Get out of town! The best places to visit outside of Melbourne

We all know it’s a big ask to take temporary leave from Melbourne’s culture, food and nightlife. Fortunately, we have the perfect ideas suited to a short break from Marvelous Melbourne, with plenty of time to return before the cocktail hour kicks off.

Great Ocean Road

One of the world’s most majestic stretches of road; a drive down the Great Ocean road really does defy description – but hey, I’ll try. Imagine breathtaking scenery – from dense forest and Australian bush to stretches of magnificent ocean beaches that are vastly under populated by people save a few small tourist towns along the way. And if you’re keen to spot koalas in their natural habitat, you’re on the right road. Visualising The Great Ocean Road is a popular past time of homesick expat Victorians, because no matter how many times you’ve travelled it, the wonder of it never pales.

The Dandenongs

If you’re chasing quaint charm, with its little teapot shops, scones and roasted chestnuts in winter, the Dandenong Ranges has it in bucket loads. A destination for weekend relaxation and romantic getaways for over a century, the Dandenongs still draw the weekend crowds. Pop into SOAK in Sassafras for fabulous hand creams, browse the antique shops and grab a cake at Miss Marple’s Tea Rooms (but book ahead because that place gets busy!) There are also some beautiful national parks that are perfect for picnics, like One Tree Hill, the Olinda Falls or the National Rhododendron Gardens. Be warned, in winter it gets freezing – so take someone to cozy up to or a pretty warm coat.

Mornington Peninsula

A sea and adventure lover’s paradise, you can fish, dive, snorkel and sail on the Mornington Peninsula. If land is more your thing, lose yourself at Ashcombe Maze or the Enchanted Adventure Garden. In the perfect day department, swimming with dolphins and walking through a national park is hard to beat. Then, once you’ve worn yourself out, relax in the thermal hot springs before visiting the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery or the McClelland Sculpture Park & Gallery – both outstanding in their reputation for contemporary Australian art.

Phillip Island for the Penguin Parade

This adventure is just beyond adorable. If you can conceive anything more divine than being at the beach at dusk and watching the nightly parade of tiny fairy penguins come in to roost in the sand dunes, go ahead and try! This is a hugely popular trip, with thousands of tourists enjoying the experience night after night, yet the respect for the environment via the eco-tourism approach to this magnificent experience is one of the best examples in the world. A visit is one for the bucket list, and absolutely unique (it’s also impossible not to want to purchase a cuddly toy penguin on the way out – you have been warned!)

Yarra Valley

There’s so much to do in the Yarra Valley aside from drink, but for many, wine is the big draw card. From a range of diverse wineries (from the old and respected to the new upstart boutique wineries) to breweries like the White Rabbit in Healesville, you’ll need at least a day to sample a top selection. For a breath of fresh air between tastings, the Adventure Playground in MacKenzies Reserve Yarra Glen is a magical place for little kids – or the little kid in you. Over the summer months you can visit the Blue Lotus Water Garden for an amazing display of lotus ponds and lily pads, and year-round farms where you can pick your own fresh produce when in season, a perfect accompaniment to the wine!

(Featured image: Tan Cheng Joo. Cheap flights to Melbourne image by Jorge Láscar.)