on my own to see my son in melbourne

Hi phily33
Can I suggest the Great Ocean Road quiet a bit to take in on the drive .
You can then return back to Melbourne via Penola SA. and Hamilton and if you at all interested in wineries Coonawarra SA. is very close to Penola.
Depending on time you also go to Naracoorte SA. and visit the Caves.
Enjoy your travels.
Warm Regards
John

maybe a trip to Phillip Island - I'm sure there would be tourist busses and tours. Or perhaps a trip to Queenscliff with a ferry ride to Sorrento.
Catch a train to Belgrave then Puffing Billy to Emerald Lake.
Ballarat in the goldfields is interesting with lovely botanical gardens.
Or East Gippsland - train to Bairnsdale and bus to Lakes Entrance - lovely holiday town on lake and ocean.
Or up to the Murray river for a river cruise.

Adventure is easier round Melbourne , beginning a few k's north of eastern suburbs go to Yarra Glen and take only bitumen road north , within a few minutes you will see a sign to Marginal road on right , lovely drive thru the bush (normally 2wd) , made it last week without needing the chains as is now wet and getting slippy.

But just before (100m) that sign is a harder to see sign marked rocky track , it is quite driveable but will wind up your adventure knob to about 8 , if you wish to get to 10 then once you climb the steep rocky hill keep going a few k to Vic Range track , wind up the windows though as water is deep.

Plenty of places to camp also.

thanks for all your all your replys. i now have some great days out thanks to you all

Theres a place near Mt Dandenong I think called Rickets Sanctuary
Excellent place for a day out if you can fit it into your itinerary