Where to Go & What to Do
Immerse yourself in lush rainforest scenery in the Otway Ranges. Wander to free-flowing waterfalls, weave through remarkable redwoods and stroll past plant life. Swap out the car entirely and head by foot along the Great Ocean Walk or drive through colourful villages dotted along Victoria’s south-west coastline to Warrnambool and ease aching bones with a geothermal bathing experience, or simply let the sound of the ocean soothe your soul. Take in panoramic views as the road winds along cliff tops, up to breathtaking headlands, down onto the edge of beaches and through lush rainforests. This iconic road trip will see you mark a trip to Bells Beach and the 12 Apostles off your bucket list.
Take advantage of Gippsland’s good nature as you plan your eco-adventure. Stroll through ancient rainforests, walk the wilderness coast and follow riverside trails. Stop in tiny towns to fuel up at sustainable restaurants or pack your reusable bags with a load of local goodies.
Go wild at Wilsons Promontory National Park as you hike along scenic trails, walk on the famous Squeaky Beach or embark on The Prom Wildlife walk to spot wildlife. Jump on the world’s first amphibious boat to travel across sand and sea, out to dramatic monolith Skull Rock.
After something more relaxed? Stop in the pretty waterfront village, Metung, in the Gippsland Lakes area to experience the region’s best sailing and fishing, as well as a luxurious soak at Metung Hot Springs. At night, get cosy under the canvas or bunker down in a wilderness retreat.
Lace up your hiking boots and get set to explore Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park. Take in the sights on a casual stroll, or plan an epic multi-day adventure along the Grampians Peaks Trail. Get up close to local wildlife and cross paths with colourful native flora. Look out for ancient Aboriginal rock paintings, evidence of Australia’s Indigenous people’s long association with the region.
Watch waterfalls drop into picturesque rock pools at Beehive Falls, visit the Wartook Valley to see one the largest waterfalls in Victoria at MacKenzie Falls and take the fern-laden trail to Silverband Falls. If time allows, drive south to Dunkeld where you can climb Mount Sturgeon or Mount Abrupt, and gaze at crystal clear lake water at the Dunkeld Arboretum.
Get face-to-face with nature in stunning settings on Phillip Island. Check in with native wildlife including fur seals, wallabies, bandicoots and those famous little penguins. Walk among koalas as you connect with the Australian bush. Get off-grid at Churchill Island, where you can explore wide-open spaces under the watchful eye of Cape Barren geese and purple swamp hens.
Taste the bounty of the region and the season with uninterrupted views of the Southern Ocean or feed the animals by hand at your farm-stay accommodation.
Connect with nature as you travel from rolling plains to rugged mountain ranges. Navigate the region’s extensive network of tracks and trails by foot – go for a short stroll or opt for a multi-day hike. Take to two wheels along world-class mountain bike trails, or slow it down as you drop into local wineries, breweries and farm gates.
Support local businesses – pack an Esky and bring your own produce bags to load up on regional offerings, from colourful veggies and fresh fruit to more gourmet delicacies. Discover off-grid distilleries for a sustainable tipple. Have an eco-adventure in a green lodge or fully sustainable tiny house, or sleep simply in a swag, under the full splendour of the night’s sky.
The Macedon Range
Spend your nights under the stars in Hepburn Regional Park and your days exploring the dormant volcanic crater of Mount Franklin. Travel north of Melbourne to the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, where you can discover Daylesford’s renowned natural mineral springs, arts and craft scene at the Sunday market, and of course, Mount Franklin, which was formed by a volcanic eruption 47,000 years ago. Stop in for a swim at popular Lakes Daylesford or the equally beautiful Lakes Jubilee and Calimbeen.
Treat yourself to a wellness day, filled with restorative massages, replenishing facials and tasty, locally-sourced food from a boutique bakery or cafe. Be sure to check out Daylesford’s eclectic antique stores before you set off on your next adventure.
Where to Stay
Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park
Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park is where nature’s beauty and modern comfort converge to create an unforgettable getaway experience. Nestled in the heart of the breathtaking Grampians National Park, three hours from Melbourne CBD, the park offers a haven for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and relaxation enthusiasts alike. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of the surroundings, as the majestic mountain ranges and serene lakes provide a stunning backdrop to your stay. Whether you’re seeking a family-friendly adventure, a romantic escape, or a solo retreat into nature, the park is the perfect destination.
www.hallsgaplakeside.com
NRMA Halls Gap Holiday Park
Surrounded by towering mountain ranges and breathtaking natural attractions, NRMA Halls Gap Holiday Park is the ideal base to explore the Grampians region. Located an easy three hours’ drive from Melbourne, the park offers a serene location while being only moments from flowing waterfalls, bushwalking trails and the town centre of Halls Gap. A nature lover’s paradise, an adventure seeker’s playground and a foodie’s haven.
www.nrmaparksandresorts.com.au/halls-gap
Grampians Pioneer Cottages
With stunning mountain views, kangaroos grazing at your doorstep and roaring open log fires, the Grampians Pioneer Cottages creates a space to step back from the hectic pace of modern life. The cottages offer 60 acres of beautiful native bushland as your own secluded getaway to unwind and reconnect with nature all set at the foot of the Grampians National Park. Choose from the Redgum Log, Redbrick, Mudbrick or Stone Cottages, each with their own unique character. And reconnect with life’s simple pleasures, exquisite sunrises, glorious sunsets and some well-earned downtime.
www.grampianspioneercottages.com.au
Marengo Family Caravan Park
Overlooking the ocean, Marengo Family Caravan Park is the perfect place for you and your family to spend your holiday. The park enjoys full beach frontage and is adjacent to the Marengo Reef Marine Sanctuary with a resident seal colony, ideal for swimming, diving and snorkelling. Situated at the beginning of the Great Ocean Walk, the park offers unlimited options for bushwalking.
www.greatoceanroadparks.com.au/find-a-park/marengo
Big4 Apollo Bay Pisces Holiday Park
BIG4 Apollo Bay Pisces Holiday Park fronts onto Apollo Bay’s main beach along the Great Ocean Road. The park features a range of modern accommodation options, glamping, caravan and camping sites. With stunning views out over the ocean and Apollo Bay harbour area, you can relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of this amazing natural setting.
www.big4apollobay.com.au
NRMA Port Campbell Holiday Park
Located an easy stroll to the main street of Port Campbell, NRMA Port Campbell Holiday Park welcomes your stay after endless adventures. The park is also located just minutes from iconic attractions on the Great Ocean Road, including the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge and The Grotto.
www.nrmaparksandresorts.com.au/port-campbell
Park Lane Holiday Parks
Escape to the Yarra Valley and be surrounded by some of Victoria’s most stunning landscapes, native Australian wildlife, wineries, eateries and more! Choose your style of stay from studios to cabins, glamping pods to caravanning and camping. Relax with the local wildlife under a gumtree or by the lake, or hit the swimming pools, bike pump track, giant jumping cushions, playgrounds and more.
www.parklaneholidayparks.com.au
NRMA Phillip Island Beachfront Holiday Park
Located in Cowes just 1.5 hours from Melbourne, NRMA Phillip Island Beachfront Holiday Park is the perfect place for an island escape. Fill your getaway with white sandy beaches, penguin spotting, world-class surfing beaches and more. Enjoy the many restaurants a short walk away then put your feet up in a cabin or sleep under the stars in a caravan or camp site.
www.nrmaparksandresorts.com.au/phillip-island
Where to Hire From
Hire a Kombi
There’s something magic about a Kombi. What makes travel in a Kombi so special and unique is that you can choose the view you want to wake up to – ocean, country, forest or river! Your accommodation is on wheels and enjoyable for couples or families. Experience the ‘70s in the way it rumbles to life and makes strangers smile and wave as you drive by. When you hire a Kombi, you’re not just getting a beautiful vintage van, every step of the journey feels relaxed, personal, and full of positive vibes.
www.hireakombi.com
JUCY Rentals Melbourne
Whether it’s your first trip to Australia or 15th, it can be overwhelming to narrow down where to go. But beyond that, what if you pick up your campervan rental, chuck in your bags, and just drive? That’s the freedom you have when you take not only your luggage on an adventure but your bed and kitchen, too. Wake one day to kangaroos hopping around and see the sunrise across the red-and-orange hues of the outback. Cook a feast from the back of your campervan rental as native birds sing to you from the treetops. It may sound poetic, but in Australia, it’s possible.
www.jucy.com
Maui Rentals
Maui Rentals don’t just rent motorhomes and campervans, they design, build, live and breathe them.Their innovative maui motorhomes bring you closer to nature by maximising windows and indoor-outdoor flow. Offering only the best, motorhomes are guaranteed under 2 years on fleet, and maui elite is the newest of the new, with under one year on the road.
www.maui-rentals.com/au
Britz Campervans
Britz Australia is perfect for a family getaway, an adventure with mates, or a couple’s escape. With plenty of space for the grown-ups, the young ones and even the dog, Britz has fully equipped 2WD and 4WD campervans with everything you need for unscripted holiday experiences.
www.britz.com/au
Car Rentals
Alternatively, cruise your way through Melbourne and regional Victoria with car rentals such as Redspot Car Rentals, which provides comfort and safety from a GPS unit to child booster seats. Another option would be Hertz, which pioneered the car rental industry and one of the most recognised brands globally, offering innovative, differentiated products to make every rental experience seamless and special.
www.redspot.com.au / www.hertz.com
Look no further for a retreat in regional Victoria, as you will be spoilt for choice on things to see and do, and the various options available to stargaze on a coastline or in the mountains!
For more information visit www.visitmelbourne.com.
