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. 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. The Ultimate Guide To Watch Phillip Island Penguin Parade. Imagine free falling from the sky onto these gorgeous views? ThePort FairyBotanical Gardensare a lovely spot for an afternoon walk and to admire the plants and flowers. The drive offers plenty of places to stop off and explore. The spectacular Great Ocean Road hugs the seaside cliffs that snake along the wild and windswept Southern Ocean. A little warning about the Penguin Parade: It is very touristy and professionally put together. Theres so much to see and do, so you dont want to be left feeling rushed and tired at the end of your trip. 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. Featuring the major stops, seaside towns and villages along the Great Ocean Road including Torquay, Anglesea, Airey's Inlet, Lorne, Wye River, Kennett River, Apollo Bay, Port Campbell National Park, Port Campbell and Allensford; plus Warnambool and Port Fairy (as an extension to the official end of the Great Ocean Rd at Allensford.) 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 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. Its a small village, but Port Campbell is a nice place to stop for a snack and some fuel. This will start your Ocean Road drive in the opposite direction as most others, avoiding the busy traffic. Day 3: Warrnambool to Port Fairy then Melbourne (or Adelaide). Great Ocean Road & Melbourne itinerary and attractions Day 1: Arriving in city of Melbourne Australia. The four of us made our way over to the cave, dodging waves washing up onto shore with approaching high tide. Lookout on the ocean from May to September as you might spot Whales! Dont feed the koalas or the parrots as they are in the wild and any feeding them our food will disrupt their natural behaviour. Thousands of visitors flock here for summer and for festivals during the year, including the world famous Folkie. While wandering around town youll surely spot a ton of street art, which is something Geelong is known for. It sounds daunting but it's going to be broken down into very manageable chunks. The Twelve Apostles marked the end of the most scenic of viewpoints but did not end our journey down the Great Ocean Road. No, the Great Ocean Road isnt particularly dangerous to drive, as long as you take proper precautions. Head down to the Moyne River and stretch your legs along the wharves. 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. Go-Ride a Wave! The Grotto is one of the most impressive sections of the coastline, and essentially a sinkhole. Drive from Melbourne, via the Princes Highway, straight to Warrnambool (over 3 hours drive). How long does it take to drive the Great Ocean Road? FromWarrnambool Breakwaterall the way toLogans Beachthis is a great spot to take in the coastal views and even pass a little penguin breeding ground. Surf lessons can be booked in Lorne, Anglesea, Torquay, and Ocean Grove. The direct route between these two locations is 142km, taking drivers around two hours to complete. But that does not take away from the impressive views at all. . Sail through the clouds with only 1 other person for an up-close and personal adventure. Its a lot of driving. Find out more here. This is one way to get away from other tourists. Day 3: Warrnambool to Port Fairy then Melbourne (or Adelaide) Distance: 30km to Port Fairy, then 312km to Melbourne. Read our detailed blog to know all about Skydiving in Melbourne and book your Great Ocean Road skydive. Once in Warrnambool, it doesnt take long to drive to Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve. Make sure you book ahead though, as its not something you can just show up and do. 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. Even in Australia, Tyler and Kara were getting a lot of stares, this time from Chinese tourists. All the points of interest mentioned above are marked on the Great Ocean Road Map below. The Obelisk sits atop a rugged coastline, which is rapidly being eroded by the harsh elements. For several hours, we traveled along the Great Ocean Road, on very windy roads, through towns like Apollo Bay, Skenes Creek, and Lorne. A staircase leads you to view it at the eye-level and is best experience at low tide at sunrise or sunset. Starting from Torquay, this route takes you through beautiful seaside towns and rain forests as you follow the winding road along the exquisite coastline. 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. Bells Beach is Australias premiere surf spot, a spot also labeled by some as the best surfing destination in the world. The distance between Portland Ln to Mildura VIC 3500 is 542 Km by road. During your travel, you plan to visit the following-1) Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay, Victoria, Australia. Do you think that will be possible that time of year or do we have to book in advance ? Read more about taking a day trip from Melbourne to Yarra Valley. If you have the time, sample the delights near Warrnambool. For those wanting to drive a bit further west, theres the historic harbour settlement of Portland which you can visit. It has diverse vegetation ranging from lush rainforest to rugged coastline, it has everything from stunning waterfalls to tranquil lakes. Less people in your 12 Apostles selfie! For just a moment though, it was neat peering out at the waves and the coastline from this unique vantage point. 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. What is the distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? 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. 3 Melbourne: SEA LIFE Aquarium Entrance Ticket. This stone archway once formed a natural bridge over the gorge, but unfortunately collapsed almost a decade ago. Other good breaks in addition to Bells Beach includeSan Juc, Winki Pop, Bird RockandSparrowsjust to name a few. The distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 Km by road. Discover some of the best things to do in Melbourne. Home; Timetables Train & coach timetables; Plan a journey We drove from Adelaide to Portland, spent the night in Portland, and then drove the Great Ocean Road. Burrell has studied under expert chefs, including Tom Aikens in London, Monica Pope in Houston, and Tyson Cole. You dont have to miss out on this epic road trip just because you are short on time. The whole trail is about 15km, but your best chances for spotting the cute indigenous animals are about 6km in atGrey River. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Adelaide to Melbourne via Great Ocean Road - how long? The Memorial Arch (youve probably seen photos of people standing underneath it) symbolises the start of the road. There is also a plaque on the left side of the road which serves as a memory for the soldiers. From Melbourne to Torquay (the first town on the Great Ocean Road), it will take you about 1.5 hours. We had one day to drive the Great Ocean Road, including this in our travels from Adelaide to Melbourne. you really need 2-3 weeks to make the most of this itinerary, especially as you're going to be going over to Kangaroo Island. The Great Ocean Road is a 243-kilometre (151-mile) route located along the coast of Victoria in southeastern Australia. You can also carry a pair of flip flops or sandals if you wish to dip your feet in the ocean at Loch Ard Gorge or any other beach enroute. The official limit on the B100 (the Great Ocean Road) is between 80-100km per hour; in towns between 50-70km/h, and when there is traffic and during busy periods, as low as 30km/h. Kms. The same would not go for the rest of the Earth Trekkers. 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. Depending on the vehicle you choose to travel, you can calculate the amount of CO2 emissions from your vehicle and assess the environment impact. Ziplining, surfing, horse riding, canoes, and kayaking, to name a few. 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. 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. The total distance you can expect to drive is over 600 km. hi guys my husband and l are going to drive the great ocean road in early November. In Portland we stayed at the Portland Holiday Village. Great Ocean Road Tours that offer the best itinerary and great sights within a day from Melbourne. The Kennet River located between Lorne and Apollo Bay is one of the best places in Australia to view wild koalas. This port city is the second-largest in the state of Victoria and overlooks the gorgeousCorio Bay. This is a stop that not a lot of tourists know about, so you can avoid the crowds and see and experience more than most people would on their Great Ocean Road trip. The Great Ocean Road spans 200 kilometers, from Port Campbell in the west to Torquay in the east. After the Twelve Apostles, continue along the Great Ocean Road towards Port Campbell. A total of 620 properties were sold via auction last . You will receive a link to create a new password via email. 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. Although most Great Ocean Road tours offer snacks they might be limited and since you are in for a long day its best to stock up on extra snacks and beverages for the road. Melbourne to Adelaide One Way Itinerary This route follows the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne to Adelaide and is approximately 1,250 km. Today, it is a spot for whale watching and a centre for learning about the aboriginal history. After a late arrival intoWarrnambool,youll want to see a few of the sights the city has to offer. One of the best things to do here is take a walk out on thePort Fairy Wharves. Private Great Ocean Road tour. 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. In the shadow of the Otway ranges meeting Cape Otway is the Apollo Bay, midway of the Great Ocean Road. Get outdoors on bushwalking, surfing and mountain biking expeditions or take the cultural route through galleries, museums and heritage attractions. Port Fairy is a tiny town on Victorias iconic shipwreck coast with a charming vibe and an exciting causeway that leads you out to an island worth exploring too. Our journey ended an hour and a half later, finally at Melbourne. 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. Grab some coffee and stroll the foreshore. What is a partial cave, archway and blowhole, The Grotto is definitely something to marvel at. Stock up on essentials, fill up the car, turn up the radio and head towards Apollo Bay! 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. Check, (2 hrs However, the Great Ocean Road is a hit at any time of the year and here is why . 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. Your Great Ocean Road itinerary may be coming to an end, but dont worry, youll finish up with a dreamy little visit toPort Fairy. 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. A road trip along the Great Ocean Road & Grampians National Park is a trip where you feel small in the universe. Read all of our articles in our. Finally, we made it to Bells Beach in Torquay, the end point of the Great Ocean Road. For the best panoramic views in Apollo Bay head straight forMarriners Lookout. Tyler and Kara joined us, took a look around, and then went back to their game. Bunyip Tours: Cute Penguins - See 1,940 traveler reviews, 941 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. Explore the cool temperate rainforest of the Great Otway National Park, waterfalls on Great Ocean Road, best viewpoints, koalas, and wildlife. 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 cave was not very big, extending about ten meters back into the cliff from the opening. Purchase tickets. Just a few minutes west of the border you'll come across a beautiful pink salt lake. The property at 36 Braemar Street sold for $6 million by private sale. PLACES TO GO IN AUSTRALIA: Spend some time in Sydney, go wine tasting in Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, explore Uluru and the Red Centre of Australia, visit Melbourne, go snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, and dont miss Tasmania, one of our favorite places in Australia. The first destination is Bells Beach in Torquay, a famous location for surfers. There is no dearth of viewpoints on the Great Ocean Road and Teddys Lookout is another magnificent spot added to the list. This iconic route stretches 243km between the towns of Allansford and Torquay, and the most well-known attraction on the Great Ocean Road has to be the Twelve Apostles limestone stacks. From AU $1625 to AU $1895 3 days ex flights. To drive direct from the Melbourne CBD to Torquay, where the road officially starts, is 104km, or 1 hour and 20 minutes. 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. 6 Melbourne: Werribee Open Range Zoo Admission Ticket. Recommended option Bus 3h 30m This isnt a big deal though as you will still have great views of the scenery either way. You can spend more time at each location and engage in activities like trekking, swimming and adventure sports. Here are a few budget Great Ocean Road tours you should consider. It starts in Torquay and continues westward to Allansford. Find more of them listed here. 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. For more information on routes and trails visit the websitehere. From below the steps you can marvel at the 70m limestone stacks from up close and feel the power of nature. 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. GREAT OCEAN ROAD Routing: Melbourne to Adelaide Duration: 5 Days Code: M01 From AUD$685.00* per person, based on standard double/twin share accommodation. It makes for a perfect family day out or holiday with friends. Read all of our articles in our Australia Travel Guide. The Great Ocean Road is where you experience breathtaking nature and the great outdoors of Australia! From Melbourne, head to Geelong and then south to Torquay. From here you are well on your way to having covered a ton of ground. 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 . It is comparable to Big Sur in California with coastal views, winding roads, and many, many scenic viewpoints. If you are spending a night while on the road, the best coastal towns to rent a motel are Anglesea, Lorne, Apollo Bay and Around the Otway National Park. It has great local produce, excellent surf beaches, and play parks for the kids to burn off energy.