Thats the word that can truly capture the essence of the Great Ocean Road in Australia. Once in Warrnambool, it doesnt take long to drive to Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve. Includes: 4 nights' accommodation, 5 days unlimited km use of a compact sized car and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps. Truly a paradise, the area is a popular destination for water sports and recreation activities. 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. Campervan Hire Great Ocean Road - Melbourne to Adelaide - Camper Champ 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. Visit top wilderness destinations and picturesque towns on this epic 3-day tour from Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road and the Grampians. This is one of Victorias best bush and ocean walks. The view of these sandstone pillars along the coastline is one of the Great Ocean Roads most famous. 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. After the gorge youll pass the town of Port Campbell. The spectacular Great Ocean Road hugs the seaside cliffs that snake along the wild and windswept Southern Ocean. This was not anywhere near as scenic as Port Campbell National Park but was still worth seeing. Head down to the Moyne River and stretch your legs along the wharves. I could not imagine trying to swim out past these waves, just to catch one right back to shore. Bunyip Tours: Cute Penguins - See 1,940 traveler reviews, 941 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. Hello Ive so enjoyed the magnificent stories of your world tours and the stunning photos. Whether you surf or not, it is a great place to stop and admire the ocean. 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. Theres a lot to see and do along the way. 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. 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. Stops. 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. 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. Route planner, Travel information, Victoria, Australia 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. The road covers a driveway of 243 km off the coast with pristine views of beaches, geological marvels, and rich forests. Melbourne to Adelaide Drive Great Ocean Road Route Head forEastern Beachfirst. The ULTIMATE Great Ocean Road Map 2023 (Local's Guide) These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. We can recommend a number of excellent companies who all use smaller buses which means more time at stops and more personalized experience. Most of the highlights are located around Port Campbell. The Ultimate Great Ocean Road Trip: From Melbourne to Adelaide - NeedaBreak Things all of a sudden became a lot more exciting. This stone archway once formed a natural bridge over the gorge, but unfortunately collapsed almost a decade ago. Even in Australia, Tyler and Kara were getting a lot of stares, this time from Chinese tourists. Continue on from this point as there are tons of Great Ocean Road attractions to come. In the shadow of the Otway ranges meeting Cape Otway is the Apollo Bay, midway of the Great Ocean Road. After a late arrival intoWarrnambool,youll want to see a few of the sights the city has to offer. Where does the Great Ocean Road start and finish. Subscribe, Home | Australia | The PERFECT Great Ocean Road Drive Itinerary (2023). It's also possible to travel from Melbourne to Adelaide via the Great . Forget all about the stress of driving, checking the GPS and creating an itinerary of your own! The Great Ocean Road is a 243-kilometre (151-mile) route located along the coast of Victoria in southeastern Australia. 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. It takes about 75 minutes to drive to, depending on the traffic leaving Melbourne. Read all of our articles in our Australia Travel Guide. Private Great Ocean Road tour. This is one way to get away from other tourists. The Animal Condition (Feature Film) 2010 - Jun 20177 years. 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. It can be done. The distance from Adelaide to Melbourne is 1500km on this itinerary, which amounts to over 21 hours worth of driving. Hopetoun Falls Just gorgeous, the walk to these falls is not very far, though it does involve steps. 2011-2023 distancesfrom.com. Find out more here. The standalone arch was earlier connected to the coast with another such arch giving it the name London Bridge, but in 1990 the connecting arch fell down due to erosion. The four of us made our way over to the cave, dodging waves washing up onto shore with approaching high tide. The same would not go for the rest of the Earth Trekkers. What is the shortest road distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? It starts in Torquay and continues westward to Allansford. Finally, we made it to Bells Beach in Torquay, the end point of the Great Ocean Road. 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. The Great Ocean Road from Melbourne - 1-Day Itinerary 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). Please enter your email address or username. Bunyip Tours: See above for that. The lake views here are stunning and if youre lucky you might even be able to lay your eyes on a platypus or two. 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. Your email address will not be published. We have been travelling the world together since 2008, with a passion for adventure travel and sustainable tourism. Best way from Portland to Melbourne - Melbourne Forum Made famous for theRip Curl Prohosted every Easter, Bells Beach is not only beautiful but a huge part of both Australian and surf culture. 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. 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. Fabulous horse riding through the forest or down along a long golden beach. For more information on routes and trails visit the websitehere. Lorne Seabaths, Gym, inground Trampolines for kids, and more. Depart Melbourne and travel over the West Gate Bridge through the vast volcanic plains en-route to Geelong. 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. The Great Ocean Road winds through picturesque locations that outdo one another in terms of visual extravaganza. 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. Apart from the trip distance, refer. . Your story was very useful for us to plan our one day trip in March 2020 just before the corona virus outbreak. The Grotto is one of the most impressive sections of the coastline, and essentially a sinkhole. Tip: Beat the tour buses to avoid the traffic and crowds. Things to do in Melbourne Day Trips from Melbourne Great Ocean Road Tour From Melbourne. Distance: 507km / 7 hours roundtrip. 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. The highlight of the Great Ocean Road are the Twelve Apostles. The total distance you can expect to drive is over 600 km. Not even 15km from Apollo Bay is the incredibly lush and beautifulGreat Otway National Park. 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. 1 Day Great Ocean Road & 12 Apostles Tour $104 Follow our journey in real time on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. Travellers' Guide To Great Ocean Road - Wiki Travel Guide - Travellerspoint But all the views are spectacular on this stretch of the Great Ocean Road Trip. How far is the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne? Once youve had your fill, hop in the car for a quick drive and to the next and last destination of your road trip. Iconic Animal Sightings. Or Warrnambool, Camperdown, Geelong, Melbourne. Its a highlight of a Great Ocean Road itinerary! What is the road driving distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? Your Great Ocean Road itinerary may be coming to an end, but dont worry, youll finish up with a dreamy little visit toPort Fairy. 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 official length of the Great Ocean Road is around 243 km/ 151 miles. Guide to the Great Ocean Road, Victoria - Tourism Australia Curious Goose | The Grampians and The Great Ocean Road - a 4 day self Most of the people here were Chinese. Yes, you can. Most take this road trip to visit the iconic Twelve Apostles but fall in love with the grandeur of nature. After the last couple of years, it seems everyone wants to be out and about and go travelling. Wealso have information on a great hike in Kings Canyon and a recap of our experience in the Red Centre of Australia. 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. 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. If you're planning a self-guided tour, this could come handy. Drive Time: 30 minutes to Port Fairy, 4 hours to Melbourne. Today, at 4 pm, with clouds and a cold breeze, it did not look like much to us. 1. It takes travellers past world-class surfing breaks, through pockets of rainforest and calm seaside towns, and under koala-filled tree canopies. 4 Day Great Ocean Road Melbourne to Adelaide Tour The Great Ocean Road Tour covers pristine beaches, geological marvels, and rich forests on your way. Day 2 - Pinnacles Walk in the Grampians National Park and drive to Port Campbell on the Great Ocean Road to stay overnight. Dont want to drive but still want to see the Great Ocean Road? 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 Wear comfortable shoes as there is a lot of walking to do. Hi Tracy, November is a beautiful time to travel the Great Ocean Road. The four of us were ecstatic to be off those winding roads. Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road - Best Routes & Travel Advice You can also try a different route while coming back by adding multiple destinations. plenty of accommodation choices in Warrnambool, Apollo Bay Surf, Stand Up Paddle Boarding & Kayak, Otway Estate Brewery Prickly Moses Beer. Home to some of Australia's best-known surf beaches, Torquay marks the official beginning of the Great Ocean Road. Many travelers continue on to Warrnambool and Adelaide or up to the Grampian Mountains while others are returning to Melbourne. 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. What is the return distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? Happy travels. Check our. Lorneis the closest town from the arch and a great spot to grab some lunch atBottle of Milk, use the facilities and continue on towardsKennett River. You will receive a link to create a new password via email. Maximum group size of 12 travellers with a reverse itinerary to beat the crowds at the 12 Apostles. While Tyler and Kara tried to throw each other off of the sand dunes, Tim and I went exploring. You don't have to miss out on this epic road trip just because you are short on time. This is the start of their Great Ocean Road drive. Cute Penguins - Bunyip Tours, Melbourne Traveller Reviews - Tripadvisor 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. For many people, the Great Ocean Road is a highlight when visiting Australia. You can spend more time at each location and engage in activities like trekking, swimming and adventure sports. Best Great Ocean Road Tours Save AU$10 on your Great Ocean Road Bus tours with this promo code. 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! However, the Great Ocean Road is a hit at any time of the year and here is why . Our ultimate destination being Kangaroo Island. 2 From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road and Wildlife Tour. While it is possibe to do most of these in a day with an early start and quick pitstops at every location, you should factor in a 2 day trip for a sedate trip. Experience the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne to Adelaide. 52 Great Weekends > No 3: Portland No 3: Portland Located a little over 4hrs Melbourne, Portland is well worth the drive. If youd like to continue travelling Australia beyond the Great Ocean Road, you canhead northwest to Adelaide. What used to be a swamp was reclaimed and turned into these pretty gardens in 1858. Surf Culture at Australian National Museum of Surfing. Great Ocean Road & Melbourne itinerary and attractions Day 1: Arriving in city of Melbourne Australia. Cant wait for the trip , Thanks Tracy. Check out the Vline train & bus timetable to make your way between Geelong and Warrnambool. V/Line - Regional public transport for Victoria - Plan trip/buy tickets It starts at the surfing town of Torquay and finishes near Warrnambool. 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. Cannon Hillis a great place to start if you want to get the lay of the land. For those wanting to drive a bit further west, theres the historic harbour settlement of Portland which you can visit. The Cape Otway lighthouse is the oldest surviving lighthouse in Australia and was rightly known as the Beacon of Hope. We could not get too close to the edge or else we would risk being pulled into the ocean by a rogue wave. Apart from the trip distance, refer Directions from Portland Ln to Mildura VIC 3500 for road driving directions! No, the Great Ocean Road isnt particularly dangerous to drive, as long as you take proper precautions. This port city is the second-largest in the state of Victoria and overlooks the gorgeousCorio Bay. Find out about other waterfalls in the Otways. 10 secret must-stop places on the Great Ocean Road - Australia 375km of scenic winding roads along the southern ocean will take you through some of the countrys most beautiful UNESCO-listed landscapes. Before you set off on your adventure though, you should know how long the road is and how long it takes to drive. We plan to spend 5 days on Kangaroo Island and have allowed 3 days to get to Cape Jervis. 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. Wendy Report inappropriate content 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. Yes, you can do this as a one day trip from Melbourne, but I dont recommend it. Soaring high above the limestone stacks youll get the best views of Victorias Shipwreck Coast. Apollo Bay is a gorgeous seaside village, located at the entry to the Otways, and without a doubt is one of the most scenic and picturesque stops on our Great Ocean Road drive. Great Ocean Road & Grampians Road Trip | Apollo Campervans AU all things travel. 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. 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. Complete Road Trip Guide & Holiday Planner - Great Ocean Road Trust me, though, it'll be worth waking up early for. You can buy Great Ocean Road Tours online which would cover your itinerary and tickets for attractions. 7-Day Melbourne to Adelaide Road Trip Itinerary via the Great Ocean The road starts in Torquay, and finishes in Allansford. Routing: Adelaide to Melbourne Duration: 5 Days Code: AD3 From AUD$690.00* per person, based on standard double/twin share accommodation. Great Ocean Road - Wikipedia Day 3: Warrnambool to Port Fairy then Melbourne (or Adelaide) Distance: 30km to Port Fairy, then 312km to Melbourne. Read more about taking a Melbourne to Phillip Island Tour. Due to crashing waves over millennia, saltwater and erosion there are now only 8 limestone stacks remaining out of 12. Kms. Melbourne to Adelaide 2 Day Tour (Single Room) - kilroy.net Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia - Visit Victoria home To get here, however, was a two-hour drive via the M1 highway from Melbourne. The road driving distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 Km. A road trip along the Great Ocean Road & Grampians National Park is a trip where you feel small in the universe. BONUS Booking ahead of time ensures you wont miss out on the tour, and get the best price too! The Gunditjmara people are the rightful owners of the land incorporated into the Great Ocean Road from Portland to Warrnambool, including Port Fairy and the Princess Highway. This often includes stopping at lookouts along the way. As Victorias 5th largest city, Warrnambool is a lot bigger than most of the seaside towns along the Great Ocean Road drive. Great commentary. Would like to know what kind of still camera and lens you are using. The nearly 250 kilometre road encapsulates some of Australia's most iconic scenery and gives visitors the opportunity to get close to wildlife. It sounds daunting but it's going to be broken down into very manageable chunks. It has diverse vegetation ranging from lush rainforest to rugged coastline, it has everything from stunning waterfalls to tranquil lakes. Required fields are marked *. Hey! The cliffs over the beach offer gorgeous views of the swells coming in from the Southern Ocean. 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.