We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products, and regularly review these. This is the start of their Great Ocean Road drive. A staircase leads you to view it at the eye-level and is best experience at low tide at sunrise or sunset. Returns: Approx 9:00pm. It stretches for 243 kms. 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. Walk up near the Grey River Road and you will find koalas lounging on the trees. Its definitely worth pulling over to read the history of the road as well as getting that classic holiday snap. Starting and finishing in Melbourne is how most people do the Great Ocean Road drive in 1 day. 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]. Getting stuck behind tour buses will add to your travel time. Located less than 2 hours from Melbourne. Geelong - The second largest city in Victoria, it is about 30 mins from the beginning of the ocean road trip and worth visiting if you have time. 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. Reserve your spot here. A large wave crashed on shore, quickly heading towards our cave and where we thought we would be safe. The ULTIMATE Great Ocean Road Map 2023 (Local's Guide) Great Ocean Road travel guide Recommended option Train 4h 12m Take the train from Southern Cross to Warrnambool Warrnambool - Melbourne Via Colac & Geelong $103 - $128 The route of 243 KM stretches from Torquay to Allansford in Victoria state. Rent a campervan and go on an adventure. Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia - Visit Victoria home It's also possible to travel from Melbourne to Adelaide via the Great . Both are amazing expressions of natural beauty and are worth checking out. . 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. 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. We recommend Rental Cars, which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market. We want to book accommodation as we go . Sometimes, Tyler and Kara feel like they will never be able to escape the attention of people curious about their blond hair. Your password has been reset successfully please login with new password. For most people, the trip willstart in Melbourneand can be done in a loop or a return journey. Last week, 1156 properties were scheduled to be auctioned in Melbourne. Dog-Friendly Great Ocean Road: Driving with a Dog - Travelnuity And just for NOMADasaurus readers, if you use the Klook discount codeNOMADS10on the website when checking out, youll get $10 off your first booking! From AUD$940.00* per person, based on [] It has great local produce, excellent surf beaches, and play parks for the kids to burn off energy. But the Great Ocean Road is about so much more than its sinuous, coast hugging tarmac. But one of the most incredible Great Ocean Road attractions is just around the corner. Recommended Experiences Yarra Valley Full Day Gourmet Tour Skydive Yarra Valley Tandem Freefall. They are now a part of a National Park and protected, and are the perfect destination to view the sunset. 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. We enjoyed our travels on the Great Ocean Road, the area of Port Campbell National Park being the highlight of the day. The green forest with the winding highway meets the ocean here! One of the most adventurous things to do on the Great Ocean Road drive is to do a bit of scuba diving. The highlight of the Great Ocean Road are the Twelve Apostles. It is comparable to Big Sur in California with coastal views, winding roads, and many, many scenic viewpoints. If you dont want to visit Warrnambool, drive from Melbourne to the 12 Apostles (over 2.5 hours). We had a villa, a small, two bedroom cabin with a kitchen and ensuite bathroom. Melbourne real estate: Full list of sales, auction results for February Route planner, Travel information, Victoria, Australia 1. 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. 5 Day Adelaide to Melbourne via Great Ocean Road - Visit WA . 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. However, the Great Ocean Road is a hit at any time of the year and here is why . 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. This lookout gives you the chance to see right out to sea and over the entire city. I dashed out of the cave to higher ground, able to stay dry. Made famous for theRip Curl Prohosted every Easter, Bells Beach is not only beautiful but a huge part of both Australian and surf culture. Its not nearly as scenic to do it this way, but it does save you about 50 km and one hour of driving. Bunyip Tours: Cute Penguins - See 1,940 traveler reviews, 941 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. The Quintessential Great Ocean Road Itinerary - 3 Days Respect the speed limit. Home to some of Australia's best-known surf beaches, Torquay marks the official beginning of the Great Ocean Road. Follow our journey in real time on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. Access a more in-depth look at the popular local sport at the Australian National Surfing Museum, too. The property at 36 Braemar Street sold for $6 million by private sale. For several hours, we traveled along the Great Ocean Road, on very windy roads, through towns like Apollo Bay, Skenes Creek, and Lorne. The Great Ocean Road (B100) is one of Australia's most famous touring routes. Some of the largest waves I have ever seen were crashing onto the rocks, sending up sprays of water at least thirty feet in the air. The drive offers plenty of places to stop off and explore. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Depart Melbourne and travel over the West Gate Bridge through the vast volcanic plains en-route to Geelong. Further along, you will find verdant bush where koalas nest and then onto the lush rainforests with spectacular waterfalls and native wildlife. How Much Does It Cost to Experience Melbourne & the Great Ocean Road in Our website uses cookies. 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. Its a highlight of a Great Ocean Road itinerary! It is a beast to carry around with me everyday but I love the photos get with it. 7-Day Melbourne to Adelaide Road Trip Itinerary via the Great Ocean 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. 3. 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. 34 mins), (3 hrs Loch Iel (Pink Lake) The inland Melbourne to Adelaide drive takes around 5.5 hours from the Grampians. can include Port Fairy and more coastal towns. 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. Don't be an idiot. 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. Drive through the Great Ocean Road's coastal cliffs and river inlets as well as its luscious fern gullies. From below the steps you can marvel at the 70m limestone stacks from up close and feel the power of nature. Now 2 pillars are left standing above the sea and make for an impressive view inPort Campbell National Park. Kms. Port Fairy offers great locations forscuba divingincludingThe Thistle. If you want to get off the beaten path like we did, do not be afraid to try one of those unlabeled dirt roads. You can also find the distance from Portland Ln to Mildura VIC 3500 using other travel options like bus, subway, tram, train and rail. Memorial Arch (8am) Our first stop was the Memorial Arch, which is located just past the city of Torquay. Burrell received her first James Beard nomination for "Best Chef: Texas" in 2020 and . The waves here are huge and come fast and furious, making this area a great surfing spot. We set off from the city at 6am. 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. Featuring the major stops, seaside towns and villages along the Great Ocean Road including Torquay, Anglesea, Airey's Inlet, Lorne, Wye River, Kennett River, Apollo Bay, Port Campbell National Park, Port Campbell and Allensford; plus Warnambool and Port Fairy (as an extension to the official end of the Great Ocean Rd at Allensford.) The Obelisk sits atop a rugged coastline, which is rapidly being eroded by the harsh elements. Bells Beach is a paradise for surfers; it is the location of the legendary annual Rip Curl Surfing competition. 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. Travellers' Guide To Great Ocean Road - Wiki Travel Guide - Travellerspoint It was another spot that was cool to see, even if it was just for a few minutes. We had one day to drive the Great Ocean Road, including this in our travels from Adelaide to Melbourne. Yes, you can do this as a one day trip from Melbourne, but I dont recommend it. 5 Melbourne: 2-Hour City Highlights River Cruise. 4 From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road Full-Day Trip. If youd like to continue travelling Australia beyond the Great Ocean Road, you canhead northwest to Adelaide. The Great Ocean Road spans 200 kilometers, from Port Campbell in the west to Torquay in the east. 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. You might even get a stretch of beach all to yourself, maybe for the best adventure of the day. Dogs are permitted to join you in a vehicle driving along the length of the Great Ocean Road, even when the highway passes through areas of national park. 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. However, when the winds pick up it is best to stay above the Grotto. Brekkie tacos, smoothie bowls and a full lunch menu to eat in or take away will please anyone visiting. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Depart from Melbourne in the morning, and begin your Great Ocean Road journey. If your tour is on schedule you might find yourself some time for a swim. Discover some of the best things to do in Melbourne. Any advice greatly appreciated! It was awesome having this place all to ourselves, being able to explore without anyone else around. 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. Loch Ard Gorgeis the first attraction on the way, just a stones throw from the Twelve Apostles. Adelaide to Melbourne via Great Ocean Road - how long? If youre looking to do a bit of waterfall chasing, this is a great place to find them! All the points of interest mentioned above are marked on the Great Ocean Road Map below. Frolic in the ocean and then head up to the lush rainforests abundant with wildlife. A dormant volcanic crater, Tower Hill is full of Australian wildlife (koalas, kangaroos, emus to name a few) and has lush wetlands and bush. FromWarrnambool Breakwaterall the way toLogans Beachthis is a great spot to take in the coastal views and even pass a little penguin breeding ground. For those wanting to drive a bit further west, theres the historic harbour settlement of Portland which you can visit. Great Ocean Road & Melbourne itinerary and attractions Day 1: Arriving in city of Melbourne Australia. you really need 2-3 weeks to make the most of this itinerary, especially as you're going to be going over to Kangaroo Island. 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. The Great Ocean Road definitely has some dangerous turns. This is a rare opportunity to work for a minimum of 3-6 months and with a start date late April. 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. How long does it take to drive the Great Ocean Road? 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. This stone archway once formed a natural bridge over the gorge, but unfortunately collapsed almost a decade ago. They finish at either the 12 Apostles or Warrnambool, and then drive back to Melbourne. It takes travellers past world-class surfing breaks, through pockets of rainforest and calm seaside towns, and under koala-filled tree canopies. Includes: 4 nights' accommodation, 5 days unlimited km use of a compact sized car and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps. Great Ocean Road Drive Info - Time, Distance & Tips Many travelers continue on to Warrnambool and Adelaide or up to the Grampian Mountains while others are returning to Melbourne. Great Ocean Road starts at Torquay and finishes in Allansford. Happy travels. Most take this road trip to visit the iconic Twelve Apostles but fall in love with the grandeur of nature. 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 1. If you don't want to take the ferry, you can also take the alternative route via Geelong by car, although the ferry crossing is much nicer. 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. It has some of the best park guides in the area to teach you about the history of the volcano as well as local Aboriginal history. The shortest road distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 Km. Wendy Report inappropriate content I highly recommended checking out Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve and Port Fairy. For a great post-drive meal check out theGeelong Boathousefor a classic fish & chips by the sea. From Portland, we drove 2 hours (160 km) to get to Port Campbell, the start of the Great Ocean Road. While the Great Ocean Road covers a ton of coastline, this national park is a gem located more on the inland route. We walked out to the tip of the peninsula. Mum, works 2- 3 days a week, Tues and Wednesday and Friday and has the children in daycare and . Once in Warrnambool, it doesnt take long to drive to Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve. From Melbourne, head to Geelong and then south to Torquay. 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. Along the way you'll stop by the border of Victoria and South Australia and a red line marks the exact spot. December to February is summer, March to May is autumn, June to August is winter and September to November is spring. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. After the last couple of years, it seems everyone wants to be out and about and go travelling. Cant wait for the trip , Thanks Tracy. Heavenly, right? Recommended Experiences Phillip Island: Penguin Parade Afternoon Wildlife Tour Phillip Island Penguin Parade Tour, Yarra Valley is mostly known for its wineries, but thats just one of its many treasures. The whole trail is about 15km, but your best chances for spotting the cute indigenous animals are about 6km in atGrey River. Make sure you book ahead though, as its not something you can just show up and do. The Great Ocean Road drive is one of the most scenic drives that Australia has to offer. Great Ocean Road Touring Route - Visit Victoria home Driving from Melbourne to Cape Jervis ( Kangaroo Island ) The colors are vivid, the sun is out and the water is ideal for water sports and activities, but it is also the busiest time of the year. Most of the people here were Chinese. Melbourne to Great Ocean Road | Road trips | The NRMA For a shorter track check outMaits Restwhich will take you through a beautiful section of rainforest. Try out the walking trails, have a picnic by the sea, take in the scenic views, or go searching for Australian wildlife. Adelaide to Melbourne Drive Itinerary: Great Ocean Road Trip TheKennett River Koala Walkis the perfect place to get your fix. Required fields are marked *. Some of the beautiful coastal towns you will come across during your drive are Apollo Bay, Cape Otway, Port Campbell, Torquay, and Lorne. To drive direct from the Melbourne CBD to Torquay, where the road officially starts, is 104km, or 1 hour and 20 minutes. 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. To do this, leave Melbourne before 8am as most tours leave Melbourne city between 8am and 9am. 2 From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road and Wildlife Tour. From the rocks, Tim and I could see a cave in the side of the cliff. Stops. Director, editor and producer of feature documentary about animal welfare in farming. Most people start the Great Ocean Road drive from Melbourne to Torquay. Curious Goose | The Grampians and The Great Ocean Road - a 4 day self 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. Here at Port Campbell National Park, we spent over two hours hopping from scenic view to scenic view. There is no dearth of viewpoints on the Great Ocean Road and Teddys Lookout is another magnificent spot added to the list. Theres a lot to see and do along the way. The road starts in Torquay, and finishes in Allansford. We are located almost at the end of the Great Ocean Road, about 4.5 hours from Melbourne. Day 3: Warrnambool to Port Fairy then Melbourne (or Adelaide) Distance: 30km to Port Fairy, then 312km to Melbourne. It was nothing fancy but suited our needs for our family of four. A camper van or any sporty rental car is good for the drive through the stunning coastal road. They will also add to the crowds at every one of your stops, so you want to beat them if you can. You can spend more time at each location and engage in activities like trekking, swimming and adventure sports. Wear comfortable shoes as there is a lot of walking to do. Copyright 2023 | Sightseeing Tours Australia ABN: 53 204 539 966 | 252 Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000 |, What should you not miss on the Great Ocean Road, Great Ocean Road Weather Local Weather Forecasts.