You can't put 'Australia' and 'road trip' in the same sentence and not have the Great Ocean Road spring to mind. We had 4 nights and 4.5 days on the road trip and it was a good amount of time to see the Great Ocean Road highlights, although we could easily have spent longer. Our last full day was dedicated to the Port Campbell National Park. You can also walk down the steps and along the beach but as it was raining we skipped that. Journey Time: 35 minutes from Apollo BayStop Time: 2 hours (including lunch). 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. 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. 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. 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. Anyone remember the 90s TV show Round the Twist? Soaring high above the limestone stacks youll get the best views of Victorias Shipwreck Coast. Nearby youll find another popular waterfall, Triplet Falls (a one hour walk). I'd like to drive the GOR but am concerned about the nasty road incidents that have happened- I know it can be a challenging drive with hairpin bends.
Darwin
  • Western Australia
    • Hobart
    That's how we're going to structure this post for you.
    thought of doing it in one day, but now will make a stop over and take two days.. The current exchange rate is 1 AUD = 0.78 USD and 0.56 GBP. . Enter a city to drive through, or find all. 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). stay for about 1 hour and leave at 2:22 pmdrive for about 15 minutes, 2:37 pm Great Ocean Road The most scenic leg of the drive is further along between Lorne and Apollo Bay. The Great Ocean Road Trip - A Three-Day Itinerary - Australian Traveller If you only have time for one, follow the 900-metre-return Geology walk to the left of the car park which takes you to The Razorback, a massive rock formation. The best Great Ocean Road stops are in the Port Campbell National Park (including Twelve Apostles) so focus your time here. Then, if you like, you can descend to the foot of the falls via a 30-minute hike. Journey Time: 20 minutes from ChocolaterieStop Time: 25 minutes. Journey Time: 25 minutes from Twelve Apostles (15 minutes from Port Campbell)Stop Time: 1 hour 30 minutes. There is no direct connection from Melbourne to Lorne.
    Mantra Aqua Mantra Quayside Mantra The Observatory
    There are more motels than boutique hotels in the area. by calculating the distance from Melbourne to Lorne. 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. You can also compare many rental companies and find the cheapest cars at Rental Cars. 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. Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. Expert travel tips from a digital nomad couple, This page contains affiliate links. to double check the weather. We had lunch and found the vegetarian options a bit limited if you didnt want cheese, but the food gets good reviews from meat-eaters. Make sure you visit first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon for the best koala viewing times.
    Port Campbell is a tiny town, but its a great base for the Twelve Apostles.
    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. Best Road Trips: Melbourne to Adelaide (Insider Guide for 2023) 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. After the Twelve Apostles, continue along the Great Ocean Road towards Port Campbell. Points South by the Sea is the perfect place to stay on the Great Ocean Road; in fact, its one of our favourite places weve ever stayed. If you have one night/ two days to spend on the Great Ocean Road, I would follow the strategy above and drive directly to Port Campbell to get there before the tour buses. You could continue down the coast, perhaps having a break in Port Campbell (Forage on Foreshore is a recommended cafe). Happy travels. We were out for about four hours in total and were left with the afternoon to relax in our wonderful cottage. The cottages are quite close together, so if you take a bath with the blinds up, you do have to trust your neighbours wont walk in front of your cottage (we had no issues).
    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.
    Country New South Wales
    Journey Time: 3 minutes from RedwoodsStop Time: 20 minutes. Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Melbourne to Lorne. 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. Alternative Places to Stay in Port Campbell. Walk back down to the base of the bluff to enjoy relaxing on the beach for a while.
    Mantra Hindmarsh Square
    Halfway along the Surf Coast walk its only around a 3km round trip from the town, up the point for amazing views over the town and ocean crashing below.
    Not even 15km from Apollo Bay is the incredibly lush and beautifulGreat Otway National Park. Both are natural, offshore stone archways.
    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. Search for more options in Port Campbell here. Beauchamp Falls wasnt on our original plan but ended up being my favourite stop of the day.
    Dont forget that in Australia you drive on the left. We also walked to the Gibson Steps, which took 15 minutes each way (you can also drive but parking is limited). This gives you the opportunity to see the quieter countryside inland of vibrant rolling hills and farmlandyou could almost be in England. Even better, its a non-profit enterprise that provides training and employment opportunities to people with mental and physical disabilities. 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.
    Perth
    Melbourne airport to the 12 Apostles to Lorne? - Tripadvisor Again thank you. If you decide to drive yourself, its best to drive in the opposite direction of our itinerary below. All prices quotes below are in Australian dollars. Your Great Ocean Road itinerary may be coming to an end, but dont worry, youll finish up with a dreamy little visit toPort Fairy. Learn a little about the surfing history of the town at the Surfworld museum, and if youve brought your board along with you a paddle at Famous Bells Beach, home of the Rip Curl Pro, is a must do. 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. Park at the Kafe Koala and follow the crowds. . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Weve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planets best destinations and adventures. Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Lorne - 5 ways to travel via - Rome2rio When you continue down the road, the Cape Patton Lookout Point is a good place for views. 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).
  • US
    • Conveniently located a little ways from Port Campbell, these serviced apartments have great rooms, a gorgeous pool area and make for a great stopover. The views of the countryside outside are lovely. 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.

    Northern Territory

    Languages. Now youll be able to find the wreckage in shallow waters, which makes it great for divers to explore. 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. 3 must-do stops on a Melbourne to Lorne road trip - Mantra If you are wondering the best direction to drive the Great Ocean Road, I recommend driving it from east to west, starting in Torquay. Both are amazing expressions of natural beauty and are worth checking out. The ocean views are incredible and we could have happily spent all day curled up on the window seat with the fire roaring watching the waves crash down below. Great Ocean Road Touring Route - Visit Victoria home Take the inland road via Colac and drive directly to Port Campbell (about 3 hours from Melbourne).
  • Tasmania
    • By clicking the Submit button, you give consent for us to store your information for the purposes of displaying your comment and you accept the terms of our Privacy Policy. 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. Train operators.
    After the last couple of years, it seems everyone wants to be out and about and go travelling. 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. because there's an entire community of travelers talking

    New South Wales

    Its most famous for the Twelve Apostles rock formations, but theres lots to see along the stunning Shipwreck Coast. Another good stop in Aireys Inlet is Fairhaven Beach. Follow our journey in real time on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. 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. Thats how were going to structure this post for you. Other lunch options are Movida which was recommended to us for tapas or The Swingbridge Cafe is right on the beach. English . There are toilets here but not at Hopetoun Falls. For a view worth getting out of the comfort of your car for, your next stop is Point Roadknight in Anglesea. 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 then drive back to Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road route and choose the stops you are most interested in. 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. Now 2 pillars are left standing above the sea and make for an impressive view inPort Campbell National Park. 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. 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: 40 minutes from LorneStop Time: 15 minutes. From: Melbourne. We do not recommend feeding wild birds, but it is exciting to see the koalas, and if you walk further down Grey River Rd it gets quieter. Thanks for your support, kind friend! Inland route, via Colac. After a late arrival intoWarrnambool,youll want to see a few of the sights the city has to offer. How long does it take to drive the Great Ocean Road? There was only one other person on the beach when we visited. The Great Ocean Road is in the state of Victoria in south-eastern Australia. Avoid driving after dark as the roads are windy and unlit and theres the danger of hitting wildlife. For more experienced surfers, and those looking to set foot onto a world-renowned surf beach, head toBells Beach. 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
    Journey Time: 4 minutes from London BridgeStop Time: 20 minutes. Top Road Trips Stops: Torquay, Lorne, Great Otway National Park, 12 Apostles, Logan's Beach, Mount Gambier. One of the most adventurous things to do on the Great Ocean Road drive is to do a bit of scuba diving.
    Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the This is a great place not only to catch some stunner views but also to watch the fisherman come in with their catch, which you likely can find in the restaurants in town. They are famous for their scallop pies but have plenty of vegetarian and vegan options.

    Victoria

    You need to park just off the road and then walk up the hill to the lighthouse. Its a highlight of a Great Ocean Road itinerary! 15 minutes down the road from Kennett River is Wongarra, where we spent the next two nights at Points South by the Sea. However, you can take the train to Geelong, take the walk to Geelong, then take the bus to Lorne Visitor Centre/Great Ocean Rd. The Ultimate Great Ocean Road Itinerary - Never Ending Voyage
  • Queensland
    • We actually visited at sunset the previous day.
  • ACT
    • We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products, and regularly review these. Book Lover's Guide to the Great Ocean Road - Babbling Books
    Mantra Ettalong Beach
  • South Australia
    • A great photo op spot, this is one of the most photographed spots along the Great Ocean Road. The extensive grounds contain much more than just the lighthouse and you can learn about the history dating back to 1848 and enjoy fantastic views of the rugged cliffs. The road up into the forest is even windier than the coastal route and narrow in parts. The trip from Adelaide to Melbourne takes around 8 hours if you go the inland route. These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. Melbourne is a city renowned for its food, shopping, sporting culture and nightlife. The ocean views from almost everywhere in the cottage (including the bed) were just amazing. Last on the Great Ocean Road Backpackers Guide is the quaint little town of Port Fairy.
    It was named after the clipper Loch Ard that was wrecked here in 1878. If youd like to continue travelling Australia beyond the Great Ocean Road, you canhead northwest to Adelaide. It starts in Torquay, which is 105km (65 miles) from Melbourne, and continues westward along the coast to finish at Allansford near Warrnambool. Most of the time I was fine in my Allbirds wool runners, but I was glad for hiking shoes on the muddy trails to the waterfalls in Great Otway National Park. 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. There are plenty more accommodation optionsin Apollo Baysearch on Vrbo for holiday rentals or Booking for hotels, motels and B&Bs.
    Following the Otway Harvest Trail choose between local breweries, berry and fruit farms with quaint cafes, provedore grocers and restaurants a plenty. . This is where the exterior scenes of the familys lighthouse home were filmed! We spent the first two nights in an incredible cottage overlooking the ocean at Points South by the Sea, a 15-minute drive before Apollo Bay. We had a light lunch in the surprisingly good cafe housed in the Assistant Keepers Quarters with views of the lighthouse. The Great Ocean Road is one of the most scenic coastal drives in the world. And to get your fill of more art you can visit theGeelong Art GalleryandThe Heritage Center.
    Gippsland
    Click the button below to explore more questions Im glad we bought plenty of food (and wine) as we did not want to go out for dinner. If you had plenty of time, you might want to spend a night here as there are some beautiful beaches and waterfalls nearby. Made famous for theRip Curl Prohosted every Easter, Bells Beach is not only beautiful but a huge part of both Australian and surf culture. Check out Points South on Vrbo or compare prices on Booking.com. Plan your journey with our route planner.
    Best one day itinerary to Great Ocean Road from Melbourne You have given us a great itinerary to get the best out of our trip. 7am-Leave Lorne . READ MORE: Be sure to plan your best trip to Australia by using our Australia Travel Guide! Its a beautiful drive but slow going.
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