melbourne to lorne via inland route
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. Visit 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge. There are plenty more accommodation optionsin Apollo Baysearch on Vrbo for holiday rentals or Booking for hotels, motels and B&Bs. Subscribe, Home | Australia | The PERFECT Great Ocean Road Drive Itinerary (2023).
Brisbane
For most people, the trip willstart in Melbourneand can be done in a loop or a return journey. Melbourne to Lorne - 4 ways to travel via train, bus, night bus, and car The Marriners Lookout is a short drive from the centre of town and a 5-minute uphill walk from the car park. Journey Time: 5 minutes from Twelve ApostlesStop Time: 1 hour 35 minutes. Its a beautiful drive but slow going. Journey Time: 40 minutes from LorneStop Time: 15 minutes.
, 3 must-do stops on a Melbourne to Lorne road trip. While you could scale this drive down to a 2 or 3-day itinerary, I'd recommend 1 or 2 weeks to fully enjoy it. We have been travelling the world together since 2008, with a passion for adventure travel and sustainable tourism. The Great Ocean Road is one of the most scenic coastal drives in the world. . Bells Beach (4 mentions) With the last day of your Great Ocean Road itinerary upon you, there is still so much to be seen and experienced. Stop 1 Torquay The landscape varies depending on which route you take. Plan your journey with our route planner. Melbourne is a city renowned for its food, shopping, sporting culture and nightlife. Its a small village, but Port Campbell is a nice place to stop for a snack and some fuel. The town of Port Campbell is in the middle of the park so you can take a break or have lunch there after visiting the eastern side (Twelve Apostles, Gibson Steps, and Loch Ard Gorge), before continuing west. Our final stops in the area were on the food trail. Journey Time: 20 minutes from ChocolaterieStop Time: 25 minutes. When you continue down the road, the Cape Patton Lookout Point is a good place for views. Kennett River is known as one of the best spots on the Great Ocean Road to see koalas, and it didnt disappoint. Its a casual, diner type place on the seafront strip thats known for its burgers. This dive spot is actually a ship that was wrecked off the eastern beach in Port Fairy in 1849. They live in the eucalyptus trees behind the caravan park and are not hard to find. Road trip: Melbourne to Adelaide in 6 days. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members. 8am-fly in, pick up car, drive to 12 apostles (inland route) 12.30- visit 12 Apostles, lunch ect, 2.30-Back on the road. The 20-metre falls crash over a ledge with a backdrop of lush ferns and the forest towering above. The extensive grounds contain much more than just the lighthouse and you can learn about the history dating back to 1848 and enjoy fantastic views of the rugged cliffs. Port Fairy offers great locations forscuba divingincludingThe Thistle. We loved it so much we returned a month later for a few days to do nothing but relax and enjoy the view. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 3:37 pmdrive for about 24 minutes, Shadowfax Wines However, when the winds pick up it is best to stay above the Grotto.
You can do this in one big day (its almost 600km direct), but we personally recommend breaking the trip up into 2 or 3 days, spending some time in Mount Gambier and Coorong National Park.
Let us help you get started with planning your Great Ocean Road itinerary. Book Lover's Guide to the Great Ocean Road - Babbling Books The quieter location meant we could really enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
Covering nearly 200 hectares, this park is one of the few Great Ocean Road highlights that is not a beach. This was our Great Ocean Road route. Take in the beauty of the 12 Apostles. The Arch is a giant archway in the ocean, and London Bridge is the same but is more square instead of arched to it looks like a bridge. suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it The Ultimate Great Ocean Road Itinerary - Never Ending Voyage You need to head down to the lower viewing platform to appreciate it, which is a 700-metre return walk with stairs from the car park. There were a few people around then (and some photographers just leaving) but it was still quiet. The homemade scones and vegetarian korma pie were delicious, and the cakes looked tempting. 21 Awesome Things to Do in Ipswich, Queensland (2023 Guide), The 21 Best Things to Do in Townsville [2023 Guide], MARIA ISLAND The Best Things to Do and Travel Tips [2023]. nev-tagAustralianev-tagMelbournenev-tagVictoria Erin, Heading on a road trip along the Great Ocean Road soon, so great article to read. Seeingthe Twelve Apostlesfor yourself should be at the top of your Australian Bucket list, no matter the weather. Its a lovely place for a short stroll. One of the most adventurous things to do on the Great Ocean Road drive is to do a bit of scuba diving. You can see our detailed GOR self-drive itinerary below. Bay of Martyrs is an overlooked spot thats perfect for escaping the crowds. (I would have liked to stay longer but we were getting hungry for lunch as it was after 2pm). They are impossibly cute and fluffy and we couldnt quite believe they were real. They have cheaper compact cars and you can drive the route in any vehicle.
Whitsundays
It hugs the coastline with many twists and turns and stunning ocean views. Drive from Melbourne to Adelaide along one of Australia's most famous coastal routes. These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. Split Point Lighthouse is still a functioning lighthouse, so you can only go inside on a tour. This is the only Great Ocean Road Map you will ever need. Simon loved the cheese and vegetable pasty. Conveniently located a little ways from Port Campbell, these serviced apartments have great rooms, a gorgeous pool area and make for a great stopover.
Stay the night in Warrnambool or head back towards Melbourne.
Join the adventures on our YouTube channel! 5- Arrive at Lorne.
South Island
Learn how your comment data is processed. We left at 10.30am and with the stops below arrived back in the city at 3.30pm. 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. Great Ocean Road - 3 Day 2 Night Road Trip Itinerary If you only have one day, its going to be a long trip, so you might consider taking a tour so that someone else does the driving. But that does not take away from the impressive views at all. Follow our journey in real time on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. We stayed in one of the modern, luxury cottages at Anchors at Port Campbellon a farm a few kilometres inland from Port Campbell. FromWarrnambool Breakwaterall the way toLogans Beachthis is a great spot to take in the coastal views and even pass a little penguin breeding ground. Family. Relax and unwind in the seaside town of Lorne, attracting visitors for more than a century with its easy Mediterranean feel and charming scenery. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products, and regularly review these. Get detailed, easy-to-follow driving or walking directions.
Gladstone
There are signs reminding you along the road as tourists driving the wrong way is a common problem. Alternative Places to Stay Near Apollo Bay. Simon had a reusable coffee cup but wished hed had a larger flask for our early start at Twelve Apostles (the kiosk there doesnt open until 10am). and answers related to Lorne. Dinner, stay over night Friday 7am-Leave Lorne 9am- Arrive Barwon heads for sky dive then head back to Melbourne CBD, drop car off in city 2pm Check into hotel Sat & Sun Do you think that will be possible that time of year or do we have to book in advance ?
Darwin
3.1 Set off from Melbourne early 3.2 Stop in Torquay 3.3 Visit Bells Beach 3.4 Great Ocean Road sign 3.5 Stop in Lorne for lunch 3.6 Erskine Falls 3.7 Sunset at the Twelve Apostles 3.8 Sleep in Apollo Bay 4 Great Ocean Road itinerary - Day 2 4.1 Hopetoun Falls 4.2 Triplet Falls 4.3 Otway Fly Treetop Adventures 4.4 Gibson Steps 4.5 Loch Ard Gorge Its a wonderfully scenic place with a beach below and crashing waves. They are full of handmade art and crafts and locally made treats to indulge in like jams, pastries, pickles and ice-cream. The only exception is if you only have one day for the drive, which I explain below. We enjoyed our cone in the lovely gardens. - along with all the incredible attractions and things to do .
Hobart
The PERFECT Great Ocean Road Drive Itinerary (2023) - NOMADasaurus Search for more options in Port Campbell here. They are happy for you to wander the property to see the horses, chickens, pigs, and sheep. We left at 10am and arrived in Port Campbell at 2.45pm. You can view the falls from the side and clamber on the rocks to see them from the pool below. We visited in early spring (mid-September) and while we werent going to do any swimming, it was good walking weather.
Mantra Lorne
By Ellie Schneider Surf at Bells Beach, walk among the 12 Apostles and sample wine in McLaren Vale on this five-day journey along Australia's dramatic south-east coastline.
Melbourne
Sunshine Coast
Perth
The most scenic leg of the drive is further along between Lorne and Apollo Bay. Possible stops on the way back to Apollo Bay are the Cape Otway Lighthouse (which we visit the next day) and Maits Rest, an easy walk through the rainforest. If you're planning a road trip to Lorne, you can research locations to stop along the way. It was named after the clipper Loch Ard that was wrecked here in 1878. Loch Ard Gorgeis the first attraction on the way, just a stones throw from the Twelve Apostles. I was originally looking for accommodation in Apollo Bay, but Im really glad we ended up 15 minutes outside of town in the hamlet of Wongarra.
Mantra Hervey Bay
After the Twelve Apostles, continue along the Great Ocean Road towards Port Campbell. There are striking cliffs and rock formations, easy coastal walks, and interesting history.
Many people also continue inland to the Grampians National Park, a fantastic hiking and wildlife location, before returning to Melbourne via the old gold mining town of Ballarat. First, fuel up at Caf Moby, a converted weatherboard house full of character and with foreshore views to boot. Your stop times will varywe tend to walk fast but take a lot of photos. 375km of scenic winding roads along the southern ocean will take you through some of the countrys most beautiful UNESCO-listed landscapes. Griffiths Islandcan be accessed by a footbridge nearby to the wharf and is a great place to do a little bird watching.
We hope you have a great time along the Great Ocean Road.
The views of the town and coastline are superb. Head to Lorne via the Great Ocean Road, stop to check out the bookshop and have a walk along the beach front. 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. Im glad we bought plenty of food (and wine) as we did not want to go out for dinner.
Adelaide

Tasmania

We saw an adorable mother and baby koala! The Twelve Apostles are reached by a five-minute walk from the car park, where theres also a visitor centre, toilets, and a kiosk (which doesnt open until 10am). 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. Another worthwhile detour on the way to Port Campbell is Wreck Beach, but we didnt have the energy to stop. Stop 2 Point Roadknight, Anglesea We didnt find the drive difficult although it is very windy, which gets tiring after a while (especially if you get travel sick). ThePort FairyBotanical Gardensare a lovely spot for an afternoon walk and to admire the plants and flowers. The weather can play a huge part in what is visible and how close you can get to this area. beaches and quaint towns including Lorne or Apollo Bay. . We didnt expect to spend so long at a chocolate shop, but this place is huge! Its most famous for the Twelve Apostles rock formations, but theres lots to see along the stunning Shipwreck Coast. The sun doesnt set behind the arch but the cliffs look beautiful in the glowing light. There are a few hostels in the centre of this small townPort Campbell Guesthouse & Flash Packers has private rooms and a homely vibe, while Port Campbell Hostel has dorms and rooms (and a brewery next door). And if you know Melbourne well, please help your fellow 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.