If you're planning your big Great Ocean Road trip from Melbourne, here are all the transport options that could get you there. Surf Culture at Australian National Museum of Surfing. Depending on the vehicle you choose to travel, you can calculate the amount of CO2 emissions from your vehicle and assess the environment impact. Memorial Arch (8am) Our first stop was the Memorial Arch, which is located just past the city of Torquay. 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. 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. The Great Ocean Road Map of Best Things To See, 50 of the Best Attractions to see Great Ocean Road Stops, Activities and Attractions on the Great Ocean Road. If you travel one way from Port Campbell to Melbourne (or vice versa), it is a 300 km journey. The Obelisk sits atop a rugged coastline, which is rapidly being eroded by the harsh elements. 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. A camper van or any sporty rental car is good for the drive through the stunning coastal road. Theyll even show you how to throw a Boomerang and spear! In Portland we stayed at the Portland Holiday Village. Hopetoun Falls Just gorgeous, the walk to these falls is not very far, though it does involve steps. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Victoria is the second-smallest state in Australia but packed with abundant natural beauty, all of which is easily accessible on quick day trips from Melbourne. Further along, you will find verdant bush where koalas nest and then onto the lush rainforests with spectacular waterfalls and native wildlife. Dont feed the koalas or the parrots as they are in the wild and any feeding them our food will disrupt their natural behaviour. The driving distance from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 km. We still had a long ways to go. 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. We drove from Adelaide to Portland, spent the night in Portland, and then drove the Great Ocean Road. The Kennet River located between Lorne and Apollo Bay is one of the best places in Australia to view wild koalas. There are also speed traps to catch those not sticking to the limits with fines up to (and above) $300AUD. Checking out the view of Bells Beach from the lookout. Before making your way onto day number 3 of your adventure-packed Great Ocean Road trip youll be looking for a place to catch a good nights sleep. We know what you mean by just taking your time and booking the day of but we would recommend booking in advance as it is so much busier now. While the Great Ocean Road covers a ton of coastline, this national park is a gem located more on the inland route. One down side to this is that you will be travelling on the side of the road which isnt on the coast side. Today, it is a spot for whale watching and a centre for learning about the aboriginal history. 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 cave was not very big, extending about ten meters back into the cliff from the opening. The road covers a driveway of 243 km off the coast with pristine views of beaches, geological marvels, and rich forests. The starting point of the Great Ocean Road that's closest to Melbourne, Torquay, is 64 miles (103 km) from the city. The cliffs over the beach offer gorgeous views of the swells coming in from the Southern Ocean. In front of us were walls of sandstone, giant waves crashing on the beach, and a rocky peninsula just waiting to be explored. TheForeshore Promenadeis a great place for a stroll as well and stretches on for about 6 km. From Melbourne, head to Geelong and then south to Torquay. 1. The drive offers plenty of places to stop off and explore. In Portland there's time for panoramic coastal views from the Cape Nelson Lighthouse, before a scenic drive through dense pine plantations to our lunch venue in the . 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. On a clear sunny day and depending on the tide you can get pretty close. The Great Ocean Road is a one-and-a-half-hour drive from Melbourne with dual lane highway conditions for most of the journey and excellent signposting. Yes. 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. It stretches for 243 kms. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Weve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planets best destinations and adventures. Purchase tickets. Most of the highlights are located around Port Campbell. It is a popular stop for photographs with the name of the road and the plaque. The V/line service offers frequent train travel departing Melbournes Southern Cross Station and running to both Geelong and Warrnambool. The landscape varies depending on which route you take. . Thats the word that can truly capture the essence of the Great Ocean Road in Australia. Fabulous horse riding through the forest or down along a long golden beach. The Great Ocean Road definitely has some dangerous turns. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. Some of the beautiful coastal towns you will come across during your drive are Apollo Bay, Cape Otway, Port Campbell, Torquay, and Lorne. Our self-drive itinerary includes driving via Robe and Victor Harbour though a side trip to include The Grampians could be included. Read all of our articles in our Australia Travel Guide. This is a beautiful surfing and fishing town with heritage buildings that have wonderful eateries and accommodation. Along the way you'll stop by the border of Victoria and South Australia and a red line marks the exact spot. 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. The road starts in Torquay, and finishes in Allansford. The area has a forest of gum and eucalyptus trees which are the main food source of koalas. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. But all the views are spectacular on this stretch of the Great Ocean Road Trip. Bunyip Tours: See above for that. Theres so much to see and do, so you dont want to be left feeling rushed and tired at the end of your trip. If youre looking to do a bit of waterfall chasing, this is a great place to find them! 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. If you want to travel by bus, know that there are plenty from Geelong to Apollo Bay, Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Portland,all travelling via the Great Ocean Road. There were no surfers, really there was no one else here other than a few curious people like ourselves. Home to some of Australia's best-known surf beaches, Torquay marks the official beginning of the Great Ocean Road. Routing: Adelaide to Melbourne Duration: 5 Days Code: AD3 From AUD$690.00* per person, based on standard double/twin share accommodation. However, Loch Ard Gorge is still a stunning place for a swim. We love this place and even bought one of their horses a few years ago! This is just because we really want to show you the best bits of the beautiful Great Ocean Road! All the while, Tyler and Kara were screaming with delight, laughing afterwards. Some people do this as a very long day trip from Melbourne while others can take as long as a week, stopping at towns along the way, leisurely enjoying the beaches, wineries, and historic towns along the way. You might even get a stretch of beach all to yourself, maybe for the best adventure of the day. Bunyip Tours: Cute Penguins - See 1,941 traveler reviews, 941 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. Thats how were going to structure this post for you. 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. Most tour buses will leave between 8am and 9am, so try and leave before then. Day 2 - Pinnacles Walk in the Grampians National Park and drive to Port Campbell on the Great Ocean Road to stay overnight. Rent a campervan and go on an adventure. For a great post-drive meal check out theGeelong Boathousefor a classic fish & chips by the sea. Read more about taking a Melbourne to Phillip Island Tour. Experience the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne to Adelaide. TheKennett River Koala Walkis the perfect place to get your fix. Our journey ended an hour and a half later, finally at Melbourne. GREAT OCEAN ROAD Routing: Melbourne to Adelaide Duration: 5 Days Code: M01 From AUD$685.00* per person, based on standard double/twin share accommodation. Its a highlight of a Great Ocean Road itinerary! 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 . 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. 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. If your tour is on schedule you might find yourself some time for a swim. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. It has diverse vegetation ranging from lush rainforest to rugged coastline, it has everything from stunning waterfalls to tranquil lakes. Head forEastern Beachfirst. From Portland, we drove 2 hours (160 km) to get to Port Campbell, the start of the Great Ocean Road. Today, at 4 pm, with clouds and a cold breeze, it did not look like much to us. Warrnambool railway station is the terminus of the Warrnambool line in Victoria, Australia.It serves the city of Warrnambool, and it opened on 4 February 1890.. A few minutes down the road from Sherbrook West is a large car park with trails to various viewpoints. Burrell received her first James Beard nomination for "Best Chef: Texas" in 2020 and . It takes travellers past world-class surfing breaks, through pockets of rainforest and calm seaside towns, and under koala-filled tree canopies. The Twelve Apostles marked the end of the most scenic of viewpoints but did not end our journey down the Great Ocean Road. It is a rest stop on the Great Ocean Road and gateway to spectacular waterfalls and viewpoints. With the last day of your Great Ocean Road itinerary upon you, there is still so much to be seen and experienced. Stunning photos. 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. This lookout gives you the chance to see right out to sea and over the entire city. The Great Ocean Road is where you experience breathtaking nature and the great outdoors of Australia! 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. Read our detailed blog to know all about Skydiving in Melbourne and book your Great Ocean Road skydive. This port city is the second-largest in the state of Victoria and overlooks the gorgeousCorio Bay. 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. 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. Cant wait for the trip , Thanks Tracy. Please enter your email address or username. Don't be an idiot. Take the Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne to catch the best scenery and attractions. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products, and regularly review these. Hello Ive so enjoyed the magnificent stories of your world tours and the stunning photos. Less traffic on the road and more time to spend at stops. Follow our journey in real time on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. 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. Bunyip Tours: Wonderful experience - See 1,941 traveler reviews, 941 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. However, the views arent affected by the bigger cityscape. READ MORE: Be sure to plan your best trip to Australia by using our Australia Travel Guide! Depart Melbourne and travel over the West Gate Bridge through the vast volcanic plains en-route to Geelong. A large wave crashed on shore, quickly heading towards our cave and where we thought we would be safe. If you arent restricted to only 1 day, give yourself at least 2 days to do the Great Ocean Road drive. Explore Victoria's Great Ocean Road on an all-day reverse tour Discover the region's history and culture with a knowledgeable local guide Get going early and enjoy a small-group experience that beats the crowds Experience London Bridge, 12 Apostles, Great Otway, and other sites National Park fees Live commentary on board Professional guide Here we joined the largest crowds of people yet, all elbowing for the best place to take family photos. Visit surf beaches, seaside towns, and national parks; and see rain forest, wild koalas, and towering waterfalls. Recommended Experiences Yarra Valley Full Day Gourmet Tour Skydive Yarra Valley Tandem Freefall. You can also find the distance from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road using other travel options like bus, subway, tram, train and rail. 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? all things travel. The first to know about trending destinations, travel deals, tips and To get you fueled up for your last day head toBohemiaCafe & Barfor a takeaway coffee or a wicked and delicious breakfast. Whether you surf or not, it is a great place to stop and admire the ocean. Join the adventures on our YouTube channel! 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. Mum, works 2- 3 days a week, Tues and Wednesday and Friday and has the children in daycare and . Finally, we made it to Bells Beach in Torquay, the end point of the Great Ocean Road. Sandstone cliffs plunging into the ocean, pillars of hardened sandstone sitting just offshore, all of this being pounded by some serious waves. 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. Wealso have information on a great hike in Kings Canyon and a recap of our experience in the Red Centre of Australia. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. Forget all about the stress of driving, checking the GPS and creating an itinerary of your own! Your email address will not be published. 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. We enjoyed our travels on the Great Ocean Road, the area of Port Campbell National Park being the highlight of the day. However, the Great Ocean Road is a hit at any time of the year and here is why . Carry a fast-drying towel, a bathing suit and a change of clothes to go swimming. . How long does it take to drive the Great Ocean Road? It starts in Torquay and continues westward to Allansford. 2011-2023 distancesfrom.com. 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. The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! Kms. DESTINATIONS AROUND THE WORLD: For more places to visit around the world, check out our Destinations page. We have been travelling the world together since 2008, with a passion for adventure travel and sustainable tourism. If you have a registered account with us,then we have sent you an email to reset your password. 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. Did you know: The Great Ocean Road is the worlds largest war memorial, and was built by returning servicemen from World War I. Starting and finishing in Melbourne, enjoy a self drive tour along Victoria's southwest coast. For the best panoramic views in Apollo Bay head straight forMarriners Lookout.



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