Heading South to Melbourne from Syd

Hi All,
We are heading down south towards Melbourne from Sydney and don't want to do the usual freeway drive so we thought that we would explore some stops along the way ie Wagga Wagga. We would like to end up in Melbourne as anyone got any suggessions. Also was thinking Mildura/Murray run but is that too far out of the way to get to melb or on the way home. Travelling with kids and dog