Screened at CinefestOZ, Portland International Film Festival, Social Justice Film Festival (Seattle), St Louis International Film Festival, Mostly . It has great local produce, excellent surf beaches, and play parks for the kids to burn off energy. This often includes stopping at lookouts along the way. And to get your fill of more art you can visit theGeelong Art GalleryandThe Heritage Center. Any advice greatly appreciated! Great Ocean Road travel guide Recommended Experiences Yarra Valley Full Day Gourmet Tour Skydive Yarra Valley Tandem Freefall. From Melbourne to Torquay (the first town on the Great Ocean Road), it will take you about 1.5 hours. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Ultimate Great Ocean Road Trip: From Melbourne to Adelaide - NeedaBreak Kms. This is one of the best things, if not the best, that you can do in the state of Victoria in Australia. These two areas are highly populated by local surfers, keen to ride their magnificent waves. Melbourne - This is usually the starting point when planning an itinerary for Great Ocean Road. This is the most common Great Ocean Road route. The weather can play a huge part in what is visible and how close you can get to this area. Distance: 507km / 7 hours roundtrip. 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. The Twelve Apostles are giant limestone stacks jutting out of the ocean that form one of the most recognizable landscapes in Australia. The Twelve Apostlesare one of the most amazing sights within Australia and its not hard to see why as you drive along the coast from Great Otway. Visit surf beaches, seaside towns, and national parks; and see rain forest, wild koalas, and towering waterfalls. For a shorter track check outMaits Restwhich will take you through a beautiful section of rainforest. While your stop here signals the end of your epic 3 day Great Ocean Road itinerary, youre now on to new and exciting things. 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. Its a lot of driving. You might even get a stretch of beach all to yourself, maybe for the best adventure of the day. Find more of them listed here. This would end up being our favorite part of the day. Getting stuck behind tour buses will add to your travel time. To do this, leave Melbourne before 8am as most tours leave Melbourne city between 8am and 9am. 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. Driving from Melbourne to Cape Jervis ( Kangaroo Island ) . There are also speed traps to catch those not sticking to the limits with fines up to (and above) $300AUD. Find out more, Along with so many natural attractions to experience, the Ocean Road also has activities to keep visitors on a self-drive tour busy for days. Great Ocean Road Tours | Australia Vacations & Tours | Goway You will want to try and get ahead of as many tour buses as you can. 375km of scenic winding roads along the southern ocean will take you through some of the countrys most beautiful UNESCO-listed landscapes. ULURU: In our Guide to Uluru and Kata-Tjuta, learn how to get here, what to do, and how to plan your time. Although i highly recommend visiting Warrnambool, you may not have the time to spend there. The gorge has been named after a ship Loch Ard ran aground nearby and the rock pillars are named Tom and Eva after the only two survivors. Adelaide to Melbourne via Great Ocean Road - how long? 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. Rent a campervan and go on an adventure. They finish at either the 12 Apostles or Warrnambool, and then drive back to Melbourne. Bells Beach is Australias premiere surf spot, a spot also labeled by some as the best surfing destination in the world. Most of the highlights are located around Port Campbell. Great Ocean Road & Melbourne itinerary and attractions Day 1: Arriving in city of Melbourne Australia. Where does the Great Ocean Road start and finish. 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 . How long does it take to drive the Great Ocean Road? Drive through the Great Ocean Road's coastal cliffs and river inlets as well as its luscious fern gullies. If you're planning a self-guided tour, this could come handy. This is a beautiful surfing and fishing town with heritage buildings that have wonderful eateries and accommodation. You can buy Great Ocean Road Tours online which would cover your itinerary and tickets for attractions. Whether you surf or not, it is a great place to stop and admire the ocean. Once in Warrnambool, it doesnt take long to drive to Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve. While the Great Ocean Road covers a ton of coastline, this national park is a gem located more on the inland route. If you have a registered account with us,then we have sent you an email to reset your password. Most tour buses will leave between 8am and 9am, so try and leave before then. We parked at a small car park and were the only ones here. Would like to do it in 3 days, 2 nights lodging and still see a few things. The road starts in Torquay, and finishes in Allansford. 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. 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. For several hours, we traveled along the Great Ocean Road, on very windy roads, through towns like Apollo Bay, Skenes Creek, and Lorne. Home to some of Australia's best-known surf beaches, Torquay marks the official beginning of the Great Ocean Road. Other good breaks in addition to Bells Beach includeSan Juc, Winki Pop, Bird RockandSparrowsjust to name a few. Its definitely worth pulling over to read the history of the road as well as getting that classic holiday snap. Youll also find the end of theGreat Ocean Walkhere, which allows you to get some stunning coastal views from a boardwalk before taking to the beach to see these immense stacks from the ground. This is one way to get away from other tourists. Recommended Experiences Phillip Island: Penguin Parade Afternoon Wildlife Tour Phillip Island Penguin Parade Tour, Yarra Valley is mostly known for its wineries, but thats just one of its many treasures. Poor Tim got hit hard by the wave, soaking his feet. We are located almost at the end of the Great Ocean Road, about 4.5 hours from Melbourne. Monumental. You can do this in one big day (its almost 600km direct), but we personally recommend breaking the trip up into 2 or 3 days, spending some time in Mount Gambier and Coorong National Park. This will start your Ocean Road drive in the opposite direction as most others, avoiding the busy traffic. 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. Depart Melbourne and travel over the West Gate Bridge through the vast volcanic plains en-route to Geelong. From AUD$940.00* per person, based on [] It's also possible to travel from Melbourne to Adelaide via the Great . 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. But you may not have that luxury of time. The coastline is awesome. The Great Ocean Road is a 243-kilometre (151-mile) route located along the coast of Victoria in southeastern Australia. The Quintessential Great Ocean Road Itinerary - 3 Days 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. A dormant volcanic crater, Tower Hill is full of Australian wildlife (koalas, kangaroos, emus to name a few) and has lush wetlands and bush. You also get to enjoy free WiFi onboard, tea and snacks and relax in comfort between spots. Apart from the trip distance, refer Directions from Portland Ln to Mildura VIC 3500 for road driving directions! 5+. For more trail information in Great Otway National Park, visit thiswebsite. Mum, works 2- 3 days a week, Tues and Wednesday and Friday and has the children in daycare and . All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. 2011-2023 distancesfrom.com. Located less than 2 hours from Melbourne. Adults: $119 $104 Online special! Guide to the Great Ocean Road, Victoria - Tourism Australia A drive down the road will take you through magnificent landscapes of the white surf hitting the golden beaches, where the limestone stacks and arches weather the powerful ocean. 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. 639. The return distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 Km. 1 Day Great Ocean Road Tour on Large Coach $105 If you travel one way from Port Campbell to Melbourne (or vice versa), it is a 300 km journey. Touring the Great Ocean Road: Self-Drive Itineraries & Tips The main issues can be poor visibility due to fog, slippery roads in wet weather, and traffic from vehicles and pedestrians in the busy sections. A total of 620 properties were sold via auction last . A sandy trail took us down to a beach. Private Great Ocean Road tour. It will stop off at most of the popular viewing spots. The cliffs over the beach offer gorgeous views of the swells coming in from the Southern Ocean. Always hustling towards the least trodden path, she has encountered some wonderful people during her escapades and if you ever meet her, she won't stop gushing about them. 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. These are decent, but not as good as what you just saw, and definitely not as great as what you are about to visit next. A camper van or any sporty rental car is good for the drive through the stunning coastal road. The perfect place for a Melbourne city escape. Once youve had your fill, hop in the car for a quick drive and to the next and last destination of your road trip. Loch Ard Gorge is a breathtaking natural formation just a short distance from the 12 apostles. A walkway just outside Lorne offers views of the ocean lapping up the mouth of the Saint George River and the Bass Strait. DestinationsPhotographySustainable TourismAdventure Travel, Adventure ToursStart a BlogTravel TipsSitemap, 2023 NOMADasaurus | Peak Evolution Media, The PERFECT Great Ocean Road Drive Itinerary (2023). What is the distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? 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. Great Ocean Road Itinerary 3 Days - Melbourne To Adelaide Drive 5 Day Great Ocean Road Itinerary: Day 1 - Melbourne to Lorne Setting out on the first section of the Great Ocean Road will take you from the Victorian capital of Melbourne to the coastal town of Lorne. The Great Ocean Road tour allows you to witness the spectacular surf coast of Torquay and Lorne, with their sandy white beaches and curling waves. Discover the different regions and their world class surf breaks, local food & wine, magnificent coastal walks, beautiful rainforest trails and pristine beaches. After the Twelve Apostles, continue along the Great Ocean Road towards Port Campbell. The starting point of the Great Ocean Road that's closest to Melbourne, Torquay, is 64 miles (103 km) from the city. The worlds largest war memorial is built along the road whose story began in 1919 when World War I heroes returned home and started building a memorial for their martyrs. 7-Day Melbourne to Adelaide Road Trip Itinerary via the Great Ocean Great Ocean Road Tours that offer the best itinerary and great sights within a day from Melbourne. Drive from Melbourne, via the Princes Highway, straight to Warrnambool (over 3 hours drive). The Ultimate Guide To Watch Phillip Island Penguin Parade. During your travel, you plan to visit the following- 1) Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay, Victoria, Australia Recent Melbourne distance calculations Distance from Melbourne to New York , United States Distance from Melbourne to Canberra via Albury NSW 2640 Take the Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne to catch the best scenery and attractions. The Great Otway National Park is located within the Otway ranges and covers the area from Torquay to Princetown. 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. Read all of our articles in our Australia Travel Guide. But one of the most incredible Great Ocean Road attractions is just around the corner. Find out about other waterfalls in the Otways. Perpetually ensconced with a book in her hand and a mug of coffee in the other, she has been to over 15 countries in her 23 years of existence and is currently saving miles and money for her solo trip to Iceland. 1 Day Great Ocean Road & 12 Apostles Tour $104 They will also add to the crowds at every one of your stops, so you want to beat them if you can. We walked out to the tip of the peninsula. Our self-drive itinerary includes driving via Robe and Victor Harbour though a side trip to include The Grampians could be included. The view of these sandstone pillars along the coastline is one of the Great Ocean Roads most famous. Respect the speed limit. Your email address will not be published. Melbourne to Great Ocean Road: Self Drive Tour - 5 Days Dogs are permitted to join you in a vehicle driving along the length of the Great Ocean Road, even when the highway passes through areas of national park. For most people, the trip willstart in Melbourneand can be done in a loop or a return journey. Returns: Approx 9:00pm. 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. Before you set off on your adventure though, you should know how long the road is and how long it takes to drive. Discover some of the best things to do in Melbourne. Experience the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne to Adelaide. 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. But all the views are spectacular on this stretch of the Great Ocean Road 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. Read all of our articles in our. Finally, we made it to Bells Beach in Torquay, the end point of the Great Ocean Road. It can be done. 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. The Email id you have Entered is not Registered With us. Campervan Hire Great Ocean Road - Melbourne to Adelaide - Camper Champ From below the steps you can marvel at the 70m limestone stacks from up close and feel the power of nature. Bells Beach is a paradise for surfers; it is the location of the legendary annual Rip Curl Surfing competition. The Subaru Forester has been an exceptional ride on the trip on the Melbourne to Adelaide via Great Ocean Road trip - powerful, economical, spacious, and with loads of safety features built-in, making the long drives a comfortable experience. Happy travels. If that is not an option though, or you dont like the idea of driving on the wrong side of the road, there are plenty of excellent tours likethis onethat will take you to see all the sights including the Twelve Apostles, Port Campbell, Otway National Park and more. Children: $99 $94 (3 - 15 years) Minimum age 3 years. What To Know About The Top Chef World All-Stars Contestants Dont feed the koalas or the parrots as they are in the wild and any feeding them our food will disrupt their natural behaviour. Port Fairy offers great locations forscuba divingincludingThe Thistle. Enjoy the iconic Penguin Parade on Phillip Island, hand feed kangaroos and wallabies at Moonlit Sanctuary, visit the famous Brighton Beach boxes and more on a day trip from Melbourne to Phillip Island. Head down to Main Beach for a swim, sunbathe or surf at Point Impossible or Rocky Point. It was awesome having this place all to ourselves, being able to explore without anyone else around. Cant wait for the trip , Thanks Tracy. An organized tour that takes care of your transportation will help you take the trip within a day. It takes about 75 minutes to drive to, depending on the traffic leaving Melbourne. Day 1: Melbourne to Port Campbell We depart from Southern Cross Coach Terminal on Spencer Street at 8:30am before we commence this amazing 4 day, 3 night guided Great Ocean Road & Beyond Itinerary. Rare Role On Australia's Great Ocean Road - Portland | Jobrapido.com Recommended option Bus 3h 30m With your own car however youll be able to stop when and where you want, spending as long as you need to check out the beaches, taking in the views and having the freedom to explore at your leisure. The Animal Condition (Feature Film) 2010 - Jun 20177 years. Do you think that will be possible that time of year or do we have to book in advance ? We enjoyed our travels on the Great Ocean Road, the area of Port Campbell National Park being the highlight of the day. The Great Ocean Road winds through picturesque locations that outdo one another in terms of visual extravaganza. But that does not take away from the impressive views at all. Our website uses cookies. Great Ocean Road & Grampians Road Trip | Apollo Campervans AU Duration: 5 Days Prices From: US$ 699 Trip Type: Self-Drives, Tailor-made Travel Ideas Australia See Trip Details 4 From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road Full-Day Trip. 1 Melbourne: 1-Day Entry Ticket to Melbourne Zoo. What kind of still camera/lens are you finding most helpful? Today, it is a spot for whale watching and a centre for learning about the aboriginal history. Day 3 - Set of on the Great Ocean Road, staying overnight in the village of Lorne, halfway . Not even 15km from Apollo Bay is the incredibly lush and beautifulGreat Otway National Park. Many travelers continue on to Warrnambool and Adelaide or up to the Grampian Mountains while others are returning to Melbourne. 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. The beaches on the Great Ocean Road are fantastic for swimming, especially in the summer. Your password has been reset successfully please login with new password. We drove from Adelaide to Portland, spent the night in Portland, and then drove the Great Ocean Road. Its a small village, but Port Campbell is a nice place to stop for a snack and some fuel. Includes: 4 nights' accommodation, 5 days unlimited km use of a compact sized car and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps. 8 Days or so of hiking from Apollo Bay to the 12 Apostles following the coastline with views and experiences not possible by car or bus. One of the most iconic road trips in all of Australia, if not the world, has got to be the Great Ocean Road drive. The area has a forest of gum and eucalyptus trees which are the main food source of koalas. A drive between Melbourne and Adelaide via the inland route takes only 8 hours. We want to book accommodation as we go . Melbourne real estate: Full list of sales, auction results for February While wandering around town youll surely spot a ton of street art, which is something Geelong is known for. Access a more in-depth look at the popular local sport at the Australian National Surfing Museum, too. The Great Ocean Road is where you experience breathtaking nature and the great outdoors of Australia! To enlarge the map, click the top right icon and it will open up, full screen, in a new tab. Fabulous horse riding through the forest or down along a long golden beach. Read more about taking a day trip from Melbourne to Yarra Valley. Required fields are marked *. 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]. If you want to get off the beaten path like we did, do not be afraid to try one of those unlabeled dirt roads. 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. No Great Ocean road trip is complete without making a stop atMemoria Arch, which is less than 30 minutes from Torquay and a real highlight of the journey. 5 Day Melbourne to Adelaide via Great Ocean Road - Visit WA Online The PERFECT Great Ocean Road Drive Itinerary (2023) - NOMADasaurus What is the shortest road distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? Things all of a sudden became a lot more exciting. The first destination is Bells Beach in Torquay, a famous location for surfers. It sounds daunting but it's going to be broken down into very manageable chunks. Home to some of Australia's best-known surf beaches, Torquay marks the official beginning of the Great Ocean Road. Bunyip Tours: See above for that. From AU $1625 to AU $1895 3 days ex flights. READ MORE: Be sure to plan your best trip to Australia by using our Australia Travel Guide! Click on any of the numbers on the map of The Great Ocean Road to read all about the attraction. Join the adventures on our YouTube channel! Here we joined the largest crowds of people yet, all elbowing for the best place to take family photos. Recommended option Train 4h 12m Take the train from Southern Cross to Warrnambool Warrnambool - Melbourne Via Colac & Geelong $103 - $128 Tyler and Kara joined us, took a look around, and then went back to their game. There are 5 ways to get from Mount Gambier to Great Ocean Road by 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. Walk 91 provides assistance to plan your walk along the GOR Walk, either with luxurious accommodation and meals provided or the budge self-catering option. Starting from Torquay, this route takes you through beautiful seaside towns and rain forests as you follow the winding road along the exquisite coastline. Other options include coming from Adelaide, so if this is you, just read the itinerary backwards. Let us help you get started with planning your Great Ocean Road itinerary. A little warning about the Penguin Parade: It is very touristy and professionally put together. Jump out of a plane at 15,000 feet above the ground and get the best, most exhilarating views of the entire coastline. A few minutes down the road from Sherbrook West is a large car park with trails to various viewpoints. Read more about taking a Melbourne to Phillip Island Tour. The road winds through picturesque locations outdo one another in terms of visual extravaganza. You can also find the distance from Portland Ln to Mildura VIC 3500 using other travel options like bus, subway, tram, train and rail.