Well sometimes you've just got to get out of Dodge for a bit, you know what Mamma means - jump in the car and zoom off for a half a day or more. But where to go?! We have been rounding up some of our fave spots for a road trip with the family and it's high time we shared them with you all in the one handy spot! Keeping it this side of the bridge makes all these places easily accessible to us too! Happy adventures Westie folk.

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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.

st georges lake, creswick

What a beauty! This amazing lake is not only peaceful and picturesque, but an adventure for all seasons.

avalon beach, avalon

There are lots of shell treasures to collect, cute benches to watch the passing ships, and a picnic table - just made to eat fish and chips on.

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 - and let me tell you, it's magical, it's awe inspiring and spectacularly beautiful.

castlemaine botanical gardens and playground, castlemaine

This spectacular park has all you need to spend a day in the beautiful outdoors.

wombat hill botanical gardens, daylesford

eastern beach, geelong

Geelong’s Eastern Beach is a wonderful sunny day destination – midweek it can be a quiet place for you to relax and unwind with your pre-schooler and weekends you’ll find it teeming with kids of all ages diving and swimming in the protected waterfront

ballarat botanical gardens, ballarat

Mamma loves a good garden and this is one of our families favourite spots to picnic, play and chill out. It has everything you could imagine that a botanical garden has - shady trees, lush green grass, gorgeous plants, ponds, fountains, gazebo's statues the prime minister avenue , fernery and more

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hopetoun falls, beech forest

You are enveloped in 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! Mamma says take a deep breath while you are here and fill your lungs with the beautiful fresh air. This is a truly lovely place.

maze house, daylesford

What a gem of a place!

pick your own flowers @ mannerim stables co, marcus hill

What kind of picking HEAVEN is THIS?

split point lighthouse, aireys inlet

This lovely lighthouse is dubbed 'the white queen' and has had her time in the spotlight when it was the location for the old TV show Round the Twist and more recently on Masterchef.

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

The best bit though is of course the gardens. Lovingly tended with pathways, seating areas, plants from all walks of life that you've never seen before or never seen look so amazing.

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

donegans farm, gordon

Mamma's kids just love hanging out with animals. They just seem their most happiest when feeding the chickens, patting a pony or holding a furry friend. Donegans Farm is a great little spot to check out for all of the above!

organ pipes national park, keilor north

If you are looking for a spot to go for a bushwalking adventure - then Organ Pipes National Park is a must in the West.

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 NOW - Maneki and Satu the Sumatran Tigers.

naturipe cherries, strawberry and fruit picking, bacchus marsh

The fruit picking at Natureripe itself is easy and great fun for all ages (babes in carriers through to teenagers!) the 'ripe' areas are signed and simple to get to from the car park with staff giving you directions on where to go. Oh and how does everything taste? Absolutely incredible.

free ballarat spray park, ballarat north

I don't think it's a big secret that kids love water. Be it swimming pools, puddles or indeed this spray parks! With all the squealing, fun and splashing that goes on here it's surprising that there are not more of these spray parks in Melbourne!

adventure park, wallington -geelong

Adventure Park - Mamma says GO!

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.

tuki trout farm, smeaton

If you've been thinking of taking the kids fishing but a bit afraid of what that might entail...well Mamma's got your answer. An hour and a half out of Melbourne is Tuki Trout Farm - this place is picturesque, peaceful and absolutely guarantees you a fresh fish catch.

central springs reserve, daylesford

Mamma says you cannot go to Daylesford or Hepburn Springs without tasting the nectar of the earth - the mineral spring water. Central Springs Reserve is nestled next to the Daylesford Lake and the site of the old swimming pool and my my my it is pretty.

sovereign hill, ballarat

They do things so well at Sovereign Hill from the authentic looking town complete with horse and carts, soundscapes to the shows and activities - it's quite surreal wandering around.

lavandula lavender farm, shepherds flat

As soon as you step into this magical place you could be forgiven for thinking you've somehow stumbled into the European countryside - minus the $$$ airfares of course! Mamma has loved this place for many years and the love affair is still gong strong.

serendip sanctuary, lara

This is a fantastic place for the little ones to get close to the animals and learn about their environment..

fairy park, anakie

It was built in 1959 when the displays were predominantly made by hand and despite being updated it still holds it's magical kitschy qualities.

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daylesford cider, musk

What could be better on a sunny day than to be hanging out with friends and family, in gorgeous surrounds, drinking cider & eating wood fired pizza, while the kids run around freely on the luscious green grass? Nothing! There is nothing better.

captain moonlite, anglesea

Well, this place is just amazing. Perched on the Anglesea cliffs in the Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club - with a killer view and a gorgeous coastal fit out is the fabulous eatery - Captain Moonlite.

the old workshop cafe, anakie

This place is exactly why Mamma loves a country cafe - housed in an old workshop with mismatched vintage furniture - chooks to one side and violet the dog lazily sitting in the sun out front.

piknik, swan bay

Mamma says next time you are on the road in the Swan Bay area and you see the big Piknik sign - take it as a GOOD SIGN to stop and drop in for a bite. This converted old Golden Fleece roadhouse has charm, FANTASTIC food and super friendly service.

basil's farm winery, swan bay (bellarine peninsula)

South of France? nope - you are in Swan Bay!

scotchmans hill winery, drysdale (bellarine peninsula)

Mamma can't go past the lovely Moscato so grab one for you and one one for Mamma!

general store cafe, wye river

What would you say if Mamma told you there was a cafe with great food, outdoor seating, a playground right next door, an amazing beach over the road and a river full of ducks and their ducklings a few metres away? You'd say - "point me in that direction Mamma!" Well that direction is along The Great Ocean Road past Lorne to the divine hamlet of Wye River. A Mamma favourite for many years.

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.

millars, lara

his lovely cafe in Lara definitely had families like yours and Mamma's in mind...a fresh, friendly and tasty cafe smack bang next to a fantastic playground - it's sure to please.

moby's cafe, torquay

Seriously why can't there be more places like this? Absurdly good food, unbelievable coffee, wood fired pizza's and look at this back yard - it's like you are hanging out at a mates house - a mate who is amazing in the kitchen!

the farmers place, freshwater creek

Well, this place is so inspiring.. Everything on the menu here at The Farmers Place is sourced, grown or made locally - not to mention delicious.

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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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the mill markets, daylesford

daylesford market, daylesford

Every Sunday. The Daylesford Market is high on the list of Mamma's favourite country markets. Full of treasures, fresh food and friendly faces not to mention situated in such a spectacular town.

Wanna keep driving and need somewhere to stay?

road trippin'

mamma knows west