VISIT
VICTORIA
Heading further afield
If you have a free day (or more) before or after the congress, Victoria offers some outstanding day trips.
All are doable in a day, though some are long; for a more relaxed pace, consider staying overnight.
If you have a free day (or more) before or after the congress, Victoria offers some outstanding day trips.
All are doable in a day, though some are long; for a more relaxed pace, consider staying overnight.
Great Ocean Road & the Twelve Apostles
Distance
~115 km to the start;
~270 km one-way to the Apostles
Many visitors choose an overnight trip to fully enjoy the route.
Travel Time
1.5–2 hours to Torquay;
3–3.5 hours to the Twelve Apostles without stops
Best for
Dramatic coastal scenery, rainforest, and iconic limestone stacks
Highlights
Torquay, Lorne, Apollo Bay, Great Otway National Park, Loch Ard Gorge, Twelve Apostles
Phillip Island
Distance
~140 km south-east of Melbourne
Travel Time
Around 2 hours by car or coach
Ideal as an afternoon/evening trip to time the Penguin Parade
Best for
Wildlife and family-friendly experiences
Highlights
Penguin Parade (little penguins coming ashore at sunset), Koala Conservation Reserve, Nobbies boardwalk, seal colony views
Yarra Valley
Distance
~60 km north-east of Melbourne
Travel Time
About 1 hour by car
Very manageable as a relaxed full-day trip
Best for
Wine, wildlife, food, and scenic drives
Highlights
Cool-climate wineries, gourmet producers, hot-air ballooning at sunrise, Healesville Sanctuary (native Australian wildlife).
Dandenong Ranges
Distance
~45 km east of Melbourne
Travel Time
Around 1 hour by car or train/bus
Good option if you want nature without a very long drive
Best for
Forest walks, heritage railways, gardens
Highlights
Puffing Billy steam railway, Sherbrooke Forest, Alfred Nicholas Gardens, William Ricketts Sculptures
Mornington Peninsula
Distance
~70–90 km south of Melbourne
Travel Time
1–1.5 hours by car
Best for
Beaches, hot springs, and wine
Great for a restorative day of relaxation
Highlights
Peninsula Hot Springs, wineries and cellar doors, coastal walks, charming towns like Sorrento and Portsea
Ballarat & Sovereign Hill
Distance
~110 km west of Melbourne
Travel Time
Around 1.5 hours by car or train
Best for
Gold-rush history and family experiences
Engaging for all ages; easy full-day trip
Highlights
Sovereign Hill open-air museum, underground mine tours, historic main street, Eureka Centre
Daylesford & Hepburn Springs
Distance
~115 km north-west of Melbourne
Travel Time
Around 1.5 hours by car
Best for
Spas, mineral springs, and country food
Ideal if you want a slower, wellness-focused day
Highlights
Natural mineral springs, spa retreats, antique shops, farmers’ markets, scenic drives
The Grampians
Distance
~260 km west of Melbourne
Travel Time
Around 3 hours each way
Best as a very early start full-day trip or, ideally, an overnight
Best for
Hiking, Aboriginal rock art, and mountain scenery
Highlights
Halls Gap, MacKenzie Falls, Aboriginal rock art sites, wildlife (kangaroos, emus, birds)
Victoria's High Country
Distance
~260 km north-east of Melbourne
Travel Time
Around 3 hours each way
Best as a very early start full-day trip or, ideally, an overnight
Best for
Cool alpine escapes, mountain biking and hiking, scenic drives, food and wine experiences
Highlights
Mount Buller, Bright, Craig's Hut, Great Alpine Road, wildlife, wildflowers, wineries
Making the most of limited time
If you only have one free day:
- For iconic scenery: choose the Great Ocean Road.
- For wildlife and a memorable evening: choose Phillip Island.
- For a relaxed, food-and-wine focus: choose the Yarra Valley.
If you have two days:
- A strong combination is Great Ocean Road plus either Phillip Island or Yarra Valley, giving you both dramatic landscapes and a different flavour (wildlife or wine).
All of these can be joined via organised tours from Melbourne if you prefer not to drive yourself.
Your hotel concierge or the congress delegate portal can suggest reputable operators.
For more information on any of the above, or suggested itinerary combinations,
see the official Visit Victoria and Tourism Australia sites below.