Best Day Trips From Melbourne

Hold on, there’s another treat in store! Once you’re done with the train ride, you’ll head to Healesville Sanctuary. This place is a haven for Australian wildlife. You’ll have the chance to get up close with iconic animals like kangaroos, koalas, and platypuses.

Must-See Attractions

• Belgrave Station kicks off your Puffing Billy adventure. You’ll find cool old stuff and get to check out where they fix the trains.
• Lakeside Station’s where you wanna go if you’re in the mood to chill. You can have a picnic or take a paddleboat out on Emerald Lake. It’s pretty relaxing.
• If you’re into animals, Healesville Sanctuary’s got you covered. They’ve got kangaroos, koalas, and even platypuses.
• For anyone who likes birds, there’s this awesome show called Spirits of the Sky at Healesville Sanctuary. It’s all about birds of prey and it’s something to see.

Tips

• The weather can be tricky, so pack layers and a raincoat just to be safe.
• Puffing Billy tickets go fast on weekends and holidays. Grab ’em to make sure you get a spot.
• You’ll do a lot of walking at Healesville Sanctuary so comfy shoes are a smart choice. The Dandenong Ranges have some awesome picnic spots. Bringing your own food can make for a cosy personal outing and add to the fun.

The tour’s top spots include the famous Twelve Apostles – huge limestone pillars that stick out of the sea – and Loch Ard Gorge, which has sad shipwreck stories. You’ll get to explore cute beach towns like Lorne and Apollo Bay. Each town has its own special feel and gives you a warm welcome. Nature lovers will enjoy the Great Otway National Park. It has thick rainforests, flowing waterfalls, and lots of interesting animals.

Unmissable Highlights

• Apollo Bay stands out as a delightful coastal spot. It’s great for grabbing lunch and taking a walk by the sea.
• Loch Ard Gorge offers a stunning view. It’s a place with big cliffs and a beach that has a lot of history.
• The Twelve Apostles are a must-see. These huge rocks stick out of the ocean and look amazing.
• Great Otway National Park has a lot to check out. You can find thick forests, cool waterfalls, and lots of animals there.

Tips

• Get Your Camera Ready for the views are amazing so make sure you charge your phone or camera. You’ll want to snap lots of pictures.
• Pack Some Snacks and Drinks because it’s easier to bring your own munchies and water.
• Leave Early because it’s a full day out, so hitting the road lets you enjoy more of the daytime.
• Check you’ve got enough gas in your car. Gas stations aren’t always easy to find in some parts.

You’ll get to drink awesome wines, learn about their production, and enjoy peaceful vineyard views there. Next up, head to a small distillery for some handmade gin tasting then hit a cider place to try their refreshing ciders. Make your drinks even better by pairing them with fancy local food like cheese, meat, and chocolates.

Unmissable Highlights

• Napoleone Cider House & Brewery: You can enjoy a refreshing cider tasting session while taking in beautiful views of the orchard.
• Domaine Chandon: This place has a reputation for its sparkling wines and provides a classy tasting experience.
• Yarra Valley Dairy: You’ll love trying handmade cheeses matched with wines from the area.
• Four Pillars Distillery: You can taste award-winning gins and find out how they make them.

Tips

• You might want to grab some wine to take back with you so an extra bag comes in handy.
• Think about booking a tour that includes transport, so you can enjoy the drinks without stressing about driving.
• Some spots need you to book ahead or have weird hours so plan your visits before you go.
• With loads of chances to taste stuff, don’t rush it. Enjoy each experience.

When the sun goes down, you’ll end up at the Penguin Parade viewpoint. You’ll spot hundreds of tiny penguins emerging from the surf and shuffling home. It’s a mind-blowing sight that shows off the wonder of Australian wildlife. Believe me, this experience will stay with you long after you’ve said goodbye to the beach!

Unmissable Highlights

Post autumn the temperatures begin to drop quite a bit and the region experiences average temperatures ranging from lows of 11°C to highs of 22°C in June, lows of 9°C to highs of 20°C in July, lows of 10°C to highs of 22°C in August. July is locally considered to be the coldest month of the year.

Uluru Summer Highlights

• Desert Awakenings
  In the warmer months, Uluru is rarely seen in the rain, making you one of the lucky few to witness the enigmatic waterfalls adorning its sheer chasms in the Desert Awakenings, when the rock undergoes colour changes and the sky becomes illuminated.
• Water tours
  Plan your sightseeing to happen in the early morning or late at night, and whenever you feel overheated, take a brief dip at Ayers Rock Resort pool. Based on your needs and budget, it offers up to six different types of lodging, ranging from the fully equipped Ayers Rock Campground to the family-friendly Emu Walk Apartments and the five-star Sails in the Desert.

  Mutitjulu Waterhole, located at the base of Uluru, is a serene and sacred spot. An easy walk to the waterhole with interpretive signs explaining the significance of it to the Anangu people is provided. The waterhole itself is fringed with luxuriant vegetation and is a haven for birdlife.

• Art and culture
  As dusk descends and fills the sky, take in the breathtaking tour and witness the burst of color while snacking on cheese, wine, and candies. Enjoy then an amazing light and sound display using projections, lasers, and drones that tell a portion of the ancestral Mala story at Wintijiri Wiru Twilight.

  Housed in the Uluru Kata-Tjuta National Park culture centre, the Gallery of Central Australia (GOCA) presents local artists in a modern, air-conditioned environment, supporting local communities and providing authentic artwork for sale.

  Wintjiri Arts & Museum is a cultural center situated in the very heart of Australia’s Northern Territory, exactly within Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. This is the museum dedicated to cultural enrichment and conservation of the Anangu people, traditional owners of the land on which Uluru stands—Ayers Rock—and Kata Tjuta, The Olgas.

Additional Information

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Carry a refillable water bottle and take advantage of refill stations.
• Plan activities for early morning or late afternoon to avoid the peak heat.
• Visit indoor attractions like the Cultural Centre during the hottest part of the day. Learn about the local Anangu culture and the natural history of the area.
• Located inside the Talinguru Nyakunytjaku Park, there is agift shop that offers souvenirs of books, clothes, small keepsakes to be kept in order to remember your trip.
• Further out in the community of Indulkana is Iwantja Arts, which has an array of Indigenous artworks with the added advantage of being able to buy direct from the artists.