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The Best Road Trips in Victoria to Inspire Your Wanderlust
These Victorian road trips are guaranteed to inspire your wanderlust and appreciation for the varied landscapes of this enchanting southern state.
Victoria rewards those who take the long way round. Within a few hours of Melbourne, the state opens into a patchwork of coastlines, wine regions, mountain ranges and small towns where the drive is as compelling as the destination. From salt-lashed cliff roads to forest tunnels and high-country switchbacks, these are the Victorian road trips that turn a simple escape into something memorable.
Whether you’re carving out a day trip or mapping a slow weekend away, consider this your edit of the best road trips in Victoria, each one rich in scenery, stories and well-earned stops.
Great Ocean Road
Few drives rival the drama of the Great Ocean Road. Beginning in Torquay and unfurling for 243 kilometres, this iconic stretch threads through surf-coast towns, dense rainforest and raw Southern Ocean views. Lorne and Apollo Bay invite lingering lunches and gallery stops, while landmarks like Loch Ard Gorge and the Twelve Apostles deliver scale and spectacle, particularly as the light softens towards sunset. For those keen to step out of the car, sections of the Great Ocean Walk reveal the region at its most immersive.
Macedon Ranges
Less than an hour from Melbourne, the Macedon Ranges deliver cool-climate elegance in spades. Honour Avenue sets the tone, especially in autumn, before the region opens into gardens, vineyards and walking trails. Forest Glade Gardens reward slow wandering, Mount Macedon offers invigorating hikes, and Kyneton provides a considered mix of historic streetscapes and food-forward stops. It’s a road trip best enjoyed at an unhurried pace, with a night or two to settle in properly.
Phillip Island Touring Route
A classic coastal loop with broad appeal, the Phillip Island drive pairs open-road scenery with wildlife encounters and seaside rituals. San Remo’s fishing co-op is a compulsory pause for fresh seafood before crossing the bridge, while the island itself offers windswept headlands at The Nobbies, long beach walks in Cowes and the chance to spot seals offshore. Time it well and the drive rolls neatly into one of Victoria’s most beloved natural spectacles.
Mornington Peninsula
Compact yet endlessly varied, the Mornington Peninsula is a masterclass in coastal road tripping. The journey winds through bayside villages, vineyard-dotted hinterland and rugged ocean cliffs, with Arthur’s Seat delivering a sweeping sense of arrival. Between swims, cellar doors and seaside lunches, this is a drive that rewards spontaneity as much as planning, making it ideal for relaxed weekends close to the city.
Sitchu Tip: Seafood lovers should make a beeline for Bistro Elba, while pasta devotees will feel right at home amid the mod-retro warmth of Mr Vincenzo’s.
Black Spur Drive
Short in distance but rich in atmosphere, Black Spur Drive cuts through the heart of the Yarra Ranges in just 30 kilometres. Towering mountain ash and fern-filled gullies form a dense green canopy, creating one of Victoria’s most evocative forest drives. The road’s curves are a drawcard in themselves, while nearby Healesville and the Cathedral Ranges offer natural extensions to the journey.
Great Alpine Road
Stretching from Wangaratta to Bairnsdale, the Great Alpine Road is Victoria’s most ambitious drive. This high-country route climbs through alpine landscapes, passes historic towns like Beechworth and Bright, and delivers some of the state’s most commanding views. Seasonal by nature, it shifts character throughout the year, from snow-dusted peaks in winter to vivid colours and long days come autumn.
The Murray
Running the length of Victoria’s northern border, the Murray River road trip unfolds over days rather than hours. From Albury-Wodonga to Mildura, the landscape gradually shifts from river red gums to open plains, punctuated by historic towns like Rutherglen and Echuca. Wine regions, paddle steamers and long lunches define the rhythm here, making this a journey built for patience and curiosity.
Grand Ridge Road
Winding through the Strzelecki Ranges, Grand Ridge Road delivers big skies and rolling farmland in a single, scenic sweep. Forests give way to open lookouts, while Tarra Bulga National Park provides a standout pause among ancient trees and fern-lined trails. It’s a lesser-known drive that quietly rewards those who seek it out.
Murray Sunset National Park
At Victoria’s north-western edge, Murray Sunset National Park feels entirely removed from the everyday. The Pink Lakes shift in tone with light and weather, forming a quietly surreal landscape that rewards unhurried exploration. By day, red kangaroos move through saltbush and wildflowers scatter the plains, while birdlife flits across the open sky. Come evening, walking trails around Lake Hardy and Lake Becking soften into silence, and the park reveals its true spectacle: vast, unpolluted night skies that turn the journey into something quietly unforgettable.
The Grampians
A drive into the Grampians delivers immediate drama. Sandstone peaks rise abruptly from the plains, framing waterfalls, walking tracks and sweeping lookouts. Halls Gap acts as a natural base, while nearby towns like Dunkeld round out the experience with strong food credentials. It’s a road trip where nature sets the agenda.
Silo Art Trail
Art takes centre stage along Victoria’s Silo Art Trail, where rural infrastructure has been transformed into monumental public works. Stretching across the Wimmera and beyond, the drive links small towns through large-scale murals that speak to local history and community pride. Each stop offers both visual impact and a reason to slow down.
Geelong & The Bellarine Peninsula
From Geelong’s revitalised waterfront to the gentle curves of the Bellarine coast, this road trip blends seaside ease with cultural depth. Queenscliff’s maritime heritage, coastal walks at Point Lonsdale and an abundance of local producers make this an ideal short escape, with the option to extend via ferry or inland detours.
These road trips sit just beyond Melbourne’s edges, perfectly placed for day trips and long weekends. They also hint at how much more Victoria reveals to those willing to keep driving, where national parks, rugged coastlines and regional centres unfold at their own pace. For more inspiration, explore our edit of the best romantic getaways.
