Great Ocean Road

If you’re going to take one scenic guided tour while in the Melbourne area, it should be to the Great Ocean Road.  The major highlight of this 243 kilometre long stretch of coastal highway is the 12 Apostles.  These impressive columns of rock rise out of the Southern Ocean in the Port Campbell National Park.  They are the end results of the ocean and wind eroding the limestone cliffs into caves, which gave way to arches, which eventually collapsed leaving these rock stacks reaching up to 45 metres separate from the shore.

Ashcombe Maze

For some reason, visiting the Ashcombe Hedge and Rose Mazes was the only must-do on my list prior to travelling to Australia.  No, it’s not the most exciting tourist attraction, but the gardens are beautiful, the opaque hedge maze is truly confounding and sitting in the middle of the rose maze once you’ve finally figured out how to get there is most satisfying.

Phillip Island

Phillip Island is a destination with plenty to see and do, including strolling boardwalks, hiking beach and bush trails that offer fantastic views and checking out the surrounding wildlife like seals, koalas and birds.  Perhaps the most thrilling part of a visit to Phillip Island is the Penguin Parade.  Take a seat in the viewing stands at sunset to watch the world’s smallest penguins, the Little Penguins, return from their day in the ocean and scuttle to their homes in the sand dunes.

Healsville Sanctuary

While the Melbourne Zoo has its own charm, if you really want to get a sense of Australian wildlife in its natural surroundings, a visit to the Healsville Sanctuary is a must.  More than 200 native species live at the sanctuary, located in the Yarra Valley, including koalas, kangaroos, dingoes and platypuses.

Mornington Peninsula

A drive along the Mornington Peninsula, about an hour’s drive from Melbourne, offers seaside villages, surfer’s paradise beaches, interesting vineyards and astounding views.  I recommend visiting the summit of Arthur’s Seat where you can check out the entire peninsula from the historic viewing tower and enjoy the scenery again on a leisurely ride down the mountainside on the chair lift.

Cook’s Cottage

Touted as Australia’s oldest landmark, the restored cottage of Captain James Cook located in east Melbourne is a great place to start learning about Australian history.  The 18th Century cottage was home to the famous explorer and his family in England and was bought and shipped, brick by brick, to Melbourne in 1933.

90 Mile Beach

This 90 mile stretch of coastline is one of the most beautiful, natural beaches in the world.  Located on a long sand dune without rocky outcroppings, the 90 Mile Beach features soft, golden sand meeting crystal clear turquoise water.

Just Getting Started

There are many more fascinating sights and fun things to do in the Melbourne area, of course.  This list is just a starting point to discovering everything this beautiful corner of the world offers.