Day Trips From Melbourne by Car and Train

November 5, 2026

Victoria is compact, and several strong days out sit within about two hours of the city. Some need a car or a coach, and others run on the train.

Phillip Island Penguin Parade

The island is about 140 km from the city, roughly two hours each way by road. Penguins come ashore at sunset, so you arrive about an hour before and return to Melbourne late at night. Public transport does not suit the return, so most visitors drive or join a coach tour. General Viewing costs AUD 34 for adults and AUD 17 for children aged 4 to 15. Penguins Plus costs AUD 93 for adults, and booking ahead is essential. See Phillip Island Nature Parks for current prices.

Great Ocean Road

From the city it is about 100 km to Torquay, 145 km to Lorne, 190 km to Apollo Bay and 275 km to the Twelve Apostles by the coast road. The inland Princes Highway route to the Twelve Apostles is about 220 km. A same-day return is around 600 km with more than seven hours of driving, so it makes a very long day. A guided coach tour handles the driving, and a two or three day trip suits self-drivers better. After heavy rain, check VicEmergency and VicRoads for closures, and read the Great Ocean Road distances page before you plan.

Healesville Sanctuary

Healesville is about 65 km east of the city and holds native wildlife only, including platypus and birds of prey. Children under 16 enter free on weekends, Victorian public holidays and school holidays, with an adult. Visitors cannot hold koalas in Victorian wildlife parks. Adult tickets start from about AUD 58.

Puffing Billy

The heritage steam railway runs from Belgrave in the Dandenong Ranges, and Belgrave is on the Metro train line. Tickets must be booked in advance. The adult return to Lakeside is roughly AUD 60 to 65, so check the railway site for the current fare.

Ballarat and Sovereign Hill

V/Line trains reach Ballarat in about 90 minutes. Sovereign Hill is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm, with general admission from AUD 68 for adults. Public transport is half price until 1 January 2027, and V/Line is included.

Werribee Open Range Zoo

Werribee is about 35 km west. The zoo includes the 21-hectare Elephant Trail, where the herd of nine Asian elephants lives.

Peninsula Hot Springs

The springs at Fingal on the Mornington Peninsula suit a half day. Bookings are essential, and bath house entry starts from about AUD 60.

Booking

Coach tours to the coast and the island can be compared on Viator .