Great Ocean Road
Drive one of the world ’ s most scenic coastal touring routes , the Great Ocean Road , spanning 243 kilometres along the coastline of Victoria . Take in the panoramic views as the road winds along cliff tops , up to breath-taking headlands , down onto the edge of beaches , across river estuaries and through lush rainforests .
© Visions Of Victoria
3 days / 2 nights Suggested Self-Drive
Day 1 : Melbourne – Great Ocean Road ( 209km ) Make your way towards Torquay , Victoria ’ s surf capital and a busy holiday spot . Just out of Torquay stop at the famous surf break of Bells Beach , a great spot with amazing views . Carry along the coast through the cute towns of Anglesea and Lorne to Apollo Bay . The stretch between Lorne and Apollo Bay is really picturesque with the highway carved into cliffs that drop into the ocean .
Day 2 : Great Ocean Road – Grampians ( 102km ) Take the windy road through the Great Otway National Park with its beautiful rainforests , before returning to hug the coast for the length of the Port Campbell National Park . The most famous section of the Great Ocean Road where you ’ ll find the 12 Apostles . Head out of Port Campbell to Warrnambool , stop for a break in cute Port Fairy before heading through farming country to Halls Gap .
Day 3 : Grampians – Melbourne ( 250km ) The Grampian National Park with rugged mountain scenery is renowned for unspoilt natural beauty and has great lookouts with stunning views , lovely waterfalls , ancient Aboriginal rock art , colourful wildflower displays and abundant native wildlife . On route back to Melbourne you ’ ll pass through Ballarat , with its rich gold mining history .
Rental car : Hertz ( Group C ) from $ 39 per day
Our favourite places to stay :
• Mantra Lorne
• Comfort Inn the International Apollo Bay
• Comfort Inn Country Plaza , Halls Gap
Grampians National Park
Adelaide
Port Fairy
Halls Gap
Ararat
Warrnambool
Ballarat
Lake Corangamite
Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie & Ice creamery
Port Campbell
12 Apostles
Cape Otway
Great Otway National Park
Daylesford
Apollo Bay
Wombat State Park
Sovereign Hill
Brisbane Ranges National Park
Highlights worth seeing along the way
Melbourne
Port Phillip
Geelong Bay
Queenscliff
Torquay Anglesea
Sorrento Lorne Bass Strait
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village , Warrnambool – A great museum featuring a shipwreck collection and an 1870s village providing a glimpse into life at that time .
Cape Otway Lightstation – The oldest , lighthouse in Australia . Perched on towering sea cliffs where Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean collide .
Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie & Ice-creamery – Take delight in free chocolate and ice-cream tastings and watch the art of chocolate making . An experience the whole family can enjoy .
Great Ocean Road Heritage Centre – Since the opening of the Great Ocean Road in 1932 it has become an iconic destination . This Heritage Centre showcases the full historical story of the Great Ocean Road – the back breaking story that many are unfamiliar with .
12 Apostles – The best way experience the 12 Apostles is on a breathtaking helicopter ride over the most beautiful scenery in Australia . Enjoy an informative commentary on the unique limestone rock formations and history of the Shipwreck Coast .
Sovereign Hill – A stop here has you trying your luck at gold mining . Named Australia ’ s best ‘ Major Tourist Attraction ’. Sovereign Hill provides a unique experience with a day of entertainment .
Port Fairy Lighthouse 12 Apostles
Apollo Bay © Visions of Victoria
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The price guide shown is per car hire based on 3 day hire rate . Specials and surcharges may apply depending on travel date