Visit some of the valleys most impressive wineries, go on a skydiving experience and simply kick your heels and relax. . Bunyip Tours: Cute Penguins - See 1,941 traveler reviews, 941 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. Stock up on essentials, fill up the car, turn up the radio and head towards Apollo Bay! ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Stevenson Falls, Triplet Falls, Little Aire Falls, andHopetoun Fallsare just a few of the many highlights here. Have a great time. 21 Awesome Things to Do in Ipswich, Queensland (2023 Guide), The Perfect 3 Days in Rockhampton Itinerary, 16 BEST Cairns Day Trips Not to Be Missed [2023 Guide]. 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. For the best panoramic views in Apollo Bay head straight forMarriners Lookout. It is the southernmost active regular passenger railway station on the Australian mainland (several other Victorian Railways lines such as the branch lines to Timboon and Crowes did venture further south but all have now closed). The Obelisk sits atop a rugged coastline, which is rapidly being eroded by the harsh elements. Spectacular and diverse scenery, wildlife, byo tent or book accommodation along the way. Conveniently located a little ways from Port Campbell, these serviced apartments have great rooms, a gorgeous pool area and make for a great stopover. 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. The spectacular Great Ocean Road hugs the seaside cliffs that snake along the wild and windswept Southern Ocean. You can also find the flight distance or distance to fly from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road. Starting from Torquay, this route takes you through beautiful seaside towns and rain forests as you follow the winding road along the exquisite coastline. Wonderful experience - Reviews, Photos - Bunyip Tours - Tripadvisor This is just because we really want to show you the best bits of the beautiful Great Ocean Road! Bunyip Tours: Cute Penguins - See 1,940 traveler reviews, 941 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. It makes for a perfect family day out or holiday with friends. 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! - See 1,941 traveler reviews, 942 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. 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. . 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 road covers a driveway of 243 km off the coast with pristine views of beaches, geological marvels, and rich forests. The drive home will take you inland on country roads (be careful of any cattle or wildlife on the roads) before you hit the highway back to Melbourne. Great Ocean Road & Grampians Road Trip | Apollo Campervans AU 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. A little warning about the Penguin Parade: It is very touristy and professionally put together. The first destination is Bells Beach in Torquay, a famous location for surfers. For most people, the trip willstart in Melbourneand can be done in a loop or a return journey. 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. Turn off for this road just before you reach Apollo Bay. Surf lessons can be booked in Lorne, Anglesea, Torquay, and Ocean Grove. 5 Melbourne: 2-Hour City Highlights River Cruise. Made famous for theRip Curl Prohosted every Easter, Bells Beach is not only beautiful but a huge part of both Australian and surf culture. We have been travelling the world together since 2008, with a passion for adventure travel and sustainable tourism. 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. Other options include coming from Adelaide, so if this is you, just read the itinerary backwards. Melbourne to Adelaide One Way Itinerary This route follows the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne to Adelaide and is approximately 1,250 km. Mum, works 2- 3 days a week, Tues and Wednesday and Friday and has the children in daycare and . 1. Curious Goose | The Grampians and The Great Ocean Road - a 4 day self Yes, you can do this as a one day trip from Melbourne, but I dont recommend it. Road Trip from Port Campbell to Melbourne, wine tasting in Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, 5 Amazing Things to Do on the Tasman Peninsula, Australia, The Great Barrier Reef: Cruising to Lady Musgrave Island. From Portland, we drove 2 hours (160 km) to get to Port Campbell, the start of the Great Ocean Road. Although i highly recommend visiting Warrnambool, you may not have the time to spend there. Stops. Sightseeing Time: 4 hours. One down side to this is that you will be travelling on the side of the road which isnt on the coast side. Check out our Great Ocean Road tours. This is a beautiful surfing and fishing town with heritage buildings that have wonderful eateries and accommodation. It has diverse vegetation ranging from lush rainforest to rugged coastline, it has everything from stunning waterfalls to tranquil lakes. 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. Lorne Seabaths, Gym, inground Trampolines for kids, and more. The road winds through picturesque locations outdo one another in terms of visual extravaganza. Read all of our articles in our Australia Travel Guide. 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. Sometimes, Tyler and Kara feel like they will never be able to escape the attention of people curious about their blond hair. In this post, we cover the best spots to see along the way. Visit surf beaches, seaside towns, and national parks; and see rain forest, wild koalas, and towering waterfalls. 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 . Your Great Ocean Road itinerary may be coming to an end, but dont worry, youll finish up with a dreamy little visit toPort Fairy. There is no dearth of viewpoints on the Great Ocean Road and Teddys Lookout is another magnificent spot added to the list. . It takes 3 day to drive through the Great Ocean Road and to see all the attractions on the way. While the Great Ocean Road covers a ton of coastline, this national park is a gem located more on the inland route. After the Twelve Apostles, continue along the Great Ocean Road towards Port Campbell. 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. For more experienced surfers, and those looking to set foot onto a world-renowned surf beach, head toBells Beach. All the while, Tyler and Kara were screaming with delight, laughing afterwards. The Great Ocean Road in Victoria is a world-famous, Australian National Heritage-listed site along the Sydney to Melbourne drive. 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. For more trail information in Great Otway National Park, visit thiswebsite. Touring the Great Ocean Road: Self-Drive Itineraries & Tips Great Ocean Road & Beyond Melbourne to Adelaide (Single Traveller 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. In 1932, the road was thrown open to the public and has since then become one of the worlds best road trip destinations. Please note: this popular area is big and therefore the tour involves quite a lot of driving. 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 Check, (2 hrs 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. We had a villa, a small, two bedroom cabin with a kitchen and ensuite bathroom. This would end up being our favorite part of the day. What is the distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? The Great Ocean Road was built as a memorial for soldiers of World War I and this timber arch commemorates them. However, Loch Ard Gorge is still a stunning place for a swim. Try out the walking trails, have a picnic by the sea, take in the scenic views, or go searching for Australian wildlife. Duration: 5 Days Prices From: US$ 699 Trip Type: Self-Drives, Tailor-made Travel Ideas Australia See Trip Details Subscribe, Home | Australia | The PERFECT Great Ocean Road Drive Itinerary (2023). Tip: Beat the tour buses to avoid the traffic and crowds. 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. This was not anywhere near as scenic as Port Campbell National Park but was still worth seeing. Walk 91 provides assistance to plan your walk along the GOR Walk, either with luxurious accommodation and meals provided or the budge self-catering option. 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. Keep an eye open as you wander the trails for koalas up in the trees and beautiful native birds soaring around too. TheKennett River Koala Walkis the perfect place to get your fix. 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. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. BONUS Booking ahead of time ensures you wont miss out on the tour, and get the best price too! For those wanting to drive a bit further west, theres the historic harbour settlement of Portland which you can visit. 10 secret must-stop places on the Great Ocean Road - Australia Its also a fantastic place if you are looking to see some native Australian wildlife. The waves here were big, similar to US east coast waves just before a hurricane. Bells Beach is known for hosting Rip Curl Pro, a world surfing competition. Soaring high above the limestone stacks youll get the best views of Victorias Shipwreck Coast. You will want to try and get ahead of as many tour buses as you can. Routing: Adelaide to Melbourne Duration: 5 Days Code: AD3 From AUD$690.00* per person, based on standard double/twin share accommodation. Built in 1848, it sits at the edge of the ocean almost 90m over the Bass Strait. December to February is summer, March to May is autumn, June to August is winter and September to November is spring. Experience the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne to Adelaide. 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. 542 Km - Distance from Portland Ln to Mildura VIC 3500 Some of the beautiful coastal towns you will come across during your drive are Apollo Bay, Cape Otway, Port Campbell, Torquay, and Lorne. As Victorias 5th largest city, Warrnambool is a lot bigger than most of the seaside towns along the Great Ocean Road drive. The drive offers plenty of places to stop off and explore. Trust me, though, it'll be worth waking up early for. 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. To save even more time, you can cut out Warrnambool completely from your drive. Here are a few budget Great Ocean Road tours you should consider. Access a more in-depth look at the popular local sport at the Australian National Surfing Museum, too. 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. Day 2 - Pinnacles Walk in the Grampians National Park and drive to Port Campbell on the Great Ocean Road to stay overnight. The Great Ocean Road drive is one of the most scenic drives that Australia has to offer. Great Ocean Road - Wikipedia Most of the people here were Chinese. In front of us were walls of sandstone, giant waves crashing on the beach, and a rocky peninsula just waiting to be explored. Once in Warrnambool, it doesnt take long to drive to Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve. Apart from the trip distance, refer. However, the Great Ocean Road is a hit at any time of the year and here is why . Sail through the clouds with only 1 other person for an up-close and personal adventure. Our website uses cookies. Live chat with local experts anywhere, anytime. Read 1 review. Thats how were going to structure this post for you. The starting point of the Great Ocean Road that's closest to Melbourne, Torquay, is 64 miles (103 km) from the city. Start your 3 day Great Ocean Road itinerary with a lazy morning in Torquay. Recommended option Bus 3h 30m It is summer and it is simply beautiful on the road! Do you think that will be possible that time of year or do we have to book in advance ? I guess the quickest and easiest route from Portland back to Melbourne would be up to Hamilton then via the Glenelg Hwy to Ballarat then it is freeway on to Melbourne. What is a partial cave, archway and blowhole, The Grotto is definitely something to marvel at. 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. The drive offers plenty of places to stop off and explore. Dog-Friendly Great Ocean Road: Driving with a Dog - Travelnuity Here we joined the largest crowds of people yet, all elbowing for the best place to take family photos. 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. You can also use the share icon and share it on Facebook. 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. Griffiths Islandcan be accessed by a footbridge nearby to the wharf and is a great place to do a little bird watching. 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. An alternative to this driving route is that you do it in the reverse order. 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? Now 2 pillars are left standing above the sea and make for an impressive view inPort Campbell National Park. Most visitors to the Great Ocean Road travel from Melbourne, which is the nearest major city. Burrell received her first James Beard nomination for "Best Chef: Texas" in 2020 and . Carry a fast-drying towel, a bathing suit and a change of clothes to go swimming. Next, we got off the beaten track, taking an unnamed dirt road towards the shoreline. See above for that. - Bunyip Tours, Melbourne Traveller Reviews Find good prices and choices of accommodation: there is still so much more to see, Port Fairy is a beautiful little village and well worth spending time visiting too.