Go the extra mile
Chill vibes, sunny days and backdrops so stunning you have to pinch yourself to make sure you're not tripping. Explore rugged coastlines, mountain ranges and dusty open roads on a trip through Victoria's regions.
Pack your bags, chuck some fuel in the van, and set off on the adventure of a lifetime with these seven trips.
Western Victoria's Silo Art Trail
Melbourne's laneways aren't the only place to get your street art fix. Internationally recognised artists have also transformed wheat silos in remote reaches of the state into towering works of art.
Expect to spend three to four days touring the Silo Art Trail in the Wimmera/Mallee region, northwest of Melbourne. Start your trip in Melbourne, Ballarat or Horsham and see depictions of local heroes, Indigenous culture and native flora and fauna on large-scale murals.
Your journey will take you to quaint lesser-known towns, including Sheep Hills, Brim, Sea Lake, Albacutya and Patchewollock to name a few. Be sure to detour off the art trail and take in the natural wonders of the area, including Victoria's largest salt lake, Lake Tyrrell, and Lake Albacutya, where you can camp, frolic among wildflowers and star gaze.
The Great Alpine Road
Download your favourite Spotify playlists, load up on petrol and traverse 339 kilometres of mountain ranges, rich forests and shimmering waterways from Wangaratta through the Ovens Valley to Harrietville, over Mount Hotham and down to the Gippsland lakes for a fix of coastal village charm.
The Great Alpine Road is accessible year-round and is well-suited to campervans as it's fully-sealed. The best part of this trip is there's plenty of free activities to enjoy along the way. Think hiking, cycling and days spent by the water. Keep the challenges coming with a rock climbing or abseiling adventure or embark on the ride of your life in a hang glider over the mountain tops. Meanwhile foodies should stop for a tipple at Glenbosch Wine Estate or Crank Handle Brewery.
After something more relaxed? Stop in the pretty waterfront village, Metung, in the Gippsland Lakes area to experience the region's best sailing and fishing, as well as a luxurious soak at Metung Hot Springs.
Wilson's Promontory
Sink your toes into warm sand at Squeaky Beach and soak up the views from the top of Mount Oberon. Leave Melbourne and travel 2.5 hours to the entrance of Wilson's Promontory National Park.
On your way to the campground, be sure to stop at Tidal River for great views of the wetlands. If you’re keen for a dip, you can walk a few kilometres to the idyllic Fairy Cove, where you will find bright sand and crystal-clear water – if you're lucky, you might even get the island-worthy beach to yourself. All refreshed, it's worth pushing on to the tip of Tongue Point for views of the national park's coastline.
If time allows, hop in the van and explore more of Gippsland before heading back to Melbourne. Venus Bay and Inverloch are great pit stops only a few hours from Melbourne, with plenty of camping options and beachfront cafes for refuelling.
The Great Ocean Road
Wake to the sound of the ocean and enjoy prime sunset views from the back of your van. Drive roughly 90-minutes from Melbourne to Torquay and travel 243 kilometres through colourful villages dotted along Victoria’s south-west coastline to Warrnambool.
Take in panoramic views as the road winds along cliff tops, up to breathtaking headlands, down onto the edge of beaches and through lush rainforests. This iconic road trip will see you tick a trip to Bells Beach and the 12 Apostles off your bucket list, and pull up at spectacular seaside campervanning sites like Southcombe Caravan Park in Port Fairy and Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve.
The Macedon Ranges
Spend your nights under the stars in Hepburn Regional Park and your days exploring the dormant volcanic crater of Mount Franklin. Travel north of Melbourne to the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, where you can discover Daylesford's renowned natural mineral springs, arts and craft scene at the Sunday market, and of course, Mount Franklin, which was formed by a volcanic eruption 47,000 years ago. Stop in for a swim at popular Lakes Daylesford or the equally beautiful Lakes Jubilee and Calimbeen.
Treat yourself to a wellness day, filled with restorative massages, replenishing facials and tasty, locally-sourced food from a boutique bakery or cafe. Be sure to check out Daylesford's eclectic antique stores before you set off on your next adventure.
The Grampians
Unleash your adventurous side and explore the rugged mountain peaks of the Grampians, just three hours northwest of Melbourne. Strap on your hiking boots and tackle popular walking trails, like the Grampians Peaks Trail, or venture further and ascend to spectacular views atop Mount Rosea or Briggs Bluff.
Watch waterfalls drop into picturesque rock pools at Beehive Falls, visit the Wartook Valley to see one the largest waterfalls in Victoria at MacKenzie Falls and take the fern-laden trail to Silverband Falls.
Access remote campgrounds and tracks with your campervan, or park and stay in one of the many caravan parks in the region, like Breeze Holiday Parks or Lake Fyans Holiday Park. You can cover a lot of ground in the Grampians from a home base in Halls Gap, however, if time allows, drive south to Dunkeld where you can climb Mount Sturgeon or Mount Abrupt, gaze at crystal clear lake water at the Dunkeld Arboretum, or dine like a celebrity at the Royal Mail Hotel.
The great Victorian outback, aka Mildura
Chase the Mediterranean-style sunshine and laid-back outdoor lifestyle of Mildura on a road trip to the wild Australian outback. Situated in northwest Victoria, Mildura is a six hour drive from Melbourne with plenty of great stops along the way. Allow five to seven days for your road trip.
Think paddleboats on the Murray, vibrant local culture and ancient landscapes in Mungo National Park. Visit some of Australia's most significant Indigenous sites and watch the evening sky transform over the Perry Sandhills or view a striking sunset from Hattah-Kulkyne and Murray-Sunset national parks. Go stargazing on cactus country and then rest your head at Big4 Swan Hill, which has loads of activities for kids and the kids-at-heart.
Make the most of the drive to and from Melbourne and stop along the way at Organ Pipes National Park, hit a few wineries in the Macedon Ranges and get and infusion of gold-rush history in Bendigo.
