This means youll be driving on the ocean side of the road and will have the best views and easy access to the many viewpoints.
There are signs reminding you along the road as tourists driving the wrong way is a common problem. 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). 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.
, 3 must-do stops on a Melbourne to Lorne road trip. 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). While the Great Ocean Road covers a ton of coastline, this national park is a gem located more on the inland route. However, when the winds pick up it is best to stay above the Grotto. Again thank you. Now youll be able to find the wreckage in shallow waters, which makes it great for divers to explore. To: Adelaide. Journey Time: 10 minutes from Port CampbellStop Time: 5 minutes. While your stop here signals the end of your epic 3 day Great Ocean Road itinerary, youre now on to new and exciting things. For most people, the trip willstart in Melbourneand can be done in a loop or a return journey. The quieter location meant we could really enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
Gladstone
Adelaide to Melbourne Drive Itinerary: Great Ocean Road Trip 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. Search for more options in Port Campbell here. Head to Lorne via the Great Ocean Road, stop to check out the bookshop and have a walk along the beach front. Thanks. The town of Port Campbell is in the middle of the park so you can take a break or have lunch there after visiting the eastern side (Twelve Apostles, Gibson Steps, and Loch Ard Gorge), before continuing west.
Mantra Hindmarsh Square
  • New Zealand
    • We visited in early spring (mid-September) and while we werent going to do any swimming, it was good walking weather. We didnt do this but tours take place every half an hour from 11am until 1.30pm for 3045 minutes and cost $10. The nearest major city is Melbourne and its a popular day or side trip from there (its where we visited from). Days: 5. As we were staying so close we were able to arrive early and easily take breaks between exploring different areas. Trippy is where 3 must-do stops on a Melbourne to Lorne road trip - Mantra 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. Other good breaks in addition to Bells Beach includeSan Juc, Winki Pop, Bird RockandSparrowsjust to name a few. We were finished by 10.30am and returned to our hotel for a break before going out for lunch. Just down the road is Hopetoun Falls.
    Mantra Collins Hotel Mantra One Sandy Bay Road
    Make sure you book ahead though, as its not something you can just show up and do. While all the cottages have superb views, I recommend requesting Cottage 1 as it has the best views down to Cape Patton. Lorneis the closest town from the arch and a great spot to grab some lunch atBottle of Milk, use the facilities and continue on towardsKennett River.
  • US
    • Continue on from this point as there are tons of Great Ocean Road attractions to come. 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. 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. Once youve had your fill, hop in the car for a quick drive and to the next and last destination of your road trip. Although the property is along the road itself, the cottages are perched upon the cliffside and it feels wonderfully tranquil with only the sound of crashing waves below. Road Trip | Adelaide to Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road: Warrnambool
    We were more interested in luxury accommodation on the Great Ocean Road as we wanted a place where we could relax and enjoy the views between sightseeing trips. Jump out of a plane at 15,000 feet above the ground and get the best, most exhilarating views of the entire coastline.
    Canberra
    From the car park, there is a short trail that will lead you right to the viewpoint where youll be gifted with the most incredible sweeping views of Apollo Bay and the coastline. Journey Time: 35 minutes from Apollo BayStop Time: 2 hours (including lunch).
    We stayed in a luxury cottage at Points South by the Seaand it was perfect. Have a great time. The Great Ocean Road (2 mentions) The Botanic Cafe on the Lake within the Botanical Gardens is a pretty spot for lunch with outdoor seating and views of the lake.
    Mantra On Hay Mantra on Murray Tribe Perth
    We saw two koalasone sleeping (which they do for up to 22 hours a day) and one munching on leaves (which they do for the rest of the time). Its a beautiful drive but slow going. You can also walk down the steps and along the beach but as it was raining we skipped that. One of the most adventurous things to do on the Great Ocean Road drive is to do a bit of scuba diving. From your third and final spot it will only be around a 30 minute drive to your final destination, we recommend settling into your Lorne accommodation, then either relaxing or going for a wander around the quaint town of Lorne. We hope you have a great time along the Great Ocean Road. Avoid driving after dark as the roads are windy and unlit and theres the danger of hitting wildlife. I cant recommend Points South enough.
    This section could be endless, so rather than trying to You can sometimes see whales here in winter. They are happy for you to wander the property to see the horses, chickens, pigs, and sheep. The sun doesnt set behind the arch but the cliffs look beautiful in the glowing light. If you had plenty of time, you might want to spend a night here as there are some beautiful beaches and waterfalls nearby. This page contains affiliate links. 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). You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend. We had two partly rainy days and the rest were sunny with varied temperatures. Covering nearly 200 hectares, this park is one of the few Great Ocean Road highlights that is not a beach. 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. Other lunch options are Movida which was recommended to us for tapas or The Swingbridge Cafe is right on the beach. Relax and unwind in the seaside town of Lorne, attracting visitors for more than a century with its easy Mediterranean feel and charming scenery.
    Mantra Albury Hotel Mantra Pavilion Hotel
    Its rather a touristy experience as the tour buses stop here and the cafe sells bird feedthe colourful parrots are so tame they hop all over the tourists. While driving to Lorne we had our first Australian wildlife experiencean echidna crossing the road. Lorne is made for lunches.
    Country New South Wales
    Bells Beach is a famous surf beach with huge waves and is home to the Rip Curl Pro surfing competition in April.
    Through our stories and images we promote exciting off-the-beaten-path destinations and fascinating cultures as we go. The gas log fire kept us warm. English . 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. Along the way you can sample cheese, whisky, beer, chocolate, fudge, strawberries (in summer), ice cream, and olives from local producers. 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. Journey Time: 3 minutes from RedwoodsStop Time: 20 minutes. because there's an entire community of travelers talking If you really want a unique perspective though, and love a bit of adventure, how does skydiving over the 12 Apostles sound? The 20-metre falls crash over a ledge with a backdrop of lush ferns and the forest towering above. 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. The road starts in Torquay, and finishes in Allansford. 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. Your email address will not be published. 15 minutes down the road from Kennett River is Wongarra, where we spent the next two nights at Points South by the Sea. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 2:22 pmdrive for about 15 minutes, 2:37 pm Great Ocean Road 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 plenty more accommodation optionsin Apollo Baysearch on Vrbo for holiday rentals or Booking for hotels, motels and B&Bs. With the last day of your Great Ocean Road itinerary upon you, there is still so much to be seen and experienced. The drive from . 11:00 am start in Melbournedrive for about 30 minutes, 11:30 am eat at Shadowfax Wines We sampled a few of their offerings (the raspberry liquorice is unusual and delicious) and enjoyed a delicious dark mint hot chocolate in the sun overlooking the farm. Great Ocean Road 2-Day Itinerary: The BEST Self Drive Itinerary 3.1 Set off from Melbourne early 3.2 Stop in Torquay 3.3 Visit Bells Beach 3.4 Great Ocean Road sign 3.5 Stop in Lorne for lunch 3.6 Erskine Falls 3.7 Sunset at the Twelve Apostles 3.8 Sleep in Apollo Bay 4 Great Ocean Road itinerary - Day 2 4.1 Hopetoun Falls 4.2 Triplet Falls 4.3 Otway Fly Treetop Adventures 4.4 Gibson Steps 4.5 Loch Ard Gorge They are full of handmade art and crafts and locally made treats to indulge in like jams, pastries, pickles and ice-cream. Happy travels. Great Ocean Road. That's how we're going to structure this post for you. Great Ocean Road (6 mentions) Both are natural, offshore stone archways. It should take you just under 3 hours to drive from Warrnambool back . At 8.30am we had it entirely to ourselves. Due to crashing waves over millennia, saltwater and erosion there are now only 8 limestone stacks remaining out of 12. The current exchange rate is 1 AUD = 0.78 USD and 0.56 GBP. We loved the quiet location. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members. They are a beautiful sight amongst the dramatic cliffs and crashing waves as they change colour throughout the day. They are famous for their scallop pies but have plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. A round trip from Melbourne to the 12 Apostles travelling along the Great Ocean Road will take your travel . From there you could continue the loop back down to the Great Ocean Road via Lavers Hill. The steps lead to a beach where you can get another view of the Twelve Apostles, but unfortunately, they were closed for safety reasons on our visit.
    Go on a culinary crusade via craft breweries and top regional restaurants on the short inland route back to Melbourne via Colac (below). We even saw a wallaby (like a smaller kangaroo)! The Marriners Lookout is a short drive from the centre of town and a 5-minute uphill walk from the car park. Its also a fantastic place if you are looking to see some native Australian wildlife. Yes, even this step is optional, because if you're on vacation Its most popular in summer (December to February) when you can enjoy the beaches.
    Mantra Aqua Mantra Quayside Mantra The Observatory
    I have no problem driving. We are Alesha and Jarryd, the award-winning writers and professional photographers behind this blog. Both routes meet in Lorne, which is 15 minutes from Wye River. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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 could continue down the coast, perhaps having a break in Port Campbell (Forage on Foreshore is a recommended cafe). Check out Points South on Vrbo or compare prices on Booking.com. 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. 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.
  • Victoria
    • Its known for the dramatic Twelve Apostles rock stacks that emerge from the ocean, and while they are definitely a highlight, there is so much more to enjoy along the way.
    Mantra Sydney Central Mantra Chatswood Mantra Parramatta Mantra 2 Bond Street Mantra Hotel at Sydney Airport Mantra on Kent Mantra Castle Hill Sydney
    It hugs the coastline with many twists and turns and stunning ocean views. In the late afternoon, photography was difficult as I was shooting into the sun, but itd be an excellent place for sunset. Great Ocean Road (6 mentions). FromWarrnambool Breakwaterall the way toLogans Beachthis is a great spot to take in the coastal views and even pass a little penguin breeding ground. The Ultimate Melbourne to Sydney Road Trip Itinerary .
    Mantra Mackay
    Journey Time: 4 minutes from London BridgeStop Time: 20 minutes. For more information on routes and trails visit the websitehere. The views of the town and coastline are superb. The Great Ocean Road Trip - A Three-Day Itinerary - Australian Traveller You can also buy a toasted sandwich or cheese platter ($20). ThePort FairyBotanical Gardensare a lovely spot for an afternoon walk and to admire the plants and flowers. 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. Despite the name, there are only seven stacks (there were eight when they named it).

    Western Australia

    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. Take in the beauty of the 12 Apostles.

    Queensland

    DestinationsPhotographySustainable TourismAdventure Travel, Adventure ToursStart a BlogTravel TipsSitemap, 2023 NOMADasaurus | Peak Evolution Media, The PERFECT Great Ocean Road Drive Itinerary (2023). The Grotto is one of the most impressive sections of the coastline, and essentially a sinkhole. We personally stayed there when we travelled across Australia, and highly recommend it. These are some of the places people talk about on Trippy: Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questions I include suggestions for shorter trips below. Split Point Lighthouse is still a functioning lighthouse, so you can only go inside on a tour. The inland route via Ballarat and Bordertown is faster, but the Great Ocean Road is an incredible experience. 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 5- Arrive at Lorne. This rock arch was once connected to the mainland until in collapsed in 1990 (leaving two tourists trapped but uninjured). From here you are well on your way to having covered a ton of ground. After a late arrival intoWarrnambool,youll want to see a few of the sights the city has to offer. Our first stop was just outside Torquay and was a slight detour off the Great Ocean Road.
    Melbourne to Lorne - 4 ways to travel via train, bus, night bus, and car We stayed in Cottage 1 and didnt want to leave.
    Thats how were going to structure this post for you. If youd like to continue travelling Australia beyond the Great Ocean Road, you canhead northwest to Adelaide. Plan your journey with our route planner. We didnt bother stopping in Torquay where the Great Ocean Road officially starts, but you might want to visit if youre interested in surf wear. The Arch is the first in a series of rock formations where you can stop for a quick look from viewing platforms. After the last couple of years, it seems everyone wants to be out and about and go travelling. The weather can play a huge part in what is visible and how close you can get to this area. (I would have liked to stay longer but we were getting hungry for lunch as it was after 2pm). Soaring high above the limestone stacks youll get the best views of Victorias Shipwreck Coast. Please read our. If youre looking to do a bit of waterfall chasing, this is a great place to find them! Brekkie tacos, smoothie bowls and a full lunch menu to eat in or take away will please anyone visiting. Following the Otway Harvest Trail choose between local breweries, berry and fruit farms with quaint cafes, provedore grocers and restaurants a plenty. . And if you know Melbourne well, please help your fellow
    Although officially the Great Ocean Road starts in Geelong, Melbourne is the ideal start to the trip as it provides the contrast of a big city with the quiet of the small towns dotted along the Great Ocean Road. Jan Juc
    You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving
    Australia's Coral Coast
    Each cottage feels very private and has outstanding ocean views. 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. The downside of taking a tour is that youll never escape the crowds.
  • New South Wales
    • 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. Journey Time: 10 minutes from Port CampbellStop Time: 1 hour 25 minutes. Hi David and Marg, thanks so much for your comment. 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. Follow the inland route if you are headed back to Melbourne for a shorter drive. 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 Location - Tucker House Wye River We want to book accommodation as we go .
    and answers related to Lorne. Journey Time: 25 minutes from Twelve Apostles (15 minutes from Port Campbell)Stop Time: 1 hour 30 minutes. No, the Great Ocean Road isnt particularly dangerous to drive, as long as you take proper precautions. You can also compare many rental companies and find the cheapest cars at Rental Cars. Its a casual, diner type place on the seafront strip thats known for its burgers.
  • Northen Territory
    • 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.
    Mantra Charles Hotel