Journey Time: 4 minutes from London BridgeStop Time: 20 minutes. You can then drive back to Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road route and choose the stops you are most interested in.
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. 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.
You need to park just off the road and then walk up the hill to the lighthouse.
Stock up on essentials, fill up the car, turn up the radio and head towards Apollo Bay! Sat & Sun by calculating the distance from Melbourne to Lorne. Hey! . You have given us a great itinerary to get the best out of our trip.
How Far are the 12 Apostles from Melbourne? - Great Ocean Road Tours We spent the first two nights in an incredible cottage overlooking the ocean at Points South by the Sea, a 15-minute drive before Apollo Bay. Journey Time: 1.5 hours from MelbourneStop Time: 10 minutes. beaches and quaint towns including Lorne or Apollo Bay. We were out for about four hours in total and were left with the afternoon to relax in our wonderful cottage. For more experienced surfers, and those looking to set foot onto a world-renowned surf beach, head toBells Beach. Book as far in advance as you can as it is very popular. So you may get lucky to lay your eyes on some of these cute local beach dwellers.
As one of the world's leading travel journalists, our content and adventures have been featured by National Geographic, Lonely Planet, CNN, BBC, Forbes, Business Insider, Washington Post, Yahoo!, BuzzFeed, Channel 7, Channel 10, ABC, The Guardian, and plenty other publications. Built in honour of the 3,000 soldiers who worked on this stretch of road after WWI, there is now also a sculpture there to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the arch. They are a beautiful sight amongst the dramatic cliffs and crashing waves as they change colour throughout the day. Its a longer walk to reach the waterfall than at Hopetoun Falls (it took us an hour return), but its lovely and peaceful through the forest of ferns, mountain ash, and myrtle beech. The gas log fire kept us warm. And to get your fill of more art you can visit theGeelong Art GalleryandThe Heritage Center. 5 Day Great Ocean Road Itinerary (Our Route), Where to Stay in Apollo Bay: Points South by the Sea, Where to Stay in Port Campbell: Anchors at Port Campbell, Search for more options in Port Campbell here, Check the latest prices of Anchors on Vrbo. As the area is popular with day tour buses from Melbourne, the Twelve Apostles are busiest in the afternoon. While the Great Ocean Road covers a ton of coastline, this national park is a gem located more on the inland route. Days: 5. Expert travel tips from a digital nomad couple, This page contains affiliate links. Relax and unwind in the seaside town of Lorne, attracting visitors for more than a century with its easy Mediterranean feel and charming scenery. . On this five-day self-drive trip, explore the coastal capital city of Melbourne and then hit the open road. hi guys my husband and l are going to drive the great ocean road in early November.
GOR Via inland Route - Great Ocean Road Forum - Tripadvisor Many people also continue inland to the Grampians National Park, a fantastic hiking and wildlife location, before returning to Melbourne via the old gold mining town of Ballarat. You will pass the Twelve Apostles on the way to Port Campbell, but its very crowded mid-afternoon so we left it for the next morning.
We do not recommend feeding wild birds, but it is exciting to see the koalas, and if you walk further down Grey River Rd it gets quieter.
You can sometimes see whales here in winter. 2pm Check into hotel. But all the views are spectacular on this stretch of the Great Ocean Road Trip. When you continue down the road, the Cape Patton Lookout Point is a good place for views. If you had plenty of time, you might want to spend a night here as there are some beautiful beaches and waterfalls nearby. 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. Keep an eye open as you wander the trails for koalas up in the trees and beautiful native birds soaring around too. The road starts in Torquay, and finishes in Allansford. The town of Port Campbell is in the middle of the park so you can take a break or have lunch there after visiting the eastern side (Twelve Apostles, Gibson Steps, and Loch Ard Gorge), before continuing west. A great photo op spot, this is one of the most photographed spots along the Great Ocean Road. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather.
This is where the exterior scenes of the familys lighthouse home were filmed!
Tasmania
Theres a pull-down bed in the living room so the cottages can sleep up to four people. Family. Theres also a small but well-equipped kitchen, a balcony with table and chairs, and a bathroom with an excellent shower and a spa bath with a view.
This is the only Great Ocean Road Map you will ever need. When we drove past around 2.30pm, the viewing platform was rammed.
It should take you just under 3 hours to drive from Warrnambool back . You can try chocolate buttons for free as you enter and then browse the massive selection of treats including lots of unusual flavours.
Great Ocean Road 2-Day Itinerary: The BEST Self Drive Itinerary What used to be a swamp was reclaimed and turned into these pretty gardens in 1858. The only exception is if you only have one day for the drive, which I explain below. For a great post-drive meal check out theGeelong Boathousefor a classic fish & chips by the sea. The ocean views are incredible and we could have happily spent all day curled up on the window seat with the fire roaring watching the waves crash down below.
There are a few hostels in the centre of this small townPort Campbell Guesthouse & Flash Packers has private rooms and a homely vibe, while Port Campbell Hostel has dorms and rooms (and a brewery next door). Youll also find theAustralian Surfing Hall of Famehere as well. Road trip: Melbourne to Adelaide in 6 days. Picking up and dropping off the car was quick and easy, and they are near Queen Victoria Market where you can pick up supplies for the trip.
Victoria
If you have one night/ two days to spend on the Great Ocean Road, I would follow the strategy above and drive directly to Port Campbell to get there before the tour buses. Back on the Great Ocean Road, the next section is quite different as it follows a more inland route and alternates sections through the forest with vibrant green rolling hills and farmland with fields of cows and sheep. From Beauchamp we drove back to Points South in about 45 minutes. This port city is the second-largest in the state of Victoria and overlooks the gorgeousCorio Bay.
There are many free campsites and serviced holiday parks along the route, and you can either pitch your own tent or drive a campervan.
Get the reverse directions for a
Avoid driving after dark as the roads are windy and unlit and theres the danger of hitting wildlife. Despite the name, there are only seven stacks (there were eight when they named it). You can tackle the Great Ocean Road in one long day, or break it up over a few days, which is what we suggest doing.
Melbourne to Great Ocean Road: Self Drive Tour - 5 Days As its a fairly leisurely drive why not break up the short journey and enjoy the sights of the Victorian Surf Coast along the way.
We were also planning to stop at Teddys Lookout on the way out of town, but visibility was so low we didnt bother.
3 must-do stops on a Melbourne to Lorne road trip - Mantra Then tuck into a delicious dinner at the Salty Dog Fish & Chippery along the beachfront, the perfect way to end a day of exploring. 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. Stop for lunch in Campertown - try a local cafe or bring a picnic to eat in the Botanic Gardens; Explore Port Fairy, including the bookshops mentioned in this post, and stay the night . We left Melbourne at 11 am, but I recommend an earlier start as we did feel a little rushed and theres lots to see on the way to Apollo Bay. There is no direct connection from Melbourne to Lorne. FromWarrnambool Breakwaterall the way toLogans Beachthis is a great spot to take in the coastal views and even pass a little penguin breeding ground.
Then back along the coast towards Melbourne, taking a small detour down to the cape otway lighthouse. Its not the best quality chocolate, but we still enjoyed it. What is a partial cave, archway and blowhole, The Grotto is definitely something to marvel at. We visited in mid-September (early spring) and there was frost on our car one morning, so tent camping is probably best in the summer. They are set up studio style (best for a couple) with the large comfortable bed on a platform at the back and a sofa, armchair, and small dining table at the front. . The sun wasnt quite high enough to illuminate the stacks, but an hour later it was, and there were even fewer people around. Jump out of a plane at 15,000 feet above the ground and get the best, most exhilarating views of the entire coastline.
If you fancy trying your luck to spot some wildlife head out to nearbyLake Elizabeth. You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving
If you are wondering the best direction to drive the Great Ocean Road, I recommend driving it from east to west, starting in Torquay. ThePort FairyBotanical Gardensare a lovely spot for an afternoon walk and to admire the plants and flowers. You can do a Great Ocean Road Trip at any time of year. Griffiths Islandcan be accessed by a footbridge nearby to the wharf and is a great place to do a little bird watching. I highly recommend visiting in the morning to truly enjoy it. Its a small village, but Port Campbell is a nice place to stop for a snack and some fuel. Via: Where should I stop along the way? Plan your journey with our route planner. .
The PERFECT Great Ocean Road Drive Itinerary (2023) - NOMADasaurus This dive spot is actually a ship that was wrecked off the eastern beach in Port Fairy in 1849. After passing through Port Campbell, youll pass by The Arch and London Bridge. Other options include coming from Adelaide, so if this is you, just read the itinerary backwards. As we were staying so close we were able to arrive early and easily take breaks between exploring different areas.
There were a few people around then (and some photographers just leaving) but it was still quiet. Yes, even this step is optional, because if you're on vacation From there you could continue the loop back down to the Great Ocean Road via Lavers Hill. and answers related to Lorne. We chose to drive back from Port Campbell to Melbourne via the inland route (3 hours) rather than continue on for the final section of the Great Ocean . The Arch is a giant archway in the ocean, and London Bridge is the same but is more square instead of arched to it looks like a bridge.
The Bay of Islandsoffers similar scenery to the Twelve Apostles but without the crowds. Established during early 19 th Century this town has come a long way, but it has also made a really good effort to stick to its roots. Make sure you check road conditions Along the way you can sample cheese, whisky, beer, chocolate, fudge, strawberries (in summer), ice cream, and olives from local producers. We take the coastal route on the way there, and head inland to explore The Otways on the way back.
ACT
Just around the corner is Timboon Fine Ice Cream where you can choose from a huge selection of unusual flavours including a whisky cream made with the drink from next door. Stop 2 Point Roadknight, Anglesea Theres also a cafe if you want a longer break. Thanks for your support, kind friend! This means youll be driving on the ocean side of the road and will have the best views and easy access to the many viewpoints. One of the most iconic road trips in all of Australia, if not the world, has got to be the Great Ocean Road drive. 8am-fly in, pick up car, drive to 12 apostles (inland route) 12.30- visit 12 Apostles, lunch ect, 2.30-Back on the road 5- Arrive at Lorne. Next we stocked up on supplies at the Foodworks supermarket (theres no big supermarket in Port Campbell) and bought a snack from the Apollo Bay Bakery. Once youve had your fill, hop in the car for a quick drive and to the next and last destination of your road trip. Lorne is made for lunches. We did not want to leave, but Port Campbell made a much more convenient base for exploring the Twelve Apostles and surrounding attractionswere glad we had a full day and two nights here.
Its barely even a hamlet, just a collection of houses and farms spread along the coast, but the bigger town Apollo Bay is only 15 minutes away. If it hadnt been raining so heavily, Im sure we would have stopped often for photos. There are two viewing platforms to admire London Bridge a short walk from the car park.
The Great Ocean Road Trip - A Three-Day Itinerary - Australian Traveller If you want an even better view of the Twelve Apostles, you can take a helicopter ride over them. They are impossibly cute and fluffy and we couldnt quite believe they were real. They are famous for their scallop pies but have plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Take the inland road via Colac and drive directly to Port Campbell (about 3 hours from Melbourne). Visit 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge. Days - 1, 2 & 3 - Melbourne CBD.
There are signs reminding you along the road as tourists driving the wrong way is a common problem.
Cannon Hillis a great place to start if you want to get the lay of the land. The road up into the forest is even windier than the coastal route and narrow in parts. We were more interested in luxury accommodation on the Great Ocean Road as we wanted a place where we could relax and enjoy the views between sightseeing trips. Lorne to Melbourne drive, or go to the main page to plan a new road trip. Required fields are marked *. At Timboon Railway Shed Distillery you can do whisky tastings and tours, but its worth a visit even if you dont sample their wares.
Great post guys, you have inspired me to take a trip here when I finally get to Australia again! There are striking cliffs and rock formations, easy coastal walks, and interesting history. There are several veggie options and the lentil burger was decent, if nothing special.
The best Great Ocean Road stops are in the Port Campbell National Park (including Twelve Apostles) so focus your time here. One of Victoria's most scenic drives, Great Ocean Road provides plenty of exciting pit stopsexplore the surfing town of Bells Beach, discover the waterfalls of Lorne, zipline through the Otway Ranges, and visit The Twelve Apostles rock formations. The whole trail is about 15km, but your best chances for spotting the cute indigenous animals are about 6km in atGrey River. And your Great Ocean Road route should not miss out on two other attractions nearby either.
Journey Time: 4 minutes from The ArchStop Time: 20 minutes.
Its most famous for the Twelve Apostles rock formations, but theres lots to see along the stunning Shipwreck Coast. Search for more options in Port Campbell here. The Great Ocean Road (2 mentions) You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend. Brekkie tacos, smoothie bowls and a full lunch menu to eat in or take away will please anyone visiting. If youre looking to do a bit of waterfall chasing, this is a great place to find them!
Day 1: Melbourne to Apollo Bay Distance: 195km Drive Time: 3 Hours Sightseeing Time: 5 Hours For most people, the trip will start in Melbourne and can be done in a loop or a return journey. Having your own vehicle is highly recommended so you can really explore all the things to see on the Great Ocean Road, as it really is one of the Australias top destinations. We didnt expect to spend so long at a chocolate shop, but this place is huge!
If you cant drive or only have a day available, this Great Ocean Road Day Tour is popular. Alternatively, you can take a vehicle from Melbourne to Lorne via Geelong and Geelong in around 3h 53m. There are plenty more accommodation optionsin Apollo Baysearch on Vrbo for holiday rentals or Booking for hotels, motels and B&Bs. From your third and final spot it will only be around a 30 minute drive to your final destination, we recommend settling into your Lorne accommodation, then either relaxing or going for a wander around the quaint town of Lorne. They are full of handmade art and crafts and locally made treats to indulge in like jams, pastries, pickles and ice-cream.
Bells Beach (4 mentions) The Marriners Lookout is a short drive from the centre of town and a 5-minute uphill walk from the car park. Its a hub for the local food scene with a small shop selling cheese, wine, beer, condiments and other products made in the area. The huge natural limestone arch was formed by erosion and you can see the power of the waves that caused it.
Our particular itinerary starts in Melbourne and finishes in Port Fairy over 3 days, and is the exact route we have personally done numerous times.
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Where does the Great Ocean Road start and finish. If wed had an extra night, wed have spent it at Points South by the Sea just so we could have a relaxation day in our cottage enjoying the view and local walks.
7am-Leave Lorne .
Loch Ard Gorgeis the first attraction on the way, just a stones throw from the Twelve Apostles. Continue on from this point as there are tons of Great Ocean Road attractions to come.
To drive direct from the Melbourne CBD to Torquay, where the road officially starts, is 104km, or 1 hour and 20 minutes. We rented a car from the local company Advance Car Rental in Melbournea Toyota Corolla cost us $158 for six days. The ultimate Melbourne to Adelaide roadtrip along the Great Ocean Road and taking in Lorne, Apollo Bay, Port Fairy, Mount Gambier and Victor Harbour.
Port Fairy offers great locations forscuba divingincludingThe Thistle. G.O.R.G.E Chocolates (20 minutes from Port Campbell) is a small, low-key chocolate shop thats very different from the touristy affair of the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie.
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