Looking for winter road trips in Victoria? Pack your winter woolies, hit the gas and get ready to warm those frosty toes by a crackling open fire.
There’s no better time to plan a cosy regional getaway – to reconnect with nature, or meet the makers and growers of your new favourite drop!
Below, we’ve picked 5 of the best winter road trip destinations in Victoria; from the mountains to the sea, and everything in between.
5 best winter road trips in Victoria
1. Art, food and wine in Bendigo
Ideal for: A quick and easy trip
Distance to destination from Melbourne CBD: 152 km
Travel time: 1h 50m
Google Maps: Link
It’s just a quick trip north up the Calder to Bendigo, so if you’re pressed for time, a drive to this vibrant regional city might be just the one for you. It’s a city of colour, creativity and contrast; rich in First Nations and gold-rush history alike. A night or two at the Mercure Bendigo Schaller boutique hotel – inspired by Australian painter and sculptor Mark Schaller’s working studio – is perfect for art lovers, with the world-renowned Bendigo Art Gallery high on any visitor’s itinerary.
If easy access to the cellar-door is on your list of priorities, a safari tent or cosy cottage at nearby Balgownie Estate should be on the cards. Bendigo has been recognised as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy – check out the local Gastronomy Guide to make the most of the regional cuisine. This is one of the best winter road trips for foodies and creatives alike.
Tips and highlights:
- Find food, fashion, art and music and watch the world go by in Chancery Lane
- Get behind the wheel at Australia’s oldest working pottery, Bendigo Pottery
- Stretch your legs and explore Bendigo’s best street art on foot
2. A winter wonderland in Falls Creek
Ideal for: Snowbunnies and hot-chocolate lovers
Distance to destination from Melbourne CBD: 385 km
Travel time: 4h 40m
Google Maps: Link
You don’t need to be a Melbourne Football Club member to enjoy Falls Creek (‘though it doesn’t hurt!). Falls Creek is Victoria’s premier alpine resort. A stunning alpine village with snow-covered streets, twisted snow gums and rolling views of the surrounding mountains, it is a ‘ski-in-ski-out’ destination and features snowmaking facilities to keep you on the slopes even if the winter hasn’t truly set in yet. Don’t forget to get your car ready for winter driving and read these handy tips on snowsafe driving before you go.
Tips and highlights:
- Don’t miss the spiral spuds at Spudshack to fuel your day on the slopes
- Book in for some luxury pampering at the Astra Falls Creek day spa
- Explore the unseen areas of the High Country and the unique alpine environment around Falls Creek with snowshoes
3. Feel the heart of the river in Echuca-Moama
Ideal for: A change of pace
Distance to destination from Melbourne CBD: 223 km
Travel time: 2h 40m
Google Maps: Link
Named for the Yorta Yorta word for ‘meeting of the waters’, Echuca was once one of the busiest ports on the mighty Murray River. With three great rivers – the Murray, Goulburn and Campaspe – converging locally, Echuca Moama is paradise for those who love big blue skies and activities among the redgums. Picture the bustling riverine trade routes of old as you take a river cruise aboard a paddle steamer. Wake up to the call of kookaburras and enjoy a day out at the Winter Blues Fest in July.
Tips and highlights:
- Love the water? Stay on it with a houseboat getaway
- Experience an immersive sound and light trail that showcases stories from across the region at the Moama Lights at Horshoe Lagoon
- See the river on horseback with Billabong Ranch
4. Do go chasing waterfalls…in Lorne
Ideal for: A day-trip or longer – the choice is yours
Distance to destination from Melbourne CBD: 141 km
Travel time: 2h
Google Maps: Link
Chances are you’ve been to the place where the bush meets the beach several times. But did you know that there are 10 waterfalls within just 10km of Lorne? Pick one or two for a day-trip, or tick all 10 off the list over a long weekend exploring the Otways. Erskine, Won Wondah, Henderson, Phantom, Lower Kalimna, Upper Kalimna, Cumberland, Sheoak, Swallow Cave, and Cora Lynn all await! This is easily one of our favourite winter road trips in Victoria!
Tips and highlights:
- Enjoy more of the Great Ocean Road
- Test your limits at Live Wire Park, a completely off-grid elevated adventure park
- Taking your furry friends? Check out these pet-friendly walking options
5. Lo-fi paradise in Venus Bay
Ideal for: Reconnecting with the elements
Distance to destination from Melbourne CBD: 171 km
Travel time: 2h 10m
Google Maps: Link
On a narrow peninsula of land a couple of hours’ drive south-east of Melbourne lies a sleepy retreat nestled among the sand-dunes. With 5 surf beaches, Venus Bay is a beautiful winter road trip destination for those looking for wild waters and salty air.
Stay at the local caravan park and make sure you bring the boat if fishing is your thing! Anderson Inlet is the perfect spot to launch, cruising out to explore the inlet as it extends all the way from Inverloch to the mouth of the Tarwin River – cast a line for flathead, salmon, tailor, whiting and trevally.
If you’ve got more time to spend, why not enjoy our full Melbourne to Merimbula itinerary? All of the winter road trips in Victoria on this list can form part of a longer adventure!
Tips and highlights:
- Enjoy coastal vegetation, tidal mudflats and mangroves on the 2km gravel walkway that follows along the Anderson Inlet
- Shelter from wild winds on the Point Smythe Nature Trail, where you’ll pass through masses of coastal vegetation and onto the beach at Point Smythe
- Taste the best of the Bay at the Bay Gourmet
Make sure your car is ready for a winter road trip in Victoria
Before you hit the road, plan ahead and book your car in for a service with us. We’ll give your car a thorough safety-check in line with the VACC’s accredited Critical Safety Check program and keep you on the move with our premium service experience. Ask about our complimentary loan cars and flexible prepayment options and rest assured that we’ll go that extra mile to keep you on the road.
We recommend running through five simple ‘roadtrip-readiness’ checks in the week leading up to your winter road trip in Victoria to avoid any last-minute stress. If your simple checks turn up anything unexpected, give us a call and we’ll help you on your way. And if they don’t? You can stick to getting your road trip essentials together.
- Tyre pressure – handling and performance is important on any road trip. Make sure your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure before you hit the road, and give them a once-over for wear and tear.
- Lights – check that your head, parking, indicator, brake, reversing and numberplate lights are in good working order. The safest way to do so is with two people: one to operate the lights, the other to observe.
- Windscreen wipers – fill the washer reservoir, and check wiper blades for deterioration or debris.
- Coolant – check your owner’s manual for specific advice about how to check your vehicle’s coolant level. Most vehicles will have a transparent coolant reservoir so you can check the level without touching the cap, but we still recommend you do this when the engine is cool.
- Engine oil – again, check your owner’s manual for detailed instructions on checking your oil levels. Remember to check the oil when the engine is cool, and be sure to park on a flat surface!
We look forward to seeing you at Cox Auto soon and wish you a safe and enjoyable journey.
Want some more travel inspiration now that you’ve seen some of our favourite winter road trips in Victoria? Check out our list of the best one-day or weekend road trips from Melbourne!
