If you are seeking a nice little road trip that highlights the Victorian countryside then you are in luck. Linking two major cities, Melbourne and Bendigo is the Calder Highway. If you drive direct it will take a mere 1 hour 45 minutes on the road, however, I suggest you deviate and visit some of the quaint towns and natural wonders along the way. Without further ado, start your engine and let’s get this Calder Highway road trip from Melbourne to Bendigo started.

Before embarking on any road trip don’t forget to undertake a few car checks. And don’t forget to pack your road trip snacks.

Calder Highway Road Trip at a Glance

Leave Melbourne with first stop, Macedon Ranges
Mornington tea at Woodend
Climb Hanging Rock and maybe have a picnic lunch
Afternoon tea stop in Kyneton
Arrive Bendigo early evening for a couple of days

Facts about this Melbourne to Bendigo Road Trip

• As this is a road trip, you will need a vehicle. If you don’t have one you can check out pricing and availability of a rental car through DiscoverCars.
• Bendigo is 154km (95 miles) north west of Melbourne. The two cities are connected by the Calder Freeway (M79) taking about 1 hour 45 minutes to drive.
• The freeway has two lanes each way and is quite pleasant to drive, though it can also be boring when you drive direct. This is why I have turned it into a road trip with a number of stops.
• I found the hardest part of this drive was taking the Ring Road to the exit to the Calder Highway. The M25 or Ring Road around Melbourne is one of the busiest in Melbourne and there is always plenty of traffic on it.

Places to Visit Along the Calder Freeway

Mount Macedon

View from the top of Mount Macedon

As you drive along the Calder Freeway heading to Bendigo, you will see to your right the Macedon Ranges. They come up pretty quickly, as they are only 60km north of Melbourne. If you enjoy easy walks, views of volcanic rocks and granite boulders, as well as artisan foods and wines, you are in for a treat. So deviate off this Calder Highway road trip to discover the Macedon Ranges area.

Start your driving tour of the Macedon Ranges by driving to the top of Mount Macedon. This extinct volcano rises 1010 metres above sea level and offers some great views over the region. Two places of note to stop are Camels Hump and the Mount Macedon Memorial Cross. The memorial cross standing 21 metres high is a significant war memorial in Victoria and commemorates all those who served in wars and conflicts. Next stop Woodend for morning tea.

Woodend

lots of quaint shops and cafes on the main street through Woodend

Along the Calder Freeway you will notice signs directing you to some beautiful quaint Victorian towns. One of the best to visit is Woodend. It is a quintessential Victorian rural village with a wide tree-lined main street. It is home to an eclectic mix of stores from bookstores to cosmopolitan cafes. My favourite shops to visit Bourkie’s Bakehouse for its award-winning vanilla slices. The meat pies and Nennish Tarts are pretty darn good too! And this is where I suggest you stop for morning tea. Sit outside and enjoy a cuppa with something from the bakery and overlook the park opposite. Next stop, Hanging Rock.

Hanging Rock, Newham

Hanging Rock

To burn off the calories from the bakery, head out to Hanging Rock which is just a couple of kilometres from Woodend. Hanging Rock or Mount Diogenes is a rare volcanic formation. Actually, it is a great example of a volcanic plug or mamelon and is believed to be some six million years old. It was made famous as the setting of the novel, Picnic at Hanging Rock, by Joan Lindsay. This was turned into a movie by Australian director, Peter Weir.

The story is about a group of school girls who go on a picnic to Hanging Rock on Valentines Day in 1901. While exploring the rock, a number of the girls disappeared and were never found. It will take about an hour to climb to the top of Hanging Rock, where you will be treated to great views over the area. If you don’t want to climb the rock, you can walk the perimeter or perhaps have your own picnic in the grounds of Hanging Rock.

Kyneton

Next stop on this Calder Highway road trip is Kyneton. Kyneton is another quintessential Victorian town. The town is home to some great country stores and cafes. If visiting on the right day, you could enjoy a day at the Kyneton Race Track, which is one of Victoria’s notable country racing tracks.

Bendigo

Doborah Gold Mine

Under an hour from Kyneton is the last stop on this road trip along the Calder Highway – Bendigo. Arrive in Bendigo in the late afternoon or early evening and get ready to discover this city over a day or so. There is plenty to see and do in Bendigo. Start by riding the talking tram, yes, really. The tram takes you from the Central Deborah Gold Mine along the Main Street, taking in a number of historic sites and finishes at the Bendigo Joss House Temple. You can buy a ticket to hop-on and off the tram all day. Other places to visit include the Bendigo Arts Centre, the Chinese Museum and Lake Weroona. Maybe end your one day driving the Calder Freeway with a meal at the iconic Shamrock Hotel on Pall Mall.

You can either turn around and head back to Melbourne and so ends a great day’s road trip or you could stay in Bendigo. The latter being a great option. Bendigo has plenty of accommodation available. Check out Booking.com to find a place that suits you and your budget.

Are You Ready to Drive the Calder Freeway?

A Calder Highway road trip is an easy drive from Melbourne making it an easy weekend getaway from Melbourne. You can drive it on its own or as part of your big lap of Australia. Have you driven along the Calder Highway?

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