The PERFECT Great Ocean Road Drive Itinerary (2023) - NOMADasaurus Melbourne to Adelaide Drive Great Ocean Road Route Melbourne to Apollo Bay 187 km/116 miles, about 3 hours Ease into your roadtrip with the leisurely drive from Melbourne to Torquay, just over an hour's drive. Julie Last updated: October 8, 2022 Australia 4 Comments. It is summer and it is simply beautiful on the road! Burrell received her first James Beard nomination for "Best Chef: Texas" in 2020 and . How Much Does It Cost to Experience Melbourne & the Great Ocean Road in They are now a part of a National Park and protected, and are the perfect destination to view the sunset. ULURU: In our Guide to Uluru and Kata-Tjuta, learn how to get here, what to do, and how to plan your time. 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. Soaring high above the limestone stacks youll get the best views of Victorias Shipwreck Coast. Wear comfortable shoes as there is a lot of walking to do. 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 standalone arch was earlier connected to the coast with another such arch giving it the name London Bridge, but in 1990 the connecting arch fell down due to erosion. 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. 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. For those strapped for time, a visit to just Port Campbellwould allow you to see the best of the Great Ocean Road, skipping the monotonous winding roads between Port Campbell National Park and Melbourne. Check map and driving directions of your route which helps you find the destination easier. It will stop off at most of the popular viewing spots. The distance between Portland Ln to Mildura VIC 3500 is 542 Km by road. 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 Cape Otway lighthouse is the oldest surviving lighthouse in Australia and was rightly known as the Beacon of Hope. Let us help you get started with planning your Great Ocean Road itinerary. The Great Ocean Road drive itineraries from Melbourne all things travel. The area has a forest of gum and eucalyptus trees which are the main food source of koalas. Day 2 - Pinnacles Walk in the Grampians National Park and drive to Port Campbell on the Great Ocean Road to stay overnight. Where does the Great Ocean Road start and finish. You will be bracing natural elements on this road trip and its best to dress accordingly. . Children: $99 $94 (3 - 15 years) Minimum age 3 years. TheForeshore Promenadeis a great place for a stroll as well and stretches on for about 6 km. The first destination is Bells Beach in Torquay, a famous location for surfers. The distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 Km by road. If you have limited time and can only do it in 1 day, then dont stress. Thousands of visitors flock here for summer and for festivals during the year, including the world famous Folkie. 6 Melbourne: Werribee Open Range Zoo Admission Ticket. Drive Time: 30 minutes to Port Fairy, 4 hours to Melbourne. An organized tour that takes care of your transportation will help you take the trip within a day. 375km of scenic winding roads along the southern ocean will take you through some of the countrys most beautiful UNESCO-listed landscapes. The Memorial Arch (youve probably seen photos of people standing underneath it) symbolises the start of the road. We plan to spend 5 days on Kangaroo Island and have allowed 3 days to get to Cape Jervis. This is the start of their Great Ocean Road drive. For those wanting to drive a bit further west, theres the historic harbour settlement of Portland which you can visit. Made famous for theRip Curl Prohosted every Easter, Bells Beach is not only beautiful but a huge part of both Australian and surf culture. You can also find the distance from Portland Ln to Mildura VIC 3500 using other travel options like bus, subway, tram, train and rail. 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 Grotto is multiple geological formations rolled into one and is one of the most spectacular points to view the coast. 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. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. Have a great time. Just prepare yourself for a full day with an early start and late(ish) finish. 5+. Brambuk: The National Park and Cultural Centre Tip: Beat the tour buses to avoid the traffic and crowds. It was another spot that was cool to see, even if it was just for a few minutes. Quest Warrnambool is the perfect place to do just that. Dog-Friendly Great Ocean Road: Driving with a Dog - Travelnuity Adults: $119 $104 Online special! All the while, Tyler and Kara were screaming with delight, laughing afterwards. The Grotto is one of the most impressive sections of the coastline, and essentially a sinkhole. Ultimate Adelaide to Melbourne Drive via the Great Ocean Road 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. Head forEastern Beachfirst. This port city is the second-largest in the state of Victoria and overlooks the gorgeousCorio Bay. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. However, Loch Ard Gorge is still a stunning place for a swim. A road trip along the Great Ocean Road & Grampians National Park is a trip where you feel small in the universe. The shortest road distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 Km. You can also find the flight distance or distance to fly from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road. Campervan Hire Great Ocean Road - Melbourne to Adelaide - Camper Champ While it is possibe to do most of these in a day with an early start and quick pitstops at every location, you should factor in a 2 day trip for a sedate trip. Head down to the Moyne River and stretch your legs along the wharves. Loch Iel (Pink Lake) The inland Melbourne to Adelaide drive takes around 5.5 hours from the Grampians. I dashed out of the cave to higher ground, able to stay dry. Great Ocean Road starts at Torquay and finishes in Allansford. Purchase tickets. 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. 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. 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. In this post, we cover the best spots to see along the way. It starts in Torquay and continues westward to Allansford. Hopetoun Falls Just gorgeous, the walk to these falls is not very far, though it does involve steps. The Ultimate Melbourne To Yarra Valley Tour | Discover The Best Wineries, Chocolateries and Delicatessens! Keep an eye open as you wander the trails for koalas up in the trees and beautiful native birds soaring around too. Today, it is a spot for whale watching and a centre for learning about the aboriginal history. The official limit on the B100 (the Great Ocean Road) is between 80-100km per hour; in towns between 50-70km/h, and when there is traffic and during busy periods, as low as 30km/h. hi guys my husband and l are going to drive the great ocean road in early November. Check out our Great Ocean Road tours. If you want to get the most of a day trip down the Great Ocean Road but do not want to self-drive, a bus tour will be the perfect option. From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road Full-Day Guided Trip We are located almost at the end of the Great Ocean Road, about 4.5 hours from Melbourne. It can be done. 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. While Tyler and Kara tried to throw each other off of the sand dunes, Tim and I went exploring. 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. Passing the iconic 12 Apostles and other amazing natural features carved into the expansive coastline the Great Ocean Road is a road trip to remember. Great Ocean Road travel guide 5 Day Adelaide to Melbourne via Great Ocean Road - Visit WA And just for NOMADasaurus readers, if you use the Klook discount codeNOMADS10on the website when checking out, youll get $10 off your first booking! Part 1: Melbourne Part 2: Melbourne to Ballarat Part 3: Ballarat to Torquay Part 4: Torquay to Port Campbell Part 5: Port Campbell to Warrnambool Part 6: Warrnambool to Portland Part 7: Portland to Mount Gambier The route of 243 KM stretches from Torquay to Allansford in Victoria state. Departs: 7:00am. 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. Find more of them listed here. These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. Yes. The road driving distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 Km. Check, (2 hrs Melbourne to Adelaide 2 Day Tour (Single Room) - kilroy.net 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. Youll find them sitting up in the eucalyptus trees. 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. A camper van or any sporty rental car is good for the drive through the stunning coastal road. Built in 1848, it sits at the edge of the ocean almost 90m over the Bass Strait. Stevenson Falls, Triplet Falls, Little Aire Falls, andHopetoun Fallsare just a few of the many highlights here. Dont feed the koalas or the parrots as they are in the wild and any feeding them our food will disrupt their natural behaviour. Continue on from this point as there are tons of Great Ocean Road attractions to come. Going up is going to be a task though! 5 Day Melbourne to Adelaide via Great Ocean Road - Visit WA Online Trust me, though, it'll be worth waking up early for. Would like to know what kind of still camera and lens you are using. Great Ocean Road & Grampians Road Trip | Apollo Campervans AU Some people do this as a very long day trip from Melbourne while others can take as long as a week, stopping at towns along the way, leisurely enjoying the beaches, wineries, and historic towns along the way. 542 Km - Distance from Portland Ln to Mildura VIC 3500 Its a small village, but Port Campbell is a nice place to stop for a snack and some fuel. This is one way to get away from other tourists. 7-Day Melbourne to Adelaide Road Trip Itinerary via the Great Ocean This is a stop that not a lot of tourists know about, so you can avoid the crowds and see and experience more than most people would on their Great Ocean Road trip. 2 From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road and Wildlife Tour. All the points of interest mentioned above are marked on the Great Ocean Road Map below. To get here, however, was a two-hour drive via the M1 highway from Melbourne. I highly recommended checking out Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve and Port Fairy. Sightseeing Time: 4 hours. There were no surfers, really there was no one else here other than a few curious people like ourselves. Our personal recommendation for where we stay in Apollo Bay every time is The Apollo Apartment. You will receive a link to create a new password via email. Check our. Melbourne to Adelaide via Great Ocean Road - Jensen Chua Photography The Great Ocean Road is one of the most epic road journeys you can go on across the world! 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. With the world-renowned Great Ocean Road located between these two capital cities, a coastal road trip between Melbourne and Adelaide is among one of the most scenic road trips in Australia. Iconic Animal Sightings. 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 Obelisk sits atop a rugged coastline, which is rapidly being eroded by the harsh elements. Melbourne - This is usually the starting point when planning an itinerary for Great Ocean Road. On a clear sunny day and depending on the tide you can get pretty close. A softUsvista Inc. venture! The Great Ocean Road tour allows you to witness the spectacular surf coast of Torquay and Lorne, with their sandy white beaches and curling waves. Kms. Starting and finishing in Melbourne, enjoy a self drive tour along Victoria's southwest coast. A great photo op spot, this is one of the most photographed spots along the Great Ocean Road. Great Ocean Road Tours | Australia Vacations & Tours | Goway Located less than 2 hours from Melbourne. Great Ocean Road & Beyond Melbourne to Adelaide (Single Traveller Your email address will not be published. Due to crashing waves over millennia, saltwater and erosion there are now only 8 limestone stacks remaining out of 12. The Great Ocean Road (B100) is one of Australia's most famous touring routes. Find out more, Along with so many natural attractions to experience, the Ocean Road also has activities to keep visitors on a self-drive tour busy for days. Your email address will not be published. Day 3 - Set of on the Great Ocean Road, staying overnight in the village of Lorne, halfway . 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 1: Melbourne to Port Campbell We depart from Southern Cross Coach Terminal on Spencer Street at 8:30am before we commence this amazing 4 day, 3 night guided Great Ocean Road & Beyond Itinerary. The nearly 250 kilometre road encapsulates some of Australia's most iconic scenery and gives visitors the opportunity to get close to wildlife. In 1932, the road was thrown open to the public and has since then become one of the worlds best road trip destinations. Melbourne To Phillip Island Tour: A Complete Guide For A Perfect Day Trip, We've served 15 million+ guests and we are here for you, All You Need For An Epic Great Ocean Road Tour From Melbourne, Happy customers across 10,000+ experiences, 5,000+ verified reviews with 90% excellent score, Featured and recommended by the best brands, Have a question? Join our small group coastal adventure to the beaches, rainforests and more of the Great Ocean Road. 52 Great Weekends > No 3: Portland No 3: Portland Located a little over 4hrs Melbourne, Portland is well worth the drive. Best Great Ocean Road Tours Save AU$10 on your Great Ocean Road Bus tours with this promo code. A few minutes down the road from Sherbrook West is a large car park with trails to various viewpoints. Apollo Bay is a gorgeous seaside village, located at the entry to the Otways, and without a doubt is one of the most scenic and picturesque stops on our Great Ocean Road drive. From below the steps you can marvel at the 70m limestone stacks from up close and feel the power of nature. Great commentary. You can spend more time at each location and engage in activities like trekking, swimming and adventure sports. GREAT OCEAN ROAD Routing: Melbourne to Adelaide Duration: 5 Days Code: M01 From AUD$685.00* per person, based on standard double/twin share accommodation. 10 secret must-stop places on the Great Ocean Road - Australia 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. Covering nearly 200 hectares, this park is one of the few Great Ocean Road highlights that is not a beach. For those who love to drive and are comfortable in driving outside the city and through a variety of terrain it is a paradise waiting to be explored. 15 years ago Save Would appreciate any advice for how long it would take to drive from Adelaide to Melbourne via the Scenic Ocean Road. Just a few minutes west of the border you'll come across a beautiful pink salt lake. Forget all about the stress of driving, checking the GPS and creating an itinerary of your own! There is also a plaque on the left side of the road which serves as a memory for the soldiers. Its a highlight of a Great Ocean Road itinerary! With the last day of your Great Ocean Road itinerary upon you, there is still so much to be seen and experienced. Experience the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne to Adelaide. Please enter your email address or username. 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. Less people in your 12 Apostles selfie! Bunyip Tours: Cute Penguins - See 1,940 traveler reviews, 941 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. Our website uses cookies. It sounds daunting but it's going to be broken down into very manageable chunks. 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. Although you could go through the city of Geelong, south-west of Melbourne, there's no need to as the Freeway Extension bypasses it, thus speeding . Note: This post contains affiliate links. For more information on routes and trails visit the websitehere. Seeingthe Twelve Apostlesfor yourself should be at the top of your Australian Bucket list, no matter the weather. Read 1 review. Once you factor in viewpoints and short walks, expect this road trip to take one full day. Portland | Discover the many attractions of PortlandGetting Here - Portland Australia Road Trip Planner: The 18 best road trips in Australia I could not imagine trying to swim out past these waves, just to catch one right back to shore. 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. Whether you are travelling with family, friends or a school group, our Great Ocean Road Private Tour is the best way to explore this scenic coastline. This is the most common Great Ocean Road route. After a late arrival intoWarrnambool,youll want to see a few of the sights the city has to offer. Truly a paradise, the area is a popular destination for water sports and recreation activities. This is one of the best things, if not the best, that you can do in the state of Victoria in Australia. 1. Make sure you book ahead though, as its not something you can just show up and do. We can recommend a number of excellent companies who all use smaller buses which means more time at stops and more personalized experience. The Great Ocean Road is a 243-kilometre (151-mile) route located along the coast of Victoria in southeastern Australia. The Great Ocean Road Map of Best Things To See, 50 of the Best Attractions to see Great Ocean Road Stops, Activities and Attractions on the Great Ocean Road. Wonderful experience - Reviews, Photos - Bunyip Tours - Tripadvisor This stone archway once formed a natural bridge over the gorge, but unfortunately collapsed almost a decade ago. Touring the Great Ocean Road: Self-Drive Itineraries & Tips This often includes stopping at lookouts along the way. Related article: What should you not miss on the Great Ocean Road? Your story was very useful for us to plan our one day trip in March 2020 just before the corona virus outbreak. This is a rare opportunity to work for a minimum of 3-6 months and with a start date late April. Some of the beautiful coastal towns you will come across during your drive are Apollo Bay, Cape Otway, Port Campbell, Torquay, and Lorne. The Great Ocean Road is one of the world's most stunning coastal drives, winding along Australia's southern coast in Victoria (Australia).The undisputed highlight of the drive is the Twelve Apostles, but the Great Ocean Road leads past many more sights of interest, from bustling coastal towns like Lorne and Apollo Bay to the lush rain forests of Great Otway National Park. Discover some of the best things to do in Melbourne. 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. Guide to the Great Ocean Road, Victoria - Tourism Australia Thats the word that can truly capture the essence of the Great Ocean Road in Australia. From Portland, we drove 2 hours (160 km) to get to Port Campbell, the start of the Great Ocean Road. What is the shortest road distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? 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. What is the distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? It offers easy transport options to Geelong and Torquay as well as plenty of car hire options. 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. Not for the faint hearted, Gibson steps are a set of 86 steep steps that head down from the cliffs to the beach near the twelve apostles. You will also reach the main stops at a different time to the crowds. Curious Goose | The Grampians and The Great Ocean Road - a 4 day self Tip: If youre hungry on the drive back to Melbourne, stop at Colac for food. Tyler and Kara, since they were shorter, were able to retreat to the far depths of the cave, keeping their feet dry. Headout is building the future of how we experience our cities. 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. TheKennett River Koala Walkis the perfect place to get your fix. 1st Stop: Torquay. If you dont want to visit Warrnambool, drive from Melbourne to the 12 Apostles (over 2.5 hours). Starting from Torquay, this route takes you through beautiful seaside towns and rain forests as you follow the winding road along the exquisite coastline. One of the most adventurous things to do on the Great Ocean Road drive is to do a bit of scuba diving. Before you set off on your adventure though, you should know how long the road is and how long it takes to drive. Born to parents bit by the wander bug, Lakshmi calls her love for travel "hereditary and habitual". The road starts in Torquay, and finishes in Allansford. Find out more and plan your adventure. It takes 3 day to drive through the Great Ocean Road and to see all the attractions on the way. Here's all you need to know about taking a Great Ocean Road Tour From Melbourne - itinerary, best tours, highlights and quick hacks. It is a popular stop for photographs with the name of the road and the plaque. The distance from Adelaide to Melbourne is 1500km on this itinerary, which amounts to over 21 hours worth of driving. We set off from the city at 6am. The Great Ocean Road in Victoria is a world-famous, Australian National Heritage-listed site along the Sydney to Melbourne drive. Planning a trip to Australia? Now 2 pillars are left standing above the sea and make for an impressive view inPort Campbell National Park. 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. - See 1,941 traveler reviews, 942 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. If you're planning on the West Gate Bridge route, take the Princes Highway over the bridge and travel along the Bellarine Peninsula or the Surf Coast Highway to the famous surfing town of Torquay. 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.