, 3 must-do stops on a Melbourne to Lorne road trip. We sampled a few of their offerings (the raspberry liquorice is unusual and delicious) and enjoyed a delicious dark mint hot chocolate in the sun overlooking the farm. Official site for Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Subscribe. Visit 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge. Its a wonderfully scenic place with a beach below and crashing waves.
Expect to see beaches, waterfalls, forests, lighthouses, limestone formations, koalas, and if youre lucky, whales.
document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Your email address will not be published. Journey Time: 10 minutes from Port CampbellStop Time: 1 hour 25 minutes. The 20-metre falls crash over a ledge with a backdrop of lush ferns and the forest towering above. We recommend Rental Cars, which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market. While you could drive it in the opposite direction, Port Campbell would be quite far to reach on the coastal route for your overnight stay, and its a fairly long drive from Apollo Bay to Twelve Apostles for an early morning visit.
  • Happy travels. On the way back to Melbourne, do some . RACQ's Trip Planner allows you to find places, get directions or plan your next road trip.
    The ultimate Melbourne to Adelaide roadtrip along the Great Ocean Road and taking in Lorne, Apollo Bay, Port Fairy, Mount Gambier and Victor Harbour. Bells Beach is a famous surf beach with huge waves and is home to the Rip Curl Pro surfing competition in April. Check the latest prices of Anchors on Vrbo or on Booking.com. I'd like to drive the GOR but am concerned about the nasty road incidents that have happened- I know it can be a challenging drive with hairpin bends. The ocean route via Angelsea (159km) is a spectacular coastal drive and an excellent introduction to the Great Ocean Road. Through our stories and images we promote exciting off-the-beaten-path destinations and fascinating cultures as we go. Explore the best of Australia and find your perfect getaway. by calculating the distance from Melbourne to Lorne. There are toilets here but not at Hopetoun Falls. ThePort FairyBotanical Gardensare a lovely spot for an afternoon walk and to admire the plants and flowers. Both are natural, offshore stone archways. The Great Ocean Road drive is 243km (151 miles) long. 375km of scenic winding roads along the southern ocean will take you through some of the countrys most beautiful UNESCO-listed landscapes. If you cant drive or only have a day available, this Great Ocean Road Day Tour is popular. We actually visited at sunset the previous day. They are famous for their scallop pies but have plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Conveniently located a little ways from Port Campbell, these serviced apartments have great rooms, a gorgeous pool area and make for a great stopover. Amongst the native eucalyptus trees is this surprising cluster of giant Californian Redwoods which were planted in the 1930s and are thriving. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products, and regularly review these. The Grotto is unlike any of the other rock formations in the area. Your stop times will varywe tend to walk fast but take a lot of photos. It consists of three cottages on a 160-acre farm owned by Bryan and Joan. There was only one other person on the beach when we visited. With great facilities, cozy apartment-style suites and great views from almost any room on site, this is your best choice if youd like a bit of space to stretch out after a big day of driving the Great Ocean Road. You can view the falls from the side and clamber on the rocks to see them from the pool below. I have no problem driving. The whole trail is about 15km, but your best chances for spotting the cute indigenous animals are about 6km in atGrey River. It might not seem as impressive as the other stops from the viewing platform by the car park, but you can walk down to the beach for a scenic walk. From your third and final spot it will only be around a 30 minute drive to your final destination, we recommend settling into your Lorne accommodation, then either relaxing or going for a wander around the quaint town of Lorne. Theres no real need to stop in Colac, but as the inland route back to Melbourne along the A1 passes through, we stopped for lunch. 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. Melbourne is a city renowned for its food, shopping, sporting culture and nightlife. The first stop when driving the Great Ocean Road will beGeelong. Our particular itinerary starts in Melbourne and finishes in Port Fairy over 3 days, and is the exact route we have personally done numerous times. Other good breaks in addition to Bells Beach includeSan Juc, Winki Pop, Bird RockandSparrowsjust to name a few. For more trail information in Great Otway National Park, visit thiswebsite. There are two viewing platforms to admire London Bridge a short walk from the car park. You can also walk down the steps onto the beautiful beach. Make sure you book ahead though, as its not something you can just show up and do. The cottages are quite close together, so if you take a bath with the blinds up, you do have to trust your neighbours wont walk in front of your cottage (we had no issues). The Great Ocean Road (2 mentions) The downside of taking a tour is that youll never escape the crowds. Or get a full Melbourne to Lorne flight plan. There's a couple of fun things to see in the area including Battery Hill, an old fort, and a beautiful port .
    From: Melbourne. Plan your journey with our route planner. First, fuel up at Caf Moby, a converted weatherboard house full of character and with foreshore views to boot. Please read our. Now youll be able to find the wreckage in shallow waters, which makes it great for divers to explore. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Weve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planets best destinations and adventures. After a late arrival intoWarrnambool,youll want to see a few of the sights the city has to offer. There are beautiful countryside and ocean views and all the comforts you need including a well-equipped kitchen, spa bath, and gas log fire. For more experienced surfers, and those looking to set foot onto a world-renowned surf beach, head toBells Beach. Continue on from this point as there are tons of Great Ocean Road attractions to come. Journey Time: 1.5 hours from MelbourneStop Time: 10 minutes. We didnt do this but tours take place every half an hour from 11am until 1.30pm for 3045 minutes and cost $10. Youll find them sitting up in the eucalyptus trees. Despite the name, there are only seven stacks (there were eight when they named it).
  • . Days: 5. Simon loved the cheese and vegetable pasty.
    The steps lead to a beach where you can get another view of the Twelve Apostles, but unfortunately, they were closed for safety reasons on our visit. Griffiths Islandcan be accessed by a footbridge nearby to the wharf and is a great place to do a little bird watching. Inland route, via Colac. This port city is the second-largest in the state of Victoria and overlooks the gorgeousCorio Bay. Apollo Bay is a popular place, so make sure you have booked your accommodation ahead of time. Theres also a cafe if you want a longer break. If you decide to drive yourself, its best to drive in the opposite direction of our itinerary below. But it has a strange beak and is one of the few mammals that lay eggs.
    We loved it so much we returned a month later for a few days to do nothing but relax and enjoy the view. Along the way you can sample cheese, whisky, beer, chocolate, fudge, strawberries (in summer), ice cream, and olives from local producers. TheKennett River Koala Walkis the perfect place to get your fix.
  • There are many free campsites and serviced holiday parks along the route, and you can either pitch your own tent or drive a campervan.
  • After the gorge youll pass the town of Port Campbell. After passing through Port Campbell, youll pass by The Arch and London Bridge. On the way youll see Tom and Eva, two rock stacks named after the only survivors of the shipwreck. Hey! Family. There arent many eating options up here so bring a packed lunch or theres a cafe at Otway Fly and a few options further along in Lavers Hill. For a shorter track check outMaits Restwhich will take you through a beautiful section of rainforest. The Bay of Islandsoffers similar scenery to the Twelve Apostles but without the crowds. You could also fit them in on the previous day. 7am-Leave Lorne . 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 road starts in Torquay, and finishes in Allansford. The views of the town and coastline are superb. The sun doesnt set behind the arch but the cliffs look beautiful in the glowing light.
    If you want one of the best views in Geelong, grab a seat on theSkyWheel. While your stop here signals the end of your epic 3 day Great Ocean Road itinerary, youre now on to new and exciting things. Beauchamp Falls wasnt on our original plan but ended up being my favourite stop of the day. The gas log fire kept us warm. Over time it has been improved to create a peaceful and beautiful space to be enjoyed. 5 Day Great Ocean Road Itinerary (Our Route), Where to Stay in Apollo Bay: Points South by the Sea, Where to Stay in Port Campbell: Anchors at Port Campbell, Search for more options in Port Campbell here, Check the latest prices of Anchors on Vrbo. 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. We even saw a wallaby (like a smaller kangaroo)! If you are wondering the best direction to drive the Great Ocean Road, I recommend driving it from east to west, starting in Torquay. (In fact, we returned a month later to do just that!). I highly recommend visiting in the morning to truly enjoy it. Port Fairy offers great locations forscuba divingincludingThe Thistle. Journey Time: 10 minutes from Port CampbellStop Time: 5 minutes.