Autumn has arrived and the school holidays are just around the corner, so it’s time to get your car prepared to explore Victoria! After a long year of being stuck at home, we’ve picked three of the best weekend road trips from Melbourne to inspire your next adventure.
Reconnect with nature in the Grampians National Park
Location: start from Halls Gap (260 km north-west of Melbourne)
Distance: 237 kilometre round-trip
Ideal for: a long weekend getaway from Melbourne for active nature-lovers
Start your adventure at Halls Gap, the perfect spot from which to explore the majestic surrounds of the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park in a long weekend getaway from Melbourne. Waterfalls, lookouts, bushwalking trails, lakes and Aboriginal art sites are all on your doorstep, with many attractions just a short walk or drive away. Make sure you make time to stop at the Brambuk – the National Park and Cultural Centre – to learn more about the rich culture and history of the Jardwadjali and Djab Wurrung peoples. Enjoy panoramic views of the rugged landscape from a campground, or opt for more luxurious accommodation for a romantic getaway – Halls Gap has it all.
Enjoy true destination dining in spectacular surrounds with a relaxed lunch at the Parker Street Project, or celebrate a special occasion fine-dining style at Wickens – both based at the Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld (103km from Halls Gap via Moyston). Home to Australia’s largest working restaurant kitchen garden and committed to local sourcing, up to 80% of the produce showcased on the menus at the Royal Mail is grown on-site and harvested daily. Enjoy luxury digs at the Hotel, or explore the eco-accommodation nearby. Make sure to stop in at the small towns of Pomonal and Moyston along the way to sample local olive and hazelnut products.
Continue on towards the Wartook Valley and the ancient rock art site at Billimina Shelter, stopping in at Mirranatwa to stretch your legs and take in spectacular views of the Southern Grampians Ranges (75km). Adventurers will find many opportunities to get that heart rate up from the Wartook Valley, with horse riding, quad biking, rock climbing and abseiling escapades aplenty. For something more gentle, enjoy the bounty of local produce you’ve acquired along the way with a picnic by the MacKenzie River, or take in one of the many nearby bushwalking trails (39 km to the MacKenzie Falls carpark) before returning to Halls Gap (20km) to close off this spectacular road trip loop of the Grampians.
Release your inner driving enthusiast at the Black Spur
Location: start from Healesville (65 km north-east of Melbourne)
Distance: 30 kilometres
Ideal for: a day trip for those who love to drive (even better as a weekend!)
Wind your way up the Great Dividing Range on the Maroondah Highway from Healesville at the foot of the Yarra Valley to the tiny town of Narbethong, just 10 minutes from Marysville at the gateway to Melbourne’s closest alpine resort. Featuring some of Victoria’s most spectacular tall forests, this 30 kilometre-long road twists around colossal mountain ash trees and is lined with lush ferns – it’s truly one of the best weekend road trips from Melbourne.
This drive offers the kinds of hairpin turns we car-lovers dream of, and the occasional (though short) straight stretch to momentarily open the throttle on. The road surface is in great condition, with a smooth feel and well-designed surface camber for excellent handling. Be careful of black ice in the winter months – we recommend taking this one at a slow pace year-round so you can enjoy the scenery and dappled sunlight in all its glory.
Want to stretch out your short road trip from Melbourne a little further? Try a detour on your way back to the city, heading north from Healesville on the C724 to Toolangi. This one is a favourite amongst motoring journalists and you’ll soon see why, with 20 kilometres of narrow and sweeping bends, hills and a variety of surfaces to put both you and your car to the test. The road does get quite narrow and challenging at some points (and is a popular spot for motorcyclists too) so be sure to give it the respect it demands!
Indulge yourself with a luxury spa weekend in Hepburn Springs
Location: start from Melbourne
Distance: 227 kilometres Melbourne to Hepburn Springs return
Ideal for: a weekend of romantic indulgence
If you’re looking for somewhere to slow down and recharge your batteries, a weekend road trip from Melbourne to Hepburn Springs might be just what the doctor ordered. Head north-west out of Melbourne on the Western Highway and follow the signs to Daylesford. Refuel with some classic gourmet pub-grub at the Farmers Arms Hotel or a classy lunch for something special at Lake House before continuing on to nearby Hepburn Springs.
This is a shorter road trip from Melbourne than most, so make sure you stretch out your time by checking out the many boutique accommodation options in the heart of the largest concentration of naturally-occurring mineral springs in Australia, with many offering in-house spa treatments and mouth-watering local food and wine options. The Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa has been drawing from the rich mineral waters since 1895 and is a great place to start looking for a place to refresh your body and mind.
Take some time to browse through the Convent Gallery in Daylesford, enjoy the local antique stores, or take a short 10-minute drive north to enjoy the stunning beauty of Lavandula, an historic Swiss-Italian lavender farm – a great spot for a picnic! Detour via local wineries (Passing Clouds in nearby Musk is a firm favourite of this intrepid reporter) and explore the natural beauty of the area at a relaxed pace. Don’t rush back to the hustle and bustle of the city – take your time as you wind your way home, stopping in at Trentham Falls or making your way across to Mount Macedon to enjoy the cool climate and stunning natural surrounds of the southern end of the Great Dividing Range.
Get ready to hit the bitumen
As we get back to enjoying the freedoms of a weekend getaway, don’t forget to prepare your car for the journey ahead! Plan ahead and book your car in for a service with us before you hit the road. 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. In the week leading up to your road trip, run through a handful of simple pre-checks on your vehicle to avoid any last-minute roadtrip stress. Check your tyre pressure, lights, windscreen wipers, coolant and engine oil. If your simple checks turn up anything unexpected, give us a call and we’ll help you on your way.
Banner & Thumbnail Image: Mount Williams, Grampians National Park | Image by Matt Donovan
