Check map and driving directions of your route which helps you find the destination easier. The cliffs over the beach offer gorgeous views of the swells coming in from the Southern Ocean. From below the steps you can marvel at the 70m limestone stacks from up close and feel the power of nature. The Great Ocean Road was built as a memorial for soldiers of World War I and this timber arch commemorates them. 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.) Live chat with local experts anywhere, anytime. The drive offers plenty of places to stop off and explore. Covering nearly 200 hectares, this park is one of the few Great Ocean Road highlights that is not a beach. A dormant volcanic crater, Tower Hill is full of Australian wildlife (koalas, kangaroos, emus to name a few) and has lush wetlands and bush. Dont want to drive but still want to see the Great Ocean Road? ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. It is a rest stop on the Great Ocean Road and gateway to spectacular waterfalls and viewpoints. Please note: this popular area is big and therefore the tour involves quite a lot of driving. Director, editor and producer of feature documentary about animal welfare in farming. Day 3: Warrnambool to Port Fairy then Melbourne (or Adelaide) Distance: 30km to Port Fairy, then 312km to Melbourne. Tip: Beat the tour buses to avoid the traffic and crowds. 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. This dive spot is actually a ship that was wrecked off the eastern beach in Port Fairy in 1849. The official limit on the B100 (the Great Ocean Road) is between 80-100km per hour; in towns between 50-70km/h, and when there is traffic and during busy periods, as low as 30km/h. Before making your way onto day number 3 of your adventure-packed Great Ocean Road trip youll be looking for a place to catch a good nights sleep. 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. The coastline is awesome. Portland is 6 hours (540 km) away from Adelaide. Your email address will not be published. 3 Melbourne: SEA LIFE Aquarium Entrance Ticket. . How far is the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne? What used to be a swamp was reclaimed and turned into these pretty gardens in 1858. Cant wait for the trip , Thanks Tracy. Now youll be able to find the wreckage in shallow waters, which makes it great for divers to explore. The Great Ocean Road is where you experience breathtaking nature and the great outdoors of Australia! The Great Ocean Road Tour covers pristine beaches, geological marvels, and rich forests on your way. 2 From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road and Wildlife Tour. Stretching over 243km (150mi), among this dramatic coastline's iconic attractions there's a mecca of bucket-list-worthy experiences. From the car park, there is a short trail that will lead you right to the viewpoint where youll be gifted with the most incredible sweeping views of Apollo Bay and the coastline. Its a highlight of a Great Ocean Road itinerary! The Great Ocean Road spans 200 kilometers, from Port Campbell in the west to Torquay in the east. Here's all you need to know about taking a Great Ocean Road Tour From Melbourne - itinerary, best tours, highlights and quick hacks. It has diverse vegetation ranging from lush rainforest to rugged coastline, it has everything from stunning waterfalls to tranquil lakes. The Great Ocean Road winds through picturesque locations that outdo one another in terms of visual extravaganza. Depart from Melbourne in the morning, and begin your Great Ocean Road journey. Did you know: The Great Ocean Road is the worlds largest war memorial, and was built by returning servicemen from World War I. From Melbourne, head to Geelong and then south to Torquay. And your Great Ocean Road route should not miss out on two other attractions nearby either. What is the road driving distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? Before you set off on your adventure though, you should know how long the road is and how long it takes to drive. It takes 3 day to drive through the Great Ocean Road and to see all the attractions on the way. Lorne is a picturesque town set between Loutit Bay and the Otway National Park, it is where the bush meets the ocean. Poor Tim got hit hard by the wave, soaking his feet. The Twelve Apostles Driving East on the Great Ocean Road Bells Beach Arriving in Melbourne Road Trip from Port Campbell to Melbourne Day Trip from Melbourne Driving the Great Ocean Road The Great Ocean Road spans 200 kilometers, from Port Campbell in the west to Torquay in the east. It takes about 75 minutes to drive to, depending on the traffic leaving Melbourne. Julie Last updated: October 8, 2022 Australia 4 Comments. Have enjoyed your stories since departing Columbia almost a year ago. We are Alesha and Jarryd, the award-winning writers and professional photographers behind this blog. Our self-drive itinerary includes driving via Robe and Victor Harbour though a side trip to include The Grampians could be included. One of the best walking tracks to visit here isMelba Gulleywhich is full of gorgeous giant fern trees and home to glow worm caves, which are best seen after dark. The view of these sandstone pillars along the coastline is one of the Great Ocean Roads most famous. If you dont want to visit Warrnambool, drive from Melbourne to the 12 Apostles (over 2.5 hours). If you have the time, sample the delights near Warrnambool. Try out the walking trails, have a picnic by the sea, take in the scenic views, or go searching for Australian wildlife. Yes. All the while, Tyler and Kara were screaming with delight, laughing afterwards. Visit some of the valleys most impressive wineries, go on a skydiving experience and simply kick your heels and relax. The Great Ocean Road is the most famous coastal road in Australia and meanders along sheer limestone cliff tops, spectacular jutting headlands beside the edge of pristine beaches. And just for NOMADasaurus readers, if you use the Klook discount codeNOMADS10on the website when checking out, youll get $10 off your first booking! 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. 1 Melbourne: 1-Day Entry Ticket to Melbourne Zoo. Like I mentioned before, covering all of these in a day may be a long shot, hence plan for a 2 day Great Ocean Road trip. This is one way to get away from other tourists. After the Twelve Apostles, continue along the Great Ocean Road towards Port Campbell. 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. Copyright 2023 | Sightseeing Tours Australia ABN: 53 204 539 966 | 252 Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000 |, What should you not miss on the Great Ocean Road, Great Ocean Road Weather Local Weather Forecasts. Our personal recommendation for where we stay in Apollo Bay every time is The Apollo Apartment. The green forest with the winding highway meets the ocean here! Not even 15km from Apollo Bay is the incredibly lush and beautifulGreat Otway National Park. While Tyler and Kara tried to throw each other off of the sand dunes, Tim and I went exploring. A sandy trail took us down to a beach. If you really want a unique perspective though, and love a bit of adventure, how does skydiving over the 12 Apostles sound? Read all of our articles in our. Thanks for your support, kind friend! The Cape Otway lighthouse is the oldest surviving lighthouse in Australia and was rightly known as the Beacon of Hope. However, the views arent affected by the bigger cityscape. Not for the faint hearted, Gibson steps are a set of 86 steep steps that head down from the cliffs to the beach near the twelve apostles. Monumental. 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. It is essentially a sinkhole in a limestone stack and opens out to a view of the sea and cliffs beyond. Griffiths Islandcan be accessed by a footbridge nearby to the wharf and is a great place to do a little bird watching. It was nothing fancy but suited our needs for our family of four. Mum, works 2- 3 days a week, Tues and Wednesday and Friday and has the children in daycare and . Yes, you can do this as a one day trip from Melbourne, but I dont recommend it. 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. Purchase tickets. Burrell received her first James Beard nomination for "Best Chef: Texas" in 2020 and . Seeingthe Twelve Apostlesfor yourself should be at the top of your Australian Bucket list, no matter the weather. Click on any of the numbers on the map of The Great Ocean Road to read all about the attraction. 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. 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. Surf lessons can be booked in Lorne, Anglesea, Torquay, and Ocean Grove. Bunyip Tours: Cute Penguins - See 1,940 traveler reviews, 941 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. A softUsvista Inc. venture! Happy travels. It can get quite chilly in winter and autumn, bring your warm clothes and it is always quite windy so keep a windcheater, scarf or cap handy. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products, and regularly review these. This iconic route stretches 243km between the towns of Allansford and Torquay, and the most well-known attraction on the Great Ocean Road has to be the Twelve Apostles limestone stacks. 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? Where does the Great Ocean Road start and finish. The Great Ocean Road is a 243-kilometre (151-mile) route located along the coast of Victoria in southeastern Australia. Cannon Hillis a great place to start if you want to get the lay of the land. Checking out the view of Bells Beach from the lookout. For those wanting to drive a bit further west, theres the historic harbour settlement of Portland which you can visit. The Animal Condition (Feature Film) 2010 - Jun 20177 years. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. These two areas are highly populated by local surfers, keen to ride their magnificent waves. On a clear sunny day and depending on the tide you can get pretty close. Stretching 641 km, this route will take you from Melbourne to Warrnambool and back in about nine hours - that means you'll be treated to changing landscapes and plenty of different scenery! What is a partial cave, archway and blowhole, The Grotto is definitely something to marvel at. Iconic Animal Sightings. The direct route between these two locations is 142km, taking drivers around two hours to complete. Both are natural, offshore stone archways. Dont start counting them though, because there are only seven you can count! Note: This post contains affiliate links. The Obelisk sits atop a rugged coastline, which is rapidly being eroded by the harsh elements. This is a beautiful surfing and fishing town with heritage buildings that have wonderful eateries and accommodation. Blazing Saddles Trail Rides, Aireys Inlet. Duration: 5 Days Prices From: US$ 699 Trip Type: Self-Drives, Tailor-made Travel Ideas Australia See Trip Details Most of the highlights are located around Port Campbell. 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. Have a great time. Check out our Great Ocean Road tours. This often includes stopping at lookouts along the way. December to February is summer, March to May is autumn, June to August is winter and September to November is spring. The weather can play a huge part in what is visible and how close you can get to this area. The landscape varies depending on which route you take. Once in Warrnambool, it doesnt take long to drive to Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve. Screened at CinefestOZ, Portland International Film Festival, Social Justice Film Festival (Seattle), St Louis International Film Festival, Mostly . Your Great Ocean Road itinerary may be coming to an end, but dont worry, youll finish up with a dreamy little visit toPort Fairy. If youd like to continue travelling Australia beyond the Great Ocean Road, you canhead northwest to Adelaide. The beaches on the Great Ocean Road are fantastic for swimming, especially in the summer. A walkway just outside Lorne offers views of the ocean lapping up the mouth of the Saint George River and the Bass Strait. It starts in Torquay and continues westward to Allansford. - See 1,941 traveler reviews, 942 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. 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 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. With your own car however youll be able to stop when and where you want, spending as long as you need to check out the beaches, taking in the views and having the freedom to explore at your leisure. We still had a long ways to go. Sail through the clouds with only 1 other person for an up-close and personal adventure. Starting and finishing in Melbourne, enjoy a self drive tour along Victoria's southwest coast. 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. Children: $99 $94 (3 - 15 years) Minimum age 3 years. There is a walking track around the island and on the most westerly point youll find a lovely little lighthouse and a pretty viewpoint too. To get here, however, was a two-hour drive via the M1 highway from Melbourne. You can also find the distance from Portland Ln to Mildura VIC 3500 using other travel options like bus, subway, tram, train and rail. With the world-renowned Great Ocean Road located between these two capital cities, a coastal road trip between Melbourne and Adelaide is among one of the most scenic road trips in Australia. To save even more time, you can cut out Warrnambool completely from your drive. The Grotto is one of the most impressive sections of the coastline, and essentially a sinkhole. Going up is going to be a task though! If you have a registered account with us,then we have sent you an email to reset your password. ULURU: In our Guide to Uluru and Kata-Tjuta, learn how to get here, what to do, and how to plan your time. Thats how were going to structure this post for you. Don't be an idiot. Theres a lot to see and do along the way. What is the distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? There were no surfers, really there was no one else here other than a few curious people like ourselves. 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. Any advice greatly appreciated! Plan ahead and give yourself at least 1 full day. Melbourne - This is usually the starting point when planning an itinerary for Great Ocean Road. Dogs are permitted to join you in a vehicle driving along the length of the Great Ocean Road, even when the highway passes through areas of national park. 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. Conveniently located a little ways from Port Campbell, these serviced apartments have great rooms, a gorgeous pool area and make for a great stopover. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. Make sure you visit first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon for the best koala viewing times. Visit top wilderness destinations and picturesque towns on this epic 3-day tour from Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road and the Grampians. We personally stayed there when we travelled across Australia, and highly recommend it. 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. I dashed out of the cave to higher ground, able to stay dry. After the last couple of years, it seems everyone wants to be out and about and go travelling. Day 3: Warrnambool to Port Fairy then Melbourne (or Adelaide). 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. 52 Great Weekends > No 3: Portland No 3: Portland Located a little over 4hrs Melbourne, Portland is well worth the drive. We enjoyed our travels on the Great Ocean Road, the area of Port Campbell National Park being the highlight of the day. Adelaide to Melbourne via Great Ocean Road - how long? The Twelve Apostles marked the end of the most scenic of viewpoints but did not end our journey down the Great Ocean Road.
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