Day Trips from Melbourne

What each Melbourne day trip is actually like

The Great Ocean Road is a coastal drive with stops, not a hike: the Memorial Arch, a guided rainforest walk in the Great Otway National Park, lookouts over the shipwreck coast of Port Campbell National Park, Loch Ard Gorge and the Twelve Apostles in the afternoon light. It is a 13-hour day on a coach.

The Grampians (Gariwerd) are the opposite direction: sandstone ridges, gorges and MacKenzie Falls, which means a steep staircase down to the base and back up. Expect lookouts like Boroka and The Balconies, bush walks, and likely kangaroos and emus.

The Yarra Valley is Victoria's oldest wine region, planted in 1838, and the tour is three to four cellar doors with someone else driving. Phillip Island is a wildlife day that ends at dusk with the Penguin Parade, the world's smallest penguins coming ashore at Summerlands Beach.

How to choose between the Melbourne day tours

Great Ocean Road Twelve Apostles Tour from $159 is the headline: park fees, morning tea, the Otways rainforest walk and an experienced driver guide on a modern coach of up to 38, with lunch at your own expense.

For the Grampians there are three. Grampians Day Tour from $159 is the straightforward run: MacKenzie Falls, the Grampians' own Grand Canyon walk, lookouts, park fees and city pickup, on an air-conditioned bus with Wi-Fi and an audio guide in 16 languages. Bring your own food. Grampians National Park Wildlife Tour from $149 adds Boroka and Reeds Lookouts, The Balconies, guided bush walks of around 4km and a visit to the Brambuk cultural centre, in a mini-coach. Grampians & Halls Gap from $189 is the small-group version: a 12-seater minibus with hotel pickup, Boroka Lookout, MacKenzie Falls, the Aboriginal Culture Centre and free time in Halls Gap village.

Yarra Valley Wine Tasting from $169 is a six-hour day with a maximum of 11 guests, all tastings included at three to four vineyards, a Healesville lunch stop and free pickup from the city and select St Kilda spots. French & Phillip Island Wildlife Expedition from $239 does two islands: a ferry to French Island for a guided 4WD search for wild koalas with a seasonal farm-gate lunch or afternoon tea, then Phillip Island for Cowes, the Nobbies seal colony boardwalk and general entry to the Penguin Parade. The one to book if wildlife is the point.

Practical tips: seasons, what to bring, safety

Melbourne weather changes by the hour, and the coast and the ranges are colder and windier than the city. Pack layers and a rain jacket. For the Grampians, wear proper walking shoes; the falls staircase is steep. For the Great Ocean Road, lunch is on you, so bring a card. For the penguins, bring a warm jacket: the parade is after sunset and photographing the penguins is not allowed, so pocket the phone and watch.

Wildlife writes its own schedule: koalas and kangaroos are likely, never guaranteed.