Indulge in Melbourne’s array of cuisines, mingle with the adorable animals of Philip Island and hike up the impressive mountains and waterfalls at Grampians in this Melbourne road trip itinerary.

The best of the Victoria Region

Pick up your rental car and hit the roads on this 8-day adventure. Beginning from Melbourne, we head to Yarra Valley for wine tasting, Phillip Island to watch the Little Penguins return to the beaches, Otway and Grampians for some of the most epic waterfall hikes, all while taking in the gorgeous coastal scenery on the Great Ocean Road.

If you’re planning to explore Victoria on a road trip, here’s our 8-day self drive itinerary for an epic road trip from Melbourne!

Pre-trip Essentials

Car Rental: We got a gorgeous red Mitsubishi ASX from Budget at ~AU$108/day. This includes all the add-ons for zero-excess insurance (AU$25/day, ~S$24) and daily Vehicle Registration Fee (AU$6.50/day, ~S$6). Note that there’s a 6% surcharge for returning the car at the airport.

SIM Card: Plans from Optus (right outside the airport arrival gates) start from AU$10 (~S$9.4) with a minimum of 5GB and unlimited local calls.

Airport to Melbourne CBD: Taxis are expensive. A ride to town will cost between AU$55-70). If you’re travelling solo or in twos, book the Skybus at ~S$18.70/pax (one-way) via Klook that drops you off at Southern Cross station.

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Day 1: Explore Melbourne City

Highlights: Victoria State Library – Hosier Lane – Eureka Skydeck – Queen Victoria Market

Getting around Melbourne: You can purchase a rechargeable myki card for AU$6 (~S$5.70) (excluding credits) which covers all the trains, buses and trams in Victoria. However, if you’re staying within the CBD area, there’s no need for one to travel on trams within the Free Tram Zone.

Victoria State Library

First stop, check out the iconic Victoria State Library — the oldest free public library in Victoria with a collection of over 2 million books. The library’s domed ceiling also makes the place a good photo spot.

Entrance Fee: Free
Opening Hours: 10AM – 6PM
Address: 328 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Hosier Lane

Start your day exploring the scenic streets of Melbourne. If you’re into street art, one of the most famous is probably Hosier Lane — decked in ever-changing graffiti, created by both international and local artists. Drop by for a quick photo stop or have a meal at the cafes and restaurants in the area.

Eureka Skydeck

For a 360° view of the city, get on the highest public vantage point in the Southern Hemisphere, the Eureka Skydeck.

Photo credit: A Brit & A Southerner

Explore Melbourne city through the telescopes on the observation decks, and check out the world’s only The Edge Experience that suspends visitors 300 metres above the city in a glass cube!

The Eureka Skydeck is also a great place for catching the sunset over the city. Make sure to arrive at least 1 hour before the sunset to secure a good spot on the west side overlooking the Yarra River.

Cost: ~S$26.49/adult for Skydeck Entry, AU$14/adult for The Edge Experience (~S$13.25)
Opening Hours: 12PM – 9PM (Wed – Thu, Sun), 12PM – 10PM (Fri – Sat), closed on Monday and Tuesday, Last entry is 30mins before closing

Have dinner at the Queen Victoria Night Market

The Queen Victoria Night Market only comes alive every Wednesday so try to plan to be in the city on this day! Lined with food stalls and shops selling trinkets and clothing, this is a great place to hang out while enjoying the live entertainment; or you could also play a game of chess on the life size chess boards on the ground.

Satisfy your Korean Cravings (Joomak)

If you’re not in on a Wednesday, fret not! A favourite Korean place amongst many locals is Joomak — a Korean style pub that serves authentic Korean food in Melbourne CBD. The free flow kimchi here is to die for and the food comes in generous portions. We ordered a kimchi pancake, sundubu ji-gae (tofu-stew) and a small portion of bulgogi (BBQ marinated beef), along with a bowl of rice — which had the 4 of us stuffed.

Located in the basement with no signs on street level, it may be quite hard to locate Joo-Mak. Just walk along Swanston Street until you see unit 407/409:

Turn in, and head down the stairs to the basement where the restaurant is located.

Cost: ~AU$13/pax
Opening Hours: 5PM – 1AM (Mon & Tues), 5AM – 3AM (Wed & Thurs), 5PM – 5AM (Fri & Sat), Closed on Sundays
Address: Basement, 407/409 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Accommodation

To save on transport, pick an accommodation within or on the outskirts of the CBD. We found options on Airbnb that cost ~AU$50/pax. There’s also hostels within the same area for ~AU$30/pax.

Day 2: Day Trip to Yarra Valley

Highlights: Yarra Valley Gourmet Food Tour

For the wine lovers, Yarra Valley is just 1 hour from Melbourne city and home to over 50 wineries and farms. Apart from wine you’ll also get to try the locally grown fruits and a wide array of freshly made cheese.

We visited De Bortoli, Yering Station for wine tasting (AU$10 – 15), made a quick stop at Yarra Valley Dairy for cheese tasting before having lunch at Rockford.

Have a sweet ending at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, where you can taste a wide variety of chocolate and a generous serving of gelato at the gelato shop.

For those who don’t drive, there’s also an all inclusive Yarra Valley tour (~S$136)  which includes doorstep pick up from your accommodation and all the delicious wine and food you’ll get to experience at Yarra.

Have Mexican Food for dinner back in Melbourne CBD (Mamasita)

If you love Mexican food, Mamasita is the place to be! This popular restaurant in the CBD serves delicious tacos and a killer Margarita (AU$69/jug). It’s a tad pricy but the quality is well worth it. We ordered corn chips with guacamole and salsa (AU$12), some tacos (~AU$7.50), quesadillas (AU$ 16 –17) and we enjoyed every single dish.

*Pro-tip: Avoid peak hours or make a booking beforehand as it gets very crowded during dinner time.

Cost: ~AU$32/pax
Opening Hours: 5PM – 10PM 
Address: 11 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Day 3: Day Trip to Phillip Island

Highlights: Brighton Beach – Churchill Island – Koala Conservation Centre – Eco Boat Tour – The Nobbies – Penguin Parade

Famous for the adorable penguin parade that happens every night, Philip Island is a must-visit when you’re in Melbourne! It’s a 2-hour drive south-east of Melbourne with lots to check out along the way!

Brighton Beach

These colourful bathing boxes on Brighton Beach is a well known icon of Melbourne. Snap pictures with the numerous bathing boxes along the beach while enjoying the sea breeze and watch many dog owners play with their fur babies.

The beach is a quick stop before heading out to Phillip Island as it is along the way. You can watch the sunrise at the beach while having breakfast before heading out to Phillip Island.

Parking: AUD $5.30/hour (8AM – 8PM daily) — Remember to pay for parking at the machine. You WILL get fined if you do not pay for parking. The machine does not dispense change, so put in the exact amount.

*Pro-tip: Arrive before early as parking is only required between 8AM – 8PM.

Full Day Out At Philip Island

Read also: The Complete Philip Island Guide

Check out farming activities at the Churchill Heritage Farm such as cow milking and sheep shearing which will definitely be a hit with the young ones. Enjoy a quick cuppa at the cafe before heading off to the next stop!

Entrance Fee: AU$12.80
Opening Hours: 10AM – 5PM

EcoBoat Adventure: Sign up for this 90-minute high speed boat tour that will bring you up close with one of the largest fur seal colonies in Australia.

Tour cost: AU$85 (~S$65 on Klook)
Departure Time: Tours run at 1PM, 3PM and 5PM daily but departure times vary so be sure to check before booking!

Located just 5 minutes from the Rhyll jetty, Tides of Rhyll is a perfect spot to have a meal before or after the Eco Boat Tour (though you might want to have your meal after the tour because the boat ride is pretty rocky).

Cost: AU$14 for a plated meal of fish and chips or salad
Opening Hours: 12PM – 8PM (Thurs to Sun), Closed on Mondays to Wednesdays
Address: 11 Beach Rd, Rhyll VIC 3923, Australia

Get personal with Koalas in this Eucalyptus tree-filled woodland. The Koala Conservation Centre plays host to a conservation program that helps save these important animals. Visitors will get an opportunity to go on a ranger-led tour for insights to these Australian icons.

Entrance Fee: AU$ 12.80
Opening Hours:10AM – 5PM (Last entry at 4:30PM)

Take a walk down the boardwalk at the Nobbies to see the beautifully rugged coastline and if you’re lucky, you might spot some penguins beneath the boardwalks!

Head into The Nobbies Antarctic Journey for an interactive lesson on the Southern Ocean and Antarctica. This is a great place for children and they will love it. Stop by the cafe for a quick refreshment before heading out to the penguin parade which is just a 5 minutes drive away.

Opening Hours: 10AM – 7PM
Parking:  Free

End your day watching the little Penguins waddle back into their burrows after a long day of fishing. The main viewing area has elevated seating that gives a 180 degree view of the Beach.

Entrance Fee: AU$25.70 (S$25.80 via Klook)

*Pro-tip: Get a Philip Island Combo ticket for cheaper rates to 3 or more of the activities mentioned above!

For a full day itinerary on Philip Island, check out our complete Philip Island Guide.

Accommodation

You can opt to stay slightly outside of Melbourne city as it would be cheaper. We stayed in the Chadstone area.

Day 4 & 5: Great Otway National Park

Highlights: Zipline and Treetop walk at Otway Fly – California Redwoods – Hopetoun Falls – Apollo Bay
Drive Time: ~ 3 hours 30 minutes

Head out in the morning and drive towards Otway National Park. There are 2 routes — coastal and inland route, that you can take. The drive times for both route varies so be sure to check out Google maps for drive time estimates. I strongly recommend taking the coastal route as the views are pretty insane! 😉

Otway Fly Treetop Adventures

Image Credit: Otway Fly Treetop Adventures

For zipline adventures, head to Otway Fly Treetop Adventures for a 2.5 hour tour zipping through the leafy treetops of Otway. Although the tour opens regardless of rain or shine, it does not operate in severe weather conditions such as lightning, storms and high winds. Allocate at least 2 days in Otway so you’ll be able to reschedule the tour should such conditions occur!

Image Credit: Visit Victoria

Alternatively, there’s also a 25 metre-high tree-top walk where you can get a bird’s eye view of the region’s flora and fauna. The walk takes about 1 hour to complete, and just like the zipline tour, does not operate in severe weather conditions.

Cost: AU$120 for the Zipline & tree-top walk combo (~S$71 via Klook!)
Opening Hours: 9AM – 5PM, last admission 4PM (Weekends), 9AM – 4PM, last admission at 2:45PM (Weekdays)

*Pro-tip: Definitely pre-book this activity on Klook to enjoy up to 40% off!

California Redwoods

Filled with Sequoia trees, the California Redwoods is a unique stop on this road trip. True to its name, the trunks and branches of the trees have a reddish hue to them. Stop by for a morning stroll into the woods and be sure to snap some pictures of this magical place! Be careful of fallings branches, especially when it’s windy.

There’s also picnic tables outside the forest and a great place to stop for lunch!

Time: 10 minutes return
Difficulty: Easy

Hopetoun Falls

You can see the waterfalls from a viewing platform just 20 metres from the carpark but if you’re extra adventurous, it’s a 30 minutes return route to the base of the waterfall.

Time: 30 minutes return
Difficulty: Moderate

If time and weather permit, you could also check out Beauchamp Falls and Triplet Falls.

Accommodation

For this day, you can either stay in Otway National Park for 2 days or stay in Otway for one night and move on to Port Campbell/Apollo Bay for the second.

Pros of staying near Otway Fly Treetop Adventure is that you’ll have an additional day to check in on the zip line and tree top walk should the weather be against your favour on the first night. Of course the con is that you’ll have to drive about an hour to get to the Twelve Apostles the next morning so we have provided 2 other options which are nearer to the Twelve Apostles.

Near Otway Fly Treetop Adventures

1) Otways Tourist Park: Located just 20 minutes from the Otway Fly Zipline and Treetop activity centre, the various en-suite cabins at Otways Tourist Park can accommodate 2, up to 8 people.

Near the Twelve Apostles

2) Pebble Point: For nature lovers, a night at this glamping spot in Pebble Point is an experience you might want to check out! Each cosy tent sleeps 2 (max 3) and comes with an attached bathroom. The heated bed was so comfortable we had major problems getting up the next morning! There is a common kitchen stocked with common condiments to prepare dinner.

The down side is that the nearest town of civilisation is in Port Campbell which is a 20 minute drive should you need any supplies. Connectivity is also barely existent so do get your maps pre-loaded and let your loved ones know you haven’t fallen off the face of the earth!

3) Port Campbell Hostel: Lastly, there’s a hostel located in Port Campbell — a small town just 10 minutes from the Twelve Apostles. Here there are 2 – 6 bed private en-suite rooms and mixed-gender dorm rooms with 4, 6 and 10 bed configurations.

Of course the downside for options 2 & 3 is that you’d need to drive 1 hour to Otway Fly Treetop Adventures should you decide to shift your zip line activity booking.

Day 6: Great Ocean Road

Highlights: Gibson Steps – 12 Apostles – Loch Ard Gorge – The Arch – London Bridge – The Grotto
Drive Time: ~3 hours (if staying at Port Campbell/Pebble Point), add 1.5 hours if driving from Apollo Bay.

Gibson Steps

Get up close with Gog and Magog — the 2 huge limestone stacks that rise up from the sea, here at the base of Gibson Steps. These 2 limestone stacks are not considered part of the 12 Apostles, but are still a sight to behold. You can view them from the viewing platform or make your way down the 86 steps to the beach for a closer look. Be prepared to get a little wet as the waves are unpredictable!

Head down this flight of stairs to the beach 🙂

There is a designated carpark just a short distance of 30 metres away from the viewing platform.

Trekking Time: 15 minutes return
Difficulty: Easy
Parking: Free — but lots are limited and gets crowded after 9AM

12 Apostles Lookout Point

Possibly the most iconic attraction of the Great Ocean Road, the 12 Apostles are made up of rock stacks created by the erosion of limestone cliffs from the mainland. You may want to use the toilets here as there will not be another one at the other lookout points!

Trekking Time: 15 minutes return
Difficulty: Easy
Parking: Free

Loch Ard Gorge

Named after the famous 1878 shipwreck on nearby Mutton Bird Island, there are numerous limestone structures here to be marvelled at. Explore the numerous trails while learning the rich history of various rock stacks like the Razorback.

Trekking Time: Allow up to 2 – 3 hours if you want to explore all the trails
Difficulty: Easy
Parking: Free

The Arch

The Arch is best viewed from the platform during rougher tides. Watch the waves crash in and around the arch creating a mini waterfall that forms underneath The Arch from the huge waves!

Trekking Time: 20 minutes return
Difficulty: Easy
Parking: Free (Carpark is unsuitable for caravans)

London Bridge (a.k.a London Arch)

As its name suggests, London Bridge used to be a bridge connecting the archway to the mainland but collapsed unexpectedly in 1990, leaving 2 in need of a helicopter rescue. Visitors used to be able to walk across the eastern span before the collapse but fret not, because you can still witness its beauty from the two viewing platforms.

Trekking Time: 20 minutes return
Difficulty: Easy
Parking: Free

The Grotto

Perhaps the best spot on along the Great Ocean Road is the Grotto. This geological formation is easily accessible down a small flight of stairs. Feel the calmness brought about by the archway of The Grotto, in contrast to the crashing waves at the other end of the tunnel.

Trekking Time: 20 minutes return
Difficulty: Easy
Parking: Free

Food in Port Campbell

Frying Nemo

An all-in-one store, Frying Nemo is a small section of the Port Campbell Fuel/Fish and Chips shop. The servings are huge and well worth your money! We got 2 portions of minimum chips (at AU$ 3.00 per portion) and it was way too much for the 4 of us. As they only do takeout, get your favourite fish to go, and have your meal by the Port Campbell Beach like we did! The sauces will cost $0.50 each but we highly recommend the garlic aioli.

Image Credit: Nada D

Cost: AU$8.80/pax
Opening Hours: 11:30AM – 1:30PM, 4PM – 8PM

Accommodation

Drive up 2 hours to Halls Gap since you’ll be exploring the sights here the next morning. Stay here for 2 nights.

There are many accommodation options at Halls Gap but one of the most unique ones we found in this area was the A-Frame house. It had one bedroom below (en suite with a Jacuzzi!), 2 single and a double bed up on the loft, a fully stocked kitchen as well as a spacious living area. Wild kangaroos are also known to hang out in the backyard so if you’re lucky, they may come say hi!

At night, don’t forget to check out the view outside. If the skies are clear, you might even catch a shooting star or two!

Day 7 & 8: Grampians

Highlights: MacKenzie Falls – The Balconies – Reeds Lookout – The Pinnacle via Grand Canyon
Drive Time: ~ 1 hour 16 minutes (within Halls Gap), ~ 3 hours (to Melbourne airport)

Mackenzie Falls

One of the largest falls in Victoria, MacKenzie Falls flows all year round down a steep cliff. Take an easy one kilometre walk to Bluff Lookout, or down a steep trail down to the base of the waterfall. The steps can be quite steep but we promise, the view is worth it!

Be careful while going down the steps as some of them are narrow and might be slippery.

Trekking Time: 1 hour return (to the base of the falls)
Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
Parking: Free parking at the MacKenzie Falls Carpark

The Balconies (a.k.a Jaws of Death)

Also known as Jaws of Death because the structure resembles the jaws of a T-rex, The Balconies offer a panoramic view of the lush mountains. Take an easy two kilometre stroll along the path leading towards the lookout, and be awed be the stunning rock formations at the end of the path.

Trekking Time: 1 hour return
Difficulty: Easy
Parking: Free

Reeds Lookout (alternatively spelled as Reids Lookout) 

From the same carpark as The Balconies, follow the path up the sealed road to the summit of Reeds Lookout and enjoy the scenic views of Victoria Valley. Reeds Lookout is a fantastic spot for catching the sunset and it was truly one of the best sunsets I have seen in my life!

Do leave before the sun completely sets as it gets very dark, and can be quite a challenge to drive out.

Trekking Time: 10 minutes return
Difficulty: Easy
Parking: Free

The Pinnacle

There are a few paths one can take to reach the peak of The Pinnacle. We chose to hike up The Pinnacle via The Grand Canyon, starting at the Wonderland Carpark. The Grand Canyon is a trail within a picturesque valley that would have you stopping for pictures almost every minute. Although the trail was pretty rocky, it was still a pretty well paved out walkway.

*Pro-tip: Wear shoes with better grip. Even though there are man made pathways, there are still areas that are rocky and not flat.

If you prefer an easier hike, start off at the Sundial carpark, especially if you have young children, or ancient knees (like myself).

Bring some food along as there are many opportunities during the hike for a pit stop to recharge!

Follow these yellow arrows to find your way to the peak. These are especially helpful if you want to climb in the dark, to catch the sunrise or after sunset.

Have Dinner at Spirit of Punjab (Indian Food)

We were pretty lucky this place was open till pretty late since all the other restaurants tend to close around 5 – 6PM. If you’re craving for spicy food, check out this gem of a place at Spirit of Punjab.

We had the Vindaloo (AU$16.99) which was a chef recommended dish, Butter Chicken (AUS$16.99) and Sag Aloo (AU$12,95) which is a rich paste of spinach and potatoes. If you love spicy food, we challenge you to have a go at the Volcano Hot level. We ended up with the medium hot which was barely spicy 😉

Cost: AU$ 13.50/pax 
Opening Hours:5PM – 9PM

Drive to Melbourne Airport

If you have an evening flight on this day, make sure to buffer a 2.5 hour drive time back to the city. If you’re returning the car straight at the airport, you can return it at anytime. However, if you’re planning to return the car back in the city, most car rental companies have a strict 6PM cut off (not even a 5 minute grace). Try to avoid driving back at peak hour between 5 – 7PM as the jam can cause up to an hour of delay.

Road Trip Planning Tips

1) Groceries: Not only is eating out more expensive, many of the shops outside Melbourne close pretty early and you might find yourself stranded without any dinner. Make sure to find out where the major supermarkets are and schedule pit stops to stock up on food you can cook for dinner and breakfast the next morning. Sometimes, we’d even prepare a packable lunch too.

*You might want to keep dairy products off your shopping list unless they can be consumed on the same night. These will most definitely spoil when left in the car for an entire day #truestory.

2) Accommodation: If you’re travelling in a group, apartments are not too pricy and usually come with a fully stocked kitchen so that you can cook your own meals.

3) Connectivity: Connectivity along The Great Ocean Road and in Grampians can be spotty. Preload your Google maps at major cities in case you find yourself out of service.

4) Flexibility: Do not pack your road trip schedule too tightly as plans might change due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances.

5) Pack lightly: Since you’ll be changing accommodations almost everyday, try not to pack too much for the road!

Book Melbourne Essentials with Klook

Here’s a handy list of all the experiences we booked in this Melbourne road trip itinerary:

Round Trip Airport Transfer from MEL: ~S$46.50
Eureka Skydeck: ~S$20
Philip Island 5 Park Pass: ~S$109 (Read more: The Complete Phillip Island Guide)
OtwayFly Zipline: ~S$78
Total: S$253.50

Victoria has such a great mix of urban and natural landscapes we all enjoyed thoroughly on this eight-day self drive!

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Hope you found this Melbourne road trip itinerary useful! Leave a comment below if you have other recommendations.

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A post shared by The Travel Intern (@thetravelintern) on Mar 19, 2018 at 9:43pm PDT