Melbourne is ideally situated for day trips. Within an hour or two, you could explore ancient rainforests, spot wild penguins and koalas, or take in renowned art exhibits. Add charming seaside towns, a century-old steam train, and some of the country's top dining spots, and there’s no shortage of reasons to venture beyond the city.
On a day trip from Melbourne, you can expect to experience a combination of scenic views, local attractions, and unique activities. Depending on your destination, your trip may include visits to cultural sites, wineries, national parks, or historical landmarks. Most day trips are designed to give you a well-rounded experience with ample time for exploration.
Popular day trips from Melbourne include the Great Ocean Road, the Yarra Valley (for wine tasting), Mornington Peninsula, Phillip Island, and the Grampians. If you're interested in history, Ballarat and Bendigo offer fascinating attractions such as Sovereign Hill and the Golden Dragon Museum.
The amount of time you spend at each destination depends on your itinerary. For day trips with multiple stops, you can expect to spend around 2-3 hours at each location. If the trip includes fewer stops, you may have more time (up to 4-6 hours) to explore in-depth.
Yes, most day trips from Melbourne include transport between stops, whether by coach, private car, or train, ensuring a seamless experience. For example, a Great Ocean Road tour may provide transport to each viewpoint, allowing you to relax and enjoy the journey without worrying about navigation.
Many day trips include free time for personal exploration. If you're visiting a city like Ballarat, you may have time to stroll through local parks or shop at boutique stores. The amount of free time varies depending on the itinerary and the number of activities included.
In most cases, the cost of your day trip will cover transport, entrance fees, and guided tours. However, there might be additional costs for meals, souvenirs, or optional activities like wine tastings or special excursions. It's always a good idea to check what’s included before booking.
For a comfortable and enjoyable day trip, wear clothing suited to the weather and your chosen activities. On outdoor trips (like visiting the Grampians or Mornington Peninsula), wear sturdy footwear for walking and bring layers to accommodate changing weather. If you're headed to a winery or a city, casual attire is typically fine, though you may want to dress a bit smarter for finer dining experiences.
Yes, many day trips from Melbourne are family-friendly, offering activities that are suitable for all ages. For example, trips to Phillip Island include visits to the Penguin Parade, while Sovereign Hill in Ballarat is perfect for kids interested in history and adventure. Always check the trip details to make sure it’s appropriate for your children's ages and interests.
While most day trips from Melbourne are pram and wheelchair friendly, not all are due to uneven terrain and other factors. It’s advisable to check our carefully curated collection of experiences before booking your trip.
The puffing billy train was an amazing experience. Everything went as planned, smooth, hassle free, one click planned the whole day trip, time saving and the guide was helpful, no issues.
Half the your was cancelled without notice and the guide could not control the situation well. There is no information about refund or compensation when the for company did not do their due diligence on incumbent weather that could affect the running schedule of the train. Although the tour guide said the train was cancelled only in the morning after the tour started, when we checked with the train site it was always known that the train will be cancelled on hot days due to fire hazards. The tour guide provided no guide, he was too busy having his own personal chats with one of the female customers about his life and interests, the bus was old and aircon was poor. I expect the tour company to contact us about refunding our tickets but no contact was made and they've just profited from our horrible experience.
I am very glad that I traveled with a group this time, it would have been very difficult to do this trip alone and impossible to do all the items in one day. Their schedule was very reasonable. The tour guide driver, JHONE, was funny and warm and a lovely person!
A great day out with Derrick as our guide. Very informative about the area. The train ride was excellent. Healesville Santuary was fantastic even with the showers of rain we had. Finished the day with a massive icecream at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie. Thank you so much.
Ride a steam train, meet Aussie wildlife, and enjoy Yarra Valley chocolate—all in one day with easy Melbourne transfers.
Everything you get: Board the historic Puffing Billy steam train for a scenic journey through the Dandenong Ranges. Visit Healesville Sanctuary to see koalas, kangaroos, wombats, and more. Enjoy complimentary tastings at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie. Includes round-trip transfers in an air-conditioned coach from central Melbourne and an English-speaking guide.
Why choose this: Cover three must-do experiences in one easy day. With guided stops and round-trip Melbourne transfers, it’s the perfect nature-focused outing for families and first-timers alike.
Inclusions
Pickup and drop-off from a central Melbourne meeting point
One-way Puffing Billy steam train ticket (Belgrave to Emerald Lake)
Entry to Healesville Sanctuary Wildlife Park
Visit to Yarra Valley Chocolaterie with complimentary tastings
English-speaking professional guide
Air-conditioned coach transport
Exclusions
Additional food and drinks
Souvenirs
Gratuities
An all day tour went so quickly as James C our driver and tour guide was fantastic. Good driver and good historian. Got lots of info about Australia and Melbourne and Victoria. Tour bus comfortable and interesting group of co travellers. Loved all four of our stops. The stops also broke up the bus travel and just loved the penguin parade plus bandicoots, geese, wallabies and a possum who all showed up for the parade too. We will book with Go West again next time in Melbourne perhaps for the great ocean road tour.
Great guide with Bluey giving us lots of information along the way and when we got there the best places to see the penguins. A must see trip.
Ticketing went very smoothly .Chris our guide ,was very informative about the areas we visited and gave excellent advice on how to get the best out of our visit to the penguin habitat. Chris is full of life and entertained us and made sure even the children on board a fun experience. A wonderful afternoon and evening
Nice trip, we have lots of fun.
Our Guide and Diver Camile was very helpful, Hard a very good nowlegde and was so Kind and friendly!
Tour guide Bill is awesome!!! He's kind and caring
Over all excellent tour and guide is very good
Bob at the pinguin parade was great. The whole bus went to business class
Good half day your. Bluey, our guide was entertaining and full of useful information
Great half day trip, Frank was knowledgeable about Australian history and landmarks in the area. Excellent playlist and safe driver
Suggest remove Nobbies from itinerary to allow adequate time at penguin centre. Not enough time to eat, toilet, read info etc. Sone guests only want to see the penguins but I couldn't find any tour options for just penguins. Pre check vehicle filters to avoid half hour loss of time on side of road for guests, avoidable issue that really impacted enjoyment. Tour guide Bluey was helpful and entertaining. Further time lost with explaining tips (while very welcome and valuable information) on side of road could have been sent in advance by email or explained while driving.
The experience was made great by the tour guide. Your company sent confusing instructions with different meet times and the bus does not stop on Flinders St. I will book directly with the tour company next time.
Loved to see the penguins so close. Amazed to see other fauna like the geese and wallabies. Our tour guide "Bluey" was very entertaining and informative.
I booked the trip one day before the trip, then just 5 minutes after I found another better longer trip. But I can't cancel this trip online. It´s a loss of money.
Inclusions
Joanne
Paul
Karen
Amazing trip,, kind and well-informed guide; a pity the mic on the bus did not work though. Also, a teeny bit chaotic sorting people into three different coaches. But it alk worked out perfectly in the end. Puffing Billy and the penguins are definitely well worth the time and money.
The guide John was fantastic. He was knowledgeable and really keen to give everyone the best experience possible. He went above and beyond from his photography skills to ensuring his passengers had a way to get home.
Our driver Phil was down to earth, full of info, prompt and got us in and set for the activities on the itinerary with no dramas :)
Ride with Puffing Billy was good, despite the rain. Animal "spotting" and the pinguins were also good. Gavin, the driver, had a lot of knowledge that he willingly shared.
Great weather, great sights and sweet guide.
To be honest I loved everything about it. It's went exactly as I expected. I should've brought a warmer jacket with me to the penguins though. I can't remember our guides name but he was really good and informative. I'm very glad that I did the tour and I would recommend it.
The app showed pick up time 10:15 However the tour guide sent us a text message saying that pick up time 8:30 but i did't see the message…
Ride the Puffing Billy and see the Penguin Parade—all in one seamless day with coastal views and wildlife encounters.
Everything you get: Get scenic transfers from Melbourne to the Dandenong Ranges and ride the Puffing Billy steam train through forested landscapes. Enjoy free time at Emerald Lake Park, visit the Nobbies boardwalk, and watch the Penguin Parade on Phillip Island. Includes round-trip transfers in an air-conditioned coach and an English-speaking guide.
Why choose this: See two top Victoria sights in one day—steam train ride & penguin parade—with expert guide and easy Melbourne transfers.
Inclusions
Puffing Billy steam train ticket (Belgrave to Emerald)
Entry to Phillip Island Penguin Parade
Return transfers from Melbourne CBD
Hotel pick-up and drop-off from meeting point
English-speaking professional guide
Air-conditioned coach transport
Exclusions
Gratuities
Personal expenses
Ticketing was easy to follow and information and maps for the three activities were good. The staff at all three were really helpful, pleasant and made the experiences fun. It was fun getting close to the animals at Churchill Island and the highlight was milking the cow. Walking around the koala reserve and again getting to see them up close was special. The highlight of the afternoon was the penguin parade, particularly getting to see them as they went to their burrows, from the boardwalk. We all agreed that we had a great day. We self drove.
Loved every bit of Churchill island and the activities they host and the penguin parade is soo cute.
Had a great time. Needing an app for the tickets was a bit of a pain, but luckily all the staff at the three parks were very helpful and understanding about our not wanting the hassle.
I thought the place was bigger and had more activities.. it is beautiful but I expected more. Also the staff was not friendly at the entrance and in the cafe .
We enjoyed the penguin parade and the staff were so helpful and polite.
It has been an overall positive experience and we're so glad we did the tour.
The koala conservation reserve was fantastic! Staff was very friendly and eager to answer questions my group had.
Loved the closeness with farm animals
This experience is perfect for
Step into 1850s farm life on a scenic island.
Inclusions
3 Parks Pass (if option selected)
Entry to Penguin Parade at Phillip Island National Park
Penguin parade from general viewing platform
Entry to Koala Conservation Reserve
Penguins Plus (if option selected)
Access to Penguins Plus viewing platform
Closest penguin pathway viewing
Limited-capacity beachfront stand
Underground Viewing (if option selected)
Access to underground viewing platform
Eye-level penguin encounters
Weatherproof indoor platform
Catriona
Tracey
Lynn
Our driver/guid, Mr Ben, took great care of us, making our trip nice and quite educational. Thank you for the beautiful ocean sights, amazing rainforest walk, and these super-furry cuties - coalas!
It was straitforward. A good day, James was very enthusiastic and helpfull
Our guide was friendly, courteous and kinda funny! I appreciated his commentary along the way.
Reverse the route. Fewer crowds, better views of the 12 Apostles, and a picnic lunch.
Inclusions
An all day tour went so quickly as James C our driver and tour guide was fantastic. Good driver and good historian. Got lots of info about Australia and Melbourne and Victoria. Tour bus comfortable and interesting group of co travellers. Loved all four of our stops. The stops also broke up the bus travel and just loved the penguin parade plus bandicoots, geese, wallabies and a possum who all showed up for the parade too. We will book with Go West again next time in Melbourne perhaps for the great ocean road tour.
Great guide with Bluey giving us lots of information along the way and when we got there the best places to see the penguins. A must see trip.
Ticketing went very smoothly .Chris our guide ,was very informative about the areas we visited and gave excellent advice on how to get the best out of our visit to the penguin habitat. Chris is full of life and entertained us and made sure even the children on board a fun experience. A wonderful afternoon and evening
Nice trip, we have lots of fun.
We had a great experience. There was a bit of chaos at the pickup. But after that it was smooth overall. Our guide/driver Jordan was great too.
This was a wonderful experience. Fiona was very knowledgeable about the area and navigated us around so we could see everything! Highly recommend going with this family run business! You will not be disappointed!!!
Tour guide Bill is awesome!!! He's kind and caring
Over all excellent tour and guide is very good
Good half day your. Bluey, our guide was entertaining and full of useful information
Your pace, your penguin adventure—half or full day.
Inclusions
Penguins Plus (if option selected)
Exclusions
Joanne
Paul
Karen
Ethan seems like a very talented person—truly a one-man show. He’s incredibly funny, super intelligent, and a great driver who kept us feeling completely safe. He has an incredible amount of energy, and for someone who’s only 27, I think he has huge potential. I believe he has a bright future ahead in whatever he decides to do because he’s one of those people with natural charisma and a lot of talent. He genuinely enjoys being around people, and people love him in return, which gives him everything he needs to succeed. On top of that, he seems like a genuinely good person. I wouldn’t just recommend him 100%—I’d recommend him 200%! Even though it was a long and intense 12-hour experience, he kept us smiling the entire time. He’s truly a charming person.
Awesome😃 Our trip along the Great Ocean Road on 05/03/2025 was truly an adventure of a lifetime! From the start to the very end, every moment was filled with laughter, breathtaking views, and memories that will last forever. Our fantastic tour guide, Craig, made the journey extra special. His humour and vast knowledge kept us entertained and informed throughout the day. He ensured we were comfortable, and his stories made every stop more memorable. But it wasn’t just Craig who made the day amazing – we also had a special little friend along for the ride, Billy the platypus! This cheeky little critter brought so much joy to the trip and quickly became a beloved companion, adding even more fun to our already great adventure. One of the highlights was our exploration of the stunning national park. Walking through the lush greenery and taking in the fresh air was a refreshing break from the busy world. And of course, the 12 Apostles were absolutely awe-inspiring. Standing there, gazing at these magnificent rock formations, it felt like we were on top of the world. The sight was truly humbling, and it’s something we’ll never forget. We also had a lovely lunch at Apollo Bay, where we enjoyed delicious food and the peaceful atmosphere of this coastal gem. It was the perfect way to recharge before continuing the journey. From Craig’s wit to the natural beauty of the landscape, every part of the tour was exceptional. If you're considering the Great Ocean Road, don't miss out on this incredible experience – it’s a day full of laughter, exploration, and memories that will last a lifetime!
Good trip and awesome guides! Ocean road and 12 apostles are great!
Smooth booking,punctuality and outmost Ben's ability to adapt the program to the weather conditions and crowded locations.We felt safe under Ben's guidance.Thanks!
The bus trip started later than announced and unfortunately the airco had a problem mid afternoon. Otherwise it was à lovely tour, especially with our driver/guide Peter, who was à mine of information and explained and showed us so much. He is à great asset to your team.
I liked the confidence of the driver guide and his consideration. Would like more time on great Ocean road itself
The bus driver and guide were very knowledgeable and friendly.All the stories of its history
Explore iconic landmarks, a guided forest walk, and wildlife with expert commentary and round-trip transfers.
Inclusions
Laura
Susan
Herman
The 12 apostles! OFCCC, It's the most surreal piece of nature! Vance is the sweetest tour guide! You have sufficient time to do it all. It's the perfect, one day trip from melbourne! keep in mind it takes the whole day, just be on time and make the most out of it!
I really enjoyed the experience. The guide was so nice and patience. The tour started on time and it was a really good experience. I recommend it.
See wild koalas, dramatic cliffs, and the 12 Apostles—all in one unforgettable day trip.
Inclusions
Full-day tour of Great Ocean Road
Round-trip transfers from Melbourne CBD
Bilingual driver-guide
Wildlife sightings
AC vehicle
Harshita
Jessica
The 12 apostles! OFCCC, It's the most surreal piece of nature! Vance is the sweetest tour guide! You have sufficient time to do it all. It's the perfect, one day trip from melbourne! keep in mind it takes the whole day, just be on time and make the most out of it!
The experience of the skydive was good. However the Headout consumer care is very poor. The phone wasn't reachable and the online chat kept on giving the same answers which wasn't helpful.
If you want to add a little spice to your Australia trip, be sure to buy this skydiving ticket. It is very safe and worth the price, you won't regret it and the view is unmissable
There's something very concerning about diving from the sky, but I tried it- it's totally safe and need I say, so much fun
The state of the art, failure proof equipment, is in fact, just that- failure proof. You won't have to give it a second thought
Even though they told me that the equipment was "failure proof" I didn't like how the parachute opened only after I pressed it twice- I got a mini heart attack for a second there
I convinced myself that there was nothing to worry about, but after doing it, I realized it's just not my thing. Very nerve racking
I am generally a very cautious person so skydiving is not something I'd ever do. But I got these tickets and found out that it's actually quite safe
The panoramic views of Torquay will have you gasping for more- thank you Headout for these ticket prices. Enjoyed profusely
The best way to take in Melbourne- from a bird's eye view, while you're plummeting from the giant skies, there's no better way to experience Melbourne, trust me on that. These tickets are outstanding
Everything was clearly explained and worked as promised
Faster option
Easy quick and great communication
Freefall over Victoria’s coastline & drive down the Great Ocean Road—two iconic adventures in one combo.
Inclusions Tandem skydive
Tandem skydive from 8000 feet or 15,000 feet (as per option selected)
20 or 60 seconds of freefall (as per option selected)
Expert tandem instructor
Safety gear & briefing
Skydiving certificate
Personal accident insurance from the Australian Parachute Federation
3-month membership of the Australian Parachute Federation
Day tour
Full-day tour of Great Ocean Road
Round-trip transfers from Melbourne CBD
Bilingual driver-guide
Wildlife sightings
Morning tea
AC vehicle
Tandem skydive
Day tour
Harshita
Jessica
Ride the century-old Puffing Billy through the Dandenong Ranges and enjoy a stop at Emerald Lake—all in a half-day tour.
Everything you get: Hotel pickup from select Melbourne CBD locations and a smooth transfer to Belgrave. Enjoy a one-way journey on the Puffing Billy to Lakeside, followed by free time at Emerald Lake Park and the Lakeside Visitor Centre. The tour includes an English-speaking guide, premium coach seating with Wi-Fi, and a multilingual audio guide in 16 languages (via app).
Why choose this: A hassle-free way to experience Puffing Billy, ideal for first-timers or short-on-time travellers. With hotel pickup, a scenic train ride, and easy return to central Melbourne, it’s the simplest way to tick off this Victorian classic.
Inclusions
Hotel pickup from select Melbourne CBD locations
One-way Puffing Billy steam train ticket
Free time at Emerald Lake Park & Lakeside Visitor Centre
Air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi and upgraded seating
Central Melbourne drop-off (Immigration Museum)
English-speaking professional guide
Multilingual audio guide (16 languages via app, bring headphones)
Exclusions