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arevo: RACV's Journey Planner

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Flinders Street Station, Melbourne, Victoria © Josie Withers Photography

Getting around Melbourne

Whether you self-drive or take advantage of Melbourne’s efficient public transport system, you’ll find it easy and efficient to get around the city.

By Mark Sariban

Australia’s cities all offer clean, efficient and affordable public transport options, allowing visitors to explore with ease and comfort. Known for its historic suburban tram system, Melbourne is no exception to this rule. Jump on board any of these great transport options and discover how easy it is to get around Melbourne.

Transport in Melbourne

St Paul's Cathedral, Swanston Street, Melbourne, Victoria © Josie Withers Photography

• Airport Transfers
• Accessibility

Melbourne offers free tram rides within the city centre. To use public transport outside of the free tram zone, you need to purchase a myki card . You can purchase a myki card from retail outlets displaying the myki sign, visitor centres and at train stations.

• Use your myki card on trains, trams and buses. You’ll need to load your card with some money to cover your fares. You can top it up at convenience stores and train stations as your balance runs low. 
• You can also purchase a  myki Explorer kit, which includes a myki card loaded with a full day of unlimited travel on trains, trams and buses in metropolitan Melbourne, handy maps and discounts on tickets to major attractions.
• To start your ride, tap your myki card on the reader when you board your selected mode of transport and be sure to tap off when you disembark.

Melbourne is serviced by two airports, Melbourne Airport (MEL) and Avalon Airport (AVV). There are several public transport options available for reaching the city from either airport.

• SkyBus express services run between 4am and 1am daily from Melbourne Airport and from early morning to evening from Avalon Airport. Both SkyBus services stop at Southern Cross Station on Spencer Street in the city. Tickets can be purchased either online or at the airport.
• You’ll find taxi ranks and rideshare pick-up areas at the front of each terminal – simply follow the signage. The journey to the city from Melbourne Airport takes around 30 minutes, or 50 minutes from Avalon Airport.

Tip:  If you’re in a group, it will be less expensive to travel from Melbourne Airport to the city by taxi or rideshare.

In Australia, airlines, trains, buses and ferries have accessible options for people using a wheelchair or mobility device.

• Melbourne Airport provides special assistance for people with disabilities and can help with baggage, getting around the airport, and getting on and off the plane. 
• The majority of buses and trains have accessible options – check the Public Transport Victoria Accessibility page for information on using public transport before your trip.

Tip: Download the City of Melbourne’s  mobility map  to easily locate accessible toilets and car parks in the city.

Getting around Melbourne on public transport

Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria © Josie Withers Photography

Trains are a great way to visit attractions across the city and reach the surrounding suburb. Major stations in the city include Central, Flinders and Southern Cross Station. Use the Journey planner tool to find your route.

• Trains to regional destinations including Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and Albury operate on the V/Line services. You can use your myki card on all train networks.

Catching a tram is a great way to get around Melbourne while getting a feel for the city. Use the Journey planner tool to find your route.

• A Free Tram Zone operates in Melbourne city centre. If your travel is within this zone you don’t need to tap on or off with your myki card.
• The free hop-on, hop-off City Circle Tram (number 35) is a great introduction to Melbourne, with city loop services running every 15 minutes. 
• Melbourne’s suburban tram routes run in two zones, with the cost using your myki card calculated according to the zones you travel in.

The bus network is another efficient way of hopping around metro Melbourne and popular neighbourhoods. Use the Journey planner tool to find your route.

• Night Network trains, trams and buses operate throughout the night on Fridays and Saturdays.

Getting around Melbourne by car

Flinders Lane, Melbourne, Victoria © Josie Withers Photography

Driving in Melbourne is easy and safe, but you may want to check whether your hotel charges a daily parking fee.

Melbourne is the only city in Australia with a ‘ hook turn ’ (a right-hand turn you make from the left-hand lane), so be sure to familiarise yourself with this manoeuvre if you’re planning to drive in the city.

Having a car for part of your trip may be beneficial if you plan to visit some of the stunning destinations outside of Melbourne, but you can also book tours to many of these places and leave the driving to someone else.

Tip: If you’re hiring an electric vehicle, you’ll find a map of charging stations here.

Melbourne is served by numerous taxi companies. 

• You can hail a taxi on the street (a taxi is available if its rooftop light is on) or at taxi ranks in built-up areas.
• You can also book a taxi by phoning individual companies, or by downloading an app from 13cabs or GoCatch .

Tip: You will be asked to pre-pay an estimated fare when riding in a taxi after 10pm.

Most major ridesharing platforms operate in Melbourne, including Uber , Ola and DiDi , as well as local operator GoCatch .

Tip: Female travellers can also book a ride with Shebah , a rideshare service with all-women drivers catering to women. (Adult men can use the service if they need to transport a child who requires an approved child safety seat.)

Make the most of your time in Melbourne with a guided tour . Many tour operators offer half-day and full-day driving tours of the city and surrounds, including Show Me Melbourne and Melbourne Private Tours . 

• Enjoy an emissions-free sightseeing tour of Melbourne by pedicab with Green Cabs .

Where to stay in Melbourne

Other forms of transport in Melbourne

Southbank, Melbourne, Victoria © Josie Withers Photography

• Water taxis
• Cycling & scooting
• Williamstown Ferries offers two-hour cruises from Southbank to Williamstown, a seaport at the mouth of the Yarra River.

If you’re in town for a sporting event or a stadium concert, you can catch a water taxi from Southbank to Melbourne’s sports precinct .

Melbourne is mostly flat and has an extensive network of bike paths, making it easy to cycle around the city.

• Download an app from Neuron to access a pool of shared e-scooters across Melbourne.

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arevo: RACV’s Journey Planner 4+

Your all-in-one transport app, royal automobile club of victoria (racv) ltd.

• #56 in Travel
• 4.5 • 1.1K Ratings

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AREVO is the made-in-Melbourne journey planner that helps you get around town faster, smarter, more conveniently and more affordably. AREVO neatly ties together your transport options to make planning your journey as easy as possible! Including an intelligent bike map, petrol pricing, car parking and real-time public transport updates across train, tram and bus. We're proudly made in the heart of Melbourne by Victorians (RACV) for Victorians that want to use the one app to help them get from A to B in the smartest way possible! So start saving time with arevo and find that perfect car park ahead of time, discover new cycle-friendly bike routes to get to work, defeat delays with live disruption alerts on public transport or top up the tank without breaking the bank. Here are a few of our key features and reasons why arevo is the app that's more than a map! - A dedicated bike map feature which means you can ride your way. AREVO's clever new bike map allows you to choose a faster or a quieter (more cycling-friendly) route based on your preference, meaning you can have more confidence on two wheels. The bike map generates routes that update dynamically based on your location, plus you'll never get lost again with turn-by-turn navigation and easy-to-follow voiceover instructions. - Real-time train, tram and bus timetables across all the public transport options in Victoria are available with just one tap. The arevo journey planner allows you to plan trips accurately with live arrival and departure times. Discover disruptions and delays ahead of schedule so you can make smarter public transport decisions. Arevo's transport lines are colour-matched with Public Transport Victoria's (PTV) network maps for easy and convenient trip planning. Plus, the arevo transport planner features single-tap routing to your preferred train, tram or bus station. - Find today's best petrol prices so you can top up the tank without breaking the bank. Enter your postcode or suburb and find the cheapest petrol prices near you. AREVO's petrol feature allows you to select your preferred fuel type, and it'll help you decide if it's the right time to fill up. - An easy-to-use journey planner so you can make smarter transport choices when getting around Melbourne and Victoria. See estimated travel times for walking, cycling, driving and using Public Transport Victoria's (PTV) complete list of services, including bus, tram and train (and V/Line) - View live on-street parking availability plus check for pricing and restrictions in an easy-to-use, interactive map. You'll also find UbiPark's complete list of off-street parking to help you find a parking spot near your destination and at the right price. - AREVO is the map that gives you more! Register to arevo to score access to exclusive offers and discounts. By registering within arevo, you'll gain exclusive access to exclusive offers and discounts from partners like Flexicar and Lime Mobility (e-scooters and e-bikes) to discounted bike servicing with Good Cycles. So what is it like to use the arevo app? Well, just imagine having every live train, tram and bus timetable in Victoria in your pocket? Oh, and you've got an intelligent turn-by-turn bike map that lets you ride more comfortably, plus today's petrol prices and parking availability too. Sounds pretty great, right? Being locals, we love to connect with other Victorians! We're always on the lookout for ways to improve the app and make the experience even better! So connect with us by: - Liking us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arevoapp - Following us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arevoapp/ - Contacting our team directly at [email protected] Or you can find out more at: www.arevo.com.au arevo is a journey planner app from RACV.

Version 5.2.1

Various bug fixes and enhancements. For the best experience using arevo, we recommend you update your device to the latest version available.

Ratings and Reviews

1.1K Ratings

A pleasant surprise !

What surprised me the most about this app was how fast and easy it was to use and that the loading times when it searched for the best route to get to my destination. As others have mentioned the myki top up feature is a huge bonus too since we cannot use Apple Pay over here to top up and use the card on our iPhones just yet. Overall a great starting point for this one and look forward to seeing how it’s improved upon in the future 👍

Turn by turn is fantastic

Best bike maps out there. The quiet route makes me feel safe unlike apple or Google maps that takes you along deadly roads. The new turn by turn feature is fantastic compared to what it was before so very happy about that. Very small suggestion but if you turn off the audio it would be nice if it remembered. I usually listen to music and whenever I start me route my ears get blasted. It would be nice if I could turn off directions by audio and the app remembered that I didn’t want it on. Again very small but would be nice. Cheers legends

Developer Response ,

Hi Josh, Thank you so much for your kind words! This is exactly the type of review which keeps our team motivated and working hard to make arevo the best it can possibly be. I've passed on the feedback you've provided to development team and we'll look at adding this to our list of user recommendations. Kind regards, Andy

Great app BUT….

Great app but to be clear the price of ULP98 & ULP95 differ significantly so putting them in the same category is just skewing the app’s output. Also many service stations don’t carry ULP95 so they look like they are charging higher prices compared to the others. Please update this issue to report as 2 separate fuel types and then it will be be an excellent app. Also the price ascending/ descending button isn’t working. Thanks for your efforts.

Hi Tessa, We're glad you've enjoyed using the arevo app so far! Thank you so much for your feedback. We're actually looking at unbundling the ULP95/ULP98 (as well as the other fuel types) in the next update coming very soon. If you have any other feedback please reach out to us at [email protected], we'd love to hear how we can make arevo better. Thanks, Andrew

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Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Melbourne?

Get inspired for your trip to Melbourne with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

• 1-Day Melbourne Itinerary
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14 Fabulous Road trips from Melbourne

These road trips from Melbourne are perfect if you are looking for places to visit near Melbourne by car, whether you have a day or a week! We have arranged the recommended trips by distance from the city centre so you can choose one that suits the time you have available. Regardless of which you choose all offer you a chance to experience a different side of Victoria and its beautiful and varied landscape.

Yarra Valley

Macedon ranges, mornington peninsula, phillip island, great otway national park, wilsons promontory, mount buller, halls gap, the grampians, gippsland lakes, great alpine road.

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Road trips close to Melbourne City Centre

These first few are perfect if you are looking for short road trips from Melbourne . Whether for a day trip or an overnight stay that you can reach in just an hour or two these are all worthy choices day out of the city.

Distance from Melbourne – 55 km

A 2-day Yarra Valley road trip is a perfect weekend escape from Melbourne. You don’t have to be a wine lover to enjoy the Yarra Valley region, plus it’s very family-friendly!

Start with a stop at Lilydale Lakes for a stroll around the lake. Then, head to Badger Creek Blueberry Winery. They also have delicious pear ciders and you can sample both on a tasting paddle.

If you’re keen to sample more wineries, don’t miss Yering Station Winery, one of the oldest wineries in Victoria. They have an impressive tasting room and a restaurant overlooking the Dandenong Ranges.

Badgers Brook Winery is another great option that may be the most kid-friendly winery in Australia, with retro playground equipment galore!

Other recommended stops are the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery where you can pick up handmade chocolates or dine in the restaurant, and Yarra Valley Dairy for a cheese tasting.

If you want wildlife experiences, feed alpacas at The Big Bouquet Flower Farm and Alpaca Stud or visit Healesville Sanctuary to get up close with native Australian animals.

The Yarra Valley Lodge is the perfect base for your stay, overlooking a golf course with beautiful sunset views and kangaroos everywhere.

Contributed by Holly Connors from Four Around The World

Distance from Melbourne – 60 km

A wonderful road trip and getaway from Melbourne is a visit to the Macedon Ranges. It may only be about an hour away from Melbourne, but it’s a different world entirely.

The Macedon Ranges are a collection of high-elevation rocky mountains and forests, giving way to a cooler climate. This is a getaway surrounded by nature. 

Spend your mornings hiking through forests and up to beautiful vistas such as Mount Macedon itself, Camel’s Hump, or the famous ancient volcano, Hanging Rock, which is known for the story of the mysterious disappearance of schoolgirls in the early 1900s and documented in the film ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock.’

Macedon Regional Parks is a true highlight, with many walking trails and even a waterfall in the Tony Clarke Recreation Reserve.

Spend your afternoon here visiting wineries in the area for tastings – some favourites are Hanging Rock Winery (with its amazing sculptures), Hesket Estate, Mount Macedon Winery, and Mount Towrong Vineyard.

Stay in Macedon itself or the nearby town of Woodend, which is equipped with more cafes and pubs and a golf course too.

For a true getaway, stay at the Macedon Ranges Hotel and Spa for a stylish retreat with treatments available, before returning to the city for the  best Melbourne brunches.

Contributed by Kimmie from Adventures and Sunsets

Distance from Melbourne – 75 km

A road trip to the Mornington Peninsula, just 90 minutes away from the city offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, gastronomic delights, and unique experiences. An easy drive from Melbourne, this scenic route follows the coastline and presents breathtaking views of turquoise waters, golden beaches, and rolling hills.

We recommend you spend an hour or two strolling the Millionaires Walk , a favourite among the locals, this path allows you to take a glimpse into the backyards and gardens of the mansions that line the waterfront.

Foodies will find the Mornington Peninsula enjoy the thriving culinary scene. I highly recommend you add a couple of the region’s famous wineries, with wines crafted from the region’s cool-climate vineyards.

If you plan to book an overnight stay, I highly recommend the picturesque Jackalope Hotel. This luxury boutique hotel offers stylish and contemporary rooms, breathtaking vineyard views, and exceptional amenities.

To complete your Mornington Peninsula experience, visit the renowned Montalto Vineyard & Olive Grove. Not only can you sample their outstanding wines, but you can also explore the picturesque grounds, indulge in a gourmet picnic, or wander through the sculpture park.

Other highly-recommended attractions include the Peninsula Hot Springs, where you can unwind in natural geothermal pools, and the iconic Cape Schanck Lighthouse, which offers stunning panoramic views of the coastline.

A 2-day road trip to the Mornington Peninsula presents a blend of natural beauty and food and wine destinations. With its proximity to Melbourne, the region is easily accessible, making it an ideal destination for a memorable and indulgent getaway.

Distance from Melbourne – 115 km

Melbourne to Daylesford is approximately a 1.5-hour drive, which makes it a great location to visit outside of Melbourne. 

There are many reasons to visit Daylesford, but most people spend time here relaxing and enjoying some downtime in many of the spa and wellness retreats in the area. Why? Because the spas here are full of rich mineral thermal waters that include indoor pools and saunas. 

Day 1 After checking into the historical Peppers Mineral Springs Retreat in Hepburn Springs, spend your day visiting the many drinkable natural Springs during the day and then bathing in pure luxury in the afternoon at your hotel. Stop for a pre-dinner drink at the Argus Bar and Lounge before dinner in the Dining Room.

Day 2, take the morning slowly by enjoying a gorgeous breakfast at your hotel. Then, head over and enjoy the morning checking out the local products and produce at the Sunday markets; spend the afternoon indulging in a late lunch at one of the many little quaint cafes in the area. Before dinner, wander the many antique and vintage boutiques. 

Day 3, Today, explore the area by heading to Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens and enjoying a ride on the heritage train at the Daylesford Spa Country Railway before returning to Melbourne. 

Suggested by Paula from Truly Expat Travel

Located a short drive from Melbourne, Ballarat is a charming city that effortlessly combines history, culture, and natural beauty. What I love most about Ballarat is its rich gold rush heritage. Walking through the streets, you can still feel the echoes of the past and imagine the excitement that filled the air during the gold rush era.

One of my favorite things to do in Ballarat is to visit Sovereign Hill. It’s an open-air museum that beautifully recreates an 1850s gold mining town. While walking the recreated streets of old Ballarat and interacting with the staff who act as locals and work the shops and businesses.

Try your hand at panning for gold, or even take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage. It’s a fun experience that truly brings history to life.

If you are travelling with kids, add a stop at Kryal Castle, a replicate of a medieval castle that offers visitors a unique experience of stepping back in time to the Middle Ages.

Take a castle tour, watch a Jousting Tournament or a falconry show or if you prefer to get involved then sign up for Knight school or try your hand at archery. Once you have had your fun, sit down to a medieval banquet.

Lastly, don’t miss a visit to the Art Gallery of Ballarat. It’s Australia’s oldest regional art gallery and houses a remarkable collection of Australian art. You’ll find everything from Indigenous artworks to contemporary masterpieces.

When it comes to where to sleep for a couple’s getaway I recommend Craig’s Royal Hotel. It’s a historic establishment that exudes elegance and charm. The rooms are beautifully appointed, and the service is impeccable. Staying there feels like stepping back in time while enjoying modern comforts.

Longer drives from Melbourne

The next group might be considered by many locals to be a long drive from Melbourne, but thanks to the compact size of Victoria it’s really not far at all

Distance from Melbourne – 140 km

It takes about two hours to get to Phillip Island from Central Melbourne and there is plenty to do once you’re there.

Right before heading over the bridge to Phillip Island, there is a daily pelican feeding at San Remo Fisherman’s Co-op. The feeding occurs at lunchtime and you can get an order of fish and chips before driving to Phillip Island.

Nobbie’s Lookout not only has beautiful views and a nice boardwalk, but you might even see penguins hanging out underneath the boardwalk during the day.

To guarantee a penguin sighting, attend the Penguin Parade that takes place at sunset . Phillip Island is home to the largest colony of Little Penguins in the world.

You might also like to take a scenic flight over the area or a sunset cruise if you prefer something a little less adventurous

Phillip Island is also home to a chocolate factory, Panny’s Amazing World of Chocolate. Entry includes a behind-the-scenes tour, learning about the history of chocolate, interactive games, and chocolate samples.

While there are plenty of things to do on Phillip Island including spending time on the beach, nature walks, and  fun things to do with kids , if you are looking to explore more, Churchill Island is a small island off of Phillip Island with a 19th-century working farm.

NRMA Phillip Island Holiday Park has beachfront camping and pet-friendly cabins that sleep up to 6 guests.  

Contributed by Lanie from  Make More Adventures

Distance from Melbourne – 162 km

Great Otway National Park is a nature-filled road trip destination, just a few hours’ drive from Melbourne. This beautiful park is home to lush forests, cascading waterfalls, a stunning coastline and an abundance of  Australian wildlife,  too. So no matter what you’re looking for from a road trip, this national park has something to offer everyone. 

To fully explore the park, consider spending the night in the area. One of the best options is to stay in one of the many cosy cabins or lodges that are nestled in the heart of the forest.

Our personal favourites are the Sky Pods, located on private land shared with native wildlife that will hop past your window as you relax and take in the beautiful surroundings. All the accommodation here offers the perfect blend of comfort and wilderness, with modern amenities, luxurious touches and a view overlooking the ocean. 

Make sure to visit the lush rainforests and spot some of the park’s native wildlife, including koalas, kangaroos, wallabies and a variety of bird species on a guided tour. Another popular activity is hiking the Otway Fly Treetop Walk, which takes you on a breathtaking journey through the forest canopy.

Contributed by Anna from Really Wildlife

Distance from Melbourne – 185 km

A road trip to Walhalla from Melbourne is a great way to explore a stunning and less visited part of Victoria! Plus –  Walhalla is Australia’s spookiest town  so this is an incredibly unique place and certainly a trip you’ll remember! In addition, the scenery along the way is absolutely stunning!

A historic gold mining town where time has stopped, Walhalla is incredibly charming if not somewhat mysterious. Nestled up in the Victoria Hills in Baw Baw National Park, it’s the ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of Melbourne. It takes around 2.5 hours to drive to Walhalla from Melbourne, so it makes for a really convenient weekend trip.

Take your pick between goldmine tours, spooky ghost tours or strolling down the perfectly preserved Main Street, full of rich history and heritage. The Walhalla Goldfields Railway tour takes you on a scenic ride through the spectacular hills and valleys of Gippsland and is also worth doing! In addition, there are many lovely walks to do nearby.

If you fancy staying overnight the Walhalla Star Hotel makes a great choice.

On the drive back to Melbourne, you’ll drive through Moe, so you may want to stop off at the Old Gippstown Heritage Park. It’s certainly not as authentic as Walhalla, but it’s a great place to visit if you want to gain a deeper insight into the region’s rich cultural heritage.

Contributed by Catrina from 24 Hours Layover

Distance from Melbourne – 223 km

Echuca, is a charming town on the Murray River in North East Victoria. Leaving Melbourne on the Northern Highway is a 2.5-hour drive to reach this gorgeous border town, We recommend checking into the local  Echuca Quest apartments which are centrally located near the shops, restaurants and Port of Echuca.

After checking in, begin exploring  Echuca  with a visit to the historic Port of Echuca Discovery Centre. We recommend booking a short trip on a paddle steamer for the next day to see how this mighty river was a life blood to the area.

Before dinner, take a stroll down High Street, the main street lined with boutique shops and galleries so you can admire the amazing heritage buildings.

Have dinner at one of the local eateries like The Mill or pop over the border to the Moama Bowling Club before calling it a night.

On the second day, head to the Sweet Meadow for breakfast, then explore the Port area further. Jump on the paddle steamer cruise that you booked the day before where you will go a few kilometres upriver, take in the scenery and learn about the area’s rich history around Echuca.

The area is known for its Silo art and the Echuca Moama Silo art trails provide a perfect way to spend the afternoon. The towns of Colbinabbin, Rochester and Picola are stunning and well worth the drive. If you love animals, then a stop at the Kyabram Fauna Park is a must.

In the evening, take a short walk from your accommodation at Quest and dine at the Curry Club. This Indian Restaurant serves some of the best curry dishes you will find anywhere.

Before returning to Melbourne on the third day, make sure to visit any missed attractions or explore nearby highlights like the National Holden Museum, which has over 40 classic Holdens on display

If cars are not your thing, the Great Aussie Beer Shed might be a better choice. Home to all things Australiana, including collections of beer cans, old Aussie household items, farm machinery, and cars. It really is a wide collection of something for everyone in the ultimate man cave. Enjoy your memorable trip to the Echuca area.

Suggested by Bec from Explore Victoria

Distance from Melbourne – 220 km

A road trip to Wilsons Promontory is definitely one of the best road trip from Melbourne if you’re looking for wildlife, beaches, sand dunes and mountains. You’ll get a bit of everything on this amazing road trip. 

The Big Drift, Squeaky Beach, Mount Oberon Summit and the Prom Wildlife Walk are the  best things to do in Wilsons Promontory . 

Big Drift is a sand dune hidden in a forest. Walking through the forest you would never guess you’re so close to a massive dune. But then the ground slowly starts to change from soil to sand and soon after you’re rewarded with an amazing sand dune overlooking the surrounding forest. 

Squeaky Beach is, as the name suggests, a beach that squeaks. You can stomp on the sand and actually make it squeak! The beach isn’t just squeaky though, it’s also really beautiful. It’s a great place for a swim or a picnic. 

Check out this cruise to Skull Rock for something completely different

Mount Oberon Summit is a scenic hike. From the top, you have the best view of the Wilsons Promontory National Park. 

The best place to spend the night on this road trip is the Tidal River Campground. Keep an eye out for wildlife during your stay, as you might be able to see a wallaby hop around or a wombat sniffing your tent in the evening. If you didn’t see enough wildlife during your stay, you can also try your luck at the Prom Wildlife Walk, a short nature walk in an area highly populated by Australian wildlife. This tour is a great option if you don’t want to hike alone .

Suggested by Tina from Veganderlust

Distance 235km from Melbourne

One of the most picturesque road trips to take from Melbourne is to Mount Buller. Being the closest snow resort to Melbourne, Mount Buller makes a perfect weekend getaway. Part of Australian Alpine National Park, the resort is around 3 hour’s drive from the city centre via Mansfield town.

Note: two things to note; all cars staying overnight at the resort must have snow chains and the last petrol station is at Mirimbah town.

Even though Mount Buller is perfect to visit all around the year, the ski season is between the months of June and August.

There are a few routes to get to Mount Buller from Melbourne. My preferred one is through the roads of Yarra Valley and Healesville regions. This allows you to indulge in some of the most amazing wines in the country, or perhaps buy a few bottles for your visit.  

As Mount Buller is a ski resort, we recommend you stay within the resort itself. They have a variety of options, ranging from budget to luxury. We loved this 2 bedroom apartment . It has amazing views and can sleep up to six people.

Skiing and snowboarding are top choices for daytime fun here. If you are not into adventure sports the resort also offers plenty of less strenuous activities such as history hunt tours, sculpture park walks, and indoor sports and air zone areas.

From Raksha Nagaraj at Solo Passport

Distance from Melbourne – 260km

It only takes three hours to get from Melbourne to the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park and the township of Halls Gap which is a great base for exploring the Grampians best spots.

The most direct route is through Ballarat where you could stop for a day to visit Sovereign Hill, the gold mining pioneer village.

On your first day, you can hit the walking tracks and check out some waterfalls and lookouts. See water tumbling over Mackenzie Falls, amazing views from Reed Lookout and incredible rock formations at the Pinnacle. Exploring the rock pools at Venus Baths is great fun too.

Take it a bit easier the next day. Start with brunch at one of the Stoney Creek cafes or bakery then try your luck at Halls Gap mini golf – one of the toughest mini golf courses in Australia.

In the afternoon, meet the animals at the fantastic Halls Gap Zoo or take lunch to the picturesque Zumsteins. Picnic where you can spot emus and wallabies on the walk to pretty Fish Falls.

Breeze Holiday Park i n Halls Gap is a great place to stay, it is so centrally located and has excellent facilities. There is no bad time to go to the Grampians. In winter the falls have lots of water, go in spring for wildflowers, autumn for great hiking weather (there are plenty of family-friendly walks) and summer to kayak on Lake Bellfield.

Contributed by Natalie and Steve from Curious Campers

Got a question? Head over to our Australia Travel Tips Facebook Group and ask a local.

Distance from Melbourne- 277km

The Gippsland Lakes are one of the most popular summer tourist destinations in Victoria. Located 3 hours east of Melbourne on the Princes Highway, it is one of the biggest lake systems in Australia. Home to numerous types of native flora and fauna, you will love your time on the Lakes.

Most people base themselves in the town of Lakes Entrance, which is considered the capital of the lakes system. It is the largest town, featuring hotels, caravan parks, and apartments for all budgets.

Lakes Entrance is a good base for a road trip, and we suggest booking into the Esplanade Resort and Spa for a few nights. You can have fun on the 90-Mile Beach or in the calmer waters of Cunningham Arm.

We always say when you’re by the sea eat seafood and the Boathouse floating restaurant has great views and even better seafood. The local fishing fleet brings in fresh fish daily. If you have a sweet tooth, head to the local Riviera Ice Creamery. Homemade ice cream made from fresh farm milk awaits you in a variety of inviting flavours, or pop into Big Bears Donuts.

Smaller towns such as Paynesville and Metung are worth visiting on the second day. Both these towns are within easy reach of Lakes in under 30 kilometres. In Paynesville, you can visit the nearby Raymond Island Koala Walk where you will see koalas in the wild. Jump on the free ferry that takes you over the island and enjoy a peaceful walk spotting koalas.

Metung is known for its small village feel and popular pub on the waterfront. In the warmer months, there is no better place to sit down and relax than at the table on the waterfront. Grab a meal, then head to the newly opened Metung Hot Springs to bathe in the waters or have a spa treatment.

The Metung Hot Spring was created by the team behind the famou s Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs.

On your last day, head over to the 90-mile beach and do the Entrance walk along the beach that takes you to the point where the ocean meets the lakes. You may see the local Burrunan Dolphins playing in the waters.

Head to Wyanga Park Winery for lunch and grab a few bottles of local wine before heading back to the attractions in Melbourne .

Contributed by Mark from Wyld Family Travel

Distance from Melbourne – 290 km

One of the best three-day road trips from Melbourne is driving along the Great Alpine Road . This scenic journey offers a diverse range of attractions, from world-class vineyards to breathtaking viewpoints.

Day 1: On your first day, make your way out to the city of Wangaratta, which marks the starting point of the Great Alpine Road. From here on out, your days are going to be about local produce, historic architecture, and hiking in nature. 

From Wangaratta, journey through the charming gourmet region of Milawa, where you can jump on tastings of locally-produced delights, like cheeses, olives, mustards, and wine.

You’ll venture next to some of the state’s most impressive gold rush-era towns. Beechworth and Yackandandah are the two that are most worth spending time in, with their well-preserved buildings dating back to the mid-1800s.

End your day in the peaceful town of Myrtleford, which makes for an ideal overnight base.

Day 2: After breakfast at Cafe Fez, spend your morning tackling the best walks in Mount Buffalo National Park. Here, you can hike to impressive waterfalls, marvel at dramatic rock formations, and even climb to the summit of Mount Buffalo. The best short walks in the park include the Eurobin Falls Track and the Gorge Heritage Walk. 

Stop in the bustling town of Bright for lunch, opting for the excellent pizzas in the sunny beer garden at Bright Brewery. 

In the afternoon, cruise over the highest part of the Great Alpine Road, at an elevation of 1,800 metres. There are so many viewpoints here, but if you only stop at one, make it Danny’s Lookout. It offers the best views of the Victorian Alps. 

Spend the night in Omeo, another historic gold mining town that’s home to one of the best pubs in the area: the Golden Age Hotel.

Day 3: The main attraction on day three is the Buchan Caves Reserve, a collection of impressive limestone caves that are said to be some of the best in Australia. Aim to spend two hours exploring the Royal Cave and Fairy Cave. 

Bairnsdale will be your final stop on the Great Alpine Road, and what a wonderful place to finish. Spend an hour strolling alongside the waterfront, devour some fresh fish and chips, and then make your return to Melbourne. Contributed by Lauren from Everything Victoria

Where will you go next?

We hope you have found some road trip inspiration from these suggestions of place to visit near Melbourne by car. If you are exploring South Australia, check out 5 fantastic road trips we did last year.

If it’s your first time driving in Australia, read these driving tips for Australian roads put together by Charles who has spent the last 12 years working as a professional driver.

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Melbourne to Bright road trip: Distance, time & best stops

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The best stops to add to a Melbourne to Bright road trip itinerary include Seymour, Benalla and Myrtleford. By car, the Melbourne to Bright distance is 322km and the driving time 3h30m.

The drive from Melbourne to Bright takes you from the Victorian capital to arguably the most attractive base in the High Country. Bright is just about close enough to be a plausible weekend break destination from Melbourne . But there are plenty of places to investigate along the way if you decide to turn it into a road trip.

Before leaving, you may want to tick Melbourne Cricket Ground tours , Yarra River dinner cruises and cross-city hot air balloon flights off your Melbourne wish list. For a great range of Melbourne tours and experiences, explore here . To track down the best value Melbourne accommodation, come this way .

In Bright, meanwhile, you can try out tandem paragliding . For the best Bright accommodation options, investigate here .

Melbourne to Bright distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Melbourne to Bright is 322km . That makes for a driving time of around three-and-a-half hours, mostly along the Hume Highway .

👇 7 great day trips while you’re in Melbourne 👇

• Great Ocean Road tour – with koalas 🐨.
• Brighton Beach, Moonlit Sanctuary and Phillip Island tour – with penguins 🐧.
• Yarra Valley wine tour – with gin, cider and cheese 🍷.
• Grampians National Park tour – with bushwalks and LOADS of kangaroos 🦘.
• Mornington Peninsula tour – with hot springs bathing 🛀.
• Wilsons Promontory tour – with all manner of native wildlife 🦘🐨.
• Dandenong Ranges steam train ride – plus wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary and chocolate-tasting in the Yarra Valley.

Why not BROWSE THE BEST DEALS – with instant confirmation and hassle-free, mobile-friendly tickets?

The Mount Ridley Lookout in Craigieburn is a decent first stop on the way out of Melbourne – you can see the dividing line between suburban and rural here. The walking trails of  Mount Disappointment aren’t too far off the route, east of Wallan.

Melbourne to Bright: Tallarook and Seymour

Next up,  Tallarook has an outdoor pool and a handful of wineries. The  Trawool Estate  has the best cellar door operation.

Seymour is a short distance north of Tallarook, and there’s a military town vibe. Things to do in Seymour  include the emotionally-stirring  Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Walk  and old train ogling at the  Seymour Railway Heritage Centre .

Seymour accommodation options include the roadtripper-geared  Big4 Holiday Park  and the well-rated  New Crossing Place Motel and Apartments .

Next up: Avenel and Benalla.

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Melbourne to Brisbane drive

Melbourne to brisbane road trip planner.

Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Melbourne to Brisbane. If you're planning a road trip to Brisbane, you can research locations to stop along the way. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members.

10:00 am  start in Melbourne drive for about 2 hours

12:13 pm   Benalla stay for about 1 hour and leave at 1:13 pm drive for about 3 hours

4:02 pm   Wagga Wagga stay for about 1 hour and leave at 5:02 pm drive for about 2 hours

day 1 driving ≈ 7 hours find more stops

10:00 am  leave from Yass drive for about 2.5 hours

12:30 pm   Blue Mountains stay for about 1 hour and leave at 1:30 pm drive for about 2 hours

3:27 pm   Newcastle (Australia) stay for about 1 hour and leave at 4:27 pm drive for about 3 hours

day 2 driving ≈ 7.5 hours find more stops

10:00 am  leave from Port Macquarie drive for about 2 hours

12:10 pm   Coffs Harbour stay for about 1 hour and leave at 1:10 pm drive for about 3 hours

4:14 pm   Byron Bay stay for about 1 hour and leave at 5:14 pm drive for about 2 hours

7:19 pm  arrive in Brisbane eat at Alfred & Constance

day 3 driving ≈ 7.5 hours find more stops

Melbourne to Brisbane questions

Where should I stop along the way?

Benalla   (3 answers) Wagga Wagga   (4 answers) Yass Blue Mountains   (42 mentions) Newcastle (Australia)   (14 answers) Port Macquarie   (6 answers) Coffs Harbour   (8 answers) Byron Bay   (34 answers)     questions about Byron Bay:         Best Activities in Byron Bay?

Where's the best place to eat in Brisbane?

Need some recommendations on somewhere to get food?

Trippy members suggest Alfred & Constance , which was mentioned 2 times.

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This section could be endless, so rather than trying to suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it open-ended.

These are some of the places people talk about on Trippy:

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Yes, even this step is optional, because if you're on vacation who wants the trip to end? It's okay, you can start planning your next trip!

Want to plan the trip back? Get the reverse directions for a Brisbane to Melbourne drive , or go to the main page to plan a new road trip .

You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving by calculating the distance from Melbourne to Brisbane . Or get a full Melbourne to Brisbane flight plan .

Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend.

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How to Find an Electric Car Charger

Looking to plan a big trip with your EV? You're going to want to map out chargers first. Here's what you need to know.

If you drive a gas-powered car, chances are you don’t plan your trips around finding a gas station. It’s not just that gas stations are everywhere. You also don’t have to worry whether the pumps will work or how fast you’ll be able to fill your car.

Making efficient use of EV chargers on the road requires more thought. They aren’t as ubiquitous as gas stations and they are also less reliable. That means navigating to what turns out to be a broken charger isn’t just frustrating—if you’re low on range, it’s potentially disastrous. And chargers aren’t one-size-fits-all; some aren’t compatible with all vehicles, or you may need an adapter to hook up your car, a mobile app to start the charging, or both. Plus, of course, chargers come in different speeds. On a last note, chargers can be hard to find, in addition to being painful to miss. They don’t tend to come with 30-foot signs displaying their location and price, and are often located in the back of shopping centers and hotel parking lots.

Complicating all of this, a huge amount of public and private money is being invested in EV charging solutions, resulting in a lot of experimentation as local and state governments, car makers, charging companies, and even payment platforms try to figure out what works and what doesn’t. For consumers, that translates into a potentially confusing array of options when it comes to something as basic as locating chargers.

Should you use an app or your in-car navigation system? Why bother with CarPlay? The answer depends on the nature of your trip, what kind of car you drive, and whether getting charged is your only goal or just one.

Finding a Working Charger: PlugShare and Other Mobile Apps

Plugshare is as developed as it is because it supported drivers in the earliest days of EVs, when finding a charger on the road was much more harrowing than it is today. Most EVs didn’t have navigation systems, let alone systems that could direct you to a specific charger. Fast chargers were exceedingly rare and most cars couldn’t use them, and slow chargers, too, were few and far between. So the early adopters were resourceful and created tools to help other drivers find places to plug in. In the early days, Plugshare users even listed their own home chargers so that other EV owners could use them. PlugShare can also be worth a look if you’re curious about upcoming chargers. Intrepid investigators in the Tesla Motors Club forum have gone so far as to search public records for construction permits for upcoming Supercharger locations, reporting them on Plugshare when found.

PlugShare is far from the only charger database out there. Its closest competitor is ChargeHub , an app that provides virtually identical functionality. Though ChargeHub has far fewer users writing reviews of chargers, the user interface is a bit more modern and it features fewer ads, so choosing between the two apps is a matter of preference more than anything else.

Both PlugShare and ChargeHub aggregate chargers from all networks, which is an advantage if you want the most comprehensive view of what’s available in a given area. But if you are highly dependent on public chargers–either because you don’t have at-home charging or spend a lot of time on the road–then chances are you are subscribed to a charging network for discounted use. In that case, it can make sense to use the app provided by your EV-preferred charging provider, such as Electrify America , EVgo , or Chargepoint . As might be expected, these apps often are the best source of real-time status information for chargers in their network and can be very helpful for purposes of assessing availability and avoiding congestion at a station, and will generally need to be used to initiate the charge anyway.

Planning a Trip: A Better Route Planner

The app you use to find a working charger near you is not necessarily the app you want to use to plan a trip. PlugShare has a trip planning functionality, but it’s not as smart as some of the other options, requiring you to input your starting range and manually select from the available options at each charging stop along the way. It also doesn’t factor in live traffic along the way or guide you there in real time. That makes navigating a multi-stop road trip with PlugShare tedious, akin to printing directions in the MapQuest days.

For long trips, A Better Route Planner (ABRP) is the best mobile app solution. You simply add your vehicle and starting range, set your destination, and it will take you to all of your charging stops along the way optimizing for the shortest total time or number of charging stops if you prefer. You are able to filter to use only particular charging networks or avoid any, as well as factor in charger availability(with a premium subscription). Once on your way, the app shows a predicted state of charge of your battery. If you find this to be inaccurate, potentially due to weather, you can change it in the app and it will adjust your route as necessary. Unlike in-car systems however, the responsibility of keeping that state of charge up to date in the app lies with you, and failure to do so can result in not being able to reach the next charger at all. Despite that caveat, ABRP is a very complete EV road trip tool.

Whether you’re in an older car without an in-car navigation system, one whose systems you are less familiar with, or simply want to be sure you know the location and status of all the charging options around you, these apps can serve an important purpose in your charging experience.

Planning a Trip with Integrated Data: In-Car Navigation in a Tesla

Every Tesla owner knows the advantages of integrated data. An app may give you optionality but you are still left to calculate, for yourself, whether you can make it to a particular charger. Tesla takes care of that problem by providing you with a car that monitors its own battery depletion and directs you to an optimally located Supercharger.

Most EVs sold today have some form of in-car navigation system, and many of these, too, are able to direct you to nearby EV chargers, or help you plan charge stops along a route. But with these systems, the devil is in the details. Tesla’s Trip Planner remains the strongest and most seamless of these systems because it has spent years investing in a vertically integrated charging network that optimizes trip planning and automates the payment process. By default, the Trip Planner map shows nearby Supercharger stations, allowing you to simply set them as your destination. As with ABRP, if you set a destination that is beyond the range of your vehicle, Trip Planner will optimize the route, directing you to Supercharger stations along the way, telling you how long you need to charge to reach the next stop in the most time efficient (if slightly range-conservative) way. Thanks to its vertically integrated network, Tesla also avoids routing you to broken or busy stations that may result in an unnecessary wait to charge.

The downside of this system is that Trip Planner will incorporate only Tesla’s Superchargers into your route. Tesla’s navigation map also shows its own level 2 chargers, and third-party chargers if you’ve charged at those particular locations before (making Plugshare your best option for locating all of the available options). For now, the limitation isn’t unduly problematic for most Tesla owners, for two reasons. First, third-party fast charging networks in the U.S. currently require a CCS-to-NACS adapter, which most Tesla owners simply do not have. Second, Tesla has the largest and most reliable fast charger network by far. But as other networks close the gap (and adopt NACS), Tesla will likely open up Trip Planner, as more optionality is always better for drivers planning a route. In fact, Tesla has already started doing this in other countries.

Planning a Trip with Integrated Data: In-Car Navigation in a Non-Tesla

At first blush, other OE systems, like Ford’s Fordpass navigation and charging system, appear to offer functionality similar enough to Tesla’s, but in practice, their lack of real-time data from third-party networks has resulted in a poor charging experience for their users. In Marques Brownlee’s road trip test a couple years ago, Ford’s navigation system directed a Mustang Mach-E to broken chargers twice in one day. That forced the car to backtrack to whatever charger it could find within the remaining range of the vehicle–including to a slow level 2 charger–adding up to hours-long delays.

In the face of these challenges, car makers have started looking to the tech world for route planning solutions. For instance, last year, Rivian purchased the parent company of A Better Route Planner and has since integrated the best of ABRP’s functionality into its navigation system. Much like Tesla's system, it plans your charging stops along the way, and allows you to filter locations based on charging speed and charging provider. Unlike the general ABRP mobile app, Rivian’s system pulls information about the state of your battery charge directly from your vehicle. It also allows you to set the amount of charge you would like to have by the time you arrive at your destination and tracks real-time availability data from many third-party charging providers (though not all providers share this information).

Some manufacturers, like Polestar , rely on Google Maps, which has added EV routing integration into the automotive version of its Maps app. This partnership enables the car’s infotainment system to provide functionality similar to Rivian’s ABRP software, combined with Google’s live traffic routing. Polestar also boasts that ABRP is available on its vehicles, giving owners multiple options for seamless routing.

Mobile Apps as In-Car Navigation

Looking to the near future, what is likely to become popular are phone-based solutions like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which use your phone to create an in-car navigation experience. In other words, they allow your phone to pull information from the vehicle and display mobile apps on the infotainment screen. This enables applications running on your phone to understand the range and state of charge of your vehicle, and offer similar functionality to ones running on the car’s infotainment system. If your EV allows CarPlay/Android Auto apps to read this data, you can use EV routing software available on the app store, notably Apple Maps, Google Maps, or ABRP. All of these apps have proven to be very robust and full-featured, and will likely continue to improve as more charging providers share their data with the tech giants. The caveat is that compatibility is up to the car makers, at least for the foreseeable future (though ABRP does have an OBD-based workaround) .

Ford and Porsche have leaned into this functionality, but Hyundai and Kia currently do not support this integration, instead releasing their own route planner last summer. GM also announced last year that they would be phasing out CarPlay and Android Auto in favor of developing their own system with Google. Tesla does not support CarPlay or Android Auto at all.

Charging While Shopping: Retail and Hospitality Chains

It’s fun to dream about a future where driving an EV requires as little planning as an ICE vehicle. It will take some time before chargers are on every street corner, but retailers are taking steps toward that reality.

The big shift we should expect is a movement toward charging-while-[fill in the blank]. Increasingly, retailers are understanding that offering EV charging is an easy way to bring people to their businesses. Having a captive audience for 20 minutes to an hour is an enticing proposition, and as shown by a recent Consumer Reports study , many companies are offering charging to stimulate brick-and-mortar sales.

The earliest and most complete mover in this arena is Ikea. It should come as no surprise that the flat-pack furniture retailer hailing from the country with one of the highest rates of EV adoption in the world has long offered charging at its locations. Currently nearly all of its U.S. facilities have at least a handful of chargers in their vast parking lots.

Big box retailers are also starting to invest in charging, though that doesn’t mean you can reliably expect to see chargers at a given location just yet. Costco, Target, and Walmart all have EV charging at fewer than 10 percent of their locations , and many of Electrify America’s fast charge stations are located in Walmart lots.

The major national grocery chains have gone further. Amazon/Whole Foods, Big Y, Meijer, Giant, Food Lion, Stop & Shop, Hy-Vee, and Raley’s all boast chargers at between 11 and 30 percent of their locations. Meijer, in particular, hosts many Tesla Superchargers in the midwest, while Raley’s maintains a number of EVgo fast charge locations.

Sheetz and Wawa lead the convenience store pack, largely through their work with Tesla hosting superchargers up and down the East Coast. The competing chains also both work with EVgo to provide CCS and CHAdeMo charging as well.

Hotel chains are perhaps the businesses with the most to gain, or lose, from the decision on whether to offer charging. Having access to a level 2 charger overnight can mean saving over an hour of charging on your journey, and many EV owners will choose hotels that make that possible. So it’s unsurprising that hotels have been moving quickly to add this amenity, often as a free perk for guests. Hilton announced last year that it plans to work with Tesla to install 20,000 chargers across 2,000 hotels in North America, adding to the nearly 1,500 hotels that already have them. Marriott has more than 6,000 chargers worldwide through a partnership with EVconnect. Radisson and Best Western have also announced that they are working with Tesla to increase their EV footprint.

The bottom line: As with gas stations, with a little trial and error, you will quickly find the handful of chargers where you’ll do the vast majority of your charging. For the rest, your car and your circumstances will largely dictate which app, navigation system, or in-between option provides you the best real-time data on working chargers at minimally congested sites.

An aerospace engineer with a life-long passion for anything with wheels or wings, Will has spent his career building everything from bicycles to bathrooms. 

He once ran an after-hours communal car workshop in an abandoned South Bronx laundromat, restoring his first and last car, a Datsun 240z, and had a Suzuki SV650 blown up by ConEd. 

Watts later followed his name and joined Tesla’s charging team, and now writes about EVs and infrastructure.

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