Australia Road Trip

The UltimateGreat Ocean Road

Melbourne to the Surf Coast, Lorne, the Otways, Apollo Bay, Twelve Apostles, Port Campbell and the western Shipwreck Coast — with enough time to see why this is much more than one famous viewpoint.

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Great Ocean Road road trip along the dramatic coast of Victoria Australia

Recommended length

5 days

Fast version

3 days

Start

Melbourne

Finish

Warrnambool / Melbourne

Best for

Coast, wildlife & rainforest

Ideal direction

East → west

The route

Why the Great Ocean Road deserves more than a day

The Twelve Apostles are the photograph everyone recognises, but they are not the Great Ocean Road.

The route changes constantly: surf towns around Torquay, cliff-backed beaches near Lorne, rainforest in the Otways, the relaxed harbour at Apollo Bay and then the huge limestone formations of the Shipwreck Coast.

The official Great Ocean Road tourism organisation puts the Twelve Apostles about 275 kilometres from Melbourne and roughly four hours away when travelling via the Great Ocean Road — before you add the stops that make the route worthwhile.

That is why our preferred itinerary is five days. Three is perfectly workable; one is transportation disguised as a road trip.

Current planning note

Major visitor sites remain open, but peak periods can be extremely busy.

Management arrangements for several parks changed in 2026, but public access to the major Great Ocean Road visitor sites continues. During summer and holiday periods, the Twelve Apostles precinct can experience very high visitor numbers, temporary traffic management and parking controls. Arrive earlier and check current park and road conditions before setting out.

Twelve Apostles walk

Around 45 minutes

Official visitor guidance lists roughly 600 m–1.2 km return.

5-day itinerary

The Great Ocean Road route we would actually recommend

This version treats the Surf Coast, Otways and Shipwreck Coast as separate experiences rather than squeezing everything into one long day.

Day 1

Melbourne → Torquay → Lorne

Melbourne → Torquay → Bells Beach → Anglesea → Lorne

Driving

Around 2.5–3 hours before stops

Overnight

Lorne

Guide spend

A$120–A$280+ pp

The mistake is trying to reach the Twelve Apostles on day one. The Surf Coast deserves its own time, and staying in Lorne makes the next day dramatically better.

Morning

Leave Melbourne early enough to avoid turning the first half of the day into motorway time. Stop in Torquay, walk the foreshore and decide whether Bells Beach is worth a proper detour for you.

Afternoon

Continue through Anglesea and along the increasingly dramatic coastline toward Lorne. Use the afternoon for short coastal stops rather than overplanning attractions.

Evening

Stay in Lorne and walk the beachfront before dinner. This gives you a relaxed first night and puts you in the right place for the Otways tomorrow.

TravPost verdict

Worth it

Torquay, the first coastal section and an overnight in Lorne.

Skip if rushed

Rushing straight through to Apollo Bay because the map says it is only a few more hours.

Splurge here

A beachfront stay in Lorne.

Save money

Use beaches, coastal viewpoints and town walks as the day’s main activities.

Day 2

Lorne → Great Otway National Park → Apollo Bay

Lorne → waterfalls / Otways → Kennett River area → Apollo Bay

Driving

Around 2.5–4 hours depending on detours

Overnight

Apollo Bay

Guide spend

A$120–A$290+ pp

This is where the Great Ocean Road stops being only a coastal drive. The Otways give you rainforest, waterfalls and wildlife before you return to the sea.

Morning

Choose one or two Otways stops rather than trying to collect every waterfall. Erskine Falls or another short rainforest walk works well if conditions are good.

Afternoon

Continue toward Apollo Bay, allowing time for the forest and coastal sections. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, so avoid building the schedule around seeing a specific animal at a specific roadside spot.

Evening

Stay in Apollo Bay. Walk the foreshore, eat locally and keep the evening simple because tomorrow is the major Shipwreck Coast day.

TravPost verdict

Worth it

Giving the Otways real time instead of treating them as a detour.

Skip if rushed

Trying to visit every waterfall, redwood grove and wildlife pin in one day.

Splurge here

A guided wildlife or forest experience if that interests you.

Save money

Rainforest walks and coastal stops can keep the day very low-cost.

Day 3

Apollo Bay → Twelve Apostles → Port Campbell

Apollo Bay → Cape Otway area → Princetown → Twelve Apostles → Loch Ard Gorge → Port Campbell

Driving

Around 2.5–3 hours before stops

Overnight

Port Campbell

Guide spend

A$130–A$300+ pp

This is the headline day. The Twelve Apostles are only one part of it, and the best version gives the whole Shipwreck Coast enough time.

Morning

Leave Apollo Bay early and move west through the Otways toward the open coastline. Stop selectively so you arrive at the Twelve Apostles before the busiest part of the day if possible.

Afternoon

Spend proper time at the Twelve Apostles, then continue to Loch Ard Gorge and the surrounding coastal formations. Walk the official tracks rather than treating each site as a five-minute photo stop.

Evening

Stay in Port Campbell. If the weather is good, return to a nearby viewpoint for sunset rather than driving onward to Warrnambool.

TravPost verdict

Worth it

Twelve Apostles plus Loch Ard Gorge as one complete afternoon.

Skip if rushed

A rushed Melbourne day trip that gives you eight hours of driving and hardly any time on the coast.

Splurge here

A helicopter flight only if aerial scenery is a major priority.

Save money

The main coastal viewpoints themselves are the star of the day.

Day 4

Port Campbell → Bay of Islands → Warrnambool

Port Campbell → London Bridge → The Grotto → Bay of Martyrs → Bay of Islands → Warrnambool

Driving

Around 1.5–2.5 hours before stops

Overnight

Warrnambool or Port Fairy

Guide spend

A$110–A$270+ pp

Many visitors turn around after the Twelve Apostles. That is exactly why the coast west of Port Campbell can feel more rewarding.

Morning

Start with the formations west of Port Campbell: London Bridge, The Grotto and other stops that genuinely interest you. You do not need every lookout.

Afternoon

Continue toward Bay of Martyrs and Bay of Islands, then drive to Warrnambool. If you are travelling during whale season, check current viewing conditions before making that your main afternoon plan.

Evening

Stay in Warrnambool or continue a little farther to Port Fairy if you want a smaller-town finish.

TravPost verdict

Worth it

Bay of Islands and the quieter western stretch.

Skip if rushed

Turning back immediately after Twelve Apostles unless you are genuinely short on time.

Splurge here

Stay in Port Fairy for a more atmospheric final night.

Save money

The coastal formations cost very little to experience.

Day 5

Warrnambool / Port Fairy → Melbourne

Warrnambool / Port Fairy → inland return → Melbourne

Driving

Around 3–4 hours direct

Overnight

Trip ends

Guide spend

A$90–A$220+ pp

Do not retrace the entire Great Ocean Road unless you specifically want to. The inland return makes the trip feel like a loop and gets you back to Melbourne efficiently.

Morning

Spend a relaxed morning in Warrnambool or Port Fairy. Have breakfast, walk the waterfront and avoid creating another attraction-heavy day.

Afternoon

Return to Melbourne inland. Build in a lunch stop if needed, but treat this as the decompression leg rather than another full sightseeing route.

Evening

Return the rental car with enough time for fuel, traffic and drop-off. If you have another night in Melbourne, keep the evening easy.

TravPost verdict

Worth it

A relaxed final morning before the inland return.

Skip if rushed

Driving the entire coast in reverse purely because you feel you should.

Splurge here

A final lunch in Port Fairy before heading inland.

Save money

Return the car as soon as you no longer need it in Melbourne.

Route highlights

The two sections you should plan around

The Great Otway National Park and the Twelve Apostles precinct are the places where rushing most noticeably damages the trip.

Great Otways

Rainforest belongs in the itinerary

The official regional itinerary material highlights waterfalls, rainforest and native wildlife as core Otways experiences. Choose one or two walks and enjoy them rather than turning the forest into a checklist.

Twelve Apostles

Arrive before the peak if you can

Parks Victoria has recorded peak summer days of around 15,000 visitors at the precinct. Staying in Apollo Bay or Port Campbell gives you much more control over arrival time.

Beyond the Twelve Apostles

Keep driving west

Bay of Islands, Bay of Martyrs, London Bridge and The Grotto continue the limestone coast and are explicitly promoted as worthwhile extensions beyond the main precinct.

Shorter option

Only have 3 days?

Three days is enough for an excellent Great Ocean Road trip. The key is sleeping on the route and returning to Melbourne inland.

Day 1

Melbourne → Torquay → Lorne → Apollo Bay

A full coastal day; leave Melbourne early.

Day 2

Apollo Bay → Otways → Twelve Apostles → Port Campbell

Protect most of the day for the Otways and Shipwreck Coast.

Day 3

Port Campbell → Bay of Islands → Melbourne

Explore west first, then return inland.

What we would not do

We would not attempt the five-day itinerary in three days by simply removing sleep and adding driving. Keep Lorne/Apollo Bay, the Otways and the Shipwreck Coast as the priorities and let minor stops go.

Trip budget

How much does a Great Ocean Road trip cost?

These are planning ranges for a five-day trip for two people sharing the car and room, excluding flights to Australia. Accommodation standard and rental-car timing will be the biggest variables.

Cost	Budget	Comfort	Higher-end
Car rental	A$300–A$450	A$450–A$650	A$650–A$950+
Fuel	A$110–A$160	A$120–A$180	A$140–A$220
Accommodation	A$500–A$850	A$900–A$1,400	A$1,600–A$3,000+
Food & drink	A$250–A$400	A$450–A$700	A$850–A$1,400+
Parking & road costs	A$20–A$60	A$30–A$80	A$50–A$100
Activities	A$50–A$150	A$180–A$400	A$450–A$900+

Budget trip

~A$1,230–A$2,070

Approximate total for two, excluding flights.

Comfort trip

~A$2,130–A$3,410

Approximate total for two, excluding flights.

Higher-end

~A$3,740–A$6,570+

Approximate total for two, excluding flights.

These are planning estimates rather than live quotes. Seasonal demand and weekend accommodation pricing can significantly change the total.

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Rental car

What should you drive?

You do not need a special vehicle for a normal Great Ocean Road itinerary. Comfort, luggage space and sensible rental terms matter more than choosing something oversized.

Our preferred setup

Collect the car when you are ready to leave Melbourne if you do not otherwise need it in the city.

A normal compact or midsize automatic is perfectly sensible for most travellers. Choose something you will enjoy driving for several hours rather than the cheapest possible category.

If you return inland from Warrnambool, a standard Melbourne return rental is straightforward and avoids one-way drop complications.

Driving the road well

The road is scenic, winding and popular. Pull over safely if you want to enjoy a viewpoint rather than slowing unpredictably in traffic.

Build extra time into the schedule for summer congestion, holiday traffic and the Twelve Apostles precinct.

Keep left, take breaks and switch drivers where possible if you are not used to Australian roads.

When to go

The best time to drive the Great Ocean Road

Spring

Excellent

Good for waterfalls, wildflowers and generally fewer peak holiday crowds.

Summer

Long days, big crowds

Great daylight and beach weather, but major visitor sites can become extremely busy. Book accommodation early.

Autumn

Our favourite

A strong balance of mild weather, fewer peak visitors and comfortable driving.

Winter

Wild & atmospheric

Cooler and wetter, but waterfalls can be excellent and winter is a strong season for whale watching around the western end of the route.

Avoid these

Six Great Ocean Road mistakes we would avoid

Mistake 01

Doing the entire road as a Melbourne day trip

The Twelve Apostles are roughly four hours from Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road. A same-day return is possible, but it turns one of Australia’s best road trips into a long transfer with photo stops.

Mistake 02

Ignoring the Otways

The rainforest is part of what makes this route special. If every stop on your itinerary is coastal, you are missing a major part of the drive.

Mistake 03

Arriving at the Twelve Apostles at peak time

The precinct can become extremely busy in summer and holiday periods. Arriving earlier and staying nearby gives you far more flexibility.

Mistake 04

Stopping at every lookout

Too many pull-offs can make the day repetitive. Pick the genuinely different formations and leave time for proper walks.

Mistake 05

Expecting guaranteed wildlife

Koalas, kangaroos and whales are wild animals. Treat sightings as a bonus rather than structuring the entire day around an online pin.

Mistake 06

Turning around at the Twelve Apostles

London Bridge, The Grotto, Bay of Martyrs and Bay of Islands make the western section worth continuing.

Packing

What we would actually bring

The coast can shift from warm sun to strong wind and rain quickly. Bring layers even if Melbourne looks hot when you leave.

✓ Light waterproof jacket

✓ Comfortable walking shoes

✓ Warm layer for evenings

✓ Refillable water bottle

✓ Sunglasses & sunscreen

✓ Car phone charger

✓ Swimwear

✓ Small day bag

FAQ

Great Ocean Road questions

How many days do you need for the Great Ocean Road?

Three days is enough for a strong short trip, but five days is better if you want Lorne, the Otways, Apollo Bay, Port Campbell and the western Shipwreck Coast to feel like destinations rather than quick stops.

Can you do the Great Ocean Road in one day?

Yes, but we would not recommend it unless time is extremely limited. The official regional tourism site notes that the Twelve Apostles are about four hours from Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road before sightseeing stops are added.

Which direction should you drive?

Melbourne to Warrnambool is the classic direction and works naturally with this itinerary. It also means the scenery develops gradually from surf towns to rainforest and finally the limestone coast.

Are the Twelve Apostles free to visit?

The viewing area itself is generally accessed without an attraction ticket, but parking, tours and nearby experiences can create additional costs. Always follow current visitor and parking arrangements.

Where should you stay on the Great Ocean Road?

For a five-day route, Lorne, Apollo Bay and Port Campbell are the most useful overnight bases, with Warrnambool or Port Fairy working well for the final night.

What is the best time of year to drive the Great Ocean Road?

Spring and autumn are excellent for balancing weather and crowds. Summer brings long days and busy visitor sites, while winter is cooler and wetter but can be beautiful for waterfalls and whale watching.

Final verdict

The Twelve Apostles are the headline. The road around them is the story.

Torquay, Lorne, the Otways, Apollo Bay, Port Campbell and the western Shipwreck Coast are what turn this from a famous viewpoint into one of Australia's best road trips. Stay on the route, slow the schedule down and keep driving west after everyone else turns around.

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