Who doesn’t love a long weekend? With the exception of Queensland and WA, all states and territories will be celebrating the Queen’s Birthday with a public holiday on Monday 10th June. Knowing that one of the key ingredients in career success is balance, we polled our office and came up with our 5 favourite day trips around Melbourne for your celebrations of Her Majesty.
Yarra Valley& Dandenong Ranges – Home to over 160 wineries, award winning restaurants and historical pubs, a day in the Yarra Valley is a foodie’s paradise. Add spectacular scenery, local arts & crafts and of course the Healesville Sanctuary and you have something for everyone. A bit closer to home lies the Dandenong Ranges with the wood fires burning and Devonshire Teas abundant. Of course, everyone should ride Puffing Billy at least once!
Ballarat & District – Fancy a trip back in time? Return to the splendour of the Gold Rush era when Victoria was one of the wealthiest regions in the world. Walk through history at Sovereign Hill and the Eureka Stockade Memorial, then continue to the nearby towns of Clunes and Stawell. Continue a little further to enjoy the sheer beauty of the Grampians National Park and the Aboriginal Rock Art found in the district, some of which dates back more than 20,000 years.
Bendigo & Echuca – Easily accessible via the Calder Highway, Bendigo is the heart of central Victoria. Best known for the gold found throughout the region, the Central Deborah Mine offers guided tours of a working underground gold mine. Celebrate Chinese culture at the Golden Dragon Museum or visit the Bendigo Art Gallery and their special exhibitions. An hour or so further on lies Echuca, home of the working Paddle Steamer, Emmylou. If a trip on the Murray is not your thing, perhaps a visit to the National Holden Museum will inspire you. Finish up at one of the fabulous bakeries or local pubs for some home cooked substance for your trip home.
Philip Island – Famous for the nightly Fairy Penguin parade, Philip Island has so much more to offer. A visit to the Nobbies to view the seal colonies lazing on the nearby rocky outcrops, get close and personal with kangaroos, koalas and wombats at the Wildlife Park or a visit to the island’s chocolate factory – the choice is yours. If you are a racing fanatic, the Motor GP circuit is worth a visit, finishing off with eating hot chips while watching the surfers at Woolamai Beach.
Geelong & Bellarine Peninsula- The Gateway to the Great Ocean Road and world renowned surf coast, Geelong & the Bellarine Peninsula have loads to offer. From the sleepy coastal hamlets of Barwon Heads and Portarlington through to Queenscliff, explore the lesser known peninsula that frames Port Philip Bay. Why not catch the Ferry from Queenscliff to Sorrento to round out your trip?
What are your favourite day trips from Melbourne?
Next time we will feature Day Trips from Sydney and would love your recommendations! Happy Queen’s Birthday!