A Guide to the Great Ocean Road Trip
I first visited the Great Ocean Road on a 3-day tour on my first backpacking journey in 2004. A couple of years later, I returned and did it the precise means. I employed a automotive in Melbourne with a pal and set off on an epic street journey from Melbourne to Adelaide. Of course, the Great Ocean Road is the spotlight of this self-drive journey, however we didn’t fairly know what to anticipate. It was my first street journey amongst many thrilling solo Road journeys.
Great Ocean Road Trip Itinerary Map
You can go to the Great Ocean Road by bus or on a guided tour from Melbourne. However, I like to recommend hiring a automotive in Melbourne and driving on this scenic coastal street. You will profit from the liberty of stopping alongside your means a number of occasions as a lot as you want with none tight schedule or restrictions.
How far is the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne?
From Melbourne, the gap is about 275 km to the 12 Apostles. It takes about 4-5 hours, contemplating the stops. However, all the part stretches for over 40 km. It’s greatest to take the coastal drive and make a number of stops in any respect the gorgeous locations. Then, on the best way again to Melbourne from Port Campbell, you possibly can take the M1 and go inland, which is about 210 km. The coastal drive is thrilling however tiring when driving alone. I might extremely advocate hiring a automotive in Melbourne and shifting by your self; here’s what we advocate for reserving a rental automotive in Melbourne.
Is the GOR street journey price it?
The Great Ocean Road drive from Melbourne just isn’t straightforward, however rewarding. If you aren’t used to driving, it will likely be difficult with all of the twists and bends, and there’s no U-turn. The panorama’s variety makes me need to return once more. We loved the attractive scenic views from many various lookouts; we watched surfers falling into the water, walked on sandy seashores, soaked up the ocean breeze, and marvelled on the towering timber, historic gum timber, and the remaining rainforests.
There is way to do and see alongside the Great Ocean Road. While the 12 Apostles are the most important spotlight of the street journey, it has extra to supply than a scenic coastal drive. Plenty of small villages, secluded bays, browsing seashores, lighthouses and previous buildings, native markets, and forest and nationwide parks alongside the coast are perfect for brief and medium-long walks and multi-day hikes. It’s about 300km to drive to the 12 Apostles, and also you want two full days to cease in any respect the locations.
What to see and do on a 2-day Great Ocean Road Trip
You can take into account many stops alongside your means, however beware that there aren’t any U-turns on the Great Ocean Road, so plan them rigorously and keep away from driving previous them. Here are my picks for the most effective locations to go to on the Great Ocean Road.
Where To Stay in Apollo Bay? 👉Apollo Bay Waterfront Motor Inn
From Geelong To Torquay’s Sunday Market
We first stopped at Geelong’s customer centre, an awesome place to gather wonderful informative materials and high quality recommendation on what to do and the place to cease alongside the Great Ocean Road. On a Sunday morning, I beloved this place; native folks volunteered on the Visitor Centre and have been extraordinarily useful. They gave wonderful recommendations on a number of spots to see Koalas within the wild.
From Geelong, we drove to our subsequent vacation spot: Torquay, a pleasant little village on the coast with a stunning Sunday market. Below are some good captures.
Browse via the stalls and have lunch there. You can style a few of the wonderful native and ethnic produce whereas listening to a music band.
Stop at Bells Beach and Guvvos Beach
The seashores alongside the Great Ocean Road are merely gorgeous. Just south of Torquay, you possibly can cease for a brief, lovely stroll from the place you possibly can get pleasure from an impressive view over the world-famous Bells Beach. This is simply one of many many breathtaking views you possibly can have from there.
I do know a secondary street takes you right down to the seaside entry, however don’t worry in the event you miss out on that stroll. On your drive to the 12 Apostles, there are lots of extra seashores the place you possibly can cease. Many seashores have quick access and are perfect for a lunch break, stretching your legs and filling your lungs with the contemporary ocean breeze.
After this attractive view, we determined to cease for a stroll on the seaside. Guvvos Beach is simply previous Anglesea. Please check out the gorgeous encounter we had there. You by no means know what beautiful encounters you will have. Here is a pleasant and playful canine who loves socialising. It’s really easy and all the time a pleasure to get to know the locals in Australia.
You by no means know what beautiful encounters you will have. Here is a pleasant and playful canine who loves socialising. It’s really easy and all the time a pleasure to get to know the locals in Australia.
See Kangaroos and Koalas
The man we met on the seaside gave us tip about a spot to spot kangaroos, the golf course in Anglesea. We discovered the golf course shortly however missed the koala spot. Bummer! For a second, I thought of turning the automotive and going again, however this was not a good suggestion. You ought to by no means make a U-turn whereas driving on the Great Ocean Road.
But was that unhealthy luck, or perhaps only a blessing in disguise? See what occurred to us a couple of minutes after we realised we missed that flip onto the Kennet River Koala Walk, the most effective place to see Koalas on the Great Ocean Road.
Suddenly, a child Koala appeared earlier than us, crawling in the course of the street. We gasped and couldn’t consider it. We safely stopped the automotive on the street’s edge and jumped out to have a look at him. He ran away to flee from people, however we felt relieved that he was now protected within the bush once more. Such a cute little koala. This is a lovely encounter; I’ll all the time treasure it.
Where To Stay in Port Campbell? 👉Anchors Port Campbell
Take a stroll within the Otway National Park
The Otway National Park is legendary for its unbelievable brief walks. You can take a number of, from 20-minute brief hikes to 1-2 hour average walks. But you possibly can spend days and weeks strolling the Great Ocean Road. Not many know that on this previous park, you possibly can see some rainforest stays in southern Australia!
You can’t match every little thing into two days. Since your time is restricted to a couple days, you should select what you need to do; we took just some brief walks.
And sure, I’ve stored the 91 km Great Ocean Road Walk for my subsequent go to. Below is an indication with loads of details about this attractive stroll, which may be performed in 6-10 days ranging from Geelong. It is a must-do for eager walkers. I like to recommend planning a few of the Great Ocean Road Short Walks.
See The Twelve Apostles
Last however not least, see the mighty Twelve Apostles from the viewing platform. Only eight stay, and the opposite 4 have collapsed into water erosion. For a close-up expertise, stroll down the steps to the seaside and go for a seaside stroll to absorb these majestic rock formations protruding of the water. They are positioned reverse Port Campbell National Park. After viewing the apostles, proceed your drive and cease at London Bridge and Loch Ard Gorge for extra gorgeous limestone rocks.
If you’re feeling extra adventurous, take a skydive tour over the 12 Apostles or take a non-public scenic flight.
Guided Tours and Activities on the GOR
If you like becoming a member of a guided tour as an alternative of a self-drive, you possibly can go on a full-day or perhaps a two-day guided journey from Melbourne. See under for some nice choices for a guided Great Ocean Road Trip.
Plan your Great Ocean Road Trip
I hope you loved my Great Ocean Road Drive from Melbourne. To plan your journey, try our full GOR information. To enable you to plan your Road Trip, try our guides about renting a automotive and about hiring a campervan in Australia.
Also, keep related with out roaming prices, arrange an eSIM card for worldwide journey, which works seamlessly, and retains you on-line all through your journey on the Great Ocean Road.” Check out extra journey planning assets.
Related Guides:
Complete Great Ocean Road Travel Guide
The Best Road Trips Of Australia
Australia Destinations
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First printed in 2019, final up to date in August 2025
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