Where to Stay in Victoria
Base in Melbourne and day-trip, or stay close to catch the Apostles at dusk and the penguins at nightfall — here’s how to choose your base across the state.
Choosing Your Base
Victoria’s short distances mean many travellers base in Melbourne and fan out on day trips — but some experiences reward staying close. A night on the Great Ocean Road lets you catch the Apostles at dusk; an overnight on Phillip Island means the Penguin Parade without the late drive home. Here’s how to choose where to lay your head.
Where to Sleep
Melbourne
The CBD and Southbank for first-timers, St Kilda for the bay, Fitzroy for food and character.
Lorne & Apollo Bay
Classic Great Ocean Road overnights; Port Campbell sits right by the Twelve Apostles.
Yarra & Mornington
Healesville in the Yarra Valley, or Sorrento and Flinders on the Mornington Peninsula.
Halls Gap & Bright
Halls Gap for the Grampians; Bright and Beechworth for the High Country and the alps.
Coast, Island & Lakes
- Phillip Island (Cowes) — stay for the dusk Penguin Parade
- Ballarat or Bendigo — grand goldfields towns, easy from Melbourne
- Geelong & the Bellarine — waterfront and the gateway to the coast
- Lakes Entrance — the hub for Gippsland and the Ninety Mile Beach
- Read the region guides to match your base to your plans
Not sure where to base? Tell us your plans and we’ll suggest a route and stays. Enquire here, or start with where to stay in Melbourne.
Where to Stay — FAQ
Where should you stay in Victoria?
Most visitors base in Melbourne and take day trips, then add a night or two on the coast (Lorne or Apollo Bay), in the wine country, at Phillip Island, or in the Grampians at Halls Gap. See the options below.
Where is the best area to stay in Melbourne?
The CBD and Southbank for first-timers, St Kilda for the bay and nightlife, and Fitzroy or Collingwood for food and character. See our where to stay in Melbourne guide.
Where do you stay to drive the Great Ocean Road?
Lorne and Apollo Bay are the classic overnight bases; Port Campbell puts you beside the Twelve Apostles. See the Great Ocean Road guide and the 3-day itinerary.
Where should you stay in the Grampians?
Halls Gap sits at the heart of the ranges, walking distance to trails and wildlife, with a range of accommodation. See the Grampians guide.
Is it better to base in one place or move around?
For a first trip, base in Melbourne and day-trip. With more time, add regional overnights so you catch the coast at sunset, the penguins at dusk, or the ranges at dawn without the long drive back.
Victoria, Planned Around You
Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road, the wine country and the penguins — with the driving and bookings handled by the family that’s toured Australia since 1974.
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