If you want to get off the beaten path like we did, do not be afraid to try one of those unlabeled dirt roads. Day 1 - Drive to the Grampians National Park from Melbourne, visit McKenzie falls and stay overnight in the town of Halls Gap. 2 From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road and Wildlife Tour. 1 Day Great Ocean Road Tour on Large Coach $105 Loch Ard Gorgeis the first attraction on the way, just a stones throw from the Twelve Apostles. 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. 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. Day 3 - Set of on the Great Ocean Road, staying overnight in the village of Lorne, halfway . Finally, we made it to Bells Beach in Torquay, the end point of the Great Ocean Road. The waves here were big, similar to US east coast waves just before a hurricane. The coastline of the Great Ocean Road is constantly changing and one such natural formation is the London Arch. Check out our Great Ocean Road tours. Stops. Mount Gambier to Great Ocean Road - 5 ways to travel via bus, and car Great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary Boutique Tour - Max 12 People - Viator Let us help you get started with planning your Great Ocean Road itinerary. Stunning photos. 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. Starting and finishing in Melbourne, enjoy a self drive tour along Victoria's southwest coast. Theres so much to see and do, so you dont want to be left feeling rushed and tired at the end of your trip. 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. If you really want a unique perspective though, and love a bit of adventure, how does skydiving over the 12 Apostles sound? The Perth to Adelaide Drive (via the Nullarbor Plain) 3,700 km | 16 days Swim with dolphins, climb the giant Gloucester Tree, camp among . Surf Culture at Australian National Museum of Surfing. For most people, the trip willstart in Melbourneand can be done in a loop or a return journey. Great Ocean Road travel guide 5 Melbourne: 2-Hour City Highlights River Cruise. Now 2 pillars are left standing above the sea and make for an impressive view inPort Campbell National Park. Purchase tickets. 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. If you have limited time and can only do it in 1 day, then dont stress. 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. Thats how were going to structure this post for you. For just a moment though, it was neat peering out at the waves and the coastline from this unique vantage point. The Great Ocean Road is a one-and-a-half-hour drive from Melbourne with dual lane highway conditions for most of the journey and excellent signposting. The green forest with the winding highway meets the ocean here! Perfect write up, very helpful indeed, Appreciate your work guys, Cheers. Taking an organized bus tour from Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road is the best way to experience the best of the pictursque route from the comfort of your bus. Yes. You can also try a different route while coming back by adding multiple destinations. Forget all about the stress of driving, checking the GPS and creating an itinerary of your own! Melbourne - This is usually the starting point when planning an itinerary for Great Ocean Road. Children: $99 $94 (3 - 15 years) Minimum age 3 years. 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. Once in Warrnambool, it doesnt take long to drive to Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve. 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. Great Ocean Road starts at Torquay and finishes in Allansford. This was not anywhere near as scenic as Port Campbell National Park but was still worth seeing. 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. 15 Places Along The Great Ocean Road To Visit On A One-Day Road Trip In 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. Its definitely worth pulling over to read the history of the road as well as getting that classic holiday snap. 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. Recommended option Train 4h 12m Take the train from Southern Cross to Warrnambool Warrnambool - Melbourne Via Colac & Geelong $103 - $128 The Memorial Arch (youve probably seen photos of people standing underneath it) symbolises the start of the road. To do this, leave Melbourne before 8am as most tours leave Melbourne city between 8am and 9am. Covering nearly 200 hectares, this park is one of the few Great Ocean Road highlights that is not a beach. 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. Griffiths Islandcan be accessed by a footbridge nearby to the wharf and is a great place to do a little bird watching. Apollo Bay is a popular place, so make sure you have booked your accommodation ahead of time. It has diverse vegetation ranging from lush rainforest to rugged coastline, it has everything from stunning waterfalls to tranquil lakes. Follow our journey in real time on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. Join the adventures on our YouTube channel! In front of us were walls of sandstone, giant waves crashing on the beach, and a rocky peninsula just waiting to be explored. Born to parents bit by the wander bug, Lakshmi calls her love for travel "hereditary and habitual". Your Great Ocean Road itinerary may be coming to an end, but dont worry, youll finish up with a dreamy little visit toPort Fairy. 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. The direct route between these two locations is 142km, taking drivers around two hours to complete. Related article: What should you not miss on the Great Ocean Road? Although i highly recommend visiting Warrnambool, you may not have the time to spend there. 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. After passing through Port Campbell, youll pass by The Arch and London Bridge. 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! Its a lot of driving. FromWarrnambool Breakwaterall the way toLogans Beachthis is a great spot to take in the coastal views and even pass a little penguin breeding ground. 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. Would like to know what kind of still camera and lens you are using. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. Made famous for theRip Curl Prohosted every Easter, Bells Beach is not only beautiful but a huge part of both Australian and surf culture. Here we joined the largest crowds of people yet, all elbowing for the best place to take family photos. Youll also find theAustralian Surfing Hall of Famehere as well. Our self-drive itinerary includes driving via Robe and Victor Harbour though a side trip to include The Grampians could be included. Melbourne to Adelaide South East Coast 3 Day Overland Tour. Great Ocean Road - Bunyip Tours, Melbourne Traveller Reviews - Tripadvisor A total of 620 properties were sold via auction last . Stretching over 243km (150mi), among this dramatic coastline's iconic attractions there's a mecca of bucket-list-worthy experiences. For many people, the Great Ocean Road is a highlight when visiting Australia. Lookout on the ocean from May to September as you might spot Whales! Try out the walking trails, have a picnic by the sea, take in the scenic views, or go searching for Australian wildlife. 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. The weather can play a huge part in what is visible and how close you can get to this area. The Email id you have Entered is not Registered With us. The Grotto is multiple geological formations rolled into one and is one of the most spectacular points to view the coast. 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 recommend Rental Cars, which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market. Great Ocean Road & Grampians Road Trip | Apollo Campervans AU If you're planning a self-guided tour, this could come handy. Find out about other waterfalls in the Otways. Routing: Adelaide to Melbourne Duration: 5 Days Code: AD3 From AUD$690.00* per person, based on standard double/twin share accommodation. 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. Route planner, Travel information, Victoria, Australia Kms. The whole trail is about 15km, but your best chances for spotting the cute indigenous animals are about 6km in atGrey River. Carry a fast-drying towel, a bathing suit and a change of clothes to go swimming. 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. See above for that. - Bunyip Tours, Melbourne Traveller Reviews Find out more here. The Grotto is one of the most impressive sections of the coastline, and essentially a sinkhole. Plan ahead and give yourself at least 1 full day. Head forEastern Beachfirst. From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road Full-Day Guided Trip The Twelve Apostles are giant limestone stacks jutting out of the ocean that form one of the most recognizable landscapes in Australia. Where does the Great Ocean Road start and finish. If you dont want to visit Warrnambool, drive from Melbourne to the 12 Apostles (over 2.5 hours). Bunyip Tours: Wonderful experience - See 1,941 traveler reviews, 941 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. We drove from Adelaide to Portland, spent the night in Portland, and then drove the Great Ocean Road. The four of us were ecstatic to be off those winding roads. Melbourne to Adelaide Drive Great Ocean Road Route However, the Great Ocean Road is a hit at any time of the year and here is why . Mum, works 2- 3 days a week, Tues and Wednesday and Friday and has the children in daycare and . Check our. Head down to Main Beach for a swim, sunbathe or surf at Point Impossible or Rocky Point. After a late arrival intoWarrnambool,youll want to see a few of the sights the city has to offer. We have been travelling the world together since 2008, with a passion for adventure travel and sustainable tourism. For more information on routes and trails visit the websitehere. Frolic in the ocean and then head up to the lush rainforests abundant with wildlife. Join our small group coastal adventure to the beaches, rainforests and more of the Great Ocean Road. If you fancy trying your luck to spot some wildlife head out to nearbyLake Elizabeth. The road driving distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 Km. Rare Role On Australia's Great Ocean Road - Portland | Jobrapido.com It's also possible to travel from Melbourne to Adelaide via the Great . I could not imagine trying to swim out past these waves, just to catch one right back to shore. A road trip along the Great Ocean Road & Grampians National Park is a trip where you feel small in the universe. What is the road driving distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? 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). V/Line - Regional public transport for Victoria - Plan trip/buy tickets 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. If you travel one way from Port Campbell to Melbourne (or vice versa), it is a 300 km journey. The four of us made our way over to the cave, dodging waves washing up onto shore with approaching high tide. The route of 243 KM stretches from Torquay to Allansford in Victoria state. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. And to get your fill of more art you can visit theGeelong Art GalleryandThe Heritage Center. 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. Iconic Animal Sightings. We plan to spend 5 days on Kangaroo Island and have allowed 3 days to get to Cape Jervis. Hi Tracy, November is a beautiful time to travel the Great Ocean Road. Here's all you need to know about taking a Great Ocean Road Tour From Melbourne - itinerary, best tours, highlights and quick hacks. Great post guys, you have inspired me to take a trip here when I finally get to Australia again! 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. Great Ocean Road Drive Info - Time, Distance & Tips 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. Chasing waterfalls? Click on any of the numbers on the map of The Great Ocean Road to read all about the attraction. A sandy trail took us down to a beach. However, Loch Ard Gorge is still a stunning place for a swim. 375km of scenic winding roads along the southern ocean will take you through some of the countrys most beautiful UNESCO-listed landscapes. Read more about taking a day trip from Melbourne to Yarra Valley. 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. Last week, 1156 properties were scheduled to be auctioned in Melbourne. On a clear sunny day and depending on the tide you can get pretty close. A softUsvista Inc. venture! This is one of the best things, if not the best, that you can do in the state of Victoria in Australia. There are also speed traps to catch those not sticking to the limits with fines up to (and above) $300AUD. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. 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. From the rocks, Tim and I could see a cave in the side of the cliff. It was another spot that was cool to see, even if it was just for a few minutes. After the gorge youll pass the town of Port Campbell. The Great Otway National Park is located within the Otway ranges and covers the area from Torquay to Princetown. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. 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.