Day Trips from Melbourne by Hire Car

Quick summary: A hire car makes Melbourne a base for some of Victoria’s best day trips. The Yarra Valley’s wineries and the Dandenong Ranges, home of the Puffing Billy steam railway, are around an hour from the city. Phillip Island, known for its evening penguin parade, is a longer day, and the Great Ocean Road works best as an overnight trip. For wine tasting and late returns, a tour can be the safer choice.

At a glance
Yarra Valley	Around an hour north-east
Dandenong Ranges	Around an hour east
Phillip Island	A longer day south-east
Great Ocean Road	Best as an overnight trip
Wine days	Consider a tour
Tours	Puffing Billy tours

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Which day trips work best by car?

Destination	Tours
Yarra Valley	Yarra Valley tours
Dandenong Ranges	Puffing Billy tours
Phillip Island	Phillip Island tours
Great Ocean Road	Great Ocean Road tours
Grampians	Grampians tours

When is a tour better?

For wine tasting, when nobody should drive, and for Phillip Island’s penguins, where the drive back is after dark. Watch for wildlife on country roads at night.

Can you see the Yarra Valley from the air?

Yes, hot air balloon flights run over the valley at dawn. See hot air balloon tours.

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Frequently Asked Questions