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Spring is just around the corner, which means it’s time to start swapping chilly city weekends for country drives and long lunches in the gentle pre-summer sunshine. Luckily, Melbourne is surrounded by some seriously special destinations that are less than two hours away by car – making them perfect for a spontaneous weekend escape.
From lush gardens bursting into bloom to cool-climate vineyards and coastal towns dotted with magical walking trails, here are five of our favourite spring day trips to take from Melbourne.
1. Dandenong Ranges
Drive time: Around one hour
If there’s one place in Victoria that knows how to put on a floral show, it’s the Dandenong Ranges. Just an hour east of Melbourne, this leafy pocket of the state is at its most magical in spring, when the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden bursts into colour with flowers galore. In fact, according to Parks Victoria, the garden is home to more than 15,000 rhododendrons, 12,000 azaleas and 250,000 daffodils.
Make a day of it by wandering the garden before heading to nearby Sherbrooke Forest for a good long walk through the trees. Keep your eyes peeled for lyrebirds, then finish up in Olinda or Sassafras with cake and coffee in the sun or a well-earned schooner.
2. Yarra Valley
Drive time: Around one hour
Spring in the Yarra Valley is all rolling green hills, blossoming orchards and vineyards looking particularly picturesque in the sunshine. Start the day with a wander through Healesville, then settle in for a long lunch at one of the local wineries before making your way home.
Our tip? Time your visit with the CherryHill Blossom Festival, when rows of cherry trees explode in a kaleidoscope of pastel-coloured buds. Early spring is the sweet spot for blossoms, and later in the season brings lavender and other florals. If you can tear yourself away from the wineries, the region is also home to some spectacular walks, including the towering mountain ash forests around Marysville and Healesville.
3. Macedon Ranges
Drive time: Around one hour
The Macedon Ranges might be best known for their spectacular autumn foliage, but don’t sleep on this region in springtime. From September to November, this beautiful mountainous pocket comes alive with wildflowers, scenic walking trails and gardens in bloom.
Spend the morning exploring Macedon Regional Park, stopping for a picnic before tackling a section of the Macedon Ranges Walking Trail. For something a little more gentle, make a beeline for one of the region’s beautiful private gardens, then continue on to Trentham Falls – one of Victoria’s longest single-drop waterfalls.
4. Mornington Peninsula
Drive time: Around 90 minutes
Who says spring day trips need to be all about the flowers? On the Mornington Peninsula, the pre-summer season is an excellent excuse to get outside and make the most of the coast before the crowds descend.
Take a stroll along the clifftops at Cape Schanck, explore the rockpools around Sorrento or wander the trails of Point Nepean National Park before stopping for lunch at one of the region’s many (many) wineries or restaurants – like Onda, the new over-water venue at the Searoad Ferries Terminal.
If you’re visiting later in spring, keep an eye out for the region’s spectacular peony and lavender displays. Red Hill Peony Estate is known for its brilliant pink and creamy-white blooms, and lavender farms come into their own towards the end of the season.
5. Werribee
Drive time: Around 40 minutes
For a gorgeous spring escape with minimal driving, point your car west. Werribee is less than an hour from Melbourne, but its grand gardens and wide-open spaces make it feel a world away from the CBD.
Start at Werribee Park, where the Victorian State Rose Garden puts on a particularly spectacular display from spring onwards. The roses reach their peak in November, but the gardens around Werribee Mansion begin flowering from mid-September so you’ll still get your fix if you visit early.
Looking for a longer getaway? These are our favourite weekend getaways close to Melbourne.
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