If you are in Melbourne you cannot miss the chance to see the Great Ocean Road, an achingly beautiful coastal road west from Melbourne. If driving along a long and winding road doesn't appeal to you, but a ride on a minibus accompanied by cheesy theme songs, then look no further! Go West Tours definitely offers your money's worth. You also get to see kangaroos and koalas and if you're lucky, a snail or two! A full day tour for 54 AUD.

Do you want to Kangaroos for free? Head down the Great Ocean Road to Anglesea, it's about an hour outside Melbourne, and go to the Anglesea Golf Course. It's a little known fact that Kangaroos love Golf Courses (the grass is greener), so if you like Roos always check out the golf courses.

On its way to becoming the next Portsea of Melbourne is the beachside town of Inverloch. The town caters for all from the inlet to the Surf beach, restaurants to the local pub, mini golf to gift shops. In summer the towns population goes crazy but winter is still relatively peaceful and afternoon walks along the beach are fabulous. Its under 2 hours drive from Melbourne and is a great spot if you want to see another side of the Victorian coast.

If you want to do something totally different and have a real treat, then go up in a hot air balloon over the Yarra Valley, 45 minutes from the city centre of Melbourne. The Yarra Valley is where Victoria's famous wineries are located, which means the countryside is just gorgeous and the view from above is exquisite. Go Wild Ballooning is a great company to do this with, b/c you get to go to Yerring Station Winery afterwards for a delicious breakfast of bacon, eggs, cereal, fresh fruits, and of course the obligatory champagne. This winery is divine, and the champagne they produce is delectable ($30 bottles that you can drink as much of as you want over breakfast). The actual winery is sensational and on a sunny morning has one of the best views over the region. Do this for a special occasion and spend the rest of the morning touring some of the wineries.

If you visit Melbourne and want to take time out from the rat race, there is one Melbourne icon you have to experience. Puffing Billy. Puffing Billy is an old steam train that chugs its meandering way through the Dandenong Ranges. This is a fantastic was to experience the temperate rainforest of the Dandenongs, breath in that fresh country air, relax and unwind. A Melbourne native, Puffing Billy is synonymous with my childhood. Puffing Billy is family friendly and easily accessible by car or public transport (Belgrave train line)from Melbourne. I suggest the return trip to Emerald Lake, especially in Summer. The PB line has been extended to Gembrook, but as yet, there isn't much to do at the end of the line to fill in time for the return trip. Personally the trip to Gembrook is too long, even one-way. Puffing Billy also has a number of other products, including the Dinner Train. You can even hold your wedding reception on him!!!!

for a really lovely drive and a realxed atmosphere down at the beach, drive an hour and a half (at the most) to portsea or sorrento, down on the Mornington Peninsula. with the lapping bay on one side, and the harsh ocean on the other, a day trip or better still, a weekend, is just great. this is where a lot of people have "beach houses" and head for summer, but winter is equally inviting. the cafes are great, the walks along the beach can be virtually secluded, and the pubs are good too!

The scenic coastal drive along the Great Ocean Road is certainly spectacular. The 400km stretch of road follows the coast from Geelong to Nelson, near the South Australian border. Most people travel to aim to drive as far as the 12 Apostles at Port Campbell, and then return on the inland road to Melbourne. Can be easily done as a day trip, or overnight it along the way if you have more time.