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Family getaways in Victoria for memories that’ll last a lifetime
Make your way to these top holiday destinations over the school break.
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With the school holidays knocking on our doors, there's never been a better time have a family getaway in Victoria.
Will it be a trip inland to hike a national park, an animal encounter on Phillip Island, or an adventurous time at the snow?
Wherever you wind up, remember to check and follow the state's current travel restrictions. This includes maintaining good hygiene and social distancing practices and avoiding any COVID-19 hotspots.
Our favourite family holiday destinations in Victoria
1. Alpine National Park
A favourite with active families, Alpine National Park will get them away from their tech and reconnecting with nature. During winter, visit Mount Hotham, Mount Buller or Falls Creek to hit up the slopes. In summer, challenge yourselves to mountain biking tracks, hiking trails or white water rafting opportunities.
- Best for: Outdoor adventures
- Where to stay: Buller Holiday Apartments, Mopoke or Shamrock Apartments.
- What to do: Snowshoe walk, Mount Buller snow trip or horse riding at Angeler's Rest.
2. Great Otway National Park
One of the many highlights along the famous Great Ocean Road, Great Otway National Park is a destination in itself. It's a forest by the sea, with waterfalls to discover and beaches to dip your toes into. After tiring yourself out on the track, pay the famous Cape Otway Light Station a visit. It's the oldest working lighthouse in the state and has educational talks and activities for the little ones. You can stay at the station or on the nearby campgrounds.
- Best for: Scenic drives and outdoor adventures.
- Where to stay: Cape Otway Light Station, Bimbi Park Campground or Shearwater Cottages.
- What to do: Otway Treetop Forest Adventure Walk, private horse riding tour or zip line tour.
3. Gippsland
This southeastern region is a gem of the state. Within it are quiet beaches to play on, lakes to dip your toes into, farms where you can meet the locals and taste fresh produce and national parks with rewarding ocean views.
- Best for: Beach getaways, young families and outdoor adventures.
- Where to stay: Glamping in Trafalgar South, Bellevue on the Lakes or Prom Country Lodge.
- What to do: Quad biking, hiking through Wilsons Promontory, horse riding or a scenic cruise through WIlsons Promontory.
4. Mornington Peninsula
This enviable stretch of land is an hour's drive south of the CBD and has something for everyone. Adults can unwind at the hot springs, older kids can kayak the waters and the nippers will love the sugar soft beaches and naturally carved caves.
- Best for: Relaxation and outdoor activities.
- Where to stay: Booklands of Mornington, Frankston Motel or Portsea Village Resort.
- What to do: Horse riding along the beach, cable car over Mornington Peninsula, kayak with dolphins or get lost inside the Enchanted Adventure Garden and Maze.
5. The Murray
Australia's longest river runs right through the heart of Victoria. As one of the world's most navigable rivers, cruising down it – or at least part of it – is a breeze and allows you the chance to reconnect with nature and the native wildlife. Popular ports that mark the way are Albury, Wodonga, Echuca, Swan Hill and Mildura,
- Best for: Animal lovers, culture and history.
- Where to stay: Albury Paddlesteamer, Mercure Port of Echuca or Moama on Murray.
- What to do: Paddle steamer cruise along the Murray, white water rafting or ride an F1 style race car (ages 16+).
6. Lorne
Renowned for its blissful beachside views and fantastic surfing conditions, Lorne is a short drive from Melbourne CBD and has all the makings of a short summer break. It's often used as the starting point for a drive along the Great Ocean Road, which you can tack on for an even longer break.
- Best for: Beach lovers.
- Where to stay: Grand Pacific Hotel and Apartments, Anchorage Motel & Villas or Lorne Foreshore Caravan Park.
- What to do: Zip through the forest at Live Wire Park, hit the surf at Lorne Beach or wander the small town.
7. Phillip Island
A magnet for visitors wishing to witness the island's penguins who return to its shores every evening, Phillip Island is a fascinating place for young and old with its rolling plains, coastal walks and myriad of wildlife. You can stay overnight, but for something extra special, book into a campsite to sleep under the stars just moments from the beach.
- Best for: Animal lovers.
- Where to stay: Kaloha Holiday Resort, Ramada Resort by Wyndham or Coachman Hotel and Holiday Units.
- What to do: Watch the penguin parade, go on a kayak tour, hit the waters on a glass bottom cruise or hike the island's highlights.
8. Melbourne
Australia's culture capital is a hotbed of entertainment and activity. Make your way into the big smoke for a staycation that involves cafes, museums, river walks, market foods and live entertainment and sport.
- Best for: Arts, culture and sport.
- Where to stay: Adina Apartments Flinders Street, Great Southern Hotel, Mantra on the Park or Roar & Snore Sleepover at Melbourne Zoo.
- What to do: Meet the underwater creatures at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium, see the city from above at the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel or learn to kiteboard in St Kilda.
9. Daylesford & Macedon Ranges
Best known for its relaxing atmosphere, Daylesford is where romantics go for spa breaks, making it one for families with very young kids or babymooners. Sweet townships speckle the region where you can wind back the time and walk along cobblestoned streets filled with local art galleries and artisan boutiques.
- Best for: Relaxation, young families and babymoons.
- Where to stay: Bilsons Landing, Central Springs Inn or Daylesford Holiday Park.
- What to do: Explore at your own pace or taste the local produce.
Top weekend family getaways in Victoria
These getaways are just a short drive out of Melbourne CBD, which means they work a treat for families who'd prefer to spend only Saturday and Sunday away from home. The drives are under two hours and the activities are fairly relaxing.
- St Kilda: This famous beach sits right outside the city and is always buzzing over the weekend. Check out the markets, visit Luna Park or hit the water.
- Mornington Peninsula: An hour south of Melbourne CBD, busy families with older kids can unwind at Mornington Peninsula's hot springs. There's a handful of outdoor activities to check out too, if you get itchy feet, including kayaking.
- Phillip Island: Although it's possible to do as a long day trip, it's worth spending the night on Phillip Island to soak up the atmosphere. An overnight trip means you won't have to drive back after nightfall, either.
- The Great Ocean Road: A drive you can do time and time again, this coastal drive has beaches, small towns and hiking trails aplenty. Pick a handful of them to fill your weekend itinerary.
Packages and deals for family getaways in Victoria
Virgin Australia
Up to 50% off: Flights from $55 each way
Available on flights from April - September 2021. Destinations include Hobart, Sunshine Coast, Sydney, Gold Coast, Cairns, Adelaide, Canberra, Brisbane, Perth and more. Sample fare is Melbourne-Launceston. T&Cs apply.
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JUCY
Campervans from $99/day or less
Pick up a campervan in Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, Christchurch or Queenstown before until 20 September 2021.
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Deal ends
Cheap Flights
New Zealand flights from $353 return
Available until December 2021 to Queenstown, Wellington, Christchurch and more with Jetstar, Air New Zealand and Qantas. Sample fare is Melbourne-Auckland. T&Cs apply.
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Deal ends
Skyscanner
Jetstar sale: Australia-wide flights from $32 each way
Available on flights from April - September 2021 to Launceston, Gold Coast, Hobart, Adelaide, Whitsundays, Townsville, Hamilton Island, Darwin, Uluru and more. Sample fare is Melbourne-Adelaide. T&Cs apply.
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Deal ends
Kayak
Up to 50% off Australia flights
Available on Qantas flights from April - September 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Launceston, Hobart, Cairns, Darwin, Broome, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and more. T&Cs apply.
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Wotif
Up to 53% off Australia-wide getaways
Available on select travel dates in 2021. Destinations include Cairns, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sunshine Coast, Sydney, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
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DiDi
Exclusive
Get $20 credit
Get $5 off each of your first four rides in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Geelong, Perth and Newcastle. Valid on all dates for new users. T&Cs apply.
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RedBalloon
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Get $5 off activities with code
Available on experiences across Australia including Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, Hobart and more. Minimum spend of $250 required. Activities include hot air balloon flights, hop-on hop-off bus tours, whale watching cruises, skydives, high teas, quad biking experiences and more. T&Cs apply.
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RedBalloon
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Available on experiences across Australia including Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart and more. Minimum spend of $300 required. Activities include hot air balloon flights, hop-on hop-off bus tours, whale watching cruises, skydives, high teas, quad biking experiences and more. T&Cs apply.
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Klook
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$15 off all Australian activities with code
Available on select travel dates when you spend a minimum of $100. Activities include hot air balloon flights, tandem skydives and attraction passes. Destinations include Sydney, Gold Coast, Cairns, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and more. Exclusive for new members. T&Cs apply.
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Trip.com
Australia-wide flights from $64 each way + Extra $30 off with code
Available on flights until 31 December 2021when you spend a minimum of $250. Destinations include Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart, Cairns, Darwin, Canberra, Sunshine Coast and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Melbourne with Jetstar. T&Cs apply.
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Trip.com
Up to 46% off Australia stays + Extra $50 off with code
Available on stays until 31 December 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart, Cairns, Darwin, Canberra and more. Minimum spend of $250 required. T&Cs apply.
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Qatar Airways
Up to 10% off international flights with code
Available for Mastercard holders on flights from 1 November 2020 - 30 June 2021. Valid on flights departing from Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, and Canberra. T&Cs apply.
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Destination International
6-day Adelaide getaway with flights from $399
Available for travel on select dates from 1 May - 10 September 2021. Package includes return airfare and 5 nights stay at Grosvenor Hotel, BreakFree Directors Studio or Adelaide Paringa Hotel. Sample rate departs from Melbourne. T&Cs apply.
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Deal ends
G Adventures
Up to 15% off Australia adventures
Available on select travel dates until 30 June 2022. Destinations included Sydney, Cairns, Melbourne, Uluru, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
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Kayak
Jetstar sale: Auckland flights from $165 each way
Available on flights from July - September 2021 departing from Sydney, Melbourne and more. Sample fare departs from Gold Coast.
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Deal ends
Cheap Flights
Ayers Rock flights from $188 return
Available on select flight until June 2021. Sample fare departs from Brisbane with Jetstar. Other flights depart from Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.
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Deal ends
Avis
Sixth day free + free upgrade on car hires
Available on 6+ day rentals from 15 July - 15 September 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns, Perth, Adelaide and Hobart. T&Cs apply.
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Coupon code ends
Avis
Third day free on Australia car rentals
Available on 3+ days rentals, including a Saturday night from 22 April - 21 June 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns, Perth, Adelaide and Hobart. T&Cs apply.
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Coupon code ends
Cheap Flights
Australia flights from $64 return
Available on select 2021 flights to Ballina, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Launceston, Sydney and more. Sample fares are Melbourne-Adelaide with Jetstar. T&Cs apply.
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Deal ends
Kayak
Flights to New Zealand from $321 return
Available on flights from July - September 2021 to Queenstown, Wellington, Christchurch and more. Sample fare is Melbourne-Auckland with Jetstar. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Kayak
Brisbane flights from $55 each way
Available on flights until July 20210 departing from Adelaide, Cairns, Melbourne, Brisbane and more. Sample fare departs from Sydney with Jetstar. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Kayak
Melbourne flights from $39 each way
Available on flights until June 20210 departing from Hobart, Gold Coast and more. Sample fare departs from Adelaide with Virgin Australia. Other airlines include Rex, Jetstar and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Europcar
Exclusive
Extra $24 off car hires with code
Available on rentals until 31 July 2021 when you spend a minimum of $240. Destinations include Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Cairns, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.
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Kiwi.com
Domestic flights from $48 each way
Available on select travel dates in 2021 across Australia, including Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Gold Coast, Newcastle. Sample fare is Melbourne-Adelaide with Jetstar. T&Cs apply.
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Hotels.com
Up to 43% off Australia hotel bookings
Available on select dates until December 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Canberra, Newcastle, Melbourne, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
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RedBalloon
Up to 10% off Australia experiences with code
Available on activities including hot air balloon flights, helicopter scenic flights and luxury car hire. Must purchase two or more vouchers. Destinations include Gold Coast, Whitsundays, Cairns, Melbourne and more. T&Cs apply.
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Booking.com
Up to 15% off Australia hotels
Available on stays from 1 April - 30 September 2021, including Easter weekend, on select hotels. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns and more. T&Cs apply.
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Viator
Up to 15% off local activities
Available on select travel dates on activities including day tours, skydiving, hot air balloon flights, transfers, quad biking, attraction passes and cruise. Destinations include in Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Cairns, Canberra, Brisbane, Hobart and more. T&Cs apply.
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Europcar
Up to 20% off Australia and New Zealand rentals
Available on 2+ days rentals until 11 December 2021 when you book 21 days in advance. Destinations include Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Auckland and more. T&Cs apply.
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Lastminute.com.au
Up to 43% off domestic getaways
Available on select dates in 2021, plus get free cancellation with select hotels. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Cairns, Brisbane, Townsville, Adelaide, Canberra and more. T&Cs apply.
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IHG AMEA
Up to 15% off stays + an extra 10% off for members
Available on stays until 30 December 2021 on select hotels across Australia including Sydney, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth and more. Booking must be made 3 days in advance. T&Cs apply.
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Deal ends
Adrenaline
Up to 50% off Australia experiences
Available on select travel dates for activities including skydiving, hot air balloon flights, quad biking, scuba diving, whale watching, bridge climbing, high tea and more. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Melbourne and more. T&Cs apply.
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RedBalloon
Exclusive
Up to 25% off driving experiences + an extra $5 off with code
Available on select dates when you spend a minimum of $250. Activities include rally driving, go-karting, quad-biking and more. Destinations include Sunshine Coast, Newcastle, Perth, Melbourne, Hobart and more. T&Cs apply.
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Cudo
Up to 93% off things to do in Australia
Available on select dates and activities like classes, spas, getaways, dining experiences and more. Destinations include Sydney, Perth, Melbourne Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Gold Coast and more. T&Cs apply.
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Klook
Up to 60% off activities, experiences and things to do
Valid on select dates including holidays like Christmas, New Year's and more depending on the destination. Destinations include Hong Kong, Singapore, Osaka, Taipei, Dubai, Sydney, Melbourne, London, Paris, New York and more. T&Cs apply.
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RedBalloon
Exclusive
Up to 31% off flying experiences + Extra $5 off with code
Available on select dates when you spend a minimum of $250. Activities include hot air ballooning, skydiving, helicopter scenic flights. Destinations include Whitsundays, Gold Coast, Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, Hunter Valley, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.
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RedBalloon
Exclusive
Activities for kids from $17 + an extra $5 off with code
Available on select dates when you spend a minimum of $250. Activities include day tour cruises, zoo experiences, hop-on hop-off bus tours, attraction passes, zoo and animal interactions and more. Destinations include Gold Coast, Cairns, Melbourne, Adelaide and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
RedBalloon
Exclusive
Extra $10 off Australia getaway packages
Available on select travel dates when you spend a minimum of $300. Destinations include Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Blue Mountains, Cairns, Canberra and more. T&Cs apply.
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Skydive Australia
$30 off 15,000ft tandem skydives
Available on weekday jumps from 15 February - 30 April 2021. Destinations include Byron Bay, Hunter Valley, Cairns, Noosa, Melbourne, Perth and more. T&Cs apply.
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