Valentine's Day 2026 Day Trips from Melbourne: Romantic Getaways for Couples

Valentine's Day is made for a day trip. You get the romance, the views, and the sense of escape without paying for flights or taking time off work. If you're searching for valentine day trip melbourne ideas or comparing romantic getaways melbourne locals can actually do in one day, this guide is your short list. Each destination below is do-able from Melbourne in a single day and works for both first-time couples and long-term partners who want to celebrate without a huge itinerary.

If you want city-based plans, start here: Valentine's Day Melbourne 2026. If you decide to turn any of these into an overnight, use this local hotel guide: Valentine's Day Melbourne Hotels 2026.

Quick planning checklist (use this for every trip)

• Lock in your hero moment: winery long lunch, hot springs soak, sunset lookout, or penguin parade.
• Book early if it's a fixed time: hot springs sessions, Puffing Billy, and the Penguin Parade all sell out in peak periods.
• Leave Melbourne early: aim to be out of the CBD by 8:30am so you get a full day without rushing.
• Plan a slow return: the drive back is part of the date. Choose a scenic route or an early dinner stop before heading home.
• Pack for a mood shift: in February, coastal areas are cooler at sunset. Bring a light layer even on warm days.

Yarra Valley (wineries, restaurants, scenery)

The Yarra Valley is the classic yarra valley valentine play: vineyards, slow lunches, and a landscape that feels calm even when it's busy. It's the best choice if you want a polished day with minimal planning and lots of romantic payoffs.

Drive time from Melbourne: around 1.5 hours to the heart of the Yarra Valley (longer if you hit weekend traffic).

What to do there:

• Book a cellar door tasting and keep it to two wineries so the day stays relaxed.
• Add a garden walk or short scenic drive between tastings to break up the day.
• If you want an activity, look for a cheese or chocolate tasting paired with wine.

Where to eat:

• Focus on winery restaurants and long lunches with valley views.
• If you're avoiding set menus, go for a late lunch and share a few plates instead.
• For a casual option, grab a bakery lunch in a township and take it to a scenic picnic spot.

Romantic highlights:

• Golden-hour vineyard rows and rolling hills make photos easy without trying.
• Slow, uninterrupted time together is the real luxury here.

Booking tips:

• Reserve tastings and lunch 2-4 weeks ahead for Valentine's weekend.
• If you plan to drink, book a tour or organise a driver so you can relax.

Mornington Peninsula (beaches, hot springs, wineries)

Mornington Peninsula blends seaside energy with vineyard calm. It's the easiest beach-style day trip from Melbourne and the best pick if you want ocean views plus a spa-style experience.

Drive time from Melbourne: about 1 hour to the peninsula, with hot springs roughly 70-90 minutes away.

What to do there:

• Start with a beach walk while it's still cool, then head inland for wineries.
• Book a hot springs bathing session for late afternoon so you finish the day feeling relaxed.
• For views, add a coastal lookout or a slow drive through the hinterland.

Where to eat:

• Do a long lunch at a winery restaurant in the Red Hill area.
• For a casual meal, pick a seaside cafe and keep it light before the springs.
• If you're doing a late return, grab fish and chips to eat by the beach at sunset.

Romantic highlights:

• The mix of salt air and warm mineral pools feels like a mini holiday.
• Sunset by the water followed by a soak is an effortless mood.

Booking tips:

• Book hot springs sessions and any couples spa treatments well ahead.
• Saturdays sell out fast; pick an early morning or late afternoon slot.

Daylesford & Spa Country (spa retreats, boutique stays)

Daylesford is about slowing down. It's the best option if you want a romantic day that feels restorative rather than busy, with mineral springs, quiet streets, and cosy cafes.

Drive time from Melbourne: roughly 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on where you start and traffic.

What to do there:

• Build your day around a spa or mineral bathing session.
• Wander the main street for small shops, bakeries, and local produce.
• Take a short lake walk or a forest stroll to stretch your legs after the drive.

Where to eat:

• Look for farm-to-table cafes and relaxed bistros for lunch.
• If you're treating it like a retreat, book a long lunch and skip the snack stops.
• For a budget-friendly option, grab pastries and do a lakeside picnic.

Romantic highlights:

• Mineral springs and spa time are inherently intimate and low-effort.
• Daylesford feels like an overnight even if you return home the same day.

Booking tips:

• Book spa sessions early, especially for weekend Valentine's bookings.
• If you want boutique stays, check the hotel guide above and consider extending to an overnight.

Great Ocean Road (scenic drive, Twelve Apostles)

If you want the most cinematic option, the Great Ocean Road is it. It's a longer day, but the payoff is dramatic coastal scenery and an iconic sunset at the Twelve Apostles.

Drive time from Melbourne: about 3 hours if you head inland to the Twelve Apostles, or 4.5 hours if you take the full coastal route.

What to do there:

• Commit to a simple plan: a couple of coastal stops, lunch in a seaside town, then the Twelve Apostles.
• Build in time for short walks to lookouts rather than trying to cover every stop.
• If you love photography, plan to be at the Twelve Apostles for late afternoon light.

Where to eat:

• Keep lunch casual in a coastal town so you don't lose daylight.
• Save a proper sit-down meal for the return trip if you need a slow finish.
• Pack snacks and water for the longer stretches without services.

Romantic highlights:

• Sunset and ocean spray at the Twelve Apostles is hard to beat.
• The drive itself feels like a shared adventure, especially if you swap playlists and take turns behind the wheel.

Booking tips:

• Start early and expect a full-day drive.
• If you want to avoid the longest return, take the inland route one way and the coast the other.

Dandenong Ranges (Puffing Billy, gardens, cafes)

The Dandenong Ranges are the easiest romantic escape from Melbourne. You can be there in under an hour, which makes it perfect if you want the feeling of a getaway without a full day in the car.

Drive time from Melbourne: around 1 hour to the Belgrave area.

What to do there:

• Ride the Puffing Billy Railway for a slow, nostalgic experience through the forest.
• Visit one of the gardens and take an easy stroll on shaded paths.
• Stop in a village cafe for a relaxed mid-morning coffee or late lunch.

Where to eat:

• Choose a cosy mountain cafe or a tearoom with a garden setting.
• For something simple, grab a bakery lunch and eat in a nearby park.

Romantic highlights:

• The cool air, tall trees, and slower pace feel worlds away from the city.
• Puffing Billy is an unexpectedly fun date, especially if you can sit in an open carriage.

Booking tips:

• Pre-book Puffing Billy tickets; weekends can sell out.
• Aim for a late morning train, then spend the afternoon in the gardens and villages.

Phillip Island (penguins, beaches)

Phillip Island is the most unique option on this list. The Penguin Parade is a natural spectacle, and the coastlines around the island make it easy to build a relaxed day around the evening wildlife experience.

Drive time from Melbourne: around 90 minutes to the island, then a short extra drive to the Penguin Parade.

What to do there:

• Spend the day exploring coastal lookouts and quiet beaches.
• Plan your day around the Penguin Parade time so you can arrive early and settle in.
• If you want a simple itinerary, do one beach stop, a late lunch, then head to the parade.

Where to eat:

• Eat earlier than you normally would so you can be at the parade before sunset.
• Pick a casual spot near the coast for a relaxed, low-stress meal.

Romantic highlights:

• Watching the penguins arrive at sunset is genuinely memorable.
• The soft evening light and ocean breeze make the whole trip feel special.

Booking tips:

• Book Penguin Parade tickets ahead of time and arrive early for the best viewing.
• Pack a warm layer even in summer; it gets cool by the water after dark.

FAQs: Valentine's Day 2026 day trips from Melbourne

How far ahead should I book for Valentine's Day day trips? 2-4 weeks is safe for winery restaurants, hot springs, Puffing Billy, and the Penguin Parade. If you're going on Saturday, book earlier where you can.

Is it worth doing a day trip on Valentine's Day itself or the weekend after? Valentine's weekend is more crowded and expensive, but the atmosphere can be fun. If you want a calmer day, go the following weekend and keep the same plan.

What's the most romantic day trip near Melbourne without a long drive? The Dandenong Ranges are the quickest romantic option, and the Yarra Valley gives the best balance of food, views, and a relaxed pace.

Which trip feels most like a mini holiday? Daylesford and the Mornington Peninsula both feel like true escapes because of the spa and seaside elements.

Do we need a car for these day trips? A car is the easiest way to do all six. If you don't drive, look for organised day tours or private drivers, especially for the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula.

What's the best backup if the weather turns? Choose a destination with indoor options: Yarra Valley wineries, Mornington Peninsula hot springs, or a Daylesford spa will still feel romantic even if it rains.