Great Ocean Road
6 night self-drive tour from £ 629pp
GREAT SOUTHERN LOOP
6 NIGHT SELF-DRIVE TOUR
Great Ocean Road • magnificent Grampians National Park • dine on wonderful regional produce
DAY 1 Melbourne / Apollo Bay
Ease into your road trip with a leisurely drive from Melbourne to Torquay , which marks the official beginning of the Great Ocean Road . Here , you can explore some of Australia ’ s best-known surf beaches or , if you prefer , stop at Anglesea for a detour to the golf course , famous for the kangaroos lounging under the trees that surround the greens . Head on to Lorne , which is a perfect lunch spot before following the Great Ocean Road into the lush Otway National Park where , if you wish , you could take a tour of the Cape Otway lighthouse . The final leg of today ’ s journey brings you to the beautiful village of Apollo Bay which has a host of welcoming eateries , with seafood always on the menu ( 122 miles ).
DAY 2 Apollo Bay / Warrnambool
Back on the Great Ocean Road , ensure your camera is to hand for the spectacular coastline leading to Port Campbell and its famous Twelve Apostles . Stop and descend the Gibson Steps for a walk on the wild beach for a ground-level view of these magnificent rock stacks that rise up from the Southern Ocean . Continue west to Warrnambool ( 98 miles ).
DAY 3 Warrnambool
If visiting from June to September we recommended visiting Logans Beach where you may spot southern right whales from the expansive viewing platform . Other options in Warrnambool include numerous walking trails ; the Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve where native wildlife abounds ; discover the turbulent history of the Shipwreck Coast with a visit to the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village ; or , perhaps enjoy a stroll around the Botanic Gardens .
Halls Gap
DAY 4 Warrnambool / Halls Gap
Travel north and perhaps make a stop at Dunkeld , the gateway to the southern Grampians . Wander through the galleries and museum or perhaps tackle the challenging , but rewarding , climb to the summits of Mount Sturgeon or Mount Abrupt for panoramic views . Drive onwards , following the scenic Grampians Road right through the national park to Halls Gap , an excellent base for exploring the ranges ( 98 miles ).
DAY 5 Halls Gap
If you ’ re a lover of the great outdoors , you ’ ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to activities with hiking , canoeing , rock-climbing , abseiling , fishing and more all on offer . The Grampians are also home to a profusion of native animals and birds , so be sure to have your camera at the ready . Delve into Indigneous culture at Brambuk , the National Park and Cultural Centre or visit either the MacKenzie Falls or Beehive Falls .
DAY 6 Halls Gap / Ballarat
As you travel along the Western Highway , you can admire the imposing Mt Ghiran and explore beautiful Langhi Ghiran State Park , home to rugged peaks and gentle sloping woodlands as well as significant art sites . Upon arrival in Ballarat , which is Victoria ’ s largest inland city and an established foodie destination , recharge and refuel at one of the town ’ s popular eateries , breweries or cafés . ( 88 miles ).
DAY 7 Ballarat / Melbourne
Spend a few hours in Ballarat ’ s heritage precinct and unearth the city ’ s rich gold mining history and magnificent architecture on a self-guided heritage walk . Dig deeper into the region ’ s past , with a visit to the open-air gold rush museum Sovereign Hill , where you can even try your luck panning for gold . All too soon it ’ s time to head back to Melbourne , but en route perhaps stop for a leisurely lunch in Daylesford whilst taking in the lake views . Another possible detour is to Hepburn Springs where you can taste the waters or even soak them up with a pampering spa at Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa . Fully rejuvenated , make the short drive back to Melbourne where your tour concludes ( 71 miles ). This self-drive also combines well with Beyond Melbourne on page 89 .
Halls Gap
Warrnambool
VICTORIA
Ballarat
Apollo Bay
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Melbourne
Apollo Bay 1 night ~ Warrnambool 2 nights Halls Gap 2 nights ~ Ballarat 1 night
Cape Otway
Departures : Daily .
Accommodation : 4H Captain ’ s at the Bay , Apollo Bay ;
3HPLUS Lady Bay Resort , Warrnambool ; 3H D ’ Altons Resort , Halls Gap ; 4H Best Western Plus Ballarat Suites .
Meals : Room only . Breakfast on day 2 .
Tour price : The price shown includes 7 days group B car hire and accommodation as outlined .
88 AUSTRALIA visit your local travel agent or call 08444 937 900