great ocean road tour from adelaide

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Adelaide to Melbourne Drive Itinerary: Great Ocean Road Trip

by Lisa Bull | Last updated Jun 29, 2023 | Road Trips Australia

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Of all the beautiful road trips Australia has to offer, a self drive across the Great Ocean Road in Victoria has to be the most famous. This Adelaide to Melbourne drive itinerary includes the best drive stops along this beautiful road that curves around the Victoria coastline for over 200km.

As well as interesting limestone formations such as the Twelve Apostles , your Adelaide to Melbourne road trip will include unspoilt rainforest, beautiful national parks and a choice of seaside holiday towns .

The total driving distance from Adelaide to Melbourne is almost 1,000km along the coastal route, so the Great Ocean Road is actually only a small part of the journey.

While you could scale this drive down to a 2 or 3-day itinerary, I’d recommend 1 or 2 weeks to fully enjoy it. This Adelaide to Melbourne road trip planner includes the best places to see, driving time and driving distance and costs. So start planning now!

Adelaide to Melbourne Drive Itinerary Overview

Here’s a list of my recommended drive stops on the Adelaide to Melbourne drive itinerary via the Great Ocean Road. If you’re on a 3-day itinerary the best places to stop overnight would be Mount Gambier and the Great Ocean Road.

To skip straight to a destination, just click on the links below.

Adelaide to Melbourne Drive FAQs

• 1. Adelaide: 2 days to 1 week
• 2. Coorong National Park: 1 day
• 3. Mount Gambier: 2 days
• 4. Portland: 1 day
• 5. Great Ocean Road: 2-3 days
• 6. Melbourne: 3 days to 2 weeks

Adelaide to Melbourne Car Hire

Make sure you find the best price for car hire in Adelaide or Melbourne by using Kayak as a starting point. They compare hundreds of car hire sites to save you hours of research.

>> Click here to compare car hire prices and book your rental car <<

1. Adelaide

Whether you’re driving from Adelaide to Perth or vice versa, it’s worth scheduling some time in to enjoy the many things to do in Adelaide . It’s a lovely city that’s vastly underrated in my opinion!

Adelaide attractions include beautiful Glenelg Beach, historic Port Adelaide, views at Mount Lofty and quaint villages in the Adelaide Hills.

Adelaide Accommodation

Make sure you book your Adelaide accommodation in advance, especially if you’re travelling during the peak summer season or school holidays! Here are my suggestions of where to stay.

ADELAIDE HOUSE SITS

My favourite type of travel accommodation is house sitting. It’s such a huge saving in an expensive country like Australia!

House sitting is when a person goes on holiday and arranges for a house sitter to stay in their home for free in return for looking after their pets and home.

I house sat in Adelaide for two weeks over Christmas and New Year, saving my travel mates and I hundreds of dollars on peak season accommodation!

Here are my recommended house-sitting sites.

• To start house sitting in Australia, I’d recommend joining Aussie House Sitters . I got plenty of jobs through them on my travels. and they’re one of the largest pet-sitting sites in the country.
• To house sit worldwide, a better choice is Trusted Housesitters. They havehouse sits in over 130 countries and offer unique perks, such as sit-cancellation compensation. Click here to get 20% off an annual membership with Trusted House Sitters.

Read my blog post on how to become a house sitter to learn how to score free accommodation instead of forking out for hostels.

ADELAIDE HOTELS AND HOSTELS

Use the search box below to browse through Adelaide hotels, apartments and hostels, or choose from my top picks below.

• BIG4 Port Willunga Tourist Park : For those of you camping or caravanning, this holiday park near McLaren Vale vineyards lies a one-hour drive from the city. It offers an outdoor pool, barbecues and a choice of villas as well as camping sites.
• Adelaide Central YHA : Located in the heart of the cit y, this backpacker hostel has dorms, doubles and family rooms, as well as free Wi-Fi, large lockers, a communal lounge and kitchen.
• The MAC Boutique Hotel : This modern 3-star hotel in Adelaide city is only 200m from The Art Gallery of South Australia and has air-conditioned rooms with fridges and tea/coffee-making facilities.

2. Coorong National Park

Coorong National Park in South Australia lies about halfway between Adelaide and Mount Gambier, and makes a great overnight stop if you’re camping.

Things to do in Coorong include visiting spectacular dry salt lakes, walking trails and a 140km saltwater lagoon separated from the ocean by sand dunes.

Places to See on the Way

Murray River: for a bit of relaxation, stop by Murray Bridge and enjoy tea and scones on a Captain Proud paddle boat cruise  along the scenic Murray River like I did!

Distance and Drive Time

• Adelaide to Loop Road, Coorong National Park distance: 216 kilometres
• Adelaide to Loop Road, Coorong National Park drive time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Coorong Accommodation

• Coorong National Park : A range of basic campsites in the bush from $15 per site per night. We stayed at Hooded Plover, which allowed easy access to walking trails.
• Coorong Hotel Motel : If you’re not a camper, this basic accommodation at Policeman’s Point has an on-site restaurant and bar as well as TVs and a/c in every room.

3. Mount Gambier

About halfway along your Adelaide to Melbourne road trip lies unusual Mount Gambier , South Australia’s second most-populated city.

Located on an extinct volcano, the Mount Gambier landscape is really unique compared to other places to see on an Adelaide to Melbourne road trip.

Home to the beautiful Blue Lake, that turns cobalt blue in summer, Umpherston Sinkhole, a stunning sunken garden inside a limestone cave and the popular Cave Gardens, Mount Gambier has plenty of unusual attractions to fill a day or two.

Kingston SE: the township of Kingston SE is the entrance to Australia’s South East coast and home to The Granites beach, where 2m-high granite knobs protrude out of the sand. It’s a scenic place to get out and stretch your legs.

• Coorong National Park to Mount Gambier distance: 232 kilometres
• Coorong National Park to Mount Gambier drive time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Mount Gambier Accommodation

• Mount Gambier Central Caravan Park : I camped here on my most recent trip. It’s very conveniently located in town and has cabins, cottages, free Wi-Fi and an outdoor pool.
• The Old Mount Gambier Gaol : I stayed at this converted prison years ago, when I was an exchange student. It was a really unique experience, and the accommodation has both self-contained cottages and dorms inside the cells.

4. Portland

Leaving South Australia behind and heading into Victoria, the next stop on your Adelaide to Melbourne drive itinerary is the busy seaside city of Portland, Victoria’s first permanent European settlement.

With a pretty foreshore, heritage buildings, museums and plenty of places to eat and drink, Portland makes a pleasant stop-off point. I had a coffee break here before heading to beautiful Narrawong to camp!

• Tantanoola Caves Conservation Park: These beautiful caves are well worth a visit and cost $14 for a guided tour (you’re allowed to stay inside afterwards to take more photos). 
• Discovery Bay Coastal Park, Nelson: From Mount Gambier, you can either take the inland Princes Highway across to Portland and beyond, or head down to Nelson and take the coastal route; the distance is about the same. Nelson is a small fishing town at the mouth of the Glenelg River with an impressive 50km-long beach stretching along the Discovery Bay Coastal Park.
• Grampians National Park : this is more of an alternative route than an attraction on the way, but about 2.5 hours north east of Mount Gambier is Halls Gap and the Grampians National Park, a mountainous hiking area and great detour for keen walkers. I didn’t go there on this trip but I did spend a few days there on my first ever Australian road trip in 2002 and loved it!

• Mount Gambier to Portland distance: 108 kilometres
• Mount Gambier to Portland drive time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Portland Accommodation

• Narrawong Holiday Park : I camped at this large, family friendly holiday park in nearby Narrawong. It’s in a very pretty location at the mouth of the Surry River, with sites from $27 per night. It was lovely to wander around at sunset.
• Portland Holiday Park : If you prefer to stay closer to Portland town, this tourist park has camping sites and modern cabins, free Wi-Fi and barbecues.
• Mariner Motel Portland : For a private room on a low budget, this clean but basic motel has a variety of room sizes, a garden, free Wi-Fi and great reviews.

5. The Great Ocean Road

Finally, the part you’re probably looking forward to the most! The Great Ocean Road in Victoria is a world-famous, Australian National Heritage-listed site along the Sydney to Melbourne drive.

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.

There are many more beautiful coastal formations along the western half of the drive though, which include Loch Ard Gorge , The Grotto , London Bridge , The Razorback and Shipwreck Walk . These are all well-signed so you wont miss them!

Allow yourself enough time to appreciate the Great Ocean Road if possible – at least two days to get from Portland to Melbourne – as it takes longer than you might expect to stop and look at each attraction.

The Great Ocean Road is unfortunately heaving with tourists a lot of the time. Prepare to be pulling up alongside tour buses and queueing to take photos amidst a sea of selfie sticks!

If you’re heading east on an Adelaide to Melbourne road trip, the visitor centre in Warrnambool is a useful place to stop at for information before you set off.

If you’re driving from Melbourne to Adelaide, stop by the centre in Lorne. Here’s a list of all the visitor centres along the Great Ocean Road .

Places to See on the Wa y

Great Otway National Park – the temperate rainforest of The Otways is a beautiful place to stop off for a walk or picnic. I dropped by Melba Gully Picnic Area for lunch and a short stroll.

• Portland to Princetown distance: 185 kilometres
• Portland to Princetown drive time: 2 hours 25 minutes
• Princetown to Melbourne distance: 263 kilometres
• Princetown to Melbourne drive time: 4 hours

Great Ocean Road Accommodation

• Apostles Camping Park and Cabins Princetown : A small holiday park with pretty views not far from the Twelve Apostles. This is where I camped on my road trip.
• Port Campbell Hostel :  This  well-rated hostel  has a choice of shared dorms and single, double and family private rooms. It’s ideally located just a 3-minute walk from the beach and a 10-minute drive from the Twelve Apostles too.
• Apollo Bay Eco YHA : An environmentally friendly hostel close to the beach and town centre with a choice of dorm beds and private rooms.
• 12 Apostles Motel & Country Retreat : Situated only 3km from the Twelve Apostles, this accommodation has a mixture of  motel rooms and pet-friendly cottages . You can even order room service for your evening meal and see wildlife around the property.

6. Melbourne

The final place to see on your Adelaide to Melbourne drive! (Or the start if you’re driving from Melbourne to Adelaide of course!) Time to pack away your tent and enjoy Melbourne’s cosmopolitan cafe scene!

There are so many great things to do in Melbourne , including St Kilda Beach, Eureka Skydeck and street art in places like Hosier Lane. It’s worth spending 1 or 2 weeks there if possible.

Melbourne Accommodation

Melbourne accommodation gets booked up pretty fast, particularly in the summer; make sure you book in advance. I almost got completely stuck when I returned from Tasmania and hadn’t booked anywhere to stay that night. I ended up in a homestay as all the hostels were full!

MELBOURNE HOTELS

Use the search box below to search for Melbourne hotels, apartments and hostels.

MELBOURNE HOSTELS

I’ve personally stayed at the Melbourne hostels below and would definitely recommend them.

• HabitatHQ , St Kilda, Melbourne : I also stayed at this modern, beachside hostel , which has won awards for sustainability. The dorm beds are cheap, and the location is great.
• The Nunnery , Fitzroy, Melbourne : I stayed at this quirky, converted nunnery and thought it was really unique. The hostel has dorm beds as well as private rooms, and lots of nearby bars, funky cafes and street art.

MELBOURNE HOUSE SITS

We landed a house sit in Southbank, which had amazing views across the city skyline! Check out my house-sitting guides if you fancy free luxury accommodation instead of forking out for hostels.

To start house sitting right away, join Aussie House Sitters for house sits in Australia. For worldwide house sitting, click here to get 20% off an annual membership with Trusted House Sitters .

Places to See on the Way:

Geelong: this port city is Victoria’s second largest city with lots of heritage buildings and an up-and-coming holiday scene.

I hope you have an amazing time on your Adelaide to Melbourne road trip. Happy travels!

Lisa Bull, founder of Dreaming of Down Under, has been living in Australia as a British expat since 2015. After travelling to every state and territory in Australia and living in Perth, Brisbane and Sydney, Lisa knows from first-hand experience the best destinations to visit in Australia and the best budget travel tips. Her guides on this blog have been read by over 700k readers and helped thousands of people achieve their dream of living in or travelling Australia.

Fantastic itinerary! Thank you so much for all of the detail, including accommodation tips and costs. Exactly what I’ve been searching (quite a bit) for. I’m planning a similar trip for this December, and I wonder if you know if campsites should/must be pre-booked during that time along the route? Thanks again!

Hi Natalie, glad you found my itinerary useful! I would look up when the Australian school holidays start, as they have their long summer holidays over Christmas time. I travelled this route in early January, which was during the holidays.

The Adelaide end of the journey was fine, but the Great Ocean Road and Melbourne itself were both extremely busy with locals camping. In fact we didn’t even stop to look at some smaller towns like Lorne, as it would have been so hard just to park!

We were very lucky to get into Narrawong and the Apostles campsites without booking. We actually stayed in Geelong on our last night as Melbourne accommodation was so booked up. So I’d definitely book that end at least a few days in advance!

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Hi, I'm Lisa, a British expat living in Sydney. I've travelled almost the whole Australian coastline and love sharing detailed travel and migration guides to inspire other adventurous souls to travel or move to Australia. Read more about me!

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4 Day Great Ocean Road Melbourne to Adelaide Tour

• Trip Styles: Comfort

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Take an awe-inspiring journey ifrom Melbourne to Adelaide. Staying in 4-star hotels on the tour, seeing breathtaking views, enjoying local Aussie personalities, sampling world-class food, and tasting wonderful wine.

Not certain about dates, or have a question? Ask here

Join our 4 day Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne to Adelaide. You will have ample time for all the ‘must-sees’ along the iconic Great Ocean Road and beyond.

On tour, you will travel in our deluxe reclining seat, air-conditioned vehicle, and experience four-star accommodation. We pride ourselves on offering family-run hospitality, locally-produced food and wine, and a variety of down-to-earth experiences that can only be enjoyed in small groups.

We understand the importance of utilising the local community and businesses to create sustainable and long-lasting relationships. We visit the best local cafes, restaurants, food producers, and wineries every day.

You will visit the iconic Great Ocean Road and learn of its history while discovering some of its hidden treasures. As we stay overnight near Port Campbell it allows us to pop back to the iconic 12 Apostles in the morning and check-out these unique rock formations without the crowds. A highlight on tour is the stay in Port Fairy the small coastal town known for its fishing, surfing and a relaxed true old fashioned ‘Aussie’ style. Our only tour to visit Mount Gambier home to the famous Blue Lake.

Our tours are as active as you want them to be. Our tour style provides opportunities for nature walks, swimming and spotting some of Australia’s unique animals in the wild.

Enjoy the diversity and captivating scenery on your Melbourne to Adelaide road trip over 4 days

Great Ocean Road & Beyond Melbourne to Adelaide (Single Traveller, Private Ensuite))

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Our travellers often combine this trip with some of these trips:

1 Day Barossa Valley Tour

1 Day Yarra Valley Tour

• Total Price: $ 2,429 Add All To Cart Add All To Wishlist Browse Wishlist
• This item: 4 Day Great Ocean Road Melbourne to Adelaide Tour ( $ 2,095 )
• 1 Day Barossa Valley Tour ( $ 169 )
• 1 Day Yarra Valley Tour ( $ 165 )

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. Depart Melbourne and travel over the West Gate Bridge through the vast volcanic plains en-route to Geelong.

The Great Ocean Road is divided into three distinct sections, the Surf Coast, Otway Ranges and the Shipwreck Coast.

We allow ample time to explore all three sections. We start the journey along the Great Ocean Road at Torquay (Surf Coast). This stretch of coast presents the first of countless photo opportunities, as we encounter stunning coastal views and lookouts and visit such places as the famous Bells Beach. Turn your gaze inland and see incredible native Australian wildlife including the Eastern Grey Kangaroos as they graze in the wild.

Our journey continues as we travel the impressive and scenic cliff-hugging section of the Great Ocean Road. The itinerary includes visiting sites such as the ‘Memorial Arch’ and hear the intriguing story of this incredible road, before a visit in Lorne, the largest of the seaside townships, before then heading to the quaint Wye River Seaside Town and the Wye River Cafe which overlooks the ocean, and the perfect place for lunch.

From the Wye River Seaside Town, we continue along this spectacular road, visiting many scenic spots including The Kennett River where you can see koalas and many colourful native birds in the wild. Travel through Apollo Bay and into the Great Otway National Park (Otway Ranges). Here we offer a guided walk through a cool temperate rainforest gully to see the world’s tallest flowering plants, prehistoric trees and ferns and many other unique features.

Our next stop on the itinerary is undoubtedly one of the most iconic vistas within Australia and truly representative of Australia’s natural beauty, the 12 Apostles.

We arrive as the stacks are bathed in the afternoon sun making them perfect for photos. After hearing of the creation of the stacks and holding some of the limestone rock, explore the boardwalks or brave a helicopter flight along the coastline (at own expense). Visit ‘Loch Ard Gorge’, the site of the most famous 19th century Australian shipwreck.

Accommodation for the first night is the small fishing village of Port Campbell, nestled in a beautiful natural port and has some wonderful cafés and restaurants for dinner (at own expense) and views.

Accommodation: Port Campbell Parkview Motel and Apartments (or similar) Meals: Lunch

This morning we pop back out to the 12 Apostles and take in the view during the morning sunlight and/or take a helicopter flight (at own expense) over this amazing coastline. We spend time visiting the unique formations of Loch Ard Gorge and immerse ourselves in the harrowing story of the wreck of the Lock Ard. It’s onto London Bridge and then The Bay of Islands before saying goodbye to this amazing stretch of coastline.

We explore one of Victoria’s largest regional towns of Warrnambool before having lunch in the township of Koroit at a quaint Aussie eatery.

We explore Tower Hill Wildlife Park where we take a interactive tour learning about the local Aboriginal history, geology, flora and fauna.

We arrive at the quaint fishing village of Port Fairy, our destination for the night. We arrive early enough to enjoy a stroll around this beautiful township before enjoying dinner (at your expense) at the many local restaurants, café’s or pubs.

Accommodation: Victoria Apartments, Port Fairy (or similar) Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Today we’re bound for South Australia. 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 pretty riverside village of Nelson.

After lunch we cross the state border and continue on to Mount Gambier which is home to the famous Blue Lake.

The Blue Lake occupies a crater of the ancient volcano which gives this city its name and early each summer, in a remarkable quirk of nature, the colour of the water in the lake changes from its winter hues to an intense cobalt blue. A photo stop at the Blue Lake is a must and so is a visit to the Umpherston Sinkhole, a collapsed limestone cave that has been transformed into a magical sunken garden. We take a walk along its terraced flower beds and behind the hanging vines deep down to the floor of this extraordinary natural wonder.

Our next stop is Penola, arriving early enough to explore its abundant historical attractions. Penola played a central part in the life of Mother Mary MacKillop (St Mary of the Cross) Australia’s only saint. We pass the school house where she taught the poorest children of the district and take a walk along Petticoat Lane, a charmingly preserved group of mid eighteenth century cottages and gardens.

After Penola we travel to our overnight destination, The William Macintosh Motor Loddge in Naracoorte. For dinner look no further than the award-winning Highlander Restaurant. Located on the William Macintosh grounds. The Highlander restaurant also has a fully licensed bar where you can sit and have a quiet glass of wine before dinner.

Accommodation: William MacIntosh Motor Lodge Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Another exciting and diverse day of discovery on this Great Ocean Road itinerary, starting with a drive through the Coonawarra vineyards where Australia’s most illustrious Cabernet Sauvignon vines thrive on the famed rich red “terra rossa” soils.

A guided visit to the world heritage listed Naracoorte Caves takes us to one of the world’s most important fossil sites.

Our tour of the Victoria Fossil Cave features a dazzling array of stalactites and stalagmites as well as the bones and skeletons of giant, long extinct animals.

After a rest break and morning tea at the iconic Keith bakery, we begin a picturesque drive through some of South Australia’s farming and grazing heartland. With a population of around one person to one square kilometre, this is the real Australian countryside and you can relax and enjoy all the colours and textures of these rural landscapes in the comfort of our luxury, air-conditioned bus.

In Coonalpyn the five towering grain solos that dominate the township have been transformed into a monumental work of public art that is a visual showstopper.

From here, Ki Ki, Yumali and Coomandook disappear almost as quickly as we encounter them and at Wellington, where road meets river, we take time out for a leisurely ferry crossing of the mighty River Murray, the largest inland waterway in Australia.

Our itinerary takes us to lunch at Bremerton Winery in the acclaimed Langhorne Creek wine region. You are welcome to sample their wines in the restored iron stone barn dating from 1866.

The southern Adelaide Hills leads us to Strathalbyn, on the banks of the Angas River.

Originally a farming community of Scottish immigrants, it’s now a classified heritage town and a thriving centre of all things antique and collectible.

You can forage for some serious vintage purchases or just enjoy the lovely scenery before we continue through the rolling hills and valleys to the historic German village of Hahndorf.

Founded by German settlers fleeing religious persecution in the late 1830s, Hahndorf is Australia’s oldest German settlement and one of South Australia’s most popular tourist destinations. You can enjoy a stroll along its bustling main street of historic buildings, gift shops, arts and crafts galleries and food outlets.

• A relaxed pace – The only 4 day Melbourne to Adelaide Great Ocean Road experience, allowing ample time for all the ‘must-sees’ along the iconic Great Ocean Road and Beyond.
• A mix of four star accommodation, and in Port Campbell it allows us to pop back to the iconic 12 Apostles in the morning and check-out these unique rock formations without the crowds.
• Enjoy family-run hospitality, locally-produced food and wine, and a variety of down-to-earth experiences that can only be enjoyed in small groups.
• Visit the best local cafes, restaurants, food producers and wineries every-day.
• We will visit the iconic Great Ocean Road and learn of its history while discovering some of its hidden treasures.
• Great Otway National Park (Otway Ranges)
• Visit ‘Loch Ard Gorge’, the site of the most famous 19th century – Australian shipwreck
• Learn about the local Aboriginal history, geology, flora and fauna
• Explore Mount Gambier home to the famous Blue Lake
• Essential things to pack
• Walking shoes/boots
• Insect repellent
• Windproof/waterproof jacket
• Bathers/towel
• Water bottle
• Important Booking Info
• Must be 18+ to travel on the tour unless an approved minor (12+ years old) is accompanied by an adult. All guests must be young in spirit and active enough to participate daily in light to medium walks, some lasting up to two hours.
• Arriving into Adelaide on Thursday night provides perfect timing to link in with the Ghan departure to Alice Springs on Sunday afternoon
• Solo Travellers must select the Singe Supplement rate $2095 per person. Available for live booking.

If traveling as a couple or friends. $1795 per person for Twin/ Double ensuite. Please contact us for booking

3 nights accommodation Solo Travellers must select the Singe Supplement rate $2095 per person. Available for live booking.

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• Adelaide to Melbourne via The Great Ocean Road: Ultimate Guide

by Emily Cass | Nov 7, 2023 | Australia & NZ , Most Popular | 9 comments

Ever since we could remember, driving The Great Ocean Road  in Victoria, Australia has been high up there on our bucket list. Even though we’ve done coastal road trips all over the world, including in  Hawaii,  South Africa ,  California  and  Tasmania, the world famous Aussie road trip had yet to be explored.

Until now! Below we give you a detailed guide on how to drive this beautiful part of the world!

But before we start, it should be known that we flew from Sydney and started our road trip in the city of Adelaide and ended it in Melbourne, but we recommend you do the opposite of what we did, and start your drive in Melbourne and head towards Adelaide. This way you’ll have the coast on your side of the road the whole way.

Here’s our Great Ocean Road road trip guide which includes an interactive map with the best stops, accommodation, tips and travel logistics .

Best Great Ocean Road Organized Tours 

If you would prefer an organised tour, check out these top tours from GetMyGuide. Or read on for our self guided Great Ocean Road itinerary.

What is The Great Ocean Road?

The Great Ocean Road is a 244km stretch of road running from Allansford to Torquay in Victoria, Australia .  The road was built by returned WW1 soldiers and is now a permanent memorial. The road that hugs the shore is met by rugged coastline, the oldest lighthouse in Australia, wild nature, windswept cliff tops, coastal towns, secluded beaches and many, many photo opportunities.

Great Ocean Road Tour from Adelaide to Melbourne

There are many ways of getting from A to B but for this particular stretch, it seems every second person is either in a campervan or caravan. We rented a Wicked Campervan (shown above) which had its pros and cons. You can read our full experience/review in a separate blog post.

There are numerous other places in which to rent a good campervan, such as Camper Champ , so make sure you do your research to see which options suit your needs best.

Did you know it is also possible to walk  a large portion of the Great Ocean Road independently or with a guide? The walk is 104km long, takes 7- 8 days and begins in  Apollo Bay and finishes at The Twelve Apostles (or vice versa). If walking isn’t your thing (I don’t blame you), then you can cycle or take a guided tour.

If you’re pressed for time, day tou rs from Melbourne are convenient but you will have no flexibility in the schedule and don’t be disappointed when you find yourself at the tourist sites with hoards of other buses. We strongly recommend you self-drive, even if it’s a regular vehicle. 

How long do you need for the Great Ocean Road drive?

The Great Ocean Road is approximately 200km so it can be driven in 1-2 days , however, if you’re doing the whole route from Adelaide to Melbourne or vice versa, allow at least 5-7 days to take it slow get the most of out of the journey.

Go to Day 4 if you want to skip straight to the Great Ocean Road Itinerary.

Great Ocean Road Adelaide to Melbourne Itinerary ( 4-7 Days) 

• Adelaide to Robe (335 km, 3 hours 40 minutes)
• Robe to The Grampians via Mount Gambier (285km, 3 hours 15 minutes)
• The Grampians to Port Fairy (158km, 1 hour 50 minutes)
• Port Fairy to Apollo Bay via The Great Ocean Road (187km, 2 hours 50 minutes)
• Apollo Bay to Lorne (47km, 1 hour)
• Lorne to Torquay (46km 1 hour)
• Torquay  to Melbourne (133km, 1 hour 45 minutes)

Day 1: Adelaide to Robe (335km, 3 hours 40 minutes)

We left Adelaide after a delicious & highly recommended breakfast at Luigi’s Delicatessen and headed for the coastal town of Robe via the Fleurieu Peninsula . Along the way, wake up your taste buds with wine tasting at D’Aranberg , a 15 million dollar rooftop cellar door + art gallery in McLaren Vale. Grab lunch at Loco Mexican , watch out for the dolphins at Victor Harbour or take a stroll or horse trolley over to Granite Island .

Robe is one of South Australia’s favourite seaside towns. There is ample accommodation from motels to campsites, a small main street with a grocery store, a petrol station, beaches, fishing ports, restaurants, local pubs, coffee shops (go to Mahalia Coffee ) and an extremely relaxed vibe. We spent the night in the car park at The Robe Obelisk , watching the sunset and waking up to the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks. A pretty special place to sleep!

Where to Stay in Robe

• Free: The Robe Obelisk – shown above (no facilities, just a killer view) 
• Paid: Robe Holiday Park ($30 AUD powered site and use of facilities) 
• Sick of your van?   Guichen Bay Motel  or  Robe House B n B  .

Day 2: Robe to Halls Gap (The Grampians) via Mount Gambier (285km, 3 hours 15 minutes) 

After spending the morning in Robe, make your way towards Mount Gambier , inland of South Australia. Most travellers stay along the coastal route and miss this, but if you have the time we would definitely recommend making the small inland detour to visit The Blue Lake & The Umpherston Sinkhole. The Umpherson Sinkhole is an underground garden holding many different plants, trees & hanging vines. The sinkhole which was built in 1886 was once a limestone cave and the sinkhole was created when the chambers’ roof collapsed. If you’re there for dusk, watch the possums appear to feed off fresh fruit.

Drive a further 2.5 hours until you arrive in the mountainous region of Halls Gap , the base for exploring the mountainous  Grampians. Once you arrive at Halls Gap, keep an eye out for the masses of Kangaroos soaking up the last little bit of sunshine on the fields. There is one main street with motels, small grocery stores, caravan parks, an ice cream parlour (essential), a petrol station and a handful of restaurants.

Where to Stay in Halls Gap

• Free: Plantation Campground (bush showers, picnic tables, shared firepit)
• Paid: Big4 Parkgate Resort – $30 AUD non-powered site, $37 powered site + use of good facilities) 
• Sick of your van?  Halls Gap Valley Lodges  or Halls Haven Resort

Day 3: Halls Gap (The Grampians) to Port Fairy (158 km, 1 hour 50 minutes)

The Grampians mountain range is an idyllic setting of misty mornings, rugged mountains, powerful waterfalls, wildlife and endless views. You could spend many days hiking through the various bush tracks in the park but if you are pressed for time we recommend visiting these top sights which are all located just off Mt Victory Road.

• The Pinnacles & Grand Canyon –  Regarded as one of the most popular walks in the park, this will take you on a 2.1km round trip walk up a relatively steep incline but it’s worth every breath. If you can, go via the Grand Canyon which is to the left of the car park.
• Makenzie Falls . Victoria’s largest waterfall. It’s a steep 600m climb down paved stairs and path’s but it’s worth it to view from below. There is an above viewing platform if you don’t want to walk to the base.
• The Balcony. In our opinion, this gave the best view of the park! Park in the Reeds Car Park and walk an easy 1km to the balcony. If you’re feeling game, walk out onto the “jaws of death”.

Leave by the afternoon via Coolars Ice Creamery  (of course) and reach  Port Fairy before sunset. Port Fairy is a historic coastal town with wide streets, boutique stores, art galleries, swimming beaches, coastal walks, old stone churches, award-winning restaurants, a golf course, motels, caravan parks and at dusk, the possibility to see the mutton bird colony (10,000 – 20,000 birds) return to their nesting grounds on Griffiths Island from their 15,000km journey around the world in just 2 months. This happens only between September and April. Pretty spectacular.

Where to Stay in Port Fairy

• Paid: Gum Tree Caravan Park ($25, unpowered with use of facilities)
• Paid: Southcombe Park ($43 powered site/$38 unpowered with use of facilities)
• Sick of your van? Comfort Inn Port Fairy & Seacombe House  or Battery Cove Beachfront Apartment 

Day 4: Port Fairy to Apollo Bay via The Great Ocean Road (187 km, 2 hours 50 minutes)

Not long after you leave Port Fairy you’ll pass through the town of Warrnambool – the maritime capital of the region. This is a good town to stock up on any low supplies as there are a ton of department stores, large grocery stores, clothing stores, petrol stations, restaurants and cafes. Cheese lovers, keep an eye out for “Cheese World ” just past Allansford (you can’t miss it). Plenty of cheese samples, artisan goods, gourmet dips, wine and all the good things in life. We’d suggest stocking up for a picnic lunch in Port Campbell (further down the track).

Top Tip: If you’re visiting during winter (May – October) stop at Logan Beach. Each year southern right and blue whales school their calves just off the shore. It’s best viewed from the designated whale whatching platform!

At last, we’re reunited with the coast! Today’s the day the official Great Ocean Road begins ! Don’t get too comfortable in the car, you’ll be getting out every 5 minutes. We were seriously blown away by the sheer beauty of this coastal drive. The bright blue sky against the yellow limestone rocks surrounded by the blue glistening water was absolutely incredible.

Great Ocean Road Driving Map & Itinerary with Highlights & Best Stops to Visit

Here are a few highlights from the Great Ocean Road which can all be reached within a short walk from the car parks.

An interactive map is below the static map.

• Bay of Islands (the least crowded and in our opinion, the most beautiful)
• The Grotto (combines a blowhole, cave and archway. Make sure you walk right down to the water)
• London Bridge (previously connected to the mainland until 1990 when it collapsed, now sometimes referred to as the London Arch)
• Port Campbell ( great town to enjoy a swim & picnic lunch by the sea)
• The Arch (can you guess what this may be?)
• Lord Ard Gorge (Loch Ard Gorge is named after the famous 1878 shipwreck on nearby Mutton Bird Island. There are 3 car parks and 4 main walking trails ranging in length. Take note of what car park you park in)
• The Razorback (impressive rock formation constantly changing by the wind and water erosion)
• The Twelve Apostles National Park (The most popular of the stops. Prepare for the chaos and hoards of people, option for a helicopter ride , $145 pp)
• Gibson Steps (great access to view The Twelve Apostles from the beach, without too many people)

Completely mesmerized by what we’ve just seen, we arrived in Apollo Bay just before sunset. Apollo Bay is where the hills meet the sea & we enjoyed this town a lot. There were a lot of good places to eat ( Great Ocean Road Brewhouse, Dooleys award-winning Icecream, Apollo Bakery or Apollo Bay Seafood Cafe just to name a few and the beach was right in front of the town. There’s also a great lookout point to walk too,  Mariners Lookout or take the lazy option & fly a drone 😉

Note: We skipped over Cape Otway National Park  but if we were to do this trip again we would take the detour. Try it and let us know! 

Where to Stay in Apollo Bay

• Paid: Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve and Camping Ground ($25 unpowered site + use of facilities) OR BIG4 Apollo Bay Pisces Holiday Park ($39 unpowered + use of facilities)
• Free: There are plenty of public toilets in Apollo Bay as well as a cold free shower located next to Apollo Bay Harbour Car Park. 
• Sick of your van?  Apollo Bay Waterfront Motel Inn  or Stay Inn

Day 5: Apollo Bay to Lorne (47km, 1 hour)

Begin your morning with a coffee & breakfast from Hello Coffee and lather up in sunscreen, more coast awaits! Today you’ll continue on towards the coastal town of Lorne . We spent a good amount of the day beach hopping the secluded and untouched beaches and soaking up the Aussie sun. This portion of the Great Ocean Road really hugged the coastline, it felt like an arm’s reach away at all times.

Lorne was our favourite of the towns and we could have easily spent a few days here. There’s plenty to do for the whole family, from great cafes to a patrolled beach, rock pools, fishing, lookouts (Teddy’s) or why not work up a sweat and trek to Erskine Waterfalls which offers 2 lookout points. Hungry? Sit on the beach and indulge in takeaway fish and chips from Salty Dog Fish and Chippery.

Where to Stay in Lorne

• Paid: Lorne Foreshore Caravan Park ($35 unpowered + use of facilities)
• Free: Allenvale Mill Site (non-flush toilets, unpowered, no fires allowed)
• Sick of your van? Chatby Lane Lorne  or Lorne Foreshore Caravan Park

Day 6: Lorne to Torquay (46 km, 1 hour)

Once you reach the breezy town of Torquay, the official Great Ocean Road finishes (or begins, depending on which way you’re travelling) but don’t be too upset, there’s still plenty to see between Lorne and Torquay. Just 15 minutes from Lorne, make a note to stop at the Memorial Arch at Eastern View . You can take your signature photo with the “Great Ocean Road” sign and learn about the history and background of this beautiful road. Something we shamefully had no idea about until this trip.

Continuing on in just one direction, you’ll pass by Fairhaven Beach (the longest beach on the Great Ocean Road) Airleys Inlet, Split Point Lighthouse, Anglesea Beach and then one of Australia’s most well-known beaches, Bells Beach  – Australia’s premier surf beach where Rip Curl/Quicksilver was born. Surf competitions are held here annually for experienced surfers from around the world.

If you’re just learning, they also have surf lessons available  so don’t worry, you’ll get there one day! If you don’t have a fear of heights, why not go paragliding over Bell’s Beach? We did this in Southern Turkey and LOVED it!

Torquay is one of the largest towns on the coast and is very popular for weekend getaways from Melbourne . There is a ton of restaurants, motels, caravan parks, playgrounds and if you’re up for it, a nudist beach. It may be known as the surfing capital in Australia but there are still plenty of other beaches to enjoy a patrolled calm swim. If you’re into surfing, there’s a surf museum next to Surf City which is home to surf shops offering everything from swimwear to surfboards. Love a good deal? Baines Beach Surf Seconds (on Baines Crescent) is a surf factory outlet selling discounted clothes and accessories.

Where To Stay in Torquay

• Paid: Torquay Holiday Park ($39 powered + use of facilities)
• Paid: Juan Juc Caravan Park ($30 unpowered + use of facilities) 
• Sick of your van?  Bells Beach Backpackers or  Torquay Tropicana Motel

Day 7: Torquay to Melbourne (133 km, 1 hour 45 minutes)

Today’s the day we return our Wicked Campervan. En route to Melbourne and still with some time under our sleeve, we drove directly to St Kilda. Melbourne’s closest beach town. We walked along the foreshore, enjoyed a much-needed drink at Pontoon Beach Bar and in the evening, watched the penguins come home at the end of the Jetty. The perfect way to end our road trip. I could continue this #vanlife but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss some luxuries in life. That’s fair, isn’t it?! Please, someone, get me to a hotel.

Top Best Stops & Attractions on the Adelaide to Melbourne Great Ocean Road Drive 

In summary, these were our top picks for the Adelaide to Melbourne / Great Ocean Road Drive. Don’t miss these!

• Grampians National Park
• The Umpherston Sinkhole
• Great Otway National Park
• Great Ocean Road (especially Bay of Islands and The Grotto)
• Cosy Corner
• Bells Beach

Too overwhelming? Take an organized tour from GetMyGuide instead:

Top Tips for The Great Ocean Road Drive / Adelaide to Melbourne Tour

• Watch out for wildlife. Especially in the evenings. Save the roos! Avoid driving at night when possible.
• When you see a petrol station, fill up your tank, even if it’s almost full. It could be a while before you see another.
• Stop, revive, survive. It may sound cliche but with long distances, driving can become extremely boring and tiresome. Pack some snacks and a good playlist to keep you alert.
• Make sure you have your campervans roadside assistance phone number available at all times. Especially if you’re in a Wicked Campervan.
• The Travellers Autobarn app gives you a range of camping options from free to paid and updates based on your location. This helped us immensely in finding where to legally park our car for the night.
• Check if your van comes with linen . Wicked Campers don’t supply linen (they give you a mattress) so we stocked up on a quilt, pillows and a filled sheet from Big W for $70 AUD.
• Bring your laptops and cameras into the restaurants with you to charge, especially if you aren’t staying at a paid caravan site.
• It’s tempting but sleeping in your van in undesignated areas is illegal, watch out for clear signs and if you ignore them, you can pay the price!
• The weather can be quite unpredictable year round, pack for all seasons.
• Please note the prices for campsites quoted above are for our travel through March and can inflate during holiday periods.
• If your schedule permits, try for the 12 Apostles at sunrise or sunset . During the day is pure madness with tour buses.

Is the Great Ocean Road trip on your bucket list? Or have you done it before? We’d love to hear what else to add!

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As an Australian, I am embarrassed to say I’ve never driven the Great Ocean Road! I’ve done short stints, but not all of it. Need to do this when I’m next home in Oz. Thanks for the detailed guide!

It did take us 30 years to visit it too! Something about not visiting places closest to home haha. Little bits here and there is better than nothing 🙂 Thanks for reading!

Thanks so much for the detailed post! it has helped me plan my trip to melbourne via the great ocean road from adelaide! Getting very keen.

You’re welcome Jane! Enjoy 😀

Awesome blog Jacob and Emily – thanks a lot 4 sharing – we’ll be cruisin’ 14 days from tomorrow Adelaide-Melbourne and your story was just perfect to read before taking off. Br Allan+family.

Good to hear Allan! It was so fun!! Have a great time, hope you get nice weather! 🙂

Love the collection. Really great. After reading this I eagerly want to go for the great ocean road tours.

Hi Emily – great post, thanks! I have 4 days to get from Adelaide to Melbourne. What stops would you recommend? Thanks ☺

Hello, all the stops are recommended in the post 🙂

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Great Ocean Road Trip

The Ultimate Great Ocean Road Trip from Melbourne to Adelaide

As an accredited tour agency, our brand offers several curated tour packages for a trip to the Great Ocean Road . We highly recommend our four-day and three-night tours for a comprehensive travel experience across Australia. Immerse yourself in the tranquillity of pristine white beaches, enjoy the cool ocean breeze and go on one-of-a-kind culinary adventures. These are some things you can experience from our guided tour, sure to make some fantastic memories.

This package is exceptionally crafted to give travellers in-depth tours of Australia’s natural landscapes and a much-needed break from the mundane of everyday life. So you will have plenty of opportunities for quality time and to enjoy the vacation you truly deserve.

A Top-Rated Tour for The Perfect Great Ocean Road Trip

Having been an established tour company for four years, your trip to the Great Ocean Road with us will be extraordinary. Great Ocean Road & Beyond has received more consistent five-star reviews than any other tour company in South Australia. We specialise in providing small group tours on a luxury air-conditioned coach accompanied by an experienced guide. You can fully immerse yourself in the moment without worrying about logistics.

Our service offerings are meticulously curated to offer our guests generous hospitality and comfort. This tour package includes diverse itineraries and four-star accommodation at affordable prices. As part of the See Adelaide and Beyond Group, we are well-versed in the industry and understand our customers’ needs before they do. Join our fantastic tour and experience it for yourself.

What Are the Advantages of Choosing Our Great Ocean Road Trip

Have you considered the benefits of choosing our guided tour package for your Great Ocean Road trip? Our selection of tours is carefully curated for your convenience and safety. Here are some perks we have to offer:

• Tourism accredited: We are a fully licensed tour operator; this means we have what it takes to give you the best experience. Our team is committed to delivering exceptional service.
• COVID Clean Practicing Business: We take serious actions to keep everyone safe, including our customers. Our team makes a great effort to abide by health regulations to help stop the spread of the virus.
• Member of the Tourism Industry Council South Australia: Having built strong connections with key stakeholders in the tourism industry, our company has established a robust system to respond to our customers’ needs.

Take your loved ones for an unforgettable Great Ocean Road trip with us. Please contact us for more information.

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Adelaide to Melbourne touring is about the journey off the beaten path. It’s all about the twists and turns, with something for all travellers. From foodies to hikers, backpackers to grey nomads, it offers experiences as diverse as the landscapes, towns and villages to be encountered on the way.

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Be inspired.

Adelaide to Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road: The Coastal Route

Discover some of the most magnificent coastal treasures just waiting for you to explore.

Adelaide to Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road: The Inland Route

Discover the magic of small towns, marvel at rolling green pastures and discover hidden country gems without the crowds.

The natural wonders of the western end of the Great Ocean Road region

Blessed with natural attractions, there’s plenty to keep the active adventurer or curious explorer busy.

How to live like the locals in the western end of the Great Ocean Road region

The best way to truly experience the South West is to stray off the beaten path.

Travel further

Explore our underworld of chasms and caves, trek our dormant volcanoes, feast on our home-grown delights, and soak in our aquamarine dream coastline.

From volcanic plains to flowing falls, small batch wineries and vibrant acclaimed artworks our region is steeped in history, and full of unexpected discoveries

The Silo Art Trail is Australia’s largest outdoor gallery, linking the Wimmera Mallee’s treasured small towns across 700km through the region.

An adventure full of experiences that will delight and inspire every traveller. Witness wild seascapes, mountain vistas and Victoria’s best waterfalls.

A stunning landscape of rolling farmland and pristine sandy beaches, rugged coastlines and national parks offers the perfect place to holiday.

The region is brimming with experiences that can fill any gaps on your itinerary or satisfy that desire to get off the beaten track.

Experience more

Budj bim cultural landscape tourism.

Eexperience Southwest Victoria’s Gunditjmara Country.

Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum & Village

Enjoy engaging storytelling, dazzling lighting and sound effects.

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Harnessing the natural geothermal waters, the Deep Blue Hot Springs Warrnambool is a self-guided journey.

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The team at the Lady Bay Resort want you to feel welcome, at home, and comfortable.

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Nestled beside the picturesque Botanic Gardens on the banks of the Moyne River.

Mortlake Caravan Park

Ideally situated within the beautiful Tea Tree Lake reserve and gardens.

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Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Great Ocean Road region the Wadawurrung, Eastern Maar & Gunditjmara. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We recognise and respect their unique cultural heritage and the connection to their traditional lands. We commit to building genuine and lasting partnerships that recognise, embrace and support the spirit of reconciliation, working towards self-determination, equity of outcomes and an equal voice for Australia’s first people.

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Melbourne to Adelaide along the Great Ocean Road

Take a drive along one of Australia’s most spectacular coastlines on the Great Ocean Road.

Australia boasts more than a few epic  road trips , but none are so iconic as the  Great Ocean Road . This four-day road trip encompasses rugged rock faces, quaint seaside towns and clifftops surrounded by salty air.

Embark on a breathtaking journey you’ll never forget.

What to expect

• Drive along breathtaking coastline
• Stay in charming seaside towns
• Marvel at stunning rock formations
• Time: 4 days
• Distance: 1,000km (621mi)
• Transport: car
• Nearest major city: Melbourne and Adelaide

Day 1: Melbourne to Lorne / Apollo Bay

Lorne, Great Ocean Road, Victoria © Visit Victoria 

Hire a car and leave bustling Melbourne behind. Today’s drive will take just over three hours, but there are plenty of worthwhile stops along the way. Make your first point of call the beachy town of Torquay , often considered the surfing capital of Australia. Check out a few of the town’s best surf beaches, like Jan Juc and Bells Beach, to see some locals riding a wave.

Hop back in the car and continue for under an hour to reach Lorne . One of the Great Ocean Road ’s most charming seaside stops, Lorne is the perfect place to eat lunch. Head to The Swing Bridge Cafe and Boathouse for a casual café feel, or make your way to the Grand Pacific Hotel to grab a classic Aussie pub feed with views overlooking the beach. Keep an eye out for migrating whales during the winter months (June to August). If you have extra time, soak up the seaside lifestyle and spend the night in Lorne, or continue to Apollo Bay.

Your final stop for the day is Apollo Bay , a one-hour drive from Lorne. Check into The Dolphin Apartments . 

Day 2: Apollo Bay to Port Fairy

Loch Ard Gorge, Great Ocean Road, Victoria © Mark Watson

Your second day on the Great Ocean Road brings you to some of the drive’s most remarkable sights. Drive just under two hours toward the 12 Apostles  – soaring limestone stacks off the shore of Victoria’s stark coast. But before you stop at the Apostles, be sure to check out the area’s other natural wonders, including the Gibson Steps , London Bridge , Loch Ard Gorge and Bay of Islands . 

Continue driving 1.5 hours to reach Port Fairy , taking in the incredible cliffs along the way. While you’re here, stop at Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve , an inactive volcano site with tiered crater walls and several walking tracks. You can also spot native Australian animals like emus, koalas and kangaroos. Learn about the Aboriginal heritage of the area at Worn Gundidj Visitor Centre and join an Aboriginal guide on a tour. While in Port Fairy, do as the locals do and surf , SUP  or simply wander the shoreline. For dinner, grab a pizza at Coffin Sally , then tuck in for the night at the stylish Oak and Anchor Hotel in Port Fairy. 

If you’re eager to squeeze your Great Ocean experience into three days, you can continue on to South Australia’s fishing town of Robe.

Day 3: Port Fairy to Robe

Umpherston Sinkhole, Mount Gambier, South Australia © Adam Bruzzone

Grab breakfast at Bank St + Co before hitting the road once more. Today, take a detour inland to South Australia ’s Mount Gambier . Here, you’ll find more than a few photogenic locations. Visit the Umpherston Sinkhole , a sunken garden created inside a collapsed cave. 

Another 1.5-hour drive will bring to you Robe , an enchanting fishing town on South Australia ’s Limestone Coast . There’s plenty to do in this sleepy city; hit the sand of Long Beach, watch the brewing process at Robe Town Brewery and grab a cone at The Ice Cream Shop . Tonight, eat dinner at the Caledonian Inn . After dinner, wander along Robe Jetty; it’s especially Instagrammable at sunset. 

Spend the night at the Robe Harbour View Motel .

Day 4: Robe to Adelaide

Long Beach, Robe, South Australia © South Australian Tourism Commission

Start your day with a dip in the salty ocean off Long Beach. Grab breakfast and coffee at The Adventurous Spoon , a cute café serving up breakfast dishes like muesli with vanilla stewed pear and, of course, avocado smash. Then, drive just under four hours to the South Australian capital of Adelaide .

In Adelaide , you’ll find buzzing markets, cheap eats and a jam-packed festival calendar. The city is also a great starting point for another Australian adventure, this time to the Eyre Peninsula , Perth or Darwin .

Discover more great road trips

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The Great Ocean Road Melbourne - Adelaide 4 day 3 night Tour

• Fully Guided
• Personalized
• Wine tasting

Places You’ll See

• Wonderful local food
• Native Australian wildlife
• Scenic cliff-hugging adventures
• See the Great Ocean Road

Ready-to-book adventures, personalized

Make your adventure more you

Enjoy a tour focused solely on your travel group

Professional

Access our Travel Experts’ insider knowledge

Travel within your own bubble

• Introduction
• Day 1 Melbourne – Port Campbell
• Day 2 Port Campbell – Port Fairy
• Day 3 Port Fairy - Naracoorte
• Day 4 Naracoorte – Adelaide

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What's Included

• Accommodation
• Additional Services

Adventure Type

• Group of 16 travelers max.
• Fast booking confirmation
• Carefully planned itineraries
• Travel with like-minded people
• Choose your preferred dates and duration
• Upgrade your accommodation
• Customize the itineraries

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Operated by See Adelaide and Beyond

Owned and operated by Nikki and Dallas Coull who have over 30 years experience of providing fanatasic touring options in Australia the Great Ocean Road and Beyond brand is part of See Adelaide and Beyond, Taste the McLaren and Taste the Barossa with our Taste the Barossa brand ranking #1 on Trip Advisor between 2010 and 2018. Tour with us for a unique and quality experience.

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Customer Reviews

• Overall Rating Excellent 4.9
• Itinerary Excellent 4.9
• Guide Excellent 5.0
• Transport Excellent 4.9
• Accommodation Excellent 4.8
• Food Excellent 4.8
• Tour Operator See Adelaide and Beyond 4.9
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• P Peter · 16th October 2023 Just to let you know how much we enjoyed our Great Ocean Road trip with Michael our tour guide and driver. He was excellent and everything you could wish for in a director of operations. The scenery on the trip was stunning and we also thoroughly... Show more Trip date: October 2023
• DB Diane · 2nd October 2023 What a great time we had on the Great Ocean Road and Beyond Tour. Following a trip on the Overland to Melbourne, and 3 days in Melbourne visiting family, this was just a great way to finish our time away. With Michael's careful driving and cheerful... Show more Trip date: September 2023

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• For any tour departing before 1st July 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after 1st July 2024, a minimum payment of 20% is required to confirm your booking with See Adelaide and Beyond. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 60 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
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South Australia, Melbourne & the Great Ocean Road

10 days, adelaide to melbourne.

• Full itinerary
• Tour details

Let’s be frank, we’d need a heck of a lot of time to be able to see everything Australia has to offer, and sometimes we’re just not afforded that luxury. But fret not, fellow adventurer, because this 10-day tour will take you on a jaunt from Adelaide to Melbourne, with a mix of must-see highlights and unique experiences along the way. Learn about the coffee culture of Melbourne, check out Victoria’s beaches, travel along the Great Ocean Road, and a whole lot more.

Adelaide to Melbourne

Is this tour for me, travel style: classic.

All of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, all at a great price.

Service Level: Standard

Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.

Physical Rating: 2 - Light

Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.

Trip Type: Small Group

Small group experience; Max 16, avg 12

Age requirement: 12+

All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

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In a number of impactful ways, your adventure directly benefits the local people and places we visit.

Help us spread love around the world — with trees! Together with Planeterra, we'll plant one tree in your name for every travel day.

Trees planted for this trip: 10

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Want to create ripples that change lives? The higher the Ripple Score percentage, the more money stays in the local communities you visit.

Ripple Score for this trip: 100

Places visited

Day 1 adelaide.

Arrive at any time. Join your CEO for a welcome meeting.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Day 2 adelaide/halls gap.

Travel inland to Grampians National Park, known for its sandstone mountain range.

Meals included:

Day 3 halls gap.

Trek through the forest, lush with vegetation and wildlife. Visit the culturally significant MacKenzie Falls for a short hike. Walk to the stunning Balconies, then spend the afternoon relaxing with the locals - our resident wild kangaroos and emus.

Day 4 Halls Gap/Port Campbell

Travel south to the ancient volcanic crater of Tower Hill, with the opportunity to spot some of Australia’s most iconic wildlife. Afterwards, begin your journey along the Great Ocean Road as far as the township of Port Campbell.

Day 5 Port Campbell

Spend the day exploring the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and surrounding natural attractions. Opt for a walk along any number of short paths available to immerse yourself in nature. If the luck of weather is on your side, round out the day by watching the light become golden over the Twelve Apostles on the drive to Port Campbell.

Day 6 Port Campbell/Mornington Peninsula

Spend the day travelling along the Great Ocean Road. Pass world-famous surf beaches, and walk through the rainforest in Great Otway National Park. Travel by ferry across Port Phillip to the Mornington Peninsula.

Day 7 Mornington Peninsula

Spend the morning exploring the Mornington Peninsula, including a visit to Cape Schanck. In the afternoon, opt to visit a winery or relax and enjoy yourself at one of the many incredible beaches in the area.

Day 8 Mornington Peninsula/Melbourne

Continue on to Melbourne but first make a few stops along the way. Stop to see Brighton's brightly coloured bathing boxes, miniature beachfront cabins that are unique to the beaches in Port Phillip Bay.

Day 9 Melbourne

Tour Melbourne's iconic laneways and learn more about coffee culture, and pick up some great pointers for your free afternoon of exploration.

Day 10 Melbourne

Depart at any time.

What's Included

• Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
• Guided Melbourne laneways walk
• Brighton bathing boxes visit
• Rainforest walk in Great Otway NP
• 12 Apostles visit
• Grampians NP visit
• All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodations

Hotels (9 nts).

3 breakfasts, 1 dinner Allow USD510-665 for meals not included.

Transportation

Private vehicle, ferry, walking.

Staff & experts

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.

Available extras  (Add these to your tour when you book)

My own room - from $1099.00.

If you're travelling solo and would prefer to have your own private room throughout your trip, select this option during the online booking process.

Make it a private tour

Book this tour as a private departure, with your own CEO and all the benefits of a G Adventures group tour.

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Great Ocean Road Itinerary 3 Days – Melbourne To Adelaide Drive

Long before I ever set foot in Australia, the Great Ocean Road was a dream road trip and somewhere I longed to see. Since I was flying into Melbourne and my first long-term destination was Adelaide – taking a Great Ocean Road trip was the perfect way to get there. Oceans that span as far as the eye can see, pristine beaches and beautiful rainforests can all be found along this stretch of road.

Although the Great Ocean Road only spans 243km there is plenty to do further afield, whether you venture inland or continue along the coast.

I spent 3 days touring from Melbourne to Adelaide and I booked a Great Ocean Road and Grampians tour before arriving. Since I don’t drive, a self-drive Great Ocean Road trip was out of the question, but there’s nothing stopping you from amending this Great Ocean Road 3 day itinerary to suit a self-drive tour. 

The Great Ocean Road was the idea behind Howard Hitchcock who was the Mayor of the city of Geelong. He organised and funded construction of the Great Ocean Road. Construction began in 1919 and was completed in 1932. 

Wondering what to see along the Great Ocean Road? What are the best Great Ocean Road highlights? Read on to find out why you should the Great Ocean Road to your Australia itinerary !

A City Girl Outside contains affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for reading!

Day 1 – Great Ocean Road Itinerary 3 Days

Torquay & Bells Beach

Torquay was the first stop on our Great Ocean Road bus tour. The Great Ocean Road starts in a small coastal town called Torquay – situated along the surf coast portion of the Great Ocean Road – since the next few towns are all famous for their world-class surfing. Torquay is where several big surf brands emerged including both Rip Curl and Quiksilver. 

Bell’s Beach in Torquay is home to the annual Rip Curl Pro surfing competition – the world’s longest continuously running pro surfing competition. After Torquay, you’ll also pass by the small towns of Angelsea and Airys Inlet before reaching the Famous Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch.

Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch

One of the most iconic sights along the Great Ocean Road is the famous archway. The Memorial Arch is dedicated to the 3,000 soldiers who built the road after returning from WW1, making the Great Ocean Road the longest war memorial in the world. 

To the left of the archway is a sculpture depicting the soldiers who built the Great Ocean Road, this was unveiled for it’s 75th anniversary. 

There is a small parking lot to the left of the archway where you can stop off to get your photos!

The town of Lorne is one of the most popular Great Ocean Road stops. This is the perfect place to stay the night, grab food or stretch your legs. Lorne is a weekend getaway for many people living in Melbourne and gets busy during the summer months. 

Lorne is home to the famous “Pier to Pub” swim that happens every year in January. There are also several events year-round including the Lorne Arts Festival in June, Great Ocean Road Marathon and the Falls Festival.

Teddys Lookout

A short drive from Lorne is Teddy’s Lookout, the most famous lookout point on the Great Ocean Road. Teddy’s lookout offers a vista of endless ocean and stunning hues of blue. During weekends, public holidays and the summer months the lookout platform can get quite busy.

Apollo Bay is cute little seaside town to stop in overnight or for a pit stop. Head to Dooley’s ice cream shop, an award winning store featuring it’s famous “vegemite” ice cream. I didn’t take the vegemite ice cream but the mint chocolate chip was amazing on a hot day! 

If you enjoy craft beer, the Great Ocean Road Brewhouse has over 100 craft beers on offer. Just behind the brewhouse is a bottle shop where you can local wines and beers. If you’d really like to experience some of the local beers or wines they offer a tasting bar.

There’s plenty of water sport activities in the town including surfing, kayaking, and diving. The main street features a variety of eateries, galleries and shops. 

The Great Ocean Walk starts in Apollo Bay. Opened in 2004, the Great Ocean Walk features 104km of walking trails from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles. You can opt to walk the whole thing which takes 8 days or walk sections of it. 

Melba Gully – Great Otway National Park

The Great Otway National Park offers a plethora of walking trails and landscapes. Melba Gully is located in the Great Otway National Park and features areas to set up a picnic and explore the surrounding area. 

Melba Gully is a dense rainforest where Myrtle Beech, Blackwood and Tree-ferns grow. If exploring this area at night, look out for the glow worms that live in the area. 

The Madsen’s Track nature trail is a 35-45 minute walk with easy terrain to explore a portion of the park. This trail leads to a small waterfall but there are plenty more to explore in the National Park including Hopetoun Falls, Beauchamp Falls and Triplet Falls.

Twelve Apostles

The Twelve Apostles are the most iconic landmark along the Great Ocean Road and something that had been my own bucket list for a long time. You’ll notice it’s popularity by the amount of tourists visiting. During the summer months it can get incredibly busy here but the shoulder seasons and winter bring a far smaller crowd.

The Twelve Apostles are located along the shipwreck coast portion of the Great Ocean Road. Aptly named, there have been over 600 shipwrecks throughout history along the Shipwreck Coast. 

Originally named The Pinnacles or Sow and Pigs, the Twelve Apostles are a group of limestone stacks created by erosion from the wind and sea. Although called the Twelve Apostles, there was only originally eight of them, which became seven in 2015 when one column collapsed. 

Many bus companies end their tours at the Twelve Apostles but there is plenty to see further afield. 

Loch Ard Gorge & The Razorback

Loch Ard Gorge was my absolute favourite part of the Port Campbell National Park. It’s beauty is undeniable but it’s history is quite the opposite. 

Loch Ard Gorge is of the most stunning stops on the Great Ocean Road. It was by far my favourite stop on the drive. It’s beauty is undeniable but it’s history is quite the opposite. The Loch Ard Gorge is famous for the shipwrecking of the “Loch Ard” hence it’s name. 

The Loch Ard was a ship that made the 3-month journey to Australia all the way from England. Upon arriving at muttonbird Island on June 1st 1878, the ship drifted into shallow waters and collided with a rock reef. Of the 54 passengers on board, there were only two survivors, Tom Pearce, a ship’s apprentice and Eva Carmichael an Irish girl traveling with her family.  

There are plenty  of short walks in the area where you can experience different viewpoints including the Razorback, Loch Ard Wreck lookout and Island Arch.

You’ll find the Loch Ard Gorge just a 3-minute drive from the Twelve Apostles. 

London Bridge

A few minutes drive from Loch Ard Gorge you’ll come across the famous London Bridge now known as London Arch. 

London Bridge and London Arch was formed from years of erosion. The bridge once connected the small island to the mainland when in 1990 it crumbled and fell down while two tourists were walking across it. No one was hurt in the incident, but as they were closer to the Island than they were the mainland they headed to the Island and were stuck there until a friend alerted authorities and the couple were saved. 

The Bay Of Martyrs

The Bay of Martyrs is part part of the Bay of Islands Coastal Park which stretches 32 kilometres along the Great Ocean Road. 

The Bay of Martyrs spans a total of 2.5km and inside you’ll find Crofts Bay and Massacre Bay. All lot of tourist buses don’t make it this far along the Great Ocean Road so you’ll find it much quieter than that of Port Campbell and the Twelve Apostles. When we arrived in the evening (around 6:00pm) there was no one else there, and it was so nice. There was a staircase leading down to the beach which was also empty, a great place watch the sunset or sunrise! 

While this whole area was calming and tranquil, the names Massacre Bay, Massacre Point and Bay of Martyrs refer to a traumatic historical event. According to oral folklore a group of Aboriginal men of the Kirrae-Wurrong tribe were killed by Europeans by running them off the cliffs. The population of the Aboriginal people dropped by thousands, however there is no written evidence of the events and many contradicting stories. 

Warrnambool

Congrats! You made it! Warrnambool is the official end of the Great Ocean Road. I spent the night in Warrnambool after day 1 of the Melbourne to Adelaide drive and it has some great beaches! 

Watching the sunset from the beach here has to be a highlight of my trip. I love watching sunsets when I travel, it’s always a peaceful way to end a day. Warrnambool is famous for it’s whale watching. During the months of June to October you can spot Southern Right Whales giving birth on the shores! 

Day 2 – Great Ocean Road & Grampians Road Trip

Tower Hill is a wildlife reserve that sits in an extinct volcano that formed 30,000 years ago. Take a short walk through Tower Hill and you’re sure to stumble upon wild Koalas, Emus and Kangaroos. Keep an eye out high in the eucalyptus trees for Koalas, we found a few quite high up. 

Tower Hill is also the perfect place for birdwatching as well as the an abundance of wildflowers that grow in springtime. 

Guided tours are available at 11am and 1pm daily.

Hall’s Gap is the gateway to the Grampians National Park and a great place to base yourself while visiting the Grampians. 

Hall’s Gap was founded by a man called Charles Browning Hall, and subsequently named after him when he found a gap through the mountain and discovered the valley below. There are plenty of outdoor activities on offer here and a wide range of accommodations from camping to luxury. 

Hall’s Gap has shops, eateries, coffee shops, and gas stations. If you have a few days to spare, there are many more things to do in Hall Gap .

Brambuk National Park & Cultural Centre

Set against the rugged landscape of the Grampians, the Brambuk National Park & Cultural Centre delves into the Aboriginal culture and history of the area. It is the longest running Aboriginal cultural centre in Australia. You’ll find artefacts on display, art exhibitions and activities such as boomerang painting. 

There are plenty of easy terrain walks in the National Park where you can experience Australia’s native flora and fauna and spot some of it’s cuter residents. Kangaroos and Emus are often spotted in this area.

The Brambuk backpackers hostel is a great place to stay if you are on a budget and don’t want to camp. My tour stayed here which was amazing as we were the only people staying here. Evenings bbq’s are the best (unless the chicken is uncooked…)

The hostel is located across from the cultural centre. You can head out to the National Park grounds in the evenings and spot plenty of wildlife.  

Pinnacle Hike & Grampians National Park

Explore the wonder of the Grampians National Park, with one of it’s many walks. The Grampians or Gariwerd as it is traditionally known, is home to some breathtaking viewpoints, the view from the Pinnacle is just one of many. 

The Pinnacle is one of the most popular hikes in the Grampians. You’ll often see it described as a walk, but in my honest opinion, it’s definitely a hike! I’ll admit my fitness level wasn’t great when doing this hike compared to last year. So I did find what should have been an easy hike hard but it’s still a hike…

Depending on your fitness levels the hike will vary in times. On average it’s around a 2/3 hour hike but I think we did it in around 4 taking into account the time we hung out at the peak. Once you’ve reached the top, take time to admire the captivating landscape.

Some areas of the hike are steeper than others and some parts are narrow. There are two trails into the Pinnacle, one is shorter than the other. We took the longer route in because it is the scenic route and there is plenty to see and some incredible rock formations. I’d recommend taking the easier route back if you found the hike difficult.  

Day 3 – Melbourne to Adelaide Drive

Boroka Lookout

The Boroka Lookout is the perfect place to watch the sunrise or sunset. One of the most recognisable and popular viewpoints in the Grampians, the Boroka Lookout looks out onto the valley of Hall’s Gap and Lake Bellfield in the distance. 

There is a parking lot about 2-minutes from the lookout points and is accessible for everyone. 

The Balconies

The Balconies are a series of viewpoints in the Grampians National Park. From the parking lot there are around 3 to 4 lookout points before you reach the trail to the Balconies. 

The terrain is flat so suitable for everyone and takes around 30 minutes. The most popular spot along the Balconies is the Jaws of Death lookout. This area features panoramic views of the Victoria Valley. Before my trip I did see photos of people standing “inside” the Jaws of this lookout and it looks like there were stairs leading there previously but the area is gated off for your own safety.

MacKenzie Falls

MacKenzie Falls is a must see when visiting the Grampians National Park and one of the largest waterfalls in Victoria. The falls runs all year round and is a spectacular sight to witness in person. 

There are several ways to see the falls. The reach the base of Mackenzie Falls the trail down is primarily large steps and takes around 20-30 minutes one way. If you can make the journey down the the base of falls make sure you do! 

There is an accessible lookout point if you don’t want to walk down the falls. If you have the time there are other areas to explore once you reach the base of MacKenzie Falls. One of the hiking trails leads to Fish Falls and will take around 30 minutes one way.

Loch Iel (Pink Lake)

The inland Melbourne to Adelaide drive takes around 5.5 hours from the Grampians. Along the way you’ll stop by the border of Victoria and South Australia and a red line marks the exact spot.

Just a few minutes west of the border you’ll come across a beautiful pink salt lake. Loch Iel is a pink salt flat/lake that gets its striking colour from the vast amount of salt present. 

Mclaren Vale

A short detour along the Melbourne to Adelaide drive is Mclaren Vale, one of South Australia’s wine regions. 

Home to world-class wineries and famous for it’s reds like Shiraz and Grenache, Mclaren Vale is a must for any wine enthusiasts. With an abundance of eateries and wine experiences, Mclaren Vale is the perfect way to end your journey! 

This road trip takes the interior route from the Grampians through to Adelaide, however it’s possible to continue your journey along the Southern Ocean Drive, which continues past the Great Ocean Road. This fantastic post shows you all the best stops along the Southern Ocean Drive . If continuing along the coast I’d recommend a 5 day Great Ocean Road trip in order to see all the highlights. 

Best Great Ocean Road Tours

• ONE DAY GREAT OCEAN ROAD TOUR FROM MELBOURNE
• GREAT OCEAN ROAD FROM MELBOURNE SUNSET TOUR
• 3 DAY GREAT OCEAN ROAD AND GRAMPIANS TOUR FROM MELBOURNE TO ADELAIDE

Where To Stay On The Great Ocean Road

There are a variety of places to stay along the Great Ocean Road, from camping to luxury. Most people will stop in places like Lorne, Apollo Bay and Warrnambool so I’ve compiled a list from these three towns to help plan your road trip along the Great Ocean Road.

• GREAT OCEAN ROAD COTTAGES
• CHATBY LANE LORNE
• LORNE HOTEL
• SEAVIEW MOTEL AND APARTMENTS
• APOLLO BAY WATERFRONT MOTOR INN
• ILUKA MOTEL & RESTAURANT
• QUEST WARRNAMBOOL
• DEEP BLUE HOTEL & HOT SPRINGS
• BEST WESTERN COLONIAL VILLAGE MOTEL

Where To Stay In The Grampians

• MARWOOD VILLAS
• GRAMPIANS MOTEL
• GARIWERD MOTEL

Click Below To Pin For Later!

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12 comments.

Gorgeous photos! I’m currently reading a book about Australia but have never been.

Your photos are amazing! I can’t wait to get to Australia…hopefully I will get to visit soon!

Okay, not only does this drive look absolutely, incredibly beautiful – there’s a waterfall with the same name as me, weird capitals and everything!! My mom named me after a book character, so neither of us knew this existed! I’m so existed to drive this road one day.

I am so amazed by those views! The coastline and the mountains here are stunning! I am especially dreaming about the 12 Apostles!

Wow this looks like such a great road trip! Can’t wait to drive it one day.

This looks like the most spectacular road trip. Would love to do this someday!

What a beautiful road trip idea! Would love to do this someday.

Everything about this road trip looks divine! I love being by the water, so an oceanside road trip is perfect!

Those ocean blues are just way too stunning!!???

Wow what an amazing road trip! I especially love the coastal part as the ocean views are stunning! I’ve always wanted to see the 12 Apostles as it’s incredible they are naturally made. Hiking in Grampian looks very cool too!

The Great Ocean Road is a not to be missed drive when visiting and touring Australia. Some of the coastline is just wild. Loved your photos.

This sounds and looks like an incredible road trip to go on! Definitely adding this route to my bucket list.

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First Choice

Great Ocean Road & Kangaroo Island Escape

7 day guided holiday | melbourne to adelaide, travel period.

• 01 Apr 2024 – 31 Mar 2025

This trip could also be known as ‘Southern Australia, as seen through its wine and wilderness’. And a few other culinary (and scenic) treats. From a Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road tour, to tasty Kangaroo Island and Barossa tours, expect a top-notch roll-call of attractions across Victoria and South Australia.

Current season sold out CODE: EMKA

7 Day Guided Holiday | Melbourne to Adelaide | Travel Period: 1 Apr 2024 – 31 Mar 2025

Trip Details

Accommodation, optional experiences, what's included.

• • Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide • Centrally located premium hotels • National Park entrance fees • Arrival and departure private airport transfers
• • 3 Dinners with Wine
• • 6 Full Breakfasts
• • 2 Lunches
• • 1 Farewell Dinner

Flight Information

• Day prior – flights to arrive anytime into Melbourne Airport Day 7 – flights to depart anytime from Adelaide Airport Flights are not included in the holiday price Return airport to hotel transfers are included in the holiday price

What to Bring

• • Water bottle
• • Warm layers in cooler months
• • Camera
• • Comfortable walking shoes
• • Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat

Fitness Requirements

A low to medium level of fitness is required. Most walks are on boardwalks however there is the opportunity to walk on the beach at Seal Bay and the track is quite steep in places. Guests will also walk along bush tracks and gravel roads at Hanson Bay​.

Guests will also have the opportunity to walk over the Remarkable Rocks so surfaces can be slippery and uneven. For guests wanting to walk down to Admirals Arch, there are quite a few steps. Other less active options are available however.​

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Great Ocean Road & Kangaroo Island Escape (Travel Period: 01 Apr 2024 – 31 Mar 2025)

Day 1 Melbourne - Warrnambool

You’re on your way to the Great Ocean Road, a snaking coastal route that is one of the world’s most epic journeys. Across a dramatic 240 kilometres you’ll take in limestone stacks like the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge. Then traverse World Heritage listed rainforest, skirting untouched coastal coves, and passing through sleepy towns like Lorne and Apollo Bay, where bare feet and boardshorts are the dress code. Get together with your fellow travellers for a Welcome Dinner tonight.

Outback Pioneer Hotel (Budget), Desert Gardens Hotel (Standard) or Sails in the Desert Hotel (Superior), Ayers Rock Resort. (from day 1 to 3) View and select

Scenic helicopeter tour name View and select options

Day 2 Warrnambool - Naracoorte

Emus and koalas... oh my! These are just a couple of the animals you'll likely spot as you drive through Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve, housed in a dormant volcanic crater. Remarkably, this pocket of paradise was once wasteland, transformed by volunteers. More volcanic history awaits across the South Australian border in Mt. Gambier, home to the crater-filling Blue Lake. Bring your sunglasses, because the lake’s name doesn’t do it justice – the intensity of the hue is blinding. By now you’ll be pretty thirsty, so it’s a good thing the Coonawarra wine region is around the corner. Fancy a world-class cab sav, shiraz or merlot? You’ve come to the right place. Your final adventure is deep, in every sense of the word. Naracoorte’s Alexandra Cave is a maze of delicate needle-like stalactites and massive twisting columns.

Day 3 Naracoorte - Kangaroo Island

Nature rules large again today as you weave along the Fleurieu Peninsula to Victor Harbor. After rolling hills, sandy beaches and rugged cliffs, you’re greeted with the charms of this seaside town – the gateway to Kangaroo Island. All aboard the ferry for your journey toward this ‘mini Galapagos’. Kangaroo Island deserves its moniker, as you’ll discover tomorrow, but for the rest of the day, all you need to do is relax at your hotel in Kingscote, or perhaps take a stroll along the picturesque waters edge.

Day 4 Kangaroo Island

First stop today truly deserves its name: the orange-lichen-clad Remarkable Rocks command your attention over the blazing blue of the Southern Ocean. Then there’s Admirals Arch, home to an immense colony of raucous fur seals and a very photogenic lighthouse. Like much of the island, Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary was badly damaged by the 2019 bushfires. Through this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, you’ll assist with their bushfire recovery plan and wildlife rehabilitation program. Learn from one of their experienced guides about the delicate ecosystem and Australian native animals. More wildlife greets you at Seal Bay Conservation Park. Here, on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience you’ll visit one of the country’s most important sea lion breeding grounds. On a guided walk, you’ll learn about these creatures - one of the rarest species in the world of only 12,000, 800 of which call Seal Bay home. Move aside: enormous sea lions regularly barrel down the sand toward the water. Finish today’s adventure with a tasting of craft beers at Kangaroo Island’s only brewery. How does a Pale Ale sound?

Day 5 Kangaroo Island - Adelaide

On your cruise back to the mainland, picture some of the culinary opportunities that await you in the South Australian capital. Adelaide is known as the 'city of churches' but we think a more apt title is the 'city of cuisine'. After a city tour, the afternoon is yours to see just how many restaurants and bars you can sample. Want recommendations? We might point you in the direction of the epic Central Market, the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere with more than 70 stalls selling artisan edibles (and drinkables).

Day 6 Adelaide Hills and the Barossa

Pull on your elastic-waisted pants – today is one of indulgences through the Adelaide Hills and the Barossa, dotted with atmospheric towns like Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement. A Barossa and Hahndorf tour reveals the bountiful food and wine this pocket of the state is known for. And you’ll enjoy a wine tasting at Wolf Blass as well as discovering local flavours over lunch at Lambert Estate, nestled in rolling hills enveloped by vines. Return to Adelaide through landscape dotted with stone cottages and olive groves and join your Travel Director for a Farewell Dinner at Koomo, Adelaide’s highest restaurant, for a Japanese inspired feast.

Day 7 Farewell from Adelaide

A week in this part of the world really isn't enough. We hope we've inspired you to come back for another taste.

Please note: This itinerary may be subject to change.

7 Day Guided Holiday

Melbourne to Adelaide

Local Connection

Mike established Kangaroo Island Brewery in 2015, and loves talking to guests about the flavours distinguishing his beers.

Cultural Immersion

Lose yourself in the many laneways at Adelaide Central Market. Hear the stories of the stallholders and makers who have worked here for generations and try some of their delicious homemade wares.

Sustainable Footprints

Support bushfire and wildlife rehabilitation projects on Kangaroo Island when you visit Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.

Wildlife & Nature

The underworld beckons at Naracoorte’s Alexandra Cave, a maze of delicate needle-like stalactites and massive twisting columns.

Your Guided Holiday includes a range of quality accommodation for your comfort. The accommodation you will enjoy on this tour includes:

Day 1 - Lady Bay Resort

2 Pertobe Road Warrnambool VIC 3280

Come and stay on the world renowned Great Ocean Road, where you can explore the coastal walks, meet the local wildlife, take a swim or learn to surf at our beautiful beaches! The Lady Bay Resort is a self contained resort located directly opposite the beach, so guests are only minutes away from doing what the locals do – swim, hang out and even work! Having an in-house restaurant, seasonally heated outdoor pool, free wifi and free outdoor parking, Lady Bay Resort is the perfect place  for guests to relax or even work whilst enjoying our natural surrounds.

Day 2 - William MacIntosh Motor Lodge, Naracoorte

Corner of Messamurry Road and Stewart Terrace, Naracoorte, SA 5271

Brenton and Kemelee invite you to rest and explore from the William MacIntosh Motor Lodge, Naracoorte, just inland from Mount Gambier on the South Australian – Victorian border.

In the heart of the Limestone Coast region lays a district that is clearly a destination in itself. A collection of townships rich with assets, offering visitors a range of unforgettable experiences.

• Electric blankets
• Air-conditioning
• Coffee/tea making facilities
• Clock radio
• Refrigerator
• Mini-bar (surcharge)

Day 3 - Aurora Ozone Hotel, Executive Rooms

Foreshore at Kingscote, SA 5223

The original section of this hotel on Kangaroo Island has a Victorian façade and amenities that blend with the refined atmosphere of old world charm coupled with the vibrant & attractive modern hotel and townhouse section.

• Air Conditioning
• Communal self-catering kitchen

Day 5 - Crowne Plaza Adelaide

27 Frome St, Adelaide SA 5000

Enjoy a culturally-rich and inspiring escape at Crowne Plaza Adelaide with stunning views from the city’s tallest building in design-led rooms. Stay in the East End— Adelaide’s sweet spot— close to Lot Fourteen and Adelaide Botanic Garden with easy access to the casino, Adelaide Convention Centre and Adelaide Oval.

• Complimentary WiFi
• Porter / Bellman
• Same-Day Dry Cleaning
• Heated Outdoor Infinity Pool
• State-of-the-art Fitness Centre
• Level 10 Bar
• Restaurant and In Room Dining

Please note, prices for Optional Experiences are subject to change.

To ensure your holiday is filled with memorable experiences, we have included a range of quality Optional Experiences for you to choose from and partake in, if you wish, during your holiday. The experiences can be booked on tour through your Travel Director.

Cultural Capers Walking Tour (Adelaide)

Adult $40.00

Child: $40.00

Join passionate local Graeme Fanning as you explore and discover the cultural boulevard of South Australia’s capital, and the foundation for development of Adelaide, both socially and culturally within this tour. Pass by Government House, the State Library, South Australia Museum, South Australia Art Gallery as well as the vast University precinct on this informative 90-minute tour.

Adelaide Zoo Entry (Adelaide)

Winner of the South Australian Tourism Awards for the past 4 years, Adelaide Zoo is a favourite with both locals and visitors. Situated in north Adelaide this iconic attraction is home to 2500 animals and 250 species of exotic and native mammals, birds, reptiles and fish, and is involved in a wide range of conservation programmes. Get up close and personal with some of Australia’s best loved animals!

Central Markets 45 Minute Highlight Tour (Adelaide)

Adult: $65.00

Child: $65.00

Experience the iconic Adelaide Central Market with a 45minute tour showcasing the Market, the stall holders and the amazing produce available. On Wednesdays the Market is a little quieter so it’s a great time to meet the stall holders and hear their stories. You will be hosted by a local specialist who will show you the best stalls and offer some delicious foods to try- think artisan cheeses, gourmet meats, seasonal fruits and sweet treats! After the tour there will be time to revisit the stalls and take advantage of some tour special discounts.

National Wine Centre Masterclass (Adelaide)

Adult: $75.00

Take a guided tour of the National Wine Centre's Wine Discovery Journey.  Uncover the diversity of Australia’s 65 wine regions and meet some of the wonderful characters of the industry. Learn how to blend your own award-winning wine with a virtual blending simulator and discover the main characteristics of the key wine varieties grown throughout the country.

Overall Trip Rating

Great ocean road and kangaroo island escape, available dates and prices.

Prices are per person in . Child prices are available on request. Trip details, itineraries, prices and departure date status may be subject to change.

Your Trip summary

* Conditions Apply

Trip Summary Change

Melbourne, Victoria(AU)

Adelaide, South Australia(AU)

Twin share room

   - or -   

Single room

Prices are per person in . Deposit may be required at time of checkout.

Secure your trip with a deposit

7 DAY 13 Included Experiences

Departure dates.

Definite Departures highlighted in red.

For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/EMKA or contact your local travel agent.

A limited number of single rooms are also available.

• 6 Full Breakfasts B
• 2 Lunches L
• 3 Dinners with Wine DW
• 1 Farewell Dinner FD

1 Melbourne - Warrnambool

You’re on your way to the Great Ocean Road, a snaking coastal route that is one of the world’s most epic journeys. Across a dramatic 240 kilometres you’ll take in limestone stacks like the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge. Then traverse World Heritage listed rainforest, skirting untouched coastal coves, and passing through sleepy towns like Lorne and Apollo Bay, where bare feet and boardshorts are the dress code. Get together with your fellow travellers for a Welcome Dinner tonight. Hotel: Lady Bay Resort. DW

2 Warrnambool - Naracoorte

Emus and koalas... oh my! These are just a couple of the animals you'll likely spot as you drive through Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve, housed in a dormant volcanic crater. Remarkably, this pocket of paradise was once wasteland, transformed by volunteers. More volcanic history awaits across the South Australian border in Mt. Gambier, home to the crater-filling Blue Lake. Bring your sunglasses, because the lake’s name doesn’t do it justice – the intensity of the hue is blinding. By now you’ll be pretty thirsty, so it’s a good thing the Coonawarra wine region is around the corner. Fancy a world-class cab sav, shiraz or merlot? You’ve come to the right place. Your final adventure is deep, in every sense of the word. Naracoorte’s Alexandra Cave is a maze of delicate needle-like stalactites and massive twisting columns. Hotel: William MacIntosh Motor Lodge, Naracoorte. B DW

3 Naracoorte - Kangaroo Island

Nature rules large again today as you weave along the Fleurieu Peninsula to Victor Harbor. After rolling hills, sandy beaches and rugged cliffs, you’re greeted with the charms of this seaside town – the gateway to Kangaroo Island. All aboard the ferry for your journey toward this ‘mini Galapagos’. Kangaroo Island deserves its moniker, as you’ll discover tomorrow, but for the rest of the day, all you need to do is relax at your hotel in Kingscote, or perhaps take a stroll along the picturesque waters edge. Hotel: Aurora Ozone Hotel, Executive Rooms. B DW

4 Kangaroo Island

First stop today truly deserves its name: the orange-lichen-clad Remarkable Rocks command your attention over the blazing blue of the Southern Ocean. Then there’s Admirals Arch, home to an immense colony of raucous fur seals and a very photogenic lighthouse. Like much of the island, Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary was badly damaged by the 2019 bushfires. Through this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, you’ll assist with their bushfire recovery plan and wildlife rehabilitation program. Learn from one of their experienced guides about the delicate ecosystem and Australian native animals. More wildlife greets you at Seal Bay Conservation Park. Here, on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience you’ll visit one of the country’s most important sea lion breeding grounds. On a guided walk, you’ll learn about these creatures - one of the rarest species in the world of only 12,000, 800 of which call Seal Bay home. Move aside: enormous sea lions regularly barrel down the sand toward the water. Finish today’s adventure with a tasting of craft beers at Kangaroo Island’s only brewery. How does a Pale Ale sound? Hotel: Aurora Ozone Hotel, Executive Rooms. B L

5 Kangaroo Island - Adelaide

On your cruise back to the mainland, picture some of the culinary opportunities that await you in the South Australian capital. Adelaide is known as the 'city of churches' but we think a more apt title is the 'city of cuisine'. After a city tour, the afternoon is yours to see just how many restaurants and bars you can sample. Want recommendations? We might point you in the direction of the epic Central Market, the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere with more than 70 stalls selling artisan edibles (and drinkables). Hotel: Crowne Plaza Adelaide. B

6 Adelaide Hills and the Barossa

Pull on your elastic-waisted pants – today is one of indulgences through the Adelaide Hills and the Barossa, dotted with atmospheric towns like Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement. A Barossa and Hahndorf tour reveals the bountiful food and wine this pocket of the state is known for. And you’ll enjoy a wine tasting at Wolf Blass as well as discovering local flavours over lunch at Lambert Estate, nestled in rolling hills enveloped by vines. Return to Adelaide through landscape dotted with stone cottages and olive groves and join your Travel Director for a Farewell Dinner at Koomo, Adelaide’s highest restaurant, for a Japanese inspired feast. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Adelaide. B L FD

7 Farewell from Adelaide

A week in this part of the world really isn't enough. We hope we've inspired you to come back for another taste. B

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The Great Ocean Road Map of Best Things To See

Page Contents

The Great Ocean Road map highlights 50 of the best attractions, recommended places to stop, and things to do on a self-drive holiday along the Victorian coast to the 12 Apostles and Port Campbell National Park. Explore the cool temperate rainforest of the Great Otway National Park, waterfalls on Great Ocean Road, best viewpoints, koalas, and wildlife.

• Download 50 Things to do and see along the Great Ocean Road as a PDF Ebook. PLUS download the popular free ebook guide for planning self-drive itineraries for the Great Ocean Road and into the stunning Otways National Park.
• Read our list of 20 unique, quirky, Air BnB stays along the Great Ocean Road.

Click on any of the numbers on the map of The Great Ocean Road to read all about the attraction. To enlarge the map, click the top right icon and it will open up, full screen, in a new tab. You can also use the ‘share’ icon and share it on Facebook.

50 of the Best Attractions to see – Great Ocean Road Stops

• Melbourne – This is usually the starting point when planning an itinerary for Great Ocean Road.
• Geelong – The second largest city in Victoria, it is about 30 mins from the beginning of the ocean road trip and worth visiting if you have time. The esplanade is a fun place for families with an old fashioned carousel, swimming pool with a high dive board, and painted bollards to giggle at. If you wanted to stay in Geelong there is plenty of good accommodation.

• Anglesea is a really sweet little town with safe beaches where you can learn to surf, hire a kayak or even visit kangaroos on the local golf course ( you must go to the clubhouse and book a tour of the course). You can also stay in the local caravan park and see kangaroos there! Anglesea has a wide range of accommodation options.
• Point Addis , the beach here is just amazing! On the way down to the point, there is a walk called the ‘Koori Cultural Walk’ which is well worth doing. You can walk to a lookout point and return or continue on a number of tracks, one leads down to the beach from the lookout point.
• Aireys Inlet is another sweet little seaside town with great beaches, surfing, cafes, and a relaxed vibe. Visit the Split Point Lighthouse which was the location of the kid’s TV show ‘Round The Twist’, follow walking trails along the cliff tops and beaches.

• Beach stop with parking for longer vehicles – So close to Lorne, this lovely beach has a large parking area so it is good for caravans etc. Walking tracks opposite lead up to Teddy’s Lookout and beyond. Swim, rock hop, or hike!
• Sheoak Falls – The falls are worth stopping for as the walk is quite pretty and the views good, an 11 km loop walk leads off from here for anyone wanting to extend their hiking. Sheoak Picnic Ground , which is further inland is also a good base to do waterfall walks. Best seen in the winter or after heavy rains. Chasing waterfalls? Find more of them listed here.

• Mt Defiance Lookout – A small car park area with good views looking along the coast and an information plaque.
• Shipwreck Memorial – The W.B. Godfrey was built in Greenock, Scotland, and was shipwrecked at this site in 1891. Some remnants of the iron hull can still be seen at low tide. Worth stopping to read more of this fascinating history.
• Wye River – A good beach stop to break up the journey and a popular pub with views. ‘Wye Not’  stop for a cuppa, book accommodation, camp or book a cabin overnight in the Big 4 Holiday Park. Lots of the properties here are named with a ‘wye…’ Wye Worry, Wye Up , etc…

• Cape Patton Lookout – Another good viewpoint to stop and stretch your legs after driving the winding Great Ocean Road! Fantastic views along to Apollo Bay.
• Carisbrook Waterfall – If you fancy another stop, this waterfall is a nice walk, uphill, with some good views.  Best seen in winter/spring and after heavy rains. Find out about other waterfalls in the Otways.
• Rocks and Cairns @ Carisbrook Creek – People started making cairns from the rocks on the beach here a few years ago and it has really caught on! After heavy seas, they tend to get knocked over, but people keep building them again. A good bit of fun, especially if you have kids in the car.

• Marriners Lookout – Spectacular views over Apollo Bay and a top spot to watch the sunset, take a picnic perhaps. You can walk from Apollo Bay or drive to the car park and then walk a short way. The road is quite steep and the parking limited, but worth a visit.
• Elliot River – If you have time, this is a nice diversion and usually a quiet area to explore. The ‘Great Ocean Walk’ which is a 7-day hike to the 12 apostles from Apollo Bay passes by here. You could even stay in Apollo Bay and do some hiking along this section of the walk.

• Aire River – There is a fab camping ground here, booked via Parks Victoria. No showers, just a long drop loo. Lovely walks, a pretty river to canoe on (byo canoe). Nearby cottages are available to rent if you want to stay awhile to relax in this area.
• Johanna Beaches – Not ideal for swimming due to strong currents, but very popular with surfers! Camping near the dunes, this is a perfect spot if you want a bit of serenity.
• Lavers Hill – The crossroads, turn left to continue on the Great Ocean Road (about 45 minutes to the 12 Apostles) or turn right to visit waterfalls and the Otway Fly Tree Tops Walk. There is a small choice of good accommodation if you want to make this an overnight base to visit waterfalls etc.

• Hopetoun Falls – Just gorgeous, the walk to these falls is not very far, though it does involve steps.

• Mt Sabine Waterfall – The walking track into Sabine Falls is about 2.5 hours each way. These are the highest and most remote of the waterfalls in the Great Otway National Park. Apollo Bay is a good base to stay to access some of these waterfalls. The viewing platform is a bit distant from the falls, which is disappointing, but the walk is amazing and does not usually get really busy.

• Melba Gully – Another historic spot along the Ocean Road and a superb walk. If you have time, stop in an see the massive trees, follow the historic signs and, at night, you can see glow worms! Stay nearby if you want to see the glow worms at night – and take a torch to use on the track.
• Princetown, near the 12 Apostles – Princetown is a tiny little village with some good accommodation options and cafe plus a pretty wetlands walk that is worth taking time to do if you can. There is also a camping park in the village and low-cost camping at the Princetown Recreation Reserve. Find all our camping sites along the Great Ocean Road here.
• Information sign and lesser-known lookout – There is a small parking area with an information board here. If you follow the path a short way there is also quite a good view along the coast to the 12 Apostles.

• The Grotto – We love this spot. The Grotto is a sinkhole. The path winds down to where the ocean can be viewed through an arch.
• Bay of Martyrs – This is an area with a sad history but very pretty. Stop in to read the information and learn more about Australian history.
• Bay of Islands – A miniature Apostles, sort of.  Smaller limestone stacks in a sheltered bay with walking tracks along the coast and to the beaches. Local accommodation can be found in Peterborough if you plan to stay here overnight.
• Warrnambool – Whilst visitors have now completed the Great Ocean Road trip, Warrnambool is worth visiting if you are traveling on further. During the whale watching season, there is a good viewing platform at Logan’s Beach and boat tours operate. Nearby Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve is a good spot to visit too. There are plenty of accommodation choices in Warrnambool on Booking.com. Beyond Warrnambool there is still so much more to see, Port Fairy is a beautiful little village and well worth spending time visiting too. The road trip from Melbourne to Adelaide can include Port Fairy and more coastal towns.

Great Ocean Road Walk

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. Spectacular and diverse scenery, wildlife, byo tent or book accommodation along the way. This is one of Victoria’s best bush and ocean walks. Find out more and plan your adventure.

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. Find out more…

Activities and Attractions on the Great Ocean Road

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. Ziplining, surfing, horse riding, canoes, and kayaking, to name a few…

• Live Wire Park Ziplines, tree climbing course, and fun!
• Health and Hire, (HAH) Lorne Beach. A super little ‘Gourmet Sustainable Cafe’ and the spot to hire a bike, surfboard, SUP (stand up paddleboarding) etc.
• Lorne Seabaths, Gym, inground Trampolines for kids, and more.
• Read more about what to see and do in Lorne for a weekend escape.
• Otways Trees Adventure Park
• Otway Fly – Tree Top Walk and Zip Lining
• Read more about The Great Otway National Park

Helicopter Joy Rides

• Scenic  helicopter  flights leave from near the 12 Apostles visitor center behind the car park.
• Or how about a flight from  Apollo Bay?  These trips follow the coast, passing the Cape OtwayLight Station and parts of the coast that you can’t see or access from the road. Apollo Bay Aviation provides a variety of trips,  read more on their website.
• Helicopter Tour from Melbourne! Well, this is one way to experience The Ocean Road in a day.  Helicopter Tours   operate out of Melbourne, offering a few different choices including a flight to the Twelve Apostles for lunch and then down to Phillip Island to see the Little Penguins come ashore. Landing by the 12 Apostles so passengers can take in the most famous section of the Ocean Road and enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch – Proposals… Anniversaries… Just because you want to…

Surf Lessons

Go-Ride a Wave! Surf lessons can be booked in Lorne, Anglesea, Torquay, and Ocean Grove.

Boat and Kayak Tours or Hire

• Anglesea paddle boat and canoe hire.
• Apollo Bay Surf, Stand Up Paddle Boarding & Kayak – Learn to Surf, Kayak to a Seal Colony, Bike and Walk the Otways.
• GORATS (Great Ocean Road Adventure Tours)- Personalised tours by bike or paddling down rivers.

Horse Riding

Blazing Saddles Trail Rides, Aireys Inlet. Fabulous horse riding through the forest or down along a long golden beach. We love this place and even bought one of their horses a few years ago!

Gourmet Food Trail

• Apostle Whey Cheese – Cooriemungle (near Port Campbell)
• Berry World – Timboon
• Farm Fudge – Timboon Colac Road Jancourt East
• Gorge Chocolates – Cooriemungle
• Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie – Bellbrae
• Otway Blueberries – Gellibrand
• The Place of Wonder – Port Campbell Rd, Newfield
• Timboon Fine Icecream – Timboon

Micro Breweries & Great Pubs

• Bells Beach Brewing – Torquay
• Blackmans Brewery Bar – Torquay
• Forrest Brewing Company – Forrest
• Great Ocean Road Brewhouse – Apollo Bay
• Otway Estate Brewery – Prickly Moses Beer – Barongarook
• Salt Brewing Company / Rogue Wave Brewing- Aireys Inlet
• Sow & Piglets Brewery – Port Campbell
• Timboon Distillery – Timboon
• Wye Beach Hotel – Wye River, Craft Beer on Tap
• ANDY’S TRAILS – Beer, Wine, and Gourmet Food Tours. A safe option to take if you want to get the most out of a microbrewery tour experience.

Great Ocean Road Bus Tours

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. We can recommend a number of excellent companies who all use smaller buses which means more time at stops and more personalized experience. Find out more here.

Heading Onwards

Many travelers continue on to Warrnambool and Adelaide or up to the Grampian Mountains while others are returning to Melbourne. Find good prices and choices of accommodation:

• Warrnambool Accommodation
• The Grampian Mountains and Halls Gap
• Adelaide Accommodation
• Melbourne Accommodation

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Would like some help on planning the itinerary. Specifically where to spend the 2 nights.

Thanks for all your help.

Best regards,

15 replies to this topic

How long are the school holidays in each state? 2 weeks? What is your suggestion then? Should we do the trip before the holidays or after the holidays?

Generally avoiding school holidays is beneficial but it doe depend on your itinerary to some extent. The CBDs of cities can actually be quieter as folk take time off to go out of the city.

3 destinations ((not all cities) works in 2 weeks but you have to travel between them.

So if you want to add a road trip then pick Adelaide and Melbourne or Melbourne and Sydney . If you go for the latter, you would fly into Melbourne, have a day or so to recover from the flight then pick up the hire car and drive a loop from Melbourne of say 5 days or longer taking in GOR, Grampians, maybe Ballarat and/or Yarra Valley. hand back the car and fly to Sydney have 4 or 5 days there and fly home from there.

There really are many, many more option like the classic City, Rock Reef Itinerary; Sydney and a driving trip in Tasmania etc etc.

It all depends on your budget and interests, especially your interests.

Australia.com is a great resource to use for researching ideas and options.

Do apply for your visas now and have them approved before booking anything. They can take weeks or even months.

Catch a train to Katoomba and either take the public bus or a taxi or Uber to see the Echo point or the Three Sisters. Another trip that was recommended to me when planning one of our trips to the harbour city was to do the River Boat Postman trip on the Hawkesbury river. The boat does a mail run to the residents you get commentary an Aussie morning tea (home baked Anzac cookie with tea or coffee) a light lunch and you get to meet some of the characters on the route, it’s a fun half day and afterwards we caught the train back to Central and changed trains to CQ and hopped on another ferry to fill in the rest of the day.

http://Www.riverboatpostman.com.au

There’s heaps to do in Melbourne and you don’t need a car unless you want to explore outside the city. The suggestion to do a loop of the GOR that includes the Grampians and Ballarat has already been mentioned in this thread when visiting that city a day at sovereign hill an outdoor historic themed open air museum is well worth doing. You can also visit Healesville wildlife sanctuary or do a tour to Phillip island to see the penguins.

There is heaps to do in both Sydney and Melbourne and you won’t have any problems filling in your time. These are just a few suggestions to help plan your trip.🤠

http://Www.sovereignHill.com.au

http://Www.visitgreatoceanroad.org.au

Further to Famrick's comments on the Riverboat Postman (#13) - three of us wanted to do this but didn't book early enough. Instead, we continued on the train to Woy Woy, caught bus 53 to Ettalong Beach, caught the ferry (extra cost) to Palm Beach, bus 199 to Manly then the normal ferry back to CQ. Given it was a very wet day, we were pretty pleased with what we managed to see (and I plan to do it again in nicer weather).

A group of kids on the train apparently had been to a football game of some sort kept us entertained by walking through the carriages wearing goggles and flippers. When we got back to Central they flipped flopped their way through the station it was one of the funniest things we have seen for awhile and I would happily do that trip again. 🤠

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The Great Ocean Road Collective

Top Melbourne to Adelaide Tours

If you’re looking for an amazing way to travel from Melbourne to Adelaide, consider taking a scenic bus tour. These Melbourne to Adelaide tours will take you through some of the most beautiful countryside in Australia, and you’ll get to see all the major landmarks along the way.

Traveling from Melbourne to Adelaide is an excellent way to experience all that Australia has to offer. Not only will you be able to take in the breathtaking views of the Outback, rolling vineyards and the shipwreck coast, you’ll also get to explore some of the country’s most iconic landmarks and attractions. The journey between the two cities is filled with delightful scenery and plenty of opportunities for sightseeing, making it a truly memorable experience.

Many of these locations also have fascinating stories attached. So with an organized tour you’ll be able to learn something new about the towns and areas that you might not have known about otherwise.

Table of Contents

Getting From Melbourne to Adelaide

Melbourne to Adelaide is a journey of over 830km that typically takes around 10-12 hours if travelling directly by car. However, for those on a Melbourne to Adelaide tour you’ll likely be taking the scenic route.

In that case, the Great Ocean Road, Grampians and Kangaroo Island offer many incredible sights to be seen, making the journey much longer. Taking this route can extend the length of your trip from Melbourne to Adelaide up to 7 days.

Top Tours from Melbourne to Adelaide

There are a variety of top tour operators that offer unique and personalized experiences on their trips from Melbourne to Adelaide. With many different routes and options, travelers can choose the perfect tour that suits their needs and interests.

We have based chosen these tours from Melbourne to Adelaide based on personal experience, and by weighing their value, the activities offered, and quality of accommodations. The guides from these selected Melbourne to Adelaide tours specialize in the region to make sure you have a trip of a lifetime.

3-Day Melbourne to Adelaide Tour: Great Ocean Road & Grampians

On this bus tour traverse from Melbourne across the Great Ocean Road, stop into Grampians National Park and proceed to Adelaide. You’ll spend your first night in Warrnambool on the Western edge of the Great Ocean Road and the second in Halls Gap in the Grampians before arriving the next evening in Adelaide.

On this Melbourne to Adelaide tour you will experience highlights like the 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, the extinct volcano at Tower Hill National Park, MacKenzie Waterfall, Halls Gap and more. Each day you will do a guided hike through some of Australia’s most iconic landscapes.

Accommodation is included, as is 2 breakfasts, 1 dinner and all national park entries. You’ll be an accompanied enthusiastic guide the whole time. This tour is perfect for hikers, or someone who is short on time and wants an efficient adventure from Melbourne to Adelaide while seeing all the highlights along the way.

4-Day Melbourne to Adelaide Tour: Great Ocean Road Experience, Naracoorte and Wine Region

This 4 day Melbourne to Adelaide tour is perfect for anyone who wants to linger a little longer along the Great Ocean Road. You’ll spend your first two nights on the Great Ocean Road. The first will be in Port Campbell close to the 12 Apostles and the second will be in Port Fairy which was dubbed the winner of the world’s most liveable small community in 2012. 

Your last night of the tour will be spend over the border in South Australia in the small town of Naracoorte, which is home to the World Heritage Naracoorte Cave and close to the rolling Adelaide hills. This tour includes special perks like a winery lunch, entry to the caves, 3 breakfasts, lunch everyday and accomodation in 3-4 star hotels.

This tour is great for anyone wants to really immerse themselves in the beauty of the Great Ocean Road and experience some really unique sights like the Naracoorte Caves. The tour has been specially designed to explore at a relaxed pace. They are also very mindful to keep a small group size for the best possible experience.

7-Day Great Ocean Road, Kangaroo Island and Adelaide Tour

On this iconic Melbourne to Adelaide tour you’ll experience the best of Victoria and South Australia. The tour operators’ luxurious air conditioned bus will take you from Melbourne to Adelaide with a stops along the Great Ocean Road, at the Twelve Apostles and all over Kangaroo Island.

Expect to see koalas, sea lions and the iconic sights like the Remarkable Rocks, as well as learn about Aboriginal culture and Kangaroo Island’s bush fire recovery plans. South Australia is known for its great culinary, wine and craft beverage scene, so you’ll stop at a craft breweries and wineries along the way.

Included in the price is breakfast, half of your evening meals and all tips. You will be able to choose which activities you would like to participate in, while also having the option for free time. This tour is perfect for people who want to enjoy delicious food, immerse themselves in local culture and nature, and meet new friends.

Melbourne to Adelaide Tours

Melbourne to Adelaide tours provide a great way to explore some of the best nature and natural wonders Australia has to offer. You’ll be able to see all the major landmarks along the journey, such as the Twelve Apostles, Grampians National Park, Kangaroo Island and the Barossa Valley. Here you can experience breathtaking views and explore various hikes and trails in some of Australia’s most beautiful landscapes.

No matter what you decide to do on your Melbourne to Adelaide tour or which one you pick, you’ll have plenty of time of sightseeing to do. Get ready for an incredible journey filled with stunning scenery, unique native Australian wildlife, amazing food and wine experiences and rich history and culture.

Have you traveled between Melbourne and Adelaide?