Great Ocean Road

7 day Australia Trip » Adelaide to Melbourne

Day 1 – Adelaide - Victor Harbour [approximately 100 km]

After picking up of your rental vehicle, head south out of Adelaide on the M2 via Old Noarlunga before continuing onto McLaren Vale. You might like to have a short stop here as this region is famous for its vineyards, orchards and gourmet produce farms. Continue heading south, via the small town of Mount Compass, to Victor Harbor. In the 1930’s, Victor Harbour was known for its whaling and sealing industry, today it is a quaint and popular holiday town on the coast 100 km south of Adelaide.

Day 2 – Victor Harbour – Mount Gambier [approximately 460 km]

Up early this morning as there is a reasonably long drive ahead of you. Depart Victor Harbor via the small town of Goolwa before heading north to Strathalbyn. From Strathalbyn continue east to the Princes Highway, which is part of the National Highway No. 1. Princes Highway follows the Coorong National Park which encompasses a shallow, yet massively big lagoon that is well-protected within the park. This is one of Australia’s most significant wetlands and it is an important breeding ground for migratory birds that come here from as far as Siberia or Northern Japan! The area is probably best known for its abundant birdlife and fantastic birdwatching opportunities, but it does have a very significant Aboriginal history, too. The Ngarrindjdjeri people mastered the sometimes treacherous waterways of the lagoons and the tidal movements within the Coorong to their great advantage. Travel on to Kingston S.E. and see the town’s most ‘striking’ feature when you approach it from the West: “Larry Lobster” is a 17 m tall replica of a lobster and it pays tribute to the importance of the fishing industry in the are and the lucrative lobster trade in particular. Your overnight stop for today – Mount Gambier – is only a short drive away.

Day 3 – Mount Gambier – Warrnambool [approximately 220 km]

Depart Mount Gambier on the Princes Highway and soon afterwards you will cross the border between South Australia and Victoria. You might like to stop in Portland, Victoria’s most westerly coastal town. The Portland Maritime Discovery Centre is a great place to visit; it even has a 13 m sperm whale skeleton on display. Continue heading east on the Princes Highway past the quaint coastal town of Port Fairy, known for its ironstone cottages and well preserved old homes, to reach Warrnambool later in the day. Time permitting you might like to visit the Maritime Village Museum in Warrnambool.

Day 4 - Warrnambool – Apollo Bay [approximately 170 km]

Today you begin your drive along the famous Great Ocean Road, one of the most scenic coastal roads in the world! On your way along the South Coast, you will today reach Port Campbell, where the Twelve Apostles Marine National Park is. There are many things to see, such as rock formations like “London Bridge” and “The Arch”. There are excellent and easily accessible vantage points from where the spectacular coastline and its unforgettable rock and cliff formations can best be seen. Further along the Great Ocean Road famous attractions include “Loch Ard Gorge”, “The Twelve Apostles” and “Gibson Steps”. Then continue heading east along the Great Ocean Road to reach Otway National Park. Literally around the next few corners of the windy road is Apollo Bay, the eastern gateway to the Great Ocean Road. Apollo Bay is a quiet coastal town most of the time, but it does get lively and busy during school holiday periods.

Day 5 – Apollo Bay

Today you have a day at leisure to discover Apollo Bay and the surrounding area. You might like to take the day exploring the Otways. Here the contrast between rugged coastline and tranquil, temperate rainforest is at its most impressive. Fern gullies, deep dark forests and yet again spectacular coastal scenery await travellers. Cape Otway Lighthouse lies at the southern tip of the craggy peninsula, it is open for visitors. The impressive “Otway Fly” is a suspended walkway to a lookout in the treetops 45 metres above the ground. Apollo Bay offers an abundant dining experience, from cheerful cafes to top restaurants; the choice is yours and local produce of highest standards can be sampled here.

Day 6 – Apollo Bay – Mornington Peninsula [approximately 200 km]

Leave beautiful Apollo Bay to continue your scenic journey along the South Coast and soon reach Lorne, another holiday town with beautiful beaches and a good selection of restaurants and cafes. Later on reach Torquay and world-famous Bells Beach, which is home to many international surfing competitions, including world championship standard events. Many of the great names in surf gear – like Quicksilver, Billabong and others – have got their international head quarters right here. Continue to the Bellarine Peninsula on the Western shores of Port Phillip Bay and travel to Queenscliff, from where a vehicular ferry will take you to Sorrento at the far western tip of Mornington Peninsula. The ferry departs every 30 minutes in both directions, tickets can be purchased on the spot. Mornington Peninsula is a holiday haven for Melbournians; the quaint seaside atmosphere, holiday homes and the famous “Beach Shacks”, little and most colourful wooden huts on the beach that house personal belongings and beach equipment make for a relaxing atmosphere.

Day 7 – Mornington Peninsula – Melbourne [approximately 150 km]

On the south-west coast of the peninsula, Mornington Peninsula National Park offers some fantastic coastal scenery; the sometimes wild waters of the Bass Strait send into shore pounding waves that crash along the rocky coast. Explore some of the towns, villages and hamlets in the area and discover galleries, restaurants, wineries and even olive groves and berry farms at your leisure. Red Hill, in the central southern area of the peninsula, offers some fantastic views towards Port Phillip Bay; on a clear day, one can even see the skyline of Melbourne in the far distance. Later in the day, drive along the bay and via some of Melbourne’s prestigious coastal suburbs such as Frankston, Seaford and Brighton. Towards the latter part of the afternoon, arrive in Victoria’s capital city – Melbourne – where your Great Ocean Road adventure draws to a close. Drop of your rental vehicle and continue your journey.