Bells Beach is a paradise for surfers; it is the location of the legendary annual Rip Curl Surfing competition. It has diverse vegetation ranging from lush rainforest to rugged coastline, it has everything from stunning waterfalls to tranquil lakes. This is a great place not only to catch some stunner views but also to watch the fisherman come in with their catch, which you likely can find in the restaurants in town. Depart Melbourne and travel over the West Gate Bridge through the vast volcanic plains en-route to Geelong. Memorial Arch (8am) Our first stop was the Memorial Arch, which is located just past the city of Torquay. Melbourne to Apollo Bay 187 km/116 miles, about 3 hours Ease into your road trip with the leisurely drive from Melbourne to Torquay, just over an hour's drive. Our journey ended an hour and a half later, finally at Melbourne. Road Trip from Port Campbell to Melbourne, wine tasting in Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, 5 Amazing Things to Do on the Tasman Peninsula, Australia, The Great Barrier Reef: Cruising to Lady Musgrave Island. The road curves quite a lot and if you suffer from motion sickness carry anti-nausea medication or chew on citrusy candy to keep it in check. But the Great Ocean Road is about so much more than its sinuous, coast hugging tarmac. Most of the highlights are located around Port Campbell. Purchase tickets. Less people in your 12 Apostles selfie! Day 3 - Set of on the Great Ocean Road, staying overnight in the village of Lorne, halfway . 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. A large wave crashed on shore, quickly heading towards our cave and where we thought we would be safe. A lot of people will finish the day in Warrnambool and spend the there, as it is the largest town along the Great Ocean Road. From AUD$940.00* per person, based on [] The green forest with the winding highway meets the ocean here! . Head down to the Moyne River and stretch your legs along the wharves. One of the most adventurous things to do on the Great Ocean Road drive is to do a bit of scuba diving. Both are natural, offshore stone archways. Thats the word that can truly capture the essence of the Great Ocean Road in Australia. Port Fairy offers great locations forscuba divingincludingThe Thistle. What used to be a swamp was reclaimed and turned into these pretty gardens in 1858. It was in this area that we were treated to stunning views. Perfect write up, very helpful indeed, Appreciate your work guys, Cheers. The two-way highway is scenic as it gets and covers iconic landmarks like the Twelve Apostles, Apollo Bay, and the Otways. Turn off for this road just before you reach Apollo Bay. We recommend Rental Cars, which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market. What is a partial cave, archway and blowhole, The Grotto is definitely something to marvel at. 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. And your Great Ocean Road route should not miss out on two other attractions nearby either. What is the distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? We are located almost at the end of the Great Ocean Road, about 4.5 hours from Melbourne. Theres so much to see and do, so you dont want to be left feeling rushed and tired at the end of your trip. A great photo op spot, this is one of the most photographed spots along the Great Ocean Road. Loch Ard Gorgeis the first attraction on the way, just a stones throw from the Twelve Apostles. Read all of our articles in our Australia Travel Guide. This is one of Victorias best bush and ocean walks. Today, at 4 pm, with clouds and a cold breeze, it did not look like much to us. Director, editor and producer of feature documentary about animal welfare in farming. Mum, works 2- 3 days a week, Tues and Wednesday and Friday and has the children in daycare and . Its not nearly as scenic to do it this way, but it does save you about 50 km and one hour of driving. 1st Stop: Torquay. To enlarge the map, click the top right icon and it will open up, full screen, in a new tab. It can get quite chilly in winter and autumn, bring your warm clothes and it is always quite windy so keep a windcheater, scarf or cap handy. For more information on routes and trails visit the websitehere. Start your 3 day Great Ocean Road itinerary with a lazy morning in Torquay. 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. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Along the way you'll stop by the border of Victoria and South Australia and a red line marks the exact spot. Have a great time. It offers easy transport options to Geelong and Torquay as well as plenty of car hire options. 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. 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. Let us help you get started with planning your Great Ocean Road itinerary. I dashed out of the cave to higher ground, able to stay dry. Stops. Visit top wilderness destinations and picturesque towns on this epic 3-day tour from Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road and the Grampians. Melbourne - This is usually the starting point when planning an itinerary for Great Ocean Road. Other options include coming from Adelaide, so if this is you, just read the itinerary backwards. Well, at least until the constant winding roads started making Kara nauseous, giving her a front seat in our car and a dose of dramamine. The road covers a driveway of 243 km off the coast with pristine views of beaches, geological marvels, and rich forests. Most tour buses will leave between 8am and 9am, so try and leave before then. It makes for a perfect family day out or holiday with friends. It is comparable to Big Sur in California with coastal views, winding roads, and many, many scenic viewpoints. Explore the cool temperate rainforest of the Great Otway National Park, waterfalls on Great Ocean Road, best viewpoints, koalas, and wildlife. However, the Great Ocean Road is a hit at any time of the year and here is why . The distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 Km by road. Whether you're a history buff, foodie, nature lover or adventurer get ready for a great weekend. Cant wait for the trip , Thanks Tracy. Passing the iconic 12 Apostles and other amazing natural features carved into the expansive coastline the Great Ocean Road is a road trip to remember. Youll find them sitting up in the eucalyptus trees. During your travel, you plan to visit the following-1) Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay, Victoria, Australia. 5+. The road driving distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 Km. Brekkie tacos, smoothie bowls and a full lunch menu to eat in or take away will please anyone visiting. 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. Read our detailed blog to know all about Skydiving in Melbourne and book your Great Ocean Road skydive. The spectacular Great Ocean Road hugs the seaside cliffs that snake along the wild and windswept Southern Ocean. This is just because we really want to show you the best bits of the beautiful Great Ocean Road! An organized tour that takes care of your transportation will help you take the trip within a day. 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 Our website uses cookies. 4 From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road Full-Day Trip. 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. How far is the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne? Things all of a sudden became a lot more exciting. The direct route between these two locations is 142km, taking drivers around two hours to complete. You can walk, trek, horse-ride or bike through the park. Bells Beach is known for hosting Rip Curl Pro, a world surfing competition. If youd like to continue travelling Australia beyond the Great Ocean Road, you canhead northwest to Adelaide. Any advice greatly appreciated! Trust me, though, it'll be worth waking up early for. Grab some coffee and stroll the foreshore. If you want one of the best views in Geelong, grab a seat on theSkyWheel. You can also try a different route while coming back by adding multiple destinations. Whether you are travelling with family, friends or a school group, our Great Ocean Road Private Tour is the best way to explore this scenic coastline. The Great Ocean Road is one of the most epic road journeys you can go on across the world! Monumental. The property at 36 Braemar Street sold for $6 million by private sale. A drive between Melbourne and Adelaide via the inland route takes only 8 hours. This will start your Ocean Road drive in the opposite direction as most others, avoiding the busy traffic. With the last day of your Great Ocean Road itinerary upon you, there is still so much to be seen and experienced. It takes 3 day to drive through the Great Ocean Road and to see all the attractions on the way. 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. I am using a Canon 5D Mark iii with a 20-70 mm lens. Thanks Natalie Seltz Towson, MD. The first to know about trending destinations, travel deals, tips and They will also add to the crowds at every one of your stops, so you want to beat them if you can. We are a single Mum with 3 kids, 8yo Boy and 5 and 4 yo girls. 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. In front of us were walls of sandstone, giant waves crashing on the beach, and a rocky peninsula just waiting to be explored. The Great Ocean Road definitely has some dangerous turns. Getting to the Great Ocean Road When to visit Experience the rugged beauty along the south-west coast of Victoria by setting off along one of the world's most scenic coastal drives. This dive spot is actually a ship that was wrecked off the eastern beach in Port Fairy in 1849. December to February is summer, March to May is autumn, June to August is winter and September to November is spring. Lookout on the ocean from May to September as you might spot Whales! See the towering 12 Apostles, get up close to native wildlife, and take in iconic surf breaks, pristine rainforest and misty waterfalls along the spectacular Great Ocean Road. Copyright 2023 | Sightseeing Tours Australia ABN: 53 204 539 966 | 252 Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000 |, What should you not miss on the Great Ocean Road, Great Ocean Road Weather Local Weather Forecasts. 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. The area has a forest of gum and eucalyptus trees which are the main food source of koalas. Stevenson Falls, Triplet Falls, Little Aire Falls, andHopetoun Fallsare just a few of the many highlights here. ULURU: In our Guide to Uluru and Kata-Tjuta, learn how to get here, what to do, and how to plan your time. Last week, 1156 properties were scheduled to be auctioned in Melbourne. Its a small village, but Port Campbell is a nice place to stop for a snack and some fuel. In the shadow of the Otway ranges meeting Cape Otway is the Apollo Bay, midway of the Great Ocean Road. Melbourne to Apollo Bay 187 km/116 miles, about 3 hours Ease into your roadtrip with the leisurely drive from Melbourne to Torquay, just over an hour's drive. 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). Subscribe, Home | Australia | The PERFECT Great Ocean Road Drive Itinerary (2023). Built in 1848, it sits at the edge of the ocean almost 90m over the Bass Strait. Great Ocean Road Tour 2 Days experience from Melbourne to Adelaide. You will ride on an AC tour bus, accompanied by a friendly tour guide who will ensure you hit all the spots on your Great Ocean Road tour. Find more of them listed here. There were no surfers, really there was no one else here other than a few curious people like ourselves. To get you fueled up for your last day head toBohemiaCafe & Barfor a takeaway coffee or a wicked and delicious breakfast. Returns: Approx 9:00pm. Imagine free falling from the sky onto these gorgeous views? Try out the walking trails, have a picnic by the sea, take in the scenic views, or go searching for Australian wildlife. We can recommend a number of excellent companies who all use smaller buses which means more time at stops and more personalized experience. - See 1,941 traveler reviews, 942 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. Here are a few budget Great Ocean Road tours you should consider. You can also find the distance from Portland Ln to Mildura VIC 3500 using other travel options like bus, subway, tram, train and rail. Duration: 5 Days Prices From: US$ 699 Trip Type: Self-Drives, Tailor-made Travel Ideas Australia See Trip Details Truly a paradise, the area is a popular destination for water sports and recreation activities. Our self-drive itinerary includes driving via Robe and Victor Harbour though a side trip to include The Grampians could be included. all things travel. Starting and finishing in Melbourne is how most people do the Great Ocean Road drive in 1 day. The Perth to Adelaide Drive (via the Nullarbor Plain) 3,700 km | 16 days Swim with dolphins, climb the giant Gloucester Tree, camp among . Featuring the major stops, seaside towns and villages along the Great Ocean Road including Torquay, Anglesea, Airey's Inlet, Lorne, Wye River, Kennett River, Apollo Bay, Port Campbell National Park, Port Campbell and Allensford; plus Warnambool and Port Fairy (as an extension to the official end of the Great Ocean Rd at Allensford.)