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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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 lets face it most kids are - this is an excellent place to get up close with some of Australia's most loved animals, and Maneki and Satu the Sumatran tigers.

tuki trout farm, smeaton

Anunforgettable adventure at Tuki Trout Farm—a genuine Pond to Plate Experience! Mamma says: it's not just a great outing; it's an incredibly memorable journey for the kids.

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.
This mini rail is right on the water, so it is different from all the other ones Mamma has been to.

winter glow at adventure park, wallington

Experience all the beauty of the magical winter lights, plus there are the rides, the ice sculpturing and fire twirling!

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.

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.

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.

mopa - museum of play and art, geelong

Wow. This is hands down the coolest place to hang out!

hanging rock llama treks, woodend

What a magical and truly unique family experience! The Hanging Rock Llama treks is wonderful.

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.

you yangs regional park, little river

For outdoor adventure lovers, The you Yangs has it all. The beauty of this area is stunning with those huge rocks, breathtaking views and lovely bushland.

hopetoun falls, beech forest

We love Hopetoun Fall as a family adventure! Imagine large lush ferns and gorgeous forest greenery on the way, and you can stop and do some rock hopping near the river too - if you are lucky you may even see a platypus!. This is a truly lovely place, make sure you take a trip to Hopetoun Falls when you are heading this way!

forest glade gardens, mount macedon

Oh yes...this looks just like Mamma's garden...well, the one in her dreams maybe!

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.

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.

erskine falls, lorne

You are 234 steps away from the gorgeous Erskine falls in Lorne

triplet falls and little aire falls, wyelangta

The Otways national park is just stunning and these two bush treks are located in the midst of some stunning rain forest scenery.

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.

jebb's 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!

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.

the cascades, metcalfe

he water rushes over these rocks and cascades down them into pools and further along the Coliban River. So you can literally touch and walk around the flowing water. The huge majestic moss covered rocks are great to explore and climb on, and in the summer you will find people taking a dip in the pools.

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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mount macedon hotel, macedon

The Mount Macedon Hotel is one of those pubs that ticks ALL the boxes and more!

cosmopolitan hotel, trentham

The Cosmopolitan Hotel sits proudly on the corner on the main strip and 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.

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.

blackwood pub, blackwood

This cozy old pub in the Wombat Forest in Blackwood is rich in history - opening in 1868 at the height of the Gold Rush. This great old pub has a lovely ambience - with the fire place and couch area in winter and the deck out the back under the old oak tree in the warmer months.

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royal mail hotel, birregurra

Make sure you book! Folks line up out the door before this place has even opened. Having undergone a recent renovation The Royal Mail Hotel is a popular pub and well worth the visit.

portarlington grand hotel, portarlington

The historic Portarlington Grand Hotel on the Bellarine 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 canteen at little creatures brewery, geelong

Take your little creatures for a visit to Little Creatures in Geelong!

wye beach hotel, wye river

Mamma just loves the pub feel and you just can't go past the VIEW....I'll say it again...THAT VIEW!!! Situated on the hill overlooking the ocean you'd be hard pressed to find a pub with a better view. Anywhere.