Need help planning your Great Ocean Road holiday itinerary? Tick off all of your favourite attractions with our top itineraries below!
1. MELBOURNE - THE TWELVE APOSTLES
Duration: Overnight
Key Attractions: Twelve Apostles & Great Ocean Road
If time is short, this overnight itinerary is two days full of highlights. You’ll drive along the famous Great Ocean Road, catching star attractions like Bells Beach, Cape Otway and the Twelve Apostles.
Day 1: Melbourne – Twelve Apostles – Anglesea
Drive direct from Melbourne to the Twelve Apostles via the inland road. It’s the opposite of what most do, so you’ll avoid some of the crowds and catch the great stone stacks in their best light. From there, Cape Otway is next before hitting the most scenic section of the Great Ocean Road.
Stopping points in order of arrival include:
Loch Ard Gorge, Port Campbell
Twelve Apostles, Princetown
Gibson Steps, Princetown
Otway Fly Treetop Walk, Beech Forest
Hopetoun Falls, Beech Forest
Californian Redwoods, Beech Forest
Koalas at Kennett River
Teddy’s Lookout, Lorne
Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch, Eastern View
Split Point Lighthouse, Aireys Inlet
Recommended accommodation: Great Ocean Road Resort, Anglesea
Day 2: Anglesea – Melbourne
With much of the driving done, you have the day to explore the beach towns along the Surf Coast and the Bellarine Peninsula before heading back to Melbourne. The region was put on the map when local brands Quicksilver and Rip Curl went global. Forty years on, the region still oozes relaxed surfer vibes.
Stopping points in order of arrival include:
Surf Coast Walk: Urquharts to Sunnymeade
Roo Tour at Anglesea Golf Club
Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie, Bellbrae
Bells Beach, Jan Juc
National Australian Surfing Museum, Torquay
Surf City, Torquay
Point Lonsdale Lighthouse
Eastern Beach, Geelong
Werribee Open Range Zoo, Werribee
Love the itinerary but not the idea of self-driving? For private tour options, visit Great Ocean Road Private Luxury Tours.
2. GREAT OCEAN ROAD – MORNINGTON PENINSULA – PHILLIP ISLAND
Duration: 2 night, 3 days
Key Attractions: Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road, Mornington Peninsula & Phillip Island
If it’s coastal Australia you’re wanting to explore, this three-day itinerary will lead you to Victoria’s most iconic destinations without ever having to backtrack.
Day 1: Melbourne – Twelve Apostles – Anglesea
The Twelve Apostles and the Shipwreck Coast is one of Australia’s most popular attractions for good reason. On day one of this itinerary, you’ll see sea stacks, sheer cliffs, an ancient rainforest and picturesque beaches. Your best route is via the inland road, heading straight to the Twelve Apostles to avoid the pending crowds.
Stopping points in order of arrival include:
Loch Ard Gorge, Port Campbell
Twelve Apostles, Princetown
Gibson Steps, Princetown
Otway Fly Treetop Walk, Beech Forest
Hopetoun Falls, Beech Forest
Californian Redwoods, Beech Forest
Carisbrook River, Sugarloaf
Teddy’s Lookout, Lorne
Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch, Eastern View
Split Point Lighthouse, Aireys Inlet
Recommended accommodation: Great Ocean Road Resort, Anglesea
Day 2: Anglesea – Mornington
Using Searoad Ferries to transport you and your vehicle across Port Phillip Bay, you’ll experience Victoria’s two most popular holiday destinations in one day. In the morning, explore the Surf Coast and Ballerina Peninsula before cruising across the bay towards Sorrento and the Mornington Peninsula.
Stopping points in order of arrival include:
Roo Tour at Anglesea Golf Club
Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie, Bellbrae
Bells Beach, Jan Juc
Point Lonsdale Lighthouse
Sorrento
Bridgewater Bay, Blairgowrie
Peninsula Hot Springs, Fingal
Mills Beach, Mornington
Recommended accommodation: Brooklands of Mornington
Day 3: Mornington – Phillip Island – Melbourne
From Mornington, island life awaits to your east. On day three, you’ll get to meet Australia’s unique wildlife including koalas, dingos, snakes and penguins. Before the fatigue of an epic three adventure sets in, it’s time to start the drive back to Melbourne.
Stopping points in order of arrival include:
Maru Koala & Animal Park, Grantville
Cape Woolamai, Phillip Island
Smith’s Beach, Phillip Island
Pyramid Rock, Phillip Island
Swan Lake, Phillip Island
The Nobbies Centre, Phillip Island
Penguin Parade, Phillip Island
Love the itinerary but not the idea of self-driving? For private tour options, visit Great Ocean Road Private Luxury Tours.
3. MELBOURNE - ADELAIDE
Duration: 2 nights, 3 days
Key Attractions: Bellarine Peninsular, Great Ocean Road, Twelve Apostles, Mount Gambier & Adelaide.
From capital to capital with a diverse array of highlights in between, this itinerary creates a perfect bridge for those wanting to check out Adelaide’s wineries, historic churches and booming art scene.
Day 1: Melbourne – Anglesea
From Melbourne, follow the line of long-haired surfers across the West Gate Bridge towards the Surf Coast. On day one, you’ll be sightseeing along a stunning coastline known for its waves, spectacular beaches and walking trails.
Stopping points in order of arrival include:
Eastern Beach, Geelong
Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Grovedale
Surf City, Torquay
Bells Beach, Jan Juc
Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie, Bellbrae
Roo Tour at Anglesea Golf Club
Surf Coast Walk: Urquharts to Sunnymeade
Split Point Lighthouse, Aireys Inlet
Recommended accommodation: Great Ocean Road Resort, Anglesea
Day 2: Anglesea – Twelve Apostles – Port Campbell
Day two is full of highlights, as you cruise the Great Ocean Road towards the Twelve Apostles. Whilst the sea stacks might be the jewel in the crown, take your time along the way, as you’ll be passing many attractions worthy of your time.
Stopping points in order of arrival include:
Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch, Eastern View
Teddy’s Lookout, Lorne
Koalas at Kennett River
Californian Redwoods, Beech Forest
Hopetoun Falls, Beech Forest
Otway Fly Treetop Walk, Beech Forest
Gibson Steps, Princetown
Twelve Apostles, Princetown
Loch Ard Gorge, Port Campbell
Port Campbell
Recommended accommodation: Best Western Great Ocean Road Motor Inn
Day 3: Port Campbell – Adelaide
Continuing along the Great Ocean Road towards Adelaide, you’ll spend the morning visiting some of the lesser known but still as impressive, coastal viewpoints. In the afternoon, things will heat up with a visit to two volcanic craters, before driving the final leg of your journey.
Stopping points in order of arrival include:
London Bridge, Peterborough
The Grotto, Peterborough
Bay of Martyrs, Peterborough
Bay of Islands, Peterborough
Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve
Port Fairy Lighthouse
Blue Lake, Mount Gambier
Robe
Adelaide
Love the itinerary but not the idea of self-driving? For private tour options, visit Great Ocean Road Private Luxury Tours.
4. GREAT SOUTHERN TOURING ROUTE
Duration: 2 night, 3 days Key Attractions: Sovereign Hill, Grampians, Tower Hill, Twelve Apostles & Great Ocean Road
The Great Southern Touring Route highlights Victoria’s diverse natural beauty including rocky peaks, lakes, volcanic plains, coastline and wildlife.
Day 1: Melbourne – Grampians
From Melbourne, head north-west towards the historic gold rush village of Sovereign Hill. From there, it’s on to the spectacular Grampians National Park where you’ll find aboriginal artwork and picturesque walking trails.
Stopping points in order of arrival include:
Sovereign Hill, Ballarat
Bunjil’s Shelter, Black Range
Brambuk Cultural Centre, Halls Gap
The Pinnacle Walk, Halls Gap
MacKenzie Falls, Halls Gap
Recommended accommodation: Pinnacle Holiday Lodge
Day 2: Grampians – Anglesea
It’ll pay to make tracks early as day two is full of highlights. First up, it’s the dormant volcanic crater of Tower Hill before hitting the coast at the Twelve Apostles. Following the Great Ocean Road in an easterly direction, in the afternoon you’ll traverse an ancient rainforest before reaching the famous beaches of the Surf Coast.
Stopping points in order of arrival include:
Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve
Loch Ard Gorge, Port Campbell
Twelve Apostles, Princetown
Gibson Steps, Princetown
Otway Fly Treetop Walk, Beech Forest
Californian Redwoods, Beech Forest
Koala’s at Kennett River
Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch, Eastern View
Split Point Lighthouse, Aireys Inlet
Recommended accommodation: Great Ocean Road Resort, Anglesea
Day 3: Anglesea – Melbourne
Beach walks, wildlife and shopping will dominate day three as you sightsee around the gorgeous Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula.
Stopping points in order of arrival include:
Surf Coast Walk: Urquharts to Sunnymeade
Roo Tour at Anglesea Golf Club
Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie, Bellbrae
Bells Beach, Jan Juc
National Australian Surfing Museum, Torquay
Surf City, Torquay
Point Lonsdale Lighthouse
Eastern Beach, Geelong
Werribee Open Range Zoo, Werribee
Love the itinerary but not the idea of self-driving? For private tour options, visit Great Ocean Road Private Luxury Tours.