Get ready to explore the lesser-known paths as we unveil some hidden-gem road trips in Victoria.

The Great Ocean Road, Mornington Peninsula, Grampians National Park – Victoria is rich with renowned road trips that capture the spotlight.

But what about the hidden treasures that are equally captivating? It turns out there are numerous road trips that many locals might not know about.

Here are 10 hidden-gem road trips to discover on your next driving adventure.

1. Discover the Silo Art in Western Victoria

Silo art trails have been emerging throughout Australia as a trendy way to enjoy the countryside while soaking up some culture. This particular trail, located in the western part of Victoria, is considered Australia’s largest outdoor gallery – spanning over 200 kilometres and connecting six small towns.

In 2016, Canberra artist Guido van Helten depicted an anonymous, multi-generational portrait of farmers across four GrainCorp silos built in 1939. This endeavor transformed the spirit of the Wimmera Mallee region, linking Brim with nearby towns like Lascelles, Patchewollock, Rosebery, Rupanyup, and Sheep Hill to form the Silo Art Trail.

Julia Volchkova illustrated Rupanyup residents Ebony Baker and Jordan Weidemann on the silos. (Image: Visit Victoria/Anne Morely)

Nowadays, visitors can embark on a self-guided car trip. Take the time to relish the charms of each area while marveling at the region’s ancient Indigenous heritage and its significance as one of Australia’s key grain-producing regions.

Don’t miss: Experience the silos from above on a scenic flight with Grampians Helicopters. Learn about the faces and places painted by the local pilot.

Guido van Helten’s mural in Brim was the first silo artwork to be created in Victoria. (Image: Visit Victoria/Anne Morely)

2. A detour to Otway

The Great Ocean Road frequently tops the list of the best Victorian road trips. However, one lesser-known town along this route is Otway. Nestled amid its delicious local produce, waterfalls, and hinterland lies Cape Otway National Park – a destination worth the drive.

Within its boundaries, you’ll find rugged coastlines, rock formations, beaches, and beautiful fern forests, along with the hopes of spotting Australia’s largest remaining marsupial carnivore, the tiger quoll. The forests and coastal areas of the Otway Ranges serve as one of the last habitats for this endangered species. Stay vigilant!

Don’t miss: Hopetoun Falls. A viewing platform just 20 meters from the parking area provides a stunning view of the waterfall from above.

Otway Rainforest is home to some of the tallest eucalyptus trees in the world

3. Phillip Island to French Island

With passionate local producers, nature-based attractions, and those famous surf breaks – could Phillip Island be the ultimate beach getaway? Absolutely! Especially since it provides access to Victoria’s largest coastal island: French Island.

Approximately 70 percent of French Island is designated as a national park. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Only around 100 residents inhabit this island paradise. Roughly 70 percent of its 170 square kilometers is declared a national park, while the remaining is privately owned land, including some of the most sought-after real estate in Victoria. Situated just north of Phillip Island in Western Port, it’s accessible via daily ferries from Stony Point.

Don’t miss: Thanks to its isolation, French Island has remained largely untouched through the years, allowing its flora and fauna to flourish: discover nearly 300 bird species, over 100 bush orchids, the endangered long-nosed potoroo, and koalas free from the chlamydia disease that has affected their mainland counterparts.

French Island has remained relatively untouched over the years. (Image: Tourism Australia)

4. The other Goldfields town

Bendigo might not have the same notoriety as Ballarat, but this other Goldfields town, located in Central Victoria (once dubbed the richest city globally), has attracted visitors since the gold rush began in the 1850s.

The city now celebrates a different type of wealth as a hub for culture and gastronomy. With an abundance of wineries, craft breweries, and boutique food producers (Bendigo was named a UNESCO City of Gastronomy in 2019), it is filled with charming historic buildings, gardens, avenues, and delightful homes.

Bendigo celebrates a different type of wealth as a cultural and gastronomic center. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Don’t miss: The Bendigo Art Gallery. It’s recognized as one of the finest regional galleries in the country, known for its blockbuster fashion and design exhibitions, including Marilyn Monroe and Marimekko: Design Icon 1951-2018.

Bendigo Art Gallery is esteemed as one of the finest regional galleries in Australia. (Image: Tourism Australia)

5. The Bellarine Taste Trail

The expansive, sun-kissed landscape of the Bellarine Peninsula is among the nation’s most productive culinary regions, with local producers offering everything from olives to cool-climate wines.

If you’re feeling hungry, navigate along the Bellarine Taste Trail to uncover a hidden gem of a road trip ready to be experienced. There are exceptional culinary establishments embracing the farm-to-table philosophy just a short distance from the town center.

Campbell Point House is breathtaking.

White Fisheries offers Port Phillip Bay fish that is sold on the same day it is caught. Discover Lonsdale Tomato Farm and their authentic farmgate store located along an unassuming country road. Igni was named the 2017 Regional Restaurant of the Year by Gourmet Traveller, and its fire-driven degustation menu will truly amaze. Wattle Grove Honey produces pure Australian honey and beeswax products from their own beehives.

Don’t miss: A stay at Campbell Point House. If you’ve always dreamed of staying in an elegant, $20 million luxury accommodation, this is the ultimate experience.

Words cannot capture the beauty of this view.

6. Lake Mountain

Lake Mountain is the closest and most affordable Alpine Resort to Melbourne. It features 30 kilometers of trails and ranks as the third most visited cross-country site worldwide. It’s about a two-hour scenic drive from Melbourne.

The site offers opportunities for ‘snow play’ – including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding. However, it does not provide downhill skiing or snowboarding. When the snow melts and crowds abandon their snow gear for shorts and bikinis, rolling green hills await for hiking and biking.

Don’t miss: The neighboring town of Marysville, which has been undergoing a beautiful revival since the tragic Black Saturday bushfires of 2009. The 20-kilometer drive from Lake Mountain is one of the most picturesque alpine routes in Australia and offers a rich experience of adventure; the surrounding area is a haven for hikers, food lovers, and market enthusiasts.

Lake Mountain is Melbourne’s closest and most affordable Alpine Resort

7. Budj Bim National Park

Budj Bim National Park remains largely unknown to many Victorians, yet it deserves recognition. Budj Bim, a Gunditjmara term for Mount Eccles, is a long-dormant volcano that once erupted lava traveling up to 50 kilometers toward the sea, significantly altering the waterways and wetlands that have remained undisturbed for 30,000 to 39,000 years.

Lake Surprise, nestled in the crater of Mount Eccles, provides a charming setting for a range of recreational activities. Enjoy camping, walking, mountain biking, and 4WDing, plus opportunities for fishing and birdwatching.

Budj Bim drastically transformed the waterways and wetlands, which remain untouched thousands of years later.

The Budj Bim Cultural Landscape is recognized on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the only Australian property listed solely for its Aboriginal cultural values. It includes the earliest known aquaculture system in the world, with a history of eel farming that goes back over 6,000 years.

Don’t miss: Budj Bim Tours, showcasing the rich history of the Gunditjmara people since 1999. Join a tour to discover remnants of a settled lifestyle featuring circular stone dwellings and Australia’s first and largest freshwater aquaculture system.

Budj Bim Cultural Landscape’s cultural tours allow visitors to forge deeper connections to the land and explore the history and culture of Budj Bim, regardless of time constraints. Whether you have just a few hours or an entire weekend, there’s a suitable tour for everyone.

The Budj Bim Cultural Landscape is officially recognized on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

8. Pink Lakes of Murray Sunset National Park

The Pink Lakes border Murray Sunset National Park – often called Victoria’s own outback, offering an unspoiled escape back to nature.

The pink hue of the lakes, caused by salt-loving algae and high salinity levels, shifts throughout the day based on cloud conditions. Typically, the pinks are most vibrant on cloudy days, taking on a more delicate hue at other times.

The Pink Lakes boast diverse flora and fauna. Keep an eye out for the red kangaroos, the Murray Lily flower, and if you’re into birdwatching, pack your guidebook as numerous colorful and elusive species await discovery. For bushwalkers, there are lovely trails, especially in spring when wildflowers bloom. Easy paths wind around Lake Hardy and Lake Becking, along with a longer Kline nature trail.

Don’t miss: Murray Sunset National Park is a stargazing paradise. Make it a night to remember and reserve a campsite to take in the evening spectacle.

On cloudy days, the pinks are most vibrant, while at other times they take on a softer hue.

9. The Macedon Ranges

While not as obscure as some of the others on this list, the Macedon Ranges offer a unique attraction not found elsewhere.

Macedon Ranges is home to the enigmatic Hanging Rock.

Straws Lane – known as Anti-Gravity Hill – features an optical illusion that can be found in only a few places worldwide. This phenomenon is the southernmost Gravity Hill, where vehicles seem to travel uphill, defying the laws of gravity. The obstructed or curved horizon can make it tricky to judge the slope’s gradient, distorting your perspective as your eyes adjust.

Online videos capture the anti-gravity illusion of Straws Lane. To witness it firsthand, visit Straws Lane just south of the intersection with Romsey Road.

Don’t miss: Plan your visit to coincide with a trip to Woodend, famous for its intriguing volcanic rock formation (better known as the haunting Hanging Rock). Bring a picnic to recreate the scene from Joan Lindsay’s novel and Peter Weir’s classic film.

Woodend is a charming little town.

10. Black Spur Drive

The hauntingly serene experience of driving through the tall, slender Mountain Ash along the Black Spur Drive is unforgettable.

Starting at Healesville in the south and ending at Narbethong in the north, this winding and steep drive weaves through the lush rainforests of the Yarra Ranges. It connects the Yarra Valley with the mountainous areas surrounding Marysville and is renowned for its 27-kilometer stretch of towering trees and breathtaking valley vistas.

At the beginning of the Black Spur, you’ll find the Fernshaw picnic area, equipped with rest facilities. Dom Dom in Marysville State Forest also offers basic amenities.

Don’t miss: Before you commence your journey, make a quick stop at Healesville Sanctuary. Discard any preconceived notions about zoos – this bushland sanctuary specializes in native Australian wildlife, boasting a long-standing commitment to breeding and conservation efforts.

Black Spur Drive is an unforgettable journey.