Travel & Holidays [VIC] Small day/weekend trip ideas near Melbourne

Discussion in 'Living Room' started by rizzle, 10th Dec, 2019.

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  1. rizzle

    rizzle Well-Known Member

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    Inspired by Sackie's Sydney thread, what are your ideal day/weekend trips out of Melbourne?

    A few of my favourites:
    • Hike from Bushrangers bay to cape schanck (if you're lucky you'll see whales)
    • Getaway to Bright for drink / dine / hike / cycle / relaxation
    • You Yangs for a short hike not far out of Melbourne
    • Grampians
    • Oberon summit at Wilsons Promontory
    • Hire the row boats at Fairfield Park Boathouse, pack a few brews and snacks (technically not out of Melbourne but feels like it when you're on the water)
    • Yarra Valley drink & dine getaway
    • The Urban Surf precinct near Tullamarine (artificial wave for surfing, has anyone tried it yet?)
    Most of these I'd say are fairly well known. What other trips have you done/would you recommend?
     
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  2. The Y-man

    The Y-man Moderator Staff Member

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    An end to end ride on the 903 Bus.

    For a mere $4.40 one way on a 4 and a half hour journey, you get to see so many of the suburbs that are discussed on Property Chat in real life, and get to share the bus will authentic locals :D

    903 Altona - Mordialloc (SMARTBUS Service)

    The Y-man
     
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  3. The Y-man

    The Y-man Moderator Staff Member

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    Went to Geelong for the first time in years - it's certainly changed a lot - especially the foreshore traffic!!!

    The Y-man

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  4. rizzle

    rizzle Well-Known Member

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    Yep, could see my retirement happening there for the lower cost of living / proximity to Melbs.
     
  5. rizzle

    rizzle Well-Known Member

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    A couple more:
    • Werribee Gorge circuit is beautiful
    • Cathedral ranges hikes also great
     
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  6. Kelvin Cunnington

    Kelvin Cunnington Well-Known Member

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    Mt. Oberon walk is fabulous; a pretty big distance from CBD for a weekend though.
    I did the Two-Bays walking trail with my oldest son earlier this year, but that is a 5.5 hour walk - not really a day trip activity, but maybe a long weekend?
    A decent day trip is the Arthurs Seat Chairlift approx 1 hour from CBD (unless you go during the usual masses movement hours - avoid that) - many of our Support workers take their Clients there for a day activity (has wheel chair access), and there are several wineries within minutes from it, plus the Enchanted Maze 5 mins walk away if you have kids (or even without kids).
     
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  7. Kelvin Cunnington

    Kelvin Cunnington Well-Known Member

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    Werribee Open Plains Zoo as well.
     
  8. Marg4000

    Marg4000 Well-Known Member

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    Great Ocean Road and stay at Apollo Bay.
     
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  9. Tony3008

    Tony3008 Well-Known Member

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    +1 for Arthurs Seat. With OS visitors I've done the round the bay drive with stops at Point Cook homestead, Geelong, Point Lonsdale, ferry across to Sorrento, stops at AS, Mornington, Brighton Beach huts.

    Take a train to Castlemaine, then the Victorian Goldfields Railway to Maldon for lunch and back Victorian Goldfields Railway
     
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  10. The Y-man

    The Y-man Moderator Staff Member

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    Cathedral Ranges - awesome trails.
    Generally NOT for families with small kids - lots of cliffs etc, no fencing (well at least not when I last went over a decade ago!).

    A good short but exciting climb is to Sugarloaf peak via Wells Cave track and descent through the normal trial.

    If you want more challenge, so it in reverse, as the Wells Cave track has some exciting rock face descents as well as one blind drop (you can't see what's below you when you go over the rock ledge)

    The Y-man
     
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  11. The Y-man

    The Y-man Moderator Staff Member

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  12. The Y-man

    The Y-man Moderator Staff Member

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    I don't drink, but it was still interesting to visit Domaine Chandon

    The Y-man

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  13. The Y-man

    The Y-man Moderator Staff Member

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    A super place for photos :D

    The Y-man

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  14. Scott No Mates

    Scott No Mates Well-Known Member

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    A short drive up to Mt Buller (in the green season) or to any of the other smaller resort towns (Baw Baw, Mt Stirling or Lake Mountain). A great escape from the heat of the lowlands.
     
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  15. The Y-man

    The Y-man Moderator Staff Member

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    Eildon, Bright, Falls Creek

    The Y-man
     
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  16. rizzle

    rizzle Well-Known Member

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    For the adventurous, you can hike to the top of Mt Feathertop and camp overnight in the hut (haven't done this one yet).
     
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  17. The Y-man

    The Y-man Moderator Staff Member

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    Omeo, Buchan Caves - Great driving roads out there ~ autumn or spring (summer - bushfire danger, winter - snow danger).

    The Y-man
     
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  18. rizzle

    rizzle Well-Known Member

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    The surf coast walk starts in Torquay I think and winds for some 40km S/W along the coastline. Great one for the bikers/hikers.
     
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  19. Kelvin Cunnington

    Kelvin Cunnington Well-Known Member

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    Speaking of Bright; love Bright, but it gets way too crowded and horrible over summer for us - we have been to the Mt.Beauty Caravan Park for the last 4 years in a row during school hols in Jan - and I'm not one of these people who normally likes to keep on revisiting places for your entire life as many do - too much world to see.
    However; we are going back there again in late Jan for a week, staying in a cabin right by the river - it's absolutely fantastic. Much quieter, still has all you need.
    Recommend it.
     
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