Coastal to Countryside road trip

Start your journey early from Cruisin’ Motorhomes, in Tullamarine heading towards wine country, the Yarra Valley. With an abundance of wine, fresh produce and family-friendly attractions, you will need to allow a full day of travel to take in this spectacular area in Victoria. Head to Healesville Sanctuary for the afternoon for an up-close encounter with some of Australia’s native wildlife. If you are lucky, you may even get the chance to step into the shallow waters for a swim with a platypus. For a night of rest, after a fun filled day, stop in at the Big 4 Yarra Valley Park. Be sure to pick up some fresh produce along the way to cook up a storm in your motorhome for dinner.

On your way towards Lakes Entrance, make sure you stop in at the well-known Four Pillars Gin or if that doesn’t take your fancy, across to the Yarra Valley Ice Creamery for a taste test of the finest ice creams the Yarra Valley has to offer. As you continue along the Princess Highway, you should come across the Old Gippstown – Gippsland’s Heritage Park. Here you will enjoy a true old town experience stepping back into the 1850’s. Back onto the highway, you will be sure to find many rest stops to pull over and cook yourself some lunch straight from your motorhome. Arriving in Lakes Entrance, you will find many activities to choose from. Whether it be learning to surf, hiring a kayak or exploring the local caves, there is so much to see and do for all. To recharge your motorhome, after a day of travel through the countryside, stop in at Big 4 Waters Edge.

Another day of travel will find you heading towards Inverloch. Along the way, head into Sale to experience the Port of Sale Heritage Cruises. This is fun for all ages cruise along the Sale Canal and through onto the Thomson River. From here you can even pull into the reserves close by to stop for lunch along the water’s edge. Back out onto the highway, you will drive straight through Traralgon, the largest city in the Latrobe Valley. For those traveling with children or even just train enthusiasts, be sure to stop by the Gippsland Model Engineering Society to view the miniature trains along the way. As you arrive in Inverloch, along the Victorian coast, pull into the Big 4 Inverloch Holiday Park. If you are lucky, you may even score a powered site within walking distance to the beach. From here you can set up your motorhome for the night, and head out for a swim.

Day 4 will see you travelling across the coastal highway towards Phillip Island, the home of the Phillip Island Grand Prix. Make sure you get an early start to take in all this route has on offer. Along the way, you will stumble upon some spectacular lookouts such as The Caves, Shack Bay and Twin Reefs, with views out across the Bass Straight. Continuing on the highway before you reach Wonthaggi, turn off the highway towards the State Coal Mine. Being the only historical coal mine in the Southern Hemisphere, you may need to book ahead to be sure you get the chance to experience the underground tours that they have on offer. Further down the highway, you will begin to arrive on Phillip Island. Heading across the bridge, with water views on either side, you will start to see all the beauty the island has to offer. Whether you head straight to the beach, to the chocolate factory or to the Phillip Island Grand Prix track, you will be spoilt for choice with things to see and do. Staying overnight on the island, at the Big 4 Phillip Island Caravan Park, will ensure you have time to see more the next day.

Another early rise, with breakfast cooked straight from your Cruisin Motorhome, to see what else that Phillip Island has to offer. With only a short drive towards the Mornington Peninsula, you will have time to head to Amaze’n Things or even get the chance to view the Antarctic Journey. Heading off the island, you will head past Maru Koala and Animal Park for an up-close experience with the native wildlife or even for a spot of mini golf. As you arrive in Mornington, head down to Schnapper point to park your motorhome for lunch and from here, head straight onto the beach for the afternoon. Further down the road, you will find yourself at the Kangerong Holiday Park for the night. Within walking distance from Dromana Beach, you will find yourself spending a lot of your time on the beach on the stunning Mornington Peninsula.

After cooking up a storm for breakfast, head along the Nepean Highway towards Dandenong. This route will have you travelling along the stunning Victorian coastline. With lookouts and beaches just off the highway, you can quite easily find yourself happily cruising along taking photos for memories to look back on in the future. As you track closer to Dandenong, you will begin to head back into the countryside. Along the way you will want to make stops at Puffing Billy Railway and Trees Adventure for a thrilling sight among the treetops. From here, head back towards the Big 4 Dandenong Tourist Park for a big night of rest before an adventure filled last day.

As you rise from your last night in your Cruisin Motorhome, you need to get an early start as you head up into the Dandenong Ranges. The Dandenong Ranges are a spectacular sight to see when you are visiting Victoria. You will need to ensure you have plenty of battery power on your camera to capture the stunning views from every angle. From here make your way back to Tullamarine to return your motorhome after your seven-day adventure across the Victorian countryside.