Melbourne
3-Day Great Ocean Road and Phillip Island Combo
A 3-day Melbourne combo covering the Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island Penguin Parade and a bonus city tour.
1 to 3 days
A$334.00

Day trips are ideal for backpackers who want to see more of Australia without changing accommodation every night. They make it possible to reach beaches, national parks, wine regions, coastal towns, and famous sights that sit just outside the main cities, all while returning to base at the end of the day. That makes them especially useful if you are travelling without a car or only have a short window in a destination. This page covers the kinds of day trips that suit real backpacker itineraries: experiences that are scenic, manageable, and genuinely worth the time. Some are relaxed sightseeing escapes, while others are longer adventure-focused outings with packed schedules. If you are looking for the best day trips in Australia to add to your route, this subcategory helps you compare the main options and find experiences that make sense for your budget and travel style.
Things to do
Find the best day trips in Australia for backpackers, from easy coastal escapes to iconic regional highlights and guided full-day adventures.
Melbourne
A 3-day Melbourne combo covering the Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island Penguin Parade and a bonus city tour.
1 to 3 days
A$334.00
Melbourne
A long but rewarding Grampians day trip with lookouts, MacKenzie Falls, guided bush walks, wildlife spotting and Aboriginal cultural insights.
4 hours to 1 day
A$170.00
Melbourne
Two separate day trips from Melbourne covering the Great Ocean Road and Phillip Island, with hotel pickup, park fees and Penguin Parade entry included.
1 to 3 days
A$474.00
Melbourne
A long but easy day out combining Melbourne highlights, native wildlife and the Penguin Parade in a small-group tour.
4 hours to 1 day
A$366.00
Melbourne
A small-group day out with coastal walking, Arthur’s Seat views, wildlife spotting and two hours to soak at Peninsula Hot Springs.
4 hours to 1 day
A$279.00
Melbourne
A guided Melbourne day trip with koala spotting, Phillip Island scenery and general entry to the Penguin Parade at dusk.
4 hours to 1 day
A$180.00
Melbourne
A private Phillip Island day tour with Penguin Parade tickets included and a local guide showing more than just the penguins.
4 hours to 1 day
A$1,610.00
Melbourne
A private Mornington Peninsula day tour for groups of 2 to 6, with hotel pickup and flexibility to shape the day around your interests.
4 hours to 1 day
A$269.00
Melbourne
A private Phillip Island day tour from Melbourne with premium Penguin Parade viewing, coastal scenery and hotel pickup.
4 hours to 1 day
A$2,699.00
Melbourne
A private Phillip Island outing covering koalas, coastal scenery, beach time and the Penguin Parade, with guide commentary across the day.
4 hours to 1 day
A$900.00
Melbourne
A full-day combo with a Puffing Billy ride, time back in Melbourne, then Phillip Island’s Penguin Parade and Nobbies boardwalk.
4 hours to 1 day
A$245.00
Melbourne
A small group Great Ocean Road day trip with the 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, wildlife spotting, lunch and beachside morning tea.
4 hours to 1 day
A$160.00