It shows off sheer limestone cliffs, dairy farms and heathland, and gets you up close and personal with the crashing . Burrell has studied under expert chefs, including Tom Aikens in London, Monica Pope in Houston, and Tyson Cole. The beaches on the Great Ocean Road are fantastic for swimming, especially in the summer. 15 Places Along The Great Ocean Road To Visit On A One-Day Road Trip In Skydiving is a popular sport at the Great Ocean Road and you're likely to spot many gutsy ones plummeting from the sky at 200 kmph from 15,000 feet above. 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. Bells Beach is known for hosting Rip Curl Pro, a world surfing competition. Cannon Hillis a great place to start if you want to get the lay of the land. Dont start counting them though, because there are only seven you can count! Click on any of the numbers on the map of The Great Ocean Road to read all about the attraction. What is a partial cave, archway and blowhole, The Grotto is definitely something to marvel at. And just for NOMADasaurus readers, if you use the Klook discount codeNOMADS10on the website when checking out, youll get $10 off your first booking! We would appreciate some advice for an itinerary driving from Melbourne to Cape Jervis via the Great Ocean Road visiting Phillip Island and Kennett River where we may hopefully see some Koalas, on the way. Iconic Animal Sightings. Campervan Hire Great Ocean Road - Melbourne to Adelaide - Camper Champ The waves here are huge and come fast and furious, making this area a great surfing spot. Day 3: Warrnambool to Port Fairy then Melbourne (or Adelaide). Portland is 6 hours (540 km) away from Adelaide. Keep an eye open as you wander the trails for koalas up in the trees and beautiful native birds soaring around too. One of the most iconic road trips in all of Australia, if not the world, has got to be the Great Ocean Road drive. However, if you're short on time and want to cover a good portion of the Great Ocean Road, signing up for an organized trip from Melbourne will come handy. Hello Ive so enjoyed the magnificent stories of your world tours and the stunning photos. Curious Goose | The Grampians and The Great Ocean Road - a 4 day self 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. Theres a lot to see and do along the way. Most take this road trip to visit the iconic Twelve Apostles but fall in love with the grandeur of nature. 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. December to February is the best time to take a Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne. In 1932, the road was thrown open to the public and has since then become one of the worlds best road trip destinations. I am using a Canon 5D Mark iii with a 20-70 mm lens. Bunyip Tours: Wonderful experience - See 1,941 traveler reviews, 941 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. We know what you mean by just taking your time and booking the day of but we would recommend booking in advance as it is so much busier now. Chasing waterfalls? It was awesome having this place all to ourselves, being able to explore without anyone else around. DESTINATIONS AROUND THE WORLD: For more places to visit around the world, check out our Destinations page. How far is the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne? Sandstone cliffs plunging into the ocean, pillars of hardened sandstone sitting just offshore, all of this being pounded by some serious waves. Here we are, at another beach, and we have it all to ourselves. After the gorge youll pass the town of Port Campbell. You can drive the entire length of the Great Ocean Road in one long day (about 8 hours return), but we recommend splitting the journey up into a few days. 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 . 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. 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. Great Ocean Road travel guide In front of us were walls of sandstone, giant waves crashing on the beach, and a rocky peninsula just waiting to be explored. Most visitors to the Great Ocean Road travel from Melbourne, which is the nearest major city. Thanks Natalie Seltz Towson, MD. 34 mins), (3 hrs Join the adventures on our YouTube channel! Complete Road Trip Guide & Holiday Planner - Great Ocean Road 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. Includes: 4 nights' accommodation, 5 days unlimited km use of a compact sized car, continental breakfast in Barossa Valley and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps. Made famous for theRip Curl Prohosted every Easter, Bells Beach is not only beautiful but a huge part of both Australian and surf culture. Day 1 - Drive to the Grampians National Park from Melbourne, visit McKenzie falls and stay overnight in the town of Halls Gap. Whether you surf or not, it is a great place to stop and admire the ocean. The Grotto is multiple geological formations rolled into one and is one of the most spectacular points to view the coast. 3. Forget all about the stress of driving, checking the GPS and creating an itinerary of your own! Our personal recommendation for where we stay in Apollo Bay every time is The Apollo Apartment. The Great Ocean Road was built as a memorial for soldiers of World War I and this timber arch commemorates them. The Ultimate Great Ocean Road Trip: From Melbourne to Adelaide - NeedaBreak Live chat with local experts anywhere, anytime. The Quintessential Great Ocean Road Itinerary - 3 Days Great Ocean Road Tours | Australia Vacations & Tours | Goway Home to some of Australia's best-known surf beaches, Torquay marks the official beginning of the Great Ocean Road. The first stop when driving the Great Ocean Road will beGeelong. As one of the world's leading travel journalists, our content and adventures have been featured by National Geographic, Lonely Planet, CNN, BBC, Forbes, Business Insider, Washington Post, Yahoo!, BuzzFeed, Channel 7, Channel 10, ABC, The Guardian, and plenty other publications. The road covers a driveway of 243 km off the coast with pristine views of beaches, geological marvels, and rich forests. 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. Adelaide to Melbourne Drive Itinerary: Great Ocean Road Trip We can recommend a number of excellent companies who all use smaller buses which means more time at stops and more personalized experience. However, the views arent affected by the bigger cityscape. You can also use the share icon and share it on Facebook. Brambuk: The National Park and Cultural Centre The Great Ocean Road winds through picturesque locations that outdo one another in terms of visual extravaganza. Experience the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne to Adelaide. Here's all you need to know about taking a Great Ocean Road Tour From Melbourne - itinerary, best tours, highlights and quick hacks. I guess the quickest and easiest route from Portland back to Melbourne would be up to Hamilton then via the Glenelg Hwy to Ballarat then it is freeway on to Melbourne. During your travel, you plan to visit the following- 1) Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay, Victoria, Australia Recent Melbourne distance calculations Distance from Melbourne to New York , United States Distance from Melbourne to Canberra via Albury NSW 2640 Truly a paradise, the area is a popular destination for water sports and recreation activities. You could drive the main highlights of the Great Ocean Road (from the Bay of Islands to the Twelve Apostles), and then drive to Melbourne on highway A1. To drive direct from the Melbourne CBD to Torquay, where the road officially starts, is 104km, or 1 hour and 20 minutes. The green forest with the winding highway meets the ocean here! You also wont be getting a sunset picture of the 12 Apostles as it will be one of your first major stops. A few minutes down the road from Sherbrook West is a large car park with trails to various viewpoints. The Twelve Apostles marked the end of the most scenic of viewpoints but did not end our journey down the Great Ocean Road. The distance between Portland Ln to Mildura VIC 3500 is 542 Km by road. For those wanting to drive a bit further west, theres the historic harbour settlement of Portland which you can visit. Both are natural, offshore stone archways. The Perth to Adelaide Drive (via the Nullarbor Plain) 3,700 km | 16 days Swim with dolphins, climb the giant Gloucester Tree, camp among . It takes travellers past world-class surfing breaks, through pockets of rainforest and calm seaside towns, and under koala-filled tree canopies. But one of the most incredible Great Ocean Road attractions is just around the corner. The Animal Condition (Feature Film) 2010 - Jun 20177 years. You can tackle the Great Ocean Road in one long day, or break it up over a few days, which is what we suggest doing. Head down to the Moyne River and stretch your legs along the wharves. Further along, you will find verdant bush where koalas nest and then onto the lush rainforests with spectacular waterfalls and native wildlife. Jump out of a plane at 15,000 feet above the ground and get the best, most exhilarating views of the entire coastline. If that is not an option though, or you dont like the idea of driving on the wrong side of the road, there are plenty of excellent tours likethis onethat will take you to see all the sights including the Twelve Apostles, Port Campbell, Otway National Park and more. While wandering around town youll surely spot a ton of street art, which is something Geelong is known for. Sail through the clouds with only 1 other person for an up-close and personal adventure. However, if you only have 1 day to work with, then here are some suggestions to save yourself time. The Great Ocean Road definitely has some dangerous turns. 52 Great Weekends > No 3: Portland No 3: Portland Located a little over 4hrs Melbourne, Portland is well worth the drive. What is the shortest road distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? can include Port Fairy and more coastal towns. The Subaru Forester has been an exceptional ride on the trip on the Melbourne to Adelaide via Great Ocean Road trip - powerful, economical, spacious, and with loads of safety features built-in, making the long drives a comfortable experience. You can walk, trek, horse-ride or bike through the park. Kms. No Great Ocean road trip is complete without making a stop atMemoria Arch, which is less than 30 minutes from Torquay and a real highlight of the journey. Thats the word that can truly capture the essence of the Great Ocean Road in Australia. Last week, 1156 properties were scheduled to be auctioned in Melbourne. You will receive a link to create a new password via email. The Ultimate Melbourne To Yarra Valley Tour | Discover The Best Wineries, Chocolateries and Delicatessens! Did you know: The Great Ocean Road is the worlds largest war memorial, and was built by returning servicemen from World War I. Today, at 4 pm, with clouds and a cold breeze, it did not look like much to us. If you fancy trying your luck to spot some wildlife head out to nearbyLake Elizabeth. This will start your Ocean Road drive in the opposite direction as most others, avoiding the busy traffic. Lorne is a picturesque town set between Loutit Bay and the Otway National Park, it is where the bush meets the ocean. Ultimate Adelaide to Melbourne Drive via the Great Ocean Road 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. The driving distance from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 km. Cute Penguins - Reviews, Photos - Bunyip Tours - Tripadvisor It takes about 75 minutes to drive to, depending on the traffic leaving Melbourne. From AU $1625 to AU $1895 3 days ex flights. Day 1: Melbourne to Port Campbell We depart from Southern Cross Coach Terminal on Spencer Street at 8:30am before we commence this amazing 4 day, 3 night guided Great Ocean Road & Beyond Itinerary. DISCLAIMER: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you book accommodation, tours or buy a product, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Discover the different regions and their world class surf breaks, local food & wine, magnificent coastal walks, beautiful rainforest trails and pristine beaches. It starts in Torquay and continues westward to Allansford. This is just because we really want to show you the best bits of the beautiful Great Ocean Road! This is one of the best things, if not the best, that you can do in the state of Victoria in Australia. 639. We set off from the city at 6am. Due to crashing waves over millennia, saltwater and erosion there are now only 8 limestone stacks remaining out of 12. The nearly 250 kilometre road encapsulates some of Australia's most iconic scenery and gives visitors the opportunity to get close to wildlife. Its definitely worth pulling over to read the history of the road as well as getting that classic holiday snap. The area has a forest of gum and eucalyptus trees which are the main food source of koalas. 1. Part 1: Melbourne Part 2: Melbourne to Ballarat Part 3: Ballarat to Torquay Part 4: Torquay to Port Campbell Part 5: Port Campbell to Warrnambool Part 6: Warrnambool to Portland Part 7: Portland to Mount Gambier Plan ahead and give yourself at least 1 full day. Read all of our articles in our Australia Travel Guide. While Tyler and Kara tried to throw each other off of the sand dunes, Tim and I went exploring. One Day Road Trip on the Great Ocean Road, Australia Thanks for your support, kind friend! What is the road driving distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? This isnt a big deal though as you will still have great views of the scenery either way. Its also a fantastic place if you are looking to see some native Australian wildlife. Note: This post contains affiliate links. 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. Just prepare yourself for a full day with an early start and late(ish) finish. Not too far down the coast is an iconic must-visit stop on any of the Great Ocean Road drives,Torquay, known for its epic surf beaches. Here we joined the largest crowds of people yet, all elbowing for the best place to take family photos. It will stop off at most of the popular viewing spots. Although most Great Ocean Road tours offer snacks they might be limited and since you are in for a long day its best to stock up on extra snacks and beverages for the road. 5 Day Melbourne to Adelaide via Great Ocean Road - Visit WA Online Heavenly, right? The total distance you can expect to drive is over 600 km. They will also add to the crowds at every one of your stops, so you want to beat them if you can. Recommended Experiences Yarra Valley Full Day Gourmet Tour Skydive Yarra Valley Tandem Freefall. Melbourne To Phillip Island Tour: A Complete Guide For A Perfect Day Trip, We've served 15 million+ guests and we are here for you, All You Need For An Epic Great Ocean Road Tour From Melbourne, Happy customers across 10,000+ experiences, 5,000+ verified reviews with 90% excellent score, Featured and recommended by the best brands, Have a question? The spectacular Great Ocean Road hugs the seaside cliffs that snake along the wild and windswept Southern Ocean. Theyll even show you how to throw a Boomerang and spear! December to February is summer, March to May is autumn, June to August is winter and September to November is spring. From below the steps you can marvel at the 70m limestone stacks from up close and feel the power of nature. Stunning photos. Our journey ended an hour and a half later, finally at Melbourne. Drive Along the Great Ocean Road. There are a few towns along the way like Lorne, Apollo Bay and Port Campbell where you can stay or camp overnight. Once in Warrnambool, it doesnt take long to drive to Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve. Imagine free falling from the sky onto these gorgeous views? Home; Timetables Train & coach timetables; Plan a journey Tip: If youre hungry on the drive back to Melbourne, stop at Colac for food. 375km of scenic winding roads along the southern ocean will take you through some of the countrys most beautiful UNESCO-listed landscapes. 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. Youll find them sitting up in the eucalyptus trees. It has some of the best park guides in the area to teach you about the history of the volcano as well as local Aboriginal history. Melbourne to Adelaide Drive Great Ocean Road Route An Epic Great Ocean Road Tour From Melbourne - Complete Guide It was nothing fancy but suited our needs for our family of four. Read 1 review. Although you could go through the city of Geelong, south-west of Melbourne, there's no need to as the Freeway Extension bypasses it, thus speeding . Go-Ride a Wave! Driving from Melbourne to Cape Jervis ( Kangaroo Island ) From here you are well on your way to having covered a ton of ground. We walked out to the tip of the peninsula. Please enter your email address or username. 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. Hopetoun Falls Just gorgeous, the walk to these falls is not very far, though it does involve steps. Melbourne and Great Ocean Road Itinerary secret-travel.guide In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. If you're planning on the West Gate Bridge route, take the Princes Highway over the bridge and travel along the Bellarine Peninsula or the Surf Coast Highway to the famous surfing town of Torquay. I highly recommended checking out Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve and Port Fairy. Built in honour of the 3,000 soldiers who worked on this stretch of road after WWI, there is now also a sculpture there to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the arch. Soaring high above the limestone stacks youll get the best views of Victorias Shipwreck Coast. 1 Melbourne: 1-Day Entry Ticket to Melbourne Zoo. The distance from Adelaide to Melbourne is 1500km on this itinerary, which amounts to over 21 hours worth of driving. There were no surfers, really there was no one else here other than a few curious people like ourselves. All the points of interest mentioned above are marked on the Great Ocean Road Map below. Follow our journey in real time on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. DestinationsPhotographySustainable TourismAdventure Travel, Adventure ToursStart a BlogTravel TipsSitemap, 2023 NOMADasaurus | Peak Evolution Media, The PERFECT Great Ocean Road Drive Itinerary (2023). 5 Melbourne: 2-Hour City Highlights River Cruise. We drove from Adelaide to Portland, spent the night in Portland, and then drove the Great Ocean Road. Routing: Adelaide to Melbourne Duration: 5 Days Code: AD3 From AUD$690.00* per person, based on standard double/twin share accommodation. During your travel, you plan to visit the following-1) Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay, Victoria, Australia. A drive down the road will take you through magnificent landscapes of the white surf hitting the golden beaches, where the limestone stacks and arches weather the powerful ocean. Bunyip Tours: See above for that. What kind of still camera/lens are you finding most helpful? Most of the highlights are located around Port Campbell. It can be done. You might even get a stretch of beach all to yourself, maybe for the best adventure of the day. The V/line service offers frequent train travel departing Melbournes Southern Cross Station and running to both Geelong and Warrnambool. MELBOURNE: Melbourne is our favorite city in Australia. The ULTIMATE Great Ocean Road Map 2023 (Local's Guide) Related article: What should you not miss on the Great Ocean Road? Now 2 pillars are left standing above the sea and make for an impressive view inPort Campbell National Park. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. And your Great Ocean Road route should not miss out on two other attractions nearby either. Read all of our articles in our. A drive between Melbourne and Adelaide via the inland route takes only 8 hours. The view of these sandstone pillars along the coastline is one of the Great Ocean Roads most famous. Brekkie tacos, smoothie bowls and a full lunch menu to eat in or take away will please anyone visiting. Would like to know what kind of still camera and lens you are using. All the while, Tyler and Kara were screaming with delight, laughing afterwards. It is a popular stop for photographs with the name of the road and the plaque. 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. Purchase tickets. Find out more and plan your adventure. Surf lessons can be booked in Lorne, Anglesea, Torquay, and Ocean Grove. After a late arrival intoWarrnambool,youll want to see a few of the sights the city has to offer. Check, (2 hrs We spent forty five minutes here and during this time we did not see one other person. Screened at CinefestOZ, Portland International Film Festival, Social Justice Film Festival (Seattle), St Louis International Film Festival, Mostly . We are located almost at the end of the Great Ocean Road, about 4.5 hours from Melbourne. You also get to enjoy free WiFi onboard, tea and snacks and relax in comfort between spots. 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. Yes, you can. Tyler and Kara joined us, took a look around, and then went back to their game. Mum, works 2- 3 days a week, Tues and Wednesday and Friday and has the children in daycare and . If your tour is on schedule you might find yourself some time for a swim. The gorge has been named after a ship Loch Ard ran aground nearby and the rock pillars are named Tom and Eva after the only two survivors. Maximum group size of 12 travellers with a reverse itinerary to beat the crowds at the 12 Apostles. It is summer and it is simply beautiful on the road! Sometimes, Tyler and Kara feel like they will never be able to escape the attention of people curious about their blond hair. The landscape varies depending on which route you take. Bunyip Tours: Great Ocean Road - See 1,943 traveler reviews, 942 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. It makes for a perfect family day out or holiday with friends. One of the best things to do here is take a walk out on thePort Fairy Wharves. Getting stuck behind tour buses will add to your travel time. You will want to try and get ahead of as many tour buses as you can. Here are a few budget Great Ocean Road tours you should consider. 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. Of all the fantastic destinations, the one that really draws travelers from across the world is a Great Ocean Road tour. Over time it has been improved to create a peaceful and beautiful space to be enjoyed. Stretching over 243km (150mi), among this dramatic coastline's iconic attractions there's a mecca of bucket-list-worthy experiences. 1 Day Great Ocean Road & 12 Apostles Tour $104 It stretches for 243 kms. Day 3: Warrnambool to Port Fairy then Melbourne (or Adelaide) Distance: 30km to Port Fairy, then 312km to Melbourne. Our self-drive itinerary includes driving via Robe and Victor Harbour though a side trip to include The Grampians could be included. Now youll be able to find the wreckage in shallow waters, which makes it great for divers to explore. To enlarge the map, click the top right icon and it will open up, full screen, in a new tab. Torquay is also home to theSurf World Museumwith tons of history about the sport and its fame in Australia. Checking out the view of Bells Beach from the lookout. The Great Ocean Road drive itineraries from Melbourne The total time you can expect to spend driving the Great Ocean Road and return, including stops, is at least 10 hours. At the end of your Great Ocean Road itinerary, you can leave Port Fairy andhead back towards Melbourneon the M8 National highway to take on your next series of Aussie fun. . The road starts in Torquay, and finishes in Allansford. We are Alesha and Jarryd, the award-winning writers and professional photographers behind this blog. It is a beast to carry around with me everyday but I love the photos get with it. No, the Great Ocean Road isnt particularly dangerous to drive, as long as you take proper precautions. An organized tour that takes care of your transportation will help you take the trip within a day. Let us help you get started with planning your Great Ocean Road itinerary. While it is a large city the laid back beach vibe is very present here and you could wind up spending more time here than you planned. . 12. See the towering 12 Apostles, get up close to native wildlife, and take in iconic surf breaks, pristine rainforest and misty waterfalls along the spectacular Great Ocean Road. Book Great Ocean Road Tours & Tickets in Melbourne Today - Viator This is the start of their Great Ocean Road drive. The colors are vivid, the sun is out and the water is ideal for water sports and activities, but it is also the busiest time of the year. Surf Culture at Australian National Museum of Surfing. Best way from Portland to Melbourne - Melbourne Forum Going up is going to be a task though! Or Warrnambool, Camperdown, Geelong, Melbourne. These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures.