There are lots of great places to see and things to do within a couple of hours' drive of Melbourne. Here are my top picks to get to know the region:
* The Great Ocean Road was built between 1919 and 1932 by returned soldiers, and is one of Victoria's most popular tourist destinations, and with good reason. The constructors left no room to misinterpret the name: it's a big road that's next to the ocean. It's one of the most picturesque drives in the country, winding along rocky cliffs with views out to the ocean, and passing through lots of fantastic smaller towns like Torquay, famous for its world-class surfing, Anglesea (great beaches), Lorne (more great beaches) and the 12 Apostles (huge rock pylons rising out of the ocean). The road is well made and generally safe - just be sure to take breaks every now and then, as the windy roads make for tired drivers.
A good place for a break is Kennett River, where, if you're lucky, you'll be able to spot Koalas in the treetops.
* The Mornington Peninsula, another excellent coastal road trip, is a great getaway spot for cheese, wine, bushwalks and beaches. Stop-offs include Rye's friendly beaches, Portsea's rocky outcrops and copious walking trails, and Sorrento's historic township and pier. Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm is also a favorite of mine, where you can pick your own fresh strawberries and then dabble in strawberry fondue, milkshakes, ice cream, and even champagne made from strawberries.
* The Bellarine Peninsula, just past Victoria's second largest city (Geelong), is another great weekend getaway destination. Known for its fishing, beaches and laid-back lifestyle, a trip to Drysdale, Queenscliff or Portarlington will have you exploring one of the state's most picturesque regions with relaxed people.
* Phillip Island is home to the famous fairy penguin parade, where you can watch hundreds of penguins waddle up the beach at dusk. The island also boasts excellent fish and chips, fantastic beaches, and is one of the top surfing hotspots close to Melbourne. Camping and bushwalking is also excellent on the island (I'd recommend the town called "Cowes").
* The Yarra Valley is famous for one main thing: wine - and with good reason. You can't drive for 20 minutes without driving past a winery or five. It's a superb place to drive around, get lost, and feel like the place is empty until you arrive at a winery filled with grape enthusiasts.
* The Dandenong Ranges are Melbourne's green forest mountains. Bushwalks, picnic grounds, wildlife and waterfalls abound here, as well as the famous tea houses and bakeries. It’s a great place for a day trip, to get some fresh air, or go for a healthy walk in the outdoors. It's also quite cool in summer compared to other walking regions, due to the forest, altitude and generally cool air.
Interstate and Overseas Travel
Good international routes from Melbourne:
There are some great international connections from Melbourne to countries close by:
* New Zealand: It goes without saying that New Zealand is very close to Australia. In some cases, it's quicker (and cheaper) to fly to New Zealand than it is to other parts of Australia. There are some great flights from Melbourne to Christchurch, Queenstown and Auckland (less than 4 hours).
* South East Asia: You can get to Fiji in less than 8 hours (Nadi), Thailand in 10 hours (Bangkok), and Bali in 7 hours (Denpasar).
Interstate flights from Melbourne:
* You can reach Sydney in less than 2 hours, Brisbane and the Gold Coast in around 3 hours, and Perth in 5 hours.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tobias Carlson is a traveller, writer and businessman. He often travels to Melbourne in connection with Melbourne Apartments.
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