I recommend packing a water bottle (we always travel with a few Vapur flexible bottles as they are light and foldable when empty) and a travel coffee mug or thermos. . The trip from Adelaide to Melbourne takes around 8 hours if you go the inland route. Stop 3 Otway Harvest Trail TheKennett River Koala Walkis the perfect place to get your fix. We enjoyed our cone in the lovely gardens. Train operators V/Line Bus operators Gull Airport Service Public Transport Victoria V/Line Other operators Jayride Want to know more about travelling around Australia Points South by the Sea is the perfect place to stay on the Great Ocean Road; in fact, its one of our favourite places weve ever stayed. Made famous for theRip Curl Prohosted every Easter, Bells Beach is not only beautiful but a huge part of both Australian and surf culture. We are Alesha and Jarryd, the award-winning writers and professional photographers behind this blog.
Via: Where should I stop along the way?
Simon loved the cheese and vegetable pasty.
I'd like to drive the GOR but am concerned about the nasty road incidents that have happened- I know it can be a challenging drive with hairpin bends.
One of the best things to do here is take a walk out on thePort Fairy Wharves. Family. Or you can take the scenic route via the Great Ocean Road - it'll take you a lot longer and you'll probably want to break the trip up by staying a night or two or three along the way - but the scenery is worth it and there's so much to do along the way.
Despite staying close to Apollo Bay, we loved our cottage so much that we didnt visit the town until our way out. At 8.30am we had it entirely to ourselves. There is no direct connection from Melbourne to Lorne. Or if youd prefer to visit the Twelve Apostles before most of the other tour buses arrive, this Great Ocean Road Reverse Experience heads directly to the highlights via the inland route then follows the road back to the city. Answer 1 of 3: Hi - I'm on a tour of Melbourne with 3 seniors and one 4 year. This section could be endless, so rather than trying to If you start early and arrive by late morning, youll have a good chance of enjoying the Twelve Apostles without the crowds.
You can follow a very similar itinerary to ours, but youll need to pack more in every day. It was named after the clipper Loch Ard that was wrecked here in 1878. We didnt expect to spend so long at a chocolate shop, but this place is huge! Thanks for your support, kind friend! We stayed at Anchors at Port Campbellwhere there are three cottages on a farm a few kilometres inland from town. Bells Beach (4 mentions)
Theres also a cafe if you just want a coffee or one of the tasty looking cakes. But no need to rush.
5- Arrive at Lorne.
Although officially the Great Ocean Road starts in Geelong, Melbourne is the ideal start to the trip as it provides the contrast of a big city with the quiet of the small towns dotted along the Great Ocean Road. If you are on a budget, the cheapest way to do a Great Ocean Road Trip is by camping. Reserve your spot here. 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.
Stop for lunch in Campertown - try a local cafe or bring a picnic to eat in the Botanic Gardens; Explore Port Fairy, including the bookshops mentioned in this post, and stay the night . 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. 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. Theres also a cafe if you want a longer break.
If you just wanted a quick stop, you could do that in about 15 minutes, but its worth following one or all of the three marked trails. Check out Points South on Vrbo or compare prices on Booking.com. We rented a car from the local company Advance Car Rental in Melbournea Toyota Corolla cost us $158 for six days. Do you think that will be possible that time of year or do we have to book in advance ? While the Great Ocean Road covers a ton of coastline, this national park is a gem located more on the inland route.
Another worthwhile detour on the way to Port Campbell is Wreck Beach, but we didnt have the energy to stop. There were a few people around then (and some photographers just leaving) but it was still quiet. You need to head down to the lower viewing platform to appreciate it, which is a 700-metre return walk with stairs from the car park. Hi Tracy, November is a beautiful time to travel the Great Ocean Road.
Other good breaks in addition to Bells Beach includeSan Juc, Winki Pop, Bird RockandSparrowsjust to name a few.
Last on the Great Ocean Road Backpackers Guide is the quaint little town of Port Fairy.
Its worth a quick stop to admire the surfers riding the waves from the viewing platform above. We were finished by 10.30am and returned to our hotel for a break before going out for lunch. The Twelve Apostles are by far the most famous sight on the Great Ocean Road.
The huge natural limestone arch was formed by erosion and you can see the power of the waves that caused it. Port Fairy. As we were staying so close we were able to arrive early and easily take breaks between exploring different areas.
Stay the night in Warrnambool or head back towards Melbourne. Park at the Kafe Koala and follow the crowds. The official start of The Great Ocean Road, Torquay is a town with an ingrained surfing culture. You need to park just off the road and then walk up the hill to the lighthouse. It hugs the coastline with many twists and turns and stunning ocean views.
We stayed in a luxury cottage at Points South by the Seaand it was perfect. The cottage is very well-equipped and Bryan is a fantastic host who goes out of his way to help you make the most of your stay and share his tips for the area. After passing through Port Campbell, youll pass by The Arch and London Bridge. We had a light lunch in the surprisingly good cafe housed in the Assistant Keepers Quarters with views of the lighthouse.
I definitely recommend allocating a few hours to explore it all. You can sometimes see whales here in winter.
The gas log fire kept us warm. Many people also continue inland to the Grampians National Park, a fantastic hiking and wildlife location, before returning to Melbourne via the old gold mining town of Ballarat. While you could drive it in the opposite direction, Port Campbell would be quite far to reach on the coastal route for your overnight stay, and its a fairly long drive from Apollo Bay to Twelve Apostles for an early morning visit. Shadowfax Wines Jan Juc As it's a fairly leisurely drive why not break up the short journey and enjoy the sights of the Victorian Surf Coast along the way.
Apollo Bay has plenty of spots for lunch and a big beach. Benefit. 9am- Arrive Barwon heads for sky dive then head back to Melbourne CBD, drop car off in city .
There are signs reminding you along the road as tourists driving the wrong way is a common problem. This means youll be driving on the ocean side of the road and will have the best views and easy access to the many viewpoints.
open-ended. Do allocate as much time as you can, thoughits a gorgeous part of the world with plenty to see.
We spent four days self-driving the road from Melbourne, but you could follow our Great Ocean Road itinerary in two or three days if necessary (we had a fair amount of relaxation time).
There's a couple of fun things to see in the area including Battery Hill, an old fort, and a beautiful port . If you're planning a road trip to Lorne, you can research locations to stop along the way.
Visit 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge.
Particularly loved those places you stayed, will have to check them out. That way you can travel at your own pace, avoid the crowds, and have more time to enjoy the many Great Ocean Road attractions beyond the Twelve Apostles.
This map shows the best things to see on the Great Ocean Road drive. Its a wonderfully scenic place with a beach below and crashing waves. You can walk to a few viewing platforms to admire the towering limestone stacks from different angles. Amongst the native eucalyptus trees is this surprising cluster of giant Californian Redwoods which were planted in the 1930s and are thriving.
. You can also walk down the steps onto the beautiful beach. All prices quotes below are in Australian dollars. We walked all of the trails except for the furthest section between Broken Head and Sherwood Estuary and walked a total of 6km (3.7 miles). There are some short trails you can follow, but we didnt have time to go far. Required fields are marked *.
Its a lovely place for a short stroll.
If you only have time for one, follow the 900-metre-return Geology walk to the left of the car park which takes you to The Razorback, a massive rock formation. There are two viewing platforms to admire London Bridge a short walk from the car park. There are a few hostels in the centre of this small townPort Campbell Guesthouse & Flash Packers has private rooms and a homely vibe, while Port Campbell Hostel has dorms and rooms (and a brewery next door). On the way back to Melbourne, do some .
The inland route via Ballarat and Bordertown is faster, but the Great Ocean Road is an incredible experience.
Our last full day was dedicated to the Port Campbell National Park. Cannon Hillis a great place to start if you want to get the lay of the land. 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.
Journey Time: 15 minutes from Points South by the SeaStop Time: 15 minutes. The drive from Melbourne to Lorne isnt particularly long, only around 2 hours all up. Day 3: Warrnambool to Port Fairy then Melbourne (or Adelaide). Its a highlight of a Great Ocean Road itinerary! Itll take longer than you think due to the many curves and places youll want to stop to take a photo or visit an attraction.
Lorne is one of the most popular towns on a Great Ocean Road Trip. And your Great Ocean Road route should not miss out on two other attractions nearby either. This lookout gives you the chance to see right out to sea and over the entire city. most talked about places recommended by Trippy members. Official site for Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Subscribe. Learn how your comment data is processed. We had 4 nights and 4.5 days on the road trip and it was a good amount of time to see the Great Ocean Road highlights, although we could easily have spent longer. Our road trip starts in Melbourne and our first destination is Lorne but since that's a little far, let's make a stopover in Geelong on the way. ThePort FairyBotanical Gardensare a lovely spot for an afternoon walk and to admire the plants and flowers. Take in the beauty of the 12 Apostles. Note there are no toilets at any of the other sights on todays itinerary. 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. Road trip: Melbourne to Adelaide in 6 days. to each other and sharing tips and advice. 8am-fly in, pick up car, drive to 12 apostles (inland route) 12.30- visit 12 Apostles, lunch ect, 2.30-Back on the road. READ MORE: Be sure to plan your best trip to Australia by using our Australia Travel Guide! Simon had a reusable coffee cup but wished hed had a larger flask for our early start at Twelve Apostles (the kiosk there doesnt open until 10am).
At night we loved snuggling on the comfy couch by the fireplace. And sadly our Great Ocean Road trip was over. 5 Day Great Ocean Road Itinerary (Our Route), Where to Stay in Apollo Bay: Points South by the Sea, Where to Stay in Port Campbell: Anchors at Port Campbell, Search for more options in Port Campbell here, Check the latest prices of Anchors on Vrbo. The ultimate Melbourne to Adelaide roadtrip along the Great Ocean Road and taking in Lorne, Apollo Bay, Port Fairy, Mount Gambier and Victor Harbour. That's how we're going to structure this post for you. FromWarrnambool Breakwaterall the way toLogans Beachthis is a great spot to take in the coastal views and even pass a little penguin breeding ground.
The Bay of Islandsoffers similar scenery to the Twelve Apostles but without the crowds. Journey Time: 3 minutes from RedwoodsStop Time: 20 minutes.
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. You are free to wander around the farm to try to see koalas and wallabies or head down to the lovely private beach for a walk or surf. You can also buy a toasted sandwich or cheese platter ($20). We chose to drive back from Port Campbell to Melbourne via the inland route (3 hours) rather than continue on for the final section of the Great Ocean .
