If you fancy yourself an adventurer and coincidentally find yourself car-less in Melbourne, do not worry! There are plenty of options to get out & about with my good ol' friend public transport. It may take a tad longer to reach the final destination, but on the plus side you can sit back and enjoy the diverse scenery of regional Victoria.
Mornington Peninsula
Most people end their commute at the end of the Frankston train line and are stumped on where to go from there - but fear not commuters, the 788 bus will take you to the moon and beyond - well down to the end of the Peninsula at least. Hugging the coast all the way to Portsea, you won't be disappointed with the boundless selection of beachside towns to jump off at to explore. At the end of the line Point Nepean National Park is sure to impress. Step into the boots of the soldiers that were once posted at Fort Nepean. Once playing a critical role in Victoria's defence, it is now an outstanding example of the evolution of gun technology in Australia's early defence strategies.
Dandenong Ranges
Travel inland on the Lilydale or Belgrave train line and you'll find yourself in Upper Ferntree Gully - at the base of the Dandenong Ranges. Swap to the 688 bus going towards Croydon station and you will soon be winding your ways through the eclectic villages of the region. Hop off in Olinda and wander down to the National Rhododendron Gardens, host to brilliant coloured blooms of phodedendrons, azeleas, camellias, cherries and daffodils.
For as much as we love to complain about how rubbish our public transport network is, there are so many options available those wanting to test their navigation skills in regional Victoria. The regional public transport network is a great way to fling yourself further afield. You could find yourself exploring the rich gold rush history of Bendigo and Ballarat, eating some of the best fish and chips along the Great Ocean Road or saying hello to the native wildlife in the Grampians.
