Yes, you can. Truly a paradise, the area is a popular destination for water sports and recreation activities. This is one of the best things, if not the best, that you can do in the state of Victoria in Australia. Victoria is the second-smallest state in Australia but packed with abundant natural beauty, all of which is easily accessible on quick day trips from Melbourne. A walkway just outside Lorne offers views of the ocean lapping up the mouth of the Saint George River and the Bass Strait. For several hours, we traveled along the Great Ocean Road, on very windy roads, through towns like Apollo Bay, Skenes Creek, and Lorne. Most of the highlights are located around Port Campbell. Further along, you will find verdant bush where koalas nest and then onto the lush rainforests with spectacular waterfalls and native wildlife. The landscape varies depending on which route you take. Read more about taking a Melbourne to Phillip Island Tour. Tyler and Kara joined us, took a look around, and then went back to their game. If your tour is on schedule you might find yourself some time for a swim. Frolic in the ocean and then head up to the lush rainforests abundant with wildlife. 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. A road trip along the Great Ocean Road & Grampians National Park is a trip where you feel small in the universe. Burrell received her first James Beard nomination for "Best Chef: Texas" in 2020 and . 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. Join our small group coastal adventure to the beaches, rainforests and more of the Great Ocean Road. After the Twelve Apostles, continue along the Great Ocean Road towards Port Campbell. The Great Ocean Road is one of the most epic road journeys you can go on across the world! Make sure you visit first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon for the best koala viewing times. Head down to the Moyne River and stretch your legs along the wharves. We still had a long ways to go. We set off from the city at 6am. Dont feed the koalas or the parrots as they are in the wild and any feeding them our food will disrupt their natural behaviour. Head forEastern Beachfirst. It offers easy transport options to Geelong and Torquay as well as plenty of car hire options. Whether you're a history buff, foodie, nature lover or adventurer get ready for a great weekend. Its definitely worth pulling over to read the history of the road as well as getting that classic holiday snap. Torquay is also home to theSurf World Museumwith tons of history about the sport and its fame in Australia. 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. 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. Check our. Would like to know what kind of still camera and lens you are using. 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. Its also a fantastic place if you are looking to see some native Australian wildlife. Hey! The total time you can expect to spend driving the Great Ocean Road and return, including stops, is at least 10 hours. Mum, works 2- 3 days a week, Tues and Wednesday and Friday and has the children in daycare and . This stone archway once formed a natural bridge over the gorge, but unfortunately collapsed almost a decade ago. Cannon Hillis a great place to start if you want to get the lay of the land. 5+. You can also use the share icon and share it on Facebook. Lorne Seabaths, Gym, inground Trampolines for kids, and more. We spent forty five minutes here and during this time we did not see one other person. Bunyip Tours: Great Ocean Road - See 1,943 traveler reviews, 942 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. It is a beast to carry around with me everyday but I love the photos get with it. In this post, we cover the best spots to see along the way. Don't be an idiot. Phone: +61 3 5227 9100 Toll Free: 1800 AVALON (1800 282 566) Getting to the Great Ocean Road By Car Travel time FROM MELBOURNE CBD 1hr 17min The step by step directions below should take you there: - Travel from Melbourne city onto the Westgate Freeway - Continue onto Princes Freeway - Continue onto Geelong Ring Road - Follow the signs for Torquay If you have limited time and can only do it in 1 day, then dont stress. 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. 1 Melbourne: 1-Day Entry Ticket to Melbourne Zoo. Sandstone cliffs plunging into the ocean, pillars of hardened sandstone sitting just offshore, all of this being pounded by some serious waves. The Great Ocean Road (B100) is one of Australia's most famous touring routes. 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. Subscribe, Home | Australia | The PERFECT Great Ocean Road Drive Itinerary (2023). The green forest with the winding highway meets the ocean here! Cruising the Great Ocean Road is ranked amongst the top things to do in Australia. 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. If you fancy trying your luck to spot some wildlife head out to nearbyLake Elizabeth. Bunyip Tours: See above for that. Deep lush valleys, sky-high rainforests, stunning waterfalls and tons of walking tracks make it a great spot to get off the beach and still be in nature. Our personal recommendation for where we stay in Apollo Bay every time is The Apollo Apartment. 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. 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. The Kennet River located between Lorne and Apollo Bay is one of the best places in Australia to view wild koalas. The driving distance from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 km. 375km of scenic winding roads along the southern ocean will take you through some of the countrys most beautiful UNESCO-listed landscapes. Check out our Great Ocean Road tours. You also get to enjoy free WiFi onboard, tea and snacks and relax in comfort between spots. Recommended Experiences Yarra Valley Full Day Gourmet Tour Skydive Yarra Valley Tandem Freefall. Check map and driving directions of your route which helps you find the destination easier. In Portland we stayed at the Portland Holiday Village. From AUD$940.00* per person, based on [] Melbourne to Adelaide One Way Itinerary This route follows the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne to Adelaide and is approximately 1,250 km. A total of 620 properties were sold via auction last . From AU $1625 to AU $1895 3 days ex flights. We want to book accommodation as we go . 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. The Great Ocean Road winds through picturesque locations that outdo one another in terms of visual extravaganza. For many people, the Great Ocean Road is a highlight when visiting Australia. ULURU: In our Guide to Uluru and Kata-Tjuta, learn how to get here, what to do, and how to plan your time. I am using a Canon 5D Mark iii with a 20-70 mm lens. Note: This post contains affiliate links. Brambuk: The National Park and Cultural Centre 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 . 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. A softUsvista Inc. venture! 5 Day Great Ocean Road Itinerary: Day 1 - Melbourne to Lorne Setting out on the first section of the Great Ocean Road will take you from the Victorian capital of Melbourne to the coastal town of Lorne. Great Ocean Road Tour 2 Days experience from Melbourne to Adelaide. Theyll even show you how to throw a Boomerang and spear! Now 2 pillars are left standing above the sea and make for an impressive view inPort Campbell National Park. 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. This is just because we really want to show you the best bits of the beautiful Great Ocean Road! Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. Visit some of the valleys most impressive wineries, go on a skydiving experience and simply kick your heels and relax. Purchase tickets. Discover some of the best things to do in Melbourne. Turn off for this road just before you reach Apollo Bay. 2011-2023 distancesfrom.com. What is the shortest road distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? From Melbourne, head to Geelong and then south to Torquay. If you're planning a self-guided tour, this could come handy. 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. December to February is the best time to take a Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne. Get outdoors on bushwalking, surfing and mountain biking expeditions or take the cultural route through galleries, museums and heritage attractions. Born to parents bit by the wander bug, Lakshmi calls her love for travel "hereditary and habitual". The same would not go for the rest of the Earth Trekkers. They finish at either the 12 Apostles or Warrnambool, and then drive back to Melbourne. Built in 1848, it sits at the edge of the ocean almost 90m over the Bass Strait. Drive from Melbourne, via the Princes Highway, straight to Warrnambool (over 3 hours drive). Other good breaks in addition to Bells Beach includeSan Juc, Winki Pop, Bird RockandSparrowsjust to name a few. You will want to try and get ahead of as many tour buses as you can. The return distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 Km. This often includes stopping at lookouts along the way. Would like to do it in 3 days, 2 nights lodging and still see a few things. It stretches for 243 kms. The Great Ocean Road is a 243-kilometre (151-mile) route located along the coast of Victoria in southeastern Australia. The coastline will be on the left side of the bus for Great Ocean Road tours starting from Melbourne, so if the bus seats are not pre-booked you can try to catch a window-seat on the left side. 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. From Portland, we drove 2 hours (160 km) to get to Port Campbell, the start of the Great Ocean Road. Drive Time: 30 minutes to Port Fairy, 4 hours to Melbourne. We love this place and even bought one of their horses a few years ago! ThePort FairyBotanical Gardensare a lovely spot for an afternoon walk and to admire the plants and flowers. Passing the iconic 12 Apostles and other amazing natural features carved into the expansive coastline the Great Ocean Road is a road trip to remember. Grab some coffee and stroll the foreshore. Hi Tracy, November is a beautiful time to travel the Great Ocean Road. What is the return 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). Stops. Griffiths Islandcan be accessed by a footbridge nearby to the wharf and is a great place to do a little bird watching. No, the Great Ocean Road isnt particularly dangerous to drive, as long as you take proper precautions. Other options include coming from Adelaide, so if this is you, just read the itinerary backwards. This lookout gives you the chance to see right out to sea and over the entire city. 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. If you have the time, sample the delights near Warrnambool. Starting and finishing in Melbourne is how most people do the Great Ocean Road drive in 1 day. Home to some of Australia's best-known surf beaches, Torquay marks the official beginning of the Great Ocean Road. Its not nearly as scenic to do it this way, but it does save you about 50 km and one hour of driving. Fabulous horse riding through the forest or down along a long golden beach. Loch Iel (Pink Lake) The inland Melbourne to Adelaide drive takes around 5.5 hours from the Grampians. 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. 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. A relaxed pace - The only 4 day Melbourne to Adelaide Great Ocean Road experience, allowing ample time for all the 'must-sees' along the iconic Great Ocean Road and Beyond. It starts in Torquay and continues westward to Allansford. We recommend Rental Cars, which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market. Here at Port Campbell National Park, we spent over two hours hopping from scenic view to scenic view. Whether you surf or not, it is a great place to stop and admire the ocean. If youd like to continue travelling Australia beyond the Great Ocean Road, you canhead northwest to Adelaide. Start your 3 day Great Ocean Road itinerary with a lazy morning in Torquay. An absolute must-do for anyone wanting one of the best views of this part of the Great Ocean Road is to book in for aTwelve Apostles Helicopter Ride. How far is the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne? DISCLAIMER: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you book accommodation, tours or buy a product, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. We can recommend a number of excellent companies who all use smaller buses which means more time at stops and more personalized experience. Loch Ard Gorge is a breathtaking natural formation just a short distance from the 12 apostles. 639. MELBOURNE: Melbourne is our favorite city in Australia. This is one way to get away from other tourists. After a late arrival intoWarrnambool,youll want to see a few of the sights the city has to offer. Surf Culture at Australian National Museum of Surfing. What is a partial cave, archway and blowhole, The Grotto is definitely something to marvel at. A dormant volcanic crater, Tower Hill is full of Australian wildlife (koalas, kangaroos, emus to name a few) and has lush wetlands and bush. Day 3 - Set of on the Great Ocean Road, staying overnight in the village of Lorne, halfway . 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. 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. If you don't want to take the ferry, you can also take the alternative route via Geelong by car, although the ferry crossing is much nicer. Thats how were going to structure this post for you. The Ultimate Melbourne To Yarra Valley Tour | Discover The Best Wineries, Chocolateries and Delicatessens! 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. Go-Ride a Wave! But all the views are spectacular on this stretch of the Great Ocean Road Trip. Great Ocean Road one-day itinerary. A large wave crashed on shore, quickly heading towards our cave and where we thought we would be safe. I am not looking forward to the conclusion of your trek. 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. It shows off sheer limestone cliffs, dairy farms and heathland, and gets you up close and personal with the crashing . The official length of the Great Ocean Road is around 243 km/ 151 miles. You can buy Great Ocean Road Tours online which would cover your itinerary and tickets for attractions. Director, editor and producer of feature documentary about animal welfare in farming. An alternative to this driving route is that you do it in the reverse order. Going up is going to be a task though! The cave was not very big, extending about ten meters back into the cliff from the opening. Along the way be sure to stop off at one of the small towns for a late afternoon-snack or coffee, or you can take a detour up to Ballarat for the night to learn about the gold rush. It can get quite chilly in winter and autumn, bring your warm clothes and it is always quite windy so keep a windcheater, scarf or cap handy. 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. 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. Brekkie tacos, smoothie bowls and a full lunch menu to eat in or take away will please anyone visiting. Carry a fast-drying towel, a bathing suit and a change of clothes to go swimming. The four of us were ecstatic to be off those winding roads. Returns: Approx 9:00pm. And to get your fill of more art you can visit theGeelong Art GalleryandThe Heritage Center. Find out about other waterfalls in the Otways. If you really want a unique perspective though, and love a bit of adventure, how does skydiving over the 12 Apostles sound? 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. The shortest road distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 Km. The Great Ocean Road is one of Australias great drives. Home to some of Australia's best-known surf beaches, Torquay marks the official beginning of the Great Ocean Road. However, if you only have 1 day to work with, then here are some suggestions to save yourself time. Apart from the trip distance, refer. Happy travels. Our self-drive itinerary includes driving via Robe and Victor Harbour though a side trip to include The Grampians could be included. While wandering around town youll surely spot a ton of street art, which is something Geelong is known for. It makes for a perfect family day out or holiday with friends. Duration: 5 Days Prices From: US$ 699 Trip Type: Self-Drives, Tailor-made Travel Ideas Australia See Trip Details I could not imagine trying to swim out past these waves, just to catch one right back to shore. 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. On a clear sunny day and depending on the tide you can get pretty close. READ MORE: Be sure to plan your best trip to Australia by using our Australia Travel Guide! This is a rare opportunity to work for a minimum of 3-6 months and with a start date late April. Today, at 4 pm, with clouds and a cold breeze, it did not look like much to us. Read 1 review. Most take this road trip to visit the iconic Twelve Apostles but fall in love with the grandeur of nature. Yes. A sandy trail took us down to a beach. Located less than 2 hours from Melbourne. The Great Ocean Road tour allows you to witness the spectacular surf coast of Torquay and Lorne, with their sandy white beaches and curling waves. Adults: $119 $104 Online special! It's also possible to travel from Melbourne to Adelaide via the Great . Headout is building the future of how we experience our cities. Screened at CinefestOZ, Portland International Film Festival, Social Justice Film Festival (Seattle), St Louis International Film Festival, Mostly . Depending on the vehicle you choose to travel, you can calculate the amount of CO2 emissions from your vehicle and assess the environment impact. 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 Recommended option Bus 3h 30m Even in Australia, Tyler and Kara were getting a lot of stares, this time from Chinese tourists. Not even 15km from Apollo Bay is the incredibly lush and beautifulGreat Otway National Park. Forget all about the stress of driving, checking the GPS and creating an itinerary of your own! Lorne is a picturesque town set between Loutit Bay and the Otway National Park, it is where the bush meets the ocean. But you may not have that luxury of time. It seemed like there was another amazing view every 400 meters, so we were jumping in and out of our car a lot. 52 Great Weekends > No 3: Portland No 3: Portland Located a little over 4hrs Melbourne, Portland is well worth the drive. It was in this area that we were treated to stunning views. What kind of still camera/lens are you finding most helpful? Recommended option Train 4h 12m Take the train from Southern Cross to Warrnambool Warrnambool - Melbourne Via Colac & Geelong $103 - $128 Most people start the Great Ocean Road drive from Melbourne to Torquay. Tip: If youre hungry on the drive back to Melbourne, stop at Colac for food. Hopetoun Falls Just gorgeous, the walk to these falls is not very far, though it does involve steps. We are a single Mum with 3 kids, 8yo Boy and 5 and 4 yo girls. It is a rest stop on the Great Ocean Road and gateway to spectacular waterfalls and viewpoints. This will start your Ocean Road drive in the opposite direction as most others, avoiding the busy traffic. Ziplining, surfing, horse riding, canoes, and kayaking, to name a few. TheForeshore Promenadeis a great place for a stroll as well and stretches on for about 6 km. 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. Includes: 4 nights' accommodation, 5 days unlimited km use of a compact sized car and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps. Discover. Explore the cool temperate rainforest of the Great Otway National Park, waterfalls on Great Ocean Road, best viewpoints, koalas, and wildlife. During your travel, you plan to visit the following-1) Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay, Victoria, Australia. Our website uses cookies. Its a highlight of a Great Ocean Road itinerary! So you may get lucky to lay your eyes on some of these cute local beach dwellers. But the Great Ocean Road is about so much more than its sinuous, coast hugging tarmac. 2 From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road and Wildlife Tour. Find out more, Along with so many natural attractions to experience, the Ocean Road also has activities to keep visitors on a self-drive tour busy for days. Finally, we made it to Bells Beach in Torquay, the end point of the Great Ocean Road. Reserve your spot here. 1. For just a moment though, it was neat peering out at the waves and the coastline from this unique vantage point. Most visitors to the Great Ocean Road travel from Melbourne, which is the nearest major city. 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. The Perth to Adelaide Drive (via the Nullarbor Plain) 3,700 km | 16 days Swim with dolphins, climb the giant Gloucester Tree, camp among . This dive spot is actually a ship that was wrecked off the eastern beach in Port Fairy in 1849. Getting stuck behind tour buses will add to your travel time. For those wanting to drive a bit further west, theres the historic harbour settlement of Portland which you can visit. From Torquay to Warrnambool (the last town on the Great Ocean Road), expect to spend at least 4 hours of driving which doesnt include stops. This is a great place not only to catch some stunner views but also to watch the fisherman come in with their catch, which you likely can find in the restaurants in town. The property at 36 Braemar Street sold for $6 million by private sale. 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. It will stop off at most of the popular viewing spots.

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