Melbourne Surrounds, Australia
Discover Geelong, Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Dandenong
There's more to Melbourne than meets the eye; take a day trip out of the capital to discover what else the Australian state has to offer.
Many visitors to Melbourne never venture out of the city yet only a short drive in any direction are some wonderful places just waiting to be explored.
Geelong and Bellarine Penninsula
Only a short drive southwest of Melbourne on the Bellarine Peninsula is Werribee Park, home of Victoria’s Open Range Zoo where giraffes, kangaroos and emus roam freely.
Further down the coast is Victoria’s second largest town, Geelong. Once the hub of Australia’s woollen industry, Geelong retains some of the intimate character of the early 1900s. Go back in time with a visit to the Natural Wool Museum or go for a dip in the refurbished 1930s Art Deco swimming pool on the waterfront, one of the city’s landmarks.
Queenscliff, at the mouth of Port Philip Bay, is very popular for weekend getaways and school holidays. The picturesque town is home to Victoria’s Maritime Museum and Marine Discovery Centre where the areas historic relationship with the sea is demonstrated. Stop for a light lunch and take in the view from the Vue Grand, Queenscliff’s well-maintained period hotel.
Back towards the Great Ocean Road is Ocean Grove, an area popular with both surfers and retirees, and many retiree surfers still keen to catch a good wave. Weekends can get extremely busy so book accommodation ahead of time to avoid disappointment.
Daylesford and Macedon Ranges
Daylesford is a little hip-happening town a few hours northwest of Melbourne and is a mecca for those wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Described by British Airways magazine as the “number one funky town in the world”, Daylesford is nestled within typical Australia bush land. Gum trees line the roads so it’s easy to spot native koalas and kookaburras and other wildlife flock to the still waters of Lake Daylesford, an iconic image of the area.
Various events are hosted throughout the year in the area, from the popular ChillOut Gay & Lesbian Festvial to the Harvest Picnic at Hanging Rock, which is a celebration of Victorian food and wine.
Yarra Valley
The Yarra Valley is one of Australia’s better known wine regions boasting an impressive 70 wineries in total. Wine enthusiasts will no doubt enjoy a weekend exploring one or two of them. Accommodation is plentiful in the area so there’s no need to spin a coin to decide on a designated driver.
It’s not all about wine though; in addition to numerous wineries in the area there are many fine restaurants offering a variety of Australian and overseas fare, reflective of the multicultural influence on Melbourne cuisine.
If all that indulgence isn’t enough, book a few nights in one of the many spas or retreats dotted around the valley to ensure maximum pleasure.
Mornington Peninsula
Mornington Peninsula overlooks Port Philip Bay and boasts some of Melbourne’s best beaches. Although named a peninsula, the extent of Melbourne’s ever-increasing urban sprawl means it is almost another suburb.
For many years it has been the seaside getaway for Melburnians with many of the immigrant population owning second homes or holiday homes in the area. The shallow clear waters make it popular with families and the older generation.
The Mornington Peninsula is also another excellent wine-making region of the state and holds a number of wine festivals over the year to celebrate its viticulture.
Dandenongs
Australia’s best known gardening region, The Dandenong Ranges, sit to the east of Melbourne and offer a mix of tall native forests, fern gullies and quaint alpine-like villages.
Walk among the giant eucalypts; take a ride through the lush rain forests on the famous Puffing Billy steam train, discover the mystical sculptures hidden among the ferns at William Ricketts Sanctuary or do as the natives do and indulge in a traditional Australian pie at Pie in the Sky, reputed to be one of the best pie shops in the world – a big shout, as they say in Oz.
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