we all need a break from city life – even when that city’s as amazing as somewhere like Melbourne. here are some of our much-loved easy Melbourne weekend vacations that will give you that sense of escape without you having to travel too far.
Victoria is Australia’s smallest mainland state. because of this, things are packed in tight and a weekend escape from Melbourne doesn’t indicate hours and hours spent in the automobile or an unending featureless landscape on your drive.
In fact, in spite of being a small state, Victoria has a spectacular range of climates, landscapes and destination options.
From surf beaches to white wine country to ski fields to quaint country towns surrounded by forests.
It’s all here.
We thought we’d share a few ideas of where we’d choose a weekend away from the city.
10 easy Melbourne weekend getaways
Distances and travel time are based on driving out of central Melbourne.
1. City by the sea – St Kilda
16mins / 10km south of Melbourne
More of a staycation than a true getaway, St Kilda uses that holiday feeling without having to travel far from the city. In fact, you can even get here on the tram.
Though asking someone who lives, say, in Fitzroy if they fancy a trip to St Kilda is like suggesting a trip to the moon. We know; we’ve tried it!
But home to Melbourne’s closest beaches at the top of Port Philip Bay, St Kilda does feel a lot additionally away than it really is.
Here are a few food and to-do ideas from our time in St Kilda, and if you’re trying to find a place to stay, we quite liked the Cosmopolitan hotel – here’s our review.
While you’re there, make sure you check out the botanic gardens and try to neglect Melbourne’s version of Old King Cole that is amazingly creepier than Sydney’s Luna Park face.
2. Wind down in the mountains – the Dandenongs
50 mins / 45km east of Melbourne
This low-alpine region is surprisingly close to Melbourne and the best place for a recharge retreat.
Not so far from the madding crowds of the city, mountain villages like Olinda and Sassafras offer extraordinary views along with warm welcomes, delicious local food and interesting, quaint shops.
As well as the scenery and stunning gardens, the Dandenongs have some fun picturesque drives through the mountains as well as Puffing Billy, the heritage steam train that’s now a national treasure.
3. check out the vineyards – Buxton & Yarra Valley
1hr / 65km north-east of Melbourne
Melbourne’s closest white wine region is not only convenient, its vineyards turn out some really terrific white wine and welcoming cellar doors.
The landscape of the Yarra’s rolling hills also hides a number of towns and villages well worth visiting. Here’s an intro into a few of the main ones.
As well as the wine, the Yarra is home to some exceptional restaurants and is an optimal spot for a romantic getaway. The Coldstream trail highlights some of the best producers in the region; breweries, wineries, dairies and restaurants – all within an easy drive of each other.
And if you’re a lot more interested in getting out and about, this region is full of hikes and top cycling routes too.
4. Life’s a beach – Torquay
80mins / 105km south of Melbourne
With that best combination of flat-water swimming beaches and the rolling waves of some of Australia’s a lot of prestigious surf spots near at hand, Torquay is the best seaside retreat.
Its little town is full of interesting shops, cafes and bakeries, and there are plenty of comfortable waterfront holiday homes to get you into that chilled beachy vibe.
While you’re on the coast here, you’re also not far from Port Philip Bay. Queenscliff is well worth the quick drive east and if you have the time, you can even get the automobile ferry over to the Mornington Peninsula.
5. get to the point – Mornington Peninsula
80mins / 100km south of Melbourne
A thin finger of land marking the eastern jaw of Port Philip Bay and the coast, the Mornington is a sensational part of the country that’s somehow regional and developed at the same time.
Here you’ll find a rare blend of country friendliness with world-class restaurants.
Mornington wineries make outstanding Chardonnay and Pinot, and their cellar doors are typically decorated with excellent sculpture gardens.
Many also have amazing views of the coast that gives the white wine its particular flavour.
Here’s our rundown of our much-loved Mornington Wineries.
6. Onsen hot springs – Daylesford and Hepburn
90mins / 110km north-west of Melbourne
One of the real pearls of rural Victoria, Daylesford is a sensational country town surrounded by stunning scenery, waterfalls and woodland.
Its neighbouring town, Hepburn, is popular for its hot springs.
More like a Japanese onsen town, Hepburn makes the most of its special access to the majority (82%) of Australia’s natural hot springs using visitors a kicking back day spa opportunity.
And if you want to extend that Japanese onsenfeel even further, stay at the Shizuka Ryokan.
For a lot more information about Daylesford and why it’s so good, here’s our guide.
7. Mountains, forests and romance – Marysville
1h 40mins / 95km north-east of Melbourne
Once a honeymoon hotspot, Marysville suffered extremely as the epicentre of the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires. now back on its feet, the town is even stronger than ever.
The drive into town is a spectacle in itself – the popular Black Spur with its towering trees and winding alpine roads make for a terrific drive. Something out of Jurassic Park.
Staying at the Marysville vibe hotel will keep you central as well as near one of the best restaurants in town. Not far from town is also the start of the Victorian ski fields, which are well worth the check out even in summer.
Here’s a lot more information in our travel guide to Marysville.
8. Foodie heaven – King Valley
3hrs / 280km north of Melbourne
For local food and extraordinary produce, you can’t really go wrong with the King Valley.
From cheese (you have to check out the Milawa cheese factory for a tasting) to white wine (Sam Miranda is one of our absolute favourites), you’ve got everything here for a hearty, tasty, fulfilling trip.
While you’re in the area, why not pop into Glenrowan and say hi to the gigantic Ned Kelly – the town of course being the site of the Kelly Gang’s infamous last stand.
You can find a lot more details about King Valley and all its foodie goodies in our story here.
9. Quaint and historic – Beechworth
3hrs / 285km north of Melbourne
Thanks to its gold rush history and the concerted efforts of its citizens, Beechworth has a beautifully maintained 1850s aesthetic.
It’s pubs and cafes (make sure you check out collective for Melbourne-quality coffee) will keep you fed and watered, while the shops on its quaint main street will entertain.
These days, Beechworth has swapped out one type of gold for another; its honey is a national much-loved and the Beechworth Honey shop has a delicious range of honey from all different flowers.
10. Drive the terrific ocean road – Apollo Bay to Port Fairy
2h 35m south-west to Apollo Bay from Melbourne then 3hrs west to Port Fairy
For a a lot more extended roadtrip-style break, this old much-loved is our kind of drive. From Melbourne, Apollo Bay is two hours and 35 minutes away direct from the city, and the stunning Twelve Apostles are not far on from that. but you can pick up the terrific ocean road anywhere from Torquay.
From the Twelve Apostles, the drive becomes a lot more remote and dramatic, and stopping at Port Fairy – about three hours from Apollo Bay – makes for a kicking back five-hour drive.
You can either base yourself in this pretty little coastal town or in Warrnambool – the greatest town in the area – a few kilometres back.
Either way, the drive down this famous road is the sort of thing memories are made of and a need to for any individual who loves the Australian landscape.
Do you have a much-loved place to check out in Victoria? Where do you go when you’re trying to find a city escape?