can include Port Fairy and more coastal towns. Featuring the major stops, seaside towns and villages along the Great Ocean Road including Torquay, Anglesea, Airey's Inlet, Lorne, Wye River, Kennett River, Apollo Bay, Port Campbell National Park, Port Campbell and Allensford; plus Warnambool and Port Fairy (as an extension to the official end of the Great Ocean Rd at Allensford.) As one of the world's leading travel journalists, our content and adventures have been featured by National Geographic, Lonely Planet, CNN, BBC, Forbes, Business Insider, Washington Post, Yahoo!, BuzzFeed, Channel 7, Channel 10, ABC, The Guardian, and plenty other publications. The Great Ocean Road drive itineraries from Melbourne We could not get too close to the edge or else we would risk being pulled into the ocean by a rogue wave. There is also a plaque on the left side of the road which serves as a memory for the soldiers. Getting stuck behind tour buses will add to your travel time. For several hours, we traveled along the Great Ocean Road, on very windy roads, through towns like Apollo Bay, Skenes Creek, and Lorne. They will also add to the crowds at every one of your stops, so you want to beat them if you can. The cave was not very big, extending about ten meters back into the cliff from the opening. One down side to this is that you will be travelling on the side of the road which isnt on the coast side. Bells Beach is Australias premiere surf spot, a spot also labeled by some as the best surfing destination in the world. Cruising the Great Ocean Road is ranked amongst the top things to do in Australia. Although i highly recommend visiting Warrnambool, you may not have the time to spend there. The Great Ocean Road is a 243-kilometre (151-mile) route located along the coast of Victoria in southeastern Australia. The Animal Condition (Feature Film) 2010 - Jun 20177 years. The whole trail is about 15km, but your best chances for spotting the cute indigenous animals are about 6km in atGrey River. Discover. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The official length of the Great Ocean Road is around 243 km/ 151 miles. The Great Ocean Road from Melbourne - 1-Day Itinerary The Ultimate Guide To Watch Phillip Island Penguin Parade. Carry a fast-drying towel, a bathing suit and a change of clothes to go swimming. 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. The iconic spots and landmarks on the Great Ocean Road can be covered within a day as it is stretches for only about 243 Km (151 miles). READ MORE: Be sure to plan your best trip to Australia by using our Australia Travel Guide! Fabulous horse riding through the forest or down along a long golden beach. The waves here were big, similar to US east coast waves just before a hurricane. The Great Ocean Road was built as a memorial for soldiers of World War I and this timber arch commemorates them. While the Great Ocean Road covers a ton of coastline, this national park is a gem located more on the inland route. However, the views arent affected by the bigger cityscape. It has some of the best park guides in the area to teach you about the history of the volcano as well as local Aboriginal history. Melbourne to Apollo Bay 187 km/116 miles, about 3 hours Ease into your road trip with the leisurely drive from Melbourne to Torquay, just over an hour's drive. you really need 2-3 weeks to make the most of this itinerary, especially as you're going to be going over to Kangaroo Island. The drive offers plenty of places to stop off and explore. Brekkie tacos, smoothie bowls and a full lunch menu to eat in or take away will please anyone visiting. Well, at least until the constant winding roads started making Kara nauseous, giving her a front seat in our car and a dose of dramamine. Great Ocean Road Tours that offer the best itinerary and great sights within a day from Melbourne. This is a rare opportunity to work for a minimum of 3-6 months and with a start date late April. If you have limited time and can only do it in 1 day, then dont stress. Discover the different regions and their world class surf breaks, local food & wine, magnificent coastal walks, beautiful rainforest trails and pristine beaches. Although most Great Ocean Road tours offer snacks they might be limited and since you are in for a long day its best to stock up on extra snacks and beverages for the road. Youll find them sitting up in the eucalyptus trees. This lookout gives you the chance to see right out to sea and over the entire city. The Great Ocean Road is a one-and-a-half-hour drive from Melbourne with dual lane highway conditions for most of the journey and excellent signposting. Made famous for theRip Curl Prohosted every Easter, Bells Beach is not only beautiful but a huge part of both Australian and surf culture. . The road driving distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 Km. Located just outside of Geelong and only 45 minutes from Melbourne CBD, Avalon Airport is the closest airport to the start of the Great Ocean Road, being only a 35 minute drive from Torquay. If youd like to continue travelling Australia beyond the Great Ocean Road, you canhead northwest to Adelaide. A lot of people will finish the day in Warrnambool and spend the there, as it is the largest town along the Great Ocean Road. Check out our Great Ocean Road tours. But if you are driving under the speed limit and following protocols, it could be one of the best drives of your life given the amazing view throughout the drive. Read all of our articles in our. Head down to the Moyne River and stretch your legs along the wharves. Read more about taking a Melbourne to Phillip Island Tour. Check out the Vline train & bus timetable to make your way between Geelong and Warrnambool. From Torquay to Warrnambool (the last town on the Great Ocean Road), expect to spend at least 4 hours of driving which doesnt include stops. Day 2 - Pinnacles Walk in the Grampians National Park and drive to Port Campbell on the Great Ocean Road to stay overnight. This was not anywhere near as scenic as Port Campbell National Park but was still worth seeing. Bunyip Tours: See above for that. Please enter your email address or username. While Tyler and Kara tried to throw each other off of the sand dunes, Tim and I went exploring. Loch Ard Gorgeis the first attraction on the way, just a stones throw from the Twelve Apostles. 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. Any advice greatly appreciated! Surf lessons can be booked in Lorne, Anglesea, Torquay, and Ocean Grove. Visit top wilderness destinations and picturesque towns on this epic 3-day tour from Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road and the Grampians. 34 mins), (3 hrs Cant wait for the trip , Thanks Tracy. The Kennet River located between Lorne and Apollo Bay is one of the best places in Australia to view wild koalas. It was in this area that we were treated to stunning views. DestinationsPhotographySustainable TourismAdventure Travel, Adventure ToursStart a BlogTravel TipsSitemap, 2023 NOMADasaurus | Peak Evolution Media, The PERFECT Great Ocean Road Drive Itinerary (2023). Now 2 pillars are left standing above the sea and make for an impressive view inPort Campbell National Park. Home to some of Australia's best-known surf beaches, Torquay marks the official beginning of the Great Ocean Road. Not even 15km from Apollo Bay is the incredibly lush and beautifulGreat Otway National Park. How far is the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne? Loch Iel (Pink Lake) The inland Melbourne to Adelaide drive takes around 5.5 hours from the Grampians. Another fun way to get to the Great Ocean Road is by using the ferry service from Queenscliff and the Bellarine Peninsula to Sorrento and the Mornington Peninsula. A drive down the road will take you through magnificent landscapes of the white surf hitting the golden beaches, where the limestone stacks and arches weather the powerful ocean. Best Great Ocean Road Tours Save AU$10 on your Great Ocean Road Bus tours with this promo code. Melbourne - This is usually the starting point when planning an itinerary for Great Ocean Road. Please note: this popular area is big and therefore the tour involves quite a lot of driving. Most of the people here were Chinese. The Great Otway National Park is located within the Otway ranges and covers the area from Torquay to Princetown. Our self-drive itinerary includes driving via Robe and Victor Harbour though a side trip to include The Grampians could be included. Great post guys, you have inspired me to take a trip here when I finally get to Australia again! One of the most iconic road trips in all of Australia, if not the world, has got to be the Great Ocean Road drive. 1 Melbourne: 1-Day Entry Ticket to Melbourne Zoo. What used to be a swamp was reclaimed and turned into these pretty gardens in 1858. Today, at 4 pm, with clouds and a cold breeze, it did not look like much to us. Great Ocean Road travel - Lonely Planet | Victoria, Australia It stretches for 243 kms. The V/line service offers frequent train travel departing Melbournes Southern Cross Station and running to both Geelong and Warrnambool. Both are natural, offshore stone archways. Book Great Ocean Road Tours & Tickets in Melbourne Today - Viator Our personal recommendation for where we stay in Apollo Bay every time is The Apollo Apartment. Soaring high above the limestone stacks youll get the best views of Victorias Shipwreck Coast. Do you think that will be possible that time of year or do we have to book in advance ? Most visitors to the Great Ocean Road travel from Melbourne, which is the nearest major city. It seemed like there was another amazing view every 400 meters, so we were jumping in and out of our car a lot. For those wanting to drive a bit further west, theres the historic harbour settlement of Portland which you can visit. Most people start the Great Ocean Road drive from Melbourne to Torquay. We had one day to drive the Great Ocean Road, including this in our travels from Adelaide to Melbourne. The road starts in Torquay, and finishes in Allansford. Great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary Boutique Tour - Max 12 People - Viator Starting from Torquay, this route takes you through beautiful seaside towns and rain forests as you follow the winding road along the exquisite coastline. Once in Warrnambool, it doesnt take long to drive to Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve. Turn off for this road just before you reach Apollo Bay. 4 From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road Full-Day Trip. Maximum group size of 12 travellers with a reverse itinerary to beat the crowds at the 12 Apostles. Drive Along the Great Ocean Road. Visit surf beaches, seaside towns, and national parks; and see rain forest, wild koalas, and towering waterfalls. The Grotto is one of the most impressive sections of the coastline, and essentially a sinkhole. Mount Gambier to Great Ocean Road - 5 ways to travel via bus, and car Built in honour of the 3,000 soldiers who worked on this stretch of road after WWI, there is now also a sculpture there to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the arch. The view of these sandstone pillars along the coastline is one of the Great Ocean Roads most famous. Great Ocean Road & Melbourne itinerary and attractions Day 1: Arriving in city of Melbourne Australia. A dormant volcanic crater, Tower Hill is full of Australian wildlife (koalas, kangaroos, emus to name a few) and has lush wetlands and bush. The sea enters the area through a narrow opening between two rock pillars. Drive from Melbourne, via the Princes Highway, straight to Warrnambool (over 3 hours drive). Memorial Arch (8am) Our first stop was the Memorial Arch, which is located just past the city of Torquay. Torquay is also home to theSurf World Museumwith tons of history about the sport and its fame in Australia. In Portland we stayed at the Portland Holiday Village. However, the Great Ocean Road is a hit at any time of the year and here is why . Theres a lot to see and do along the way. Apart from the trip distance, refer Directions from Portland Ln to Mildura VIC 3500 for road driving directions! What is the return distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? A Melbourne road trip to Adelaide via the Great Ocean Road can be done over 5 days, easily seeing the best of the Ocean Road highlights. The landscape varies depending on which route you take. For a great post-drive meal check out theGeelong Boathousefor a classic fish & chips by the sea. 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. The highlight of the Great Ocean Road are the Twelve Apostles. You could drive the main highlights of the Great Ocean Road (from the Bay of Islands to the Twelve Apostles), and then drive to Melbourne on highway A1. Through our stories and images we promote exciting off-the-beaten-path destinations and fascinating cultures as we go. 375km of scenic winding roads along the southern ocean will take you through some of the countrys most beautiful UNESCO-listed landscapes. Taking an organized bus tour from Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road is the best way to experience the best of the pictursque route from the comfort of your bus. If you're planning to visit the Great Ocean Road, here's all that you should squeeze into your itinerary. The route of 243 KM stretches from Torquay to Allansford in Victoria state. Lorne is a picturesque town set between Loutit Bay and the Otway National Park, it is where the bush meets the ocean. A walkway just outside Lorne offers views of the ocean lapping up the mouth of the Saint George River and the Bass Strait. 5 Day Great Ocean Road Itinerary: Day 1 - Melbourne to Lorne Setting out on the first section of the Great Ocean Road will take you from the Victorian capital of Melbourne to the coastal town of Lorne. And just for NOMADasaurus readers, if you use the Klook discount codeNOMADS10on the website when checking out, youll get $10 off your first booking! Dogs are permitted to join you in a vehicle driving along the length of the Great Ocean Road, even when the highway passes through areas of national park. Trust me, though, it'll be worth waking up early for. The area has a forest of gum and eucalyptus trees which are the main food source of koalas. These tours are crafted to help you cover most of it in a short span of time, something you may not be able to do as a tourist in the city. For most people, the trip willstart in Melbourneand can be done in a loop or a return journey. The Great Ocean Road spans 200 kilometers, from Port Campbell in the west to Torquay in the east. A little warning about the Penguin Parade: It is very touristy and professionally put together. This is just because we really want to show you the best bits of the beautiful Great Ocean Road! You can walk, trek, horse-ride or bike through the park. Wear comfortable shoes as there is a lot of walking to do. 4 Day Great Ocean Road Melbourne to Adelaide Tour If you want to travel by bus, know that there are plenty from Geelong to Apollo Bay, Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Portland,all travelling via the Great Ocean Road. It is comparable to Big Sur in California with coastal views, winding roads, and many, many scenic viewpoints. Lorne Seabaths, Gym, inground Trampolines for kids, and more. Enjoy the iconic Penguin Parade on Phillip Island, hand feed kangaroos and wallabies at Moonlit Sanctuary, visit the famous Brighton Beach boxes and more on a day trip from Melbourne to Phillip Island. Victoria is the second-smallest state in Australia but packed with abundant natural beauty, all of which is easily accessible on quick day trips from Melbourne. Tyler and Kara, since they were shorter, were able to retreat to the far depths of the cave, keeping their feet dry. A total of 620 properties were sold via auction last . For many people, the Great Ocean Road is a highlight when visiting Australia. What is the distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? The main issues can be poor visibility due to fog, slippery roads in wet weather, and traffic from vehicles and pedestrians in the busy sections. The first stop when driving the Great Ocean Road will beGeelong. 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. The Subaru Forester has been an exceptional ride on the trip on the Melbourne to Adelaide via Great Ocean Road trip - powerful, economical, spacious, and with loads of safety features built-in, making the long drives a comfortable experience. Duration: 5 Days Prices From: US$ 699 Trip Type: Self-Drives, Tailor-made Travel Ideas Australia See Trip Details Other good breaks in addition to Bells Beach includeSan Juc, Winki Pop, Bird RockandSparrowsjust to name a few. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. Conveniently located a little ways from Port Campbell, these serviced apartments have great rooms, a gorgeous pool area and make for a great stopover. We love this place and even bought one of their horses a few years ago! From AUD$940.00* per person, based on [] hi guys my husband and l are going to drive the great ocean road in early November. With the last day of your Great Ocean Road itinerary upon you, there is still so much to be seen and experienced. I dashed out of the cave to higher ground, able to stay dry. Some of the largest waves I have ever seen were crashing onto the rocks, sending up sprays of water at least thirty feet in the air. A great photo op spot, this is one of the most photographed spots along the Great Ocean Road. The road winds through picturesque locations outdo one another in terms of visual extravaganza. Like I mentioned before, covering all of these in a day may be a long shot, hence plan for a 2 day Great Ocean Road trip. The same would not go for the rest of the Earth Trekkers. Drive through the Great Ocean Road's coastal cliffs and river inlets as well as its luscious fern gullies. Great Ocean Road Drive Info - Time, Distance & Tips Hopetoun Falls Just gorgeous, the walk to these falls is not very far, though it does involve steps. There are 2 main routes to reach the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne - an inland road that follows the Princes Highway from Geelong to Warrnambool, or drive over the West Gate Bridge and along the Bellarine Peninsula or Surf Coast Highway. In 1932, the road was thrown open to the public and has since then become one of the worlds best road trip destinations. Stretching 641 km, this route will take you from Melbourne to Warrnambool and back in about nine hours - that means you'll be treated to changing landscapes and plenty of different scenery! It has great local produce, excellent surf beaches, and play parks for the kids to burn off energy. Thats how were going to structure this post for you. The Gunditjmara people are the rightful owners of the land incorporated into the Great Ocean Road from Portland to Warrnambool, including Port Fairy and the Princess Highway. DISCLAIMER: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you book accommodation, tours or buy a product, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Great Ocean Road Touring Route - Visit Victoria home You might not be making any unscheduled stops to buy snacks. Theres so much to see and do, so you dont want to be left feeling rushed and tired at the end of your trip. You can also use the share icon and share it on Facebook. Stock up on essentials, fill up the car, turn up the radio and head towards Apollo Bay! 7-Day Melbourne to Adelaide Road Trip Itinerary via the Great Ocean Less traffic on the road and more time to spend at stops. The four of us were ecstatic to be off those winding roads. To get here, however, was a two-hour drive via the M1 highway from Melbourne. 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. If you really want a unique perspective though, and love a bit of adventure, how does skydiving over the 12 Apostles sound? You can also find the distance from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road using other travel options like bus, subway, tram, train and rail. Its not nearly as scenic to do it this way, but it does save you about 50 km and one hour of driving. In the shadow of the Otway ranges meeting Cape Otway is the Apollo Bay, midway of the Great Ocean Road. After a late arrival intoWarrnambool,youll want to see a few of the sights the city has to offer. No, the Great Ocean Road isnt particularly dangerous to drive, as long as you take proper precautions. You will ride on an AC tour bus, accompanied by a friendly tour guide who will ensure you hit all the spots on your Great Ocean Road tour. Great Ocean Road travel guide But all the views are spectacular on this stretch of the Great Ocean Road Trip. Planning a trip to Australia? Thousands of visitors flock here for summer and for festivals during the year, including the world famous Folkie. Sometimes, Tyler and Kara feel like they will never be able to escape the attention of people curious about their blond hair. Its a lot of driving. If you are spending a night while on the road, the best coastal towns to rent a motel are Anglesea, Lorne, Apollo Bay and Around the Otway National Park. A relaxed pace - The only 4 day Melbourne to Adelaide Great Ocean Road experience, allowing ample time for all the 'must-sees' along the iconic Great Ocean Road and Beyond. plenty of accommodation choices in Warrnambool, Apollo Bay Surf, Stand Up Paddle Boarding & Kayak, Otway Estate Brewery Prickly Moses Beer. From Melbourne, head to Geelong and then south to Torquay. The direct route between these two locations is 142km, taking drivers around two hours to complete. Apollo Bay is a popular place, so make sure you have booked your accommodation ahead of time. To do this, leave Melbourne before 8am as most tours leave Melbourne city between 8am and 9am. Great Ocean Road one-day itinerary. We are Alesha and Jarryd, the award-winning writers and professional photographers behind this blog. All the points of interest mentioned above are marked on the Great Ocean Road Map below. 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. After the Twelve Apostles, continue along the Great Ocean Road towards Port Campbell. Returns: Approx 9:00pm. The Great Ocean Road winds through picturesque locations that outdo one another in terms of visual extravaganza. One Day Road Trip on the Great Ocean Road, Australia If you're planning your big Great Ocean Road trip from Melbourne, here are all the transport options that could get you there.