Our website uses cookies. 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. 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. You can also find the flight distance or distance to fly from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road. 1st Stop: Torquay. Truly a paradise, the area is a popular destination for water sports and recreation activities. 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 two-way highway is scenic as it gets and covers iconic landmarks like the Twelve Apostles, Apollo Bay, and the Otways. The Best 5 Day Great Ocean Road Itinerary (Self Drive) This isnt a big deal though as you will still have great views of the scenery either way. Tip: If youre hungry on the drive back to Melbourne, stop at Colac for food. In the shadow of the Otway ranges meeting Cape Otway is the Apollo Bay, midway of the Great Ocean Road. Yes. The gorge has been named after a ship Loch Ard ran aground nearby and the rock pillars are named Tom and Eva after the only two survivors. can include Port Fairy and more coastal towns. 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 . Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia - Visit Victoria home Most people start the Great Ocean Road drive from Melbourne to Torquay. 542 Km - Distance from Portland Ln to Mildura VIC 3500 The Great Otway National Park is located within the Otway ranges and covers the area from Torquay to Princetown. Thousands of visitors flock here for summer and for festivals during the year, including the world famous Folkie. You will also reach the main stops at a different time to the crowds. We want to book accommodation as we go . We personally stayed there when we travelled across Australia, and highly recommend it. If youve hired a car youll most likely collect it at the airport. Mount Gambier to Great Ocean Road - 5 ways to travel via bus, and car The return distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 Km. The Great Ocean Road drive is one of the most scenic drives that Australia has to offer. Home; Timetables Train & coach timetables; Plan a journey I dashed out of the cave to higher ground, able to stay dry. You also get to enjoy free WiFi onboard, tea and snacks and relax in comfort between spots. 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. 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. Great Ocean Road one-day itinerary. Continue on from this point as there are tons of Great Ocean Road attractions to come. There are 4 ways to get from Melbourne to Great Ocean Road by train, bus or car Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. Soaring high above the limestone stacks youll get the best views of Victorias Shipwreck Coast. If that is the case, you can head straight back to Melbourne after seeing the famous sites such as the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge and The Grotto. 5 Day Adelaide to Melbourne via Great Ocean Road - Visit WA Read all of our articles in our Australia Travel Guide. Reserve your spot here. Bunyip Tours: Wonderful experience - See 1,941 traveler reviews, 941 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. Hey! Going up is going to be a task though! The nearly 250 kilometre road encapsulates some of Australia's most iconic scenery and gives visitors the opportunity to get close to wildlife. It stretches for 243 kms. Let us help you get started with planning your Great Ocean Road itinerary. You will want to try and get ahead of as many tour buses as you can. Great Southern Touring Route, Road trips and itineraries, Victoria 52 Great Weekends > No 3: Portland No 3: Portland Located a little over 4hrs Melbourne, Portland is well worth the drive. The Great Ocean Road Australia | Victoria's Most Scenic Stretch In 1932, the road was thrown open to the public and has since then become one of the worlds best road trip destinations. 3. Takinga surf lessonis a sure-fire way to have you feeling confident on the board and in the water if you havent tried the sport before. Next, we got off the beaten track, taking an unnamed dirt road towards the shoreline. Turn off for this road just before you reach Apollo Bay. 7-Day Melbourne to Adelaide Road Trip Itinerary via the Great Ocean Starting from Torquay, this route takes you through beautiful seaside towns and rain forests as you follow the winding road along the exquisite coastline. Best Great Ocean Road Tours Save AU$10 on your Great Ocean Road Bus tours with this promo code. Thats how were going to structure this post for you. 10 secret must-stop places on the Great Ocean Road - Australia This port city is the second-largest in the state of Victoria and overlooks the gorgeousCorio Bay. Drive Time: 30 minutes to Port Fairy, 4 hours to Melbourne. hi guys my husband and l are going to drive the great ocean road in early November. The Great Ocean Road winds through picturesque locations that outdo one another in terms of visual extravaganza. Today, at 4 pm, with clouds and a cold breeze, it did not look like much to us. 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. Great Ocean Road Touring Route - Visit Victoria home 12. Its a small village, but Port Campbell is a nice place to stop for a snack and some fuel. The coastline is awesome. Find out about other waterfalls in the Otways. Includes: 4 nights' accommodation, 5 days unlimited km use of a compact sized car, continental breakfast in Barossa Valley and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps. Subscribe, Home | Australia | The PERFECT Great Ocean Road Drive Itinerary (2023). Campervan Hire Great Ocean Road - Melbourne to Adelaide - Camper Champ Even in Australia, Tyler and Kara were getting a lot of stares, this time from Chinese tourists. 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. Over time it has been improved to create a peaceful and beautiful space to be enjoyed. 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 This is a beautiful surfing and fishing town with heritage buildings that have wonderful eateries and accommodation. Check out the Vline train & bus timetable to make your way between Geelong and Warrnambool. 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. Great Ocean Road & Melbourne itinerary and attractions Day 1: Arriving in city of Melbourne Australia. Brekkie tacos, smoothie bowls and a full lunch menu to eat in or take away will please anyone visiting. However, when the winds pick up it is best to stay above the Grotto. Any advice greatly appreciated! 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. During your travel, you plan to visit the following-1) Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay, Victoria, Australia. From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road Full-Day Guided Trip A little warning about the Penguin Parade: It is very touristy and professionally put together. Yes, you can. Screened at CinefestOZ, Portland International Film Festival, Social Justice Film Festival (Seattle), St Louis International Film Festival, Mostly . The property at 36 Braemar Street sold for $6 million by private sale. We parked at a small car park and were the only ones here. Melbourne to Apollo Bay 187 km/116 miles, about 3 hours Ease into your road trip with the leisurely drive from Melbourne to Torquay, just over an hour's drive. If you travel one way from Port Campbell to Melbourne (or vice versa), it is a 300 km journey. ULURU: In our Guide to Uluru and Kata-Tjuta, learn how to get here, what to do, and how to plan your time. 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. Wendy Report inappropriate content We still had a long ways to go. Bunyip Tours: See above for that. Through our stories and images we promote exciting off-the-beaten-path destinations and fascinating cultures as we go. It starts at the surfing town of Torquay and finishes near Warrnambool. 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. The Grotto is multiple geological formations rolled into one and is one of the most spectacular points to view the coast. Learn about the Best Things to Do in Melbourne and get a recap of our experiences here. Please enter your email address or username. There are 5 ways to get from Mount Gambier to Great Ocean Road by bus or car Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. 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]. How far is the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne? plenty of accommodation choices in Warrnambool, Apollo Bay Surf, Stand Up Paddle Boarding & Kayak, Otway Estate Brewery Prickly Moses Beer. . You can also carry a pair of flip flops or sandals if you wish to dip your feet in the ocean at Loch Ard Gorge or any other beach enroute. Built in 1848, it sits at the edge of the ocean almost 90m over the Bass Strait. 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. We love this place and even bought one of their horses a few years ago! The Quintessential Great Ocean Road Itinerary - 3 Days Theyll even show you how to throw a Boomerang and spear! If you arent restricted to only 1 day, give yourself at least 2 days to do the Great Ocean Road drive. A road trip along the Great Ocean Road & Grampians National Park is a trip where you feel small in the universe. The road curves quite a lot and if you suffer from motion sickness carry anti-nausea medication or chew on citrusy candy to keep it in check. 8 Days or so of hiking from Apollo Bay to the 12 Apostles following the coastline with views and experiences not possible by car or bus. This is the start of their Great Ocean Road drive. The Obelisk sits atop a rugged coastline, which is rapidly being eroded by the harsh elements. 15 Places Along The Great Ocean Road To Visit On A One-Day Road Trip In To do this, leave Melbourne before 8am as most tours leave Melbourne city between 8am and 9am. 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. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Great Ocean Road starts at Torquay and finishes in Allansford. 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 will ride on an AC tour bus, accompanied by a friendly tour guide who will ensure you hit all the spots on your Great Ocean Road tour. For many people, the Great Ocean Road is a highlight when visiting Australia. Theres a lot to see and do along the way. There is also a plaque on the left side of the road which serves as a memory for the soldiers. In this post, we cover the best spots to see along the way. If you want one of the best views in Geelong, grab a seat on theSkyWheel. Great Ocean Road travel - Lonely Planet | Victoria, Australia 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. Imagine free falling from the sky onto these gorgeous views? Routing: Adelaide to Melbourne Duration: 5 Days Code: AD3 From AUD$690.00* per person, based on standard double/twin share accommodation. Other good breaks in addition to Bells Beach includeSan Juc, Winki Pop, Bird RockandSparrowsjust to name a few. This is just because we really want to show you the best bits of the beautiful Great Ocean Road! Home to some of Australia's best-known surf beaches, Torquay marks the official beginning of the Great Ocean Road. Great post guys, you have inspired me to take a trip here when I finally get to Australia again! A great photo op spot, this is one of the most photographed spots along the Great Ocean Road. Once youve had your fill, hop in the car for a quick drive and to the next and last destination of your road trip. It will stop off at most of the popular viewing spots. One of the best things to do here is take a walk out on thePort Fairy Wharves. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. Iconic Animal Sightings. Apart from the trip distance, refer. Stretching over 243km (150mi), among this dramatic coastline's iconic attractions there's a mecca of bucket-list-worthy experiences. Check out our Great Ocean Road tours. Bunyip Tours: Great Ocean Road - See 1,943 traveler reviews, 942 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. Bells Beach is a paradise for surfers; it is the location of the legendary annual Rip Curl Surfing competition. The Ultimate Guide To Watch Phillip Island Penguin Parade. - See 1,941 traveler reviews, 942 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. Surf lessons can be booked in Lorne, Anglesea, Torquay, and Ocean Grove. However, if you only have 1 day to work with, then here are some suggestions to save yourself time. It is essentially a sinkhole in a limestone stack and opens out to a view of the sea and cliffs beyond. 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. The lake views here are stunning and if youre lucky you might even be able to lay your eyes on a platypus or two. Starting from Torquay, this route takes you through beautiful seaside towns and rain forests as you follow the winding road along the exquisite coastline. 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? While your stop here signals the end of your epic 3 day Great Ocean Road itinerary, youre now on to new and exciting things. Live chat with local experts anywhere, anytime. It was nothing fancy but suited our needs for our family of four. Its a highlight of a Great Ocean Road itinerary! Warrnambool railway station - Wikipedia Both are natural, offshore stone archways. This lookout gives you the chance to see right out to sea and over the entire city. This will help you make the most of your time so you can see the things that matter to you. Sometimes, Tyler and Kara feel like they will never be able to escape the attention of people curious about their blond hair. 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. Premiered at Melbourne International Film Festival. The V/line service offers frequent train travel departing Melbournes Southern Cross Station and running to both Geelong and Warrnambool. While the Great Ocean Road covers a ton of coastline, this national park is a gem located more on the inland route. It has great local produce, excellent surf beaches, and play parks for the kids to burn off energy. Visit surf beaches, seaside towns, and national parks; and see rain forest, wild koalas, and towering waterfalls. While Tyler and Kara tried to throw each other off of the sand dunes, Tim and I went exploring. Guide to the Great Ocean Road, Victoria - Tourism Australia Or Warrnambool, Camperdown, Geelong, Melbourne. From Melbourne, head to Geelong and then south to Torquay. 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. December to February is the best time to take a Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne. The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! The Memorial Arch (youve probably seen photos of people standing underneath it) symbolises the start of the road. 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. We are a single Mum with 3 kids, 8yo Boy and 5 and 4 yo girls. Lorne is a picturesque town set between Loutit Bay and the Otway National Park, it is where the bush meets the ocean. 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. With the last day of your Great Ocean Road itinerary upon you, there is still so much to be seen and experienced. Ultimate Adelaide to Melbourne Drive via the Great Ocean Road The Great Ocean Road drive itineraries from Melbourne The road driving distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 Km. 5 Melbourne: 2-Hour City Highlights River Cruise. 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. Purchase tickets. A drive down the road will take you through magnificent landscapes of the white surf hitting the golden beaches, where the limestone stacks and arches weather the powerful ocean. 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. It was another spot that was cool to see, even if it was just for a few minutes. We plan to spend 5 days on Kangaroo Island and have allowed 3 days to get to Cape Jervis. They will also add to the crowds at every one of your stops, so you want to beat them if you can. In Portland we stayed at the Portland Holiday Village. The cliffs over the beach offer gorgeous views of the swells coming in from the Southern Ocean. Portland | Discover the many attractions of PortlandGetting Here - Portland After the Twelve Apostles, continue along the Great Ocean Road towards Port Campbell. The ULTIMATE Great Ocean Road Map 2023 (Local's Guide) The distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 Km by road. The Great Ocean Road spans 200 kilometers, from Port Campbell in the west to Torquay in the east. It is summer and it is simply beautiful on the road! Wealso have information on a great hike in Kings Canyon and a recap of our experience in the Red Centre of Australia. While wandering around town youll surely spot a ton of street art, which is something Geelong is known for. The Great Ocean Road (B100) is one of Australia's most famous touring routes. We would appreciate some advice for an itinerary driving from Melbourne to Cape Jervis via the Great Ocean Road visiting Phillip Island and Kennett River where we may hopefully see some Koalas, on the way. Loch Ard Gorge is a breathtaking natural formation just a short distance from the 12 apostles. Great Ocean Road - Bunyip Tours, Melbourne Traveller Reviews - Tripadvisor The driving distance from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 km. 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. No, the Great Ocean Road isnt particularly dangerous to drive, as long as you take proper precautions. Quest Warrnambool is the perfect place to do just that. Drive Along the Great Ocean Road.