This is a stop that not a lot of tourists know about, so you can avoid the crowds and see and experience more than most people would on their Great Ocean Road trip. Best Great Ocean Road Tours Save AU$10 on your Great Ocean Road Bus tours with this promo code. Just prepare yourself for a full day with an early start and late(ish) finish. The Great Ocean Road drive is one of the most scenic drives that Australia has to offer. Torquay is also home to theSurf World Museumwith tons of history about the sport and its fame in Australia. Depending on the vehicle you choose to travel, you can calculate the amount of CO2 emissions from your vehicle and assess the environment impact. Wonderful experience - Reviews, Photos - Bunyip Tours - Tripadvisor The Great Ocean Road winds through picturesque locations that outdo one another in terms of visual extravaganza. Both are natural, offshore stone archways. If you're planning to visit the Great Ocean Road, here's all that you should squeeze into your itinerary. What is the shortest road distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? We are a single Mum with 3 kids, 8yo Boy and 5 and 4 yo girls. Respect the speed limit. All the while, Tyler and Kara were screaming with delight, laughing afterwards. However, Loch Ard Gorge is still a stunning place for a swim. 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. We parked at a small car park and were the only ones here. A little warning about the Penguin Parade: It is very touristy and professionally put together. Check, (2 hrs Great Ocean Road & Beyond Melbourne to Adelaide (Single Traveller This stone archway once formed a natural bridge over the gorge, but unfortunately collapsed almost a decade ago. Great Ocean Road travel - Lonely Planet | Victoria, Australia The first to know about trending destinations, travel deals, tips and What is the distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? Hugging the ocean on one side, the other side of the road changes its landscape from lush rainforest-clad mountains to volcanic plains. Both are amazing expressions of natural beauty and are worth checking out. The nearly 250 kilometre road encapsulates some of Australia's most iconic scenery and gives visitors the opportunity to get close to wildlife. But one of the most incredible Great Ocean Road attractions is just around the corner. While your stop here signals the end of your epic 3 day Great Ocean Road itinerary, youre now on to new and exciting things. It is a beast to carry around with me everyday but I love the photos get with it. An Epic Great Ocean Road Tour From Melbourne - Complete Guide For more information on routes and trails visit the websitehere. The PERFECT Great Ocean Road Drive Itinerary (2023) - NOMADasaurus Go for a swim in the southern ocean, soak in the sun or admire the stunning views out over Corio Bay and go for a stroll along theEastern Promenade. Join our small group coastal adventure to the beaches, rainforests and more of the Great Ocean Road. It is a rest stop on the Great Ocean Road and gateway to spectacular waterfalls and viewpoints. As one of the world's leading travel journalists, our content and adventures have been featured by National Geographic, Lonely Planet, CNN, BBC, Forbes, Business Insider, Washington Post, Yahoo!, BuzzFeed, Channel 7, Channel 10, ABC, The Guardian, and plenty other publications. For many people, the Great Ocean Road is a highlight when visiting Australia. Where does the Great Ocean Road start and finish. We love this place and even bought one of their horses a few years ago! Melbourne's two best day tours, Great Ocean Road & Phillip Island, with entrance to Melbourne Skydeck. . Home; Timetables Train & coach timetables; Plan a journey Bells Beach is Australias premiere surf spot, a spot also labeled by some as the best surfing destination in the world. Fabulous horse riding through the forest or down along a long golden beach. It will stop off at most of the popular viewing spots. You will want to try and get ahead of as many tour buses as you can. Melbourne to Great Ocean Road - 4 ways to travel via train - Rome2rio Would like to know what kind of still camera and lens you are using. It offers easy transport options to Geelong and Torquay as well as plenty of car hire options. Surf lessons can be booked in Lorne, Anglesea, Torquay, and Ocean Grove. From AU $1625 to AU $1895 3 days ex flights. On a clear sunny day and depending on the tide you can get pretty close. One of the best things to do on the Great Ocean Road is going out for a paddle at some of the most famous surf beaches in Australia. Day 3: Warrnambool to Port Fairy then Melbourne (or Adelaide) Distance: 30km to Port Fairy, then 312km to Melbourne. Although i highly recommend visiting Warrnambool, you may not have the time to spend there. The Great Ocean Road winds through picturesque locations that outdo one another in terms of visual extravaganza. We can recommend a number of excellent companies who all use smaller buses which means more time at stops and more personalized experience. Burrell has studied under expert chefs, including Tom Aikens in London, Monica Pope in Houston, and Tyson Cole. Things all of a sudden became a lot more exciting. If you really want a unique perspective though, and love a bit of adventure, how does skydiving over the 12 Apostles sound? 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. Even in Australia, Tyler and Kara were getting a lot of stares, this time from Chinese tourists. It is essentially a sinkhole in a limestone stack and opens out to a view of the sea and cliffs beyond. And just for NOMADasaurus readers, if you use the Klook discount codeNOMADS10on the website when checking out, youll get $10 off your first booking! Find out more, Along with so many natural attractions to experience, the Ocean Road also has activities to keep visitors on a self-drive tour busy for days. Deep lush valleys, sky-high rainforests, stunning waterfalls and tons of walking tracks make it a great spot to get off the beach and still be in nature. Cannon Hillis a great place to start if you want to get the lay of the land. You might not be making any unscheduled stops to buy snacks. you really need 2-3 weeks to make the most of this itinerary, especially as you're going to be going over to Kangaroo Island. Finally, we made it to Bells Beach in Torquay, the end point of the Great Ocean Road. The Great Ocean Road offers amazing scenery, unforgettable natural features and quaint towns making it a unique vacation spot. What used to be a swamp was reclaimed and turned into these pretty gardens in 1858. Organized Tours from Melbourne To Great Ocean Road The iconic spots and landmarks on the Great Ocean Road can be covered within a day as it is stretches for only about 243 Km (151 miles). The Grotto is one of the most impressive sections of the coastline, and essentially a sinkhole. Explore the cool temperate rainforest of the Great Otway National Park, waterfalls on Great Ocean Road, best viewpoints, koalas, and wildlife. There are also speed traps to catch those not sticking to the limits with fines up to (and above) $300AUD. We had one day to drive the Great Ocean Road, including this in our travels from Adelaide to Melbourne. Quest Warrnambool is the perfect place to do just that. From Melbourne to Torquay (the first town on the Great Ocean Road), it will take you about 1.5 hours. Kms. This port city is the second-largest in the state of Victoria and overlooks the gorgeousCorio Bay. If you have a registered account with us,then we have sent you an email to reset your password. Tip: Beat the tour buses to avoid the traffic and crowds. MELBOURNE: Melbourne is our favorite city in Australia. V/Line - Regional public transport for Victoria - Plan trip/buy tickets Bells Beach is a paradise for surfers; it is the location of the legendary annual Rip Curl Surfing competition. Recommended Experiences Yarra Valley Full Day Gourmet Tour Skydive Yarra Valley Tandem Freefall. Although most Great Ocean Road tours offer snacks they might be limited and since you are in for a long day its best to stock up on extra snacks and beverages for the road. From the rocks, Tim and I could see a cave in the side of the cliff. If you fancy trying your luck to spot some wildlife head out to nearbyLake Elizabeth. Stevenson Falls, Triplet Falls, Little Aire Falls, andHopetoun Fallsare just a few of the many highlights here. Brambuk: The National Park and Cultural Centre You will receive a link to create a new password via email. Great Ocean Road & Grampians Road Trip | Apollo Campervans AU There are a few towns along the way like Lorne, Apollo Bay and Port Campbell where you can stay or camp overnight. Visit top wilderness destinations and picturesque towns on this epic 3-day tour from Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road and the Grampians. One of the most adventurous things to do on the Great Ocean Road drive is to do a bit of scuba diving. 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. Road Trip from Port Campbell to Melbourne, wine tasting in Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, 5 Amazing Things to Do on the Tasman Peninsula, Australia, The Great Barrier Reef: Cruising to Lady Musgrave Island. From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road Full-Day Guided Trip 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. It starts at the surfing town of Torquay and finishes near Warrnambool. The Great Ocean Road is where you experience breathtaking nature and the great outdoors of Australia! So you may get lucky to lay your eyes on some of these cute local beach dwellers. 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. You can spend more time at each location and engage in activities like trekking, swimming and adventure sports. December to February is summer, March to May is autumn, June to August is winter and September to November is spring. Surf Culture at Australian National Museum of Surfing. It takes 3 day to drive through the Great Ocean Road and to see all the attractions on the way. Find more of them listed here. With the last day of your Great Ocean Road itinerary upon you, there is still so much to be seen and experienced. Let us help you get started with planning your Great Ocean Road itinerary. Duration: 5 Days Prices From: US$ 699 Trip Type: Self-Drives, Tailor-made Travel Ideas Australia See Trip Details 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. The route of 243 KM stretches from Torquay to Allansford in Victoria state. Head down to the Moyne River and stretch your legs along the wharves. The distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 Km by road. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Includes: 4 nights' accommodation, 5 days unlimited km use of a compact sized car, continental breakfast in Barossa Valley and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps. It stretches for 243 kms. Keep an eye open as you wander the trails for koalas up in the trees and beautiful native birds soaring around too. Melbourne real estate: Full list of sales, auction results for February From AUD$940.00* per person, based on [] The green forest with the winding highway meets the ocean here! TheKennett River Koala Walkis the perfect place to get your fix. A Melbourne road trip to Adelaide via the Great Ocean Road can be done over 5 days, easily seeing the best of the Ocean Road highlights. 5 Day Great Ocean Road Itinerary: Day 1 - Melbourne to Lorne Setting out on the first section of the Great Ocean Road will take you from the Victorian capital of Melbourne to the coastal town of Lorne. The Great Ocean Road is an Australian National Heritage listed 240-kilometre (150 mi) stretch of road along the south-eastern coast of Australia between the Victorian cities of Torquay and Allansford.Built by returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932 and dedicated to soldiers killed during World War I, the road is the world's largest war memorial.Winding through varying terrain along the coast . 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.) Maximum group size of 12 travellers with a reverse itinerary to beat the crowds at the 12 Apostles. The Obelisk sits atop a rugged coastline, which is rapidly being eroded by the harsh elements. Guide to the Great Ocean Road, Victoria - Tourism Australia Rare Role On Australia's Great Ocean Road - Portland | Jobrapido.com Here we joined the largest crowds of people yet, all elbowing for the best place to take family photos. The driving distance from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 km. If you want one of the best views in Geelong, grab a seat on theSkyWheel. Tip: If youre hungry on the drive back to Melbourne, stop at Colac for food. To do this, leave Melbourne before 8am as most tours leave Melbourne city between 8am and 9am. The Quintessential Great Ocean Road Itinerary - 3 Days This is a rare opportunity to work for a minimum of 3-6 months and with a start date late April. Great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary Boutique Tour - Max 12 People - Viator Your Great Ocean Road itinerary may be coming to an end, but dont worry, youll finish up with a dreamy little visit toPort Fairy. . 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 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. Starting from Torquay, this route takes you through beautiful seaside towns and rain forests as you follow the winding road along the exquisite coastline. 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. It has diverse vegetation ranging from lush rainforest to rugged coastline, it has everything from stunning waterfalls to tranquil lakes. The total time you can expect to spend driving the Great Ocean Road and return, including stops, is at least 10 hours. Please enter your email address or username. The two-way highway is scenic as it gets and covers iconic landmarks like the Twelve Apostles, Apollo Bay, and the Otways. 4 From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road Full-Day Trip. Melbourne to Great Ocean Road | Road trips | The NRMA Read our detailed blog to know all about Skydiving in Melbourne and book your Great Ocean Road skydive. Your email address will not be published. What is a partial cave, archway and blowhole, The Grotto is definitely something to marvel at. Planning a trip to Australia? Although you could go through the city of Geelong, south-west of Melbourne, there's no need to as the Freeway Extension bypasses it, thus speeding . 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. Bunyip Tours: Great Ocean Road - See 1,943 traveler reviews, 942 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. In front of us were walls of sandstone, giant waves crashing on the beach, and a rocky peninsula just waiting to be explored. We are located almost at the end of the Great Ocean Road, about 4.5 hours from Melbourne. The Great Ocean Road tour allows you to witness the spectacular surf coast of Torquay and Lorne, with their sandy white beaches and curling waves. Most tour buses will leave between 8am and 9am, so try and leave before then. Iconic Animal Sightings. 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. Perpetually ensconced with a book in her hand and a mug of coffee in the other, she has been to over 15 countries in her 23 years of existence and is currently saving miles and money for her solo trip to Iceland. They will also add to the crowds at every one of your stops, so you want to beat them if you can. These are decent, but not as good as what you just saw, and definitely not as great as what you are about to visit next. They finish at either the 12 Apostles or Warrnambool, and then drive back to Melbourne. Going up is going to be a task though! It was in this area that we were treated to stunning views. Melbourne to Adelaide South East Coast 3 Day Overland Tour. Please note: this popular area is big and therefore the tour involves quite a lot of driving. 5 Day Adelaide to Melbourne via Great Ocean Road - Visit WA How Much Does It Cost to Experience Melbourne & the Great Ocean Road in If you arent restricted to only 1 day, give yourself at least 2 days to do the Great Ocean Road drive. Many travelers continue on to Warrnambool and Adelaide or up to the Grampian Mountains while others are returning to Melbourne. Check out the Vline train & bus timetable to make your way between Geelong and Warrnambool. Click on any of the numbers on the map of The Great Ocean Road to read all about the attraction. Melbourne and Great Ocean Road Itinerary secret-travel.guide Melbourne Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges Gippsland Great Ocean Road Phillip Island Attractions More top attractions Sovereign Hill History & heritage Strike it rich with a day out in 1850s Ballarat and pan for gold, ride in a horse-drawn carriage and relive the Eureka Rebellion with sound and light. Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia - Visit Victoria home Now youll be able to find the wreckage in shallow waters, which makes it great for divers to explore. Cute Penguins - Bunyip Tours, Melbourne Traveller Reviews - Tripadvisor The four of us were ecstatic to be off those winding roads. Your password has been reset successfully please login with new password. If you're planning a self-guided tour, this could come handy. While it is possibe to do most of these in a day with an early start and quick pitstops at every location, you should factor in a 2 day trip for a sedate trip. It takes travellers past world-class surfing breaks, through pockets of rainforest and calm seaside towns, and under koala-filled tree canopies. We had a villa, a small, two bedroom cabin with a kitchen and ensuite bathroom. 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. Great post guys, you have inspired me to take a trip here when I finally get to Australia again! They are now a part of a National Park and protected, and are the perfect destination to view the sunset. Find good prices and choices of accommodation: there is still so much more to see, Port Fairy is a beautiful little village and well worth spending time visiting too. Loch Iel (Pink Lake) The inland Melbourne to Adelaide drive takes around 5.5 hours from the Grampians. The drive home will take you inland on country roads (be careful of any cattle or wildlife on the roads) before you hit the highway back to Melbourne. Phillip Island: Penguin Parade Afternoon Wildlife Tour, Autumn (March to May): Cooler weather and fewer tourists, Winter (June to August): Whale watching season, cheaper accommodation and few tourists, Spring (September to November): Flowering season, perfect for visiting the Otways, mild weather and fewer crowds. Passing the iconic 12 Apostles and other amazing natural features carved into the expansive coastline the Great Ocean Road is a road trip to remember. The road covers a driveway of 243 km off the coast with pristine views of beaches, geological marvels, and rich forests. Some of the beautiful coastal towns you will come across during your drive are Apollo Bay, Cape Otway, Port Campbell, Torquay, and Lorne. Cute Penguins - Reviews, Photos - Bunyip Tours - Tripadvisor The direct route between these two locations is 142km, taking drivers around two hours to complete. It is a popular stop for photographs with the name of the road and the plaque. Complete Road Trip Guide & Holiday Planner - Great Ocean Road Located just outside of Geelong and only 45 minutes from Melbourne CBD, Avalon Airport is the closest airport to the start of the Great Ocean Road, being only a 35 minute drive from Torquay. Live chat with local experts anywhere, anytime. 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. To drive direct from the Melbourne CBD to Torquay, where the road officially starts, is 104km, or 1 hour and 20 minutes.