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. 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. Day 1 - Drive to the Grampians National Park from Melbourne, visit McKenzie falls and stay overnight in the town of Halls Gap. Passing the iconic 12 Apostles and other amazing natural features carved into the expansive coastline the Great Ocean Road is a road trip to remember. Whether you're a history buff, foodie, nature lover or adventurer get ready for a great weekend. From AUD$940.00* per person, based on [] 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. What kind of still camera/lens are you finding most helpful? Here are a few budget Great Ocean Road tours you should consider. The Twelve Apostles are giant limestone stacks jutting out of the ocean that form one of the most recognizable landscapes in Australia. Have enjoyed your stories since departing Columbia almost a year ago. 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. A great photo op spot, this is one of the most photographed spots along the Great Ocean Road. Most visitors to the Great Ocean Road travel from Melbourne, which is the nearest major city. Find out about other waterfalls in the Otways. Bunyip Tours: Great Ocean Road - See 1,943 traveler reviews, 942 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. Great Ocean Road one-day itinerary. In the shadow of the Otway ranges meeting Cape Otway is the Apollo Bay, midway of the Great Ocean Road. This is one of the best things, if not the best, that you can do in the state of Victoria in Australia. 3. . Departs: 7:00am. You might even get a stretch of beach all to yourself, maybe for the best adventure of the day. It starts in Torquay and continues westward to Allansford. Its a highlight of a Great Ocean Road itinerary! It stretches for 243 kms. Adults: $119 $104 Online special! With the last day of your Great Ocean Road itinerary upon you, there is still so much to be seen and experienced. It was another spot that was cool to see, even if it was just for a few minutes. 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. Home to some of Australia's best-known surf beaches, Torquay marks the official beginning of the Great Ocean Road. Our ultimate destination being Kangaroo Island. The Animal Condition (Feature Film) 2010 - Jun 20177 years. Bells Beach is known for hosting Rip Curl Pro, a world surfing competition. Head down to Main Beach for a swim, sunbathe or surf at Point Impossible or Rocky Point. Please note: this popular area is big and therefore the tour involves quite a lot of driving. Tip: Beat the tour buses to avoid the traffic and crowds. The Ultimate Guide To Watch Phillip Island Penguin Parade. For more trail information in Great Otway National Park, visit thiswebsite. 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. Respect the speed limit. Theres a lot to see and do along the way. You also get to enjoy free WiFi onboard, tea and snacks and relax in comfort between spots. Yes, you can do this as a one day trip from Melbourne, but I dont recommend it. Bunyip Tours: See above for that. The Grotto is multiple geological formations rolled into one and is one of the most spectacular points to view the coast. It is essentially a sinkhole in a limestone stack and opens out to a view of the sea and cliffs beyond. In 1932, the road was thrown open to the public and has since then become one of the worlds best road trip destinations. This would end up being our favorite part of the day. You will also reach the main stops at a different time to the crowds. It was in this area that we were treated to stunning views. Go-Ride a Wave! Drive from Melbourne, via the Princes Highway, straight to Warrnambool (over 3 hours drive). 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. While the Great Ocean Road covers a ton of coastline, this national park is a gem located more on the inland route. We have been travelling the world together since 2008, with a passion for adventure travel and sustainable tourism. 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. Tyler and Kara, since they were shorter, were able to retreat to the far depths of the cave, keeping their feet dry. The road covers a driveway of 243 km off the coast with pristine views of beaches, geological marvels, and rich forests. 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. 1. 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. 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. Melbourne Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges Gippsland Great Ocean Road Phillip Island Attractions More top attractions Sovereign Hill History & heritage Strike it rich with a day out in 1850s Ballarat and pan for gold, ride in a horse-drawn carriage and relive the Eureka Rebellion with sound and light. Our self-drive itinerary includes driving via Robe and Victor Harbour though a side trip to include The Grampians could be included. Reserve your spot here. The direct route between these two locations is 142km, taking drivers around two hours to complete. The total time you can expect to spend driving the Great Ocean Road and return, including stops, is at least 10 hours. The Great Ocean Road winds through picturesque locations that outdo one another in terms of visual extravaganza. The waves here are huge and come fast and furious, making this area a great surfing spot. To get here, however, was a two-hour drive via the M1 highway from Melbourne. The waves here were big, similar to US east coast waves just before a hurricane. 4 From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road Full-Day Trip. 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. Click on any of the numbers on the map of The Great Ocean Road to read all about the attraction. Its definitely worth pulling over to read the history of the road as well as getting that classic holiday snap. 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. While wandering around town youll surely spot a ton of street art, which is something Geelong is known for. 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. Depart from Melbourne in the morning, and begin your Great Ocean Road journey. . Loch Ard Gorgeis the first attraction on the way, just a stones throw from the Twelve Apostles. It shows off sheer limestone cliffs, dairy farms and heathland, and gets you up close and personal with the crashing . . Sail through the clouds with only 1 other person for an up-close and personal adventure. It will stop off at most of the popular viewing spots. Director, editor and producer of feature documentary about animal welfare in farming. Made famous for theRip Curl Prohosted every Easter, Bells Beach is not only beautiful but a huge part of both Australian and surf culture. The green forest with the winding highway meets the ocean here! The two-way highway is scenic as it gets and covers iconic landmarks like the Twelve Apostles, Apollo Bay, and the Otways. However, the Great Ocean Road is a hit at any time of the year and here is why . Built in 1848, it sits at the edge of the ocean almost 90m over the Bass Strait. 50 Things to do and see along the Great Ocean Road as a PDF Ebook. The cave was not very big, extending about ten meters back into the cliff from the opening. While Tyler and Kara tried to throw each other off of the sand dunes, Tim and I went exploring. Read 1 review. Maximum group size of 12 travellers with a reverse itinerary to beat the crowds at the 12 Apostles. TheKennett River Koala Walkis the perfect place to get your fix. If you're planning your big Great Ocean Road trip from Melbourne, here are all the transport options that could get you there. Drive through the Great Ocean Road's coastal cliffs and river inlets as well as its luscious fern gullies. To do this, leave Melbourne before 8am as most tours leave Melbourne city between 8am and 9am. The shortest road distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 Km. 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. The distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 Km by road. Make sure you book ahead though, as its not something you can just show up and do. Truly a paradise, the area is a popular destination for water sports and recreation activities. This lookout gives you the chance to see right out to sea and over the entire city. All the points of interest mentioned above are marked on the Great Ocean Road Map below. 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. Continue on from this point as there are tons of Great Ocean Road attractions to come. The drive offers plenty of places to stop off and explore. Covering nearly 200 hectares, this park is one of the few Great Ocean Road highlights that is not a beach. Hey! 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 Not too far down the coast is an iconic must-visit stop on any of the Great Ocean Road drives,Torquay, known for its epic surf beaches. The lake views here are stunning and if youre lucky you might even be able to lay your eyes on a platypus or two. From the car park, there is a short trail that will lead you right to the viewpoint where youll be gifted with the most incredible sweeping views of Apollo Bay and the coastline. Dont start counting them though, because there are only seven you can count! In Portland there's time for panoramic coastal views from the Cape Nelson Lighthouse, before a scenic drive through dense pine plantations to our lunch venue in the . Head forEastern Beachfirst. We set off from the city at 6am. It is a rest stop on the Great Ocean Road and gateway to spectacular waterfalls and viewpoints. 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. Burrell received her first James Beard nomination for "Best Chef: Texas" in 2020 and . After a late arrival intoWarrnambool,youll want to see a few of the sights the city has to offer. Last week, 1156 properties were scheduled to be auctioned in Melbourne. Port Fairy offers great locations forscuba divingincludingThe Thistle. For just a moment though, it was neat peering out at the waves and the coastline from this unique vantage point. The landscape varies depending on which route you take. Don't be an idiot. Its also a fantastic place if you are looking to see some native Australian wildlife. You can also use the share icon and share it on Facebook. Youll find them sitting up in the eucalyptus trees. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Youll also find theAustralian Surfing Hall of Famehere as well. The Great Otway National Park is located within the Otway ranges and covers the area from Torquay to Princetown. However, when the winds pick up it is best to stay above the Grotto. 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. Read all of our articles in our. 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. You can spend more time at each location and engage in activities like trekking, swimming and adventure sports. Dont feed the koalas or the parrots as they are in the wild and any feeding them our food will disrupt their natural behaviour. Thousands of visitors flock here for summer and for festivals during the year, including the world famous Folkie. It was nothing fancy but suited our needs for our family of four. The whole trail is about 15km, but your best chances for spotting the cute indigenous animals are about 6km in atGrey River. This isnt a big deal though as you will still have great views of the scenery either way. 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. How far is the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne? A softUsvista Inc. venture! all things travel. Portland is 6 hours (540 km) away from Adelaide. The first to know about trending destinations, travel deals, tips and Check our. Join the adventures on our YouTube channel! Thanks for your support, kind friend! 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. The drive offers plenty of places to stop off and explore. We had one day to drive the Great Ocean Road, including this in our travels from Adelaide to Melbourne. If you really want a unique perspective though, and love a bit of adventure, how does skydiving over the 12 Apostles sound? 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. It has the most food options before Geelong, which is a further 1 hour drive away. 5 Melbourne: 2-Hour City Highlights River Cruise. The road winds through picturesque locations outdo one another in terms of visual extravaganza. Griffiths Islandcan be accessed by a footbridge nearby to the wharf and is a great place to do a little bird watching. 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. Apollo Bay is a popular place, so make sure you have booked your accommodation ahead of time. Premiered at Melbourne International Film Festival. 1st Stop: Torquay. The driving distance from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 km. Follow our journey in real time on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. This is a beautiful surfing and fishing town with heritage buildings that have wonderful eateries and accommodation. Hopetoun Falls Just gorgeous, the walk to these falls is not very far, though it does involve steps. The road starts in Torquay, and finishes in Allansford. The perfect place for a Melbourne city escape. You also wont be getting a sunset picture of the 12 Apostles as it will be one of your first major stops. However, if you only have 1 day to work with, then here are some suggestions to save yourself time. But one of the most incredible Great Ocean Road attractions is just around the corner. Mum, works 2- 3 days a week, Tues and Wednesday and Friday and has the children in daycare and . Required fields are marked *. If you travel one way from Port Campbell to Melbourne (or vice versa), it is a 300 km journey. 375km of scenic winding roads along the southern ocean will take you through some of the countrys most beautiful UNESCO-listed landscapes. TheForeshore Promenadeis a great place for a stroll as well and stretches on for about 6 km. The cliffs over the beach offer gorgeous views of the swells coming in from the Southern Ocean. Your story was very useful for us to plan our one day trip in March 2020 just before the corona virus outbreak. Lorne Seabaths, Gym, inground Trampolines for kids, and more. The Great Ocean Road is a 243-kilometre (151-mile) route located along the coast of Victoria in southeastern Australia. Drive Time: 30 minutes to Port Fairy, 4 hours to Melbourne. 1 Melbourne: 1-Day Entry Ticket to Melbourne Zoo. 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. The four of us were ecstatic to be off those winding roads. - See 1,941 traveler reviews, 942 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. During your travel, you plan to visit the following-1) Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay, Victoria, Australia. Brambuk: The National Park and Cultural Centre It was awesome having this place all to ourselves, being able to explore without anyone else around. The four of us made our way over to the cave, dodging waves washing up onto shore with approaching high tide. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. A road trip along the Great Ocean Road & Grampians National Park is a trip where you feel small in the universe. Try out the walking trails, have a picnic by the sea, take in the scenic views, or go searching for Australian wildlife. The return distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 Km. 3 Melbourne: SEA LIFE Aquarium Entrance Ticket. The area has a forest of gum and eucalyptus trees which are the main food source of koalas. Your Great Ocean Road itinerary may be coming to an end, but dont worry, youll finish up with a dreamy little visit toPort Fairy. Further along, you will find verdant bush where koalas nest and then onto the lush rainforests with spectacular waterfalls and native wildlife. A few minutes down the road from Sherbrook West is a large car park with trails to various viewpoints. Checking out the view of Bells Beach from the lookout. 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. While it is a large city the laid back beach vibe is very present here and you could wind up spending more time here than you planned. Blazing Saddles Trail Rides, Aireys Inlet. It offers easy transport options to Geelong and Torquay as well as plenty of car hire options. Turn off for this road just before you reach Apollo Bay. For most people, the trip willstart in Melbourneand can be done in a loop or a return journey. BONUS Booking ahead of time ensures you wont miss out on the tour, and get the best price too! Routing: Adelaide to Melbourne Duration: 5 Days Code: AD3 From AUD$690.00* per person, based on standard double/twin share accommodation. This stone archway once formed a natural bridge over the gorge, but unfortunately collapsed almost a decade ago. These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. 15 years ago Save Would appreciate any advice for how long it would take to drive from Adelaide to Melbourne via the Scenic Ocean Road. Cannon Hillis a great place to start if you want to get the lay of the land. Your password has been reset successfully please login with new password. Like I mentioned before, covering all of these in a day may be a long shot, hence plan for a 2 day Great Ocean Road trip. Our personal recommendation for where we stay in Apollo Bay every time is The Apollo Apartment. We spent forty five minutes here and during this time we did not see one other person. Most tour buses will leave between 8am and 9am, so try and leave before then. We enjoyed our travels on the Great Ocean Road, the area of Port Campbell National Park being the highlight of the day. The Email id you have Entered is not Registered With us. If you want to get off the beaten path like we did, do not be afraid to try one of those unlabeled dirt roads. But the Great Ocean Road is about so much more than its sinuous, coast hugging tarmac. You can also carry a pair of flip flops or sandals if you wish to dip your feet in the ocean at Loch Ard Gorge or any other beach enroute. There are a few towns along the way like Lorne, Apollo Bay and Port Campbell where you can stay or camp overnight. To get you fueled up for your last day head toBohemiaCafe & Barfor a takeaway coffee or a wicked and delicious breakfast. Returns: Approx 9:00pm. Duration: 5 Days Prices From: US$ 699 Trip Type: Self-Drives, Tailor-made Travel Ideas Australia See Trip Details 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. The Great Ocean Road drive is one of the most scenic drives that Australia has to offer. Victoria is the second-smallest state in Australia but packed with abundant natural beauty, all of which is easily accessible on quick day trips from Melbourne. Some of the beautiful coastal towns you will come across during your drive are Apollo Bay, Cape Otway, Port Campbell, Torquay, and Lorne. Join our small group coastal adventure to the beaches, rainforests and more of the Great Ocean Road. Bells Beach is a paradise for surfers; it is the location of the legendary annual Rip Curl Surfing competition. We drove from Adelaide to Portland, spent the night in Portland, and then drove the Great Ocean Road. 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. There is also a plaque on the left side of the road which serves as a memory for the soldiers. DESTINATIONS AROUND THE WORLD: For more places to visit around the world, check out our Destinations page. The official length of the Great Ocean Road is around 243 km/ 151 miles. Located less than 2 hours from Melbourne. . Discover. It's also possible to travel from Melbourne to Adelaide via the Great . Find more of them listed here. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products, and regularly review these. 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. The total distance you can expect to drive is over 600 km. Day 1: Melbourne to Port Campbell We depart from Southern Cross Coach Terminal on Spencer Street at 8:30am before we commence this amazing 4 day, 3 night guided Great Ocean Road & Beyond Itinerary. A sandy trail took us down to a beach. It sounds daunting but it's going to be broken down into very manageable chunks. Phone: +61 3 5227 9100 Toll Free: 1800 AVALON (1800 282 566) Getting to the Great Ocean Road By Car Travel time FROM MELBOURNE CBD 1hr 17min The step by step directions below should take you there: - Travel from Melbourne city onto the Westgate Freeway - Continue onto Princes Freeway - Continue onto Geelong Ring Road - Follow the signs for Torquay The Twelve Apostles marked the end of the most scenic of viewpoints but did not end our journey down the Great Ocean Road. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Check, (2 hrs This dive spot is actually a ship that was wrecked off the eastern beach in Port Fairy in 1849. Great Ocean Road Tour 2 Days experience from Melbourne to Adelaide. Sandstone cliffs plunging into the ocean, pillars of hardened sandstone sitting just offshore, all of this being pounded by some serious waves. 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. 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. 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. To get more information on the Great Ocean Road, visit the official tourism website here. Perfect write up, very helpful indeed, Appreciate your work guys, Cheers. This iconic route stretches 243km between the towns of Allansford and Torquay, and the most well-known attraction on the Great Ocean Road has to be the Twelve Apostles limestone stacks. But you may not have that luxury of time. If your tour is on schedule you might find yourself some time for a swim. One down side to this is that you will be travelling on the side of the road which isnt on the coast side. All the while, Tyler and Kara were screaming with delight, laughing afterwards. 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. It makes for a perfect family day out or holiday with friends. Here at Port Campbell National Park, we spent over two hours hopping from scenic view to scenic view. Find out more here. The Great Ocean Road is one of Australias great drives. Great Ocean Road & Melbourne itinerary and attractions Day 1: Arriving in city of Melbourne Australia. December to February is the best time to take a Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne. From here you are well on your way to having covered a ton of ground. Day 2 - Pinnacles Walk in the Grampians National Park and drive to Port Campbell on the Great Ocean Road to stay overnight. Finally, we made it to Bells Beach in Torquay, the end point of the Great Ocean Road. I could not imagine trying to swim out past these waves, just to catch one right back to shore. Brekkie tacos, smoothie bowls and a full lunch menu to eat in or take away will please anyone visiting. Live chat with local experts anywhere, anytime. Day 3: Warrnambool to Port Fairy then Melbourne (or Adelaide). Hugging the ocean on one side, the other side of the road changes its landscape from lush rainforest-clad mountains to volcanic plains. We personally stayed there when we travelled across Australia, and highly recommend it. The Obelisk sits atop a rugged coastline, which is rapidly being eroded by the harsh elements.
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