Warrnambool railway station - Wikipedia It is essentially a sinkhole in a limestone stack and opens out to a view of the sea and cliffs beyond. Duration: 5 Days Prices From: US$ 699 Trip Type: Self-Drives, Tailor-made Travel Ideas Australia See Trip Details A total of 620 properties were sold via auction last . Of all the fantastic destinations, the one that really draws travelers from across the world is a Great Ocean Road tour. For a shorter track check outMaits Restwhich will take you through a beautiful section of rainforest. plenty of accommodation choices in Warrnambool, Apollo Bay Surf, Stand Up Paddle Boarding & Kayak, Otway Estate Brewery Prickly Moses Beer. Port Fairy is a tiny town on Victorias iconic shipwreck coast with a charming vibe and an exciting causeway that leads you out to an island worth exploring too. Located less than 2 hours from Melbourne. The Kennet River located between Lorne and Apollo Bay is one of the best places in Australia to view wild koalas. It can be done. The Subaru Forester has been an exceptional ride on the trip on the Melbourne to Adelaide via Great Ocean Road trip - powerful, economical, spacious, and with loads of safety features built-in, making the long drives a comfortable experience. 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. The whole trail is about 15km, but your best chances for spotting the cute indigenous animals are about 6km in atGrey River. These two areas are highly populated by local surfers, keen to ride their magnificent waves. Stops. Head down to Main Beach for a swim, sunbathe or surf at Point Impossible or Rocky Point. Returns: Approx 9:00pm. The Twelve Apostles are giant limestone stacks jutting out of the ocean that form one of the most recognizable landscapes in Australia. There are 2 main routes to reach the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne - an inland road that follows the Princes Highway from Geelong to Warrnambool, or drive over the West Gate Bridge and along the Bellarine Peninsula or Surf Coast Highway. You can also use the share icon and share it on Facebook. Great Ocean Road Tour 2 Days experience from Melbourne to Adelaide. A few minutes down the road from Sherbrook West is a large car park with trails to various viewpoints. Melbourne to Adelaide Drive Great Ocean Road Route 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. 3. Things all of a sudden became a lot more exciting. 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. Visit top wilderness destinations and picturesque towns on this epic 3-day tour from Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road and the Grampians. Frolic in the ocean and then head up to the lush rainforests abundant with wildlife. 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.) The starting point of the Great Ocean Road that's closest to Melbourne, Torquay, is 64 miles (103 km) from the city. Follow our journey in real time on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. You might even get a stretch of beach all to yourself, maybe for the best adventure of the day. Check map and driving directions of your route which helps you find the destination easier. After passing through Port Campbell, youll pass by The Arch and London Bridge. December to February is the best time to take a Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne. Day 2 - Pinnacles Walk in the Grampians National Park and drive to Port Campbell on the Great Ocean Road to stay overnight. These unique and adorable local animals call this spot home and have been known to use the lake as a nesting ground when having babies so best to keep your eyes peeled. While wandering around town youll surely spot a ton of street art, which is something Geelong is known for. 52 Great Weekends > No 3: Portland No 3: Portland Located a little over 4hrs Melbourne, Portland is well worth the drive. all things travel. Wear comfortable shoes as there is a lot of walking to do. 5 Melbourne: 2-Hour City Highlights River Cruise. There is no dearth of viewpoints on the Great Ocean Road and Teddys Lookout is another magnificent spot added to the list. 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. After the gorge youll pass the town of Port Campbell. 2 From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road and Wildlife Tour. Have enjoyed your stories since departing Columbia almost a year ago. hi guys my husband and l are going to drive the great ocean road in early November. Bells Beach is known for hosting Rip Curl Pro, a world surfing competition. 5 Day Adelaide to Melbourne via Great Ocean Road - Visit WA Private Great Ocean Road tour. From the rocks, Tim and I could see a cave in the side of the cliff. Thats the word that can truly capture the essence of the Great Ocean Road in Australia. We personally stayed there when we travelled across Australia, and highly recommend it. There are also speed traps to catch those not sticking to the limits with fines up to (and above) $300AUD. Bells Beach is a paradise for surfers; it is the location of the legendary annual Rip Curl Surfing competition. This will help you make the most of your time so you can see the things that matter to you. But if you are driving under the speed limit and following protocols, it could be one of the best drives of your life given the amazing view throughout the drive. It has the most food options before Geelong, which is a further 1 hour drive away. Apollo Bay is a popular place, so make sure you have booked your accommodation ahead of time. This dive spot is actually a ship that was wrecked off the eastern beach in Port Fairy in 1849. Where does the Great Ocean Road start and finish. Our ultimate destination being Kangaroo Island. An alternative to this driving route is that you do it in the reverse order. 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. Phone: +61 3 5227 9100 Toll Free: 1800 AVALON (1800 282 566) Getting to the Great Ocean Road By Car Travel time FROM MELBOURNE CBD 1hr 17min The step by step directions below should take you there: - Travel from Melbourne city onto the Westgate Freeway - Continue onto Princes Freeway - Continue onto Geelong Ring Road - Follow the signs for Torquay Visit surf beaches, seaside towns, and national parks; and see rain forest, wild koalas, and towering waterfalls. It takes travellers past world-class surfing breaks, through pockets of rainforest and calm seaside towns, and under koala-filled tree canopies. Check, (2 hrs Great Ocean Road & Beyond Melbourne to Adelaide (Single Traveller 34 mins), (3 hrs Explore the cool temperate rainforest of the Great Otway National Park, waterfalls on Great Ocean Road, best viewpoints, koalas, and wildlife. Heavenly, right? From below the steps you can marvel at the 70m limestone stacks from up close and feel the power of nature. 1 Day Great Ocean Road & 12 Apostles Tour $104 This stone archway once formed a natural bridge over the gorge, but unfortunately collapsed almost a decade ago. Starting and finishing in Melbourne is how most people do the Great Ocean Road drive in 1 day. Hello Ive so enjoyed the magnificent stories of your world tours and the stunning photos. Port Fairy offers great locations forscuba divingincludingThe Thistle. To enlarge the map, click the top right icon and it will open up, full screen, in a new tab. To get more information on the Great Ocean Road, visit the official tourism website here. Planning a trip to Australia? Children: $99 $94 (3 - 15 years) Minimum age 3 years. Not even 15km from Apollo Bay is the incredibly lush and beautifulGreat Otway National Park. 5 Day Melbourne to Adelaide via Great Ocean Road - Visit WA Online Great Ocean Road Melbourne to Adelaide Drive 1,500 km | 7 - 12 days Great surf, picturesque coastal towns, ocean views around every bend, wine country and some spectacular hikes define this road trip. 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. A little warning about the Penguin Parade: It is very touristy and professionally put together. Campervan Hire Great Ocean Road - Melbourne to Adelaide - Camper Champ 1 Melbourne: 1-Day Entry Ticket to Melbourne Zoo. 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. Find out about other waterfalls in the Otways. 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. However, if you're short on time and want to cover a good portion of the Great Ocean Road, signing up for an organized trip from Melbourne will come handy. 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. In the shadow of the Otway ranges meeting Cape Otway is the Apollo Bay, midway of the Great Ocean Road. Thats how were going to structure this post for you. 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. Route planner, Travel information, Victoria, Australia During your travel, you plan to visit the following- 1) Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay, Victoria, Australia Recent Melbourne distance calculations Distance from Melbourne to New York , United States Distance from Melbourne to Canberra via Albury NSW 2640 Surf lessons can be booked in Lorne, Anglesea, Torquay, and Ocean Grove. The cave was not very big, extending about ten meters back into the cliff from the opening. The direct route between these two locations is 142km, taking drivers around two hours to complete. You can also find the flight distance or distance to fly from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road. It stretches for 243 kms. Your email address will not be published. MELBOURNE: Melbourne is our favorite city in Australia. 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. The Great Ocean Road is an adventurers' perfect medley; expect breathtaking natural wonders, charming restaurants serving oh-so-delicious fare and vast wilderness dotted with native wildlife and jaw-dropping vistas. From here you are well on your way to having covered a ton of ground. TheKennett River Koala Walkis the perfect place to get your fix. 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. Covering nearly 200 hectares, this park is one of the few Great Ocean Road highlights that is not a beach. 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. If you're planning your big Great Ocean Road trip from Melbourne, here are all the transport options that could get you there. 542 Km - Distance from Portland Ln to Mildura VIC 3500 Stunning photos. Some of the largest waves I have ever seen were crashing onto the rocks, sending up sprays of water at least thirty feet in the air. 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. At the end of your Great Ocean Road itinerary, you can leave Port Fairy andhead back towards Melbourneon the M8 National highway to take on your next series of Aussie fun. Spectacular and diverse scenery, wildlife, byo tent or book accommodation along the way. Most of the highlights are located around Port Campbell. Maximum group size of 12 travellers with a reverse itinerary to beat the crowds at the 12 Apostles. Day 3: Warrnambool to Port Fairy then Melbourne (or Adelaide). Michael Dahlstrom - Environment Editor - Yahoo | LinkedIn 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. Turn off for this road just before you reach Apollo Bay. We can recommend a number of excellent companies who all use smaller buses which means more time at stops and more personalized experience. Plan ahead and give yourself at least 1 full day. Dog-Friendly Great Ocean Road: Driving with a Dog - Travelnuity 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. 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. Loch Ard Gorge is a breathtaking natural formation just a short distance from the 12 apostles. Click on any of the numbers on the map of The Great Ocean Road to read all about the attraction. 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. You will receive a link to create a new password via email. Or Warrnambool, Camperdown, Geelong, Melbourne. Head forEastern Beachfirst. The four of us were ecstatic to be off those winding roads. 30 mins), 446 Km - Distance from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road, FAQ about Distance from Melbourne to Portland, The driving distance from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is, Directions from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road, map from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road, Travel time from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road, Distance from Melbourne to New York , United States, Distance from Melbourne to Canberra via Albury NSW 2640, Distance from Melbourne to Canberra via Albury New South Wales, Distance from Melbourne to Canberra via Orbost. Apollo Bay is a gorgeous seaside village, located at the entry to the Otways, and without a doubt is one of the most scenic and picturesque stops on our Great Ocean Road drive. Theres a lot to see and do along the way. As Victorias 5th largest city, Warrnambool is a lot bigger than most of the seaside towns along the Great Ocean Road drive. Day 1 - Drive to the Grampians National Park from Melbourne, visit McKenzie falls and stay overnight in the town of Halls Gap. This is the start of their Great Ocean Road drive. Your story was very useful for us to plan our one day trip in March 2020 just before the corona virus outbreak. Make sure you visit first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon for the best koala viewing times. For those wanting to drive a bit further west, theres the historic harbour settlement of Portland which you can visit. 446 Km - Distance from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Hey! 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. You will want to try and get ahead of as many tour buses as you can. Youll find them sitting up in the eucalyptus trees. Respect the speed limit. It offers easy transport options to Geelong and Torquay as well as plenty of car hire options. The driving distance from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is 446 km. The coastline of the Great Ocean Road is constantly changing and one such natural formation is the London Arch. Day 1: Melbourne to Port Campbell We depart from Southern Cross Coach Terminal on Spencer Street at 8:30am before we commence this amazing 4 day, 3 night guided Great Ocean Road & Beyond Itinerary. We are Alesha and Jarryd, the award-winning writers and professional photographers behind this blog.