Top Day Trips From Melbourne For Couples, Families And Friends

It’s hard to believe that the Yarra Valley is only an hour’s drive from Melbourne. Covered in lush, rolling hills, wineries and plenty of that fresh country air, it’s the perfect day trip from Melbourne.

If you want to make a pit stop along your journey, then jump about the Puffing Billy Steam Train. This ancient, open-air steam train chugs through the Dandenong Ranges and is sure to have the kids enthralled. 

Once you reach the Yarra Valley, make a beeline for Healesville Sanctuary. It’s filled to brim with every native Australian animal you could think of and is the perfect place to let the kids run free while learning about Australia’s wildlife. Watch as kangaroos hop past, get a selfie with the koalas, and say hello to the wombats, dingoes, lyrebirds, platypus and Tasmanian devils. It’s a great day out for the family and a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of Melbourne city. 

Once your kids have worked up an appetite, head down to Innocent Bystander for some delicious wood-fired pizzas (and a delicious glass of Muscato). However, if your little ones are still packed full of energy, head out to one of the local cellar doors like Domain Chandon or Dominique Portet where the kids can play in the sunny stretches of grass while you enjoy the views of rolling vineyards. Finish off the day with a visit to the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery for some well-earned scoops of ice cream. We guarantee your kids will be knackered by the time you make your way back to Melbourne. 

If you and your partner are looking for a bit of TLC then Daylesford is just what the doctor ordered. Full to the brim with day spas and natural springs, Daylesford and its neighbouring Hepburn Springs is the perfect location for a relaxing day trip from Melbourne. Spend the morning browsing the town’s quaint boutiques full of bric-a-brac and one-of-a-kind finds. Get lost in Paradise Bookshop’s shelves and marvel at The Convent Gallery’s latest exhibitions - once labelled ‘Australia’s most beautiful gallery”. 

Stop for a break at one of the region’s top eateries. Spoil your partner to an indulgent lunch with lakeside views at The Lake House or try something different at Frank and Connie’s who offer a fusion of French, Greek, Middle Eastern and South American cuisines. If you’re wanting to hit up the local day spas for a couples’ massage, then you can’t go past Soma Massage. Enjoy a deep tissue massage or facial and feel your everyday stresses simply dissipate. 

While this is prime spa country, there is a lot more to this region than mud masks and hot springs. Don you comfiest walking shoes and take a lap around the town’s beautiful lake or Wombat Gardens. 

Beaches, wineries, parks, gardens and spas. What else could you possibly want from a day trip from Melbourne with your friends?

If you’re heading down on a Saturday, then start you morning with a visit to The Red Hill Markets where you can pick up a delicious, organic breakfast, some great local produce and a bunch of handmade goods. Next, you can dip into the Peninsula Hot Springs and soak in a range of outdoor pools including thermal mineral pools, a hilltop pool with stunning views and even a Turkish steam bath. You can also book a private pool for just you and your friends to enjoy.

Once you’ve all found your Zen, it’s time to hit the local wineries for a lunchtime feast. If you manage to score a table, then Polperro Winery and Yabby Lake are the perfect places to settle in for a long lunch. 

Lucky enough to be visiting in between November and April?  Be sure to stop by The Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm where you can pick your own strawberries. What could be more glorious than picking fresh strawberries straight from the ground in summer with your best friends?

It doesn’t matter how old you get, everybody loves penguins. And Phillip Island’s Penguin Parade, sees thousands of eager onlookers heading to the island to catch a glimpse of these little fellas waddling from the sea to their land-based nests at night. There are plenty of ways to score yourself a great view. Grab a spot at the ‘Penguins Plus Viewing Platform’ or the ‘Penguin Sky Box’. If that doesn’t satisfy your love for penguins, then maybe the ‘Ultimate Penguin Experience’ will. You’ll enjoy private access to a beach with your own personal park ranger and night vision tech for a totally immersive penguin experience.

There is a lot more to Phillip Island than just penguins. Surfers can enjoy some of Victoria’s best breaks, off the spectacular Cape Woolamai and Smiths Beach. Wildlife lovers can also get up close to Australia’s most beloved marsupials at the Koala Conservation Centre where they can spot koalas from the centre’s tree-top boardwalks.