A guide to the large road trip of the ocean
I visited the Great Ocean Road on a 3-day tour on my first backpack trip in 2004. A few years later I returned and did it right. I hired a car Melbourne With a friend and set off on an epic road trip from Melbourne to Adelaide. Of course, the Great Ocean Road is the highlight of this self -driving adventure, but we didn’t know exactly what to expect. It was my first road trip among many exciting solo Road trips.
Great RoadTrip Reiseroute card
You can visit the Great Ocean Road by bus or on a guided tour from Melbourne. However, I recommend stopping a car in Melbourne and driving on this picturesque coastal road. You benefit from the freedom to keep yourself as much as you want several times as you want, without a tight schedule or a close restriction.
How far is the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne?
The distance from Melbourne is about 275 km to the 12 apostles. In view of the stops, it takes about 4-5 hours. However, the entire section extends over 40 km. It is best to take the coastal drive and make several stops in all beautiful places. Then you can take the M1 on the way back to Melbourne from Port Campbell and go inside, which is about 210 km. The coastal drive is exciting, but exhausting when it drives alone. I can highly recommend adjusting a car in Melbourne and moving yourself. Here is what we recommend for booking a rental car in Melbourne.
Is the GOR -RoadTrip worthwhile?
The Great Ocean Road Drive from Melbourne It’s not easy, but worthwhile. If you are not used to driving, it will be a challenge with all twists and bends, and there is no turning turn. The variety of landscape makes me go back. We enjoyed the beautiful scenic view of many different viewpoints. We watched surfers fell into the water, walked on sandy beaches, sucking up the ocean breeze and marveling at the towering trees, the old chewing gum and the remaining rainforests.
There is a lot to do and see along the Great Ocean Road. While the 12 apostles are the main highlight of the road trip, it has more to offer than a picturesque coastal ride. Many small villages, remote bays, surfing beaches, lighthouses and old buildings, local markets as well as forest and national parks along the coast are ideal for short and medium-sized walks and multi-day hikes. There are about 300 km to drive to the 12 apostles and you need two full days to stop at all places.
What to see and do what on a 2-day great ocean road trip
You can consider many stops on your way, but make sure that there is no U -turn on the Great Ocean Road. So plan them carefully and make sure that you will not drive past you. Here are my picks for the best places to visit the Great Ocean Road.
Where do I stay in Apollo Bay? Apollo Bay Waterfront Motor Inn
From Geelong to Torquays Sunday market
For the first time we stopped in Geelong’s visitor center, a great place to collect excellent informative material and quality advice on what to do and what to do Where can you stop along the Great Ocean Road. I loved this place on a Sunday morning; The locals volunteered in the visitor center and were extremely helpful. In some places they gave excellent tips to see Koalas in the wild.
From Geelong we drove to our next goal: TorquayA friendly little village on the coast with a beautiful Sunday market. There are some nice shots below.
Browse the stands and eat there for lunch. You can try some of the excellent local and ethnic products while listening to a music band.
Stand on Bells Beach and Guvvos Beach
The beaches along the Great Ocean Road are simply breathtaking. You can stop south of Torquay for a short, nice walk from there Bells Beach. This is just one of the many breathtaking views that you can have from there.
I know that a secondary road leads it to the beach access, but don’t worry if you miss this walk. There are many other beaches on your trip to the 12 apostles where you can stop. Many beaches have easy access and are ideal for lunch break, stretch their legs and fill their lungs with the fresh ocean breeze.
After this wonderful view, we decided to walk on the beach. Bank beach Is shortly before Anglese. Please take a look at the beautiful encounter that we had there. You never know what nice encounters you could have. Here is a friendly and playful dog who loves to make contacts. It is so simple and always a pleasure to get to know the locals in Australia.
You never know what nice encounters you could have. Here is a friendly and playful dog who loves to make contacts. It is so simple and always a pleasure to get to know the locals in Australia.
See Kangaroos and Koalas
The guy we met on the beach Spot KangaroosThe golf course In Angleseea. We quickly found the golf course, but missed the Koala spot. Crap! For a second I thought about turning and returning the car, but that was not a good idea. You should never make a U -turn while driving on the Great Ocean Road.
But was that bad luck or maybe just a blessing in the disguise? See what we noticed a few minutes after our realization that we missed this turn On the Kennet River Koala Walk, The best place to see Koalas on the Great Ocean Road.
Suddenly a baby koala appeared in front of us and crawled in the middle of the street. We grabbed air and couldn’t believe it. We stopped the car safely on the edge of the street and jumped out to look at it. He ran away to flee people, but we felt relieved that he was now back to safety in the bush. Such a sweet little koala. This is a nice encounter; I will always appreciate it.
Where do I stay in Port Campbell? Anchors Port Campbell
Take a walk in the Otway National Park
The Otway National Park is famous for his fantastic short walks. You can take a few hikes with 20-minute short hikes up to 1-2 hours of moderate walks. But you can spend days and weeks to run the Great Ocean Road. Not many know that in this old park you can see that a rainforest stays in South Australia!
You can’t insert everything in two days. Since your time is limited to a few days, you have to choose what you want to do. We only took a few short walks.
And yes, I kept them 91 km Great Ocean Road Walk For my next visit. Below you will find a sign with lots of information about this wonderful walk, which can be carried out in 6-10 days from Geelong. It is a must for enthusiastic hikers. I recommend planning some of the Great Ocean Road short walks.
See the twelve apostles
Last but not least, see the powerful Twelve apostles From the consideration platform. Only eight remain, and the other four collapsed into water erosion. For a close -up experience, go down the stairs to the beach and go a walk to the beach to create these majestic rock formations from the water. You are opposite Port Campbell National Park. After viewing the apostles, continue your journey and stop London Bridge And Loch Ard Gorge For more breathtaking limestone rocks.
If you feel more adventurousPresent Take A Parachute jump over the 12 apostles or take a private scenic flight.
Guided tours and activities on the GOR
If you prefer to join a guided tour instead of a voluntary drive, you can make a whole day or a two -day tour of Melbourne from Melbourne. Below you will find some great options for a guided Great Ocean Road Trip.
I hope you enjoyed my great Ocean Road Drive from Melbourne. To plan your journey, take a look at this Gor travel guide.
Related guidelines:
Great Ocean Road Travel Guide
The best Australia road trips
Australia goals
Australia Guide for Solo travelers
Go back to Rocky journey
Published first in 2019, most recently updated in April 2025
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