10 spectacularly scenic drives to try in Victoria

Ok, this isn’t exactly a structured road trip, but if you’re looking for a scenic place to drive around near Melbourne, you can’t go wrong with the Dandenong Ranges. It only takes one hour for you to get from Melbourne to these lush, winding roads. Journey under towering mountain ash trees and past ferny undergrowth, and make your way through charming villages like Olinda. Stop and stretch your legs at enchanting gardens like Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens, or pause and take in the view from Burkes Lookout. And of course, you can’t go wrong with a ride on the classic Puffing Billy! There’s not one particular road that you should drive, or any particular time of year that you should try it out, because every season in the Dandenong Ranges offers up a spectacular sight. Escape the heat of summer underneath the shady trees, or follow the moody mist through the winter months.

This majestic drive near Melbourne is simply unmissable. Connecting the Yarra Valley with the mountain areas around Marysville, you’ll wind your way through ancient forests on the Black Spur Drive. This 28km stretch of road is about an hour away from Melbourne, starting in Healesville, and ending in Narbethong. Roll down your windows, breathe in that crisp mountain air, and feel like a champion as you successfully navigate some tight turns.

This stretch of road between Buxton and Marysville is particularly stunning in autumn. Framed by Lombardy poplar trees, the vibrant Gould Memorial Drive attracts plenty of tourists from late April to mid-May, as it transformed into a cheery row of yellow. But, if you can’t make it during this time, don’t worry. The row of tall trees are still lovely to look at all year round.

For a truly epic road trip, you can’t go wrong with The Great Alpine Road. This 339 kilometre adventure connects Wangaratta in the north to Metung in East Gippsland. Along the way, you’ll journey through valleys, across lofty mountain ranges, past rolling vineyards and on towards the coast. It’s a spectacular experience that can be done all year round. It takes about five hours to complete in one go. But, you’ll want to allocate more time, as there’s lots of lovely and interesting towns along the way, such as Bright and Dinner Plain. When travelling during the official snow season, you will need to carry snow chains. Entry fees also apply to Mount Hotham during winter.

If you’re in the area, a great addition to the Great Alpine Road drive is Bogong High Plains Road. Running almost parallel to the Great Alpine Road, this sealed mountain drive starts at Mount Beauty and passes through Falls Creek. Take a short detour to Mt McKay, Australia’s highest driveable peak, and take in the view from 1842 metres. After your detour, return to the road and make the descent to Glen Valley. Do note that if you’re visiting during the snow season, entry fees to Falls Creek apply. Once again, you will need to carry snow chains during winter.

Straddling the ridge of the Strzelecki Ranges and at 132km in length, the Grand Ridge Road is one of Victoria’s great tourist drives. On a clear day, you can see the Latrobe Valley farmlands in the north and the Bass Strait in the south. The road itself is a mix of bitumen and gravel, so it’s not for everyone. However, it is quite windy, which means you can and should go slower, giving you more time to appreciate your beautiful surroundings. Wildlife, such as wombats, wallabies and koalas, are a common sight along the road, especially in mid-afternoon and towards dusk, so you should take further caution.

This scenic drive in Gippsland can be reached from Warragul, Morwell or Traralgon via the Princes Freeway, or from Yarram, Foster, Korumburra or Leongatha from the South Gippsland Highway.

Five to six hours is enough to drive the entire route, but if you’d just like to experience a taste of it, Mirboo North is a convenient halfway point.

Meander between national and state parks and criss-cross your way over the Victorian and New South Wales border as you venture along The Great River Road. Nestled between the Murray River and the Snowy Mountains, you’ll experience 155km of high country roads. On this lesser-known road trip, you can truly enjoy the drive with slow-in, fast-out corners, tight curves, smooth straights and winding bends. Look forward to stunning lookouts, quiet towns, rivers, sculptures and more. This road runs from Bellbridge on the banks of Lake Hume to the mountain township of Khancoban, and you can travel in whichever direction suits your fancy.

Feel amazed by massive murals on the ever-growing Silo Art Trail. Stretching across the Murray, the Grampians, the High Country and the Goldfields, this incredible project now features 23 works of art, created by renowned street artists from around the world. You can split your journey into two, and tackle either the north-east side or the north-west side. Or, see the whole thing over multiple days. Given the scale of this project, it’s recommended that you take three or four days to see the whole thing, so that you’ll have enough time to rest and explore the tiny rural towns nearby.

With majestic waterfalls, cool canyons, awesome hikes and pretty wildflowers, there are multiple reasons to visit Grampians National Park. And, with such striking natural landscapes, it’s not surprise that the drive through the Grampians is absolutely lovely. Stay a few days, and use Halls Gap as your base, so that you’ll be in the centre of all the action. If you’d like to try the Central Grampians Drive, follow Mount Victory Road up into the ranges for incredible views across the town. Keep going on to Reed Lookout, where you’ll enjoy spectacular views over Victoria Valley. Around the area, you’ll find plenty of hiking trails and more outdoor activities, but if it’s a rainy day, stay in Halls Gap and explore the art and environment precinct.

When thinking of scenic roads around Victoria, we can’t forget the GOAT, the Great Ocean Road. This world-famous route is an unforgettable experience that will take you from Torquay to Allansford near Warrnambool. Stretching over 243 km, you’ll hug the coastline and encounter iconic natural attractions like the Twelve Apostles. Stop by one of the lovely coastal towns along the way, keep an eye out for whales during the colder months and have fun exploring the beaches, like Childers Cove. When you’ve had enough of the ocean, look inland towards the Otways for waterfalls, a Redwood forest and even glow worms. After staying in the car for a while, stretch your leg on a coastal walk, and look out for koalas as you go. Once you’ve reached Warrnambool, enjoy even more nature at Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve, and keep going to the charming little town of Port Fairy.