Weekend getaways from Melbourne?

April 19, 2016 3:07 PM

I'm an American who has been living in Melbourne for several years and my mom is coming to visit. We are hoping to get out of town for a couple of days to somewhere driving distance (ideally within 3 hours from Melbourne). We've already done the Great Ocean Road, Mornington Peninsula, and Philip Island so hoping for something new.

We both enjoy the outdoors for walks etc as well as museums and restaurants, and definitely wouldn't say no to a winery or brewery visit. Some ideas I had were Bright, Bendigo, or Warburton but I am open to suggestions. Where in Victoria would be a fun place to visit with my mom?

posted by emd3737 to Travel & Transportation around Australia (9 answers total)

Snowy River country is absolutely stunning and would show your mum a different side of Australia. Here's a good place to start: Upper Murray Tourism.
posted by goo at 3:35 PM on April 19, 2016 [1 favorite]

I quite liked the area around Colac when I cycled through several years ago. I camped by the lake and explored. The volcano cratered view from Red Rock is pretty impressive. Why yes, there is also a winery nearby. I haven't been there though - Red Rock Winery.
posted by unliteral at 5:00 PM on April 19, 2016

Bright is very picturesque this time of the year. The Mount Buffalo National Park is on the way, which I would also recommend. Once you're in the area, Mt Hotham and Falls Creek are both close. Beechworth is also great - lots of colonial architecture, restaurants and a micro brewery or two.
posted by mewsic at 5:31 PM on April 19, 2016 [3 favorites]

Daylesford - mineral baths, bush walks to springs, lovely restaurants, cheese makers, art galleries, and a great used bookstore.
posted by travellingincognito at 6:32 PM on April 19, 2016 [1 favorite]

There's a Marilyn Monroe exhibition on at Bendigo art gallery atm that I wish I could get to.
posted by stellathon at 9:31 PM on April 19, 2016

The Macedon Ranges are gorgeous, and this is the perfect time of year to visit (it's brutal in summer, freezing in winter!). My dream weekend is staying in Kyneton (at the Chairmaker's House, oh my god), eating my way up and down Piper street, and going for long walks in the hills.
posted by third word on a random page at 2:28 AM on April 20, 2016

You could easily combine a hike/walk at Mt Macedon with a stay in Daylesford/Kyneton. Not a bad way to break up a somewhat uninspiring drive...
posted by WayOutWest at 4:29 AM on April 20, 2016

Or checkout Broadsheet's recent guide to the Grampians. Camped & hiked there recently and it was phenomenal - ymmv but I'm an outdoors kinda person.
posted by WayOutWest at 4:32 AM on April 20, 2016

Thirding a trip going out to the north east around Bright. There are some lovely wineries and foodie places in the King Valley region and a walk around some tracks on Mt Buffalo is a great day out. The drive from Wangaratta over the Great Alpine Rd through Mt Hotham to Lakes Entrance is a good one too esp before snow season starts in June. You could stay onight in Bright and Lakes Entrance then back to Melbourne if you have a weekend.

As for the Grampians there are a couple of lovely places to stay near Dunkeld- eco lodge style places. The Royal Mail hotel has one of the best wine lists in the whole state and amazing food. Buy supplies in Ballarat before you go out there though.
posted by Stephanie_Says at 5:34 AM on April 20, 2016