The spectacular Great Ocean Road hugs the seaside cliffs that snake along the wild and windswept Southern Ocean. 542 Km - Distance from Portland Ln to Mildura VIC 3500 Here's all you need to know about taking a Great Ocean Road Tour From Melbourne - itinerary, best tours, highlights and quick hacks. The Obelisk sits atop a rugged coastline, which is rapidly being eroded by the harsh elements. Your email address will not be published. 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. Great Ocean Road Drive Info - Time, Distance & Tips I dashed out of the cave to higher ground, able to stay dry. Built in 1848, it sits at the edge of the ocean almost 90m over the Bass Strait. Its also a fantastic place if you are looking to see some native Australian wildlife. Let us help you get started with planning your Great Ocean Road itinerary. No, the Great Ocean Road isnt particularly dangerous to drive, as long as you take proper precautions. 1. 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. For those wanting to drive a bit further west, theres the historic harbour settlement of Portland which you can visit. The Great Ocean Road Tour covers pristine beaches, geological marvels, and rich forests on your way. However, if you only have 1 day to work with, then here are some suggestions to save yourself time. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. Route planner, Travel information, Victoria, Australia Dont want to drive but still want to see the Great Ocean Road? Soaring high above the limestone stacks youll get the best views of Victorias Shipwreck Coast. The first stop when driving the Great Ocean Road will beGeelong. The Great Ocean Road in Victoria is a world-famous, Australian National Heritage-listed site along the Sydney to Melbourne drive. It was another spot that was cool to see, even if it was just for a few minutes. 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. Griffiths Islandcan be accessed by a footbridge nearby to the wharf and is a great place to do a little bird watching. 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. Melbourne's two best day tours, Great Ocean Road & Phillip Island, with entrance to Melbourne Skydeck. 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. Tyler and Kara joined us, took a look around, and then went back to their game. 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. Getting stuck behind tour buses will add to your travel time. Whether you're a history buff, foodie, nature lover or adventurer get ready for a great weekend. 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. Best way from Portland to Melbourne - Melbourne Forum However, Loch Ard Gorge is still a stunning place for a swim. Jump out of a plane at 15,000 feet above the ground and get the best, most exhilarating views of the entire coastline. 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. Tip: Beat the tour buses to avoid the traffic and crowds. Dog-Friendly Great Ocean Road: Driving with a Dog - Travelnuity One down side to this is that you will be travelling on the side of the road which isnt on the coast side. Great Ocean Road - Wikipedia Visit some of the valleys most impressive wineries, go on a skydiving experience and simply kick your heels and relax. Melbourne real estate: Full list of sales, auction results for February This will help you make the most of your time so you can see the things that matter to you. The Twelve Apostles Driving East on the Great Ocean Road Bells Beach Arriving in Melbourne Road Trip from Port Campbell to Melbourne Day Trip from Melbourne Driving the Great Ocean Road The Great Ocean Road spans 200 kilometers, from Port Campbell in the west to Torquay in the east. 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. To drive direct from the Melbourne CBD to Torquay, where the road officially starts, is 104km, or 1 hour and 20 minutes. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products, and regularly review these. Next, we got off the beaten track, taking an unnamed dirt road towards the shoreline. Lorne Seabaths, Gym, inground Trampolines for kids, and more. Make sure you visit first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon for the best koala viewing times. The Ultimate Melbourne To Yarra Valley Tour | Discover The Best Wineries, Chocolateries and Delicatessens! What is a partial cave, archway and blowhole, The Grotto is definitely something to marvel at. If you want to get the most of a day trip down the Great Ocean Road but do not want to self-drive, a bus tour will be the perfect option. The Cape Otway lighthouse is the oldest surviving lighthouse in Australia and was rightly known as the Beacon of Hope. Forget all about the stress of driving, checking the GPS and creating an itinerary of your own! The Great Ocean Road is an adventurers' perfect medley; expect breathtaking natural wonders, charming restaurants serving oh-so-delicious fare and vast wilderness dotted with native wildlife and jaw-dropping vistas. Recommended Experiences Yarra Valley Full Day Gourmet Tour Skydive Yarra Valley Tandem Freefall. PLACES TO GO IN AUSTRALIA: Spend some time in Sydney, go wine tasting in Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, explore Uluru and the Red Centre of Australia, visit Melbourne, go snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, and dont miss Tasmania, one of our favorite places in Australia. From below the steps you can marvel at the 70m limestone stacks from up close and feel the power of nature. Adelaide to Melbourne via Great Ocean Road - how long? What is the shortest road distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? Just prepare yourself for a full day with an early start and late(ish) finish. This is one of the best things, if not the best, that you can do in the state of Victoria in Australia. An alternative to this driving route is that you do it in the reverse order. Screened at CinefestOZ, Portland International Film Festival, Social Justice Film Festival (Seattle), St Louis International Film Festival, Mostly . This isnt a big deal though as you will still have great views of the scenery either way. The Great Ocean Road is one of the most epic road journeys you can go on across the world! 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. 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. Hey! The official length of the Great Ocean Road is around 243 km/ 151 miles. 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. We personally stayed there when we travelled across Australia, and highly recommend it. DESTINATIONS AROUND THE WORLD: For more places to visit around the world, check out our Destinations page. From Torquay to Warrnambool (the last town on the Great Ocean Road), expect to spend at least 4 hours of driving which doesnt include stops. Or Warrnambool, Camperdown, Geelong, Melbourne. 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. Take the Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne to catch the best scenery and attractions. We parked at a small car park and were the only ones here. We spent forty five minutes here and during this time we did not see one other person. Any advice greatly appreciated! Portland | Discover the many attractions of PortlandGetting Here - Portland Maximum group size of 12 travellers with a reverse itinerary to beat the crowds at the 12 Apostles. . 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. Day 3: Warrnambool to Port Fairy then Melbourne (or Adelaide). There are a few towns along the way like Lorne, Apollo Bay and Port Campbell where you can stay or camp overnight. But you may not have that luxury of time. These unique and adorable local animals call this spot home and have been known to use the lake as a nesting ground when having babies so best to keep your eyes peeled. Chasing waterfalls? Where does the Great Ocean Road start and finish. There is no dearth of viewpoints on the Great Ocean Road and Teddys Lookout is another magnificent spot added to the list. Stunning photos. Go-Ride a Wave! Hugging the ocean on one side, the other side of the road changes its landscape from lush rainforest-clad mountains to volcanic plains. TheForeshore Promenadeis a great place for a stroll as well and stretches on for about 6 km. 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. 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. During your travel, you plan to visit the following-1) Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay, Victoria, Australia. A little warning about the Penguin Parade: It is very touristy and professionally put together. 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. This was not anywhere near as scenic as Port Campbell National Park but was still worth seeing. Check our. This lookout gives you the chance to see right out to sea and over the entire city. 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. The Great Ocean Road winds through picturesque locations that outdo one another in terms of visual extravaganza. A road trip along the Great Ocean Road & Grampians National Park is a trip where you feel small in the universe. To get more information on the Great Ocean Road, visit the official tourism website here. From Melbourne to Torquay (the first town on the Great Ocean Road), it will take you about 1.5 hours. Drive Along the Great Ocean Road. This is one way to get away from other tourists. Great post guys, you have inspired me to take a trip here when I finally get to Australia again! Sandstone cliffs plunging into the ocean, pillars of hardened sandstone sitting just offshore, all of this being pounded by some serious waves. How Much Does It Cost to Experience Melbourne & the Great Ocean Road in If you're planning your big Great Ocean Road trip from Melbourne, here are all the transport options that could get you there. The direct route between these two locations is 142km, taking drivers around two hours to complete. What is the road driving distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? Great Ocean Road & Grampians Road Trip | Apollo Campervans AU When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. Day 1 - Drive to the Grampians National Park from Melbourne, visit McKenzie falls and stay overnight in the town of Halls Gap. 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. Youll find them sitting up in the eucalyptus trees. 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. This often includes stopping at lookouts along the way. 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. What is the return distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? Experience the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne to Adelaide. For several hours, we traveled along the Great Ocean Road, on very windy roads, through towns like Apollo Bay, Skenes Creek, and Lorne. 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. Bunyip Tours: Cute Penguins - See 1,940 traveler reviews, 941 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. While the Great Ocean Road covers a ton of coastline, this national park is a gem located more on the inland route. But the Great Ocean Road is about so much more than its sinuous, coast hugging tarmac. Read more about taking a Melbourne to Phillip Island Tour. Read all of our articles in our. Australia Road Trip Planner: The 18 best road trips in Australia These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. I could not imagine trying to swim out past these waves, just to catch one right back to shore. There are 4 ways to get from Melbourne to Great Ocean Road by train, 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. Read our detailed blog to know all about Skydiving in Melbourne and book your Great Ocean Road skydive. The weather can play a huge part in what is visible and how close you can get to this area. So you may get lucky to lay your eyes on some of these cute local beach dwellers. Tyler and Kara, since they were shorter, were able to retreat to the far depths of the cave, keeping their feet dry. 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. Cruising the Great Ocean Road is ranked amongst the top things to do in Australia. What To Know About The Top Chef World All-Stars Contestants The Grotto is one of the most impressive sections of the coastline, and essentially a sinkhole. It's also possible to travel from Melbourne to Adelaide via the Great . The same would not go for the rest of the Earth Trekkers. The Great Ocean Road is an Australian National Heritage listed 240-kilometre (150 mi) stretch of road along the south-eastern coast of Australia between the Victorian cities of Torquay and Allansford.Built by returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932 and dedicated to soldiers killed during World War I, the road is the world's largest war memorial.Winding through varying terrain along the coast . Plan ahead and give yourself at least 1 full day. The Best 5 Day Great Ocean Road Itinerary (Self Drive) Great Ocean Road Touring Route - Visit Victoria home Subscribe, Home | Australia | The PERFECT Great Ocean Road Drive Itinerary (2023). 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. Yes, you can. 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. Frolic in the ocean and then head up to the lush rainforests abundant with wildlife. Hopetoun Falls Just gorgeous, the walk to these falls is not very far, though it does involve steps. Try out the walking trails, have a picnic by the sea, take in the scenic views, or go searching for Australian wildlife. Thanks Natalie Seltz Towson, MD. Grab some coffee and stroll the foreshore. Don't be an idiot. Great Ocean Road travel - Lonely Planet | Victoria, Australia Includes: 4 nights' accommodation, 5 days unlimited km use of a compact sized car and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps. Headout is building the future of how we experience our cities. 1 Day Great Ocean Road Tour on Large Coach $105 Walk up near the Grey River Road and you will find koalas lounging on the trees. Head down to the Moyne River and stretch your legs along the wharves. Adelaide to Melbourne via Great Ocean Road - how long? Cannon Hillis a great place to start if you want to get the lay of the land. Home; Timetables Train & coach timetables; Plan a journey Learn about the Best Things to Do in Melbourne and get a recap of our experiences here. It shows off sheer limestone cliffs, dairy farms and heathland, and gets you up close and personal with the crashing . Wonderful experience - Reviews, Photos - Bunyip Tours - Tripadvisor Theyll even show you how to throw a Boomerang and spear! The waves here are huge and come fast and furious, making this area a great surfing spot. Here we joined the largest crowds of people yet, all elbowing for the best place to take family photos. Stevenson Falls, Triplet Falls, Little Aire Falls, andHopetoun Fallsare just a few of the many highlights here. Most take this road trip to visit the iconic Twelve Apostles but fall in love with the grandeur of nature. While your stop here signals the end of your epic 3 day Great Ocean Road itinerary, youre now on to new and exciting things. Planning a trip to Australia? All the while, Tyler and Kara were screaming with delight, laughing afterwards. Read all of our articles in our Australia Travel Guide. 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. The cave was not very big, extending about ten meters back into the cliff from the opening. This dive spot is actually a ship that was wrecked off the eastern beach in Port Fairy in 1849. All the points of interest mentioned above are marked on the Great Ocean Road Map below. Great Ocean Road starts at Torquay and finishes in Allansford. An organized tour that takes care of your transportation will help you take the trip within a day. The sea enters the area through a narrow opening between two rock pillars. A camper van or any sporty rental car is good for the drive through the stunning coastal road. 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. While it is a large city the laid back beach vibe is very present here and you could wind up spending more time here than you planned. This is a rare opportunity to work for a minimum of 3-6 months and with a start date late April. You also get to enjoy free WiFi onboard, tea and snacks and relax in comfort between spots. 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. You might even get a stretch of beach all to yourself, maybe for the best adventure of the day. The Quintessential Great Ocean Road Itinerary - 3 Days Check, (2 hrs You could drive the main highlights of the Great Ocean Road (from the Bay of Islands to the Twelve Apostles), and then drive to Melbourne on highway A1. Children: $99 $94 (3 - 15 years) Minimum age 3 years. Our personal recommendation for where we stay in Apollo Bay every time is The Apollo Apartment. 3 Melbourne: SEA LIFE Aquarium Entrance Ticket. 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. Both are natural, offshore stone archways. You can also find the flight distance or distance to fly from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road. This would end up being our favorite part of the day. Checking out the view of Bells Beach from the lookout. Head forEastern Beachfirst. Visit surf beaches, seaside towns, and national parks; and see rain forest, wild koalas, and towering waterfalls.