20+ Next-Level Ideas for Romantic Weekend Getaways near Melbourne

Booked a romantic weekend and don’t want to waste it doing the same old stuff? Whether you’re planning a proposal, escaping the city, or just overdue for some quality time with your person, Victoria has no shortage of amazing places for couples to unwind (or get a little adventurous).

This guide rounds up the best romantic getaways near Melbourne – each one close enough for a weekend escape, but far enough to feel like a proper break. We’ve split it up by region, with real ideas for what to do when you get there – romantic escapes Victoria-style.

Romantic things you can do in Daylesford & Hepburn Springs

Driving time: 115 km northwest from Melbourne – 1 hour 27 minutes drive away.

Direction: Google Maps.

Daylesford is where you go when you want to do absolutely nothing, but in a really lovely way. It’s peaceful, full of character, and built for proper downtime—aka robes, red wine, and actual conversations:

• Soak together in a private mineral bath at Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa: This 1895-built spa offers everything from steam rooms to open-air soaks, but the private mineral bath suites are the real star for couples.
• Book a couples’ massage at a luxury spa retreat: Try Shizuka Ryokan, a Japanese-style wellness retreat where everything is designed for calm and connection.
• Stroll through Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens: It’s built on an extinct volcano and has killer views. Grab a pastry from Wombat Hill House and take the long way around.
• Visit Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm: A proper countryside fantasy: lavender fields, donkeys, stone buildings, and a shady outdoor cafe with homemade pastas.
• Enjoy a candlelit dinner at Lake House restaurant: A legit fine dining icon. Seasonal tasting menus, lake views, and a reputation that’s well-earned.

Romantic activities in Mornington Peninsula

Driving time: 73.6 km south from Melbourne, 1 hour 5 minutes drive

Direction: Google Maps

This is the kind of place where you can start the day in a robe, end it with a glass of pinot by the sea, and do a little bit of everything in between. The Peninsula isn’t just spa country—it’s beach walks, cliff trails, vineyard lunches, and those “is this still Victoria?” moments.

• Soak in a private outdoor hot spring bath at Peninsula Hot Springs: Book a twilight session and bathe under the stars. The Spa Dreaming Centre is quieter and perfect for couples.
• Take a scenic gondola ride on Arthurs Seat Eagle: Float above the treetops with 360-degree views of the bay and coastline.
• Explore Sorrento’s historic limestone buildings: Wander the main strip, shop local, then hit a seaside bar for a sunset drink.
• Go wine tasting at boutique wineries: Try Montalto for wine with a sculpture garden setting, or Port Phillip Estate for that modern-architecture-meets-vineyard aesthetic.
• Walk the Millionaire’s Walk clifftop trail: A short, ridiculously scenic walk with views of the bay, passing by some of Victoria’s priciest (and prettiest) real estate.

Dandenong Ranges

Driving time: 50 km east from Melbourne, 56-minute drive away.

Direction: Google Maps.

The Dandenongs feel like a different season – even in the middle of summer. It’s all mountain air, fern gullies, and villages with more scone shops than traffic lights. If your version of romance involves open fireplaces, garden walks, and a lot of tea, you’ll settle in pretty quickly.

• Ride the Puffing Billy steam train through the forest: Go for first-class if you want wine, cheese, and the novelty of sipping Pinot while cruising through the trees.
• Have high tea in a hilltop village: Miss Marple’s and Fortnums in Sassafras both deliver scones, tiered trays, and a strong sense that time doesn’t really exist here.
• Wander Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens: This place is ridiculously photogenic. Think ornamental lake, arched bridges, and serious autumn colour.
• Book a treehouse-style B&B: Stay in a forest hideout with a fireplace, outdoor spa, or balcony that makes you feel like you’re in the canopy.
• Explore Olinda and Sassafras’s quirky shops: It’s basically built for gift-hunting and window shopping, with everything from vintage toys to hand-thrown ceramics.

Macedon Ranges

Driving time: 69.1 north from Melbourne, 1-hour drive away

Direction: Google Maps.

The Macedon Ranges has that “escape to the country” feel without needing to book flights or request extra annual leave. It’s all misty mornings, stone buildings, and wineries where the person pouring your glass probably owns the place.

• Pack a picnic and hike up Hanging Rock: Or don’t hike at all. The views are great, but so is lying under the gums and not doing much.
• Visit a cool-climate cellar door: Places like Curly Flat and Bindi Wines do small-batch Pinot and Chardonnay in low-key, beautiful settings.
• Stroll through Mount Macedon’s private gardens: Some are only open in autumn or spring, but when they are, they’re worth the timing.
• Dine at Midnight Starling in Kyneton: A French bistro that does things properly. Or head to Piper St Food Co for the kind of brunch that turns into lunch.
  Browse historic bookshops and antique stores: Kyneton, Woodend, and Trentham are full of spots that make you want to redecorate or reread something.

Yarra Valley

Driving time: 65 kilometres from Melbourne, 1 hour 15 minutes drive away.

There’s a reason the Yarra Valley tops the list when couples search for romantic things to do near Melbourne – it’s the perfect blend of laid-back and luxe. If your idea of romance includes good wine, slow mornings, and countryside views that feel a bit like Tuscany (without needing a passport), this region surely can give you one of the most memorable day trip experiences.

• Take a sunrise hot air balloon ride: It’s quiet, surreal, and a little magic – especially when followed by a proper champagne breakfast on the ground.
• Spend the day doing progressive wine tastings: Think multiple cellar doors, lots of cheese, particularly De Bortoli, Oakridge Wines, Yering Station Winery.
• Visit TarraWarra Museum of Art: A sleek gallery with Australian contemporary art, surrounded by vines. Their terrace is a solid spot for post-art wine and lounging.
• Have a gourmet meal at Oakridge or Levantine Hill:  Both serve local produce, great wine pairings, and a view worth lingering over.
• Stay in a secluded vineyard cottage: Wake up in misty silence with vines outside your window and no agenda beyond breakfast and a walk.

Explore more: Top-Picked Things to Do in Yarra Valley

Strath Creek

Driving time: 104 km Northeast from Melbourne, 1 hour 4 minutes drive away.

Direction: Google Maps

Strath Creek isn’t trying to impress anyone – and that’s exactly the charm. It’s where couples go when they want something low-key, unplugged, and a little bit wild. No wineries. No crowds. Just big skies, winding country roads, and a chance to slow down properly. Things to do here include:

• Walk along King Parrot Creek: A peaceful, easy trail through native bush and open paddocks. Expect birdsong, maybe a wallaby or two, and very few people.
• Drive through the Tallarook Ranges: It’s one of those drives where you talk less and just take it in. Hills, valleys, and plenty of places to pull over and sit with a view.
• Drop by the Hume and Hovell Cricket Ground: A full-sized cricket oval in the middle of rolling farmland. It’s unexpectedly beautiful, and a bit of a local oddity.
• Go glamping at Flowerdale Estate: Or just roll out a blanket and stargaze. The sky here puts on a serious show once the sun’s down.

Why Flowerdale Estate is a Perfect Place for Couples’ Getaways

Just 90 minutes from Melbourne, Flowerdale Estate is where couples go to switch off, spread out, and enjoy good food, quiet luxury, and country air that smells like eucalyptus and weekend freedom. Whether you’re in the mood for slow mornings, starry nights, or wine and fire kind of afternoons, this place nails the brief.

Things to Do When You’re at Flowerdale Estate

Stay in comfort: Choose from elegant homestead suites (yes, there’s a clawfoot bath) or eco-glamping tents with nature on your doorstep.

Eat well, without leaving: Dine at Gracie’s Restaurant, one of the famous restaurants nearby to Yarra Valley, where the menu is seasonal and the chef – Dominic Grundy – has Michelin-star cred. Prefer outdoors? Book a garden picnic or enjoy a weekend high tea with Prosecco upgrades.

Do as little (or as much) as you want: Take a walk along King Parrot Creek, unwind by the firepit, spot local birdlife, or challenge each other to a game of pool or tennis. There’s also an indoor pool if you’re feeling fancy.

Stargazing is a must: On clear nights, grab a throw, step outside, and enjoy a sky full of stars – no telescope needed.

Suggested Getaways Around Flowerdale Estate

• Visit nearby wineries: For local drops, try boutique producers like Philip Lobley Wines or Yarradindi Wines. They’re quiet, scenic, and well worth the short drive.
• Yarra Valley is closer than you think: One of Victoria’s top wine regions, the Yarra Valley is approximately 30-minute away from Flowerdale Estate. Perfect for a wine-tasting day trip, complete with cheese boards and vineyard views.
• Explore the surrounding countryside: Scenic drives through the Tallarook Ranges or gentle hikes nearby make for low-key, romantic detours.

Ready to plan a couples’ getaway? Flowerdale Estate gives you the space, comfort and countryside charm to make it one worth remembering.