This port city is the second-largest in the state of Victoria and overlooks the gorgeousCorio Bay. The Great Ocean Road is one of the most epic road journeys you can go on across the world! 639. An organized tour that takes care of your transportation will help you take the trip within a day. Premiered at Melbourne International Film Festival. The road driving distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 Km. Drive Time: 30 minutes to Port Fairy, 4 hours to Melbourne. 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. 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. Seeingthe Twelve Apostlesfor yourself should be at the top of your Australian Bucket list, no matter the weather. We set off from the city at 6am. The ULTIMATE Great Ocean Road Map 2023 (Local's Guide) For those strapped for time, a visit to just Port Campbellwould allow you to see the best of the Great Ocean Road, skipping the monotonous winding roads between Port Campbell National Park and Melbourne. Skydiving is a popular sport at the Great Ocean Road and you're likely to spot many gutsy ones plummeting from the sky at 200 kmph from 15,000 feet above. Find out more here. We are a single Mum with 3 kids, 8yo Boy and 5 and 4 yo girls. Here we joined the largest crowds of people yet, all elbowing for the best place to take family photos. From Portland, we drove 2 hours (160 km) to get to Port Campbell, the start of the Great Ocean Road. We can recommend a number of excellent companies who all use smaller buses which means more time at stops and more personalized experience. Great Ocean Road Melbourne to Adelaide Drive 1,500 km | 7 - 12 days Great surf, picturesque coastal towns, ocean views around every bend, wine country and some spectacular hikes define this road trip. If youd like to continue travelling Australia beyond the Great Ocean Road, you canhead northwest to Adelaide. Loch Ard Gorge is a breathtaking natural formation just a short distance from the 12 apostles. 3. It is the southernmost active regular passenger railway station on the Australian mainland (several other Victorian Railways lines such as the branch lines to Timboon and Crowes did venture further south but all have now closed). Day 2 - Pinnacles Walk in the Grampians National Park and drive to Port Campbell on the Great Ocean Road to stay overnight. Bunyip Tours: Cute Penguins - See 1,941 traveler reviews, 941 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. Another fun way to get to the Great Ocean Road is by using the ferry service from Queenscliff and the Bellarine Peninsula to Sorrento and the Mornington Peninsula. You can also use the share icon and share it on Facebook. Drive Along the Great Ocean Road. Book Great Ocean Road Tours & Tickets in Melbourne Today - Viator 2 From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road and Wildlife Tour. This was not anywhere near as scenic as Port Campbell National Park but was still worth seeing. In front of us were walls of sandstone, giant waves crashing on the beach, and a rocky peninsula just waiting to be explored. 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. Have a great time. Its definitely worth pulling over to read the history of the road as well as getting that classic holiday snap. After the last couple of years, it seems everyone wants to be out and about and go travelling. 52 Great Weekends > No 3: Portland No 3: Portland Located a little over 4hrs Melbourne, Portland is well worth the drive. 5 Melbourne: 2-Hour City Highlights River Cruise. The Great Ocean Road Australia | Victoria's Most Scenic Stretch Most tour buses will leave between 8am and 9am, so try and leave before then. Today, it is a spot for whale watching and a centre for learning about the aboriginal history. Here at Port Campbell National Park, we spent over two hours hopping from scenic view to scenic view. Bells Beach is Australias premiere surf spot, a spot also labeled by some as the best surfing destination in the world. 30 mins), 446 Km - Distance from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road, FAQ about Distance from Melbourne to Portland, The driving distance from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is, Directions from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road, map from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road, Travel time from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road, Distance from Melbourne to New York , United States, Distance from Melbourne to Canberra via Albury NSW 2640, Distance from Melbourne to Canberra via Albury New South Wales, Distance from Melbourne to Canberra via Orbost. 5 Day Adelaide to Melbourne via Great Ocean Road - Visit WA The highlight of the Great Ocean Road are the Twelve Apostles. Starting and finishing in Melbourne, enjoy a self drive tour along Victoria's southwest coast. What is the shortest road distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? Mount Gambier to Great Ocean Road - 5 ways to travel via bus, and car Youll find them sitting up in the eucalyptus trees. The starting point of the Great Ocean Road that's closest to Melbourne, Torquay, is 64 miles (103 km) from the city. It takes about 75 minutes to drive to, depending on the traffic leaving 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. All the points of interest mentioned above are marked on the Great Ocean Road Map below. Home; Timetables Train & coach timetables; Plan a journey Spectacular and diverse scenery, wildlife, byo tent or book accommodation along the way. In 1932, the road was thrown open to the public and has since then become one of the worlds best road trip destinations. We want to book accommodation as we go . The sea enters the area through a narrow opening between two rock pillars. Required fields are marked *. They finish at either the 12 Apostles or Warrnambool, and then drive back to Melbourne. Wendy Report inappropriate content Melbourne To Phillip Island Tour: A Complete Guide For A Perfect Day Trip, We've served 15 million+ guests and we are here for you, All You Need For An Epic Great Ocean Road Tour From Melbourne, Happy customers across 10,000+ experiences, 5,000+ verified reviews with 90% excellent score, Featured and recommended by the best brands, Have a question? Walk up near the Grey River Road and you will find koalas lounging on the trees. Checking out the view of Bells Beach from the lookout. Surf lessons can be booked in Lorne, Anglesea, Torquay, and Ocean Grove. Sometimes, Tyler and Kara feel like they will never be able to escape the attention of people curious about their blond hair. For more information on routes and trails visit the websitehere. I could not imagine trying to swim out past these waves, just to catch one right back to shore. This lookout gives you the chance to see right out to sea and over the entire city. We drove from Adelaide to Portland, spent the night in Portland, and then drove the Great Ocean Road. all things travel. 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. The waves here are huge and come fast and furious, making this area a great surfing spot. Best Great Ocean Road Tours Save AU$10 on your Great Ocean Road Bus tours with this promo code. 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. A road trip along the Great Ocean Road & Grampians National Park is a trip where you feel small in the universe. Go for a swim in the southern ocean, soak in the sun or admire the stunning views out over Corio Bay and go for a stroll along theEastern Promenade. You can spend more time at each location and engage in activities like trekking, swimming and adventure sports. If you're planning to visit the Great Ocean Road, here's all that you should squeeze into your itinerary. Hey! How long does it take to drive the Great Ocean Road? The weather can play a huge part in what is visible and how close you can get to this area. The route of 243 KM stretches from Torquay to Allansford in Victoria state. Wealso have information on a great hike in Kings Canyon and a recap of our experience in the Red Centre of Australia. Built in 1848, it sits at the edge of the ocean almost 90m over the Bass Strait. Great Ocean Road & Grampians Road Trip | Apollo Campervans AU But if you are driving under the speed limit and following protocols, it could be one of the best drives of your life given the amazing view throughout the drive. You also get to enjoy free WiFi onboard, tea and snacks and relax in comfort between spots. December to February is summer, March to May is autumn, June to August is winter and September to November is spring. The landscape varies depending on which route you take. How far is the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne? The Great Ocean Road offers amazing scenery, unforgettable natural features and quaint towns making it a unique vacation spot. Read our detailed blog to know all about Skydiving in Melbourne and book your Great Ocean Road skydive. The standalone arch was earlier connected to the coast with another such arch giving it the name London Bridge, but in 1990 the connecting arch fell down due to erosion. Headout is building the future of how we experience our cities. During your travel, you plan to visit the following-1) Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay, Victoria, Australia. If youre a hiker more than a surfer, youll be in for a treat with theSurf Coast Walk 44km of trails that connect Torquay toAngelseaandAireys Inletalong the coast. To save even more time, you can cut out Warrnambool completely from your drive. Once youve had your fill, hop in the car for a quick drive and to the next and last destination of your road trip. You might not be making any unscheduled stops to buy snacks. 1 Day Great Ocean Road Tour on Large Coach $105 12. Please note: this popular area is big and therefore the tour involves quite a lot of driving. Our self-drive itinerary includes driving via Robe and Victor Harbour though a side trip to include The Grampians could be included. Bunyip Tours: See above for that. You don't have to miss out on this epic road trip just because you are short on time. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. After the Twelve Apostles, continue along the Great Ocean Road towards Port Campbell. 1 Day Great Ocean Road & 12 Apostles Tour $104 We are located almost at the end of the Great Ocean Road, about 4.5 hours from Melbourne. Day 3: Warrnambool to Port Fairy then Melbourne (or Adelaide) Distance: 30km to Port Fairy, then 312km to Melbourne. 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. A large wave crashed on shore, quickly heading towards our cave and where we thought we would be safe. Starting from Torquay, this route takes you through beautiful seaside towns and rain forests as you follow the winding road along the exquisite coastline. Check out our Great Ocean Road tours. MELBOURNE: Melbourne is our favorite city in Australia. The Ultimate Guide To Watch Phillip Island Penguin Parade. Located less than 2 hours from Melbourne. 1 Melbourne: 1-Day Entry Ticket to Melbourne Zoo. As Victorias 5th largest city, Warrnambool is a lot bigger than most of the seaside towns along the Great Ocean Road drive. It has some of the best park guides in the area to teach you about the history of the volcano as well as local Aboriginal history. The Kennet River located between Lorne and Apollo Bay is one of the best places in Australia to view wild koalas. Perfect write up, very helpful indeed, Appreciate your work guys, Cheers. Children: $99 $94 (3 - 15 years) Minimum age 3 years. It has the most food options before Geelong, which is a further 1 hour drive away. Wonderful experience - Reviews, Photos - Bunyip Tours - Tripadvisor From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road Full-Day Guided Trip Find good prices and choices of accommodation: there is still so much more to see, Port Fairy is a beautiful little village and well worth spending time visiting too. Subscribe, Home | Australia | The PERFECT Great Ocean Road Drive Itinerary (2023). For just a moment though, it was neat peering out at the waves and the coastline from this unique vantage point. TheKennett River Koala Walkis the perfect place to get your fix. It can be done. For more experienced surfers, and those looking to set foot onto a world-renowned surf beach, head toBells Beach. No 3: Portland - Visit Great Ocean Road Have enjoyed your stories since departing Columbia almost a year ago. Trust me, though, it'll be worth waking up early for. You will also reach the main stops at a different time to the crowds. Melbourne to Great Ocean Road: Self Drive Tour - 5 Days 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. This will start your Ocean Road drive in the opposite direction as most others, avoiding the busy traffic. ULURU: In our Guide to Uluru and Kata-Tjuta, learn how to get here, what to do, and how to plan your time. 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. From Melbourne to Torquay (the first town on the Great Ocean Road), it will take you about 1.5 hours. Lookout on the ocean from May to September as you might spot Whales! Recommended Experiences Yarra Valley Full Day Gourmet Tour Skydive Yarra Valley Tandem Freefall. Cruising the Great Ocean Road is ranked amongst the top things to do in Australia. The iconic spots and landmarks on the Great Ocean Road can be covered within a day as it is stretches for only about 243 Km (151 miles). 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. Bunyip Tours: Great Ocean Road - See 1,943 traveler reviews, 942 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. . We are Alesha and Jarryd, the award-winning writers and professional photographers behind this blog. The cliffs over the beach offer gorgeous views of the swells coming in from the Southern Ocean. Discover the different regions and their world class surf breaks, local food & wine, magnificent coastal walks, beautiful rainforest trails and pristine beaches. It seemed like there was another amazing view every 400 meters, so we were jumping in and out of our car a lot. To enlarge the map, click the top right icon and it will open up, full screen, in a new tab. Bells Beach is known for hosting Rip Curl Pro, a world surfing competition. These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. Truly a paradise, the area is a popular destination for water sports and recreation activities. Happy travels. With the last day of your Great Ocean Road itinerary upon you, there is still so much to be seen and experienced. Duration: 5 Days Prices From: US$ 699 Trip Type: Self-Drives, Tailor-made Travel Ideas Australia See Trip Details Find more of them listed here. Great Ocean Road Tour 2 Days experience from Melbourne to Adelaide. It makes for a perfect family day out or holiday with friends. They will also add to the crowds at every one of your stops, so you want to beat them if you can. hi guys my husband and l are going to drive the great ocean road in early November. Torquay is also home to theSurf World Museumwith tons of history about the sport and its fame in Australia. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Note: This post contains affiliate links. 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. Your email address will not be published. V/Line - Regional public transport for Victoria - Plan trip/buy tickets You also wont be getting a sunset picture of the 12 Apostles as it will be one of your first major stops. - See 1,941 traveler reviews, 942 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. 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. Melbourne real estate: Full list of sales, auction results for February Although i highly recommend visiting Warrnambool, you may not have the time to spend there. 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. Depending on the vehicle you choose to travel, you can calculate the amount of CO2 emissions from your vehicle and assess the environment impact. Adults: $119 $104 Online special! Home to some of Australia's best-known surf beaches, Torquay marks the official beginning of the Great Ocean Road. 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. Routing: Adelaide to Melbourne Duration: 5 Days Code: AD3 From AUD$690.00* per person, based on standard double/twin share accommodation. Yes, you can do this as a one day trip from Melbourne, but I dont recommend it. There are also speed traps to catch those not sticking to the limits with fines up to (and above) $300AUD. Great Southern Touring Route, Road trips and itineraries, Victoria 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. Memorial Arch (8am) Our first stop was the Memorial Arch, which is located just past the city of Torquay. The distance between Portland Ln to Mildura VIC 3500 is 542 Km by road. 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. The Great Otway National Park is located within the Otway ranges and covers the area from Torquay to Princetown. A drive between Melbourne and Adelaide via the inland route takes only 8 hours. I am not looking forward to the conclusion of your trek. Phillip Island: Penguin Parade Afternoon Wildlife Tour, Autumn (March to May): Cooler weather and fewer tourists, Winter (June to August): Whale watching season, cheaper accommodation and few tourists, Spring (September to November): Flowering season, perfect for visiting the Otways, mild weather and fewer crowds. Make sure you book ahead though, as its not something you can just show up and do.