Melbourne has a good weekend in every direction. An hour east is the Yarra Valley and its wineries, an hour south the Mornington Peninsula’s hot springs and beaches, ninety minutes north-west the spa town of Daylesford. Here are the four we keep going back to, with the stays that are cheaper than normal right now.
Where to go
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Yarra Valley
1 hr from Melbourne · 60 km
Wineries, Healesville, an easy Saturday
The closest wine region to the city, with the big names around Coldstream and Healesville and smaller cellar doors on the back roads. Healesville Sanctuary is the non-wine morning. Stay in the valley so the tasting day does not end with a drive.
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Mornington Peninsula
1 hr 15 min from Melbourne · 80 km
Hot springs, beaches, Red Hill wineries
Peninsula Hot Springs in Fingal is the reason most people come. Around it are the Red Hill wineries, the back beaches at Sorrento and Portsea, and the calm bay side for swimming. Book the springs before the stay; weekends sell out.
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Daylesford
1 hr 30 min from Melbourne · 110 km
Spa town, lake, good food
Victoria’s spa town, with mineral springs, the Hepburn Bathhouse, a lake to walk around and very good restaurants for a town of its size. Stay in a cottage in Daylesford or Hepburn Springs and walk everywhere. Best in autumn and winter, when the fires are on.
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Phillip Island
2 hr from Melbourne · 140 km
Penguins, surf, sea air
The Penguin Parade is the headline and it delivers, later in the evening in summer. Cape Woolamai has the surf and the walks, Cowes has the shops and the ferry. Rent a house in Cowes or Smiths Beach and stay two nights.
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Which one, and when
Summer: Mornington Peninsula or Phillip Island, for beaches and long evenings. Winter: Daylesford, where the whole town is built around being indoors and warm. The Yarra Valley is fine in any season and best in autumn.
Daylesford and the Yarra Valley are the couples trips. Phillip Island and the Peninsula work better for families and groups, where a house near the beach splits the cost.
Keep it cheap
Peninsula and Phillip Island prices roughly double over January and long weekends. The same house in March or November costs far less and the beaches are empty.
Compare the total including cleaning fees. The thumbnails above are stays that are cheaper this weekend than usual; if nothing looks right, check again on Sunday night for the following weekend.
Common questions
What is the closest weekend getaway to Melbourne?
The Yarra Valley, about 60 kilometres and an hour east. The Mornington Peninsula is around an hour and a quarter down Peninsula Link. Daylesford is an hour and a half, Phillip Island about two hours.
Do you need to book Peninsula Hot Springs in advance?
Yes. Weekend sessions sell out days ahead, and the twilight and evening sessions go first. Book the springs before you book the stay, then plan around it.
Is Daylesford good for a couples weekend?
It is the best one on this list for it. Cottages with fires, mineral spa bookings, a lake walk and dinner at one of the good restaurants in town. Two nights is the right length.
Can you see the penguins at Phillip Island in winter?
Yes, and the parade starts earlier, around 6 pm rather than after 9. It is cold on the viewing stands. Bring more layers than you think you need.