Melbourne Weekend Trips

By Danielle Chenery // 17 November 2010 // Comments: 0 // Related Categories: Things to do, Traveller blog

While Melbourne is a great place to work and play, you didn’t come all the way Down Under just to visit Australia’s major cities. Melbourne offers many awesome experiences like arts, culture and nightlife, but just a short drive away lie many hot-spots. Nestled away from the hustle and bustle of the city, you’ll find the Great Ocean Road, Grampians, Wilsons Promontory, and Tasmania, Victoria’s neighbouring island state.

Great Ocean Road
One of Australia’s most famous scenic routes, Victoria’s Great Ocean Road certainly lives up to its name. From Melbourne to Torquay, the Great Ocean Road hugs the coastline for more than 300 kilometres before reaching Warrnambool. Choose to journey through this beautiful area by self-drive, or join a tour. Either way you go about it, all the ingredients for an awesome road-trip and a break from city-life are there.

The Great Ocean Road is divided into three areas: the surf coast, the green coast and the shipwreck coast. Each ‘coast’ is famous for what its name implies. the Surf Coast refers to miles of beaches, the Green Coast is an inland detour through Otway National Park and the Shipwreck Coast is home to the wrecks of over 80 ships.

The round trip is approximately 580 kilometres, which can be done in a day. But if you have the luxury of more time, use it to explore this gorgeous piece of Australia.

Natural wonders include the Sheoak Falls, Maits Rest Rainforest, Cape Otway, Wreck Beach and the famous Twelve Apostles. Giant rock stacks soaring from the Pacific Ocean, the Twelve Apostles are the best known natural feature of the area. While only half remain standing, the rest lie beneath the ocean as part of the Twelve Apostles Marine National Park - offering exceptional diving.

Bushwalkers will enjoy the Great South West Walk, a 250 kilometre circuit from Portland to Nelson. To complete the whole trek you need to allow at least 12 days, but will be rewarded with some of Australia’s most rugged coastline, spectacular scenery and awe-inspiring lookouts. Campsites with facilities are found along the circuit, contact Portland Visitor Information Centre for full details.

While in the Portland area, make sure you check out the Cape Bridgewater seal colony. Part of the Discovery Bay Coastal Park, magnificent Seal Point is home to over 600 Australian Fur Seals. Now that’s something you don’t get to see in any city!

Grampians
The Grampians National Park is brimming with natural and cultural highlights, making it another rejuvenating break from city-life. Covering 167,000 hectares, a range of diverse flora and fauna call Grampians National Park home and it’s all just three hours drive northwest of Melbourne.

To the local Indigenous Australians, Grampians National Park is known as Gariwerd and has been a sacred spot for thousands of years. With 80 per cent of Victoria’s Indigenous rock art, the area will give you insight into Indigenous Australia’s amazing cultural history.

Within the park, 160 kilometres of walking tracks showcase highlights like the Reed Balconies, MacKenzie Falls, The Pinnacle and Lake Bellfield. Go on the eight kilometre Wonderland Walk and take a dip in the enchanting Venus Baths. The walking track from the Wonderland Carpark leads to the spectacular ‘Pinnacle Lookout’, which takes around two and a half hours, via ‘Grand Canyon’ and ‘Silent Street’.

The Grampians are part of the western Victorian wine region, which is best explored by taking the Great Grape Road touring route. Encompassing the wine regions of Pyrenees, Grampians and Ballarat, the Great Grape Road touring route ensures you don’t miss any of the region’s highlights. Known for beautiful Australian bush, vineyards and preserved gold rush towns, Victoria’s wine regions are a definite must-see. Allow a few days to explore the Great Grape Road and indulge in gourmet food, wine tasting and cellar door sales. Grape Road brochures are available at Visitor Information Centres across Victoria.

Wilsons Promontory
Located 220 kilometres southeast of Melbourne, Wilsons Promontory, or ‘The Prom’, makes for a perfect weekend getaway. Covering 49,000 hectares of Australia’s southernmost tip, The Prom used to be part of a ‘land bridge’ to Tasmania, linking the small island state to the rest of the country.

Go along to discover for yourself why The Prom is one of Victoria’s most popular National Parks. With sea on three sides creating 130 kilometres of coastline, relaxing beaches, interesting rock formations, rainforests, granite headlands, fern gullies and mountains you’ll soon understand its popularity.

Base yourself at Tidal River, which is 30 kilometres within the park. Here you will find self contained cabin accommodation as well as camping areas. The journey from the park’s entrance to Tidal River takes you through spectacular scenery. Absorb the amazing coastal views and look out for wombats, emus and kangaroos.

You’ll find a safe swimming beach at Norman Bay, along Tidal River, while Squeaky Beach, with its white quartz sand, is another hot-spot.

The Prom is home to over 30 species of native mammals and many different birds species, including migratory wading birds. For water-based fun, there’s the option of diving with the Prom’s colony of fur seals, or boat trips can be arranged from Traralgon.

Bushwalkers are well catered to at The Prom. The Lilly Pilly Gully Nature Walk is one option, and Mt Oberon offers panoramic views. Journeys to Tongue Point, Sealers Cove or Oberon Bay, are longer bushwalking alternatives. The really adventurous might want to consider taking an overnight hike. For pure wilderness, head to The Prom’s north. Walks such as Millers Landing and Vereker Lookout will give you insight into the area’s variety of plants and animals.

Tasmania
With Tasmania, it’s a matter of quality over quantity. Although only a tiny part of the country, Tasmania contains some of the most varied natural landscapes in Australia.

Heading north from the capital Hobart, Tasmania’s east coast is swathed with white beaches, sheltered bays, spectacular headlands and convict history. East of Hobart, Eaglehawk Neck, at the join of two peninsulas, features the Tessellated Pavement, Blowhole, Devil’s Kitchen, Pirate’s Bay Lookout and the Tasman Arch.

Port Arthur, on the Tasman Peninsula, holds the ghosts of Australia’s convict history. For early prisoners the only escape from Port Arthur was through shark infested waters, making it a living hell. The Port Arthur Historic Site is one of Tasmania’s most famous attractions. Take the evening ‘Port Arthur Ghost Tour’.

From Hobart take a historic harbour cruise, a Ghost Tour at Old Hobart Jail or visit the Mercury Print Museum to absorb more Tasmanian history. The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery is also worth checking out.

Launceston gives way to the massive Cataract Gorge and the North and South Esk Rivers, a popular spot for watersports. For Tassie’s best wine, fruit and cheese, indulge at the east and west Tamar vineyards.

For cyclists and horseback riders, Devonport marks the beginning of the 477 kilometre Tasman Trail, which runs all the way to Dover.

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is a favourite for many bushwalking backpackers. The main access route to the park is via Cradle Valley, which is 95 kilometres south of Devonport. The park covers 161,000 hectares and forms part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. From here you can take the famous Overland Track - a massive six-day, 65 kilometre trek, starting at Cradle Mountain and ending at St Clair. If you only have a few days, plenty of day-walks can also be taken in the park. Be sure to register at the ranger station and come prepared for harsh highland weather conditions.