Top Victoria Day Trips

Travelers short on time in the Melbourne area don't need to miss out on one of Australia's greatest coastal road trips. This Great Ocean Road day tour includes many of the route's highlights, including the Twelve Apostles, Apollo Bay, and London Bridge. And, because this itinerary is the reverse of what many travelers take, you'll be skipping the worst of the crowds.

Relax in your luxury mini bus as you explore the wonders of the Great Ocean Road on this group day trip from Melbourne. You won’t have to deal with sticking to a large group, plus, you travel in reverse to avoid the crowds. Stretch out between stops like the 12 Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. Make sure your cameras are ready for excellent shots.

Discover the beauty of the Great Ocean Road on this full-day adventure tour from Melbourne. As you cruise along the coast in search of the best lookout spots—like the 12 Apostles—keep your eyes peeled for koalas in the wild. You’ll also go on a guided walk through a forest with some of the tallest trees in the world, stop for a swim at Apollo Bay, and visit Loch Ard Gorge.

Experience the Great Ocean Road’s top attractions on this guided excursion that follows the iconic road in reverse. Embark on your journey and beat the crowds while learning about the region’s scenic landscapes and pretty coastal towns from an informative guide. Visit sites including the 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, Apollo Bay, and Gibson Steps.

Skip the hassle of planning the logistics of a night out at Phillip Island's penguin parade. This guided tour includes pickup from your Phillip Island accommodations and gets you to the boardwalk in time to see the penguins waddle across the beach under the magical light of the golden hour. There's also time to enjoy the visitor center and wildlife-spotting at the Nobbies.

Spend a full day exploring the landmarks of the Great Ocean Road. Watch the sunset at the famous Twelve Apostles rock formation, pass the Otway Ranges and spot koalas, explore landmarks in Port Campbell National Park and more. Known as one of Australia's most beautiful drives and one of Victoria's most popular destinations, the Great Ocean Road offers great photo ops of coastal scenery, picturesque seaside towns and pristine wilderness—a must-do excursion from Melbourne.

Spend the day indulging your love of good food, good wine, and good times on this social day trip to the Yarra Valley. The flexible itinerary is designed to split up the group at certain points to tailor the tour to your tastes. Visit multiple venues—from wineries, breweries, cider houses, gin distilleries, or chocolate factories—with all tastings included. Enjoy a mix of hidden gems and some well-known spots, plus a choice of two restaurants to purchase lunch.

See the best of Phillip Island on this group tour from Melbourne, where all the details are taken care of so you just need to relax and take in the sites. Keep your eyes peeled for kangaroos, koalas, and the adorable tiny penguins who populate the island. Make sure your cameras are charged for photos at beautiful viewpoints, like at Cowes, and more.

Visitors often miss some of Melbourne’s best attractions because they don’t know how to reach the city's outer locations. This full-day tour makes visiting easy by handling the transport for you. Travel from the city out to the Dandenong Ranges to ride the famous Puffing Billy steam train, then go see all sorts of native Australian wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary.

Travel the Great Ocean Road, while avoiding the crowds, when you book this small-group reverse itinerary tour. Drive straight from Melbourne to the famous Twelve Apostles, where you can opt for a thrilling helicopter flight. Then, slowly make your way back to the city, stopping at sites like Teddy’s Lookout, Gibsons Steps, Apollo Bay, and more while also keeping an eye out for wildlife like kangaroos and koalas. Enjoy incredible views over the sea while you learn all about the road and its storied past.

Discover Australia's Great Ocean Road—where coastal views and lush rainforests meet—on this full-day adventure from Melbourne. Heading out from the urban landscape of the city, keep your eyes peeled for koalas, walk through rainforests, and visit local landmarks like the Memorial Arch. A local guide is on-hand to fill you in on the area's history—something many travelers miss out on. Once you've refueled with lunch (own expense) in the beautiful town of Apollo Bay, marvel at the Twelve Apostles (a set of giant limestone stacks), and explore other panoramic views, including the dramatic Loch Ard Gorge.

There are plenty of great Yarra Valley wine tours to choose from, but some of them feel a lot more rushed than others. With this tour, you move at a chilled-out pace, checking out three specially selected wineries with the option to indulge in a cheese platter or charcuterie at one of the stops to fuel up.

Many Melbourne highlights, such as Puffing Billy and the penguins of Phillip Island, are far from the city and tricky to visit on your own. But this seamless full-day tour makes it easy for you to go. Relax as the bus takes you out to the Dandenong Ranges and down to the coast while your guide arranges your steam train tickets and the timing to see the adorable penguin parade.

Explore the culinary delights of the Yarra Valley on this group tour from Melbourne, highlighting the region’s wine, gin, and chocolate. Your driver navigates the course, so you can sit back in your air-conditioned vehicle as you ride from place to place. There are a few options to choose from, depending on your preference. Note that your alcohol is included in the price, but other food products are up to you.

Experience the scenic Yarra Valley on the Puffing Billy train. This full-day trip takes you through the Dandenong Ranges to Emerald Lake, the Healesville Sanctuary Zoo, and the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery. At the last stop you can enjoy free samples and chocolate shopping. This trip starts and ends at The Hotel Windsor in Melbourne.

Enjoy one of Australia's most incredible wildlife experiences on this magnificent Phillip Island tour. Witness the world famous penguin parade from the brand new exclusive penguins plus viewing platform, definitely the highlight of this day tour. Your day trip includes a visit to Phillip Island Koala Reserve where you can see the iconic Australian koalas up close.

Escape Melbourne on an unforgettable adventure with the Puffing Billy & Rainforest Tour. Begin at Grants Picnic Ground, where native birdlife and serene rainforest trails await. Then, board the iconic Puffing Billy Railway at Belgrave Station, and feel the thrill as you dangle your legs over open carriages during a magical one-hour journey through lush forests. At Lakeside Station, explore the Lakeside Visitor Centre, discover steam train history, and enjoy lunch (own expense) surrounded by picturesque views. Perfect for nature and history lovers, this tour promises timeless memories for all ages. *At times train may operate in reverse

Whether it’s your child or your inner child that loves steam trains and penguins, getting the timing right to watch little penguins parade on Phillip Island is a challenge. Skip the stress of the long drive when you join this convenient tour, which includes not only the penguins but the Puffing Billy Railway steam train. Upgrade to the Penguins Plus package for an even better view of the parade.

Ride a heritage steam train and experience a piece of Melbourne’s history first-hand on this unique sightseeing experience. Soak up the scenery of the Dandenong Ranges with your legs dangling out of the unique open-sided carriages. Explore the Puffing Billy Railway Lakeside Visitor Centre, where you can traverse Emerald Lake Park and grab some food. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience.

Phillip Island is a popular day trip from Melbourne, although the driving there and back, and working out how best to spend the day, can be a challenge. You don’t have to worry about either of those things on a small-group tour from Melbourne. On it, discover the wildlife around Phillip Island, from the Penguin Parade to a cruise in search of seals, and explore the island’s most scenic spots.

Take in breathtaking sights of long sandy beaches and dramatic cliffs on this guided, full-day tour of Australia’s Great Ocean Road. Explore some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth, including the Twelve Apostles limestone stacks and Gibson Steps. Enjoy a rainforest walk among towering ash trees and spot koalas in one of the area's largest koala colonies. Travel in a deluxe mini-coach as part of a small group, ensuring a relaxed and personalized experience.

Enjoy the beautiful scenery and delicious wines of the Yarra Valley on this small-group, half-day tour from Melbourne. Leave the organizing to someone else and relax as you visit three of the area's best boutique wineries—Helen & Joey Estate, Payten and Jones, and Soumah—for tours and tastings. Round-trip transfers are included for a seamless experience, and you can even upgrade your day with an optional gin tasting experience.

Visiting Mt. Buller in winter can be challenging without a car or local knowledge, especially when road conditions and logistics come into play. This full-day tour from Melbourne makes it easy for you to experience the alpine region by handling transport there and back. Enjoy free time at Mt. Buller to spend as you wish—purchase a lift pass to hit the slopes, book a ski lesson (own expense), or simply take in the winter landscapes on a scenic snow walk.