The Ultimate Victoria Road Trip Guide | 10-Day Adventure

Despite its small-ish size, Victoria delivers a spectacular diversity of landscapes, from lush rainforests and coastal icons to historic towns and spa country bliss. Whether you're chasing local flavours, fascinating wildlife, scenic drives or just pure relaxation, there are a myriad of road trips that will satisfy your weekend or wayfarer travel dreamscapes. This 10-day delight is one of the best road trips in Victoria, meandering its way through regional Victoria on a 1200-kilometre odyssey. Pack your bags, and prepare for unforgettable experiences that showcase the very best this enchanting state has to offer.

Road Trip Victoria, Australia: Fast Facts

• Time: 10 days
• Distance: ~1200 km
• Nearest major city: Melbourne

Road Trip Highlights

• Diverse landscapes from dramatic mountain ranges to lush forests
• Iconic Great Alpine Road with stunning alpine views
• Historic gold rush towns like Bendigo and Ballarat
• Scenic Murray River for water activities and wildlife spotting
• Unique wildlife encounters in national parks such as the Grampians
• Charming country towns offering local food and artisan crafts
• Accessible wineries and gourmet food trails in regions like the Macedon Ranges

10-Day Itinerary Summary

• Day 1: Melbourne to the Bellarine Peninsula
• Day 2: Bellarine Peninsula to Lorne
• Day 3: Lorne to Cape Otway
• Day 4: Cape Otway to Port Fairy
• Day 5: Port Fairy to Halls Gap
• Day 6: Halls Gap to Ballarat
• Day 7: Sovereign Hill
• Day 8: Ballarat to Hepburn Springs
• Day 9: Hepburn Springs to Daylesford
• Day 10: Daylesford to Melbourne

A Super-Simplified Checklist for Travel in Victoria

• Check your RV's condition for corrugated roads
• Download helpful camping apps
• Prepare a detailed packing checklist
• Stock up on water and fuel
• Plan routes and rest stops
• Bring emergency and repair kits
• Confirm campsite bookings ahead of time

Our Go-To Pick For A Road Trip in Victoria, Australia

This road trip offers a perfect blend of nature, culture, gourmet experiences, and unforgettable coastal views.

Day 1: Melbourne to the Bellarine Peninsula: Rhinos & Rail Adventures

• Distance: ~92 km
• Allow: ~2 hrs 
• Stay: Ingenia Holidays Queenscliff Beacon
• Bonus RV tip: Stop at Geelong for fuel and supplies before Bellarine.

Start your road trip adventure with a safari at the Werribee Open Range Zoo, which is under an hour from Melbourne. Here, you can catch a glimpse of zebras, giraffes and rhinoceros grazing on its grassy plains. Walk the Pula Reserve Walking Trail and you'll come face-to-face with monkeys, lions and cheetahs. It's also one of Australia's only homes to the majestic Western lowland gorillas. Drive for another hour and then enjoy lunch with a waterfront view in Geelong. Stop for a cheeky (passenger-only) vino at one of the many popular Bellarine Peninsula wineries, and then end the day with an evening on board The Q Train. This travelling restaurant departs from historic Drysdale Train Station, and the degustation menu combines regional produce with picturesque Bellarine Peninsula views. 

Day 2: Bellarine Peninsula to Lorne - Waves & Cascading Waterfalls

• Distance: ~86 km 
• Allow: ~1.5 hrs
• Stay: Lorne Foreshore Caravan Park
• Bonus RV tip: Stop at Torquay for supplies and to empty waste tanks before the more remote Great Ocean Road stretch.

Make an early start and head to Torquay to soak up legendary Bells Beach. Even if you don't surf, Bells Beach offers dramatic coastal cliffs and spectacular ocean views. Lorne is the official start of the Great Ocean Road—drive beneath the iconic memorial archway and continue to the seaside town of Lorne. Water babies can take a quick dip at nearby Lorne Beach, and kids will love a zip-line through the tree canopies at Livewire Park. Or experience the majesty of the 30-metre tall Erskine Falls, which is nestled in lush rainforest near Lorne. A short walk leads to a viewing platform, with steps down to allow you to feel the mist up close.

Day 3: Lorne to Cape Otway - Wildlife & Whale Watching

• Distance: ~74 km 
• Allow: ~1.5 hrs
• Stay: Bimbi Park, Cape Otway
• Bonus RV tip: Top up fuel and water in Apollo Bay—it's your last major service town before Cape Otway, and resources get scarce beyond it.

An hour's drive from Lorne is the most spectacular stretch of the Great Ocean Road, which winds between Lorne and Apollo Bay. Along the way, consider heading inland to a charming local town for lunch paired with some craft beer from some of the area's best regional breweries. Then visit wildlife at Otway National Park and explore the Cape Otway Lightstation, the oldest surviving lighthouse on mainland Australia, where you can enjoy sweeping ocean views and watch migrating whales from June to September. To end the day, stop by the Great Ocean Road Wildlife Park to hand-feed kangaroos and get close to other native animals.

Day 4: Cape Otway to Port Fairy - Agriculture & 12 Apostles

• Distance: ~175 km 
• Allow: ~2.5 hrs
• Stay: Port Fairy Holiday Park
• Bonus RV tip: Time your stops early—the Twelve Apostles car park fills fast (if possible, arrive before 10am or after 4pm).

Start the morning with a treetop walk at Otway Fly Treetop Adventures before discovering local gourmet products on the Otway Harvest Trail. A half-hour drive further, you'll reach the 12 Apostles, where you can soak up a spectacular panoramic view of Victoria's famous limestone stacks, including the Grotto, Loch Ard Gorge, the Arch and London Bridge. In the afternoon, an hour's drive west will see you arrive at Warrnambool to visit Flagstaff Hill, a historical village showcasing life in a 19th-century seaport. Logans Beach also offers glimpses of southern white whales between May and October. End your day with dinner in the nearby historic fishing town of Port Fairy.

Day 5: Port Fairy to Halls Gap - Culture & Camera Action

• Distance: ~160 km 
• Allow: ~2 hrs
• Stay: Halls Gap Holiday Park 
• Bonus RV tip: If you have extra time, detour slightly north to Balmoral and visit Rocklands Reservoir for a peaceful lakeside stop or even a night’s free camping (check local conditions and water levels first).

To the east of Port Fairy, stop in at the Tower Hill Nature Reserve, an enormous volcanic crater teeming with koalas, kangaroos, and emus—perfect for wildlife spotting and photography. An hour north through rolling farmlands, you'll find the Western Districts—the historic Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld is a great spot for a hearty lunch and local hospitality. About 45 minutes north lies the Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre in the Grampians National Park. Here, you can watch a captivating video of the Gariwerd creation story and enjoy interactive didgeridoo workshops, bush food tastings, boomerang painting, and throwing lessons. Then, gain a new perspective from the Grampians lookouts—Boroka, Reed, and the Balconies—all offering stunning panoramic views over the Wonderland Ranges and Mount William.

Day 6: Halls Gap to Ballarat - Wineries & Nature Walks

• Distance: ~145 km 
• Allow: ~2 hrs 
• Stay: Holiday Park Ballarat 
• Bonus RV tip: Take the scenic route via Ararat and detour to One Tree Hill Lookout or a local winery—it breaks up the drive and avoids the highway haul.

After a restful night, explore some of the region's hiking trails, like the Pinnacle Walk. Don't miss the ancient Aboriginal rock art sites and discover the rich cultural heritage of the Gunditjmara and Jardwadjali peoples. Take a scenic drive towards some of the Grampians' historic wineries, and then head to Ararat. Here, visit the Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre to gain insight into the lives of the early Chinese community in the region, and then continue your journey towards Ballarat.

Day 7: Sovereign Hill - Museums & Mining Adventures

• Distance: ~3 km 
• Allow: ~5 mins
• Stay: Holiday Park Ballarat
• Bonus RV tip: Arrive when gates open and use the designated overflow parking for RVs.

Spend the day at Sovereign Hill. This is a 'living museum' goldfields town that recreates Ballarat's first 10 years after the 1851 discovery of gold. Set on 10 hectares of an original mining site, its costumed characters bring the buildings, diggings, and underground mines to life. Take a mine tour, pan for real gold, ride in a horse-drawn carriage, and visit the gold museum. As evening descends, watch Sovereign Hill's sound and light show, which transforms Sovereign Hill into a moving theatre with hundreds of high-tech projections telling the story. 

Day 8: Ballarat to Hepburn Springs - Castles & Self-Care Springs

• Distance: ~50 km 
• Allow: ~1 hr 
• Stay: Castlemaine Gardens Holiday Park
• Bonus RV tip: On the way into Hepburn Springs, stop at Sailors Falls or Locarno Springs—they have natural mineral water pumps where you can fill your water bottles. 

Today, explore Ballarat, which was built on the riches of the world's largest alluvial gold deposit.

Visit the Art Gallery of Ballarat, the Ballarat Wildlife Park, or wander under a canopy of trees at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens beside Lake Wendouree. Visit Creswick Woollen Mills, the last coloured woollen spinning mill in Australia, where you can shop for fine, natural materials. If the kids are in tow, consider visiting Kryal Castle, Australia's only medieval-themed adventure park. Drive 30 minutes to Hepburn Springs to soak in the natural mineral-rich thermal springs at the Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa.

Day 9: Hepburn Springs to Daylesford - Gardens & Gourmet Feasting

• Distance: ~3 km 
• Allow: ~5 mins
• Stay: Daylesford Holiday Park 
• Bonus RV tip: Stop at Lake Daylesford for a relaxing picnic and easy RV parking.

Ten minutes down the road is home chef heaven with the chance to attend a hands-on class at the Lake House Cooking School, led by some of Australia's finest chefs. Learn seasonal techniques using regional produce, then enjoy a delicious sit-down lunch. (For a truly unforgettable evening, book a table for dinner at the award-winning Lake House Restaurant, renowned for its exceptional fine dining and stunning lakefront views.) Spend your afternoon exploring the region along the Daylesford Macedon Produce Trail, where you can visit cheesemakers and olive groves. In Daylesford, browse antique shops, stroll through the Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens, then wrap up the day at the Convent Gallery.

Day 10: Daylesford to Melbourne - Blooms & Bushwalking

• Distance: ~115 km 
• Allow: ~1.5 hrs
• Stay: Home! 
• Bonus RV tip: Stop at Gisborne for coffee and stretch breaks.

Drive just 20 minutes east to the charming township of Trentham and visit Trentham Falls, Victoria's longest single-drop waterfall, plunging 32 metres over striking basalt cliffs. After admiring the views, explore the local boutiques, grab a coffee, then continue to Mount Macedon, where you can wander the stunning private gardens at Forest Glade and Tieve Tara. For a more active stop, climb Hanging Rock, a 105-metre-high volcanic formation—keep an eye out for native birds, wallabies, or even an echidna along the way. From the summit, enjoy sweeping views of the Macedon Ranges and farmlands. After a full day of nature, history, and fresh country air, it's an easy drive back to Melbourne to wrap up your road trip.