3 Unforgettable Nature Day Trips From Melbourne

Are you looking for nature day trips from Melbourne? In this post, I will be sharing with you 3 stunningly beautiful nature spots which can be day trips from Melbourne by car. They could also be made into much longer itineraries if your schedule allowed, allowing you to take in the marvellous scenery these areas have to offer. I hope this post will give you some inspiration for your next nature day trips in Melbourne.

This post is all about nature day trips from Melbourne.

1. Phillip Island (and the Penguin Parade):

If you love nature and especially birds, you MUST visit Phillip Island. Phillip Island is located around 140km away from Melbourne making it one of the best nature day trips from Melbourne. Depending on traffic, the journey takes around 2 hours and once you cross over the bridge you will be shocked by the beauty of the island.

Most people come to Phillip Island to see the Penguin Parade in the evening. However, it is a MUCH better idea to make it a whole day trip as there is so much to see!

If you want more information about day tours on Phillip Island from Melbourne, take a look at this post.

Here are my recommendations of where to visit:

Fisher’s Wetland:

If you are an avid bird watcher or photographer, I recommend after just crossing the bridge, going to Fisher’s Wetland where you can watch a wide variety of birdlife. When I went, I saw pelicans, the Cape Barren Goose and other smaller birds.

Pyramid Rock:

Here you will be taken away with a fantastic view, you can see (and hear) the Grand Prix race track (for those who are also fans) and go for wonderful hikes along the coastal path to nearby beaches.

Swan Lake:

Once again, another area perfect for birdwatchers and wildlife lovers. You can walk along the track and board walk out to the lake where you can see all sorts of wildlife ranging from swamp wallabies, butterflies, more Cape Barren Geese and a wide variety of birdlife. They even have hides for you to sit and watch from!

The Koala Conservation Reserve:

If you want to guarantee seeing a koala, look no further. Here the koalas are not in cages, but in enclosures where you can enter the boardwalk and try and spot them hiding/ sleeping in the trees. There is also a forest walk around the park too where you can see more birdlife and wildlife.

[Related Post: The Best Phillip Island Day Tour Including The Penguin Parade]

The Nobbies:

Here you can walk on the boardwalk and see penguins nesting in their boxes or wandering around. It is a wonderful experience to be able to see these penguins up close and personal and in daylight. Here, it is possible to also take photos of the penguins (if you read on, you will see at the penguin parade it is not allowed). However, please, please, please do not use a flash! This really affects the penguins. There is also an incredible view out to sea from here.

Please also note, they close the road to the Nobbies at sunset to protect the penguins, so this is a place you must visit during the day or before dusk.

P.S Watch out for echidnas wandering on the sides of the road!

And of course…. The Penguin Parade!

Now for the most popular attraction- the Penguin parade. This is a more commercial attraction than the other things I have mentioned in this post. You must pay to enter the penguin parade and the price (at the time of writing is $27.70 for the general viewing ticket (1 adult). However, please note that there are many different options and experiences you can have.

As I mentioned earlier, no photos are allowed during the penguin parade, however, with a general entrance ticket, this gives you entry to watch the penguin parade (the penguins coming in from the sea) while you sit in like an outdoor arena. After that, you are able to go onto the boardwalk and see the penguins walking back to their nests and going about their life. For me, this was the best bit and I highly recommend you spend more time on the boardwalk than sat at the arena as you are MUCH closer to the penguins and can have a more intimate experience.

You could also check out the other experiences which are offered at the penguin parade as I think there are also some more personal experiences.

However, I still had a great time!

2. The Great Ocean Road and the 12 Apostles.

If you love the sea, you love road trips and scenic drives than the Great Ocean Road and the 12 Apostles would be one of the perfect nature day trips from Melbourne. Ok, so this one involves a lot more driving than Philip Island, but it is totally worth it! The start of the Ocean Road is located around 112km and the 12 Apostles 226km from Melbourne making it a long driving day but whether you spend 1 day or a week, it will definitely be worth the drive!

Here are my top recommendations for this area:

Teddy’s Lookout:

Drive up the steep road and be rewarded with magnificent views of the Great Ocean Road. If you love hiking, there are also some hikes around here.

Go Koala Spotting at Kennett River:

Take a pit stop along the road to look high up in the trees for koalas. I saw my very first koalas in the wild after so long, and not only did I see one but I saw 2 (and the second one was so close!!).

Take a walk along the road adjacent to the caravan park (and look at the trees either side). This is where the first koala was spotted and apparently it is super common to see them there).

Then go down to the Kennett River nature walk area. This is a beautiful area (and where I saw the other koala which was so close! – Almost at eye level!!). Obviously if you are only here for one day, it will not be possible – but if you had more time, there is a whole 15km walk around this area where supposedly there are many koalas!

Gibson Steps:

Climbing down (and back up) the 86 steps are so worth it to be able to see the Gog and Magog sea stacks from the beach. Just watch out for snakes which seem to hang around near the path!

And of course…

The 12 Apostles:

No Great Ocean Road and day trips from Melbourne by car would be complete without seeing the 12 Apostles! Take in the majestic grandness of these spectacular limestone stacks. Walk along the boardwalk to take in the view and feel the ocean air hit your face. This view will be truly unforgettable.

[Related Post: The Iconic Great Ocean Road Tour Including Great Otways National Park]

3. The Grampians:

If you love hiking and nature then the Grampians should be high on your list for nature day trips from Melbourne. This was by far my favourite trip with breath-taking scenery, interesting wildlife, and amazing hiking. This day trip is the furthest out of the three nature day trips from Melbourne but that should not stop you- located 289km away from Melbourne, if you only have a day, it will be a long but rewarding day; however, if you have longer, you could spend a long time here (or at least I could!)

Here are my top recommendations for in the Grampians:

Hike The Pinnacle Lookout:

This short hike (starting from the Sundial car park) offers fantastic photography and wildlife spotting opportunities as you meander through the bush and climb up to the Pinnacle where you can get a 360-degree view of the surroundings. This short (4.2km) hike should not be missed!  If you were looking for a longer walk, you can hike to the Pinnacle from Halls Gap caravan park and is said to take around 5 hours return.

McKenzie Falls:

This waterfall is unmissable on nature day trips from Melbourne to the Grampians. After climbing down the MANY steps (260) and around 2km, you are struck by the beauty of this waterfall. There is also a river walk you can do down the side of the river (which was really beautiful) (7km return walk).

[Related Post: The Ultimate Grampians National Park Adventure From Melbourne]

Boroka Lookout:

If the Pinnacle view amazed you, then the Boroka lookout will not disappoint. This lookout shocked me with how picturesque the scenery was. It is not to be missed!

Again, if you love hiking – there are also hiking opportunities from here to hike to Halls Gap (around 12km).

Brambuk Cultural Centre for Emu and Kangaroo Spotting:

If you are searching for wildlife and would like to see an emu or some kangaroo, I recommend heading to the Brambuk Cultural centre. Head out the back on their nature paths and head towards the boomerang throwing area and especially if you go later afternoon, there is a good chance you will see some kangaroo and emus! The last time I was there, I saw 9 emus and a small family of kangaroo.

I hope this post has inspired you to take some nature day trips from Melbourne! All of these places are worth spending more time, but if you are limited on time, it is also possible to visit these places in one long day (I did this). Whatever you decide, I hope you enjoy, explore and have the best time.

Love,

This post was all about 3 unforgettable nature day trips from Melbourne.