Whether it feels like a furnace, it’s rainy and windy, or the mercury is in the low 20’s, Mamma is always up for an outdoor adventure in the summertime!
Summer school holidays is a great chance to get outside and enjoy a road trip!
Whether you have leave from work to spend time with the fam, just have a quick weekend opportunity, or half a day, Mamma has some great ideas for destinations and noteworthy stops along the way.

Check out our list below to get inspired - our top 23 summer 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!

point lonsdale front beach @ the bellarine

Rockpools are amazing things. Magical little holes filled with ocean treasures. Some are tiny with little ecosystems of their own, others are like warm baths or little pools to splash around in.

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.

erskine falls, lorne

You are 234 steps away from the gorgeous Erskine Falls from the car park area - Mamma counted. Little legs and old weary ones like Mamma’s might find it tricky but be sure to have some little breaks and a big rest when you get to the bottom! Plus when you do make it down - you get the reward of seeing the waterfalls from 2 different view points - what a magical place this is!

triplet falls and little aire falls, wyelangta

The Otways National Park is just stunning. Triplet falls (more kid friendly) is about 2km and 1 hour return trip. Although it is a short ‘walk’ the stairs leading to the trails feel a little never ending for kids and certainly challenging for grown-ups. We have also taken the trek to Little Aire Falls which is much longer, steeper and a more challenging walk/hike for the family.

the cascades, metcalfe

You know with most waterfalls you need to stand at a distance and view the beauty from afar? Well The Cascades in Metcalfe is an amazing spot, and is just is like an interactive waterfall! The water rushes over these rocks and cascades down them into pools and further along the Coliban River - you can touch and walk around the flowing water, in the summer you will find people taking a dip too!

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port phillip ferries @ geelong, portarlington and docklands

Kids Go FREE these School Holidays! Port Phillip Ferries have been jetting people up and down the bay for many years now. A great way to avoid the traffic and head down to Portarlington and Geelong, and back up to Docklands.

ballarat's buninyong blueberry farm, buninyong

One berry, two berry, pick me a blueberry! This is a place for blueberries lovers, but will also convert those who are on the fence - nothing is as sweet as a blueberry picked fresh from the bush!

lara pool, lara

Looking for outdoor summer fun that doesn't cost the earth and is all in the one 'hassle free' spot? Mamma has found it!

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!

the messy patch, mt duneed

Mammas - get your kiddies to The Messy Patch in Mt Duneed, it truly is GENIUS! We’ve found the perfect play space for you, right near Torquay - an indoor and outdoor sanctuary with all of the sensory play activities your little one could dream of! The activities are catered for newborns to young primary age children, designed to ignite all their senses through play based learning. So much fun - without the mess at home!

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.

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.

wildlife wonders, otways

Only 5km outside of Apollo Bay an extraordinary family friendly adventure awaits. Join a 75 minute wildlife guided tour in some pristine Otways landscape. Spot wallabies, koalas, cockatoos, emus and more as you learn about conservation, native flora and fauna and how to spot a koala (hint, smell their poo)!

the range @ curlewis, bellarine

The Range @ Curlewis is a family friendly fun way to enjoy golf without actually playing proper golf! The Range is next to the famous Curlewis Golf Club and has mini golf, a driving range, golf simulators and a fantastic french bistro, so the perfect way to introduce the kiddos - and adults - to golf. The mini golf has the standard 18 holes, with twists and turns, easy holes and hard ones too!

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!

gumnut trails - outdoor adventures in melbourne's west

Gumnut Trails is new and a great fun way to discover a new place to explore or uncover new things about a place you have been before

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.

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.

otway blueberries, gellibrand

When you go through as many blueberries as Mamma’s family, seeing row upon row of these little delicious gems is a sight to see! Otway Blueberries has been around since the 90’s and they provide blueberries all around the Otways and surf coast. You can, of course, pick your own stash here though too - and Mamma sure does LOVE pickin’!!

maze house, daylesford area

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

adventure park, wallington-geelong

Adventure Park - Mamma says GO!

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!