Best Summer Getaways near Melbourne
It's the perfect time to get away when the summertime rolls around, whether it’s just for a day trip or few couple days.
There will undoubtedly be a period between December and March when your home is hot or you simply need a break while the warmer weather is here. The Peninsula, the Twelve Apostles, and national parks are all easily accessible summer vacations from any part of the city, which is helpful when the local beach is not enough of a getaway.
However, where should you spend your summer vacation when there are so many options in Victoria? There are an abundant number of vacation spots in Victoria for your next summer vacation. While the well-known Great Ocean Road and the charming Yarra Valley are popular options, there are other great options following scenic road trips. Here’s a list of the best summer getaways near Melbourne.
Mornington Peninsula
The Mornington Peninsula is Victoria's top vacation spot for having fun in the sun and is a veritable playground and not too far from the city centre. Everyone can find something to do while on vacation on the Mornington Peninsula, from picking your own fruit and vegetables to swimming with seals in Port Phillip Bay. The Mornington Peninsula is also a culinary delight, with a wealth of wineries and restaurants ready to entice you. If you’re looking for adventure, the peninsula has attractions like Arthur’s Seat Cable Car, Tree Surfing, Golf, and Animal Parks, or perhaps you just want to relax and soak it up at the Peninsula Hot Springs.
On the Mornington Peninsula, there are a variety of things to do or you can just take it easy and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. It's a wonderful place for a family trip or a romantic weekend.
Rye
The beach is the main attraction of Rye, so if you’re after a beach getaway, then consider this coastal town on the peninsula. Additionally, Rye is a great base from which to visit all the greatest parts of the Mornington Peninsula due to its location.
Jump off the pillars into the crystal-clear water at Mount Martha, have a leisurely lunch by the bay in Portsea, or visit the secluded beaches to watch the surf. There is a jetty, a number of boat ramps, as well as lovely waterfront amenities with picnic spaces, shelters, playgrounds, and walking trails, including a section of the 28-kilometer Bay Trail that runs from Safety Beach to Portsea.
Go to the "Octopus' Garden" at the Rye Pier if you love snorkelling. There is signage along this 200-meter underwater walkway that describes the local aquatic animals. The well-known carnival in Rye is situated next to the pier throughout the summer. Additionally, the region offers a wide range of lodging options, including camping along the foreshore.
Lakes Entrance
In the summer, travellers from all over descend upon the cosy, tranquil coastal village of Rye to take advantage of a beach vacation. With its gorgeous beaches and an array of water sports options, Lakes Entrance is one of Victoria's greatest summer family vacation spots for everyone.
East Gippsland's Lakes Entrance is one of Victoria's most popular holiday destinations for water sports, great dining, picturesque villages, and various activities. The Gippsland Lakes system is accessible from Melbourne in about three hours. Over 350 square kilometres of lakes, marshes, and lagoons make up the majority of the Gippsland Lakes region. Lake Wellington, Lake King, and Lake Victoria are the three primary lakes that feed the lake system. All three rivers originate in the Victorian High Country.
There is a tonne of activities to do in Lakes Entrance and the surrounding area thanks to the lake system, which is mostly divided by Bass Strait by sand dunes and is teeming with wildlife. Have a beach day at the well-liked Ninety Mile Beach, which is guarded by lifeguards in the summer.
Kayak tours of the lakes are available, as are boat tours and paddleboat rentals for use on the glistening water. There are many different camping options available besides the serene lake waters and along Ninety Mile Beach. Make the most of your stay in the area by heading out on a local cruise, fishing trip, or nature tour.
Bendigo
Sometimes you simply need to go away from Melbourne rather than going on a beach vacation. Bendigo, which can be reached in under two hours from the city, is a popular choice during summer. You can take the air-conditioned V/Line or a road trip for a relaxing drive.
In Bendigo, there is a wealth of things to do plus renowned, genuine heritage attractions. Visit the Golden Dragon Museum to learn about Chinese culture, explore the Central Deborah Gold Mine below ground, try your hand at Bendigo Pottery, and take a vintage tram to experience the finest of the city.
Discover the culinary joys of Bendigo with a gastronomy tour. Sample locally grown seasonal foods before finishing the day with a local wine or beer. Explore Bendigo's commercial district, dine and drink in buildings from the goldfields period, and don't leave without seeing the most recent Bendigo Art Gallery show.
The Grampians National Park
Western Victoria is home to the magnificent Grampians National Park; the perfect vacation spot in summer for those who want to get back to nature. You'll find untamed mountainous terrain, historic rock formations, and an abundance of animals here. With chances for animal viewing, bushwalking, and rock climbing, the park is a sanctuary for outdoor enthusiasts.
For those who enjoy the outdoors and those looking for adventure, the Grampians are a must-visit location. The journey from Melbourne to Halls Gap, the largest town in the Grampians, takes 2.5 hours.
Mackenzie Falls is one of the top sights in Grampians National Park since it's one of the only waterfalls in Victoria that doesn't dry up throughout the summer. Halls Gap Zoo, Victoria's biggest regional zoo and home to over 160 species of animals, including giraffes, monkeys, snakes, dingos, meerkats, crocodiles, and more, is one of the top Grampians attractions for families.
More than 80% of the First Nations art sites in Victoria are located in the Grampians area, which contains the most rock art sites in southern Australia.
Have you ever pondered how much room three million wine bottles would require? At least a three-kilometre-long bunker. The largest and longest subterranean wine cellar in the southern hemisphere, which can house three million bottles of champagne, is located at Seppelt Great Western. The maze of tunnels known as "drives," which were excavated by unemployed gold miners in the 1860s, took more than 60 years to construct.
Needless to say, there is a wealth of things to do, see, and explore in the Grampians.
Johanna & The Otways
You can camp in Johanna, one of the less popular beaches between Lorne and Warrnambool, where you can wake up to the sound of the ocean lapping at the coast and fall asleep smelling of the salt on your skin. This is the place to be if you want to surf on a summer break. Alternatively, go to nearby beaches or explore the Great Otway National Park while taking in your surroundings.
From the finding of dinosaur remains in the Glenaire Valley to the Cape Otway Lightstation, the first of its kind on the Australian mainland, the region is rich in history. Amazing Great Ocean Walk sections can be found in this area, and depending on your needs, you can either complete them on your own or with a guide or tour company's help.
Along the trip, there are a variety of lodging options, from luxury houses and villas to camping at authorised locations. Johanna is a great base to venture out from to explore the Otways region and the wealth of activities to do in the area.
Daylesford
Summer isn’t only about the beach, but it's also about beautiful rural scenery and relaxation. Daylesford has a large amount of this. The top activities in Daylesford and the surrounding area include exploring sweet-smelling lavender fields, going on picturesque walks, sampling local wines, and visiting day spas.
However, you won't need to travel very far to find a body of water if you go to Hepburn Springs, Trentham Falls, or even Turpins Falls in Kyneton. This resort town at the foothills of the Great Dividing Range is hip yet elegant, and it has a lot to offer.
Its food and wine culture are not just well-established and on par with the best in rural Australia, but it also provides tourists and weekenders plenty of picturesque landscapes, cute shops, and even bathhouses. Boutique cool-climate vineyards, as well as the occasional distillery and cider house, are widely scattered over the hills that surround Daylesford.
More than 20 distinct wine varieties are cultivated here, although riesling, chardonnay, sparkling, shiraz, and pinot noir among the best in the area.
Wilsons Promontory
Enjoy nature and camping? Wilsons Promontory should be at the top of your list of places to visit for a summer break. You're going to have to accept that you won't see everything at the Promontory in a weekend since there is so much to see there.
But what if you only have a little time? Visit the magnificent Squeaky Beach for some surfing or swimming, visit Mount Oberon for some breath-taking views, take the Lilly Pilly Gully walk through some rainforest, and keep your eyes out for wombats.
Camping is a big deal during the prom. The Tidal River campground is where the majority of campers stay, and it would be preferable for you to do the same if you wanted to be close to the National Park. If you want to upgrade from roughing it, they even have cottages that can sleep up to six people. Gather some friends, bring food for a cookout, and you've got everything you need for the ideal prom weekend.
Wilsons Promontory is also the southernmost point of Australian mainland. The park is a 500 square kilometre area of land on a headland along the seashore. Koalas, wombats, kangaroos, birds, and snakes are just a few of the numerous types of wildlife that can be found in Wilson Promontory National Park. Bushwalkers who love hikes lasting anything from a few hours to a few days are drawn to the prom.
With its basic store, ranger's office, campsites, and day-use picnic spots, Tidal River serves as the Prom's hub. Since there aren't many camping options at Wilsons Promontory National Park, they do get booked up quickly during the summer. There are camping places for hikers in Sealer Cove, Refuge Cove, Oberon Bay, and other locations. You may rent the Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage for a special occasion for a one-of-a-kind experience.
Lake Hume
Lake Hume is a great summer vacation spot in Victoria with a wealth of things to do for people of all ages. A few kilometres separate Lake Hume in rural Victoria from Albury Wodonga at the Victoria, New South Wales border. Albury Wodonga is only a 15-minute drive away from Lake Hume, a large body of water that is protected by an incredible dam wall.
At Lake Hume, there is something for everyone; wakeboarding, water skiing, tube riding, and stand-up paddleboarding are available for the adventurous. For those who prefer a slower pace, the foreshore is the ideal location for a picnic, a grilling, and catching up with friends and family while taking in the mountain views.
For years, anglers have thrown their lines into Lake Hume. Try your luck catching one of the Murray Cod, Rainbow Trout, Redfin, or Golden Perch, the freshwater delicacies of the region. Get yourself a Victorian fishing licence that covers Lake Hume in its entirety before setting your hook.
Torquay
Torquay, the first stop on the Great Ocean Road, is one of those incredible places that you don't even need to look for. There is plenty of wonderful stuff to go around, even if the summer months are hectic. For instance, there is more surf than you can possibly use. Indulge in brunch and a nice cup of coffee at one of the cafes or restaurants, or take in a round of golf.
The spiritual home of Australian surfing is the seaside town of Torquay, where surfers from all over the world congregate at breakers like Bells Beach and Jan Juc. The Rip Curl Pro, the longest-running professional surfing competition in the world, takes place every Easter in Torquay. Melbourne is only a little more than an hour away, making Torquay a popular vacation spot.
There are several dining options, a small retail centre, and a nearby brewery in Torquay. Have a beach day, drive the Great Ocean Road, take on the Adventure Park hike the Surf Coast Trail, or venture out and explore the Bellarine Peninsula.
Phillip Island
Phillip Island is the vacation spot for penguin lovers, obviously. See the famous Penguin parade, stroll down The Nobbies' wonderful boardwalks before heading to Cape Woolamai for a dip at Phillip Island's most picturesque beach. The island is filled with tucked-away places to discover, and the greatest thing is that a car makes getting about the island a breeze.
A visit to Phillip Island is essential for many visitors to Victoria and Australian tourists. It is a well-known island with plenty of things to see and do, and it has to be the top summer vacation spot in Victoria. Try your hand at surfing or go kayaking, enjoy a day on the water by going on a boat trip or a fishing charter and taking in the stunning views and surroundings.
While experiencing an adrenaline thrill on an Ocean Adventures Jet Boat or Thundercat Tour, take in the breath-taking cliffs! If rest and renewal are what you want, then peruse the stores, do yoga, or unwind with a massage at a spa or wellness centre.
Echuca
One of Victoria's biggest inland cities is Echuca and visitors come to this well-known location on the Murray River to learn more about its heritage and history as well as for a relaxing getaway. Echuca used to be Australia's busiest inland port in its prime. These days, Echuca is a vacation hotspot for people looking to travel back in time, sail the famous Murray River, or simply unwind on its famed banks. Everyone can find something to do while on vacation in Echuca. There are several activities available for both young and old;
practice your swing at Murray River Courses, check out the National Holden Museum, go on a paddle steamer on the river, get lost in Cactus Country, explore the Silo Art Trail or explore Kyabram Fauna Park.
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