TheKennett River Koala Walkis the perfect place to get your fix. The Great Ocean Road Australia | Victoria's Most Scenic Stretch Purchase tickets. 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. 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. To save even more time, you can cut out Warrnambool completely from your drive. For several hours, we traveled along the Great Ocean Road, on very windy roads, through towns like Apollo Bay, Skenes Creek, and Lorne. Read more about taking a day trip from Melbourne to Yarra Valley. 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). Port Fairy offers great locations forscuba divingincludingThe Thistle. We had a villa, a small, two bedroom cabin with a kitchen and ensuite bathroom. Check out our Great Ocean Road tours. Get outdoors on bushwalking, surfing and mountain biking expeditions or take the cultural route through galleries, museums and heritage attractions. You dont have to miss out on this epic road trip just because you are short on time. . If youre looking to do a bit of waterfall chasing, this is a great place to find them! Melbourne to Apollo Bay 187 km/116 miles, about 3 hours Ease into your roadtrip with the leisurely drive from Melbourne to Torquay, just over an hour's drive. Great Ocean Road Tours that offer the best itinerary and great sights within a day from Melbourne. 12. BONUS Booking ahead of time ensures you wont miss out on the tour, and get the best price too! The Memorial Arch (youve probably seen photos of people standing underneath it) symbolises the start of the road. Follow our journey in real time on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. 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. The Great Ocean Road spans 200 kilometers, from Port Campbell in the west to Torquay in the east. Lorne is a picturesque town set between Loutit Bay and the Otway National Park, it is where the bush meets the ocean. However, Loch Ard Gorge is still a stunning place for a swim. Hello Ive so enjoyed the magnificent stories of your world tours and the stunning photos. We set off from the city at 6am. 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. If you want to get off the beaten path like we did, do not be afraid to try one of those unlabeled dirt roads. Your story was very useful for us to plan our one day trip in March 2020 just before the corona virus outbreak. 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. We would appreciate some advice for an itinerary driving from Melbourne to Cape Jervis via the Great Ocean Road visiting Phillip Island and Kennett River where we may hopefully see some Koalas, on the way. The drive offers plenty of places to stop off and explore. Dont feed the koalas or the parrots as they are in the wild and any feeding them our food will disrupt their natural behaviour. The same would not go for the rest of the Earth Trekkers. Dont want to drive but still want to see the Great Ocean Road? 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. The cave was not very big, extending about ten meters back into the cliff from the opening. The Great Ocean Road is a 243-kilometre (151-mile) route located along the coast of Victoria in southeastern Australia. 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. Over time it has been improved to create a peaceful and beautiful space to be enjoyed. Melbourne to Adelaide One Way Itinerary This route follows the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne to Adelaide and is approximately 1,250 km. Its a lot of driving. There are 4 ways to get from Melbourne to Great Ocean Road by train, 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. 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]. Lorne Seabaths, Gym, inground Trampolines for kids, and more. Iconic Animal Sightings. Stunning photos. Great Ocean Road Tours | Australia Vacations & Tours | Goway Read all of our articles in our. The Great Ocean Road in Victoria is a world-famous, Australian National Heritage-listed site along the Sydney to Melbourne drive. One Day Road Trip on the Great Ocean Road, Australia Route planner, Travel information, Victoria, Australia The direct route between these two locations is 142km, taking drivers around two hours to complete. 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 . However, if you're short on time and want to cover a good portion of the Great Ocean Road, signing up for an organized trip from Melbourne will come handy. From here you are well on your way to having covered a ton of ground. 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. Before you set off on your adventure though, you should know how long the road is and how long it takes to drive. 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. Great Ocean Road Drive Info - Time, Distance & Tips A total of 620 properties were sold via auction last . The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! - See 1,941 traveler reviews, 942 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. You don't have to miss out on this epic road trip just because you are short on time. It was nothing fancy but suited our needs for our family of four. You might even get a stretch of beach all to yourself, maybe for the best adventure of the day. Once in Warrnambool, it doesnt take long to drive to Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve. It shows off sheer limestone cliffs, dairy farms and heathland, and gets you up close and personal with the crashing . The Great Ocean Road (B100) is one of Australia's most famous touring routes. The Great Ocean Road Map of Best Things To See, 50 of the Best Attractions to see Great Ocean Road Stops, Activities and Attractions on the Great Ocean Road. Melbourne to Great Ocean Road: Self Drive Tour - 5 Days Your Great Ocean Road itinerary may be coming to an end, but dont worry, youll finish up with a dreamy little visit toPort Fairy. 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. I dashed out of the cave to higher ground, able to stay dry. 4 From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road Full-Day Trip. But one of the most incredible Great Ocean Road attractions is just around the corner. In the shadow of the Otway ranges meeting Cape Otway is the Apollo Bay, midway of the Great Ocean Road. Visit top wilderness destinations and picturesque towns on this epic 3-day tour from Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road and the Grampians. Hey! Planning a trip to Australia? 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.. Here's all you need to know about taking a Great Ocean Road Tour From Melbourne - itinerary, best tours, highlights and quick hacks. After passing through Port Campbell, youll pass by The Arch and London Bridge. Campervan Hire Great Ocean Road - Melbourne to Adelaide - Camper Champ Adelaide to Melbourne Drive Itinerary: Great Ocean Road Trip Bunyip Tours: Great Ocean Road - See 1,943 traveler reviews, 942 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. Wear comfortable shoes as there is a lot of walking to do. This was not anywhere near as scenic as Port Campbell National Park but was still worth seeing. 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. Guide to the Great Ocean Road, Victoria - Tourism Australia 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. How far is the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne? The distance from Adelaide to Melbourne is 1500km on this itinerary, which amounts to over 21 hours worth of driving. 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 . This port city is the second-largest in the state of Victoria and overlooks the gorgeousCorio Bay. Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia - Visit Victoria home Please note: this popular area is big and therefore the tour involves quite a lot of driving. For more trail information in Great Otway National Park, visit thiswebsite. 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. all things travel. It was awesome having this place all to ourselves, being able to explore without anyone else around. Imagine free falling from the sky onto these gorgeous views? Loch Ard Gorge is a breathtaking natural formation just a short distance from the 12 apostles. Great Ocean Road Itinerary 3 Days - Melbourne To Adelaide Drive 5 Day Melbourne to Adelaide via Great Ocean Road - Visit WA Online Great Ocean Road travel - Lonely Planet | Victoria, Australia You also wont be getting a sunset picture of the 12 Apostles as it will be one of your first major stops. Wonderful experience - Reviews, Photos - Bunyip Tours - Tripadvisor I am not looking forward to the conclusion of your trek. Today, it is a spot for whale watching and a centre for learning about the aboriginal history. It was another spot that was cool to see, even if it was just for a few minutes. The Ultimate Great Ocean Road Trip: From Melbourne to Adelaide - NeedaBreak 639. Bunyip Tours: Cute Penguins - See 1,941 traveler reviews, 941 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. This would end up being our favorite part of the day. Now youll be able to find the wreckage in shallow waters, which makes it great for divers to explore. Thanks Natalie Seltz Towson, MD. . Melbourne real estate: Full list of sales, auction results for February The beaches on the Great Ocean Road are fantastic for swimming, especially in the summer. You can buy Great Ocean Road Tours online which would cover your itinerary and tickets for attractions. DESTINATIONS AROUND THE WORLD: For more places to visit around the world, check out our Destinations page. December to February is summer, March to May is autumn, June to August is winter and September to November is spring. 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. The road covers a driveway of 243 km off the coast with pristine views of beaches, geological marvels, and rich forests. Bells Beach is a paradise for surfers; it is the location of the legendary annual Rip Curl Surfing competition. Mum, works 2- 3 days a week, Tues and Wednesday and Friday and has the children in daycare and . Find out more here. Its not nearly as scenic to do it this way, but it does save you about 50 km and one hour of driving. For those wanting to drive a bit further west, theres the historic harbour settlement of Portland which you can visit. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products, and regularly review these. 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. . Sail through the clouds with only 1 other person for an up-close and personal adventure. 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. 1 Day Great Ocean Road & 12 Apostles Tour $104 The area has a forest of gum and eucalyptus trees which are the main food source of koalas. Depart from Melbourne in the morning, and begin your Great Ocean Road journey. Did you know: The Great Ocean Road is the worlds largest war memorial, and was built by returning servicemen from World War I. 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. 2 From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road and Wildlife Tour. 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. Great Ocean Road Touring Route - Visit Victoria home 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. If you travel one way from Port Campbell to Melbourne (or vice versa), it is a 300 km journey. There were no surfers, really there was no one else here other than a few curious people like ourselves. We enjoyed our travels on the Great Ocean Road, the area of Port Campbell National Park being the highlight of the day. No 3: Portland - Visit Great Ocean Road Portland | Discover the many attractions of PortlandGetting Here - Portland Where does the Great Ocean Road start and finish. One of the most iconic road trips in all of Australia, if not the world, has got to be the Great Ocean Road drive. Made famous for theRip Curl Prohosted every Easter, Bells Beach is not only beautiful but a huge part of both Australian and surf culture. You can also try a different route while coming back by adding multiple destinations. Adults: $119 $104 Online special! Great Ocean Road - Wikipedia Through our stories and images we promote exciting off-the-beaten-path destinations and fascinating cultures as we go. Click on any of the numbers on the map of The Great Ocean Road to read all about the attraction. Dog-Friendly Great Ocean Road: Driving with a Dog - Travelnuity 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. Along the way you'll stop by the border of Victoria and South Australia and a red line marks the exact spot. The four of us were ecstatic to be off those winding roads. 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 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. The official length of the Great Ocean Road is around 243 km/ 151 miles. Built in 1848, it sits at the edge of the ocean almost 90m over the Bass Strait. 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. Portland is 6 hours (540 km) away from Adelaide. Wealso have information on a great hike in Kings Canyon and a recap of our experience in the Red Centre of Australia. The drive offers plenty of places to stop off and explore. If youve hired a car youll most likely collect it at the airport. Starting from Torquay, this route takes you through beautiful seaside towns and rain forests as you follow the winding road along the exquisite coastline. This is the start of their Great Ocean Road drive. It has diverse vegetation ranging from lush rainforest to rugged coastline, it has everything from stunning waterfalls to tranquil lakes. If you're planning a self-guided tour, this could come handy. In 1932, the road was thrown open to the public and has since then become one of the worlds best road trip destinations. Even in Australia, Tyler and Kara were getting a lot of stares, this time from Chinese tourists. 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. Depart Melbourne and travel over the West Gate Bridge through the vast volcanic plains en-route to Geelong. The waves here are huge and come fast and furious, making this area a great surfing spot. They are now a part of a National Park and protected, and are the perfect destination to view the sunset. Born to parents bit by the wander bug, Lakshmi calls her love for travel "hereditary and habitual". To get more information on the Great Ocean Road, visit the official tourism website here. Do you think that will be possible that time of year or do we have to book in advance ? Sandstone cliffs plunging into the ocean, pillars of hardened sandstone sitting just offshore, all of this being pounded by some serious waves. The Grotto is multiple geological formations rolled into one and is one of the most spectacular points to view the coast. After the gorge youll pass the town of Port Campbell. Children: $99 $94 (3 - 15 years) Minimum age 3 years. Some of the beautiful coastal towns you will come across during your drive are Apollo Bay, Cape Otway, Port Campbell, Torquay, and Lorne. Experience the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne to Adelaide. Truly a paradise, the area is a popular destination for water sports and recreation activities. Great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary Boutique Tour - Max 12 People - Viator 52 Great Weekends > No 3: Portland No 3: Portland Located a little over 4hrs Melbourne, Portland is well worth the drive. Melbourne to Great Ocean Road - 4 ways to travel via train - Rome2rio