Victorian road trips to tick off this summer

Gippsland, Victoria

• Where: Inverloch
• Distance: 144 kilometres 
• Time: A weekend
• Because: It's the perfect unspoilt beach town

Head down the South Gippsland highway to Inverloch, the sleepy beachside town that’s becoming very popular with out-of-towners.

With summer markets on weekends featuring the best local produce in the Gippsland area, wineries just a short drive from town, and unspoilt beaches for surfers and swimmers alike, it’s a destination with something for everyone less than two hours from Melbourne.

Not far down the Cape Paterson – Inverloch Road you’ll find the RACV Inverloch Resort. With unspoilt ocean views, the resort is a comfortable place to rest and recharge – grab a drink, sit back, and enjoy the sunset at the restaurant overlooking the water.

Mornington Peninsula, Victoria

• Where: Cape Schanck
• Distance: 102 kilometres 
• Time: Overnight
• Because: Vitamin Sea without the crowds

Travel down the east side of Port Phillip Bay for just over an hour and you’ll arrive at Cape Schanck, the southernmost tip of the Mornington Peninsula.

Cape Schanck is the perfect getaway for the surfers, beach lovers and wine aficionados – with the bonus of being a little less crowded than the neighbouring towns of Sorrento and Portsea.

Wake up early for a walk around the Mornington Peninsula National Park, the Cape Schanck Lighthouse, or the stunning Bushrangers Walking Track which wraps around the coastline. The RACV Cape Schanck Resort will be your home away from home, with the 5-star resort featuring a luxury spa, golf course, locally sourced wine, and even a hatted restaurant for your evening meal.

Great Ocean Road

• Where: Apollo Bay
• Distance: 202km 
• Time: A week
• Because: World-class coastal views

Head down to the surf coast of Victoria and witness stunning natural beauty - the drive along the Great Ocean Road is as good as the destination itself. On one side, you’ve got the spectacular Southern Ocean and on the other, cliff faces that wind around all the way to the towns of Apollo Bay and Lorne.

Stop and visit the beaches along the way including Wye River and Skenes Creek, before pulling up for some fish ‘n’ chips at Port Campbell.

When you’ve had enough of the tourist crowd, pull off the main road and discover the towns of Triplet or Hopetoun Falls near Beech Forest, or Carisbrook near Apollo Bay.

And when dinner time hits, head to Torquay for a meal at the RACV Torquay Resort  - just make sure you ring ahead and ask about capacity limits. Wake up in the morning to beach views, visit the spa and play a round of golf at the spectacular course amongst the sand dunes.

Daylesford

• Where: Creswick
• Distance: 120 kilometres 
• Time: Overnight
• Because: The whole family will love this one  

A mere 120km down the Western Freeway towards Ballarat you’ll find Creswick, a hidden gem in the Daylesford region.

The historic town is fun for the whole family. Immerse yourselves in the history of the Ballarat goldfields, soak in the mineral springs, or visit a local winery for lunch. And when the day is done, sleep easy at the RACV Goldfields Resort.

Feast on local ingredients and seasonal produce at the resort, while the kids will have a ball at nearby Kryal Castle and Ballarat Wildlife Park where RACV Members save on ticket prices. 

So instead of looking further afield for your summer road trip, stay a little closer to home. Book and save on motorhome hire with RACV partners, and explore Victoria’s own backyard – it’s big, it’s exciting, and it’s just the tonic for getting out of the big city.