Who says you have to stay indoors at winter time? Not Mamma! We love a road trip in the winter school holidays and sometimes nature is just better to see in the crisp cold air when the rainfall’s been higher. Waterfalls and other bodies of water are mystic in winter, and there’s other fun family trips west to be had, even when it’s cold.

Check out our list below of some great ideas - our top 25+ winter road trip destinations!

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hanging rock llama meet and treks, woodend

Walk, feed and cuddle llamas at a beautiful Woodend farm. A one-hour llama experience with morning or afternoon tea included!

you yangs regional park, little river

For outdoor adventure lovers, the You Yangs Regional Park in Little River has it all. The beauty of this area is stunning, with those huge rocks, breathtaking views and lovely bushland. There are a few trails and tracks to discover for the wanderers - usually around 1.5 km circuits, but you can choose your own distance (and incline!). Flinders Peak Walk was our favourite by far.

hanging rock winery, hanging rock

Mamma can’t think of a better reason to take a road trip than to go to Hanging Rock Winery in Melbourne's West The grounds are beautiful, so have a wander, take in the vines and views, say hello to the cows, spot the wedge-tailed eagles and of course get ready for a fantastic drop of wine! If you need another excuse to visit here - the wine tasting is free and fantastic!

winter glow at adventure park, wallington

Explore Winter Glow at Adventure Park Geelong - million-light display, rides, snow play, ice sculptures and fire twirling these school holidays.

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.

venus baths @ halls gap, the grampians

This is the PERFECT place to visit in the warmer months so the little ones can splash in the rock pools while the bigger ones scramble up the impressive rock surfaces. Venus Baths is the destination point to a picturesque and leisurely walk that will have your kiddos skipping over bridges, running down paths, darting around boulders before finally dipping their toes in cool fresh water. How satisfying!

werribee gorge, bacchus marsh

There are HEAPS of walks all around the Werribee Gorge State Park for all different levels and experience so it is a good idea to do plenty of research on this place before setting off with the kids in tow.

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.

portarlington bayside mini rail, portarlington

Mamma really does love a mini rail! They are a perfect adventure for the little ones, with pretty scenery and a gentle ride. The Portarlington Mini Rail is right on the water, so it is different from all the other ones Mamma has been to. It is a short track here, so they take you around twice so be sure to wave at the conductor and the other train as you pass! There is also a little playground here and BBQs or dip your toes in the water in the warmer months!

maits rest rainforest walk, otways

Maits Rest Rainforest Walk is a wonderful way to experience the magic of an ancient rainforest while stretching those legs, especially for families with little kids as the walk is only a 30 minute loop.

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.

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!

gold rush mini golf, ballarat

This gold mine themed course is so much fun, with 18 easy holes to manoeuvre your little ball into. It’s great for the littlies as it’s all close together and not too many obstacles on the greens. There are two courses here - outdoor and the spookier but really cool Lost Worlds themed course indoors so chose your own adventure.

step back in time: family fun on the victorian goldfields railway

The Victorian Goldfields Railway is such a great family outing, to experience the joy of riding in an old steam train and getting a glimpse into life in another time. Hop on to the train at either Maldon or Castlemaine and coast along for about 45-50 minutes through lovely bushland and along trails.

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.

k road cliffs, werribee

This one is for the adventurers...

grahams dam walk @ lerderderg state park, bacchus marsh

Spend an hour here, or the whole day - you can tailor your fun and do as much or as little as your family can manage.

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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!

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.

brisbane ranges - anakie gorge walk, staughton vale

Mamma is making it her mission to find lots of fab kid-friendly walks in nature and this is one of the best ones we have come across. The Brisbane Ranges is great. Often the weather, the snacks we take, tired levels of mamma and kids - all have lots to do with the ‘ease’ and enjoyment factor too but this bushwalk is relatively flat, scenic and a quick easy 2 hour loop.

jebbs pool, cumberland river

Mamma loves a hidden adventure! Jebb’s Pool is a stunning oasis behind the Cumberland River Caravan Park. It’s a part of the Erskine River and over time the river has created these lovely pools and smooth rocks - including a mini waterfall or as some say - a nature waterslide! Over the summer there are apparently plenty of visitors who come here for a swim and a float too - how fun!

stanley park waterfall, mount macedon

This is the perfect little waterfall to visit with the little ones! Stanley Park Waterfall is located in lovely bushland just off the main road up Mount Macedon. Once you park in the car park it’s just a short stroll to the top of the waterfall where you can stand on the small viewing platform to see the water flowing off the top from the creek. There is a playground here and some BBQ’s too!

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!

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.

Mamma’s road trip pub ideas!

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petrel hotel, geelong west

You may have driven past this hotel not knowing the deliciousness that lay beyond its simple facade.

Well, Mamma is here to tell you that you need to stop, park, and come inside and enjoy one of the best pubs you will find

swiss mountain hotel, blampied

The Swiss Mountain Hotel in Blampied in Melbourne's West not only has a great name - it's a FAB pub! We get so excited with the scent of the crackling fireplace that warms up the welcoming rustic bar and bistro space. Rock walls and timber are the vibe here. It was renovated about 15 years ago but has kept all the character you want in a country pub. Oh, the Sunday roast is great here too!

the wallace hotel, wallace

The Wallace Hotel – Big family feels, bigger Sunday roasts and a beautiful backyard. Just off the Western Freeway, tucked into the country town of Wallace, sits a pub that’s absolutely worth the pit stop - or Mamma says perhaps even a day trip. And yes, you read that right - there’s an actual full size tram in one of the gardens! It’s a hit with little ones and makes for an iconic Sunday session

the blackwood hotel, blackwood

With a FRESH new look and menu The Blackwood Hotel continues to be a Mamma country pub fave. We have been coming here for years and the tired old girl did need some TLC…and that’s exactly what she got! She has been renewed with a new lease on life and a delicious menu with ALL your faves and more. It is a great family friendly pub too with a kids menu as well, with colouring in and pencils.

cocktail club fridays at the park werribee

Grab the girls, or the boys, and spend your Friday nights sipping specialty cocktails by the fire, with some great tunes, incredible food at an excellent vibe at Cocktail Club Fridays at The Park!

mount macedon hotel, macedon

The Mount Macedon Hotel is one of those pubs that ticks ALL the boxes and more! Situated on the picturesque Mount Macedon, this hotel has just the best vibe. The warm fire, the fantastic musician strumming next to the table, and one (or, maybe two) tasty red wines. The food was great, the kids were happy and Mamma is looking forward to many more visits. There’s a huge beer garden too to spend a long weekend lunch.

cosmopolitan hotel, trentham

Mamma loves the town of Trentham, and in particular The Cosmopolitan Hotel! You will be drawn to it’s original pub facade and the scent of wood fire. Inside is exactly what you want - cozy and rustic, with a warm fire place to create the perfect atmosphere. Oh and for warmer days there is a huge beer garden where you can spend the afternoon and watch the wood fired pizzas getting cooked.

aireys pub, aireys inlet

Well this place certainly has everything Mamma loves. It's such a cosy place in the winter with its fireplace and stone walls, and then on nice days there is the great outdoor deck and HUGE expanse of grass AND the old boat & sandpit for the kiddies to play too.

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royal mail hotel, birregurra

Having undergone a recent renovation, The Royal Mail Hotel is a popular pub in Birregurra and well worth the visit. The food is a notch above the usual pub fare but Mamma says never fear you will find a parma here plus all the usual kids faves too. There is a couple of dining spaces - a bistro area, the bar area and a lovely outdoor area too. The perfect lunch location for your weekend roadtrip!

portarlington grand hotel, portarlington

The historic Portarlington Grand Hotel on the Bellarine Peninsula in Melbourne's West has completed her full make over recently and it is STUNNING. This old girl has been transformed from an old tired institution to the jewel of Portarlington. The menu is full of favourites and it is sooo tasty - Portarlington is famous for its mussels so Mamma says you must try them! Such an amazing place to enjoy with friends and family.

the canteen at little creatures brewery, geelong

Little Creatures Brewery in Geelong is a fantastic spot to take the family for some adventure and food! It is possibly the biggest and most colourful dining spot you will ever see. The food is scrumptious with lunch favourites and dinner deliciousness - PLUS they have an awesome kids play area for your little ones to explore while you sit and have your favourite brew in peace - PERFECT!

wye beach hotel, wye river

The Wye Beach Hotel overlooks Wye River's gorgeous beach. Offering fantastic views year-round, it's the perfect place to stop for a drink and a bite to take in the most stunning setting. It's the usual pub fare with some fancier options and a separate kids menu offering the usual kiddo faves. A few different eating sections means there's plenty of room to grab a table both indoors and out.

best in the west

THE BEST winter road trips IN THE WEST

Mamma’s road trip pub ideas!

mamma knows west

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