The Twelve Apostles are giant limestone stacks jutting out of the ocean that form one of the most recognizable landscapes in Australia. Our self-drive itinerary includes driving via Robe and Victor Harbour though a side trip to include The Grampians could be included. Would like to do it in 3 days, 2 nights lodging and still see a few things. You dont have to miss out on this epic road trip just because you are short on time. Stock up on essentials, fill up the car, turn up the radio and head towards Apollo Bay! ThePort FairyBotanical Gardensare a lovely spot for an afternoon walk and to admire the plants and flowers. The distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 Km by road. A little warning about the Penguin Parade: It is very touristy and professionally put together. Getting to the Great Ocean Road When to visit Experience the rugged beauty along the south-west coast of Victoria by setting off along one of the world's most scenic coastal drives. The Animal Condition (Feature Film) 2010 - Jun 20177 years. Live chat with local experts anywhere, anytime. Great Ocean Road Tours that offer the best itinerary and great sights within a day from Melbourne. Now youll be able to find the wreckage in shallow waters, which makes it great for divers to explore. Most tour buses will leave between 8am and 9am, so try and leave before then. Bells Beach is known for hosting Rip Curl Pro, a world surfing competition. They are now a part of a National Park and protected, and are the perfect destination to view the sunset. 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. This is one of Victorias best bush and ocean walks. It offers easy transport options to Geelong and Torquay as well as plenty of car hire options. Check our. What is the return distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? The driving distance from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 km. Melbourne Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges Gippsland Great Ocean Road Phillip Island Attractions More top attractions Sovereign Hill History & heritage Strike it rich with a day out in 1850s Ballarat and pan for gold, ride in a horse-drawn carriage and relive the Eureka Rebellion with sound and light. The worlds largest war memorial is built along the road whose story began in 1919 when World War I heroes returned home and started building a memorial for their martyrs. Iconic Animal Sightings. Mum, works 2- 3 days a week, Tues and Wednesday and Friday and has the children in daycare and . Spectacular and diverse scenery, wildlife, byo tent or book accommodation along the way. 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. What is a partial cave, archway and blowhole, The Grotto is definitely something to marvel at. This isnt a big deal though as you will still have great views of the scenery either way. This lookout gives you the chance to see right out to sea and over the entire city. The first stop when driving the Great Ocean Road will beGeelong. I am using a Canon 5D Mark iii with a 20-70 mm lens. In the shadow of the Otway ranges meeting Cape Otway is the Apollo Bay, midway of the Great Ocean Road. Let us help you get started with planning your Great Ocean Road itinerary. The total distance you can expect to drive is over 600 km. There is a walking track around the island and on the most westerly point youll find a lovely little lighthouse and a pretty viewpoint too. If you have a registered account with us,then we have sent you an email to reset your password. The Cape Otway lighthouse is the oldest surviving lighthouse in Australia and was rightly known as the Beacon of Hope. Its a highlight of a Great Ocean Road itinerary! Brekkie tacos, smoothie bowls and a full lunch menu to eat in or take away will please anyone visiting. For those who love to drive and are comfortable in driving outside the city and through a variety of terrain it is a paradise waiting to be explored. The two-way highway is scenic as it gets and covers iconic landmarks like the Twelve Apostles, Apollo Bay, and the Otways. The Great Ocean Road (B100) is one of Australia's most famous touring routes. 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. While it is possibe to do most of these in a day with an early start and quick pitstops at every location, you should factor in a 2 day trip for a sedate trip. Here's all you need to know about taking a Great Ocean Road Tour From Melbourne - itinerary, best tours, highlights and quick hacks. Wealso have information on a great hike in Kings Canyon and a recap of our experience in the Red Centre of Australia. These unique and adorable local animals call this spot home and have been known to use the lake as a nesting ground when having babies so best to keep your eyes peeled. If youre a hiker more than a surfer, youll be in for a treat with theSurf Coast Walk 44km of trails that connect Torquay toAngelseaandAireys Inletalong the coast. How far is the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne? Keep an eye open as you wander the trails for koalas up in the trees and beautiful native birds soaring around too. Follow our journey in real time on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. 52 Great Weekends > No 3: Portland No 3: Portland Located a little over 4hrs Melbourne, Portland is well worth the drive. Thanks Natalie Seltz Towson, MD. Imagine free falling from the sky onto these gorgeous views? It is essentially a sinkhole in a limestone stack and opens out to a view of the sea and cliffs beyond. Head down to Main Beach for a swim, sunbathe or surf at Point Impossible or Rocky Point. But one of the most incredible Great Ocean Road attractions is just around the corner. Before making your way onto day number 3 of your adventure-packed Great Ocean Road trip youll be looking for a place to catch a good nights sleep. Youll find them sitting up in the eucalyptus trees. These tours are crafted to help you cover most of it in a short span of time, something you may not be able to do as a tourist in the city. However, Loch Ard Gorge is still a stunning place for a swim. Turn off for this road just before you reach Apollo Bay. If you arent restricted to only 1 day, give yourself at least 2 days to do the Great Ocean Road drive. Checking out the view of Bells Beach from the lookout. If you don't want to take the ferry, you can also take the alternative route via Geelong by car, although the ferry crossing is much nicer. Continue on from this point as there are tons of Great Ocean Road attractions to come. Takinga surf lessonis a sure-fire way to have you feeling confident on the board and in the water if you havent tried the sport before. They finish at either the 12 Apostles or Warrnambool, and then drive back to Melbourne. can include Port Fairy and more coastal towns. It starts in Torquay and continues westward to Allansford. . While the Great Ocean Road covers a ton of coastline, this national park is a gem located more on the inland route. The Great Ocean Road tour allows you to witness the spectacular surf coast of Torquay and Lorne, with their sandy white beaches and curling waves. Most of the people here were Chinese. For a great post-drive meal check out theGeelong Boathousefor a classic fish & chips by the sea. Related article: What should you not miss on the Great Ocean Road? Memorial Arch (8am) Our first stop was the Memorial Arch, which is located just past the city of Torquay. A Melbourne road trip to Adelaide via the Great Ocean Road can be done over 5 days, easily seeing the best of the Ocean Road highlights. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. Chasing waterfalls? Our particular itinerary starts in Melbourne and finishes in Port Fairy over 3 days, and is the exact route we have personally done numerous times. This is a beautiful surfing and fishing town with heritage buildings that have wonderful eateries and accommodation. And just for NOMADasaurus readers, if you use the Klook discount codeNOMADS10on the website when checking out, youll get $10 off your first booking! Burrell has studied under expert chefs, including Tom Aikens in London, Monica Pope in Houston, and Tyson Cole. If you travel one way from Port Campbell to Melbourne (or vice versa), it is a 300 km journey. Julie Last updated: October 8, 2022 Australia 4 Comments. Have enjoyed your stories since departing Columbia almost a year ago. I am not looking forward to the conclusion of your trek. The Twelve Apostlesare one of the most amazing sights within Australia and its not hard to see why as you drive along the coast from Great Otway. You will want to try and get ahead of as many tour buses as you can. Stunning photos. Taking an organized bus tour from Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road is the best way to experience the best of the pictursque route from the comfort of your bus. An organized tour that takes care of your transportation will help you take the trip within a day. The Great Ocean Road is an adventurers' perfect medley; expect breathtaking natural wonders, charming restaurants serving oh-so-delicious fare and vast wilderness dotted with native wildlife and jaw-dropping vistas. Most people start the Great Ocean Road drive from Melbourne to Torquay. all things travel. Starting and finishing in Melbourne, enjoy a self drive tour along Victoria's southwest coast. Great Ocean Road starts at Torquay and finishes in Allansford. Maximum group size of 12 travellers with a reverse itinerary to beat the crowds at the 12 Apostles. It is comparable to Big Sur in California with coastal views, winding roads, and many, many scenic viewpoints. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. The sea enters the area through a narrow opening between two rock pillars. To save even more time, you can cut out Warrnambool completely from your drive. Starting from Torquay, this route takes you through beautiful seaside towns and rain forests as you follow the winding road along the exquisite coastline. So you may get lucky to lay your eyes on some of these cute local beach dwellers. Dont start counting them though, because there are only seven you can count! This is just because we really want to show you the best bits of the beautiful Great Ocean Road! Loch Ard Gorge is a breathtaking natural formation just a short distance from the 12 apostles. Read more about taking a Melbourne to Phillip Island Tour. Great post guys, you have inspired me to take a trip here when I finally get to Australia again! Last week, 1156 properties were scheduled to be auctioned in Melbourne. Rent a campervan and go on an adventure. Quest Warrnambool is the perfect place to do just that. Carry a fast-drying towel, a bathing suit and a change of clothes to go swimming. Stops. You can also carry a pair of flip flops or sandals if you wish to dip your feet in the ocean at Loch Ard Gorge or any other beach enroute. The coastline is awesome. It sounds daunting but it's going to be broken down into very manageable chunks. Check out our Great Ocean Road tours. Made famous for theRip Curl Prohosted every Easter, Bells Beach is not only beautiful but a huge part of both Australian and surf culture. A sandy trail took us down to a beach. Take the Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne to catch the best scenery and attractions. This often includes stopping at lookouts along the way. PLACES TO GO IN AUSTRALIA: Spend some time in Sydney, go wine tasting in Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, explore Uluru and the Red Centre of Australia, visit Melbourne, go snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, and dont miss Tasmania, one of our favorite places in Australia. Find out more and plan your adventure. Drive through the Great Ocean Road's coastal cliffs and river inlets as well as its luscious fern gullies. Other good breaks in addition to Bells Beach includeSan Juc, Winki Pop, Bird RockandSparrowsjust to name a few. Go for a swim in the southern ocean, soak in the sun or admire the stunning views out over Corio Bay and go for a stroll along theEastern Promenade. If youre looking to do a bit of waterfall chasing, this is a great place to find them! From the rocks, Tim and I could see a cave in the side of the cliff. Located less than 2 hours from Melbourne. The property at 36 Braemar Street sold for $6 million by private sale. In front of us were walls of sandstone, giant waves crashing on the beach, and a rocky peninsula just waiting to be explored. As Victorias 5th largest city, Warrnambool is a lot bigger than most of the seaside towns along the Great Ocean Road drive. December to February is the best time to take a Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne. And to get your fill of more art you can visit theGeelong Art GalleryandThe Heritage Center. The Great Otway National Park is located within the Otway ranges and covers the area from Torquay to Princetown. Once youve had your fill, hop in the car for a quick drive and to the next and last destination of your road trip. After the gorge youll pass the town of Port Campbell. Road Trip from Port Campbell to Melbourne, wine tasting in Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, 5 Amazing Things to Do on the Tasman Peninsula, Australia, The Great Barrier Reef: Cruising to Lady Musgrave Island. 5 Melbourne: 2-Hour City Highlights River Cruise. Theres a lot to see and do along the way. Theres so much to see and do, so you dont want to be left feeling rushed and tired at the end of your trip. Having your own vehicle is highly recommended so you can really explore all the things to see on the Great Ocean Road, as it really is one of the Australias top destinations. Theyll even show you how to throw a Boomerang and spear! The waves here are huge and come fast and furious, making this area a great surfing spot. Well, at least until the constant winding roads started making Kara nauseous, giving her a front seat in our car and a dose of dramamine. Due to crashing waves over millennia, saltwater and erosion there are now only 8 limestone stacks remaining out of 12. To get here, however, was a two-hour drive via the M1 highway from Melbourne. The coastline will be on the left side of the bus for Great Ocean Road tours starting from Melbourne, so if the bus seats are not pre-booked you can try to catch a window-seat on the left side. Conveniently located a little ways from Port Campbell, these serviced apartments have great rooms, a gorgeous pool area and make for a great stopover. This port city is the second-largest in the state of Victoria and overlooks the gorgeousCorio Bay. Required fields are marked *. Try out the walking trails, have a picnic by the sea, take in the scenic views, or go searching for Australian wildlife. You can also find the flight distance or distance to fly from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road. On a clear sunny day and depending on the tide you can get pretty close. It takes travellers past world-class surfing breaks, through pockets of rainforest and calm seaside towns, and under koala-filled tree canopies. The Great Ocean Road is where you experience breathtaking nature and the great outdoors of Australia! Going up is going to be a task though! Port Fairy is a tiny town on Victorias iconic shipwreck coast with a charming vibe and an exciting causeway that leads you out to an island worth exploring too. The green forest with the winding highway meets the ocean here! We recommend Rental Cars, which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market. Lookout on the ocean from May to September as you might spot Whales! Even in Australia, Tyler and Kara were getting a lot of stares, this time from Chinese tourists. Just prepare yourself for a full day with an early start and late(ish) finish. The perfect place for a Melbourne city escape. A dormant volcanic crater, Tower Hill is full of Australian wildlife (koalas, kangaroos, emus to name a few) and has lush wetlands and bush. Thousands of visitors flock here for summer and for festivals during the year, including the world famous Folkie. Route: Melbourne-Twelve Apostles return, via B100 (Great Ocean Road) Highlights: Torquay, Bells Beach, Lorne, Apollo Bay . Many travelers continue on to Warrnambool and Adelaide or up to the Grampian Mountains while others are returning to Melbourne. The whole trail is about 15km, but your best chances for spotting the cute indigenous animals are about 6km in atGrey River. Recommended Experiences Phillip Island: Penguin Parade Afternoon Wildlife Tour Phillip Island Penguin Parade Tour, Yarra Valley is mostly known for its wineries, but thats just one of its many treasures. Premiered at Melbourne International Film Festival. The Great Ocean Road winds through picturesque locations that outdo one another in terms of visual extravaganza. There are also several wineries and breweries in the area worth stopping in at to pick something up to enjoy throughout the rest of your trip too. Day 1 - Drive to the Grampians National Park from Melbourne, visit McKenzie falls and stay overnight in the town of Halls Gap. Next, we got off the beaten track, taking an unnamed dirt road towards the shoreline. Once in Warrnambool, it doesnt take long to drive to Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve. A great photo op spot, this is one of the most photographed spots along the Great Ocean Road. This will start your Ocean Road drive in the opposite direction as most others, avoiding the busy traffic. Recommended option Train 4h 12m Take the train from Southern Cross to Warrnambool Warrnambool - Melbourne Via Colac & Geelong $103 - $128 If you want one of the best views in Geelong, grab a seat on theSkyWheel. You can also try a different route while coming back by adding multiple destinations. The Ultimate Melbourne To Yarra Valley Tour | Discover The Best Wineries, Chocolateries and Delicatessens! Whether you are travelling with family, friends or a school group, our Great Ocean Road Private Tour is the best way to explore this scenic coastline. Visit surf beaches, seaside towns, and national parks; and see rain forest, wild koalas, and towering waterfalls.