble organ pipes, were created by cooling volcanic lava. Have a picnic beside the river or venture along one of the easy walking tracks.
Sunbury
- Distance: 42km
- Time: 35-55 minutes (depending on traffic)
Just 40 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD, Sunbury is close in distance but feels a world away, transporting you to another era. It’s here that much of Victoria’s colonial story began, with the state being officially declared separate from New South Wales in 1851.
Today, visitors can trace that legacy at Rupertswood Mansion, a grand bluestone estate once home to Sir William Clarke and the birthplace of the Ashes cricket legend.
Beyond history, Sunbury's natural beauty is equally appealing. The Jacksons Creek Reserve offers scenic bushland trails ideal for a morning walk, while for families, the Sunbury Heritage Walking Trail offers a gentle introduction to the town's early farming heritage.
Enjoy local bites and rustic hospitality to round off your visit at the Ball Court Hotel, The Spotted Owl, or Castello's Olive Tree Hotel.
Pretty Sunbury is an ideal first stop along the Calder Highway. Image: Getty
Kyneton
- Distance: 48km
- Time: 30 minutes
Few country towns blend history and high-end hospitality quite like Kyneton. Once a goldfields stopover, today it's one of Victoria's premier regional dining destinations.
Piper Street, lined with beautifully preserved bluestone buildings, is a beating heart of acclaimed restaurants, artisan bakeries and boutiques offering everything from handmade ceramics to vintage clothing.
The Kyneton Farmers' Market (held on the second Saturday of each month) is a great place to stock up on local produce for the road ahead. For something more substantial, book a table at Midnight Starling or Marchesa for a leisurely lunch.
Beyond its food scene, Kyneton has a thriving arts community. The town has more art galleries than any other Macedon Ranges village. The Old Auction House Gallery, The Golden Dog Gallery and Lauriston Press Prints & Drawings Gallery are just a few artsy locations to check out.
The Kyneton Botanic Gardens, established in 1858, are perfect for an afternoon stroll among century-old oaks and elms.
Piper Street in Kyneton is bursting with boutiques and antiques. Image: Visit Victoria
Bendigo
- Distance: 67km
- Time: 50 minutes
As the Calder Highway continues north, Bendigo is the next major stop. Once the richest gold rush town in the world, Bendigo has reinvented itself as a cultural powerhouse while proudly preserving its heritage.
Learning about the city's gold mining heritage is a must. Gain historical insights aboard the vintage Talking Tram or go deeper (literally) at the Central Deborah Gold Mine, where you can don a miner's hat and delve 61m underground on a guided tour. The Golden Dragon Museum delves into how Bendigo's gold rush period attracted 4,000 Chinese pioneers to the area.
The Bendigo Art Gallery is a must-visit, hosting world-class exhibitions alongside an impressive permanent collection. Nearby, Rosalind Park and the grand Alexandra Fountain capture the city's 19th-century opulence.
Did you know that UNESCO has designated the Bendigo region as a Creative City and Region of Gastronomy? This Australian-first designation is a testament to the region's inspiring arts, food and wine scenes. Top picks include The Woodhouse Bar & Grill or The Dispensary Bar & Diner.
Bendigo's Talking Tram is a popular attraction. Image: Getty
Wedderburn
- Distance: 75km
- Time: 1 hour
As the highway winds north through farmland, you'll reach Wedderburn, a small town with a big gold rush legacy. It's still popular with modern-day prospectors, who come here to try their luck with a metal detector or gold pan. If fossicking in one best places to find gold in Victoria appeals, don't forget you need a miner's permit.
At the Hard Hill Tourist Reserve, you can explore old mining machinery, learn about early settlement and enjoy a picnic surrounded by bushland.
For nature enthusiasts, nearby Kooyoora State Park is a must, home to striking granite outcrops, bushwalking tracks and the Melville Caves Lookout, which offers spectacular views across the northern plains.
You might see prospectors searching for gold near Wedderburn. Image: Getty
Charlton
- Distance: 31km
- Time: 25 minutes
Nestled on the Avoca River, Charlton is often called 'the friendly river town', and it's easy to see why. With a wide main street lined with historic buildings and welcoming locals, it makes an ideal halfway stop between Bendigo and the Mallee.
Take a stroll along the Avoca River Walk, where you'll spot native birdlife and shady picnic spots. Or visit the beautifully restored Rex Theatre, a 1930s art deco cinema still run by volunteers. Each spring, the Charlton Lawn Tennis Tournament and Charlton Arts Trail bring extra life to the town, making it a great time to visit.
For a taste of local produce, stop by Charlton Bakery Cafe or the Vale of Avoca, a classic country pub serving hearty meals and cold drinks.
The landscape changes drastically from Melbourne's cityscape to rolling fields. Image: Visit Victoria
Ouyen
- Distance: 195km
- Time: 2 hours
As the Calder Highway stretches into Victoria's north-west, the scenery shifts to wide open plains, red soils and Mallee scrub. Ouyen is the largest town between Charlton and Mildura: a classic outback stop full of old-fashioned country spirit. It's a good place to refuel and rest before the final leg north to the Murray River.
The town's most famous export is the Ouyen vanilla slice, celebrated every year at the Great Australian Vanilla Slice Triumph, where bakeries from across the country compete for the title of best slice. Grab one from the Ouyen Mallee Bakery.
After you've stocked up on treats, explore the surrounding landscapes, including Wyperfeld National Park about 40 minutes away. This vast park of dunes and woodlands offers excellent wildlife spotting and walking trails, especially around Lake Brimin.
Make sure to try a famous Ouyen vanilla slice. Image: Getty
Mildura
- Distance: 100km
- Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
If you follow the Calder Highway all the way to its end, you'll reach Mildura. On the banks of the mighty Murray River, its known as the Food Bowl of Australia thanks to its fertile land and Mediterranean-like climate.
Mildura hosts an array of fascinating attractions, many on the Murray River. Paddle steamer cruises reveal the picturesque riverside scenery and Mildura's maritime history. For adventure activities, go kayaking, wakeboarding or waterskiing. You can even rent a houseboat for a leisurely stay on the Murray River.
The Mildura Arts Centre presents a rich cultural scene with a top-rated art gallery, performing arts theatre and sculpture park. To see nature's creativity, discover the diverse flora at the Australian Inland Botanic Gardens.
For outdoor adventure, venture into Mungo National Park, part of the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area. The park's otherworldly sand formations, known as the Walls of China, tell a story of 40,000 years of continuous human history .
Food lovers should try Stefano's Restaurant, an icon of regional dining, or the Mildura Brewery Pub for casual fare and craft beer. Grab picnic treats at the Sunraysia Farmers & Makers Market (first and third Saturdays each month) to take back with you. Wherever you go, your tastebuds will thank you at this underrated travel destination.
