The cooler air and beautiful autumn colours make for an amazing road trip season in the West.
Whether you have a long weekend or just a day trip, Mamma has some great ideas for destinations and stops along the way.

Take a scenic drive through the countryside and marvel at the changing colours of the trees, or head to a garden or for a hike and a picnic. Visit a local winery for a tasting, or stop by a cosy cafe for a warm drink and some comfort food.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to explore the great outdoors. So pack your bags, and hit the road this autumn.

Check out our list below to get inspired - our top Autumn road trip destinations!

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mackenzie falls, grampians

If you are on a trip to the Grampians or staying in Halls Gap, you must add MacKenzie Falls to your list. It was the highlight of our adventure!

sheoak falls, lorne

Just past Lorne on the way down the iconic Great Ocean Road you will see a small unassuming sign indicating that the Sheoak Falls lay just off the bend in the road. What you will find is a stunning, picturesque waterfall amongst gorgeous bushland. Mamma loves the view of the Great Ocean Road from the top boardwalk and then the grassy path along the rock wall complete with cubby holes.

buckley falls, highton

Hiding out the back of Geelong is Buckley Falls - a little surprise package of fun, adventure and beauty! These falls are a great way to spend a few hours exploring. Once you have clocked the main area Mamma wants you to head further down the Barwon River… this is where we had our fun. You'll find some of the most gorgeous river pools with plenty of rock hopping and cascading water - sensational!

malmsbury botanical gardens, malmsbury

Discover the hidden gem of Malmsbury's botanical gardens - a surprise package waiting to be explored! Mamma's favourite spot boasts a stunning lake at its heart, complete with an island accessible via a charming bridge.

geelong botanic gardens geelong

Yes, here is yet another botanical garden to add to the picnic list!

californian redwood forest, beech forest

If you've ever dreamed of exploring a magical forest, well then Mamma has some great news. Deep in the Otway ranges is the Californian Redwood Forest - Mamma says it's magical, it's awe inspiring and spectacularly beautiful.

wombat hill bakehouse and botanic gardens, daylesford

Mamma adores garden adventures and this is a magical wonderland on top of Wombat Hill, an ancient volcano, which is perfection. With rolling green hills made for a play and tumble - and natural cubby houses made by the draping lush greenery. Climb to the top and be rewarded with colourful begonias and breathtaking views of Dayelsford.

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wathaurong booln booln cultural centre, geelong

The prefect stop on the Surf Coast Hwy, have coffee at the cafe, play on the playground and feed the wallabies and emus!

ballarat wildlife park, ballarat east

If you have an animal lover and face it most kids are - Ballarat Wildlife Park is an excellent place to get up close with some of Australia's most loved animals. There are 100 Kangaroos that literally 'hop' free, as do the emu's. You can see lots of snakes and reptiles including crocodiles, Tassie devils, wedge tailed eagles, koalas and wombats. Mamma loves to feed the kangaroos - it a fam fav, especially for the minis!

tuki trout farm, smeaton

Mamma loves Tuki Trout Farm in Smeaton - this is truly a Pond to Plate Experience! Mamma says: it's not just a great outing; it's an incredibly memorable journey for you and the kids. What’s on the menu? Well, your CATCH! Yes, they can prepare you with a delicious meal of the fish you JUST caught. Or simply choose from some other great dishes made from local produce. Fantastic!

fyansford paper mills, geelong

Mamma loves a good hidden adventure discovery, and the Fyansford Paper Mills was one of those. This is an art, food, culture and beverage precinct in amongst what remains of the old paper mill.

roraima nursery and gardens, lara

Discover Roraima Nursery in Lara, home to exotic plants, stunning sculptures, and even dinosaurs! Our top-pick attraction is a must-visit for plant enthusiasts and nature lovers. Don't miss out – plan your visit today and experience the crowd-pleasing beauty of Roraima Nursery.

paddle boats and canoes, anglesea

Looking for a fantastic family adventure that even your furry friends can enjoy? Look no further than the paddle boats in Anglesea! This fun-filled activity is perfect for all ages and is sure to provide unforgettable memories. Bring along your beloved pets and make it a day to remember.

giant sky wheel, geelong

If you are in Geelong it is impossible to miss the Giant Sky Wheel located on the shore of Eastern Beach.

the bellarine railway, queenscliff

Mamma LOVES a train ride and when the views are this amazing even better! The Bellarine Railway is such a stunning way to explore the area and this is by far the best way plus on special occasions, you can ride on the Thomas train too. Mamma says get there early and to get a good spot in the carriage you want (the carriages can be quite different) - the water side is definitely our favourite! Toot toot, all abord!

wander walk - dementia friendly forest and sensory trail, ballarat

This peaceful pocket of the Woowookarung National Park has wide paths for easy access for wheelchairs, assistance dogs and groups, plus plenty of places to stop and reflect and listen to the the sounds of the bush, and it is also a relatively easy and flat 450m loop.

national wool museum, geelong

Mamma says this is a fascinating place to visit! If you have ever wondered about the process of farming, shearing and processing wool, then this is the museum for you.

live wire park, lorne

Live Wire Park in Lorne us one of the BEST outdoor adventure experiences and a must do on your holiday down the Great Ocean Road.

fairy park, anakie

Fairy Park is very special to Mamma. We first visited over 35 years ago and now we just keep coming back with our own kids. The amazing Fairy Park was built in 1959 when the displays were predominantly made by hand and despite being updated it still holds its magical kitschy qualities. The park is FULL of fun from over 20 fairytale displays, a Camelot playground, dragons and inspiring castles. Fairy Park really is the ultimate for family fun - be prepared to make some serious memories!

the nook, sunbury

The Nook will make you feel as if you’ve stopped to rest at a quaint country town. A 20 minute walk from the centre of Sunbury, it features Jacksons Creek waterhole and a beautiful, natural open space.

museum of play and art (mopa), geelong

MOPA (Museum of Play and Art) in Geelong is a family must-visit. Inspired by Tom and Billie’s travels, it features the 'Zoom Room' with cars and ramps, a 'Performance Room' for dressing up, a Picasso-like art wall, a soft play area, a rainbow tunnel, a 'free play' room, and an outdoor area for painting a real car. Fun for all ages but designed for kids 12 months and up! MOPA is a must in Geelong!

barrabool maze estate, barrabool

Mamma LOVES a hedge maze, there is just something magical and mysterious about them. Barrabool Maze Estate is NO EXCEPTION. And kids of all ages seem to love getting lost in the never ending pathways.

hopetoun falls, beech forest

We love Hopetoun Falls in the Great Ocean Road as a family adventure! Imagine lush ferns and gorgeous forest greenery on the way, and you can stop and do some rock hopping near the river too. This is a truly lovely place, make sure you take a trip to Hopetoun Falls when you are heading this way. Mamma says take a deep breath while you are here and fill your lungs with the beautiful fresh air.

forest glade gardens, mount macedon

This has to be our favourite garden to visit - we have been so many times and seen it in all the seasons. It’s magical at any time of year.

maze house, daylesford area

What a gem of a place! Maze House just outside of Daylesford is a magical place to visit.

splitpoint lighthouse, aireys inlet

An icon of the West, immortalised in the old TV show Round the Twist and more recently Masterchef. Dubbed 'the white queen', she sure is majestic.

paynes orchards, bacchus marsh

Did someone say FRESH?! Fruit doesn't get any fresher than this. Mamma and the fam have a ball picking fresh cherries, apples and stonefruits at this 'pick your own' fruit farm. It's a fun activity that the whole family can get involved in - well you'll need every available set of hands to carry back your booty!

bellarine adventure golf, wallington

A few tips were required and a few unorthodox plays were exhibited ...maybe a few holes skipped but overall a great time was had. The Bellarine Adventure golf is old school and cool with lush greenery, and timber structures and lots of secret passage ways and fun places for the ball to travel.

the garden of st erth, blackwood

Nestled next to the Wombat State Forest are the amazing Gardens of St Erth and historic homestead, run by the popular gardening group - The Diggers Club. The nursery here will have you inspired to get out in your own backyard and start cultivating that green thumb and it also has a great cafe for a cool drink or a hot bevvy depending on your season!

hanging rock reserve, hanging rock

You WILL need good, solid, comfortable footwear that grips, you WILL need to bring some water bottles, you WILL DEFINITELY need your camera

organ pipes national park, keilor north

The Organ Pipes themselves are beautiful huge rock columns formed by the cooling and cracking of molten lava from over a million years ago and are the feature of the park.

kryal castle, leigh creek

There is a maze, towers to explore, giant chess board, face painting, potion making, archery, knight school and little animals to visit - with plenty to do for the whole day, Mamma says pack a picnic and check it out.

sovereign hill, ballarat

Everything is so well done at Sovereign Hill from the authentic looking town complete with horse and carts, soundscapes, shows and activities - it's quite surreal wandering around. Mamma says this is an excellent adventure for famiies.

lavandula lavender farm, shepherds flat

Lavandula in Shepherds Flat is one of our favourite places and you can see why! This Swiss Italian Farm is a sight to behold with its sprawling gardens, old stone buildings, charming cafe and crazy geese roaming the grounds. You can take a gander through the fragrant lavender, check out the other friendly and delightful animals like chooks and emus - then sit down for a spot of lunch under the trees.

serendip sanctuary, lara

Come and take a walk on the wild side at Serendip Sanctuary nestled in the Lara bushland. Mamma is in awe of all the flora and fauna that we get to see at this magical place. You can walk with the emu's and kangaroos, wave at the wallabies and 'ooh' and 'aaah' at all the beautiful looking birds. There’s a large picnic area as you arrive in the car park too, and best of all, it is FREE!