Updated on November 10th, 2026
If you are planning a two- or three-day tour, you can add Grampians National Park, Ballarat, and Sovereign Hill, as all three are on the same route from Melbourne. 235 km west of Melbourne, Grampians National Park is an oasis of diversity, with plenty to see and do, including Aboriginal art sites, bushwalking, wine tasting, native wildlife spotting, waterfalls, and mountains. Other activities include cycling, rock climbing, and fishing. The Grampians are also home to many kangaroos, koalas, emus, and many birds. The region offers stunning lookouts and free-flowing waterfalls that add to its natural beauty. A wide range of recreational activities, such as bushwalking, rock climbing, horse riding, fishing, and bird watching, can make your trip memorable.
Ararat: A Beautiful Town
If driving from Melbourne, head to the gold-mining town of Ballarat via the Western Freeway; Ararat is the next important stop. It is an attractive, old gold-mining town. A Chinese person discovered gold here in 1857, and soon people moved in, and the town grew. After the gold discovery, the town became a boomtown that lasted into the early 20th century. Ararat is surrounded by several mountain ranges, including Grampians National Park, Mount Langi Ghiran, Mount Cole, Mount Buangor, Ararat Hills Regional Park, and the Pyrenees Ranges. All this makes Ararat an ideal base for visiting these natural attractions. There are so many wineries in the surroundings of Ararat. If you’re driving, you can stop for a while and taste different wines.
Halls Gap
Another beautiful place near Ararat is Halls Gap, which provides an ideal base for exploring the region. It is famous for its fine dining. Several motels, hotels, and caravan parks in town offer accommodation if you are staying a few days in Grampians Park. Waterfalls are another attraction of this region. McKenzie Falls is one of the best waterfalls, which attracts tourists. Halls Gap is home to the Aboriginal Cultural Centre. In the picturesque township of Halls Gap, many restaurants offer fine dining. You can also enjoy the Halls Gap swimming pool in summer.
Dandenong Ranges
Like the Grampians, the Dandenong Ranges offer plenty of opportunities to get close to nature. Just 35 km east of Melbourne, it’s a great party destination whenever you feel like it. Dandenong offers plenty of beautiful places to escape to breathtaking scenery. Dandenong’s scenic attractions are outstanding, and you can’t help but praise them. Enjoy nature, explore wildlife, and do outdoor activities like walking, hiking, cycling, golf, and camping, all of which can be your favourite things to do in Dandenong. Several locations throughout the ranges offer excellent views. Mt Dandenong offers a beautiful skyline with views across the whole of Melbourne. A fairytale-like forest makes the entire region a perfect destination for a romantic weekend.
For nature lovers and outdoor adventurers, this place is like heaven. Since it is just on Melbourne’s doorstep, I used to go there often. You can experience nature by cycling, walking, skiing, camping, golfing, ballooning, and other outdoor activities. You can also disappear into a mystical forest to breathe fresher air, watch birds, and listen to thundering waterfalls. This place is also known for its food scene and atmospheric eateries like tearooms and restaurants with stunning views. As a popular wedding destination, Dandenong offers many features that make it even more romantic.
Sky High is a popular restaurant where you can arrange romantic dates with your partner. This place is Melbourne’s unique ‘special occasions‘ venue. Enjoy your day at this beautiful place. A deep forest surrounds beautifully landscaped gardens where you can sit, enjoy a variety of cuisines, and sip coffee or wine. After sunset, you can see Melbourne’s skyline from the heights of Dandenong. The glittering lights of the city seem like stars and diamonds glowing from one horizon to another.
Puffing Billy Train
Dandenong Ranges are full of wonders and excitement. The famous Puffing Billy Railway, a steam engine tourist railway, runs through the southern parts of the Dandenong Ranges. Just 40 km east of Melbourne, this fantastic steam train runs every day except Christmas Day from Belgrave to Lakeside and Gembrook. Along the entire track, the train passes through scenic forests and offers breathtaking views.
Puffing Billy is now a major tourist attraction. You can plan a one-day picnic trip here. Hanging your legs outside or wrapping your arms over the window safety bars, you can feel the fresh air on your face.
The trestle bridge is a famous point on this track. Its timber bridge has 15 spans, 91.4 m long and 12.8 m high. It offers a thrilling experience as the train passes over the bridge.
Lakeside (Emerald Lake) is a regular stop for trains to fill their locomotives’ water tanks. It’s a lovely place to spend a few hours in the surrounding forest, with a gigantic pool, paddle boats, walking tracks, and cafes nearby.
The Puffing Billy Railway line has been in operation since 1900. In its early days, the train transported vegetables, fruit, and other farming goods.
Phillip Island
Mt Buller, Phillip Island, Yarra Valley wineries, and the Great Ocean Road are a few other must-visit destinations.
Phillip Island, situated approximately 130 km southeast of Melbourne, is a major tourist destination, attracting surfers to its beaches. Phillip Island is known for its coastal scenery, excellent surfing conditions, and world-famous penguin parade. It’s the world’s largest colony of little penguins. Thousands of little penguins emerge from the sea at sunset and march across the beach to their dune burrows.
The day I visited this place with my friend, it was drizzling and freezing. They built fenced platforms where you can watch penguins move. I still feel the romance of waiting for little penguins. The thundering sea, darkness, and drizzle made those moments really memorable. Without an umbrella, we covered ourselves with our long jackets. Suddenly, a few little penguins appeared from the sea, and within moments, a parade of thousands of penguins filled the area. It was really amazing to see them moving towards their natural shelters.
Overall, Melbourne offers plenty to see and do. I love this city. I wish to be there soon. Not once, but again and again.
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2 Comments
Thank you for this elaborated post. Being a traveller, I highly appreciate it.
Thanks, Tanima.