But the Great Ocean Road is about so much more than its sinuous, coast hugging tarmac. For those wanting to drive a bit further west, theres the historic harbour settlement of Portland which you can visit. The Great Ocean Road spans 200 kilometers, from Port Campbell in the west to Torquay in the east. Great Southern Touring Route, Road trips and itineraries, Victoria This lookout gives you the chance to see right out to sea and over the entire city. Bells Beach is a paradise for surfers; it is the location of the legendary annual Rip Curl Surfing competition. However, if you only have 1 day to work with, then here are some suggestions to save yourself time. Once in Warrnambool, it doesnt take long to drive to Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve. 1st Stop: Torquay. On a clear sunny day and depending on the tide you can get pretty close. ThePort FairyBotanical Gardensare a lovely spot for an afternoon walk and to admire the plants and flowers. 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! Now youll be able to find the wreckage in shallow waters, which makes it great for divers to explore. In the shadow of the Otway ranges meeting Cape Otway is the Apollo Bay, midway of the Great Ocean Road. It makes for a perfect family day out or holiday with friends. We are Alesha and Jarryd, the award-winning writers and professional photographers behind this blog. Please enter your email address or username. 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. It stretches for 243 kms. 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. Best Great Ocean Road Tours Save AU$10 on your Great Ocean Road Bus tours with this promo code. Any advice greatly appreciated! One Day Road Trip on the Great Ocean Road, 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. Respect the speed limit. 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. The Animal Condition (Feature Film) 2010 - Jun 20177 years. Apart from the trip distance, refer. However, if you're short on time and want to cover a good portion of the Great Ocean Road, signing up for an organized trip from Melbourne will come handy. An alternative to this driving route is that you do it in the reverse order. 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. Visit Great Ocean Road | Where untamed spirits create inspirational Make sure you book ahead though, as its not something you can just show up and do. After a late arrival intoWarrnambool,youll want to see a few of the sights the city has to offer. Although most Great Ocean Road tours offer snacks they might be limited and since you are in for a long day its best to stock up on extra snacks and beverages for the road. Great Ocean Road travel guide 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. The highlight of the Great Ocean Road are the Twelve Apostles. From the rocks, Tim and I could see a cave in the side of the cliff. Today, it is a spot for whale watching and a centre for learning about the aboriginal history. The Twelve Apostles Driving East on the Great Ocean Road Bells Beach Arriving in Melbourne Road Trip from Port Campbell to Melbourne Day Trip from Melbourne Driving the Great Ocean Road The Great Ocean Road spans 200 kilometers, from Port Campbell in the west to Torquay in the east. If you dont want to visit Warrnambool, drive from Melbourne to the 12 Apostles (over 2.5 hours). However, Loch Ard Gorge is still a stunning place for a swim. 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). Youll also find theAustralian Surfing Hall of Famehere as well. Check our. This dive spot is actually a ship that was wrecked off the eastern beach in Port Fairy in 1849. As Victorias 5th largest city, Warrnambool is a lot bigger than most of the seaside towns along the Great Ocean Road drive. Great Ocean Road starts at Torquay and finishes in Allansford. Fabulous horse riding through the forest or down along a long golden beach. To save even more time, you can cut out Warrnambool completely from your drive. Chasing waterfalls? Home to some of Australia's best-known surf beaches, Torquay marks the official beginning of the Great Ocean Road. 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. Melbourne real estate: Full list of sales, auction results for February 5 Melbourne: 2-Hour City Highlights River Cruise. Depending on the vehicle you choose to travel, you can calculate the amount of CO2 emissions from your vehicle and assess the environment impact. But one of the most incredible Great Ocean Road attractions is just around the corner. Melbourne - This is usually the starting point when planning an itinerary for Great Ocean Road. Great Ocean Road Melbourne to Adelaide Drive 1,500 km | 7 - 12 days Great surf, picturesque coastal towns, ocean views around every bend, wine country and some spectacular hikes define this road trip. Carry a fast-drying towel, a bathing suit and a change of clothes to go swimming. 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. Planning a trip to Australia? After the Twelve Apostles, continue along the Great Ocean Road towards Port Campbell. It's also possible to travel from Melbourne to Adelaide via the Great . The first destination is Bells Beach in Torquay, a famous location for surfers. Walk up near the Grey River Road and you will find koalas lounging on the trees. Thousands of visitors flock here for summer and for festivals during the year, including the world famous Folkie. Before you set off on your adventure though, you should know how long the road is and how long it takes to drive. Cute Penguins - Bunyip Tours, Melbourne Traveller Reviews - Tripadvisor Starting and finishing in Melbourne, enjoy a self drive tour along Victoria's southwest coast. If your tour is on schedule you might find yourself some time for a swim. Of all the fantastic destinations, the one that really draws travelers from across the world is a Great Ocean Road tour. Iconic Animal Sightings. Plan ahead and give yourself at least 1 full day. 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. In front of us were walls of sandstone, giant waves crashing on the beach, and a rocky peninsula just waiting to be explored. The Great Ocean Road offers amazing scenery, unforgettable natural features and quaint towns making it a unique vacation spot. One of the most adventurous things to do on the Great Ocean Road drive is to do a bit of scuba diving. Portland | Discover the many attractions of PortlandGetting Here - Portland The Ultimate Great Ocean Road Trip: From Melbourne to Adelaide - NeedaBreak Returns: Approx 9:00pm. It can get quite chilly in winter and autumn, bring your warm clothes and it is always quite windy so keep a windcheater, scarf or cap handy. Start your 3 day Great Ocean Road itinerary with a lazy morning in Torquay. Another fun way to get to the Great Ocean Road is by using the ferry service from Queenscliff and the Bellarine Peninsula to Sorrento and the Mornington Peninsula. You don't have to miss out on this epic road trip just because you are short on time. Theres so much to see and do, so you dont want to be left feeling rushed and tired at the end of your trip. This is one way to get away from other tourists. Other good breaks in addition to Bells Beach includeSan Juc, Winki Pop, Bird RockandSparrowsjust to name a few. The nearly 250 kilometre road encapsulates some of Australia's most iconic scenery and gives visitors the opportunity to get close to wildlife. 12. 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. Trust me, though, it'll be worth waking up early for. 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 Great Ocean Road is one of Australias great drives. 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. Drive Along the Great Ocean Road. Portland is 6 hours (540 km) away from Adelaide. Mount Gambier to Great Ocean Road - 5 ways to travel via bus, and car It has diverse vegetation ranging from lush rainforest to rugged coastline, it has everything from stunning waterfalls to tranquil lakes. The Great Ocean Road from Melbourne - 1-Day Itinerary If you're planning to visit the Great Ocean Road, here's all that you should squeeze into your itinerary. The ULTIMATE Great Ocean Road Map 2023 (Local's Guide) Just a few minutes west of the border you'll come across a beautiful pink salt lake. To enlarge the map, click the top right icon and it will open up, full screen, in a new tab. 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. To get here, however, was a two-hour drive via the M1 highway from Melbourne. Access a more in-depth look at the popular local sport at the Australian National Surfing Museum, too. The four of us were ecstatic to be off those winding roads. 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. A drive between Melbourne and Adelaide via the inland route takes only 8 hours. Yes, you can do this as a one day trip from Melbourne, but I dont recommend it. Even in Australia, Tyler and Kara were getting a lot of stares, this time from Chinese tourists. 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. Read more about taking a Melbourne to Phillip Island Tour. 446 Km - Distance from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road One down side to this is that you will be travelling on the side of the road which isnt on the coast side. The total distance you can expect to drive is over 600 km. Happy travels. So you may get lucky to lay your eyes on some of these cute local beach dwellers. Melbourne to Adelaide via Great Ocean Road - Jensen Chua Photography There are a few towns along the way like Lorne, Apollo Bay and Port Campbell where you can stay or camp overnight. From below the steps you can marvel at the 70m limestone stacks from up close and feel the power of nature. Bunyip Tours: Great Ocean Road - See 1,943 traveler reviews, 942 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road - Best Routes & Travel Advice Check map and driving directions of your route which helps you find the destination easier. Go-Ride a Wave! We have been travelling the world together since 2008, with a passion for adventure travel and sustainable tourism. 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. Route planner, Travel information, Victoria, Australia If you want one of the best views in Geelong, grab a seat on theSkyWheel. How far is the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne? We drove from Adelaide to Portland, spent the night in Portland, and then drove the Great Ocean Road. It has great local produce, excellent surf beaches, and play parks for the kids to burn off energy. It sounds daunting but it's going to be broken down into very manageable chunks. 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. Seeingthe Twelve Apostlesfor yourself should be at the top of your Australian Bucket list, no matter the weather. Great Ocean Road - Wikipedia Surf lessons can be booked in Lorne, Anglesea, Torquay, and Ocean Grove. Starting from Torquay, this route takes you through beautiful seaside towns and rain forests as you follow the winding road along the exquisite coastline. Departs: 7:00am. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Taking an organized bus tour from Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road is the best way to experience the best of the pictursque route from the comfort of your bus. Dont feed the koalas or the parrots as they are in the wild and any feeding them our food will disrupt their natural behaviour. can include Port Fairy and more coastal towns. If you have a registered account with us,then we have sent you an email to reset your password. You can also use the share icon and share it on Facebook. Depart from Melbourne in the morning, and begin your Great Ocean Road journey. Read all of our articles in our. 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. Most visitors to the Great Ocean Road travel from Melbourne, which is the nearest major city. What is the shortest road 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. A few minutes down the road from Sherbrook West is a large car park with trails to various viewpoints. 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. Dog-Friendly Great Ocean Road: Driving with a Dog - Travelnuity The coastline of the Great Ocean Road is constantly changing and one such natural formation is the London Arch. Its a highlight of a Great Ocean Road itinerary! 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. A softUsvista Inc. venture! Stevenson Falls, Triplet Falls, Little Aire Falls, andHopetoun Fallsare just a few of the many highlights here. Some of the beautiful coastal towns you will come across during your drive are Apollo Bay, Cape Otway, Port Campbell, Torquay, and Lorne. The Best 5 Day Great Ocean Road Itinerary (Self Drive) Purchase tickets. We could not get too close to the edge or else we would risk being pulled into the ocean by a rogue wave. The two-way highway is scenic as it gets and covers iconic landmarks like the Twelve Apostles, Apollo Bay, and the Otways. With the last day of your Great Ocean Road itinerary upon you, there is still so much to be seen and experienced. These two areas are highly populated by local surfers, keen to ride their magnificent waves. 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 Grotto is one of the most impressive sections of the coastline, and essentially a sinkhole. Join our small group coastal adventure to the beaches, rainforests and more of the Great Ocean Road. DestinationsPhotographySustainable TourismAdventure Travel, Adventure ToursStart a BlogTravel TipsSitemap, 2023 NOMADasaurus | Peak Evolution Media, The PERFECT Great Ocean Road Drive Itinerary (2023). To do this, leave Melbourne before 8am as most tours leave Melbourne city between 8am and 9am. Drive from Melbourne, via the Princes Highway, straight to Warrnambool (over 3 hours drive). Phillip Island: Penguin Parade Afternoon Wildlife Tour, Autumn (March to May): Cooler weather and fewer tourists, Winter (June to August): Whale watching season, cheaper accommodation and few tourists, Spring (September to November): Flowering season, perfect for visiting the Otways, mild weather and fewer crowds. Read our detailed blog to know all about Skydiving in Melbourne and book your Great Ocean Road skydive. Great Ocean Road & Melbourne itinerary and attractions Day 1: Arriving in city of Melbourne Australia. Over time it has been improved to create a peaceful and beautiful space to be enjoyed. It is a beast to carry around with me everyday but I love the photos get with it. 375km of scenic winding roads along the southern ocean will take you through some of the countrys most beautiful UNESCO-listed landscapes. The direct route between these two locations is 142km, taking drivers around two hours to complete. If youre looking to do a bit of waterfall chasing, this is a great place to find them! There is also a plaque on the left side of the road which serves as a memory for the soldiers. If you're planning a self-guided tour, this could come handy. The Great Ocean Road is the most famous coastal road in Australia and meanders along sheer limestone cliff tops, spectacular jutting headlands beside the edge of pristine beaches. The Great Ocean Road drive is one of the most scenic drives that Australia has to offer. 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. There were no surfers, really there was no one else here other than a few curious people like ourselves. Always hustling towards the least trodden path, she has encountered some wonderful people during her escapades and if you ever meet her, she won't stop gushing about them.