Melbourne's Best Out-of-Town Restaurants, Cafes and Bars Worth a Weekend Road Trip
From regional fine diners and beachside cafes to small gin distilleries and country pubs, these are the spots to plan a day trip — or a whole weekend away — around.
When it comes to the weekend, sometimes you just need to get out of the city. But, unless you have a favourite camping spot or hike, it can be hard to decide where to go on a whim. We find that choosing an eating destination helps that. Pick a restaurant, cafe, distillery or brewery and plan the rest of your sojourn around it. Victoria has a heap of great options a not-too-far drive from the city, so you can escape for a Sunday lunch or a whole weekend of fine dining.
To check current COVID-19 restrictions and any regulations surrounding regional travel or hospitality venues, see the Department of Health and Human Services website.
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BarLittle Creatures Geelong Brewery
Corner Fyans And Swanston Streets, Geelong
This Fremantle-born brewery's east coast home features three bars and lots of booze.
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BarPt Leo Estate
3649 Frankston–Flinders Road, Merricks
A 134-hectare Mornington Peninsula property boasting an evolving sculpture garden and a former Rockpool chef.
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RestaurantMontalto
33 Shoreham Road, Red Hill South
This Mornington Peninsula institution has a winery cellar door, cafe and fine dining restaurant.
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BarInnocent Bystander
316-334 Maroondah Highway, Healesville
The Yarra Valley winemaker's Healesville venue is part cellar door, part pumping wine bar.
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BarFossey's Ginporium & Distillery
110 Eighth Street, Mildura
An old-timey gin distillery and bar found on the country streets of Mildura.
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BarPortsea Hotel
3746 Point Nepean Road, Portsea
The Mornington Peninsula spot boasts new bars, a pizza menu and killer views over the bay.
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BarTwobays Brewing Co
2 Trewhitt Court, Dromana
A brewery on the Mornington Peninsula where all the beer (and the pizza) is gluten free.
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BarNagambie Brewery and Distillery
295 High Street, Nagambie
A lakeside brewery and distillery worthy of a weekend road trip — it's only a 90-minute drive from Melbourne.
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BarBright Brewery
121 Great Alpine Road, Bright
This out of town brewery has a 24-tap selection and a big outdoor terrace nestled in the mountains.
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BarBridge Road Brewers
50 Ford Street, Beechworth
This award-winning brewery is worth the road trip to Beechworth — for both its beer and its pretzels.
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BarRed Hill Brewery
88 Shoreham Road, Red Hill South
The Mornington Peninsula's home of beer and barbecue.
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BarSeville Estate
65 Linwood Road, Seville
Sip award-winning pinot noir and shiraz with stunning views of the upper Yarra Valley.
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BarCleveland Winery
55 Shannons Road, Lancefield
This vineyard has an underground cellar door and a lovely deck with views over the Macedon Ranges.
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BarMitchelton
470 Mitchellstown Road, Nagambie
A sleek winery and designer hotel on the Goulburn River.
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BarRochford Wines
878-880 Maroondah Highway, Coldstream
One of the Yarra Valley's best-known wineries features a lakeside cellar door and top-quality pizza.
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BarDal Zotto Wines
4861 Wangaratta–Whitfield Road, Whitfield
You go-to for pizza and prosecco in the King Valley.
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BarJimmy Rum Distillery
6 Brasser Avenue, Dromana
The Mornington Peninsula's huge rum distillery and tasting bar.
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BarTinamba Hotel
4-6 Tinamba-Seaton Road, Tinamba
Find some of Victoria's best pub food at this unpretentious spot on the Gippsland Rail Trail.
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BarThe Cosmopolitan Hotel
21 High Street, Trentham
A cosy country pub in the Macedon Ranges specialising in local produce and woodfired pizzas.
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BarThe Wandiligong Hotel
580 Morses Creek Road, Wandiligong
Here, you'll find an excellent pub feed, top-notch craft beers and both indoor and outdoor fireplaces.
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BarForrest Brewing Company
26 Grant Street, Forrest
Head to this laidback brewery for a sessionable pale ale, stouts and lagers.
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BarBrown Brothers Winery
239 Milawa-Bobinawarrah Road, Milawa
A longstanding winery making everything from prosecco to pinot grigio, shiraz and a hearty durif.
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BarPhillip Island Winery
414 Berrys Beach Road, Ventnor
Kick back to vineyard views as you sip shiraz and feast on charcuterie.
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BarEighteen Sixty
312B High Street, Nagambie
This Nagambie wine bar is devoted to showcasing the region's best drops.
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BarGeelong Cellar Door
97-99 Little Malop Street, Geelong
An intimate bar with a working fireplace, plenty of seating and an impressive catalogue of wine showcasing the region's talent.
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BarThe 18th Amendment Bar
82A Little Malop Street, Geelong
A sophisticated cocktail bar that recalls Prohibition-era Chicago and New York speakeasies.
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BarThere There
8 Malop Street, Geelong
Set inside a grand old bank building, but feels like a 70s house party.
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BarMs Bartronica - CLOSED
159 Ryrie Street, Geelong
Fancy a game or two of Street Fighter, Mario Kart or even Time Crisis with your cocktails?
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BarFour Pillars Gin Distillery
2A Lilydale Road, Healesville
An experimental distillery, a gin shop and stunning bar by the Four Pillars crew.
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RestaurantSummerfield Winery
5967 Stawell-Avoca Road, Moonambel
For a world-class wine with a view — and a slice of pizza — head to the Pyrenees.
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RestaurantPyrenees Family Hotel
39 Williamson Street, Lexton
Hit up the self-proclaimed 'Parma Palace' for your choice of 12 different plate-sized versions of the classic pub meal.
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BarThe Bon Vivant's Companion
150 Main Street, Mornington
This Mornington bar offers up a bit of old-world luxury — even if you can't find its secret whisky bar.
