And your Great Ocean Road route should not miss out on two other attractions nearby either. The whole trail is about 15km, but your best chances for spotting the cute indigenous animals are about 6km in atGrey River. Australia Road Trip Planner: The 18 best road trips in Australia From Melbourne, head to Geelong and then south to Torquay. If you want to get off the beaten path like we did, do not be afraid to try one of those unlabeled dirt roads. There are 2 main routes to reach the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne - an inland road that follows the Princes Highway from Geelong to Warrnambool, or drive over the West Gate Bridge and along the Bellarine Peninsula or Surf Coast Highway. 446 Km - Distance from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road Melbourne to Adelaide 2 Day Tour (Single Room) - kilroy.net The nearly 250 kilometre road encapsulates some of Australia's most iconic scenery and gives visitors the opportunity to get close to wildlife. It offers easy transport options to Geelong and Torquay as well as plenty of car hire options. The Great Ocean Road definitely has some dangerous turns. Distance: 507km / 7 hours roundtrip. The main issues can be poor visibility due to fog, slippery roads in wet weather, and traffic from vehicles and pedestrians in the busy sections. Recommended option Train 4h 12m Take the train from Southern Cross to Warrnambool Warrnambool - Melbourne Via Colac & Geelong $103 - $128 Head down to the Moyne River and stretch your legs along the wharves. Perpetually ensconced with a book in her hand and a mug of coffee in the other, she has been to over 15 countries in her 23 years of existence and is currently saving miles and money for her solo trip to Iceland. plenty of accommodation choices in Warrnambool, Apollo Bay Surf, Stand Up Paddle Boarding & Kayak, Otway Estate Brewery Prickly Moses Beer. Both are amazing expressions of natural beauty and are worth checking out. Bells Beach is a paradise for surfers; it is the location of the legendary annual Rip Curl Surfing competition. Depart from Melbourne in the morning, and begin your Great Ocean Road journey. How Much Does It Cost to Experience Melbourne & the Great Ocean Road in 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. I could not imagine trying to swim out past these waves, just to catch one right back to shore. 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). Stock up on essentials, fill up the car, turn up the radio and head towards Apollo Bay! Required fields are marked *. If you really want a unique perspective though, and love a bit of adventure, how does skydiving over the 12 Apostles sound? 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 Twelve Apostles marked the end of the most scenic of viewpoints but did not end our journey down the Great Ocean Road. 1st Stop: Torquay. We enjoyed our travels on the Great Ocean Road, the area of Port Campbell National Park being the highlight of the day. Day 1 - Drive to the Grampians National Park from Melbourne, visit McKenzie falls and stay overnight in the town of Halls Gap. 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. It is a rest stop on the Great Ocean Road and gateway to spectacular waterfalls and viewpoints. A softUsvista Inc. venture! What To Know About The Top Chef World All-Stars Contestants The Grotto is one of the most impressive sections of the coastline, and essentially a sinkhole. I dashed out of the cave to higher ground, able to stay dry. Day 3 - Set of on the Great Ocean Road, staying overnight in the village of Lorne, halfway . Great Ocean Road Touring Route - Visit Victoria home This dive spot is actually a ship that was wrecked off the eastern beach in Port Fairy in 1849. You can do this in one big day (its almost 600km direct), but we personally recommend breaking the trip up into 2 or 3 days, spending some time in Mount Gambier and Coorong National Park. Most tour buses will leave between 8am and 9am, so try and leave before then. You will receive a link to create a new password via email. Here's all you need to know about taking a Great Ocean Road Tour From Melbourne - itinerary, best tours, highlights and quick hacks. Planning a trip to Australia? No, the Great Ocean Road isnt particularly dangerous to drive, as long as you take proper precautions. Dog-Friendly Great Ocean Road: Driving with a Dog - Travelnuity Starting from Torquay, this route takes you through beautiful seaside towns and rain forests as you follow the winding road along the exquisite coastline. 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. Once in Warrnambool, it doesnt take long to drive to Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve. Wonderful experience - Reviews, Photos - Bunyip Tours - Tripadvisor all things travel. Have enjoyed your stories since departing Columbia almost a year ago. 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. Maximum group size of 12 travellers with a reverse itinerary to beat the crowds at the 12 Apostles. Access a more in-depth look at the popular local sport at the Australian National Surfing Museum, too. GREAT OCEAN ROAD Routing: Melbourne to Adelaide Duration: 5 Days Code: M01 From AUD$685.00* per person, based on standard double/twin share accommodation. 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. Tyler and Kara joined us, took a look around, and then went back to their game. Best Great Ocean Road Tours Save AU$10 on your Great Ocean Road Bus tours with this promo code. Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road - Best Routes & Travel Advice For more trail information in Great Otway National Park, visit thiswebsite. From below the steps you can marvel at the 70m limestone stacks from up close and feel the power of nature. Sightseeing Time: 4 hours. Check, (2 hrs 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. You also get to enjoy free WiFi onboard, tea and snacks and relax in comfort between spots. The beaches on the Great Ocean Road are fantastic for swimming, especially in the summer. The drive offers plenty of places to stop off and explore. Next, we got off the beaten track, taking an unnamed dirt road towards the shoreline. Great Ocean Road Tours | Australia Vacations & Tours | Goway When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. 542 Km - Distance from Portland Ln to Mildura VIC 3500 DestinationsPhotographySustainable TourismAdventure Travel, Adventure ToursStart a BlogTravel TipsSitemap, 2023 NOMADasaurus | Peak Evolution Media, The PERFECT Great Ocean Road Drive Itinerary (2023). Further along, you will find verdant bush where koalas nest and then onto the lush rainforests with spectacular waterfalls and native wildlife. With the last day of your Great Ocean Road itinerary upon you, there is still so much to be seen and experienced. Thanks Natalie Seltz Towson, MD. 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. This port city is the second-largest in the state of Victoria and overlooks the gorgeousCorio Bay. 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. The same would not go for the rest of the Earth Trekkers. There are a few towns along the way like Lorne, Apollo Bay and Port Campbell where you can stay or camp overnight. Guide to the Great Ocean Road, Victoria - Tourism Australia Along the way you'll stop by the border of Victoria and South Australia and a red line marks the exact spot. I am using a Canon 5D Mark iii with a 20-70 mm lens. We parked at a small car park and were the only ones here. 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. FromWarrnambool Breakwaterall the way toLogans Beachthis is a great spot to take in the coastal views and even pass a little penguin breeding ground. A great photo op spot, this is one of the most photographed spots along the Great Ocean Road. After the gorge youll pass the town of Port Campbell. Drive from Melbourne, via the Princes Highway, straight to Warrnambool (over 3 hours drive). The Perth to Adelaide Drive (via the Nullarbor Plain) 3,700 km | 16 days Swim with dolphins, climb the giant Gloucester Tree, camp among . Starting and finishing in Melbourne, enjoy a self drive tour along Victoria's southwest coast. Day 3: Warrnambool to Port Fairy then Melbourne (or Adelaide) Distance: 30km to Port Fairy, then 312km to Melbourne. Our self-drive itinerary includes driving via Robe and Victor Harbour though a side trip to include The Grampians could be included. Plan ahead and give yourself at least 1 full day. Headout is building the future of how we experience our cities. Whether you're a history buff, foodie, nature lover or adventurer get ready for a great weekend. 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. 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. Theres so much to see and do, so you dont want to be left feeling rushed and tired at the end of your trip. The green forest with the winding highway meets the ocean here! Our journey ended an hour and a half later, finally at Melbourne. Both are natural, offshore stone archways. 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. We are located almost at the end of the Great Ocean Road, about 4.5 hours from Melbourne. Driving from Melbourne to Cape Jervis ( Kangaroo Island ) Through our stories and images we promote exciting off-the-beaten-path destinations and fascinating cultures as we go. 5 Day Adelaide to Melbourne via Great Ocean Road - Visit WA In front of us were walls of sandstone, giant waves crashing on the beach, and a rocky peninsula just waiting to be explored. And to get your fill of more art you can visit theGeelong Art GalleryandThe Heritage Center. For many people, the Great Ocean Road is a highlight when visiting Australia. 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. All the points of interest mentioned above are marked on the Great Ocean Road Map below. Cute Penguins - Reviews, Photos - Bunyip Tours - Tripadvisor Our ultimate destination being Kangaroo Island. Children: $99 $94 (3 - 15 years) Minimum age 3 years. Less traffic on the road and more time to spend at stops. 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. Portland is 6 hours (540 km) away from Adelaide. 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. Its a lot of driving. Finally, we made it to Bells Beach in Torquay, the end point of the Great Ocean Road. Follow our journey in real time on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. Travellers' Guide To Great Ocean Road - Wiki Travel Guide - Travellerspoint We are Alesha and Jarryd, the award-winning writers and professional photographers behind this blog. This stone archway once formed a natural bridge over the gorge, but unfortunately collapsed almost a decade ago. Route planner, Travel information, Victoria, Australia Built in 1848, it sits at the edge of the ocean almost 90m over the Bass Strait. They are now a part of a National Park and protected, and are the perfect destination to view the sunset. Recommended option Bus 3h 30m If youre a hiker more than a surfer, youll be in for a treat with theSurf Coast Walk 44km of trails that connect Torquay toAngelseaandAireys Inletalong the coast. Melbourne - This is usually the starting point when planning an itinerary for Great Ocean Road. 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. Whether you are travelling with family, friends or a school group, our Great Ocean Road Private Tour is the best way to explore this scenic coastline. Cant wait for the trip , Thanks Tracy. 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. The waves here are huge and come fast and furious, making this area a great surfing spot. The V/line service offers frequent train travel departing Melbournes Southern Cross Station and running to both Geelong and Warrnambool. Melbourne to Great Ocean Road: Self Drive Tour - 5 Days 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. This is the most common Great Ocean Road route. - See 1,941 traveler reviews, 942 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. 4 From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road Full-Day Trip. It has diverse vegetation ranging from lush rainforest to rugged coastline, it has everything from stunning waterfalls to tranquil lakes. Lorne is a picturesque town set between Loutit Bay and the Otway National Park, it is where the bush meets the ocean. Although i highly recommend visiting Warrnambool, you may not have the time to spend there. We can recommend a number of excellent companies who all use smaller buses which means more time at stops and more personalized experience. Your password has been reset successfully please login with new password. 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 . The first destination is Bells Beach in Torquay, a famous location for surfers. We had a villa, a small, two bedroom cabin with a kitchen and ensuite bathroom. Other good breaks in addition to Bells Beach includeSan Juc, Winki Pop, Bird RockandSparrowsjust to name a few. Other options include coming from Adelaide, so if this is you, just read the itinerary backwards. Go-Ride a Wave! 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. But you may not have that luxury of time. See above for that. - Bunyip Tours, Melbourne Traveller Reviews 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. Starting from Torquay, this route takes you through beautiful seaside towns and rain forests as you follow the winding road along the exquisite coastline. 639. 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. Mum, works 2- 3 days a week, Tues and Wednesday and Friday and has the children in daycare and . Premiered at Melbourne International Film Festival. We want to book accommodation as we go . The Great Ocean Road is a 243-kilometre (151-mile) route located along the coast of Victoria in southeastern Australia. Duration: 5 Days Prices From: US$ 699 Trip Type: Self-Drives, Tailor-made Travel Ideas Australia See Trip Details The Great Ocean Road drive itineraries from Melbourne It sounds daunting but it's going to be broken down into very manageable chunks. 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. Lorne Seabaths, Gym, inground Trampolines for kids, and more. Continue on from this point as there are tons of Great Ocean Road attractions to come. The Subaru Forester has been an exceptional ride on the trip on the Melbourne to Adelaide via Great Ocean Road trip - powerful, economical, spacious, and with loads of safety features built-in, making the long drives a comfortable experience. Hugging the ocean on one side, the other side of the road changes its landscape from lush rainforest-clad mountains to volcanic plains. Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia - Visit Victoria home Tip: If youre hungry on the drive back to Melbourne, stop at Colac for food. 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. Read more about taking a day trip from Melbourne to Yarra Valley. The cliffs over the beach offer gorgeous views of the swells coming in from the Southern Ocean. 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. 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. 5 Day Melbourne to Adelaide via Great Ocean Road - Visit WA Online Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It was in this area that we were treated to stunning views. Visit top wilderness destinations and picturesque towns on this epic 3-day tour from Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road and the Grampians. One of the best walking tracks to visit here isMelba Gulleywhich is full of gorgeous giant fern trees and home to glow worm caves, which are best seen after dark. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products, and regularly review these. 1. From the rocks, Tim and I could see a cave in the side of the cliff. The Great Ocean Road offers amazing scenery, unforgettable natural features and quaint towns making it a unique vacation spot. 3 Melbourne: SEA LIFE Aquarium Entrance Ticket. 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. 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). 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. If you arent restricted to only 1 day, give yourself at least 2 days to do the Great Ocean Road drive. Would like to know what kind of still camera and lens you are using. However, the views arent affected by the bigger cityscape. Some of the beautiful coastal towns you will come across during your drive are Apollo Bay, Cape Otway, Port Campbell, Torquay, and Lorne. See the towering 12 Apostles, get up close to native wildlife, and take in iconic surf breaks, pristine rainforest and misty waterfalls along the spectacular Great Ocean Road. 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. From AU $1625 to AU $1895 3 days ex flights. And just for NOMADasaurus readers, if you use the Klook discount codeNOMADS10on the website when checking out, youll get $10 off your first booking! 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 first stop when driving the Great Ocean Road will beGeelong. In this post, we cover the best spots to see along the way. Find out about other waterfalls in the Otways. 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? What is the road driving distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? The Memorial Arch (youve probably seen photos of people standing underneath it) symbolises the start of the road. 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. Great Ocean Road & Melbourne itinerary and attractions Day 1: Arriving in city of Melbourne Australia. 10 secret must-stop places on the Great Ocean Road - Australia The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! Don't be an idiot. The lake views here are stunning and if youre lucky you might even be able to lay your eyes on a platypus or two. Carry a fast-drying towel, a bathing suit and a change of clothes to go swimming. Apollo Bay is a popular place, so make sure you have booked your accommodation ahead of time. We love this place and even bought one of their horses a few years ago! Most people start the Great Ocean Road drive from Melbourne to Torquay. After a late arrival intoWarrnambool,youll want to see a few of the sights the city has to offer. ThePort FairyBotanical Gardensare a lovely spot for an afternoon walk and to admire the plants and flowers. Youll also find theAustralian Surfing Hall of Famehere as well. 2011-2023 distancesfrom.com. It shows off sheer limestone cliffs, dairy farms and heathland, and gets you up close and personal with the crashing . Just a few minutes west of the border you'll come across a beautiful pink salt lake. Loch Iel (Pink Lake) The inland Melbourne to Adelaide drive takes around 5.5 hours from the Grampians. Its not nearly as scenic to do it this way, but it does save you about 50 km and one hour of driving. I highly recommended checking out Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve and Port Fairy. This is the start of their Great Ocean Road drive. Planning a trip to Australia? Blazing Saddles Trail Rides, Aireys Inlet. Screened at CinefestOZ, Portland International Film Festival, Social Justice Film Festival (Seattle), St Louis International Film Festival, Mostly . Its also a fantastic place if you are looking to see some native Australian wildlife. A camper van or any sporty rental car is good for the drive through the stunning coastal road. It starts in Torquay and continues westward to Allansford. Check our. Check out the Vline train & bus timetable to make your way between Geelong and Warrnambool. Read all of our articles in our. 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. Any advice greatly appreciated! Michael Dahlstrom - Environment Editor - Yahoo | LinkedIn The waves here were big, similar to US east coast waves just before a hurricane. You will also reach the main stops at a different time to the crowds. The Grotto is multiple geological formations rolled into one and is one of the most spectacular points to view the coast. 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. The drive offers plenty of places to stop off and explore. 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 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 official length of the Great Ocean Road is around 243 km/ 151 miles. Here are a few budget Great Ocean Road tours you should consider. Take the Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne to catch the best scenery and attractions. The Obelisk sits atop a rugged coastline, which is rapidly being eroded by the harsh elements. The Twelve Apostles are giant limestone stacks jutting out of the ocean that form one of the most recognizable landscapes in Australia. You can also find the distance from Portland Ln to Mildura VIC 3500 using other travel options like bus, subway, tram, train and rail. Today, at 4 pm, with clouds and a cold breeze, it did not look like much to us. If you're planning to visit the Great Ocean Road, here's all that you should squeeze into your itinerary. 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. With the last day of your Great Ocean Road itinerary upon you, there is still so much to be seen and experienced. You can spend more time at each location and engage in activities like trekking, swimming and adventure sports. On a clear sunny day and depending on the tide you can get pretty close. Discover. One of the best things to do on the Great Ocean Road is going out for a paddle at some of the most famous surf beaches in Australia. Not even 15km from Apollo Bay is the incredibly lush and beautifulGreat Otway National Park. Hopetoun Falls Just gorgeous, the walk to these falls is not very far, though it does involve steps. Melbourne to Adelaide Drive Great Ocean Road Route