5 Epic Road Trips to Take From Melbourne
Head out of Melbourne in any direction and you’ll hit gold – and not just goldrush towns with elegant Victorian streetscapes. Within an easy drive of the city, you’ll find yourself winding along one of the world’s most iconic coastal roads, rolling through the mountain-fresh air of alpine High Country or sipping and dining your way across Victoria’s world-class wine regions. Here are five incredible road trips from Melbourne you need to do at least once.
Tour the villages of the Macedon Ranges
A 45-minute drive north-west from the city, the Macedon Ranges are made up of nine storybook villages on the Historic Village Scenic Drive from Woodend to Malmsbury and are best explored over a weekend. Make your base in Trentham, a quaint escape that’s minutes away from Victoria’s highest single-drop waterfall,Trentham Falls, and surrounding walking tracks. Back in town, du Fermier chef Annie Smithers plates up a French farmhouse-style lunchtime menu based on what’s harvested from the kitchen garden. As the sun sets, retire amidst roses and lavender at Isabella at Kyneton, a cosy circa-1890 cottage with three bedrooms (each with fireplace) before popping out for a nightcap at nearby hatted Midnight Starling bistro.
Try Rutherglen’s most famous drops
Rutherglen’s main street looks much as it did following the discovery of gold in 1860, but the town’s real wealth is in its rich, clay topsoil. For more than 160 years, this winemaking region has produced rich reds, luscious whites and famous fortifieds. Depart Melbourne on the M31 heading north-east for the three-hour drive, stopping en route for a slice of strawberry shortcake at Mely & Me (74 Binney St) in Euroa. Follow the Muscat Mile route to sample fortified wine, admire All Saints Estate’s heritage-listed castle and indulge in dishes such as octopus in crayfish veloute with ’nduja at KIN. Detour to the grand town of Beechworth for a night at Freeman on Ford B&B within the former Oriental bank building.
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Cruise the coast along the Great Ocean Road
Roll past sparkling beaches, along wind-whipped clifftops and through lush rainforest on the coastal journey from Torquay, 108 kilometres south-west of Melbourne, to Port Fairy. You’ll need at least three days to tackle the 664-kilometre Great Ocean Road stretch and there’s plenty of incredible places to stop at along the way, including whale-watching at Warrnambool, koala-spotting just outside of Apollo Bay, zip-lining at the Otways and more. Make a reservation at A La Grecque at Aireys Inlet and don’t miss the local calamari with tzatziki and views. Alkina Lodge, near the Twelve Apostles, is a trio of four-bedroom villas powered by sun and wind. Here, “sky windows” offer star-gazing opportunities direct from your bed.
Drink, dine and relax on the Bellarine Peninsula
Boasting salt-brined seaside villages, excellent beaches and a coastline crammed with wineries, restaurants and farm gates, the Bellarine Peninsula is a road-trip with it all. It begins just east of Geelong, about two hours south-west from Melbourne. Take a detour into wine country and arrive at Clyde Park Winery & Bistro in time for a lunch of steak frites and a tasting of the winery’s acclaimed pinot noir and chardonnay. Make a base at Campbell Point House, a grand lodge on the banks of Lake Connewarre and work your way through a treatment at chic Lon Retreat, a visit to the Point Lonsdale lighthouse and sensational seasonal lunch at Basils Farm (be sure to order the Southern Ranges beef tenderloin with chimichurri).
Hike the Grampians then take a seat in fine diner
Follow the Western Freeway from Melbourne towards the Grampians for two hours to cut through Ballarat, where gold-rush grandeur is met with a burgeoning culinary scene. Think laneway bars (Euro-style Renard), cool breweries (Hop Temple) and a tiny fine diner (Underbar). Stomach full, continue on your way to the Grampians, known for its sandstone peaks, First Nations rock art and the 4.2-kilometre Pinnacle Walk that unfolds past thundering waterfalls, natural amphitheatres and Victoria’s own Grand Canyon. It’s not all hiking boots and sunscreen: the Royal Mail Hotel is nearby for a reprieve. Pore over the ever-changing tasting menu at lauded fine diner Wickens, where dishes are centred around the 1.2-hectare kitchen garden, orchards and pastures,-, then retire to a mountain-view room.
Planning your next road trip? LSH Auto Australia, nation’s leading Mercedes-Benz retail group, has a range of luxury, electric vehicles so you can travel in style. Visit LSH Auto’s Mercedes-Benz Melbourne to check them out.