4 Stunning Coastline Road Trips Close to Melbourne

One of the best things about living in Melbourne is that you are right next to the ocean. There are actually a lot of fabulous parks you can visit without leaving the city proper, which makes it easy to forget that sometimes it is totally worth it to schedule a longer drive. Here are four stunning coastline trips you can take from Melbourne. We suggest that you drive a caravan or 4WD camper so that you can park overnight at a campsite and really get into the experience!

1. Lorne

From downtown Melbourne, this drive will take you just a little under three hours. Once you arrive, you will find yourself in the picturesque seaside town of Lorne. Lorne is situated on the Louttit Bay and is home to a population just over 1,000 off-season. On-season, it is a popular tourist destination, so you may want to schedule around those crowded dates.

Lorne is famous both for its beautiful coastline setting and for its almost Mediterranean feel. There is so much to do in and around town; head out on the water, take a walk on the beach, or shop downtown at one of the town’s numerous boutiques. Relax at Lorne for a weekend and you’ll come back to Melbourne feeling refreshed!

2. Split Point Lighthouse

Split Point Lighthouse is actually en route to Lorne, so you can schedule these trips concurrently. If you decide to travel only as far as the lighthouse, it will take you around 2 hours and 20 minutes from downtown Melbourne. You can stay at the nearby small town of Aireys Inlet.

The lighthouse itself used to be known as Eagles Nest Point. It was built in 1891 and was manually operated until 1891. Thirty-minute guided tours are available.

3. Croajingolong National Park

If you are ready for a longer trip in your caravan, you can make your way to Croajingolong National Park. It will take you around seven hours to drive there, but once you arrive, you will be glad you made the journey. The drive takes you through some lovely country, and Croajingolong itself is home to some of the most beautiful eucalyptus groves and rainforests in Australia. You can also explore some amazing heathland.

Plenty of campsites are available. Plan to spend at least several days here—there are two historic lighthouses to see along with plenty of hikes and climbs!

4. Wilsons Promontory National Park

You cannot miss Australia’s most famous coastland park. It takes 2 hours and 45 minutes to drive from downtown Melbourne to the southernmost tip of the mainland. Here you will find some breathtaking views along the beach as well as some incredible hikes through the rainforest. Be sure to visit Wilsons Promontory Lightstation, constructed in 1859.

Melbourne truly is the ultimate staging post on your journey to explore Australia’s southern coastline. Take advantage of all these wonderful drives, and enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, and boating in some of the most gorgeous parks on the planet!