🔥 With over 2.5 million visitors tackling the Great Ocean Road each year, it’s officially Australia’s most iconic coastal drive – but heaps of people rush it in a day and miss the best bits! Just got back from 4 absolutely ripper days along this legendary 243km stretch, and I’m gonna show you exactly how to do it properly, mate.
🗓️ Day 1: Torquay to Lorne – The Warm-Up
Right, let’s kick things off! Start early from Melbourne (like 7am early – trust me, you’ll thank me later). Head to Torquay, the official starting point of the Great Ocean Road.
🌅 **Morning**: Grab a brekkie roll from one of the surf cafes in Torquay. Check out Bells Beach – even if you don’t surf, watching the waves crash is bloody mesmerising. Spend about an hour here soaking it in.
🚗 **Mid-arvo**: Hit the road and make your way to Anglesea. Stop at the Golf Club – yeah, I’m serious! There’s wild kangaroos everywhere on the course. It’s free to walk around and you’ll get ripper photos.
🏖️ **Late arvo**: Pull into Lorne. Walk along Lorne Pier, grab an ice cream, and just enjoy the vibey coastal town energy.
🌙 **Evening**: Stay overnight in Lorne. Plenty of caravan parks and motels. I camped at Lorne Foreshore Caravan Park – right on the beach, $45 for an unpowered site. Winner!
🗓️ Day 2: Lorne to Apollo Bay – Waterfall Country
This is where it gets heaps good! You’re heading into the Otways, and mate, the rainforest here is something else.
🌄 **Morning**: Drive inland about 15 mins to Erskine Falls. It’s an easy 10-minute walk to the viewing platform, but if you’re feeling adventurous, climb down to the base of the falls. Absolutely stunning and totally free!
🥾 **Mid-morning**: Hit up Sheoak Falls on your way back towards the coast. Less crowded than Erskine and just as beautiful.
🚗 **Lunch**: Drive the Great Ocean Road through to Apollo Bay. The winding coastal roads are spectacular – pull over at EVERY lookout. Seriously, every single one. You’ll see dramatic cliffs and endless ocean views.
🍴 **Arvo**: Apollo Bay is your lunch stop. Grab fish and chips from the local takeaway and eat them on the beach. Classic Aussie vibes!
🌙 **Evening**: Stay in Apollo Bay. I recommend the Big4 Apollo Bay Pisces Holiday Park – powered sites around $50, or there’s pub accommodation if camping ain’t your thing.
🗓️ Day 3: Apollo Bay to Port Campbell – The Main Event!
Alright, this is THE day! The one you’ve been waiting for. The Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, all the postcard-perfect spots.
🌅 **Early Morning**: Leave Apollo Bay by 8am. Drive through Great Otway National Park – the rainforest meets the ocean here and it’s absolutely magical. Stop at Maits Rest for a quick rainforest walk (30 mins return, easy as).
🪨 **Mid-morning**: TWELVE APOSTLES! Get here before 10am if you can – the crowds get insane later. Fun fact: there’s only 8 apostles left standing. Walk down the Gibson Steps to see them from beach level too. Different perspective, equally mind-blowing.
🏰 **Lunch**: Loch Ard Gorge is just down the road. Pack your own lunch and eat it here while exploring the caves and learning about the shipwreck history. It’s hauntingly beautiful.
📸 **Arvo**: Hit up The Arch, London Bridge (which fell down in 1990 – true story!), and The Grotto. Each stop is like 10-15 minutes apart and they’re all spectacular in their own way.
🌙 **Evening**: Stay in Port Campbell. It’s a tiny town but has everything you need. The Port Bay Inn does decent pub meals if you CBF cooking.
🗓️ Day 4: Port Campbell to Melbourne – The Scenic Route Home
Don’t just bomb it back to Melbourne! There’s still heaps to see if you take your time.
🌄 **Morning**: Check out the Bay of Islands and Bay of Martyrs near Peterborough. Way less crowded than the Twelve Apostles but just as gorgeous. The rock stacks here are incredible!
🦘 **Mid-morning**: Drive through Timboon and stop for a cheeky whisky or cheese tasting if that’s your thing. The Timboon Distillery is a local favourite.
🚗 **The drive home**: Take the inland route through Colac. It’s faster but still scenic – rolling green hills, farmland, the works. Stop at Lake Colac for a leg stretch.
🏠 **Arrive Melbourne**: You’ll get back around 3-4pm, tired but absolutely stoked with your adventure. Grab a parma at your local pub to celebrate – you’ve earned it, mate!
🎒 What to Pack – The Essentials
Don’t be that bloke who rocks up unprepared! Here’s what you’ll need:
✅ **Clothes**: Layers, mate! Coastal weather changes heaps quick. T-shirt, hoodie, and a rain jacket at minimum. Thongs for the beach, proper shoes for walking.
✅ **Food & Water**: Esky with ice blocks, plenty of water (2L per person per day), snacks for the road. There’s supermarkets in Torquay, Lorne, and Apollo Bay but they’re pricier than Melbourne.
✅ **Camping Gear** (if you’re camping): Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, head torch, camp stove, cutlery, plates, mugs. Don’t forget the marshmallows!
✅ **Other Essentials**: Sunnies, sunscreen (Aussie sun is no joke), hat, phone charger, power bank, camera, cash (some places still don’t do card), first aid kit, torch.
✅ **Car Stuff**: Full tank of fuel, spare tyre, jumper leads, printed map (phone reception can be dodgy in parts).
💰 Total Trip Cost Breakdown
Here’s what I spent on my 4-day trip – budget-friendly style:
🚗 **Fuel**: ~$120 (Melbourne return, plus driving around)
🏕️ **Camping**: $95 (3 nights – Lorne $45, Apollo Bay $50)
🍽️ **Food & Drink**: $180 (mix of cooking and eating out)
☕ **Coffee & Snacks**: $50
🏞️ **Attractions**: FREE! All the main sights cost zilch
📸 **Souvenirs**: $30 (had to get a magnet, didn’t I?)
**TOTAL: ~$475 for 4 days**
If you’re staying in motels instead of camping, add about $100-150 per night. If you’re eating out every meal, add another $100ish. Still bloody reasonable for one of the world’s best coastal drives!
📋 Practical Info
📍 Great Ocean Road starts at Torquay, VIC 3228 and ends near Allansford, VIC 3277
🚗 From Melbourne CBD, 1.5 hours by car to Torquay (100km via M1). Need your own vehicle – no public transport along the route.
💰 $400-800 for 4 days depending on accommodation (camping vs motels) and food choices
🕐 Best to start each day by 8am. Attractions open dawn to dusk. Drive takes 4+ days to properly enjoy – don’t rush it!
⏱️ 4 days recommended (can be done in 3 if pushed, or stretched to 5-7 if you want to really explore)
💡 Tips & Warnings
✅ Book accommodation in advance during summer and school holidays – places book out months ahead!
✅ Download offline Google Maps – phone reception drops in parts of the Otways and it’s bloody annoying when you’re lost.
❌ Don’t try to do the whole drive in one day – you’ll miss 90% of the good stuff and it’s dangerous driving tired on those winding roads.
⚠️ Watch out for wildlife on the roads at dawn and dusk – roos are everywhere and they’ll total your car if you hit one.
✅ Fill up with fuel in the bigger towns (Torquay, Lorne, Apollo Bay) – prices in smaller spots can be 20-30 cents more per litre!
🚀 Planning your Great Ocean Road trip? Drop questions below and I’ll help you out! 🚀
#GreatOceanRoad #AussieRoadTrip #VisitVictoria #TwelveApostles #TravelAustralia #RoadTripGuide #AussieAdventures #SeeAustralia #VictoriaRoadTrip #CampingAustralia
Be the First to Comment
Sign in to start the conversation.