The Great Ocean Road itinerary options from Melbourne

Sort out your road trip day-by-day, including accommodation and activities, quickly and easily.

Updated Apr 27, 2020

Being only 243 kilometres long, the Great Ocean Road - which hugs the Victorian coastline from Torquay to Allansford - has all the makings of a road trip.

It could last one day or you could stretch it out for a week if you choose to drive all the way to Adelaide. We've outlined itineraries to suit short and long Great Ocean Road road trips here.

Plus, keep reading for details on where you can hire your car, recommended accommodation, must-sees on the drive and even a few activities you can tuck into along the way.

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7 days

Great Ocean Road day trip

Start the day off early and cover all the highlights from Melbourne. Day trips can take 14 hours so be prepared for a long one and make sure you switch drivers often.

Day	Itinerary
Day 1 Distance: 527km Approx. drive time: 7 hours, 30 minutes	Melbourne to Twelve Apostles, return Start in Melbourne at first daylight and drive to Torquay, which is the entrance to the Great Ocean Road. Take a quick stop at Torquay for brekky before heading west along the coastline, past Anglesea and Lorne and on to Apollo Bay. Take in a lunch at Apollo Bay then spend some time at Cape Otway before heading to the Twelve Apostles in the early afternoon. Spend time at the Twelve Apostles and Gibson Steps. If you've still got sunlight, you can continue on to Loch Ard (6 minutes’ drive). If not, you can cut your trip here and return home. The fastest way back is along the Princess Highway A1.

Day 1

Distance: 527km
Approx. drive time: 7 hours, 30 minutes

Melbourne to Twelve Apostles, return

Start in Melbourne at first daylight and drive to Torquay, which is the entrance to the Great Ocean Road.
Take a quick stop at Torquay for brekky before heading west along the coastline, past Anglesea and Lorne and on to Apollo Bay.
Take in a lunch at Apollo Bay then spend some time at Cape Otway before heading to the Twelve Apostles in the early afternoon.
Spend time at the Twelve Apostles and Gibson Steps. If you've still got sunlight, you can continue on to Loch Ard (6 minutes’ drive). If not, you can cut your trip here and return home. The fastest way back is along the Princess Highway A1.

1-day The Great Ocean Tour from Experience Oz

Long day driving not your style? Make it easy on yourself by booking a one-day tour from Melbourne instead.

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Great Ocean Road 2-day itinerary

Day	Itinerary
Day 1 Distance: 309km Approx. drive time: 5 hours	Melbourne to Port Campbell Start in Melbourne and drive to Torquay, the entrance to the Great Ocean Road. Follow the coastline west stopping at Bells Beach, Anglesea Lookout, Teddy's Lookout in Lorne, Cape Otway Lightstation and Port Campbell. Stay overnight in Port Campbell.
Day 2 Distance: 287km Approx. drive time: 3 hours 40 minutes	Port Campbell to Melbourne Wake up early and head toward the Twelve Apostles for sunrise. If you're not an early riser, try to head here as early in the day as possible as tour groups arrive in the afternoon. Continue following the coastline west toward the Bay of Islands and London Arch, stopping by The Grotto and Gibson Steps before turning back to Melbourne. If you’d prefer a change of scenery on your return, you can detour inland through Ballarat.

Day 1

Distance: 309km
Approx. drive time: 5 hours

Melbourne to Port Campbell

Start in Melbourne and drive to Torquay, the entrance to the Great Ocean Road.
Follow the coastline west stopping at Bells Beach, Anglesea Lookout, Teddy's Lookout in Lorne, Cape Otway Lightstation and Port Campbell.
Stay overnight in Port Campbell.

Day 2

Distance: 287km
Approx. drive time: 3 hours 40 minutes

Port Campbell to Melbourne

Wake up early and head toward the Twelve Apostles for sunrise. If you're not an early riser, try to head here as early in the day as possible as tour groups arrive in the afternoon.
Continue following the coastline west toward the Bay of Islands and London Arch, stopping by The Grotto and Gibson Steps before turning back to Melbourne.
If you’d prefer a change of scenery on your return, you can detour inland through Ballarat.

Anchors Port Campbell from Finder Hotels

Stay overnight in Port Campbell in one of the sweetest cottages in town. It includes a spa bath, free Wi-Fi and easy access to Port Campbell Foreshore.

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Great Ocean Road 3-day itinerary

Day	Itinerary
Day 1 Distance: 152km Approx. drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes	Melbourne to Lorne Start in Melbourne and drive out to Torquay, catching a surf break at Bells Beach. Continue on to the sleepy coastal town of Lorne and explore its many arts and crafts stores. Stay overnight in Lorne.
Day 2 Distance: 159km Approx. drive time: 3 hours	Lorne to Port Campbell Head to Apollo Bay where you can taste the local cuisine or ride horseback along the shore. Visit Cape Otway and its famous lighthouse. Catch the Twelve Apostles in time for sunset and stay overnight in Princetown or Port Campbell.
Day 3 Distance: 404km Approx. drive time: 5 hours	Port Campbell to Melbourne Spend the morning gazing on the natural beauty of London Arch and Bay of Islands. Complete the Great Ocean Road with a happy snap in Allansford of its memorial arch. Continue onto Warrnambool for its federation homesteads. Kick back in Port Fairy with its lighthouses and nature reserves. Head back to Melbourne via the B120 and B140 highways.

Day 1

Distance: 152km
Approx. drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Melbourne to Lorne

Start in Melbourne and drive out to Torquay, catching a surf break at Bells Beach.
Continue on to the sleepy coastal town of Lorne and explore its many arts and crafts stores.
Stay overnight in Lorne.

Day 2

Distance: 159km
Approx. drive time: 3 hours

Lorne to Port Campbell

Head to Apollo Bay where you can taste the local cuisine or ride horseback along the shore.
Visit Cape Otway and its famous lighthouse.
Catch the Twelve Apostles in time for sunset and stay overnight in Princetown or Port Campbell.

Day 3

Distance: 404km
Approx. drive time: 5 hours

Port Campbell to Melbourne

Spend the morning gazing on the natural beauty of London Arch and Bay of Islands.
Complete the Great Ocean Road with a happy snap in Allansford of its memorial arch.
Continue onto Warrnambool for its federation homesteads.
Kick back in Port Fairy with its lighthouses and nature reserves.
Head back to Melbourne via the B120 and B140 highways.

Learn to Surf at Torquay from Viator

While you have the time, remember to catch a surf break in Torquay. It's a must do when visiting this popular surf beach.

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Lorne Bush House Cottages and Eco Lodges from Finder Hotels

Live the eco-tourism life in Lorne in these recently refurbished cottages. Complete with treatments to help you relax after a long drive.

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Clifton Beach Lodge from Finder Hotels

Stay close to the action at Clifton Beach Lodge in Princetown where the 12 Apostles are literally a hop and skip away.

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Great Ocean Road 4-day itinerary

Day	Itinerary
Day 1 Distance: 152km Approx. drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes	Melbourne to Lorne/Fairhaven Start in Melbourne and drive out to Torquay and Bells Beach to soak up the sun. Continue on to Lorne and explore its arts and crafts stores and catch that Insta shot from Teddy's Lookout. Stay overnight in Lorne or go for broke and drive back east for 20 minutes to spend the evening in Fairhaven's Pole House. 5-day option: Add a day in Anglesea to see the coast by mountain bike.
Day 2 Distance: 140km Approx. drive time: 2 hours, 30 minutes	Lorne to Princetown Have brekky in Lorne, take in the view from Anglesea Lookout then head to Apollo Bay to ride horseback along the shore. Spend the time to explore Cape Otway and its lighthouse then park it for the evening in Princetown.
Day 3 Distance: 270km Approx. drive time: 3 hours, 30 minutes	Princetown to Mount Gambier Wake up in time for sunrise over the Twelve Apostles, walk the Gibson Steps and explore deep into Port Campbell National Park's treasures such as Loch Ard, London Arch and Bay of Islands. Complete the Great Ocean Road with a happy snap in Allansford of its memorial arch. Continue onto Warrnambool for its federation homesteads. Kick back in Port Fairy with its lighthouses and nature reserves before heading out to Mount Gambier for the evening.
Day 4 Distance: 424km Approx. drive time: 5 hours	Mount Gambier to Melbourne Explore Mount Gambier and its pristine landscape of limestone, sinkholes and crater lakes. Head back to Melbourne. 5-day option: Spend the afternoon and 5th day in Coonawarra sipping this wine region's best tipples before heading back to Melbourne.

Day 1

Distance: 152km
Approx. drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Melbourne to Lorne/Fairhaven

Start in Melbourne and drive out to Torquay and Bells Beach to soak up the sun.
Continue on to Lorne and explore its arts and crafts stores and catch that Insta shot from Teddy's Lookout.
Stay overnight in Lorne or go for broke and drive back east for 20 minutes to spend the evening in Fairhaven's Pole House.

5-day option: Add a day in Anglesea to see the coast by mountain bike.

Day 2

Distance: 140km
Approx. drive time: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Lorne to Princetown

Have brekky in Lorne, take in the view from Anglesea Lookout then head to Apollo Bay to ride horseback along the shore.
Spend the time to explore Cape Otway and its lighthouse then park it for the evening in Princetown.

Day 3

Distance: 270km
Approx. drive time: 3 hours, 30 minutes

Princetown to Mount Gambier

Wake up in time for sunrise over the Twelve Apostles, walk the Gibson Steps and explore deep into Port Campbell National Park's treasures such as Loch Ard, London Arch and Bay of Islands.
Complete the Great Ocean Road with a happy snap in Allansford of its memorial arch.
Continue onto Warrnambool for its federation homesteads.
Kick back in Port Fairy with its lighthouses and nature reserves before heading out to Mount Gambier for the evening.

Day 4

Distance: 424km
Approx. drive time: 5 hours

Mount Gambier to Melbourne

Explore Mount Gambier and its pristine landscape of limestone, sinkholes and crater lakes.
Head back to Melbourne.

5-day option: Spend the afternoon and 5th day in Coonawarra sipping this wine region's best tipples before heading back to Melbourne.

Day 1 - stay at Lemonade Creek Lodges, Lorne

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Day 2 - stay at 12 Apostles Creek Cottages, Princetown

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Day 3 - stay at Golden Chain Tower Motor Inn, Mount Gambier

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Great Ocean Road 7-day itinerary

With a week at your fingertips, it's possible to drive from Melbourne to Adelaide via the Great Ocean Road, although if you've made the journey it's easiest to fly back to Melbourne as the quickest drive will still take you 8 hours.

We've outlined a one-way trip to Adelaide below. You also have the option to extend your days in select locations mentioned in shorter itineraries above for a round-trip that won't cost you more time on the road.

Melbourne to Adelaide via Great Ocean Road map

Day	Itinerary
Day 1 Distance: 199km Approx. drive time: 3 hours 15 minutes	Melbourne to Apollo Bay Head out early from Melbourne, stopping by Torquay, Bells Beach, Lorne and Apollo Bay where you'll spend the night.
Day 2 Distance: 115km Approx. drive time: 2 hours	Apollo Bay to Port Campbell Travel from Apollo Bay with a brief stop at Cape Otway, Port Campbell National Park and its highlights, including the Twelve Apostles. Stay overnight in Port Campbell.
Day 3 Distance: 243km Approx. drive time: 3 hours	Port Campbell to Mount Gambier Complete the Great Ocean Road through Allansford, check out the Georgian-style homes at Port Fairy and continue on to Mount Gambier via the scenic route aka Port Nelson State Park where cliffs crumble into blue waters. Stay the night near Mount Gambier.
Day 4 Distance: 132km Approx. drive time: 1 hour 30 minutes	Mount Gambier to Coonawarra Explore the craters and sinkholes of Mount Gambier in the morning. Walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs at Naracoorte Caves National Park in the afternoon. Finish the day off with a wine at a local cellar door in Coonawarra.
Day 5 Distance: 393km Approx. drive time: 4 hours 14 minutes	Coonawarra to Victor Harbor Set your sights on the fishing port of Robe with its historical lookout, giant obelisk and conservation park. Cross the Murray River by ferry into Victor Harbor and tuck in for the evening.
Day 6 Distance: 50km (not including Kangaroo Island) Approx. drive time: 1 hour	Victor Harbor to McLaren Vale Join a guided tour to Granite Island, home to the adorable little penguins, or take your trip one step further with a day trip to Kangaroo Island. Drive up to McLaren Vale to wine and dine your way through your last evening.
Day 7 Distance: 40km Approx. drive time: 45 minutes	McLaren Vale to Adelaide Spend the morning in McLaren Vale or head straight to Adelaide for a day in the big city.

Day 1 - stay at Waterfront Motor Inn, Apollo Bay

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Day 2 - stay at Anchors Port Campbell

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Day 3 - stay at Golden Chain Tower Motor Inn, Mount Gambier

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Day 4 - stay at Coonawarra Bush Holiday Park, Coonawarra

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Day 5 - stay at NRMA Victor Habor Beachfront Holiday Park, Victor Habor

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Day 6 - relax at Southern Vales Bed and Breakfast, McLaren Vale

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Great Ocean Road camping

Camping grounds are abundant along the Great Ocean Road. This includes in and near Great Otway National Park, Otway Forest Park and Port Campbell National Park. Many are hike-in camping spots that are stove-only. However, if you're driving you can check out the following powered caravan sites:

Lorne Foreshore Caravan Park

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BIG4 Apollo Bay Pisces Holiday Park

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Great Ocean Road Tourist Park

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Prefer to tour? Let someone else drive and guide you with these top Great Ocean Road tours.

Great Ocean Road Driving Overview

Length: 243 kilometres
Recommended time: 2-3 days
Highlights and attractions: The Twelve Apostles, Bells Beach, Angelsea Hill, Teddys Lookout (Lorne), Marriner’s Lookout (Apollo Bay), Cape Otway Lightstation, Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve, London Arch, The Grotto, Bay of Islands, Gibson Steps and Lord Ard. Read more.
Great Ocean Road weather: The weather is pleasant throughout the year with max temperatures of 22°C and min temperatures of 6°C. Winter is the rainiest season. Summer is the driest.
Best time to go: To avoid the crowds road trip over winter between June and August. It's the rainiest season but comes with the chance to go whale watching. Alternatively, travel during spring or autumn for clearer skies and off-peak prices.
Car: Economy to large car. Roads are sealed and well-maintained.

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Stephanie Yip

Stephanie Yip is the travel editor at Finder and has been writing about travel and lifestyle for over a decade. She has written for Travel Weekly, Escape, Showpo, The Nibbler and Hostelworld. She was also the editor of kids magazine DMAG. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Technology Sydney and has visited 55 countries (and counting).

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The Great Ocean Road itinerary options from Melbourne

Sort out your road trip day-by-day, including accommodation and activities, quickly and easily.

Book car hire for these Great Ocean Road itineraries

Great Ocean Road map

Recommended itineraries based on length

Great Ocean Road day trip

1-day The Great Ocean Tour from Experience Oz

Great Ocean Road 2-day itinerary

Anchors Port Campbell from Finder Hotels

Great Ocean Road 3-day itinerary

Learn to Surf at Torquay from Viator

Lorne Bush House Cottages and Eco Lodges from Finder Hotels

Clifton Beach Lodge from Finder Hotels

Great Ocean Road 4-day itinerary

Day 1 - stay at Lemonade Creek Lodges, Lorne

Day 2 - stay at 12 Apostles Creek Cottages, Princetown

Day 3 - stay at Golden Chain Tower Motor Inn, Mount Gambier

Great Ocean Road 7-day itinerary

Melbourne to Adelaide via Great Ocean Road map

Day 1 - stay at Waterfront Motor Inn, Apollo Bay

Day 2 - stay at Anchors Port Campbell

Day 3 - stay at Golden Chain Tower Motor Inn, Mount Gambier

Day 4 - stay at Coonawarra Bush Holiday Park, Coonawarra

Day 5 - stay at NRMA Victor Habor Beachfront Holiday Park, Victor Habor

Day 6 - relax at Southern Vales Bed and Breakfast, McLaren Vale

Search for more accommodation options

Great Ocean Road camping

Lorne Foreshore Caravan Park

BIG4 Apollo Bay Pisces Holiday Park

Great Ocean Road Tourist Park

Great Ocean Road Driving Overview

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