The Great Ocean Road is one of the most famous road trips in Australia and possibly the world.
375 km of winding scenic roads along the Southern Ocean will take you to some of the most beautiful UNESCO-listed landscapes in the country.
The Great Ocean Road can be tackled in a single long day or broken up into several days. This is what we recommend.
It is recommended that you have your car so that you can explore the Great Ocean Road. This is one of Australia’s top destinations.
There are many excellent tours, like this one, that will take you to all the sights, including the Twelve Apostles and Port Campbell.
Great Ocean Road Drive Itinerary
You can explore the area at your leisure, stop whenever you like, and enjoy the scenery.
We can help you plan your Great Ocean Road itinerary.
We have done this exact itinerary many times. It starts in Melbourne, ends in Port Fairy, and takes three days.
Melbourne to Apollo Bay
Distance: 195km
Driving Time: Three Hours
Sightseeing Time: 5 Hours
Most people will start their trip in Melbourne. They can do a loop or return journey. This is how we will structure the post.
If you are coming from Adelaide as an alternative, please read the itinerary in reverse.
You’ll probably collect your car at the airport if you’ve rented one. Fill up your vehicle with fuel, crank up the radio, and head to Apollo Bay.
How far away is the Great Ocean Road?
Driving directly from Melbourne CBD to Torquay, where the road starts officially, is 104km or one hour and twenty minutes.
Geelong
The Great Ocean Road begins in Geelong. It is the second largest city in Victoria, and it overlooks Corio Bay.
First, head to Eastern Beach. Take a dip in the southern ocean or soak up the sun. You can also take a walk along the Eastern Promenade to admire the breathtaking views of Corio Bay. Grab a seat at the SkyWheel for one of the most spectacular views in Geelong.
If you’re looking for a delicious meal to enjoy after your drive, check out Geelong Boathouse. They serve classic fish and chips right by the ocean. Geelong’s street art is a thing of beauty.
You can also visit the Heritage Center to see more art.
You can also stop at several local wineries and breweries to purchase some goodies to take with you on your next trip.
Torquay
Torquay is a must-visit destination on the Great Ocean Road, and it’s known for its surf beaches.
Paddling at some of Australia’s most famous surf beaches is one of the best activities to do along the Great Ocean Road.
If you’ve never tried surfing before, taking a lesson will make you feel confident in the water and on the board.
For those who are more experienced and want to surf on a world-renowned beach, head over to Bells Beach.
Bells Beach, made famous by the Ripcurl Proheld every Easter, is not only beautiful but also a big part of Australian and surf culture.
In addition to Bells Beach, other good breaks include San Juc and Sparrows.
Torquay also has the Surf World Museum, which is a museum that contains a wealth of information about surfing and its popularity in Australia. The Australian Surfing Hall of Fame is also located in Torquay.
You’ll love the Surf Coast Walk, a 44km trail that links Torquay with Angelsea as well as Aireys Inlet.
The scenery varies according to the route that you choose. The views on this section of the Great Ocean Road Trip are all spectacular. Visit the website for more information about courses and trails.
Memoria Arch
A Great Ocean Road trip would only be complete with a visit to Memoria Arch. This is located less than 30 minutes away from Torquay and is a highlight of the journey.
A sculpture has been added to the arch in honor of the 3,000 soldiers who worked along this road after WWI. It also commemorates the 75th anniversary.
This is a popular photo spot along the Great Ocean Road.
There are still many attractions along the Great Ocean Road.
Lorne
Lorne has the closest town to the arch. Grab a lunch at The Bottle of Milk and use the facilities before continuing to Kennett River.
You can also see native Australian wildlife.
The Kennett River Koala Walk will satisfy your needs. You can find the adorable native animals at Grey River, which is 6km into the trail. This road is just before Apollo Bay.
You can see the koalas best in the early morning or late afternoon. They’re usually sitting in the eucalyptus tree.
Apollo Bay Accommodation
Apollo Bay is very popular, so book your accommodation in advance.
We always recommend the Apollo Apartment to our friends and family when we travel to Apollo Bay.
This hotel offers a great range of facilities and cozy suites, as well as great views in almost all rooms.
Apollo Bay – Warrnambool
Distance: 160km
Driving Time: 2.30 hrs.
Sightseeing time: 5 Hours
Apollo Bay, situated at the entrance to the Otways region, is without doubt one of the most picturesque stops along the Great Ocean Road.
For the best panoramic view in Apollo Bay, head straight to Marriners Lookout. A short trail will take you directly to the viewpoint. You’ll enjoy the most amazing sweeping views over Apollo Bay and its coastline.
You can try your luck at spotting wildlife by heading to nearby Lake Elizabeth.
You can enjoy the stunning lake views and, if you are lucky, you may even see a platypus.
Keep your eyes open for these adorable and unique local animals. They have been known to use the lake for nesting when they give birth, so it’s best to be on guard.
Great Otway National Park
The incredibly lush and gorgeous Great Otway National Park is only 15km away from Apollo Bay. This national park lies inland, while the Great Ocean Road is mostly coastal.
This park, which covers nearly 200 hectares of land, is one of only a few Great Ocean Road highlights not to be a beach. This park is a wonderful place to escape the beach but still enjoy nature. It has deep valleys, high rainforests, beautiful waterfalls, and plenty of walking tracks.
Melba Gully is a beautiful walking track that is home to giant ferns and glow worms. It is best seen at night.
If you want to see more trails in Great Otway National Park, visit this website. Visit this site for more information on courses in Great Otway National Park.
This is the perfect place to go waterfall chasing!
Stevenson Falls, Triplet Falls, Little Aire Falls, and Hopetoun Falls are just some of the highlights. As you walk the trails, keep an eye out for koalas in the trees as well as beautiful native birds.
You are on your way towards covering a lot of ground. One of the best attractions on the Great Ocean Road is right around the corner.