This was not anywhere near as scenic as Port Campbell National Park but was still worth seeing. 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. 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. The spectacular Great Ocean Road hugs the seaside cliffs that snake along the wild and windswept Southern Ocean. 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. Our personal recommendation for where we stay in Apollo Bay every time is The Apollo Apartment. Great Ocean Road starts at Torquay and finishes in Allansford. Port Fairy offers great locations forscuba divingincludingThe Thistle. Read our detailed blog to know all about Skydiving in Melbourne and book your Great Ocean Road skydive. For the best panoramic views in Apollo Bay head straight forMarriners Lookout. This stone archway once formed a natural bridge over the gorge, but unfortunately collapsed almost a decade ago. Thats the word that can truly capture the essence of the Great Ocean Road in Australia. Visit surf beaches, seaside towns, and national parks; and see rain forest, wild koalas, and towering waterfalls. I am not looking forward to the conclusion of your trek. Starting from Torquay, this route takes you through beautiful seaside towns and rain forests as you follow the winding road along the exquisite coastline. The beaches on the Great Ocean Road are fantastic for swimming, especially in the summer. The iconic spots and landmarks on the Great Ocean Road can be covered within a day as it is stretches for only about 243 Km (151 miles). A softUsvista Inc. venture! 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 worlds largest war memorial is built along the road whose story began in 1919 when World War I heroes returned home and started building a memorial for their martyrs. At the end of your Great Ocean Road itinerary, you can leave Port Fairy andhead back towards Melbourneon the M8 National highway to take on your next series of Aussie fun. Yes, you can do this as a one day trip from Melbourne, but I dont recommend it. Quest Warrnambool is the perfect place to do just that. What is a partial cave, archway and blowhole, The Grotto is definitely something to marvel at. 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 . This will help you make the most of your time so you can see the things that matter to you. This is just because we really want to show you the best bits of the beautiful Great Ocean Road! These two areas are highly populated by local surfers, keen to ride their magnificent waves. Don't be an idiot. It makes for a perfect family day out or holiday with friends. plenty of accommodation choices in Warrnambool, Apollo Bay Surf, Stand Up Paddle Boarding & Kayak, Otway Estate Brewery Prickly Moses Beer. Road trip: Melbourne to Great Ocean Road 277km Beach Culture Benefit Slip on your driving gloves and set off for a run down one the world's most celebrated and breathtaking roads. Less people in your 12 Apostles selfie! We had a villa, a small, two bedroom cabin with a kitchen and ensuite bathroom. 2 From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road and Wildlife Tour. 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. Cannon Hillis a great place to start if you want to get the lay of the land. 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. From Melbourne to Torquay (the first town on the Great Ocean Road), it will take you about 1.5 hours. 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. Not even 15km from Apollo Bay is the incredibly lush and beautifulGreat Otway National Park. Discover the different regions and their world class surf breaks, local food & wine, magnificent coastal walks, beautiful rainforest trails and pristine beaches. You will also reach the main stops at a different time to the crowds. Heavenly, right? We recommend Rental Cars, which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market. It was in this area that we were treated to stunning views. Would like to know what kind of still camera and lens you are using. 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. The Great Ocean Road was built as a memorial for soldiers of World War I and this timber arch commemorates them. Through our stories and images we promote exciting off-the-beaten-path destinations and fascinating cultures as we go. Once in Warrnambool, it doesnt take long to drive to Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve. Note: This post contains affiliate links. Your story was very useful for us to plan our one day trip in March 2020 just before the corona virus outbreak. Planning a trip to Australia? The four of us were ecstatic to be off those winding roads. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Griffiths Islandcan be accessed by a footbridge nearby to the wharf and is a great place to do a little bird watching. During your travel, you plan to visit the following- 1) Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay, Victoria, Australia Recent Melbourne distance calculations Distance from Melbourne to New York , United States Distance from Melbourne to Canberra via Albury NSW 2640 Grab some coffee and stroll the foreshore. Join our small group coastal adventure to the beaches, rainforests and more of the Great Ocean Road. Bunyip Tours: Cute Penguins - See 1,940 traveler reviews, 941 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. From Melbourne, head to Geelong and then south to Torquay. Duration: 5 Days Prices From: US$ 699 Trip Type: Self-Drives, Tailor-made Travel Ideas Australia See Trip Details Bunyip Tours: Cute Penguins - See 1,941 traveler reviews, 941 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. 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. 1st Stop: Torquay. 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. 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. You might not be making any unscheduled stops to buy snacks. 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. If your tour is on schedule you might find yourself some time for a swim. The area has a forest of gum and eucalyptus trees which are the main food source of koalas. A staircase leads you to view it at the eye-level and is best experience at low tide at sunrise or sunset. Explore Victoria's Great Ocean Road on an all-day reverse tour Discover the region's history and culture with a knowledgeable local guide Get going early and enjoy a small-group experience that beats the crowds Experience London Bridge, 12 Apostles, Great Otway, and other sites National Park fees Live commentary on board Professional guide Bells Beach is a paradise for surfers; it is the location of the legendary annual Rip Curl Surfing competition. Its a highlight of a Great Ocean Road itinerary! Today, at 4 pm, with clouds and a cold breeze, it did not look like much to us. 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! Returns: Approx 9:00pm. The four of us made our way over to the cave, dodging waves washing up onto shore with approaching high tide. 5 Day Great Ocean Road Itinerary: Day 1 - Melbourne to Lorne Setting out on the first section of the Great Ocean Road will take you from the Victorian capital of Melbourne to the coastal town of Lorne. We could not get too close to the edge or else we would risk being pulled into the ocean by a rogue wave. An alternative to this driving route is that you do it in the reverse order. Deep lush valleys, sky-high rainforests, stunning waterfalls and tons of walking tracks make it a great spot to get off the beach and still be in nature. What is the distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? An organized tour that takes care of your transportation will help you take the trip within a day. The total time you can expect to spend driving the Great Ocean Road and return, including stops, is at least 10 hours. 639. 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. 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. 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. December to February is summer, March to May is autumn, June to August is winter and September to November is spring. The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! Did you know: The Great Ocean Road is the worlds largest war memorial, and was built by returning servicemen from World War I. For more information on routes and trails visit the websitehere. We spent forty five minutes here and during this time we did not see one other person. You can also try a different route while coming back by adding multiple destinations. Checking out the view of Bells Beach from the lookout. The whole trail is about 15km, but your best chances for spotting the cute indigenous animals are about 6km in atGrey River. 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. Loch Iel (Pink Lake) The inland Melbourne to Adelaide drive takes around 5.5 hours from the Grampians. The Great Ocean Road is a 243-kilometre (151-mile) route located along the coast of Victoria in southeastern Australia. Its not nearly as scenic to do it this way, but it does save you about 50 km and one hour of driving. With the last day of your Great Ocean Road itinerary upon you, there is still so much to be seen and experienced. Respect the speed limit. It shows off sheer limestone cliffs, dairy farms and heathland, and gets you up close and personal with the crashing . Other good breaks in addition to Bells Beach includeSan Juc, Winki Pop, Bird RockandSparrowsjust to name a few. Start your 3 day Great Ocean Road itinerary with a lazy morning in Torquay. Both are natural, offshore stone archways. 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. Apollo Bay is a popular place, so make sure you have booked your accommodation ahead of time. Monumental. The Great Ocean Road tour allows you to witness the spectacular surf coast of Torquay and Lorne, with their sandy white beaches and curling waves. 3. 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. If you're planning a self-guided tour, this could come handy. 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. 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. Make sure you visit first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon for the best koala viewing times. The Email id you have Entered is not Registered With us. We had one day to drive the Great Ocean Road, including this in our travels from Adelaide to Melbourne. The Memorial Arch (youve probably seen photos of people standing underneath it) symbolises the start of the road. This port city is the second-largest in the state of Victoria and overlooks the gorgeousCorio Bay. 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. Any advice greatly appreciated! 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. Best Great Ocean Road Tours Save AU$10 on your Great Ocean Road Bus tours with this promo code. Required fields are marked *. Screened at CinefestOZ, Portland International Film Festival, Social Justice Film Festival (Seattle), St Louis International Film Festival, Mostly . This is the start of their Great Ocean Road drive. Private Great Ocean Road tour. Brambuk: The National Park and Cultural Centre Sometimes, Tyler and Kara feel like they will never be able to escape the attention of people curious about their blond hair. We have been travelling the world together since 2008, with a passion for adventure travel and sustainable tourism. Home to some of Australia's best-known surf beaches, Torquay marks the official beginning of the Great Ocean Road. For a great post-drive meal check out theGeelong Boathousefor a classic fish & chips by the sea. Check our. The Great Ocean Road spans 200 kilometers, from Port Campbell in the west to Torquay in the east. 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 youre looking to do a bit of waterfall chasing, this is a great place to find them! Rent a campervan and go on an adventure. There were no surfers, really there was no one else here other than a few curious people like ourselves. Once you factor in viewpoints and short walks, expect this road trip to take one full day. Melbourne's two best day tours, Great Ocean Road & Phillip Island, with entrance to Melbourne Skydeck. Day 3: Warrnambool to Port Fairy then Melbourne (or Adelaide). The road covers a driveway of 243 km off the coast with pristine views of beaches, geological marvels, and rich forests. 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. Read all of our articles in our Australia Travel Guide. I dashed out of the cave to higher ground, able to stay dry. Burrell has studied under expert chefs, including Tom Aikens in London, Monica Pope in Houston, and Tyson Cole. They will also add to the crowds at every one of your stops, so you want to beat them if you can. Most of the highlights are located around Port Campbell. To save even more time, you can cut out Warrnambool completely from your drive. Getting stuck behind tour buses will add to your travel time. Read all of our articles in our. Great commentary. Depart Melbourne and travel over the West Gate Bridge through the vast volcanic plains en-route to Geelong. A great photo op spot, this is one of the most photographed spots along the Great Ocean Road. You might even get a stretch of beach all to yourself, maybe for the best adventure of the day. Find out about other waterfalls in the Otways. 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. 2011-2023 distancesfrom.com. We want to book accommodation as we go . Before you set off on your adventure though, you should know how long the road is and how long it takes to drive. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. 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. Conveniently located a little ways from Port Campbell, these serviced apartments have great rooms, a gorgeous pool area and make for a great stopover. 375km of scenic winding roads along the southern ocean will take you through some of the countrys most beautiful UNESCO-listed landscapes. Theyll even show you how to throw a Boomerang and spear! Tyler and Kara, since they were shorter, were able to retreat to the far depths of the cave, keeping their feet dry. Tyler and Kara joined us, took a look around, and then went back to their game. Here we are, at another beach, and we have it all to ourselves. The distance from Adelaide to Melbourne is 1500km on this itinerary, which amounts to over 21 hours worth of driving. Purchase tickets. It has diverse vegetation ranging from lush rainforest to rugged coastline, it has everything from stunning waterfalls to tranquil lakes. There are also speed traps to catch those not sticking to the limits with fines up to (and above) $300AUD. Dont want to drive but still want to see the Great Ocean Road? Read 1 review. Here are a few budget Great Ocean Road tours you should consider. However, the Great Ocean Road is a hit at any time of the year and here is why . 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. The Grotto is multiple geological formations rolled into one and is one of the most spectacular points to view the coast. In 1932, the road was thrown open to the public and has since then become one of the worlds best road trip destinations. But you may not have that luxury of time. Thousands of visitors flock here for summer and for festivals during the year, including the world famous Folkie. Last week, 1156 properties were scheduled to be auctioned in Melbourne. The view of these sandstone pillars along the coastline is one of the Great Ocean Roads most famous. The Cape Otway lighthouse is the oldest surviving lighthouse in Australia and was rightly known as the Beacon of Hope. 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. One of the most adventurous things to do on the Great Ocean Road drive is to do a bit of scuba diving. Organized Tours from Melbourne To Great Ocean Road The iconic spots and landmarks on the Great Ocean Road can be covered within a day as it is stretches for only about 243 Km (151 miles). Starting and finishing in Melbourne, enjoy a self drive tour along Victoria's southwest coast. One down side to this is that you will be travelling on the side of the road which isnt on the coast side. Find out more here. Here we joined the largest crowds of people yet, all elbowing for the best place to take family photos. From below the steps you can marvel at the 70m limestone stacks from up close and feel the power of nature. Day 1 - Drive to the Grampians National Park from Melbourne, visit McKenzie falls and stay overnight in the town of Halls Gap. We love this place and even bought one of their horses a few years ago! In front of us were walls of sandstone, giant waves crashing on the beach, and a rocky peninsula just waiting to be explored. If you are spending a night while on the road, the best coastal towns to rent a motel are Anglesea, Lorne, Apollo Bay and Around the Otway National Park. You will be bracing natural elements on this road trip and its best to dress accordingly. It takes travellers past world-class surfing breaks, through pockets of rainforest and calm seaside towns, and under koala-filled tree canopies. To do this, leave Melbourne before 8am as most tours leave Melbourne city between 8am and 9am. Director, editor and producer of feature documentary about animal welfare in farming. And to get your fill of more art you can visit theGeelong Art GalleryandThe Heritage Center. Our journey ended an hour and a half later, finally at Melbourne. Dont feed the koalas or the parrots as they are in the wild and any feeding them our food will disrupt their natural behaviour. Next, we got off the beaten track, taking an unnamed dirt road towards the shoreline. It is a rest stop on the Great Ocean Road and gateway to spectacular waterfalls and viewpoints. One of the best things to do here is take a walk out on thePort Fairy Wharves. It starts at the surfing town of Torquay and finishes near Warrnambool. Adelaide to Melbourne via Great Ocean Road - how long? If you fancy trying your luck to spot some wildlife head out to nearbyLake Elizabeth. However, when the winds pick up it is best to stay above the Grotto. . Drive Along the Great Ocean Road. You also wont be getting a sunset picture of the 12 Apostles as it will be one of your first major stops. 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. Its a small village, but Port Campbell is a nice place to stop for a snack and some fuel. 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.