The Great Ocean Road itinerary options from Melbourne
Sort out your road trip day-by-day, including accommodation and activities, quickly and easily.
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.
Book car hire for these Great Ocean Road itineraries
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.
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.
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.com.au 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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
Stephanie is the travel editor at finder.com.au. On top of being an avid traveller, she's an all-round bargain hunter. If there's a deal on hotels or a sale on flights, she'll know about it. And she'll let you know about it, too. Though probably not before she buys her own ticket.
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