Leave Melbourne mid-morning and head east, breaking for a coffee and brunch at Mornington Peninsula's Red Hill Village where you can grab local pastries and artisan coffee before stretching your legs among vineyard views. Continue via the Princes Highway with a restorative stop at Ninety Mile Beach (Foster Beach access) for a short, sandy walk and coastal photos, then detour inland to the charming historic town of Sale for a quick look at its heritage streets and a light lunch before pushing on toward Bonang.
In the afternoon, detour inland to explore the lush foothills around Mount Taylor Regional Park, where a short, shady walk to the lookout rewards you with sweeping valley views and a picnic among native gums. Continue toward Bonang with a late-afternoon stop at the historic timber village of Buchan to visit its local craft shops and grab a coffee at Buchan General Store, before arriving in Bonang in time to settle into your accommodation and take a riverside stroll along the Bonang River as golden hour sets in.
After settling in, enjoy a relaxed dinner at Bonang Bush Kitchen, a local spot serving wood-fired meals and regional wines - request a table on the veranda to linger over sunset views. Afterwards, take a short night walk to the nearby Bonang Lookout Track for starry-sky viewing and the sound of the river, or head to The Old Store Bar for a post-dinner drink and to chat with locals before turning in.
Start your morning with a gentle dawn ramble along the leafy banks of the Little Genoa Track, where early light filters through ferns and you may spot kingfishers over quiet pools; follow this with a riverside breakfast at Riverside Picnic Spot, laying out local cheeses and pastries while listening to the Bonang River flow. Afterward, drive a short way to explore the tranquil boardwalks of Gippsland Wetlands Reserve for birdwatching and an easy loop trail that introduces the region's native flora before returning to town for a slow mid-morning coffee at Station Lane Café.
Spend a leisurely afternoon following the shady loop at Mount Elizabeth Circuit, a gentle walk that threads through fern gullies and opens onto a lookout with sweeping views over the valley - bring a light picnic to enjoy at the summit bench. After the walk, wander into the nearby hamlet to browse handmade goods at Riverside Craft Shed and then settle at The Bonang Tea Rooms for a long afternoon tea or iced coffee while watching the river glide by and planning a mellow riverside evening.
As twilight settles, wander down to Riverbend Picnic Grounds to set out a simple platter of local cheeses and chilled sauvignon while listening to the river's evening chorus, then follow the mellow riverside trail toward Willow Island where fireflies often appear after dusk for a touch of magic. Finish with dinner at The Riverside Shed, a relaxed eatery offering wood-smoked mains and local beers-grab a spot on the deck to watch reflected lights on the water before a short, stargazing stroll back to your accommodation.
Leave Bonang after an early riverside breakfast and take a scenic detour via the historic timber town of Orbost, where you can stroll the riverfront boardwalk and snap photos of the old swing bridge before grabbing fresh sourdough and coffee at Orbost Bakery. Continue west with a nature stop at Snowy River National Park (Sarsfield picnic area) for a short, shady walk to the riverbanks and dramatic gorge photo ops, then rejoin the highway and pause at Bemm River Lookout to stretch your legs and take sweeping coastal-meets-forest panoramas before heading toward Melbourne.
Leave Bonang after a relaxed riverside coffee and head toward the coast, pausing at Bemm River Mouth for dramatic estuary views and a short beach walk to photograph sand patterns and birdlife. Continue west with a detour into the forest to stretch your legs on the fern-lined boardwalks of Goolengook Wilderness-a peaceful 30-45 minute loop where you can spot ancient tree ferns and listen for lyrebirds-then stop for a late-afternoon pie and a cold drink at the rustic Nungatta General Store before completing the drive toward Melbourne.
Wind down your road trip with a relaxed dinner stop at Canning River Inn, where hearty local fare and a riverside table let you swap final highlights while the sun softens. After dinner, take a gentle twilight stroll along the boardwalk at Genoa River Reserve to watch the estuary light up and listen for night birds, then pause at Monaro Lookout on the drive west for a final panorama of rolling hills and distant coastal shimmer before continuing toward Melbourne.