The first stop when driving the Great Ocean Road will beGeelong.
(In fact, we returned a month later to do just that!). For most people, the trip willstart in Melbourneand can be done in a loop or a return journey. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend. to double check the weather. If you have limited time you could skip this one (we preferred London Bridge), but its only a quick stop. Stop 1 - Torquay The official start of The Great Ocean Road, Torquay is a town with an ingrained surfing culture. Or get a full Melbourne to Lorne flight plan. Find local inspiration and start planning your next road trip with our simple interactive journey planner. Great post guys, you have inspired me to take a trip here when I finally get to Australia again!
The 20-metre falls crash over a ledge with a backdrop of lush ferns and the forest towering above. Plan your journey with our route planner. If you happen to be road-tripping on the second Sunday of the month, check out the Birregurra Markets. The total driving distance from Adelaide to Melbourne is almost 1,000km along the coastal route, so the Great Ocean Road is actually only a small part of the journey.
Train operators V/Line Bus operators Gull Airport Service Public Transport Victoria V/Line Other operators Jayride Want to know more about travelling around Australia Its a beautiful drive but slow going. I definitely recommend allocating a few hours to explore it all. Sat & Sun
If you had plenty of time, you might want to spend a night here as there are some beautiful beaches and waterfalls nearby. But one of the most incredible Great Ocean Road attractions is just around the corner. You can hike, surf, ride helicopters, follow gourmet food trails, wander seaside towns, and much more. Do allocate as much time as you can, thoughits a gorgeous part of the world with plenty to see. Journey Time: 1.5 hours from MelbourneStop Time: 10 minutes. The trip from Adelaide to Melbourne takes around 8 hours if you go the inland route.
Its also worth following The Wreck of the Loch Ard trail (1.4km return) for more scenic viewpoints. From the car park its a short walk to a viewpoint of the beach surrounded by cliffs. Dinner, stay over night Friday 7am-Leave Lorne 9am- Arrive Barwon heads for sky dive then head back to Melbourne CBD, drop car off in city 2pm Check into hotel Sat & Sun . Benefit. trip dates & more!
This is where the exterior scenes of the familys lighthouse home were filmed! You have given us a great itinerary to get the best out of our trip. Other options include coming from Adelaide, so if this is you, just read the itinerary backwards. Alternative Places to Stay in Port Campbell. Beach. The lake views here are stunning and if youre lucky you might even be able to lay your eyes on a platypus or two. Learn how your comment data is processed. From there you could continue the loop back down to the Great Ocean Road via Lavers Hill. Journey Time: 25 minutes from Aireys InletStop Time: 50 minutes. They live in the eucalyptus trees behind the caravan park and are not hard to find. There are plenty more accommodation optionsin Apollo Baysearch on Vrbo for holiday rentals or Booking for hotels, motels and B&Bs. The Arch is the first in a series of rock formations where you can stop for a quick look from viewing platforms. Distance from Lorne: 45.5 km Estimated total driving time from Lorne: 54 minutes Activity length: 3 hours Another excellent spot for the best coastal views in this Melbourne to Adelaide drive is Apollo Bay. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather.
However, the views arent affected by the bigger cityscape. Over time it has been improved to create a peaceful and beautiful space to be enjoyed. The gas log fire kept us warm. If youd like to continue travelling Australia beyond the Great Ocean Road, you canhead northwest to Adelaide.
If you only have time for one, follow the 900-metre-return Geology walk to the left of the car park which takes you to The Razorback, a massive rock formation.
It would be quieter in the morning.
You could also fit them in on the previous day. Journey Time: 35 minutes from Apollo BayStop Time: 2 hours (including lunch).
Journey Time: 10 minutes from Bells BeachStop Time: 30 minutes. Torquay is also home to theSurf World Museumwith tons of history about the sport and its fame in Australia. You could continue down the coast, perhaps having a break in Port Campbell (Forage on Foreshore is a recommended cafe). Head to Lorne via the Great Ocean Road, stop to check out the bookshop and have a walk along the beach front. Its a small platform and we were lucky that we got to take a few photos before three tour buses arrived. Thanks for your support, kind friend! Through our stories and images we promote exciting off-the-beaten-path destinations and fascinating cultures as we go. We were out for about four hours in total and were left with the afternoon to relax in our wonderful cottage. While driving to Lorne we had our first Australian wildlife experiencean echidna crossing the road. It hugs the coastline with many twists and turns and stunning ocean views. We personally stayed there when we travelled across Australia, and highly recommend it. For a view worth getting out of the comfort of your car for, your next stop is Point Roadknight in Anglesea. The Arch is a giant archway in the ocean, and London Bridge is the same but is more square instead of arched to it looks like a bridge. The iconic rock stacks were created by erosion of the limestone cliffs from the stormy Southern Ocean. If you drive directly from Apollo Bay to Port Campbell on the Great Ocean Road it takes about 1.5 hours, but there are some worthwhile detours along the way.
Halfway along the Surf Coast walk its only around a 3km round trip from the town, up the point for amazing views over the town and ocean crashing below. Via: Where should I stop along the way? Jan Juc
Its a longer walk to reach the waterfall than at Hopetoun Falls (it took us an hour return), but its lovely and peaceful through the forest of ferns, mountain ash, and myrtle beech. You can then drive back to Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road route and choose the stops you are most interested in. next trip! 2pm Check into hotel. And if you know Melbourne well, please help your fellow Trippy is where Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the We recommend Rental Cars, which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market. As it's a fairly leisurely drive why not break up the short journey and enjoy the sights of the Victorian Surf Coast along the way. While you could scale this drive down to a 2 or 3-day itinerary, I'd recommend 1 or 2 weeks to fully enjoy it. Great Ocean Road. Journey Time: 5 minutes from Bay of Martyrs (20 minutes back to Port Campbell)Stop Time: 20 minutes. You can follow a very similar itinerary to ours, but youll need to pack more in every day. On this five-day self-drive trip, explore the coastal capital city of Melbourne and then hit the open road.
Covering nearly 200 hectares, this park is one of the few Great Ocean Road highlights that is not a beach.
Youll find them sitting up in the eucalyptus trees.
You need to head down to the lower viewing platform to appreciate it, which is a 700-metre return walk with stairs from the car park. I highly recommend visiting in the morning to truly enjoy it. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 3:37 pmdrive for about 24 minutes, Shadowfax Wines Day 3: Warrnambool to Port Fairy then Melbourne (or Adelaide).
If youve hired a car youll most likely collect it at the airport. Happy travels. What to expect Surf at world-famous Bells Beach.
You can view the falls from the side and clamber on the rocks to see them from the pool below.
It would also be tempting to continue down past the end of the road to Warrnambool or Port Fairy for a night and visit the nearby Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve for a chance to see koalas, kangaroos, and emu in the wild. Before making your way onto day number 3 of your adventure-packed Great Ocean Road trip youll be looking for a place to catch a good nights sleep. 5- Arrive at Lorne.
By Ellie Schneider Surf at Bells Beach, walk among the 12 Apostles and sample wine in McLaren Vale on this five-day journey along Australia's dramatic south-east coastline.
There are some short trails you can follow, but we didnt have time to go far. Following the Otway Harvest Trail choose between local breweries, berry and fruit farms with quaint cafes, provedore grocers and restaurants a plenty. To drive direct from the Melbourne CBD to Torquay, where the road officially starts, is 104km, or 1 hour and 20 minutes.
This port city is the second-largest in the state of Victoria and overlooks the gorgeousCorio Bay. We chose to drive back from Port Campbell to Melbourne via the inland route (3 hours) rather than continue on for the final section of the Great Ocean .
Then, if you like, you can descend to the foot of the falls via a 30-minute hike. Its a hub for the local food scene with a small shop selling cheese, wine, beer, condiments and other products made in the area. We saw an adorable mother and baby koala! Anyone remember the 90s TV show Round the Twist? Lorne is one of the most popular towns on a Great Ocean Road Trip. You can look down to the falls from a platform near the car park, but its better to walk down the steps to get a closeup view.
I have no problem driving. While you could drive it in the opposite direction, Port Campbell would be quite far to reach on the coastal route for your overnight stay, and its a fairly long drive from Apollo Bay to Twelve Apostles for an early morning visit. Then back along the coast towards Melbourne, taking a small detour down to the cape otway lighthouse.
ThePort FairyBotanical Gardensare a lovely spot for an afternoon walk and to admire the plants and flowers.
Please read our. Looking for ideas for more destinations within driving distance of Melbourne? 7am-Leave Lorne . Our last full day was dedicated to the Port Campbell National Park. After the last couple of years, it seems everyone wants to be out and about and go travelling. The Ultimate Melbourne to Sydney Road Trip Itinerary Our itinerary will take you through the most iconic towns and cities, the rugged Phillip Island, the small town of Walhalla, the beautiful Wilsons Promontory, and onto the vast Kosciuszko National Park. We had no idea what it was at first although its spikes made us guess it was a porcupine. The most scenic leg of the drive is further along between Lorne and Apollo Bay. However, Loch Ard Gorge is still a stunning place for a swim. RACQ's Trip Planner allows you to find places, get directions or plan your next road trip.
Nearby youll find another popular waterfall, Triplet Falls (a one hour walk). The Twelve Apostles are by far the most famous sight on the Great Ocean Road.
Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Melbourne to Lorne. Its a wonderfully scenic place with a beach below and crashing waves. We arrived at our accommodation at 4.40pm. The Great Ocean Road drive is 243km (151 miles) long. Days - 1, 2 & 3 - Melbourne CBD. open-ended. After the gorge youll pass the town of Port Campbell. If you fancy trying your luck to spot some wildlife head out to nearbyLake Elizabeth. Despite staying close to Apollo Bay, we loved our cottage so much that we didnt visit the town until our way out. Highlights include the Telegraph Station, World War II Radar Bunker, whale viewing platform (we had no luck), and the lighthouse itself, which you can climb.
Journey Time: 3 minutes from RedwoodsStop Time: 20 minutes. Quest Warrnambool is the perfect place to do just that. TheForeshore Promenadeis a great place for a stroll as well and stretches on for about 6 km. When we drove past around 2.30pm, the viewing platform was rammed. One of the best walking tracks to visit here isMelba Gulleywhich is full of gorgeous giant fern trees and home to glow worm caves, which are best seen after dark. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members.
We arrived in Port Campbell at 2.45pm and had a few hours rest before heading out to see the sunset at London Bridge, which is a quieter alternative to the Twelve Apostles. 288 km/179 miles, about 3.5 hours. Journey Time: 4 minutes from London BridgeStop Time: 20 minutes. We do not recommend feeding wild birds, but it is exciting to see the koalas, and if you walk further down Grey River Rd it gets quieter. There are beautiful countryside and ocean views and all the comforts you need including a well-equipped kitchen, spa bath, and gas log fire. This budget-friendly hostel has dorms and private rooms and its in the centre of town with a fantastic roof terrace. Alternatively, you can take a vehicle from Melbourne to Lorne via Geelong and Geelong in around 3h 53m. I think 3 days/2 nights is the minimum amount of time for a really enjoyable trip. The ultimate Melbourne to Adelaide roadtrip along the Great Ocean Road and taking in Lorne, Apollo Bay, Port Fairy, Mount Gambier and Victor Harbour. We spent four days self-driving the road from Melbourne, but you could follow our Great Ocean Road itinerary in two or three days if necessary (we had a fair amount of relaxation time). Join the adventures on our YouTube channel! There is a walking track around the island and on the most westerly point youll find a lovely little lighthouse and a pretty viewpoint too. Please read our disclosure for more info.
Its a lovely place for a short stroll.
. The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! After a late arrival intoWarrnambool,youll want to see a few of the sights the city has to offer. thought of doing it in one day, but now will make a stop over and take two days..
because there's an entire community of travelers talking
document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Weve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planets best destinations and adventures. And to get your fill of more art you can visit theGeelong Art GalleryandThe Heritage Center. . You have to walk down 400 steps to get to the beach where you can see the remains of shipwrecks. Another good stop in Aireys Inlet is Fairhaven Beach. Its most famous for the Twelve Apostles rock formations, but theres lots to see along the stunning Shipwreck Coast.
Go for a swim in the southern ocean, soak in the sun or admire the stunning views out over Corio Bay and go for a stroll along theEastern Promenade. We left at 10am and arrived in Port Campbell at 2.45pm.
We know what you mean by just taking your time and booking the day of but we would recommend booking in advance as it is so much busier now. These unique and adorable local animals call this spot home and have been known to use the lake as a nesting ground when having babies so best to keep your eyes peeled. As its a fairly leisurely drive why not break up the short journey and enjoy the sights of the Victorian Surf Coast along the way. The ocean views are incredible and we could have happily spent all day curled up on the window seat with the fire roaring watching the waves crash down below. Start early, drive Melbourne > Geelong > Colac > 12 Apostles; this inland route is much faster. First, fuel up at Caf Moby, a converted weatherboard house full of character and with foreshore views to boot. If you want an even better view of the Twelve Apostles, you can take a helicopter ride over them. travelers and answer their questions about Melbourne! So you may get lucky to lay your eyes on some of these cute local beach dwellers. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 12:30 pmdrive for about 51 minutes, 1:22 pm Jan Juc The views of the town and coastline are superb. Journey Time: 10 minutes from Hopetoun FallsStop Time: 1 hour. You can sometimes see whales here in winter. Make sure you book ahead though, as its not something you can just show up and do. 1 hour, 50 minutes/92 kilometres A touch over 100 kilometres from Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport, Torquay marks the Great Ocean Road's official launch point. While there is a 230 kilometres direct inland route from Melbourne to the 12 Apostles, a longer scenic day trip along the Great Ocean Road is a much more interesting option. Im glad we bought plenty of food (and wine) as we did not want to go out for dinner. Jarryd, thank you for talking us along the Great Ocean Road, we are coming down from Brisbane mid April 2023 and plan to self drive it.
One day we had frost on the car in the morning but by the afternoon were eating ice cream in the sun with 20C temperatures. Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. Last on the Great Ocean Road Backpackers Guide is the quaint little town of Port Fairy. Your Great Ocean Road itinerary may be coming to an end, but dont worry, youll finish up with a dreamy little visit toPort Fairy. If you start early and arrive by late morning, youll have a good chance of enjoying the Twelve Apostles without the crowds. Great Ocean Road (6 mentions).
If you had plenty of time, you might want to spend a night here as there are some beautiful beaches and waterfalls nearby. We take the coastal route on the way there, and head inland to explore The Otways on the way back. Journey Time: 1 hour from Apollo Bay or WongarraStop Time: 25 minutes. Our particular itinerary starts in Melbourne and finishes in Port Fairy over 3 days, and is the exact route we have personally done numerous times. Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Melbourne to Lorne. By clicking the Submit button, you give consent for us to store your information for the purposes of displaying your comment and you accept the terms of our Privacy Policy. Stop 1 Torquay Great Ocean Road (6 mentions)
The return walk took us 20 minutes and it is rather a steep climb back up. Particularly loved those places you stayed, will have to check them out. Day 1: Melbourne to Apollo Bay Distance: 195km Drive Time: 3 Hours Sightseeing Time: 5 Hours For most people, the trip will start in Melbourne and can be done in a loop or a return journey. beaches and quaint towns including Lorne or Apollo Bay. Not even 15km from Apollo Bay is the incredibly lush and beautifulGreat Otway National Park. Along the way you can sample cheese, whisky, beer, chocolate, fudge, strawberries (in summer), ice cream, and olives from local producers.
Try searching for places within 2 hours of Melbourne.
There arent many eating options up here so bring a packed lunch or theres a cafe at Otway Fly and a few options further along in Lavers Hill. The drive from . Book as far in advance as you can as it is very popular. 8am-fly in, pick up car, drive to 12 apostles (inland route) 12.30- visit 12 Apostles, lunch ect, 2.30-Back on the road. Now 2 pillars are left standing above the sea and make for an impressive view inPort Campbell National Park. Day 1: Melbourne to Port Fairy via inland route. Journey Time: 5 minutes from Twelve ApostlesStop Time: 1 hour 35 minutes.
Its worth a quick stop to admire the surfers riding the waves from the viewing platform above. The large corner window seat is the perfect place to enjoy the views in winter, and for warmer weather, theres a large balcony with a table, chairs, and BBQ. Answer 1 of 3: Hi - I'm on a tour of Melbourne with 3 seniors and one 4 year. It consists of three cottages on a 160-acre farm owned by Bryan and Joan. One of the most adventurous things to do on the Great Ocean Road drive is to do a bit of scuba diving.
Hi Tracy, November is a beautiful time to travel the Great Ocean Road. Shadowfax Wines Jan Juc There's a couple of fun things to see in the area including Battery Hill, an old fort, and a beautiful port . The Grotto is unlike any of the other rock formations in the area. Walk back down to the base of the bluff to enjoy relaxing on the beach for a while. Bells Beach is a famous surf beach with huge waves and is home to the Rip Curl Pro surfing competition in April. The three stops above are a good half-day trip, but if you have a full day you can continue on to Otway Fly Treetop Adventures where you can go zip lining (book ahead, $120) or walk above the trees on the elevated treetop walk ($25). We were back at our cottage by 2pm and had a two-hour break before heading out to explore the second section of Port Campbell National Park. The Lightstation is open every day from 10am 5pm (except for Christmas Day), but if you arrive out of hours, you can still walk along the lovely coastal trail that starts by the car park.
Stop for lunch in Campertown - try a local cafe or bring a picnic to eat in the Botanic Gardens; Explore Port Fairy, including the bookshops mentioned in this post, and stay the night . We visited in early spring (mid-September) and while we werent going to do any swimming, it was good walking weather. These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. This stone archway once formed a natural bridge over the gorge, but unfortunately collapsed almost a decade ago. 15 minutes down the road from Kennett River is Wongarra, where we spent the next two nights at Points South by the Sea. The Bay of Islandsoffers similar scenery to the Twelve Apostles but without the crowds. Head forEastern Beachfirst. On a clear sunny day and depending on the tide you can get pretty close.
There are several veggie options and the lentil burger was decent, if nothing special. We had a light lunch in the surprisingly good cafe housed in the Assistant Keepers Quarters with views of the lighthouse. These are some of the places people talk about on Trippy: Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questions Have a great time. Along the way be sure to stop off at one of the small towns for a late afternoon-snack or coffee, or you can take a detour up to Ballarat for the night to learn about the gold rush. If you're planning a road trip to Lorne, you can research locations to stop along the way.
The huge natural limestone arch was formed by erosion and you can see the power of the waves that caused it. I recommend overnight stays near Apollo Bay and Port Campbell as we did. For a shorter track check outMaits Restwhich will take you through a beautiful section of rainforest. The cottage is very well-equipped and Bryan is a fantastic host who goes out of his way to help you make the most of your stay and share his tips for the area. Wear shoes that are comfortable for walking.
We stayed at Anchors at Port Campbellwhere there are three cottages on a farm a few kilometres inland from town. Continue on from this point as there are tons of Great Ocean Road attractions to come. Your stop times will varywe tend to walk fast but take a lot of photos. Possible stops on the way back to Apollo Bay are the Cape Otway Lighthouse (which we visit the next day) and Maits Rest, an easy walk through the rainforest. We did not want to leave, but Port Campbell made a much more convenient base for exploring the Twelve Apostles and surrounding attractionswere glad we had a full day and two nights here. You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving
As we were staying so close we were able to arrive early and easily take breaks between exploring different areas.
What used to be a swamp was reclaimed and turned into these pretty gardens in 1858. For more trail information in Great Otway National Park, visit thiswebsite. Theres also a cafe if you want a longer break. The homemade scones and vegetarian korma pie were delicious, and the cakes looked tempting.
After the Twelve Apostles, continue along the Great Ocean Road towards Port Campbell.
But it has a strange beak and is one of the few mammals that lay eggs. Journey Time: 4 minutes from The ArchStop Time: 20 minutes. At the end of your Great Ocean Road itinerary, you can leave Port Fairy andhead back towards Melbourneon the M8 National highway to take on your next series of Aussie fun. The Great Ocean Road is in the state of Victoria in south-eastern Australia. Picking up and dropping off the car was quick and easy, and they are near Queen Victoria Market where you can pick up supplies for the trip. This lookout gives you the chance to see right out to sea and over the entire city.
