Day trips from Melbourne, in your own vehicle

Where people go

Each of these is a full day from a Melbourne pickup. Travel time, attraction access, opening hours and ticketed sessions are checked for your date before anything is agreed.

• Great Ocean Road

  From $999

  The coastal route south-west of Melbourne, taking in the Twelve Apostles and the Shipwreck Coast. The longest of the common day trips.

  Twelve Apostles · Loch Ard Gorge · Memorial Arch · Apollo Bay

• Phillip Island

  From $849

  South-east of Melbourne, usually planned around a selected Penguin Parade session. Tickets are separate and sessions are booked to a time.

  Penguin Parade · The Nobbies · Koala Conservation Centre · Cowes

• Yarra Valley

  Wine country an hour north-east, often combined with Healesville Sanctuary or the Dandenong Ranges. Cellar-door entry and tastings are separate.

  Cellar doors · Yarra Valley Chocolaterie · Healesville Sanctuary

• Puffing Billy and the Dandenongs

  The heritage railway in the Dandenong Ranges, planned around a selected train session. Rail tickets are separate.

  Puffing Billy Railway · SkyHigh Mount Dandenong · Belgrave · Olinda

• Melbourne City

  From $549

  Laneways, markets, gardens and bayside stops, at whatever pace suits the group. The shortest of the common days.

  Laneways and arcades · Queen Victoria Market · Royal Botanic Gardens · St Kilda

• Healesville Sanctuary

  Australian native wildlife in the Yarra Valley, planned around the sanctuary's current visitor programme. Entry tickets are separate.

  Native wildlife · Yarra Valley cellar doors nearby

Starting rates are for the private group, up to 4 guests on a standard route. Longer reserved time, larger parties, added regions and peak dates are quoted higher. Routes without a rate shown are quoted individually.

One vehicle price, not a price per person

A seat on a coach tour is priced per traveller, so the cost rises with every person you add. A private trip is priced for the vehicle and the reserved time. For a couple a coach seat is usually cheaper. As the group grows the two converge, and for a larger family or group the private vehicle is often the lower total as well as the more comfortable option.

Send us the number of travellers, the ages of any children and the area you want, and we will set out the comparison honestly rather than assuming private is always the right answer.

Planning questions

Which day trip from Melbourne suits a family?

Phillip Island and Healesville Sanctuary work well with younger children because the walking is shorter and there is wildlife to see. The Great Ocean Road is the longest day in the vehicle. Tell us the ages travelling and we will say plainly which routes are practical for your group before you commit to one.

Is a private day trip cheaper than a seat on a coach tour?

It depends on the size of your group, because a private trip is priced for the vehicle rather than per person. A couple will usually pay less on a coach. A larger group often pays less privately, since the price does not change as the group grows. Send us your numbers and we will show the comparison honestly.

Can we choose our own stops instead of a fixed itinerary?

Yes. You choose one main area, shortlist the places you care about and mark which are must-see. We check whether that is practical for the reserved time and the route, and confirm the agreed plan in writing before booking.

Do you travel with children and provide seats?

Children are welcome and child seats can be arranged. Tell us each child's age and we confirm the suitable restraint, the seating and the vehicle fit in writing before booking, because the right restraint depends on the child and the vehicle.

What is included in the price?

The private vehicle and driver for the whole reserved time from pickup to drop-off, waiting at each stop while you visit, and parking and road tolls on the agreed route. You buy your own attraction and event tickets, and meals are yours. Anything outside the agreed route is separate unless the written quote lists it.

How does choosing the places work?

You choose them. Tell us which places you want and we build the day around that list, drive you to each one and wait while you visit. Check opening hours and book any tickets yourself, then send us the list and we will say whether it fits the time you have reserved.

How long do we get at each stop?

That is up to you, within the total you reserve. If you book eight hours, the whole round trip finishes inside eight hours; if you book ten or twelve, the same applies. Stay longer at one place and there is less time for the next, so we tell you honestly before the day whether your list fits.

Are prayer, rest or food stops possible?

Yes. Tell us what you need and we plan the timing into the agreed route. We drive you to the mosque, restaurant or rest stop you choose. We do not run the venues themselves, so opening times and availability are theirs rather than ours, and meals and entry are separate unless the written quote says otherwise.