Your time in Australia isn’t truly complete without experiencing and learning about native wildlife. A trip to Healesville Sanctuary will certainly tick that box, with Australian animals including emus, koalas, kangaroos, brush-tailed rock wallabies, dingos, Tasmanian devils, wombats, platypuses and more homed at this regional zoo.

Healesville Sanctuary is an easy day trip from Flinders Street Station; the entire one-way trip takes around two hours and 40 minutes, allowing ample time to meet the sanctuary’s incredibly adorable residents. You simply need to catch a train to Lilydale (travel time is approximately 59 minutes, and Lilydale is located in Zone 2) and then two buses (total travel time around one hour depending on the time of day).

The Dandenong Ranges

Situated just east of Melbourne, the Dandenong Ranges house a cluster of cute towns and some of the richest and densest rainforests you’ll see in Victoria. It feels like a world away from the bustle of Melbourne, with its easy-going, laidback atmosphere and very friendly locals.

Despite feeling like you’re in a new world, this is one of the most convenient day trips from Melbourne by train. Hop on board at Southern Cross Station and travel to Belgrave (which takes just over one hour, stop located in Zone 2), Upper Ferntree Gully (travel time around 90 minutes, stop located in Zone 2) or Croydon (travel time around 50 minutes, stop located in Zone 2) stations. From there, you can choose from a variety of buses that will take you to multiple locations throughout the Ranges. Destinations to consider include the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens in Olinda, the lovely town of Sassafrass (which is home to several charming tea houses), and the famous Puffing Billy steam train.

Puffing Billy is a heritage steam train that will take you on a journey from Belgrave to Gembrook and back again, winding through numerous beautiful landscapes. The starting point is a very easy three-minute walk from Belgrave Station.

Ballarat

If you’re keen to learn about the history of the Victorian gold rush, look no further than the city of Ballarat. Once a prominent hub for gold miners in the 1850s, the city offers plenty of historic landmarks including the open-air museum, Sovereign Hill. But that’s not all there is to Ballarat; the city is also a flourishing destination full of fantastic restaurants, cafes, bars and fun things to do. One highlight is exploring the Ballarat Wildlife Park and visiting the range of native Australian animals. You can even meet the park’s iconic wombat, Patrick!

The city is one of the most easily accessible locations in regional Victoria. The train from Melbourne to Ballarat (specifically, from Southern Cross Station) takes just over an hour. Once you arrive at Ballarat’s Central Station, you can walk or catch a bus to almost anywhere in the city, including Sovereign Hill which is just a 20-minute bus ride from the centre.

Geelong

Geelong offers something for everyone: you can visit an art gallery, museum, brewery, cellar door or historic jail, or you can simply fill up at one of the city’s many top-notch eateries. If the weather’s good, you can also take a stroll along the waterfront or hit up the beach.

The Geelong Gallery is one of the oldest and most recognised regional art galleries in Australia, showcasing a diverse range of incredible art from Australia and beyond, fostering dynamic community engagement in the process. Or, if you’re keen on thrills, you can also check out the Geelong Adventure Park to raise your heart rate by a few beats. The adventure park is often considered to be the best water park in Melbourne, so make sure you bring a towel! For an incredible array of vintage items, from clothes and household items to LPs and records, check out the Geelong Vintage Market – it’s open 7 days a week.

You could very easily do a day trip to Geelong, as it’s a single train ride from Southern Cross Station to Geelong Railway Station that only takes approximately 57 minutes. But we think it’s well worth staying overnight, if only to pack in more of the delicious food and drink that Geelong has to offer. 

Header image and Healesville Sanctuary image courtesy of Zoos Victoria. All other images courtesy of Visit Victoria.