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 . Journey Time: 4 minutes from The ArchStop Time: 20 minutes. The steps lead to a beach where you can get another view of the Twelve Apostles, but unfortunately, they were closed for safety reasons on our visit. Then, if you like, you can descend to the foot of the falls via a 30-minute hike. Other lunch options are Movida which was recommended to us for tapas or The Swingbridge Cafe is right on the beach. This connects to the more distant, and much quieter, Living on the Edge walk (to the right of the car park) where you can see Muttonbird Island and enjoy more gorgeous coastal views.
Great Ocean Road (6 mentions) If you had plenty of time, you might want to spend a night here as there are some beautiful beaches and waterfalls nearby. The large corner window seat is the perfect place to enjoy the views in winter, and for warmer weather, theres a large balcony with a table, chairs, and BBQ. They live in the eucalyptus trees behind the caravan park and are not hard to find.
A Great Ocean Road Backpackers Guide: Lorne to Port Fairy Journey Time: 25 minutes from Aireys InletStop Time: 50 minutes. Your email address will not be published. However, Loch Ard Gorge is still a stunning place for a swim. We walked all of the trails except for the furthest section between Broken Head and Sherwood Estuary and walked a total of 6km (3.7 miles). You can also buy a toasted sandwich or cheese platter ($20). Great post guys, you have inspired me to take a trip here when I finally get to Australia again! Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the We already have plans to return and will perhaps try the 100km Great Ocean Walk next time.
The Lightstation is open every day from 10am 5pm (except for Christmas Day), but if you arrive out of hours, you can still walk along the lovely coastal trail that starts by the car park.
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. While driving to Lorne we had our first Australian wildlife experiencean echidna crossing the road. You can sometimes see whales here in winter. The Grotto is unlike any of the other rock formations in the area. Start early, drive Melbourne > Geelong > Colac > 12 Apostles; this inland route is much faster.
Lorneis the closest town from the arch and a great spot to grab some lunch atBottle of Milk, use the facilities and continue on towardsKennett River. 1 hour, 50 minutes/92 kilometres A touch over 100 kilometres from Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport, Torquay marks the Great Ocean Road's official launch point. If you just wanted a quick stop, you could do that in about 15 minutes, but its worth following one or all of the three marked trails.
288 km/179 miles, about 3.5 hours. Lorne is one of the most popular towns on a Great Ocean Road Trip.
Languages. This lookout gives you the chance to see right out to sea and over the entire city. It starts in Torquay, which is 105km (65 miles) from Melbourne, and continues westward along the coast to finish at Allansford near Warrnambool. On the way back to Melbourne, do some . That way you can travel at your own pace, avoid the crowds, and have more time to enjoy the many Great Ocean Road attractions beyond the Twelve Apostles.
By clicking the Submit button, you give consent for us to store your information for the purposes of displaying your comment and you accept the terms of our Privacy Policy. There are more motels than boutique hotels in the area. Visit 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge. 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. The inland route via Ballarat and Bordertown is faster, but the Great Ocean Road is an incredible experience. The ocean route via Angelsea (159km) is a spectacular coastal drive and an excellent introduction to the Great Ocean Road. Make sure you visit first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon for the best koala viewing times.
hi guys my husband and l are going to drive the great ocean road in early November. Reserve your spot here.
The Ultimate Melbourne to Sydney Road Trip Itinerary Lorne to Melbourne drive, or go to the main page to plan a new road trip. What used to be a swamp was reclaimed and turned into these pretty gardens in 1858. We didnt bother stopping in Torquay where the Great Ocean Road officially starts, but you might want to visit if youre interested in surf wear. 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. 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. Learn a little about the surfing history of the town at the Surfworld museum, and if youve brought your board along with you a paddle at Famous Bells Beach, home of the Rip Curl Pro, is a must do. TheForeshore Promenadeis a great place for a stroll as well and stretches on for about 6 km. you can get answers personalized for your tastes, budgets, I recommend packing a water bottle (we always travel with a few Vapur flexible bottles as they are light and foldable when empty) and a travel coffee mug or thermos. Journey Time: 15 minutes from Points South by the SeaStop Time: 15 minutes. 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. As Victorias 5th largest city, Warrnambool is a lot bigger than most of the seaside towns along the Great Ocean Road drive.
Park at the Kafe Koala and follow the crowds. We saw an adorable mother and baby koala! 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. However, the views arent affected by the bigger cityscape. Nearby youll find another popular waterfall, Triplet Falls (a one hour walk).
Journey Time: 5 minutes from Twelve ApostlesStop Time: 1 hour 35 minutes. ThePort FairyBotanical Gardensare a lovely spot for an afternoon walk and to admire the plants and flowers. There are toilets here but not at Hopetoun Falls. Following the Otway Harvest Trail choose between local breweries, berry and fruit farms with quaint cafes, provedore grocers and restaurants a plenty.
If you have an extra night, you could add it to either of those locations depending on your interestsApollo Bay is nearer forests and waterfalls and Port Campbell is nearer the Twelve Apostles and many other beautiful coastal rock formations.
Get detailed, easy-to-follow driving or walking directions. Day 1: Melbourne to Port Fairy via inland route. There is a walking track around the island and on the most westerly point youll find a lovely little lighthouse and a pretty viewpoint too. You can then drive back to Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road route and choose the stops you are most interested in. You can follow a very similar itinerary to ours, but youll need to pack more in every day. 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.
This is where the exterior scenes of the familys lighthouse home were filmed! 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. If you are on a budget, the cheapest way to do a Great Ocean Road Trip is by camping. Anyone remember the 90s TV show Round the Twist? 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. 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. The road starts in Torquay, and finishes in Allansford.
Port Fairy. Train operators. Stop 1 - Torquay The official start of The Great Ocean Road, Torquay is a town with an ingrained surfing culture. Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Melbourne to Lorne.
Make sure you check road conditions Jan Juc Theres also a cafe if you want a longer break. Its most famous for the Twelve Apostles rock formations, but theres lots to see along the stunning Shipwreck Coast. There are signs reminding you along the road as tourists driving the wrong way is a common problem.
Queensland
drive for about 15 minutes 2:37 pm Great Ocean Road stay for about 1 hour and leave at 3:37 pm drive for about 24 minutes 4:01 pm arrive in Lorne driving 2 hours Change your route From: To: Alternate route Enter a city to drive through, or find all trips from Melbourne to Lorne. Top Road Trips Stops: Torquay, Lorne, Great Otway National Park, 12 Apostles, Logan's Beach, Mount Gambier.
Particularly loved those places you stayed, will have to check them out.
We didnt expect to spend so long at a chocolate shop, but this place is huge!
Covering nearly 200 hectares, this park is one of the few Great Ocean Road highlights that is not a beach. Keep an eye open as you wander the trails for koalas up in the trees and beautiful native birds soaring around too. This map shows the best things to see on the Great Ocean Road drive. Expect to see beaches, waterfalls, forests, lighthouses, limestone formations, koalas, and if youre lucky, whales. If you are wondering the best direction to drive the Great Ocean Road, I recommend driving it from east to west, starting in Torquay. Check out Points South on Vrbo or compare prices on Booking.com. Our last full day was dedicated to the Port Campbell National Park. Thanks for your support, kind friend! You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving Beauchamp Falls wasnt on our original plan but ended up being my favourite stop of the day. The drive from Melbourne to Lorne isnt particularly long, only around 2 hours all up.
The three stops above are a good half-day trip, but if you have a full day you can continue on to Otway Fly Treetop Adventures where you can go zip lining (book ahead, $120) or walk above the trees on the elevated treetop walk ($25).
The weather can play a huge part in what is visible and how close you can get to this area. Another worthwhile detour on the way to Port Campbell is Wreck Beach, but we didnt have the energy to stop. Take in the beauty of the 12 Apostles. The cottage is very well-equipped and Bryan is a fantastic host who goes out of his way to help you make the most of your stay and share his tips for the area. This gives you the opportunity to see the quieter countryside inland of vibrant rolling hills and farmlandyou could almost be in England. Quest Warrnambool is the perfect place to do just that. It's okay, you can start planning your Get the reverse directions for a The extensive grounds contain much more than just the lighthouse and you can learn about the history dating back to 1848 and enjoy fantastic views of the rugged cliffs.
stay for about 1 hour and leave at 3:37 pmdrive for about 24 minutes, Shadowfax Wines Please read our. We visited two stops in the tiny town of Timboon for lunch and fitted in a couple more on our way back to Melbourne the next day. The return walk took us 20 minutes and it is rather a steep climb back up.
While wandering around town youll surely spot a ton of street art, which is something Geelong is known for.
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 Road that ends just before Warrnambool. Dinner, stay over night.
There are some short trails you can follow, but we didnt have time to go far. Avoid driving after dark as the roads are windy and unlit and theres the danger of hitting wildlife.
However, you can take the train to Geelong, take the walk to Geelong, then take the bus to Lorne Visitor Centre/Great Ocean Rd. This was our Great Ocean Road route. Click the button below to explore more questions
Journey Time: 10 minutes from Port CampbellStop Time: 1 hour 25 minutes. 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. Wye River is just over two hours drive from Melbourne via the M1.
Book as far in advance as you can as it is very popular.
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The PERFECT Great Ocean Road Drive Itinerary (2023) - NOMADasaurus We didnt do this but tours take place every half an hour from 11am until 1.30pm for 3045 minutes and cost $10. The cottages are modern and stylish with big windows to make the most of the views of the rolling green hills and ocean beyond. Most of the time I was fine in my Allbirds wool runners, but I was glad for hiking shoes on the muddy trails to the waterfalls in Great Otway National Park.
Location - Tucker House Wye River It would also be tempting to continue down past the end of the road to Warrnambool or Port Fairy for a night and visit the nearby Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve for a chance to see koalas, kangaroos, and emu in the wild. You can walk to a few viewing platforms to admire the towering limestone stacks from different angles. Join the adventures on our YouTube channel! .
READ MORE: Be sure to plan your best trip to Australia by using our Australia Travel Guide! By Ellie Schneider Surf at Bells Beach, walk among the 12 Apostles and sample wine in McLaren Vale on this five-day journey along Australia's dramatic south-east coastline. As it's a fairly leisurely drive why not break up the short journey and enjoy the sights of the Victorian Surf Coast along the way. 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. The only exception is if you only have one day for the drive, which I explain below. 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. The trip from Adelaide to Melbourne takes around 8 hours if you go the inland route. The 20-metre falls crash over a ledge with a backdrop of lush ferns and the forest towering above. We are Alesha and Jarryd, the award-winning writers and professional photographers behind this blog. As we were staying so close we were able to arrive early and easily take breaks between exploring different areas. . If you want an even better view of the Twelve Apostles, you can take a helicopter ride over them. 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. Learn how your comment data is processed.
For a view worth getting out of the comfort of your car for, your next stop is Point Roadknight in Anglesea.
I recommend overnight stays near Apollo Bay and Port Campbell as we did. If you cant drive or only have a day available, this Great Ocean Road Day Tour is popular.
Melbourne to Adelaide: A 5-day road trip - Tourism Australia Trippy is where Now youll be able to find the wreckage in shallow waters, which makes it great for divers to explore. One of the best walking tracks to visit here isMelba Gulleywhich is full of gorgeous giant fern trees and home to glow worm caves, which are best seen after dark. They have cheaper compact cars and you can drive the route in any vehicle. You can do a Great Ocean Road Trip at any time of year. The views of the town and coastline are superb. We were also planning to stop at Teddys Lookout on the way out of town, but visibility was so low we didnt bother. 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. The official start of The Great Ocean Road, Torquay is a town with an ingrained surfing culture. You can't put 'Australia' and 'road trip' in the same sentence and not have the Great Ocean Road spring to mind. Both are amazing expressions of natural beauty and are worth checking out. Jump out of a plane at 15,000 feet above the ground and get the best, most exhilarating views of the entire coastline. There are beautiful countryside and ocean views and all the comforts you need including a well-equipped kitchen, spa bath, and gas log fire. who wants the trip to end? Even better, its a non-profit enterprise that provides training and employment opportunities to people with mental and physical disabilities. 2pm Check into hotel.
Route planner, Travel information, Victoria, Australia There are two viewing platforms to admire London Bridge a short walk from the car park. 11:00 am start in Melbournedrive for about 30 minutes, 11:30 am eat at Shadowfax Wines . DestinationsPhotographySustainable TourismAdventure Travel, Adventure ToursStart a BlogTravel TipsSitemap, 2023 NOMADasaurus | Peak Evolution Media, The PERFECT Great Ocean Road Drive Itinerary (2023).
Trip Planner | Travel - RACQ Stock up on essentials, fill up the car, turn up the radio and head towards Apollo Bay!
Melbourne airport to the 12 Apostles to Lorne? - Tripadvisor
Journey Time: 40 minutes from LorneStop Time: 15 minutes. It might not seem as impressive as the other stops from the viewing platform by the car park, but you can walk down to the beach for a scenic walk. The ultimate Melbourne to Adelaide roadtrip along the Great Ocean Road and taking in Lorne, Apollo Bay, Port Fairy, Mount Gambier and Victor Harbour. They are a beautiful sight amongst the dramatic cliffs and crashing waves as they change colour throughout the day. thought of doing it in one day, but now will make a stop over and take two days.. nev-tagAustralianev-tagMelbournenev-tagVictoria Erin, Heading on a road trip along the Great Ocean Road soon, so great article to read. The first stop when driving the Great Ocean Road will beGeelong. open-ended. I'd like to drive the GOR but am concerned about the nasty road incidents that have happened- I know it can be a challenging drive with hairpin bends. This budget-friendly hostel has dorms and private rooms and its in the centre of town with a fantastic roof terrace. If you drive directly from Apollo Bay to Port Campbell on the Great Ocean Road it takes about 1.5 hours, but there are some worthwhile detours along the way.
The Botanic Cafe on the Lake within the Botanical Gardens is a pretty spot for lunch with outdoor seating and views of the lake. They are impossibly cute and fluffy and we couldnt quite believe they were real.
Journey Time: 1 hour from Apollo Bay or WongarraStop Time: 25 minutes. You can try chocolate buttons for free as you enter and then browse the massive selection of treats including lots of unusual flavours. Stevenson Falls, Triplet Falls, Little Aire Falls, andHopetoun Fallsare just a few of the many highlights here. Although the property is along the road itself, the cottages are perched upon the cliffside and it feels wonderfully tranquil with only the sound of crashing waves below. You can visit the Marriners Lookout, Lake Elizabeth, and local museums such as The Bass Strait Shell Museum to discover more about sea life. 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. 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. Continue on from this point as there are tons of Great Ocean Road attractions to come.
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While all the cottages have superb views, I recommend requesting Cottage 1 as it has the best views down to Cape Patton. Loch Ard Gorgeis the first attraction on the way, just a stones throw from the Twelve Apostles.
While you could scale this drive down to a 2 or 3-day itinerary, I'd recommend 1 or 2 weeks to fully enjoy it. Follow our journey in real time on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. to double check the weather. You have given us a great itinerary to get the best out of our trip.
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