Covering nearly 200 hectares, this park is one of the few Great Ocean Road highlights that is not a beach. 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. Simon loved the cheese and vegetable pasty. We didnt do this but tours take place every half an hour from 11am until 1.30pm for 3045 minutes and cost $10. We were out for about four hours in total and were left with the afternoon to relax in our wonderful cottage. most talked about places recommended by Trippy members. Its part-archway, part-cave with a serene pool of water in contrast to the powerful waves beyond. Theres no real need to stop in Colac, but as the inland route back to Melbourne along the A1 passes through, we stopped for lunch. There are a few options for pit stop number 3, which will time in perfectly with a late lunch. An absolute must-do for anyone wanting one of the best views of this part of the Great Ocean Road is to book in for aTwelve Apostles Helicopter Ride. You could continue down the coast, perhaps having a break in Port Campbell (Forage on Foreshore is a recommended cafe). Despite staying close to Apollo Bay, we loved our cottage so much that we didnt visit the town until our way out. Itll take longer than you think due to the many curves and places youll want to stop to take a photo or visit an attraction. If wed had an extra night, wed have spent it at Points South by the Sea just so we could have a relaxation day in our cottage enjoying the view and local walks. Days: 5. Theres also a small but well-equipped kitchen, a balcony with table and chairs, and a bathroom with an excellent shower and a spa bath with a view. The ULTIMATE Great Ocean Road Map 2023 (Local's Guide) I highly recommend visiting in the morning to truly enjoy it. . GOR Via inland Route - Great Ocean Road Forum - Tripadvisor
The current exchange rate is 1 AUD = 0.78 USD and 0.56 GBP. 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. The homemade scones and vegetarian korma pie were delicious, and the cakes looked tempting.
Melbourne
How long does it take to drive the Great Ocean Road? You can visit the Marriners Lookout, Lake Elizabeth, and local museums such as The Bass Strait Shell Museum to discover more about sea life. The Ultimate Great Ocean Road Trip: From Melbourne to Adelaide - NeedaBreak We walked all of the trails except for the furthest section between Broken Head and Sherwood Estuary and walked a total of 6km (3.7 miles). You can sometimes see whales here in winter. A great photo op spot, this is one of the most photographed spots along the Great Ocean Road. 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. Having your own vehicle is highly recommended so you can really explore all the things to see on the Great Ocean Road, as it really is one of the Australias top destinations. It starts in Torquay, which is 105km (65 miles) from Melbourne, and continues westward along the coast to finish at Allansford near Warrnambool. 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. This page contains affiliate links. The ocean route via Angelsea (159km) is a spectacular coastal drive and an excellent introduction to the Great Ocean Road.
South Coast
While it is a large city the laid back beach vibe is very present here and you could wind up spending more time here than you planned. DAY 1 Drive: Melbourne > Geelong > Lorne (2-2.5 HRS) It's time to head out!
375km of scenic winding roads along the southern ocean will take you through some of the countrys most beautiful UNESCO-listed landscapes. Then back along the coast towards Melbourne, taking a small detour down to the cape otway lighthouse. 1115km. If youre looking to do a bit of waterfall chasing, this is a great place to find them! Loch Ard Gorgeis the first attraction on the way, just a stones throw from the Twelve Apostles. As we were staying so close we were able to arrive early and easily take breaks between exploring different areas. What is a partial cave, archway and blowhole, The Grotto is definitely something to marvel at. 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 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). From here you are well on your way to having covered a ton of ground. Stop 2 Point Roadknight, Anglesea At night we loved snuggling on the comfy couch by the fireplace. A round trip from Melbourne to the 12 Apostles travelling along the Great Ocean Road will take your travel . When we drove past around 2.30pm, the viewing platform was rammed. The return walk took us 20 minutes and it is rather a steep climb back up. nev-tagAustralianev-tagMelbournenev-tagVictoria Erin, Heading on a road trip along the Great Ocean Road soon, so great article to read. From the car park its a short walk to a viewpoint of the beach surrounded by cliffs.
Tropical North Qld
2pm Check into hotel. Its only a 10-minute drive from the Twelve Apostles so was very convenient for getting there early. If you're planning a road trip to Lorne, you can research locations to stop along the way.

Tasmania

Take in the beauty of the 12 Apostles. Established during early 19 th Century this town has come a long way, but it has also made a really good effort to stick to its roots.
Mantra Sydney Central Mantra Chatswood Mantra Parramatta Mantra 2 Bond Street Mantra Hotel at Sydney Airport Mantra on Kent Mantra Castle Hill Sydney
One of the best things to do here is take a walk out on thePort Fairy Wharves. Even if youve never seen the show, its worth a stop as its a quintessential lighthouse and there are beautiful coastal views.
Port Campbell is a tiny town, but its a great base for the Twelve Apostles. We saw an adorable mother and baby koala! You can also travel from Melbourne to Adelaide via the Great Ocean Road, but youll need at least a few days as its a distance of nearly 1000km (620 miles). Journey Time: 40 minutes from LorneStop Time: 15 minutes. . Port Fairy. Journey Time: 10 minutes from Port CampbellStop Time: 5 minutes. The road starts in Torquay, and finishes in Allansford. But no need to rush.
  • Tasmania
    • You could then drive the Great Ocean Road at a more leisurely pace and spend the night in the Apollo Bay area before continuing back to Melbourne the next day. Quest Warrnambool is the perfect place to do just that. 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. Journey Time: 10 minutes from Bells BeachStop Time: 30 minutes. 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. That's how we're going to structure this post for you. After the gorge youll pass the town of Port Campbell. Another worthwhile detour on the way to Port Campbell is Wreck Beach, but we didnt have the energy to stop. From: Melbourne. 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.
    Adelaide
    However, when the winds pick up it is best to stay above the Grotto. Adelaide to Melbourne Drive Itinerary: Great Ocean Road Trip Where does the Great Ocean Road start and finish. Join the adventures on our YouTube channel!
  • ACT
    • The ultimate Melbourne to Adelaide roadtrip along the Great Ocean Road and taking in Lorne, Apollo Bay, Port Fairy, Mount Gambier and Victor Harbour. Theres also a cafe if you want a longer break. Plan your journey with our route planner. (Seriously!) The sun doesnt set behind the arch but the cliffs look beautiful in the glowing light. They are full of handmade art and crafts and locally made treats to indulge in like jams, pastries, pickles and ice-cream. Alternative Places to Stay Near Apollo Bay. The Botanic Cafe on the Lake within the Botanical Gardens is a pretty spot for lunch with outdoor seating and views of the lake. The 20-metre falls crash over a ledge with a backdrop of lush ferns and the forest towering above. This is the only Great Ocean Road Map you will ever need.
    Gippsland
    We enjoyed our cone in the lovely gardens. We were also planning to stop at Teddys Lookout on the way out of town, but visibility was so low we didnt bother. We loved it so much we returned a month later for a few days to do nothing but relax and enjoy the view. Along the way you can sample cheese, whisky, beer, chocolate, fudge, strawberries (in summer), ice cream, and olives from local producers. On the way back to Melbourne, do some . The drive from . For a shorter track check outMaits Restwhich will take you through a beautiful section of rainforest. Its worth a quick stop to admire the surfers riding the waves from the viewing platform above. If you start early and arrive by late morning, youll have a good chance of enjoying the Twelve Apostles without the crowds. To: Adelaide. Youll also find the end of theGreat Ocean Walkhere, which allows you to get some stunning coastal views from a boardwalk before taking to the beach to see these immense stacks from the ground. 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. Its not the best quality chocolate, but we still enjoyed it.
    For more trail information in Great Otway National Park, visit thiswebsite. If you have limited time you could skip this one (we preferred London Bridge), but its only a quick stop. The Grotto is unlike any of the other rock formations in the area. Its a small platform and we were lucky that we got to take a few photos before three tour buses arrived. We left Melbourne at 11 am, but I recommend an earlier start as we did feel a little rushed and theres lots to see on the way to Apollo Bay. Search for more options in Port Campbell here. Split Point Lighthouse is still a functioning lighthouse, so you can only go inside on a tour.

    New South Wales

    Melbourne to Adelaide: A 5-day road trip - Tourism Australia
    Mantra Midtown Mantra on Mary Mantra on QueenMantra Terrace Hotel Mantra South Bank
    One of the most iconic road trips in all of Australia, if not the world, has got to be the Great Ocean Road drive. They live in the eucalyptus trees behind the caravan park and are not hard to find. At 8.30am we had it entirely to ourselves.
    Mantra on the Esplanade Mantra Pandanas
    The Great Ocean Road drive is 243km (151 miles) long. You have to walk down 400 steps to get to the beach where you can see the remains of shipwrecks. Its most famous for the Twelve Apostles rock formations, but theres lots to see along the stunning Shipwreck Coast. So you may get lucky to lay your eyes on some of these cute local beach dwellers. If you are looking for other ideas on places to visit in Victoria, see our guide to the best day trips from Melbourne. Official site for Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Subscribe. Road Trip | Adelaide to Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road: Warrnambool And sadly our Great Ocean Road trip was over. There are a few hostels in the centre of this small townPort Campbell Guesthouse & Flash Packers has private rooms and a homely vibe, while Port Campbell Hostel has dorms and rooms (and a brewery next door).
    Other lunch options are Movida which was recommended to us for tapas or The Swingbridge Cafe is right on the beach. 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. Many people also continue inland to the Grampians National Park, a fantastic hiking and wildlife location, before returning to Melbourne via the old gold mining town of Ballarat.
    Mantra Club Croc
    It should take you just under 3 hours to drive from Warrnambool back . Find local inspiration and start planning your next road trip with our simple interactive journey planner. The most scenic leg of the drive is further along between Lorne and Apollo Bay. While all the cottages have superb views, I recommend requesting Cottage 1 as it has the best views down to Cape Patton. The trip from Adelaide to Melbourne takes around 8 hours if you go the inland route. Journey Time: 25 minutes from Aireys InletStop Time: 50 minutes.
    Australia's North West
    The Best Stops during a Melbourne to Adelaide Road Trip Hi David and Marg, thanks so much for your comment. 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. You could also fit them in on the previous day.
    Days - 1, 2 & 3 - Melbourne CBD. The Twelve Apostles are reached by a five-minute walk from the car park, where theres also a visitor centre, toilets, and a kiosk (which doesnt open until 10am). You can also buy a toasted sandwich or cheese platter ($20). Both are natural, offshore stone archways. One of the most adventurous things to do on the Great Ocean Road drive is to do a bit of scuba diving.
    Go on a culinary crusade via craft breweries and top regional restaurants on the short inland route back to Melbourne via Colac (below). Start early, drive Melbourne > Geelong > Colac > 12 Apostles; this inland route is much faster. Great Ocean Road (6 mentions). If you have an extra night, you could add it to either of those locations depending on your interestsApollo Bay is nearer forests and waterfalls and Port Campbell is nearer the Twelve Apostles and many other beautiful coastal rock formations. You need to park just off the road and then walk up the hill to the lighthouse. If you have a full day in the area, a fun detour off the Great Ocean Road is to follow some of the 12 Apostles Gourmet Food Trail. Our personal recommendation for where we stay in Apollo Bay every time is The Apollo Apartment. 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. Its a casual, diner type place on the seafront strip thats known for its burgers. 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. 288 km/179 miles, about 3.5 hours. Sail through the clouds with only 1 other person for an up-close and personal adventure. No Great Ocean road trip is complete without making a stop atMemoria Arch, which is less than 30 minutes from Torquay and a real highlight of the journey. 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 also walk down the steps and along the beach but as it was raining we skipped that. Apollo Bay is a popular place, so make sure you have booked your accommodation ahead of time.
    Dinner, stay over night. RACQ's Trip Planner allows you to find places, get directions or plan your next road trip. This is where the exterior scenes of the familys lighthouse home were filmed!
    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 didnt expect to spend so long at a chocolate shop, but this place is huge! Shadowfax Wines Jan Juc If you had plenty of time, you might want to spend a night here as there are some beautiful beaches and waterfalls nearby. We visited in mid-September (early spring) and there was frost on our car one morning, so tent camping is probably best in the summer. You can walk to a few viewing platforms to admire the towering limestone stacks from different angles. The inland route is generally the quicker choice for these times. They have cheaper compact cars and you can drive the route in any vehicle. Beauchamp Falls wasnt on our original plan but ended up being my favourite stop of the day. This map shows the best things to see on the Great Ocean Road drive. 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.
    With your own car however youll be able to stop when and where you want, spending as long as you need to check out the beaches, taking in the views and having the freedom to explore at your leisure. The whole trail is about 15km, but your best chances for spotting the cute indigenous animals are about 6km in atGrey River. From Beauchamp we drove back to Points South in about 45 minutes. Continue on from this point as there are tons of Great Ocean Road attractions to come. Avoid driving after dark as the roads are windy and unlit and theres the danger of hitting wildlife. .
    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.
    North Coast
    Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Make sure you book ahead though, as its not something you can just show up and do. I recommend packing a water bottle (we always travel with a few Vapur flexible bottles as they are light and foldable when empty) and a travel coffee mug or thermos. On the way youll see Tom and Eva, two rock stacks named after the only survivors of the shipwreck. Five minutes down the road is Apostle Whey Cheese where for a bargain price of $1 you can try all 12 of their cows milk cheeses. Visit 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge. We actually visited at sunset the previous day. READ MORE: Be sure to plan your best trip to Australia by using our Australia Travel Guide! They are famous for their scallop pies but have plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam.
    Do you think that will be possible that time of year or do we have to book in advance ? 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.
    Your stop times will varywe tend to walk fast but take a lot of photos. Follow our journey in real time on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.
    We also walked to the Gibson Steps, which took 15 minutes each way (you can also drive but parking is limited). The Bay of Islandsoffers similar scenery to the Twelve Apostles but without the crowds. How far is the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne?
    North East
    Melbourne to Great Ocean Road: Self Drive Tour - 5 Days Route planner, Travel information, Victoria, Australia On a clear sunny day and depending on the tide you can get pretty close. Make sure you check road conditions 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. However, you can take the train to Geelong, take the walk to Geelong, then take the bus to Lorne Visitor Centre/Great Ocean Rd. We stayed at Anchors at Port Campbellwhere there are three cottages on a farm a few kilometres inland from town. The Ultimate Great Ocean Road Itinerary - Never Ending Voyage
    Mantra Collins Hotel Mantra One Sandy Bay Road
    If you are on a budget, the cheapest way to do a Great Ocean Road Trip is by camping.
    Mantra Lorne
    Darwin
    Its also a fantastic place if you are looking to see some native Australian wildlife.
    Central Coast
    DestinationsPhotographySustainable TourismAdventure Travel, Adventure ToursStart a BlogTravel TipsSitemap, 2023 NOMADasaurus | Peak Evolution Media, The PERFECT Great Ocean Road Drive Itinerary (2023). Over time it has been improved to create a peaceful and beautiful space to be enjoyed.
    Journey Time: 10 minutes from Hopetoun FallsStop Time: 1 hour. Check the latest prices of Anchors on Vrbo or on Booking.com. 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. We rented a car from the local company Advance Car Rental in Melbournea Toyota Corolla cost us $158 for six days.
    No, the Great Ocean Road isnt particularly dangerous to drive, as long as you take proper precautions. 7am-Leave Lorne . While the Great Ocean Road covers a ton of coastline, this national park is a gem located more on the inland route. Griffiths Islandcan be accessed by a footbridge nearby to the wharf and is a great place to do a little bird watching. We spent the full day we had in the Apollo Bay area detouring off the Great Ocean Road to explore the inland forest section of the Great Otway National Park. Both are amazing expressions of natural beauty and are worth checking out. Gradually caves were formed, then arches, and when they collapsed the rock stacks stood alone, isolated from the shore. The Grotto is one of the most impressive sections of the coastline, and essentially a sinkhole.
    Mantra Hervey Bay
    The Marriners Lookout is a short drive from the centre of town and a 5-minute uphill walk from the car park. Melbourne airport to the 12 Apostles to Lorne? - Tripadvisor