Cities Near Melbourne
Cities near Melbourne, Australia: 3 notable destinations within day-trip and weekend range, including Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo. Compare distance, drive time and flight time, with day-trip and getaway ideas.
The closest notable city to Melbourne, Australia is Geelong, about 40 mi (65 km) away — roughly 1 hr 12 min by road. Below, 3 nearby cities are ranked by distance, with real drive and flight estimates and whether each works best as a day trip or an overnight getaway.
| City | Distance | Drive | Flight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GeelongBay city and Great Ocean Road gateway | 40 mi / 65 km | 1 hr 12 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| BallaratGold-rush heritage and Sovereign Hill | 63 mi / 102 km | 1 hr 53 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| BendigoGrand Victorian goldfields town | 82 mi / 132 km | 1 hr 54 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
Day trips from Melbourne
Within about 100 miles and easy to visit in a day: Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo. These are close enough to go and return without an overnight stay.
Getting around
Nearby cities are usually quickest by car or train; for the longer hops a regional flight can save time. Tap any city above for its full distance, driving-time and flight-time breakdown, or plan a specific route with the tools below.
Frequently asked questions
Notable cities near Melbourne include Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo. The closest is Geelong, about 40 miles (65 km) away. The table above lists each with its distance, drive time and best use.