Western Victoria Touring Route
As well as having the Great Ocean Road to the west of Melbourne, we also have some spectacular mountains, open farmlands, semi-desert regions and the mighty Murray river which runs along the New South Wales-Victorian border to the north.
This suggested itinerary takes in the Grampian Mountains and then heads up through the Wimmera and Mallee Regions following the painted silo trail and salt lakes, across to the Murray River and back down to Melbourne via the Great Dividing Range.
Touring Route Distance – 1688 kms / 10 – 14 Days approximately
Melbourne to the Grampians – 3 days
254 km / 3 hours 15 minutes – It is an easy drive to the Grampian Mountains from Melbourne, passing through Ballarat on the way. It may be worth extending the trip with a stop in Ballarat to visit Sovereign Hill, an open-air museum depicting the life and times of settlers and miners during the gold rush days.
Halls Gap is the hub of the Grampian Mountains and an ideal base to explore the area. Bushwalking and rock climbing are two of the most popular activities and a number of wineries have been established too. Stunning lookouts are easy to access as well as walks to pretty waterfalls and fishing on the nearby lakes.
Find Accommodation in the Halls Gap area.
Learn more about the region here.
On the Way…
Kryal Castle and Sovereign Hill in Ballarat could also be included in the road trip.
Silo Trail – 1 day
Painted Silo Trail – Wimmera Victoria Australia
Halls Gap to Rupanyup where the trail begins – 1 hour / 80.5 kms
This is an awesome section of the road trip. About 200 kms long, passing through fabulous little country towns and seeing beautifully painted silos. Read more about the silos and the trail here.
Find Accommodation around Warracknabeal
Murray Sunset National Park & Pink Lakes – 1 day
Pink Lakes Murray Sunset National Park. Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Rupanyup to Murray Sunset National Park – 3.50 hours / 290 kms
The park was created in 1979, and expanded to encompass Pink Lakes State Park in 1999. The lakes are dubbed “pink” after the beta-carotene pigment that colours it in late summer, caused by the algae Dunaliella salina. This area was the site of a major salt industry from 1916 to 1975. At its peak, ten thousand tons of salt was harvested and railed from Lake Crosbie, Lake Becking and Lake Kenyon to the nearby town of Linga. For management purposes, the Murray-Sunset National Park is managed with the Hattah-Kulkyne National Park, Wyperfeld National Park, Lake Albacutya Park and Murray-Kulkyne Park as part of the Victorian Mallee Parks. Source: Wikipedia
Accommodation in Patchewollock might be a good option before heading to the Murray Sunset National Park or there is camping at the park.
Mildura – 1 day
Murray Sunset Park to Mildura – 2 hours / 166 km
Mildura is a lovely city on the Murray River. Hire houseboats, ski and fish. Local wineries and fruit growing areas make this a great destination for a holiday.
Find the best price on accommodation in Mildura.
Sea Lake & Lake Tyrrell – 1 day
Mildura to Sea Lake – 2 hours / 198 km
Lake Tyrrell. Photo Credit: Swan Hill Big 4 Caravan Park
Sea Lake is a small country town with a big reputation. Nearby Lake Tyrrell is famed for fabulous reflections when there is water in the lake. Totally breeze free evenings with clear skies make the earth and sky combine as one. The reflections of stars in the still water are incredible. Sunrise, sunset and during the day the reflections can be seen as long as the weather is calm.
Read more about Lake Tyrrell here.
Find the best accommodation in Sea Lake and visit nearby Lake Tyrrell.
Boort – 1 day
Sea Lake to Boort – 1 hour 20 mins / 124 kms
Little Lake Boort- looking across to the camping and caravan park
A Super friendly little town set beside a fabulous freshwater lake with boating & Skiing facilities. Boort is worth a visit and also the nearby Spanner Sculpture Park. The Spanner Man is a bit of a legend in the area and his works are unbelievable. Read more about the John Piccoli and his sculptures.
Find fabulous accommodation deals in Boort
Boort Spanner Man John Piccoli
Echuca & The Murray River – 1 day
Boort to Echuca – 1 hour 15 mins / 109 kms
Australia’s longest free camping site?
The Murray River offers dozens of fabulous free camping areas. We stayed in our caravan beside the Murray River near Echuca and another night not too far from Yarrawonga.
Echuca is a gorgeous town on the Mighty Murray River. Famous for houseboats and a playground for boating sports. The Port of Echuca Discovery Centre is worth a look and a short cruise on one of the historic paddle steamers is a must do.
Free Camping on the Murray River
Houseboat Accommodation
The Murray River is famous for houseboat rentals, book your next unusual accommodation and enjoy life onboard. ‘Moama on Murray’ offer some fabulous boat hire options that will make any holiday extra special.
Find beautiful accommodation places in Echuca
Lake Mulwala/Yarrawonga – 2 days
The drive along the Murray River to Yarrawonga is pretty with little towns to stop in along the way. Yarrawonga is a lovely town close to the New South Wales border. Plenty of water activities on the lake and river.
Echuca to Yarrawonga – 1 hour 30 mins / 131 kms
Find somewhere to stay in Yarrawonga
Yarrawonga to Melbourne via Yea & Healesville
This drive back to Melbourne via Benalla, Yea and Healesville is 295 kms / 3hours 40 minutes. It is a pretty route that goes over the Great Dividing Range and the Black Spur into Healesville and the famous wine producing area of the Yarra Valley.
Marysville is a gorgeous little town that is well worth a diversion to see and has numerous walks, waterfalls and plenty of accommodation to choose from if an overnight stop can be added in depending on time available.
What to see in Marysville:
Stevenson’s Waterfalls and local walks
Bruno’s Sculpture Garden – whimsical and fun sculptures.
The Big Tree & Cumberland Walk
Lake Mountain – great walks, winter cross-country skiing
Looking for fabulous accommodation in Melbourne?
Road Trip Distances
Melbourne to Halls Gap – 254 km / 3 hours 15 minutes | Find Accommodation
Halls Gap to Rupanyup (start of the Painted Silo Trail)- 1 hour / 80.5 kms| Find Accommodation
Rupanyup to Murray Sunset National Park – 3 hours 30 mins / 290 kms | Find Accommodation near Patchewollock Painted Silo.
Murray Sunset NP to Mildura – 2 hours / 166 km | Find Accommodation
Mildura to Sea Lake & Lake Tyrrell – 2 hours / 198 km | Find Accommodation
Sea Lake to Boort – 1 hour 20 mins / 124 kms | Find Accommodation
Boort to Echuca – 1 hour 15 mins | Find Accommodation
Echuca to Yarrawonga – 1 hour 30 mins / 131 kms | Find Accommodation
Visit Marysville on the way home and stay a while?
Yarrawonga to Melbourne – 295 kms / 3hours 40 minutes | Find Accommodation in Melbourne.
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