It has great local produce, excellent surf beaches, and play parks for the kids to burn off energy. Whether you're a history buff, foodie, nature lover or adventurer get ready for a great weekend. Did you know: The Great Ocean Road is the worlds largest war memorial, and was built by returning servicemen from World War I. This is a rare opportunity to work for a minimum of 3-6 months and with a start date late April. Live chat with local experts anywhere, anytime. Discover. In front of us were walls of sandstone, giant waves crashing on the beach, and a rocky peninsula just waiting to be explored. Go-Ride a Wave! Featuring the major stops, seaside towns and villages along the Great Ocean Road including Torquay, Anglesea, Airey's Inlet, Lorne, Wye River, Kennett River, Apollo Bay, Port Campbell National Park, Port Campbell and Allensford; plus Warnambool and Port Fairy (as an extension to the official end of the Great Ocean Rd at Allensford.) You will receive a link to create a new password via email. You don't have to miss out on this epic road trip just because you are short on time. Bells Beach is a paradise for surfers; it is the location of the legendary annual Rip Curl Surfing competition. Some people do this as a very long day trip from Melbourne while others can take as long as a week, stopping at towns along the way, leisurely enjoying the beaches, wineries, and historic towns along the way. If you're planning to visit the Great Ocean Road, here's all that you should squeeze into your itinerary. Bells Beach is Australias premiere surf spot, a spot also labeled by some as the best surfing destination in the world. For just a moment though, it was neat peering out at the waves and the coastline from this unique vantage point. 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. If you want to get off the beaten path like we did, do not be afraid to try one of those unlabeled dirt roads. They will also add to the crowds at every one of your stops, so you want to beat them if you can. Route planner, Travel information, Victoria, Australia I could not imagine trying to swim out past these waves, just to catch one right back to shore. TheForeshore Promenadeis a great place for a stroll as well and stretches on for about 6 km. 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. Fabulous horse riding through the forest or down along a long golden beach. Theyll even show you how to throw a Boomerang and spear! plenty of accommodation choices in Warrnambool, Apollo Bay Surf, Stand Up Paddle Boarding & Kayak, Otway Estate Brewery Prickly Moses Beer. It has the most food options before Geelong, which is a further 1 hour drive away. Brambuk: The National Park and Cultural Centre Great Ocean Road travel guide Your email address will not be published. The Twelve Apostles are giant limestone stacks jutting out of the ocean that form one of the most recognizable landscapes in Australia. You can also try a different route while coming back by adding multiple destinations. You might not be making any unscheduled stops to buy snacks. If you want to travel by bus, know that there are plenty from Geelong to Apollo Bay, Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Portland,all travelling via the Great Ocean Road. The Obelisk sits atop a rugged coastline, which is rapidly being eroded by the harsh elements. It was another spot that was cool to see, even if it was just for a few minutes. From Portland, we drove 2 hours (160 km) to get to Port Campbell, the start of the Great Ocean Road. After a late arrival intoWarrnambool,youll want to see a few of the sights the city has to offer. After passing through Port Campbell, youll pass by The Arch and London Bridge. We parked at a small car park and were the only ones here. 12. Port Fairy offers great locations forscuba divingincludingThe Thistle. From the rocks, Tim and I could see a cave in the side of the cliff. I am not looking forward to the conclusion of your trek. This lookout gives you the chance to see right out to sea and over the entire city. Note: This post contains affiliate links. We had one day to drive the Great Ocean Road, including this in our travels from Adelaide to Melbourne. Victoria is the second-smallest state in Australia but packed with abundant natural beauty, all of which is easily accessible on quick day trips from Melbourne. . 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 . From AUD$940.00* per person, based on [] It offers easy transport options to Geelong and Torquay as well as plenty of car hire options. The Great Ocean Road is one of the world's most stunning coastal drives, winding along Australia's southern coast in Victoria (Australia).The undisputed highlight of the drive is the Twelve Apostles, but the Great Ocean Road leads past many more sights of interest, from bustling coastal towns like Lorne and Apollo Bay to the lush rain forests of Great Otway National Park. A great photo op spot, this is one of the most photographed spots along the Great Ocean Road. There are 4 ways to get from Melbourne to Great Ocean Road by train, bus or car Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. But that does not take away from the impressive views at all. The landscape varies depending on which route you take. The standalone arch was earlier connected to the coast with another such arch giving it the name London Bridge, but in 1990 the connecting arch fell down due to erosion. Melbourne to Adelaide via Great Ocean Road - Jensen Chua Photography Home; Timetables Train & coach timetables; Plan a journey Mum, works 2- 3 days a week, Tues and Wednesday and Friday and has the children in daycare and . Would like to do it in 3 days, 2 nights lodging and still see a few things. An organized tour that takes care of your transportation will help you take the trip within a day. 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. The distance between Portland Ln to Mildura VIC 3500 is 542 Km by road. Hugging the ocean on one side, the other side of the road changes its landscape from lush rainforest-clad mountains to volcanic plains. It is a beast to carry around with me everyday but I love the photos get with it. Head down to the Moyne River and stretch your legs along the wharves. We personally stayed there when we travelled across Australia, and highly recommend it. It will stop off at most of the popular viewing spots. Ultimate Adelaide to Melbourne Drive via the Great Ocean Road For more information on routes and trails visit the websitehere. Rent a campervan and go on an adventure. The property at 36 Braemar Street sold for $6 million by private sale. Forget all about the stress of driving, checking the GPS and creating an itinerary of your own! The starting point of the Great Ocean Road that's closest to Melbourne, Torquay, is 64 miles (103 km) from the city. The drive offers plenty of places to stop off and explore. ThePort FairyBotanical Gardensare a lovely spot for an afternoon walk and to admire the plants and flowers. Most tour buses will leave between 8am and 9am, so try and leave before then. December to February is the best time to take a Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne. The road curves quite a lot and if you suffer from motion sickness carry anti-nausea medication or chew on citrusy candy to keep it in check. Cannon Hillis a great place to start if you want to get the lay of the land. Visit top wilderness destinations and picturesque towns on this epic 3-day tour from Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road and the Grampians. The ULTIMATE Great Ocean Road Map 2023 (Local's Guide) The Great Ocean Road drive itineraries from Melbourne We still had a long ways to go. Read all of our articles in our. The Grotto is multiple geological formations rolled into one and is one of the most spectacular points to view the coast. Lookout on the ocean from May to September as you might spot Whales! Continue on from this point as there are tons of Great Ocean Road attractions to come. Soaring high above the limestone stacks youll get the best views of Victorias Shipwreck Coast. See above for that. - Bunyip Tours, Melbourne Traveller Reviews Hello Ive so enjoyed the magnificent stories of your world tours and the stunning photos. Youll find them sitting up in the eucalyptus trees. Explore Victoria's Great Ocean Road on an all-day reverse tour Discover the region's history and culture with a knowledgeable local guide Get going early and enjoy a small-group experience that beats the crowds Experience London Bridge, 12 Apostles, Great Otway, and other sites National Park fees Live commentary on board Professional guide Melbourne to Great Ocean Road | Road trips | The NRMA Quest Warrnambool is the perfect place to do just that. To save even more time, you can cut out Warrnambool completely from your drive. Most of the people here were Chinese. What is the road driving distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? Thousands of visitors flock here for summer and for festivals during the year, including the world famous Folkie. Next, we got off the beaten track, taking an unnamed dirt road towards the shoreline. But one of the most incredible Great Ocean Road attractions is just around the corner. Our personal recommendation for where we stay in Apollo Bay every time is The Apollo Apartment. I am using a Canon 5D Mark iii with a 20-70 mm lens. Driving from Melbourne to Cape Jervis ( Kangaroo Island ) Phillip Island: Penguin Parade Afternoon Wildlife Tour, Autumn (March to May): Cooler weather and fewer tourists, Winter (June to August): Whale watching season, cheaper accommodation and few tourists, Spring (September to November): Flowering season, perfect for visiting the Otways, mild weather and fewer crowds. READ MORE: Be sure to plan your best trip to Australia by using our Australia Travel Guide! The beaches on the Great Ocean Road are fantastic for swimming, especially in the summer. This port city is the second-largest in the state of Victoria and overlooks the gorgeousCorio Bay. The Great Ocean Road is one of the most epic road journeys you can go on across the world! Mount Gambier to Great Ocean Road - 5 ways to travel via bus, and car The view of these sandstone pillars along the coastline is one of the Great Ocean Roads most famous. You might even get a stretch of beach all to yourself, maybe for the best adventure of the day. It stretches for 243 kms. We have been travelling the world together since 2008, with a passion for adventure travel and sustainable tourism. Dog-Friendly Great Ocean Road: Driving with a Dog - Travelnuity Great Ocean Road travel - Lonely Planet | Victoria, Australia Do you think that will be possible that time of year or do we have to book in advance ? Bunyip Tours: Great Ocean Road - See 1,943 traveler reviews, 942 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. Read more about taking a Melbourne to Phillip Island Tour. DESTINATIONS AROUND THE WORLD: For more places to visit around the world, check out our Destinations page. Ziplining, surfing, horse riding, canoes, and kayaking, to name a few. One of the best things to do on the Great Ocean Road is going out for a paddle at some of the most famous surf beaches in Australia. The Great Ocean Road is an Australian National Heritage listed 240-kilometre (150 mi) stretch of road along the south-eastern coast of Australia between the Victorian cities of Torquay and Allansford.Built by returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932 and dedicated to soldiers killed during World War I, the road is the world's largest war memorial.Winding through varying terrain along the coast . You will be bracing natural elements on this road trip and its best to dress accordingly. Enjoy the iconic Penguin Parade on Phillip Island, hand feed kangaroos and wallabies at Moonlit Sanctuary, visit the famous Brighton Beach boxes and more on a day trip from Melbourne to Phillip Island. A camper van or any sporty rental car is good for the drive through the stunning coastal road. 34 mins), (3 hrs
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. The Great Ocean Road (B100) is one of Australia's most famous touring routes. Learn about the Best Things to Do in Melbourne and get a recap of our experiences here. Tip: Beat the tour buses to avoid the traffic and crowds. This is one way to get away from other tourists. Starting and finishing in Melbourne, enjoy a self drive tour along Victoria's southwest coast. Thanks for your support, kind friend! This was not anywhere near as scenic as Port Campbell National Park but was still worth seeing. As Victorias 5th largest city, Warrnambool is a lot bigger than most of the seaside towns along the Great Ocean Road drive. 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. This will start your Ocean Road drive in the opposite direction as most others, avoiding the busy traffic. Yes, you can. Dont start counting them though, because there are only seven you can count! Day 1 - Drive to the Grampians National Park from Melbourne, visit McKenzie falls and stay overnight in the town of Halls Gap. 30 mins), 446 Km - Distance from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road, FAQ about Distance from Melbourne to Portland, The driving distance from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is, Directions from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road, map from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road, Travel time from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road, Distance from Melbourne to New York , United States, Distance from Melbourne to Canberra via Albury NSW 2640, Distance from Melbourne to Canberra via Albury New South Wales, Distance from Melbourne to Canberra via Orbost. Once you factor in viewpoints and short walks, expect this road trip to take one full day. This often includes stopping at lookouts along the way. Bunyip Tours: Wonderful experience - See 1,941 traveler reviews, 941 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. Road trip: Melbourne to Great Ocean Road 277km Beach Culture Benefit Slip on your driving gloves and set off for a run down one the world's most celebrated and breathtaking roads. A few minutes down the road from Sherbrook West is a large car park with trails to various viewpoints. An absolute must-do for anyone wanting one of the best views of this part of the Great Ocean Road is to book in for aTwelve Apostles Helicopter Ride. The Memorial Arch (youve probably seen photos of people standing underneath it) symbolises the start of the road. 1 Day Great Ocean Road Tour on Large Coach $105 Battery Hillis a great spot to get a view from on high of the town and see some pieces of Port Fairy history like the remnants of a Russian invasion from the 1860s. We love this place and even bought one of their horses a few years ago! The Grotto is one of the most impressive sections of the coastline, and essentially a sinkhole. Apart from the trip distance, refer Directions from Portland Ln to Mildura VIC 3500 for road driving directions! We recommend Rental Cars, which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market. Our ultimate destination being Kangaroo Island. We set off from the city at 6am. I highly recommended checking out Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve and Port Fairy. Tyler and Kara joined us, took a look around, and then went back to their game. There were no surfers, really there was no one else here other than a few curious people like ourselves. Here at Port Campbell National Park, we spent over two hours hopping from scenic view to scenic view. The perfect place for a Melbourne city escape. Melbourne to Adelaide 2 Day Tour (Single Room) - kilroy.net all things travel. If youre looking to do a bit of waterfall chasing, this is a great place to find them! The Great Ocean Road from Melbourne - 1-Day Itinerary Here's all you need to know about taking a Great Ocean Road Tour From Melbourne - itinerary, best tours, highlights and quick hacks. GREAT OCEAN ROAD Routing: Melbourne to Adelaide Duration: 5 Days Code: M01 From AUD$685.00* per person, based on standard double/twin share accommodation. Great Ocean Road - Wikipedia Check out our Great Ocean Road tours. The four of us were ecstatic to be off those winding roads. The coastline of the Great Ocean Road is constantly changing and one such natural formation is the London Arch. 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. This is a stop that not a lot of tourists know about, so you can avoid the crowds and see and experience more than most people would on their Great Ocean Road trip. Melbourne's two best day tours, Great Ocean Road & Phillip Island, with entrance to Melbourne Skydeck. Memorial Arch (8am) Our first stop was the Memorial Arch, which is located just past the city of Torquay. Make sure you book ahead though, as its not something you can just show up and do. We had a villa, a small, two bedroom cabin with a kitchen and ensuite bathroom. After the last couple of years, it seems everyone wants to be out and about and go travelling. The road covers a driveway of 243 km off the coast with pristine views of beaches, geological marvels, and rich forests. 1 Day Great Ocean Road & 12 Apostles Tour $104 We are Alesha and Jarryd, the award-winning writers and professional photographers behind this blog. Great Ocean Road starts at Torquay and finishes in Allansford. 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. 21 Awesome Things to Do in Ipswich, Queensland (2023 Guide), The Perfect 3 Days in Rockhampton Itinerary, 16 BEST Cairns Day Trips Not to Be Missed [2023 Guide]. You will want to try and get ahead of as many tour buses as you can. . Any advice greatly appreciated! Brekkie tacos, smoothie bowls and a full lunch menu to eat in or take away will please anyone visiting. Going up is going to be a task though! To do this, leave Melbourne before 8am as most tours leave Melbourne city between 8am and 9am. Drive through the Great Ocean Road's coastal cliffs and river inlets as well as its luscious fern gullies. How Much Does It Cost to Experience Melbourne & the Great Ocean Road in It seemed like there was another amazing view every 400 meters, so we were jumping in and out of our car a lot. A staircase leads you to view it at the eye-level and is best experience at low tide at sunrise or sunset. 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. Great Southern Touring Route, Road trips and itineraries, Victoria Best Great Ocean Road Tours Save AU$10 on your Great Ocean Road Bus tours with this promo code. However, when the winds pick up it is best to stay above the Grotto. Both are amazing expressions of natural beauty and are worth checking out. Melbourne to Apollo Bay 187 km/116 miles, about 3 hours Ease into your roadtrip with the leisurely drive from Melbourne to Torquay, just over an hour's drive. We spent forty five minutes here and during this time we did not see one other person. Required fields are marked *. Not even 15km from Apollo Bay is the incredibly lush and beautifulGreat Otway National Park. Adults: $119 $104 Online special! Things all of a sudden became a lot more exciting. Apollo Bay is a gorgeous seaside village, located at the entry to the Otways, and without a doubt is one of the most scenic and picturesque stops on our Great Ocean Road drive. You can also find the distance from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road using other travel options like bus, subway, tram, train and rail. If you dont want to visit Warrnambool, drive from Melbourne to the 12 Apostles (over 2.5 hours). Where does the Great Ocean Road start and finish. However, the Great Ocean Road is a hit at any time of the year and here is why . All the points of interest mentioned above are marked on the Great Ocean Road Map below. If you arent restricted to only 1 day, give yourself at least 2 days to do the Great Ocean Road drive. 4 From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road Full-Day Trip. 5 Day Melbourne to Adelaide via Great Ocean Road - Visit WA Online To enlarge the map, click the top right icon and it will open up, full screen, in a new tab. The four of us made our way over to the cave, dodging waves washing up onto shore with approaching high tide. Most take this road trip to visit the iconic Twelve Apostles but fall in love with the grandeur of nature. You can buy Great Ocean Road Tours online which would cover your itinerary and tickets for attractions. The Great Ocean Road drive is one of the most scenic drives that Australia has to offer. Iconic Animal Sightings. 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. Great Ocean Road Tours | Australia Vacations & Tours | Goway For those strapped for time, a visit to just Port Campbellwould allow you to see the best of the Great Ocean Road, skipping the monotonous winding roads between Port Campbell National Park and Melbourne. Drive Along the Great Ocean Road. The Great Ocean Road winds through picturesque locations that outdo one another in terms of visual extravaganza. The coastline is awesome. Dont feed the koalas or the parrots as they are in the wild and any feeding them our food will disrupt their natural behaviour. Join the adventures on our YouTube channel! Just prepare yourself for a full day with an early start and late(ish) finish. Of all the fantastic destinations, the one that really draws travelers from across the world is a Great Ocean Road tour. The nearly 250 kilometre road encapsulates some of Australia's most iconic scenery and gives visitors the opportunity to get close to wildlife. Starting and finishing in Melbourne is how most people do the Great Ocean Road drive in 1 day. They are now a part of a National Park and protected, and are the perfect destination to view the sunset. If that is the case, you can head straight back to Melbourne after seeing the famous sites such as the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge and The Grotto. Headout is building the future of how we experience our cities. The main issues can be poor visibility due to fog, slippery roads in wet weather, and traffic from vehicles and pedestrians in the busy sections. The Great Ocean Road Tour covers pristine beaches, geological marvels, and rich forests on your way. It starts at the surfing town of Torquay and finishes near Warrnambool. The Great Ocean Road Map of Best Things To See, 50 of the Best Attractions to see Great Ocean Road Stops, Activities and Attractions on the Great Ocean Road. Great Ocean Road & Beyond Melbourne to Adelaide (Single Traveller One of the most adventurous things to do on the Great Ocean Road drive is to do a bit of scuba diving. This is one of Victorias best bush and ocean walks. Conveniently located a little ways from Port Campbell, these serviced apartments have great rooms, a gorgeous pool area and make for a great stopover. 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. You will also reach the main stops at a different time to the crowds. Stevenson Falls, Triplet Falls, Little Aire Falls, andHopetoun Fallsare just a few of the many highlights here. We plan to spend 5 days on Kangaroo Island and have allowed 3 days to get to Cape Jervis. You will ride on an AC tour bus, accompanied by a friendly tour guide who will ensure you hit all the spots on your Great Ocean Road tour. 15 Places Along The Great Ocean Road To Visit On A One-Day Road Trip In