All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. 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. While the Great Ocean Road covers a ton of coastline, this national park is a gem located more on the inland route. Takinga surf lessonis a sure-fire way to have you feeling confident on the board and in the water if you havent tried the sport before. I dashed out of the cave to higher ground, able to stay dry. Dont feed the koalas or the parrots as they are in the wild and any feeding them our food will disrupt their natural behaviour. 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. You can drive the entire length of the Great Ocean Road in one long day (about 8 hours return), but we recommend splitting the journey up into a few days. What is the road driving distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? 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. No 3: Portland - Visit Great Ocean Road 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. The Great Ocean Road map highlights 50 of the best attractions, recommended places to stop, and things to do on a self-drive holiday along the Victorian coast to the 12 Apostles and Port Campbell National Park. 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. For a shorter track check outMaits Restwhich will take you through a beautiful section of rainforest. They will also add to the crowds at every one of your stops, so you want to beat them if you can. It stretches for 243 kms. Here are a few budget Great Ocean Road tours you should consider. Although i highly recommend visiting Warrnambool, you may not have the time to spend there. The Grotto is one of the most impressive sections of the coastline, and essentially a sinkhole. Most people start the Great Ocean Road drive from Melbourne to Torquay. It is comparable to Big Sur in California with coastal views, winding roads, and many, many scenic viewpoints. Starting from Torquay, this route takes you through beautiful seaside towns and rain forests as you follow the winding road along the exquisite coastline. Hugging the ocean on one side, the other side of the road changes its landscape from lush rainforest-clad mountains to volcanic plains. The driving distance from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 km. A dormant volcanic crater, Tower Hill is full of Australian wildlife (koalas, kangaroos, emus to name a few) and has lush wetlands and bush. V/Line - Regional public transport for Victoria - Plan trip/buy tickets Less people in your 12 Apostles selfie! The distance between Portland Ln to Mildura VIC 3500 is 542 Km by road. This is just because we really want to show you the best bits of the beautiful Great Ocean Road! Drive Time: 30 minutes to Port Fairy, 4 hours to Melbourne. Check our. 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. Adelaide to Melbourne via Great Ocean Road - how long? Even in Australia, Tyler and Kara were getting a lot of stares, this time from Chinese tourists. Your story was very useful for us to plan our one day trip in March 2020 just before the corona virus outbreak. From Portland, we drove 2 hours (160 km) to get to Port Campbell, the start of the Great Ocean Road. Sail through the clouds with only 1 other person for an up-close and personal adventure. What is a partial cave, archway and blowhole, The Grotto is definitely something to marvel at. The distance from Adelaide to Melbourne is 1500km on this itinerary, which amounts to over 21 hours worth of driving. A walkway just outside Lorne offers views of the ocean lapping up the mouth of the Saint George River and the Bass Strait. The PERFECT Great Ocean Road Drive Itinerary (2023) - NOMADasaurus No, the Great Ocean Road isnt particularly dangerous to drive, as long as you take proper precautions. The Cape Otway lighthouse is the oldest surviving lighthouse in Australia and was rightly known as the Beacon of Hope. If that is the case, you can head straight back to Melbourne after seeing the famous sites such as the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge and The Grotto. Great Ocean Road Tours | Australia Vacations & Tours | Goway After passing through Port Campbell, youll pass by The Arch and London Bridge. The Ultimate Guide To Watch Phillip Island Penguin Parade. Check map and driving directions of your route which helps you find the destination easier. Stops. The spectacular Great Ocean Road hugs the seaside cliffs that snake along the wild and windswept Southern Ocean. Our personal recommendation for where we stay in Apollo Bay every time is The Apollo Apartment. can include Port Fairy and more coastal towns. To drive direct from the Melbourne CBD to Torquay, where the road officially starts, is 104km, or 1 hour and 20 minutes. The green forest with the winding highway meets the ocean here! The Great Ocean Road Australia | Victoria's Most Scenic Stretch They are now a part of a National Park and protected, and are the perfect destination to view the sunset. For a great post-drive meal check out theGeelong Boathousefor a classic fish & chips by the sea. Keep an eye open as you wander the trails for koalas up in the trees and beautiful native birds soaring around too. After the Twelve Apostles, continue along the Great Ocean Road towards Port Campbell. Make sure you visit first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon for the best koala viewing times. Take the Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne to catch the best scenery and attractions. Just a few minutes west of the border you'll come across a beautiful pink salt lake. In 1932, the road was thrown open to the public and has since then become one of the worlds best road trip destinations. Now 2 pillars are left standing above the sea and make for an impressive view inPort Campbell National Park. And to get your fill of more art you can visit theGeelong Art GalleryandThe Heritage Center. . We are Alesha and Jarryd, the award-winning writers and professional photographers behind this blog. Finally, we made it to Bells Beach in Torquay, the end point of the Great Ocean Road. We still had a long ways to go. What To Know About The Top Chef World All-Stars Contestants Campervan Hire Great Ocean Road - Melbourne to Adelaide - Camper Champ 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. The route of 243 KM stretches from Torquay to Allansford in Victoria state. Quest Warrnambool is the perfect place to do just that. The Great Ocean Road is an adventurers' perfect medley; expect breathtaking natural wonders, charming restaurants serving oh-so-delicious fare and vast wilderness dotted with native wildlife and jaw-dropping vistas. Australia Road Trip Planner: The 18 best road trips in Australia From AU $1625 to AU $1895 3 days ex flights. Home to some of Australia's best-known surf beaches, Torquay marks the official beginning of the Great Ocean Road. The Ultimate Melbourne To Yarra Valley Tour | Discover The Best Wineries, Chocolateries and Delicatessens! Brekkie tacos, smoothie bowls and a full lunch menu to eat in or take away will please anyone visiting. An organized tour that takes care of your transportation will help you take the trip within a day. A little warning about the Penguin Parade: It is very touristy and professionally put together. Cannon Hillis a great place to start if you want to get the lay of the land. Have enjoyed your stories since departing Columbia almost a year ago. Where does the Great Ocean Road start and finish. Perfect write up, very helpful indeed, Appreciate your work guys, Cheers. 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. If you dont want to visit Warrnambool, drive from Melbourne to the 12 Apostles (over 2.5 hours). Not even 15km from Apollo Bay is the incredibly lush and beautifulGreat Otway National Park. Great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary Boutique Tour - Max 12 People - Viator 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. These unique and adorable local animals call this spot home and have been known to use the lake as a nesting ground when having babies so best to keep your eyes peeled. - See 1,941 traveler reviews, 942 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Note: This post contains affiliate links. 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. 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. Great Ocean Road starts at Torquay and finishes in Allansford. Visit surf beaches, seaside towns, and national parks; and see rain forest, wild koalas, and towering waterfalls. Soaring high above the limestone stacks youll get the best views of Victorias Shipwreck Coast. The Great Ocean Road winds through picturesque locations that outdo one another in terms of visual extravaganza. 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. We personally stayed there when we travelled across Australia, and highly recommend it. TheKennett River Koala Walkis the perfect place to get your fix. Theres a lot to see and do along the way. December to February is summer, March to May is autumn, June to August is winter and September to November is spring. Maximum group size of 12 travellers with a reverse itinerary to beat the crowds at the 12 Apostles. Follow our journey in real time on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. Travellers' Guide To Great Ocean Road - Wiki Travel Guide - Travellerspoint 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. This port city is the second-largest in the state of Victoria and overlooks the gorgeousCorio Bay. If you really want a unique perspective though, and love a bit of adventure, how does skydiving over the 12 Apostles sound? 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. 639. It is a rest stop on the Great Ocean Road and gateway to spectacular waterfalls and viewpoints. But that does not take away from the impressive views at all. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Grotto is multiple geological formations rolled into one and is one of the most spectacular points to view the coast. It takes travellers past world-class surfing breaks, through pockets of rainforest and calm seaside towns, and under koala-filled tree canopies. Melbourne to Adelaide Drive Great Ocean Road Route Read all of our articles in our. Bunyip Tours: See above for that. The Great Ocean Road in Victoria is a world-famous, Australian National Heritage-listed site along the Sydney to Melbourne drive. Any advice greatly appreciated! There is no dearth of viewpoints on the Great Ocean Road and Teddys Lookout is another magnificent spot added to the list. We could not get too close to the edge or else we would risk being pulled into the ocean by a rogue wave. Wendy Report inappropriate content The Great Ocean Road winds through picturesque locations that outdo one another in terms of visual extravaganza. The view of these sandstone pillars along the coastline is one of the Great Ocean Roads most famous. The road driving distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 Km. 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. A lot of people will finish the day in Warrnambool and spend the there, as it is the largest town along the Great Ocean Road. Adelaide to Melbourne via Great Ocean Road - how long? Surf Culture at Australian National Museum of Surfing. 50 Things to do and see along the Great Ocean Road as a PDF Ebook. If you have the time, sample the delights near Warrnambool. Skydiving is a popular sport at the Great Ocean Road and you're likely to spot many gutsy ones plummeting from the sky at 200 kmph from 15,000 feet above. For several hours, we traveled along the Great Ocean Road, on very windy roads, through towns like Apollo Bay, Skenes Creek, and Lorne. 3 Melbourne: SEA LIFE Aquarium Entrance Ticket. It takes about 75 minutes to drive to, depending on the traffic leaving Melbourne. This is one of Victorias best bush and ocean walks. Youll also find theAustralian Surfing Hall of Famehere as well. 542 Km - Distance from Portland Ln to Mildura VIC 3500 During your travel, you plan to visit the following-1) Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay, Victoria, Australia. 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. 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 Memorial Arch (youve probably seen photos of people standing underneath it) symbolises the start of the road. I highly recommended checking out Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve and Port Fairy. From Melbourne, head to Geelong and then south to Torquay. Melbourne's two best day tours, Great Ocean Road & Phillip Island, with entrance to Melbourne Skydeck. I am not looking forward to the conclusion of your trek. TheForeshore Promenadeis a great place for a stroll as well and stretches on for about 6 km. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. Theres so much to see and do, so you dont want to be left feeling rushed and tired at the end of your trip. Recommended option Train 4h 12m Take the train from Southern Cross to Warrnambool Warrnambool - Melbourne Via Colac & Geelong $103 - $128 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. BONUS Booking ahead of time ensures you wont miss out on the tour, and get the best price too! Over time it has been improved to create a peaceful and beautiful space to be enjoyed. Bells Beach is a paradise for surfers; it is the location of the legendary annual Rip Curl Surfing competition. For those wanting to drive a bit further west, theres the historic harbour settlement of Portland which you can visit. 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. All the while, Tyler and Kara were screaming with delight, laughing afterwards. Both are amazing expressions of natural beauty and are worth checking out. 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 youve hired a car youll most likely collect it at the airport. Visit some of the valleys most impressive wineries, go on a skydiving experience and simply kick your heels and relax. 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. This isnt a big deal though as you will still have great views of the scenery either way. From the rocks, Tim and I could see a cave in the side of the cliff. Your email address will not be published. Melbourne to Great Ocean Road | Road trips | The NRMA They finish at either the 12 Apostles or Warrnambool, and then drive back to Melbourne. The shortest road distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 Km. Due to crashing waves over millennia, saltwater and erosion there are now only 8 limestone stacks remaining out of 12. Whether you're a history buff, foodie, nature lover or adventurer get ready for a great weekend. 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? The Great Ocean Road is a 243-kilometre (151-mile) route located along the coast of Victoria in southeastern Australia. Would like to know what kind of still camera and lens you are using. It is essentially a sinkhole in a limestone stack and opens out to a view of the sea and cliffs beyond. The property at 36 Braemar Street sold for $6 million by private sale. Access a more in-depth look at the popular local sport at the Australian National Surfing Museum, too. Poor Tim got hit hard by the wave, soaking his feet. Walk 91 provides assistance to plan your walk along the GOR Walk, either with luxurious accommodation and meals provided or the budge self-catering option. Well, at least until the constant winding roads started making Kara nauseous, giving her a front seat in our car and a dose of dramamine. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 4 Day Great Ocean Road Melbourne to Adelaide Tour A great photo op spot, this is one of the most photographed spots along the Great Ocean Road. 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 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. A few minutes down the road from Sherbrook West is a large car park with trails to various viewpoints. 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. Drive through the Great Ocean Road's coastal cliffs and river inlets as well as its luscious fern gullies. It has great local produce, excellent surf beaches, and play parks for the kids to burn off energy. Today, at 4 pm, with clouds and a cold breeze, it did not look like much to us. Stock up on essentials, fill up the car, turn up the radio and head towards Apollo Bay! 1st Stop: Torquay. Continue on from this point as there are tons of Great Ocean Road attractions to come. The waves here were big, similar to US east coast waves just before a hurricane. Melbourne real estate: Full list of sales, auction results for February 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 . Tyler and Kara, since they were shorter, were able to retreat to the far depths of the cave, keeping their feet dry. 5 Day Melbourne to Adelaide via Great Ocean Road - Visit WA Online Hey! It was nothing fancy but suited our needs for our family of four. 6 Melbourne: Werribee Open Range Zoo Admission Ticket. It takes 3 day to drive through the Great Ocean Road and to see all the attractions on the way. 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 Great Ocean Road is one of the world's most stunning coastal drives, winding along Australia's southern coast in Victoria (Australia).The undisputed highlight of the drive is the Twelve Apostles, but the Great Ocean Road leads past many more sights of interest, from bustling coastal towns like Lorne and Apollo Bay to the lush rain forests of Great Otway National Park. You can buy Great Ocean Road Tours online which would cover your itinerary and tickets for attractions. It was in this area that we were treated to stunning views. . The drive offers plenty of places to stop off and explore. Today, it is a spot for whale watching and a centre for learning about the aboriginal history. Tyler and Kara joined us, took a look around, and then went back to their game. 375km of scenic winding roads along the southern ocean will take you through some of the countrys most beautiful UNESCO-listed landscapes. Director, editor and producer of feature documentary about animal welfare in farming. The weather can play a huge part in what is visible and how close you can get to this area. 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. The Great Ocean Road is where you experience breathtaking nature and the great outdoors of Australia! Turn off for this road just before you reach Apollo Bay. 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. Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road - Best Routes & Travel Advice 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. 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.