Thousands of people travel between these neighbouring states each year to visit family and friends, or to catch a footy match but often drive past destinations worthy of a stop.
While those with time may choose a meandering journey along the Great Ocean Road, taking in the delights of Port Fairy and then across the border to Robe, you may not always have time.
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But this doesn’t mean you need to drive over in one day. Barrelling along the Dukes/Western Highway for eight hours with only a bakery pitstop for lunch is no fun for anyone. Broaden out the trip by a night or two and you’ll be rewarded with charming country towns with their wineries, great food, and local attractions for the whole family.
So, make sure to include these locations next time you’re planning to head across the border.
Explore Horsham’s natural surroundings
Split your trip into two days with a stop in Horsham, about a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Melbourne. This large rural town boasts a bustling main street with plenty of coffee and lunch options, including Farmhouse Providore & Cafe. There are ample accommodation options, such as motels, and the Horsham Riverside Caravan Park, which backs onto the Wimmera River. Take a stroll along the river, shaded by red gum trees, and let the kids burn off some energy at one of the many playgrounds.
Visit nearby Little Desert National Park during late winter and early summer to catch it full of blossoms and wildflowers. And for the perfect Instagram photo, stop at the Loch Iel (Pink Lake) Lake Reserve just off the Western Highway. The pink hue is created by a pigment from tiny algae in the salty wetlands.
Take a hike at Halls Gap
Nestled in the foothills of the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, this favourite among hikers provides a rustic and picturesque destination. Stay in one of the caravan parks, or the many holiday cottages surrounded by groups of wallabies. If they aren’t enough fauna for you, there’s also the Halls Gap Zoo.
If you’re up for it, hike the Pinnacle track up to the lookout for breathtaking views of the region, or choose the easier 2.3km Venus Baths Loop crossing over Stoney Creek and visiting the Halls Gap Native Flora Botanical Garden. Find out more about the local area and its meaning to the Jadawadjali and Djab Wurrung people at the National Park and Cultural Centre.
Afterwards, replenish your energy with a hearty bistro meal at the Kookaburra Hotel or enjoy a pint at Paper Scissors Rock Brew Co. You could even spend a few hours sampling a few wineries to get a taste of the Grampians wine region.
Fine dining in Dunkeld
Elevate your road trip with a night at the Royal Mail Hotel. Treat yourself to award-winning fine dining in the Wickens restaurant or a more casual meal and drink from the Parker St Project menu in the gardens out the back. The seasonal menu celebrates local produce and native ingredients.
After taking on the property in the 1980s, the Dunkeld family has transformed the hotel and surrounding area to be a luxury escape in regional Victoria. You can book one of the rooms at the hotel or one of the cottages they also own around the town. There’s also a caravan park and several Airbnb’s to choose from.
Walk off last night’s dinner with a brisk 7km hike to the top of Wugarri (Mount Sturgeon) or the easier 2.4km return Piccaninny Walk. Don’t miss sampling the sausage rolls at Dunkeld Old Bakery, operating in the same place since 1887,ang and a poke around Roz Greenwood Old & Rare Books.
Take a dip in Naracoorte
Diverge from the highway and take the back roads to Naracoorte, a small town in South Australia that punches above its weight in terms of local attractions.
Spend a leisurely afternoon lounging on the well-kept lawns surrounding the man-made swimming lake, which even has a beach. A true oasis, the lake was started by a group of local volunteers and opened in the early 1960s. You can easily spend a few hours here, having a picnic lunch, making sandcastles or taking a nap. Admission is free and the pool is open from late November until 31 March.
Add to the day with a visit to the underground UNESCO World Heritage-listed Naracoorte Caves National Park. Take a tour of some of the 26 publicly open caves to learn about the geography, fossils, and history of these amazing caves.
For dinner head to the Naracoorte Hotel Motel for a classic chicken parmigiana and a drop of local wine. Stay at the lush caravan park, or one of the Airbnb’s dotted around town.
Discover the Coonawarra wine region in Penola
Nestled in South Australia’s Limestone Coast is the Coonawarra wine region, known for its full-bodied reds. At its heart sits Penola, a good halfway point between Melbourne and Adelaide. Stay at Must at Coonawarra or amidst the vineyards at The Blok Coonawarra’s Winemakers House. Take a stroll through the town’s historic main street and explore the antique wares and local produce.
With the wine region covering 5784 hectares, there are plenty of wineries to add to your itinerary. Indulge in a leisurely lunch with sweeping vineyard views at Hollick Estates, savour organic wine at Koonara Wines, or a Cabernet Sauvignon from Wynns Coonawarra Estate. An hour’s drive away is Padthaway Estate, a family-owned winery where you can enjoy a tasting in the 1850’s stables cellar room.
Depending on which way you’re travelling, make time to explore the sights of Mount Gambier, which is only a 40-minute drive from Penola. Walk around the stunning Blue Lake/Warwar and descend into a sea of hydrangeas at Umpherston Sinkhole/Balumbul.
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Stop for waffles in Coonalpyn
Although it’s a town of fewer than 1000 people, Coonalpyn is worth a pitstop for its silo art and delicious offerings at Waffles & Jaffles. The waffles are light and crispy, and the generous serving of ice cream with your Nutella order will keep you satisfied while on the road. If that’s not enough though, complete your order with an old-fashioned jaffle, with fillings including Bolognese, beans, or traditional ham and cheese.
