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Trying to escape the city? These day trips give more bang for your buck

Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission

Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
Need a getaway? These day trips offer the best value for money.

Sometimes a day trip is as good as a holiday. We all know that a holiday is good for our health, but studies show even a short day trip, one providing a total change of scenery, is enough to lower stress, lessen the risk of heart disease and even revive your levels of motivation. And when we’re looking at high-value day trips? Well, I’m no doctor, but that’s got to be even better for your wellbeing.

New research from car insurance company Rollin’ has compared a standardised day out for two adults across 73 Australian destinations to find the most affordable day trips. They compared costs for things like food, attractions, park entry and fuel to find day trips that offer the most value for money. Here is where the data directed them.

Day trips from Sydney

Wollongong

Wollongong’s clear waters
Cool down in Wollongong’s clear waters. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Drive time: 2h 54m
Time at destination: 7h 06m
Cost: $102.29 per couple

In third place overall, but first for NSW, a day trip to Wollongong came in at $102.29 with a value for money score of 70.76 out of 100. Just under three hours from Sydney, the drive to Wollongong is actually one of the main attractions. Follow the Grand Pacific Drive for incredible views and cute towns to stop at along the way, before reaching the city centre. Then, enjoy mountain lookouts, gorgeous beaches, tasty treats and more.

Katoomba

Visitors looking out towards The Three Sisters from Echo Point in Katoomba
See the Three Sisters and follow the nearby walking trails. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Drive time: 2h 54m
Time at destination: 7h 06m
Cost: $123.33 per couple

It’s true that you can breathe easier in the mountains, and this Blue Mountains town has it all – including value for money. In fourth place on the list, the cost of a day trip to Katoomba was $123.33 with a value for money score of 68.21. While there, you’d be remiss not to get into nature. See the Three Sisters (and take the Giant Stairway trail to see them up close, gaze on Katoomba Falls and swim in Katoomba Cascades. Follow trails by foot or by bike in UNESCO World Heritage Blue Mountains National Park. And once you’re done, take advantage of the growing number of breweries, cafes and restaurants popping up – a beer at the Mountain Culture brewery is particularly satisfying after a hike.

Kiama

Couple enjoying a paddle on Minnamurra River, Minnamurra south of Kiama.
Kayak the Minnamurra River. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Drive time: 3h 32m
Time at destination: 6h 28m
Cost: $102.23 per couple

Heading South, Kiama offers a different kind of day trip. Just scraping into the top 10 for value, a day trip to Kiama came in at $102.23 with a value rating of 63.20. Famous blowholes, striking coastal walks, local galleries and even the local markets all make Kiama worth the trip. Foodies won’t be disappointed either. Head slightly south to Minnamurra for even more options.

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Road trips from Melbourne

Geelong

stairs and fountains in geelong
Nature lovers and creatives will both love a day trip to Geelong. (Credit: Visit Victoria)

Drive time: 2h 07m
Time at destination: 7h 53m
Cost: $104.83 per couple

Geelong ranked an impressive second-place with a value score of 70.98 out of 100 and a trip cost of $104.83. As the gateway to Barwon Heads, the Bellarine Peninsula (hello, vineyards) and the Great Ocean Road, there’s plenty to love in a day spent here. The town itself has had a glow-up of late, making it the perfect day trip destination for creatives, just as much as nature lovers.

Bendigo

people walking through bendigo art gallery
Wander Bendigo Art Gallery. (Credit: Visit Victoria)

Drive time: 3h 51m
Time at destination: 6h 09m
Cost: $99.01 per couple

A little lower down the list at number eight, Bendigo combines history, culture and a food scene that packs the punch of a much larger city. With a trip cost of $99.01 and a rating of 64.24, find markets, wineries, art galleries,  high-end restaurants, casual cafes and the city’s famous tramways to get you from point A to B.

Day trips from Adelaide

McLaren Vale

women drinking wine at dandelion vineyard in mclaren vale
Stop at McLaren Vale’s famous wineries, but be sure to enjoy its nature. (Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Drive time: 1h 21m
Time at destination: 8h 39m
Cost: $127.76 per couple

McLaren Vale has the highest value score at 73.96 out of 100, costing an estimated $127.76 for two while offering visitors plenty of free activities, natural attractions and almost nine hours of time to explore in one day. And, of course, its famed wineries. Beyond long lunches and tastings, head for the 31 kilometres of pristine coastline from O’Sullivan Beach to Sellicks Beach, explore the rugged cliff tops of Onkaparinga Gorge in the Onkaparinga River National Park or stop by the local farmers market to take some local produce home with you.

Victor Harbor

The Cockle Train in Victor Harbor
Take a ride on The Cockle Train in Victor Harbor. (Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Drive time: 2h 20m
Time at destination: 7h 40m
Cost: $140.92 per couple

There’s something very special about the Fleurieu Peninsula, and Victor Harbor is the perfect place to soak it in for a day. At $140.92 for a day trip and a value ranking of 63.30, it came in at number nine. Nestled in the curve of Encounter Bay, this small town packs in history, wildlife and family-friendly experiences. Catch a horse and buggy over to the boulder-laden, little penguin-filled landscapes of Granite Island, take a ride on the 1854 Cockle Train or simply soak in the ocean views. In need of a good book? Pop five minutes over to the neighbouring town of Port Elliot to find one of the cutest bookstores in Australia.

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Day trips from Perth

Perth Hills

noble falls in perth hills
Follow beautiful walking trails around Perth Hills. (Credit: Tourism WA)

Drive time: 1h 06m
Time at destination: 8h 54m
Cost: $72.15 per couple

Just outside of the city, the Perth Hills region offers stunning natural scenery, beautiful walking trails and some of the best wineries around. The legendary Bibbulmun Track is a great place to start, then stop into a winery for lunch. The road trip costs come in at $72.15, with a value for money rating of 67.01 out of 100.

Busselton

Busselton Jetty, Busselton
Watch the sunset reflect onto the endless blues at Busselton Jetty. (Credit: Tourism WA)

Drive time: 4h 32m
Time at destination: 5h 28m
Cost: $141.01

Perhaps most famous for its jetty, Busselton is the not-so-secret Western Australian coastal town with plenty to fill a fun day. For a day trip cost of $141.01 and a value ranking of 65.56, spend the day diving into these pristine beaches, or settle into one of the world-class wineries, like Whicher Ridge, Flametree Wines or Aravina Estate.

Day trips from Brisbane

Surfers Paradise

surfers paradise skyline on the gold coast
The iconic Surfers Paradise offers great value for money. (Credit: Pixel Frame)

Drive time: 1h 59m
Time at destination: 8h 01m
Cost: $166.22

This one might surprise, given Surfers Paradise‘s reputation for glitz and glam. But this famous coastal city came in at $166.22 for a day trip, with a value rating of 65.61. In reality, it’s very easy to lean into its natural beauty to get more bang for your buck. Spend a lazy beach day, or even head up into the Hinterlands.

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Kassia Byrnes
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
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Taking the route less travelled along the Great Ocean Road

    Megan Arkinstall Megan Arkinstall
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    The Great Ocean Road has captured the hearts of Australians with its astounding scenery since 1932, but going off-course can enrich your experience with untouched nature, foodie delights and charming towns. 

    It’s a chilly 16 degrees. My husband pulls on a steamer and jogs – as all seasoned surfers do – into the water. We’re at Bells Beach, the legendary break on Victoria’s Surf Coast that’s home to the Rip Curl Pro, the world’s longest-running event in competitive surfing. Each year, over the Easter long weekend, up to 40,000 people descend on the region for the event. Today, though, we have the beach almost to ourselves, and the less-than-favourable temperature doesn’t deter my husband from surfing this famous break.  

    Bells Beach
    Bells Beach is known for its epic surf break and is at the start of the Great Ocean Road. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Torquay to Anglesea and Aireys Inlet 

    Split Point Lighthouse
    The red dome of Split Point Lighthouse in Aireys Inlet. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    The nearby surf town of Torquay marks the starting point for the Great Ocean Road. Unfolding our map, which we have marked out with a highlighted route for our children to follow, we set off for lesser-known Anglesea, a chilled-out town 20 minutes south of here. Its wide, sandy beach is a gentler swimming option for our young family. Groms can learn to surf here with Go Ride a Wave, which also runs stand-up paddle boarding on the Anglesea River.  

    Split point lookout
    The lighthouse overlooks the Shipwreck Coast. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    After a couple of nights in Anglesea, we hit the road again, first stopping at Aireys Inlet. Here we stretch our legs at Split Point Lighthouse, which was made famous by the 1990s television series Round the Twist, before driving under the Memorial Arch that welcomes us, officially, to the Great Ocean Road.  

    This 243-kilometre coastal road was built by returned First World War servicemen and serves as a permanent memorial to those who fought and died during the war. Carved into rock using hand tools and horse-drawn carts, it was a huge engineering feat and provided much-needed access to isolated coastal communities. 

    Lorne to Birregurra 

    Lorne is a delightful beachside stop for lunch and browsing boutique stores. It’s also the gateway to Great Otway National Park, which comprises a varied landscape of old-growth forests, cool-temperate rainforests, heathy woodlands and rugged coast. With the highest rainfall in Victoria, the region is home to many waterfalls – 10 of which are within 10 kilometres of Lorne.  

    Turning slightly off the main drag, we wind along a gum-shaded road to Erskine Falls. Here, our son leads the way through the hyper-green rainforest and down 200-plus stairs to the cascade that drops 30 metres into a lush fern gully. We hop over large boulders to get closer to the falls, enjoying the entire place to ourselves; it’s worth the return climb.  

    From Sheoak Falls Picnic Area, there are walking trails to Henderson Falls, Phantom Falls, Won Wondah Falls and Kalimna Falls, some of which follow an old timber tramway from forest-logging days, which only came to an end in 2008.  

    Erskine Falls
    Erskine Falls is one of many falls within a day trip of Lorne. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    You can follow your appetite north to the town of Birregurra, which is part of the Otway Harvest Trail that connects farm gates, markets, wineries, breweries and distilleries. It’s home to three-hatted modern Australian restaurant Brae, helmed by celebrated chef Dan Hunter, set among native gardens and an organic farm, and Otways Distillery, which produces small-batch spirits using local produce and botanicals.  

    Brae restaurant
    Brae is a three-hatted restaurant in Birregurra. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Apollo Bay to The Otways 

    Back on track, the cliff-hugging stretch between Lorne and Apollo Bay is breathtaking. At Teddys Lookout, we overlook the winding road ahead and St George River spilling into the ocean. We spend languid days in Apollo Bay, a buzzy seaside town that boasts a three-kilometre-long, crescent-shaped beach with a backdrop of rolling green hills. One evening, as the sun sets, we take the steep 10-minute walk to Marriners Lookout, which affords panoramic views of the ocean, hinterland and town.  

    A 15-minute drive along the road, Maits Rest is a lush rainforest gully that has been protected since the early 20th century. Wandering along the 800-metre boardwalk, we inspect the delicate moss-covered forest floor and the gnarled roots of 300-year-old myrtle beech trees, then crane our necks to see their canopies, some 50 metres above us. It’s therapy in nature.  

    Cape Otway to the Twelve Apostles 

    Twelve Apostles
    One of the famous Twelve Apostles, limestone sea stacks that rise from the Southern Ocean. (Image: Ben Savage)

    The southernmost tip of Cape Otway is a delightful detour, home to the 1848-built Cape Otway Lightstation, the oldest surviving lighthouse on mainland Australia. We climb the narrow winding staircase to the gallery deck, explore the keepers’ quarters and telegraph station, and enjoy a coffee and some ‘famous’ scones at the charming onsite cafe.    

    It’s a pinch-me moment to finally see the Twelve Apostles in person. This unmistakable cluster of limestone stacks rising abruptly from the sea were never 12, however. When coined this in the 1890s as a marketing ploy, there were only nine; today, only seven remain after two collapsed in 2005 and 2009. We admire these Aussie icons from the viewing platform, in awe of Mother Nature’s ever-evolving artwork.  

    The Grotto
    The Grotto is another natural attraction within Port Campbell National Park. (Image: Carmen Zammit)

    Edging the wild Southern Ocean, this part of the coast – dubbed Shipwreck Coast – is made up of many sea-carved natural wonders including London Bridge, The Grotto and Gibson Steps. After exploring the lookout trails of Loch Ard Gorge/Poombeeyt Kontapool – its English name taken from the site of the 1878 shipwreck – we nestle into the sandy beach encircled by towering sandstone cliffs, as our children splash about on the water’s edge, and soak it all in.  

    Port Campbell to Timboon 

    Timboon Fine Ice Cream
    Timboon Fine Ice Cream is part of a regional foodie trail. (Image: C McConville)

    Just north of Port Campbell National Park, the region of Timboon is part of the 12 Apostles Food Artisans Trail, filled with purveyors of delicious foodstuffs such as Timboon Fine Ice Cream, Timboon Railway Shed Distillery and Apostle Whey Cheese. As an antidote to the indulgence, the 20-kilometre Poorpa Yanyeen Meerreeng Trail is a self-guided ride or walk between Port Campbell and Timboon through tall forests, over historic bridges and past sparkling lakes and farmland with grazing cattle.  

    Warrnambool to Port Fairy 

    Warrnambool building
    A 19th-century building in Warrnambool. (Image: Peter Foster)

    In Warrnambool, a town rich in maritime history, we take the four-kilometre Thunder Point Walk that traces the coast. The kids squeal when an echidna shuffles out from beneath the wooden boardwalk, and we stop to admire a seal lazing on a rock at the port.  

    Further along, the streets of quaint fishing village Port Fairy are lined with 19th-century cottages, old stone churches and Norfolk pines. Follow the historic walking trail to see some of the 60-plus National Trust buildings. Port Fairy is also home to Port Fairy Folk Festival (6-9 March), one of the country’s longest-running music and cultural festivals. You could time your road trip with the event for a fittingly celebratory end to any journey.  

    The Great Ocean Road can easily be done in three days, but we’ve spent a week on the road. The highlighted line on our now creased and well-worn map doesn’t follow the famous route precisely. It has sprouted branches in many directions, leading us to untouched rainforest and charming rural towns filled with culinary delights, and where we experienced some of our most memorable moments on the Great Ocean Road.    

    A traveller’s checklist 

    Staying there

    Oak & Anchor
    The Oak & Anchor in Port Fairy.

    The Monty is a highly anticipated, newly refurbished motel with a chic Palm Springs-inspired aesthetic set across the road from the Anglesea River. Basalt Winery in Port Fairy grows cool-climate wines such as pinot noir and Riesling in rich volcanic soil. Stay among the vines in its tiny home, complete with a kitchen, lounge area and outdoor firepit. 

    The Oak & Anchor Hotel has been a Port Fairy institution since 1857. Cosy up by the bar in winter or bask in the sunshine of the Lawn Bar in summer. The rooms are beautifully boutique with considered details, such as luxe baths for sinking into post-road trip. 

    Eating there

    The Coast in Anglesea is a modern Australian restaurant focused on local ingredients. Grand Pacific Hotel has been a local landmark in Lorne since 1879 and recently underwent a restoration. It serves a mix of traditional pub and Italian fare alongside ocean views.  

    Graze is a cosy 40-seat dining room in Apollo Bay with a modern Australian menu complemented by regional wines. Apollo Bay Distillery offers tasting flights, a gin blending masterclass and serves woodfired pizzas.