Five scenic driving roads to explore in Victoria

While COVID-19 has left us internationally grounded, for now, it’s all the more reason to get out and explore what our beautiful country has to offer. Here are five must drive scenic Victorian roads which are well worth the journey especially those who love driving.

A coastal landmark of Victoria that opened in 1932, the Great Ocean Road runs 243 kilometres along the south-eastern coast. You could technically do the entire Great Ocean Road, starting from Torquay and ending in Allansford, in a day, but that would not leave you much time to stop and explore some amazing sites and towns!

Besides being a lot of fun to drive with varying speeds of 50km/h to 100km/h and gloriously scenic, there are plenty of things to stop and do while travelling along the Great Ocean Road. Some popular towns to stop through include Anglesea, Lorne, Aireys Inlet, Apollo Bay and Port Campbell.

Rainforest also edges on this heritage-listed highway, making it a great place to stop if you are feeling like exploring. There are waterfalls, nature walks, lookouts for scenic ocean views, lighthouses (like the one from the '90s TV show Round the Twist), and even spectacular rock stacks such as The Twelve Apostles to be visited.

The Great Ocean Road can be enjoyed all year round, but the best times to visit are during the spring and summertime as road conditions are often affected in inclement weather during the cooler seasons.

Roughly 60km north of Melbourne, the Black Spur Drive is not only a scenic drive that is a feast for the eyes but wind down the windows and you can take in the fresh alpine smell (if I could bottle it up and turn it into an air freshener I would!).

Starting from Healesville and connecting through to Marysville, the roughly 30km stretch is breathtaking as you take the twists and turns through the forest, fern, and bush landscape.

Look up and you are surrounded by a towering canopy of trees, many of which exceed 75 metres in height including the Eucalyptus Regnans and mountain ash trees. Fog often settles within the forest, especially on frosty mornings, and sunlight breaks through the towering trees, littering the asphalt, making for an even dreamier drive through.

Along the 30km stretch, there are plenty of places to stop to enjoy a picnic or take a few photos (you know you will want to!) Although the Black Spur only takes roughly 30 minutes each way, it is a superb drive and one not to be missed.

The Great Alpine Road is one of the stretches utilised by the Targa, specifically for their High-Country Tour, and who can blame them? It is not only a scenic road, but it is a whole lot of fun to drive on too.

The Great Alpine Road is a 339 kilometre stretch that starts in Wangaratta and ends near Bairnsdale. From end-to-end, it is approximately a five-hour drive, that runs through a variety of landscapes from bush to mountain ranges and even waterways.

Given the diverse landscape, depending on the time of the year, it can be completely different, but the breathtaking views will always be there. Popular towns worth stopping into include Bright, Omeo, Mount Hotham, and Myrtleford.

If you are looking for a good variety of landscapes the Great Alpine Road almost has it all with its mountainous landscapes, forestry, and lakes. The roads can be enjoyed all year round, however certain roads will require snow chains during the snow seasons and may be closed during extreme weather.

The drive to the alpine region and summit of Lake Mountain is enjoyable, especially from Marysville. However, to get to Lake Mountain from Melbourne, you do end up driving on the Black Spur too which means you get to tick another scenic drive off your list.

A 25-minute drive from Marysville, the scenic drive is through some exceptionally tall trees and offers some great bends, tight corners, and climbs with varying driving speeds from 50km/h to 100km/h.

As you climb the mountain there are various viewpoints and stopping areas to take it all in. It is also a particularly fun road to drive at speed, during the warmer seasons, as there is less chance of ice and snow on the road.

Depending on the time of the year, at the summit, snow adventures and hikes can be enjoyed, or you can simply just take in the views. Noting that fees may apply, and snow chains might be required if you are heading up during the peak snow season.

A popular drive due to its scenic lookouts, whether you are car spotting or just wanting to take in the views, the Arthur Seat drive is well worth it.

Approximately an hours drive from Melbourne, you can either take the drive up from the bottom or head through the scenic path through Red Hill. The Arthurs Seat Loop Scenic Drive is roughly 20km in length and takes about an hour to complete.

There are plenty of places to stop to look out, go for scenic walks or even enjoy a picnic. If you are feeling especially touristy, there are even the gondolas which you can pay to ride in for a different view of the Mornington Peninsula and Port Phillip Bay, otherwise, you can take advantage of the numerous lookouts that are scattered upon the winding hill.

Nearby there are plenty of wineries, and other attractions worth stopping and enjoying.

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