Day trips from Melbourne, in a private vehicle

Every destination, grouped by how long the day really is

The band is set by how long the vehicle and driver are committed and how far they travel. Each destination links to its tour page, its guide, or the quote form with that area already chosen. Travel time, attraction access, opening hours and ticketed sessions are checked for your date before anything is agreed.

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. The Saturday small-group tour is priced per seat. Destinations marked “quoted” start from their band’s rate and are confirmed individually. Two or three of you? The vehicle is still yours at the same price.

Starting rates for the private group, up to 4 guests. Longer reserved time, larger parties, added regions and peak dates are quoted higher, and the written total is confirmed after the route, vehicle fit and availability are checked.

Book 2 or more days in one quote and the second and later days are 10% off.

Airport transfers receive one all-inclusive written quote based on the route, vehicle, passengers, luggage, child seats and pickup needs.

In every private day, whatever you choose

• A private vehicle and a driver for your group, for the whole reserved window
• Pickup and drop-off at your hotel or address in the agreed area
• Baby, child and booster seats charged per seat, booked ahead
• Parking and road tolls on the agreed route
• Rest, food or prayer stops planned into the day rather than squeezed around it
• A written total before you commit, with what is not included named

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?

Usually not per person for a small group, and we say so. A private trip is priced for the vehicle in group bands, and long-day groups of 8 to 11 pay A$175 per person, so for a small group a seat is usually the cheaper ticket; what narrows as the group grows is the gap per person, and what the private vehicle buys is your own route, stops and timing. Send us your numbers and we will show the comparison honestly.

Is there a saving for booking two or more days?

Book 2 or more days in one quote and the second and later days are 10% off. The 10% comes off the lower-priced day or days; the highest-priced day in the quote stays at full price. Grampians, Mount Buller and Wilsons Promontory are the days where we usually suggest two days anyway, and the saving applies to them like any other.

Can we choose somewhere that is not on this list?

Yes. Send the places you want and we will tell you which combination works as one day, which needs two, and what the total is. If something is not practical we will say so rather than take the booking and disappoint you.

What if we do not know where we want to go yet?

Tell us who is travelling, how long you have, and what you enjoy: coast, wildlife, food, snow, history, or somewhere the children will not get bored. We will suggest two or three days that fit and let you pick.

Do you charge per person or for the vehicle?

For the vehicle. A group of four and a group of one start from the same figure, larger parties move to a larger vehicle with its own starting rate, and on the longest days a group of eight or more is priced per person. Tell us about every passenger change before booking: seating, child restraints and luggage must fit the actual vehicle, and the written quote confirms the total.

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 your driver with local destination knowledge 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. Paid entries are booked by you unless your written quote lists them, 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 (paid entries are booked by you unless your written quote lists them), 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. The driver waits while you explore and you decide when to move on. Extra stops or longer travel can affect timing and the final total, so ask and we will confirm what fits before travel. The honest limit is the clock: if you book eight hours the whole round trip finishes inside eight hours, so staying longer at one place leaves less time for the next. We tell you 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 are separate unless the written quote says otherwise. Paid entries are booked by you unless your written quote lists them.

How do we know the price will not change?

The written quote names the agreed date, route, reserved time, vehicle fit, inclusions, exclusions and the final total. The written quote confirms the agreed route, timing, vehicle fit, inclusions, exclusions and final total for the specific request.

Are private day trips suitable for older travellers?

Yes. We pick you up at your door and bring you back to it, stop for a rest whenever you need one, and you choose how much walking each stop involves. Tell us about any mobility needs and we confirm the vehicle and the stops in writing before you book.

How late can we book?

Later than most people expect. Bookings have been confirmed with a few days' notice and sometimes less, subject to a vehicle and driver being free. Ask — the worst answer is that the date is taken.