If you just wanted a quick stop, you could do that in about 15 minutes, but its worth following one or all of the three marked trails.
Journey Time: 35 minutes from Apollo BayStop Time: 2 hours (including lunch). The gas log fire kept us warm. If that is not an option though, or you dont like the idea of driving on the wrong side of the road, there are plenty of excellent tours likethis onethat will take you to see all the sights including the Twelve Apostles, Port Campbell, Otway National Park and more. 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. Road trip: Melbourne to Adelaide in 6 days. Or if youd prefer to visit the Twelve Apostles before most of the other tour buses arrive, this Great Ocean Road Reverse Experience heads directly to the highlights via the inland route then follows the road back to the city. You need to park just off the road and then walk up the hill to the lighthouse. Its a hub for the local food scene with a small shop selling cheese, wine, beer, condiments and other products made in the area. One of the best things to do on the Great Ocean Road is going out for a paddle at some of the most famous surf beaches in Australia. You can also compare many rental companies and find the cheapest cars at Rental Cars. Wye River is just over two hours drive from Melbourne via the M1.
Languages. There are also several wineries and breweries in the area worth stopping in at to pick something up to enjoy throughout the rest of your trip too. Wear shoes that are comfortable for walking. Journey Time: 15 minutes from Points South by the SeaStop Time: 15 minutes.
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. Train operators. Loch Ard Gorge is another place that you dont want to miss.
If you're planning a road trip to Lorne, you can research locations to stop along the way. The Grotto is one of the most impressive sections of the coastline, and essentially a sinkhole.
Next we stocked up on supplies at the Foodworks supermarket (theres no big supermarket in Port Campbell) and bought a snack from the Apollo Bay Bakery. Note there are no toilets at any of the other sights on todays itinerary. Then tuck into a delicious dinner at the Salty Dog Fish & Chippery along the beachfront, the perfect way to end a day of exploring. You have to walk down 400 steps to get to the beach where you can see the remains of shipwrecks. Cant wait for the trip , Thanks Tracy. We are Alesha and Jarryd, the award-winning writers and professional photographers behind this blog.
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). The sun wasnt quite high enough to illuminate the stacks, but an hour later it was, and there were even fewer people around. There are toilets here but not at Hopetoun Falls. There was only one other person on the beach when we visited.
travelers and answer their questions about Melbourne! Plan your journey with our route planner. Nearby youll find another popular waterfall, Triplet Falls (a one hour walk). I was originally looking for accommodation in Apollo Bay, but Im really glad we ended up 15 minutes outside of town in the hamlet of Wongarra. Stop 1 Torquay There is no direct connection from Melbourne to Lorne. drive for about 15 minutes 2:37 pm Great Ocean Road stay for about 1 hour and leave at 3:37 pm drive for about 24 minutes 4:01 pm arrive in Lorne driving 2 hours Change your route From: To: Alternate route Enter a city to drive through, or find all trips from Melbourne to Lorne. The Grotto is unlike any of the other rock formations in the area. Make sure you check road conditions Bay of Martyrs is an overlooked spot thats perfect for escaping the crowds. 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. 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 beaches and quaint towns including Lorne or Apollo Bay.
For more experienced surfers, and those looking to set foot onto a world-renowned surf beach, head toBells Beach.
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Great Ocean Road Touring Route - Visit Victoria home Reserve your spot here. 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 . We had no idea what it was at first although its spikes made us guess it was a porcupine. I think 3 days/2 nights is the minimum amount of time for a really enjoyable trip.
Great Ocean Road.
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One of Victoria's most scenic drives, Great Ocean Road provides plenty of exciting pit stopsexplore the surfing town of Bells Beach, discover the waterfalls of Lorne, zipline through the Otway Ranges, and visit The Twelve Apostles rock formations.
However, the views arent affected by the bigger cityscape. Thats how were going to structure this post for you. But one of the most incredible Great Ocean Road attractions is just around the corner. In the late afternoon, photography was difficult as I was shooting into the sun, but itd be an excellent place for sunset. Not too far down the coast is an iconic must-visit stop on any of the Great Ocean Road drives,Torquay, known for its epic surf beaches. Soaring high above the limestone stacks youll get the best views of Victorias Shipwreck Coast.
The most scenic leg of the drive is further along between Lorne and Apollo Bay. Journey Time: 40 minutes from LorneStop Time: 15 minutes. We left at 10.30am and with the stops below arrived back in the city at 3.30pm. We loved the quiet location. Journey Time: 4 minutes from London BridgeStop Time: 20 minutes. Via: Where should I stop along the way? Battery Hillis a great spot to get a view from on high of the town and see some pieces of Port Fairy history like the remnants of a Russian invasion from the 1860s. Official site for Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Subscribe. You could also fit them in on the previous day. Drive from Melbourne to Adelaide along one of Australia's most famous coastal routes.
Make sure you book ahead though, as its not something you can just show up and do. You will pass the Twelve Apostles on the way to Port Campbell, but its very crowded mid-afternoon so we left it for the next morning. Journey Time: 20 minutes from ChocolaterieStop Time: 25 minutes. 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. We loved it so much we returned a month later for a few days to do nothing but relax and enjoy the view. Great Ocean Road (6 mentions). stay for about 1 hour and leave at 2:22 pmdrive for about 15 minutes, 2:37 pm Great Ocean Road
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If you want one of the best views in Geelong, grab a seat on theSkyWheel. What used to be a swamp was reclaimed and turned into these pretty gardens in 1858. From: Melbourne. Journey Time: 5 minutes from Twelve ApostlesStop Time: 1 hour 35 minutes. The downside of taking a tour is that youll never escape the crowds. Visit 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge. Its a casual, diner type place on the seafront strip thats known for its burgers.
Melbourne to Adelaide in 6 days | Road trips | Holiday Finder - NRMA Just around the corner is Timboon Fine Ice Cream where you can choose from a huge selection of unusual flavours including a whisky cream made with the drink from next door. G.O.R.G.E Chocolates (20 minutes from Port Campbell) is a small, low-key chocolate shop thats very different from the touristy affair of the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie. Go on a culinary crusade via craft breweries and top regional restaurants on the short inland route back to Melbourne via Colac (below).
Great Ocean Road 2-Day Itinerary: The BEST Self Drive Itinerary Port Fairy is a tiny town on Victorias iconic shipwreck coast with a charming vibe and an exciting causeway that leads you out to an island worth exploring too. 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. Its a wonderfully scenic place with a beach below and crashing waves. who wants the trip to end? - along with all the incredible attractions and things to do .
There are beautiful countryside and ocean views and all the comforts you need including a well-equipped kitchen, spa bath, and gas log fire.
Great Ocean Road - 3 Day 2 Night Road Trip Itinerary US
Other options include coming from Adelaide, so if this is you, just read the itinerary backwards. This dive spot is actually a ship that was wrecked off the eastern beach in Port Fairy in 1849. Relax and unwind in the seaside town of Lorne, attracting visitors for more than a century with its easy Mediterranean feel and charming scenery. You can tackle the Great Ocean Road in one long day, or break it up over a few days, which is what we suggest doing. What to expect Surf at world-famous Bells Beach.
Our last full day was dedicated to the Port Campbell National Park. . Its a highlight of a Great Ocean Road itinerary! The return walk took us 20 minutes and it is rather a steep climb back up. Yes, even this step is optional, because if you're on vacation Follow the inland route if you are headed back to Melbourne for a shorter drive. Both routes meet in Lorne, which is 15 minutes from Wye River.
The Best Stops during a Melbourne to Adelaide Road Trip
Book Lover's Guide to the Great Ocean Road - Babbling Books Journey Time: 1 hour from Apollo Bay or WongarraStop Time: 25 minutes. From the car park its a short walk to a viewpoint of the beach surrounded by cliffs. As we were staying so close we were able to arrive early and easily take breaks between exploring different areas. After a late arrival intoWarrnambool,youll want to see a few of the sights the city has to offer. Our final stops in the area were on the food trail.
You can do this in one big day (its almost 600km direct), but we personally recommend breaking the trip up into 2 or 3 days, spending some time in Mount Gambier and Coorong National Park. Brekkie tacos, smoothie bowls and a full lunch menu to eat in or take away will please anyone visiting. With the last day of your Great Ocean Road itinerary upon you, there is still so much to be seen and experienced. So you may get lucky to lay your eyes on some of these cute local beach dwellers. We had a light lunch in the surprisingly good cafe housed in the Assistant Keepers Quarters with views of the lighthouse. They are happy for you to wander the property to see the horses, chickens, pigs, and sheep. thought of doing it in one day, but now will make a stop over and take two days..
Route planner, Travel information, Victoria, Australia The PERFECT Great Ocean Road Drive Itinerary (2023) - NOMADasaurus
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. Port Campbell is a tiny town, but its a great base for the Twelve Apostles.
You can drive the entire length of the Great Ocean Road in one long day (about 8 hours return), but we recommend splitting the journey up into a few days. You can see our detailed GOR self-drive itinerary below. . With great facilities, cozy apartment-style suites and great views from almost any room on site, this is your best choice if youd like a bit of space to stretch out after a big day of driving the Great Ocean Road. The Marriners Lookout is a short drive from the centre of town and a 5-minute uphill walk from the car park. If you had plenty of time, you might want to spend a night here as there are some beautiful beaches and waterfalls nearby.
We personally stayed there when we travelled across Australia, and highly recommend it. The Twelve Apostlesare one of the most amazing sights within Australia and its not hard to see why as you drive along the coast from Great Otway. Deep lush valleys, sky-high rainforests, stunning waterfalls and tons of walking tracks make it a great spot to get off the beach and still be in nature. The landscape varies depending on which route you take. We actually visited at sunset the previous day. Keep an eye open as you wander the trails for koalas up in the trees and beautiful native birds soaring around too. by calculating the distance from Melbourne to Lorne. .
Melbourne to Lorne drive - plan a road trip
One of the best things to do here is take a walk out on thePort Fairy Wharves. Stop 1 - Torquay The official start of The Great Ocean Road, Torquay is a town with an ingrained surfing culture. You can take a bus from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Lorne via Skybus Coach Terminal/Southern Cross, Southern Cross Coach Terminal/Spencer St, and Geelong in around 5h 11m.
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.