We also walked to the Gibson Steps, which took 15 minutes each way (you can also drive but parking is limited). (In fact, we returned a month later to do just that!). Do you think that will be possible that time of year or do we have to book in advance ? The ULTIMATE Great Ocean Road Map 2023 (Local's Guide) Its only a 10-minute drive from the Twelve Apostles so was very convenient for getting there early.
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suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it Great post guys, you have inspired me to take a trip here when I finally get to Australia again! I definitely recommend allocating a few hours to explore it all. 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. Loch Ard Gorge is another place that you dont want to miss. Particularly loved those places you stayed, will have to check them out. Relax and unwind in the seaside town of Lorne, attracting visitors for more than a century with its easy Mediterranean feel and charming scenery. I recommend overnight stays near Apollo Bay and Port Campbell as we did. Apollo Bay has plenty of spots for lunch and a big beach. Walk back down to the base of the bluff to enjoy relaxing on the beach for a while. You can walk to a few viewing platforms to admire the towering limestone stacks from different angles.
3rd Stop: Lorne. It hugs the coastline with many twists and turns and stunning ocean views. 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. Youll also find the end of theGreat Ocean Walkhere, which allows you to get some stunning coastal views from a boardwalk before taking to the beach to see these immense stacks from the ground. Having your own vehicle is highly recommended so you can really explore all the things to see on the Great Ocean Road, as it really is one of the Australias top destinations.
Train operators. Great Ocean Road (6 mentions) Journey Time: 1.5 hours from MelbourneStop Time: 10 minutes. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The main issues can be poor visibility due to fog, slippery roads in wet weather, and traffic from vehicles and pedestrians in the busy sections. Stay the night in Warrnambool or head back towards Melbourne. 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).
You can visit the Marriners Lookout, Lake Elizabeth, and local museums such as The Bass Strait Shell Museum to discover more about sea life. Brekkie tacos, smoothie bowls and a full lunch menu to eat in or take away will please anyone visiting.
Thanks for your support, kind friend! While the Great Ocean Road covers a ton of coastline, this national park is a gem located more on the inland route.
Theres a distant view of the lighthouse after 1.5km, but the trail continues beyond that as this is a section of the Great Ocean Walk. The Best Stops during a Melbourne to Adelaide Road Trip At night we loved snuggling on the comfy couch by the fireplace. Day 3: Warrnambool to Port Fairy then Melbourne (or Adelaide). From there you could continue the loop back down to the Great Ocean Road via Lavers Hill. Both routes meet in Lorne, which is 15 minutes from Wye River.
375km of scenic winding roads along the southern ocean will take you through some of the countrys most beautiful UNESCO-listed landscapes. There are more motels than boutique hotels in the area. Great Ocean Road (6 mentions). You can view the falls from the side and clamber on the rocks to see them from the pool below.
Its a lovely place for a short stroll. And if you know Melbourne well, please help your fellow We were out for about four hours in total and were left with the afternoon to relax in our wonderful cottage. Melbourne to Lorne drive - plan a road trip We were more interested in luxury accommodation on the Great Ocean Road as we wanted a place where we could relax and enjoy the views between sightseeing trips.
You have to walk down 400 steps to get to the beach where you can see the remains of shipwrecks. 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.
No, the Great Ocean Road isnt particularly dangerous to drive, as long as you take proper precautions. 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. I recommend packing a water bottle (we always travel with a few Vapur flexible bottles as they are light and foldable when empty) and a travel coffee mug or thermos. The Ultimate Great Ocean Road Itinerary - Never Ending VoyageAdelaide to Melbourne Drive Itinerary: Great Ocean Road Trip
Keep an eye open as you wander the trails for koalas up in the trees and beautiful native birds soaring around too. by calculating the distance from Melbourne to Lorne. For the best panoramic views in Apollo Bay head straight forMarriners Lookout. The views of the countryside outside are lovely.
G.O.R.G.E Chocolates (20 minutes from Port Campbell) is a small, low-key chocolate shop thats very different from the touristy affair of the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie. Again thank you. From Beauchamp we drove back to Points South in about 45 minutes. The best Great Ocean Road stops are in the Port Campbell National Park (including Twelve Apostles) so focus your time here. Established during early 19 th Century this town has come a long way, but it has also made a really good effort to stick to its roots. you can get answers personalized for your tastes, budgets,
Official site for Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Subscribe. Or if youd prefer to visit the Twelve Apostles before most of the other tour buses arrive, this Great Ocean Road Reverse Experience heads directly to the highlights via the inland route then follows the road back to the city. This lookout gives you the chance to see right out to sea and over the entire city. Trippy is where
You will pass the Twelve Apostles on the way to Port Campbell, but its very crowded mid-afternoon so we left it for the next morning. (I would have liked to stay longer but we were getting hungry for lunch as it was after 2pm).
Head down to the Moyne River and stretch your legs along the wharves. Check out Points South on Vrbo or compare prices on Booking.com. Theres also a cafe if you want a longer break.
Happy travels. Lorneis the closest town from the arch and a great spot to grab some lunch atBottle of Milk, use the facilities and continue on towardsKennett River.
If youre a hiker more than a surfer, youll be in for a treat with theSurf Coast Walk 44km of trails that connect Torquay toAngelseaandAireys Inletalong the coast. Journey Time: 10 minutes from Port CampbellStop Time: 5 minutes.
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.
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. When we drove past around 2.30pm, the viewing platform was rammed. They are full of handmade art and crafts and locally made treats to indulge in like jams, pastries, pickles and ice-cream.
Its worth a quick stop to admire the surfers riding the waves from the viewing platform above. Journey Time: 25 minutes from Twelve Apostles (15 minutes from Port Campbell)Stop Time: 1 hour 30 minutes. Quest Warrnambool is the perfect place to do just that. Book as far in advance as you can as it is very popular. Journey Time: 5 minutes from Twelve ApostlesStop Time: 1 hour 35 minutes. A great photo op spot, this is one of the most photographed spots along the Great Ocean Road. Back on the Great Ocean Road, the next section is quite different as it follows a more inland route and alternates sections through the forest with vibrant green rolling hills and farmland with fields of cows and sheep. If you have more energy than us (or an extra night), the final stops we would have visited were Childers Cove, an uncrowded beach (30 minutes from Port Campbell), and Logans Beach Whale Watching Platform (1 hour from Port Campbell) where you have the chance to see whales in the winter. Its a beautiful long sweep of sand that would be great for a walk.
Jan Juc This page contains affiliate links. There are some short trails you can follow, but we didnt have time to go far.
Join the adventures on our YouTube channel! Its a beautiful drive but slow going. Im glad we bought plenty of food (and wine) as we did not want to go out for dinner. The Ultimate Melbourne to Sydney Road Trip Itinerary Our itinerary will take you through the most iconic towns and cities, the rugged Phillip Island, the small town of Walhalla, the beautiful Wilsons Promontory, and onto the vast Kosciuszko National Park. There are beautiful countryside and ocean views and all the comforts you need including a well-equipped kitchen, spa bath, and gas log fire. After the Twelve Apostles, continue along the Great Ocean Road towards Port Campbell. The three stops above are a good half-day trip, but if you have a full day you can continue on to Otway Fly Treetop Adventures where you can go zip lining (book ahead, $120) or walk above the trees on the elevated treetop walk ($25).