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Best weekend drives from Melbourne

Updated · 5 roads

Melbourne sits within two hours of Victoria's highest-scored driving country. These five roads each offer a different character, from the Otway rainforest climbs to the Yarra Ranges ridgeline to the alpine sweepers above Mansfield.

Every road here scores above RQS 7 and most are above 9. Picked for variety, not density - running all five in one weekend is unrealistic. Pick one or two and plan a proper day.

  1. 01

    Marysville - Woods Point RoadVIC

    The highest-scored road within striking distance of Melbourne. 80 km north-east of the city, it climbs out of Marysville and onto the ridgelines behind Lake Mountain. Remote enough to feel like a proper weekend trip.

    See the full road page
  2. 02

    Turtons TrackVIC

    The Otway rainforest in 10 km of near-continuous corners. Pairs with Skenes Creek Road to make a proper day out of Apollo Bay. Short, intense, quiet on weekdays.

    See the full road page
  3. 03

    Skenes Creek RoadVIC

    Climbs the Otways escarpment from the Great Ocean Road to the Colac Plains. Tight, technical, rainforest-canopied. The eastern bookend of any proper Great Ocean Road trip.

    See the full road page
  4. 04

    Lake Mountain RoadVIC

    The alpine climb out of Marysville to Lake Mountain Alpine Resort. Winter snow-road, summer sweepers. Pair with Marysville - Woods Point Road for a full day in the Yarra Ranges.

    See the full road page
  5. 05

    Great Ocean RoadVIC

    The icon. Coastal corners from Torquay to Apollo Bay and beyond. Busy on weekends, quieter mid-week. Pair with Turtons Track and Skenes Creek Road for the complete Otways loop.

    See the full road page

Timing beats route choice. Any of these roads on a quiet Tuesday morning is better than all of them on a long-weekend Saturday. Check weather and tourist traffic before you commit.

Frequently asked questions

What's the best road for a day trip from Melbourne?+

Turtons Track plus Skenes Creek Road is the tightest and most technical option in day-trip range - about 4 hours of driving round-trip, with lunch at Apollo Bay in between. Marysville - Woods Point Road is a better pick if you want less traffic and more remote feel.

Do I need a 4WD?+

No. Every road on this list is sealed. The Great Alpine Road and Lake Mountain can require chains in winter snow-affected conditions.