Once in Warrnambool, it doesnt take long to drive to Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve. Further along, you will find verdant bush where koalas nest and then onto the lush rainforests with spectacular waterfalls and native wildlife. Let us help you get started with planning your Great Ocean Road itinerary. The nearly 250 kilometre road encapsulates some of Australia's most iconic scenery and gives visitors the opportunity to get close to wildlife. Lookout on the ocean from May to September as you might spot Whales! Warrnambool railway station is the terminus of the Warrnambool line in Victoria, Australia.It serves the city of Warrnambool, and it opened on 4 February 1890.. We plan to spend 5 days on Kangaroo Island and have allowed 3 days to get to Cape Jervis. While wandering around town youll surely spot a ton of street art, which is something Geelong is known for. plenty of accommodation choices in Warrnambool, Apollo Bay Surf, Stand Up Paddle Boarding & Kayak, Otway Estate Brewery Prickly Moses Beer. Continue on from this point as there are tons of Great Ocean Road attractions to come. This is one way to get away from other tourists. 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. Bells Beach is Australias premiere surf spot, a spot also labeled by some as the best surfing destination in the world. You also get to enjoy free WiFi onboard, tea and snacks and relax in comfort between spots. We set off from the city at 6am. I could not imagine trying to swim out past these waves, just to catch one right back to shore. Take the Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne to catch the best scenery and attractions. It is summer and it is simply beautiful on the road! Hello Ive so enjoyed the magnificent stories of your world tours and the stunning photos. Most of the highlights are located around Port Campbell. The highlight of the Great Ocean Road are the Twelve Apostles. Check map and driving directions of your route which helps you find the destination easier. Private Great Ocean Road tour. Discover some of the best things to do in Melbourne. hi guys my husband and l are going to drive the great ocean road in early November. To enlarge the map, click the top right icon and it will open up, full screen, in a new tab. If you're planning to visit the Great Ocean Road, here's all that you should squeeze into your itinerary. Wear comfortable shoes as there is a lot of walking to do. Theres so much to see and do, so you dont want to be left feeling rushed and tired at the end of your trip. Covering nearly 200 hectares, this park is one of the few Great Ocean Road highlights that is not a beach. 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. Youll also find theAustralian Surfing Hall of Famehere as well. 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. 3. 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. Forget all about the stress of driving, checking the GPS and creating an itinerary of your own! At the end of your Great Ocean Road itinerary, you can leave Port Fairy andhead back towards Melbourneon the M8 National highway to take on your next series of Aussie fun. You can also use the share icon and share it on Facebook. It makes for a perfect family day out or holiday with friends. Go-Ride a Wave! Sail through the clouds with only 1 other person for an up-close and personal adventure. 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. The direct route between these two locations is 142km, taking drivers around two hours to complete. From Melbourne to Torquay (the first town on the Great Ocean Road), it will take you about 1.5 hours. Thousands of visitors flock here for summer and for festivals during the year, including the world famous Folkie. We have been travelling the world together since 2008, with a passion for adventure travel and sustainable tourism. Most tour buses will leave between 8am and 9am, so try and leave before then. The Obelisk sits atop a rugged coastline, which is rapidly being eroded by the harsh elements. We walked out to the tip of the peninsula. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. 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. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. You might even get a stretch of beach all to yourself, maybe for the best adventure of the day. We drove from Adelaide to Portland, spent the night in Portland, and then drove the Great Ocean Road. The area has a forest of gum and eucalyptus trees which are the main food source of koalas. A drive down the road will take you through magnificent landscapes of the white surf hitting the golden beaches, where the limestone stacks and arches weather the powerful ocean. One of the most iconic road trips in all of Australia, if not the world, has got to be the Great Ocean Road drive. Bunyip Tours: Cute Penguins - See 1,941 traveler reviews, 941 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. 3 Melbourne: SEA LIFE Aquarium Entrance Ticket. 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. To drive direct from the Melbourne CBD to Torquay, where the road officially starts, is 104km, or 1 hour and 20 minutes. Sometimes, Tyler and Kara feel like they will never be able to escape the attention of people curious about their blond hair. Lorne Seabaths, Gym, inground Trampolines for kids, and more. 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? Although i highly recommend visiting Warrnambool, you may not have the time to spend there. Great commentary. Next, we got off the beaten track, taking an unnamed dirt road towards the shoreline. However, the Great Ocean Road is a hit at any time of the year and here is why . Frolic in the ocean and then head up to the lush rainforests abundant with wildlife. We want to book accommodation as we go . 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. The Great Ocean Road spans 200 kilometers, from Port Campbell in the west to Torquay in the east. 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. It was in this area that we were treated to stunning views. It can be done. Sightseeing Time: 4 hours. If you arent restricted to only 1 day, give yourself at least 2 days to do the Great Ocean Road drive. For several hours, we traveled along the Great Ocean Road, on very windy roads, through towns like Apollo Bay, Skenes Creek, and Lorne. Head forEastern Beachfirst. And to get your fill of more art you can visit theGeelong Art GalleryandThe Heritage Center. 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. There is no dearth of viewpoints on the Great Ocean Road and Teddys Lookout is another magnificent spot added to the list. Starting and finishing in Melbourne is how most people do the Great Ocean Road drive in 1 day. Some of the beautiful coastal towns you will come across during your drive are Apollo Bay, Cape Otway, Port Campbell, Torquay, and Lorne. Premiered at Melbourne International Film Festival. 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. The Great Ocean Road is a 243-kilometre (151-mile) route located along the coast of Victoria in southeastern Australia. We had a villa, a small, two bedroom cabin with a kitchen and ensuite bathroom. Make sure you book ahead though, as its not something you can just show up and do. The Great Ocean Road definitely has some dangerous turns. Most visitors to the Great Ocean Road travel from Melbourne, which is the nearest major city. However, if you only have 1 day to work with, then here are some suggestions to save yourself time. Most of the people here were Chinese. 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. Melbourne to Adelaide One Way Itinerary This route follows the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne to Adelaide and is approximately 1,250 km. . The same would not go for the rest of the Earth Trekkers. Bunyip Tours: Cute Penguins - See 1,940 traveler reviews, 941 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. 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. Hi Tracy, November is a beautiful time to travel the 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. 1. The Great Ocean Road in Victoria is a world-famous, Australian National Heritage-listed site along the Sydney to Melbourne drive. Read all of our articles in our. The Animal Condition (Feature Film) 2010 - Jun 20177 years. If you travel one way from Port Campbell to Melbourne (or vice versa), it is a 300 km journey. 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. MELBOURNE: Melbourne is our favorite city in Australia. These tours are crafted to help you cover most of it in a short span of time, something you may not be able to do as a tourist in the city. I am not looking forward to the conclusion of your trek. However, when the winds pick up it is best to stay above the Grotto. Reserve your spot here. Burrell received her first James Beard nomination for "Best Chef: Texas" in 2020 and . What used to be a swamp was reclaimed and turned into these pretty gardens in 1858. The Perth to Adelaide Drive (via the Nullarbor Plain) 3,700 km | 16 days Swim with dolphins, climb the giant Gloucester Tree, camp among . The road curves quite a lot and if you suffer from motion sickness carry anti-nausea medication or chew on citrusy candy to keep it in check. 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. Apart from the trip distance, refer Directions from Portland Ln to Mildura VIC 3500 for road driving directions! After passing through Port Campbell, youll pass by The Arch and London Bridge. The cliffs over the beach offer gorgeous views of the swells coming in from the Southern Ocean. 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. Adelaide to Melbourne via Great Ocean Road - how long? Stops. Departs: 7:00am. How far is the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne? For the best panoramic views in Apollo Bay head straight forMarriners Lookout. 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 best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! These two areas are highly populated by local surfers, keen to ride their magnificent waves. Happy travels. 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. 21 Awesome Things to Do in Ipswich, Queensland (2023 Guide), The Perfect 3 Days in Rockhampton Itinerary, 16 BEST Cairns Day Trips Not to Be Missed [2023 Guide]. Once youve had your fill, hop in the car for a quick drive and to the next and last destination of your road trip. 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. Explore the cool temperate rainforest of the Great Otway National Park, waterfalls on Great Ocean Road, best viewpoints, koalas, and wildlife. This is one of Victorias best bush and ocean walks. The coastline is awesome. The gorge has been named after a ship Loch Ard ran aground nearby and the rock pillars are named Tom and Eva after the only two survivors. 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. Now 2 pillars are left standing above the sea and make for an impressive view inPort Campbell National Park. You can also find the flight distance or distance to fly from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road. The drive offers plenty of places to stop off and explore. We parked at a small car park and were the only ones here. 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. Born to parents bit by the wander bug, Lakshmi calls her love for travel "hereditary and habitual". Getting stuck behind tour buses will add to your travel time. We had one day to drive the Great Ocean Road, including this in our travels from Adelaide to Melbourne. 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. It's also possible to travel from Melbourne to Adelaide via the Great . Drive Along the Great Ocean Road. Made famous for theRip Curl Prohosted every Easter, Bells Beach is not only beautiful but a huge part of both Australian and surf culture. DESTINATIONS AROUND THE WORLD: For more places to visit around the world, check out our Destinations page. 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. . The Great Ocean Road is where you experience breathtaking nature and the great outdoors of Australia! Brambuk: The National Park and Cultural Centre Through our stories and images we promote exciting off-the-beaten-path destinations and fascinating cultures as we go. What is the return distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? We love this place and even bought one of their horses a few years ago! The view of these sandstone pillars along the coastline is one of the Great Ocean Roads most famous. There are also speed traps to catch those not sticking to the limits with fines up to (and above) $300AUD. The waves here are huge and come fast and furious, making this area a great surfing spot. Head down to the Moyne River and stretch your legs along the wharves. 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. 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. It will stop off at most of the popular viewing spots. Where does the Great Ocean Road start and finish. Apollo Bay is a popular place, so make sure you have booked your accommodation ahead of time. The two-way highway is scenic as it gets and covers iconic landmarks like the Twelve Apostles, Apollo Bay, and the Otways. There were no surfers, really there was no one else here other than a few curious people like ourselves. What kind of still camera/lens are you finding most helpful? This lookout gives you the chance to see right out to sea and over the entire city. If you have the time, sample the delights near Warrnambool. It starts at the surfing town of Torquay and finishes near Warrnambool. 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 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. Here are a few budget Great Ocean Road tours you should consider. The Grotto is multiple geological formations rolled into one and is one of the most spectacular points to view the coast. One down side to this is that you will be travelling on the side of the road which isnt on the coast side. The Memorial Arch (youve probably seen photos of people standing underneath it) symbolises the start of the road. Did you know: The Great Ocean Road is the worlds largest war memorial, and was built by returning servicemen from World War I. Less traffic on the road and more time to spend at stops. Visit top wilderness destinations and picturesque towns on this epic 3-day tour from Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road and the Grampians. 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. A softUsvista Inc. venture! 1st Stop: Torquay. 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. Great Ocean Road starts at Torquay and finishes in Allansford. Its also a fantastic place if you are looking to see some native Australian wildlife. You can also find the distance from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road using other travel options like bus, subway, tram, train and rail. You can buy Great Ocean Road Tours online which would cover your itinerary and tickets for attractions. A drive between Melbourne and Adelaide via the inland route takes only 8 hours. 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. For many people, the Great Ocean Road is a highlight when visiting Australia. Your email address will not be published. From Portland, we drove 2 hours (160 km) to get to Port Campbell, the start of the Great Ocean Road. Planning a trip to Australia? What is the distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? 5+. I highly recommended checking out Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve and Port Fairy. If youd like to continue travelling Australia beyond the Great Ocean Road, you canhead northwest to Adelaide. Our self-drive itinerary includes driving via Robe and Victor Harbour though a side trip to include The Grampians could be included.