melbourne to portland via great ocean road

The Great Ocean Road is where you experience breathtaking nature and the great outdoors of Australia! Check, (2 hrs Director, editor and producer of feature documentary about animal welfare in farming. The Great Ocean Road tour allows you to witness the spectacular surf coast of Torquay and Lorne, with their sandy white beaches and curling waves. The green forest with the winding highway meets the ocean here! Frolic in the ocean and then head up to the lush rainforests abundant with wildlife. These two areas are highly populated by local surfers, keen to ride their magnificent waves. The Twelve Apostles Driving East on the Great Ocean Road Bells Beach Arriving in Melbourne Road Trip from Port Campbell to Melbourne Day Trip from Melbourne Driving the Great Ocean Road The Great Ocean Road spans 200 kilometers, from Port Campbell in the west to Torquay in the east. We know what you mean by just taking your time and booking the day of but we would recommend booking in advance as it is so much busier now. Cannon Hillis a great place to start if you want to get the lay of the land. Melbourne's two best day tours, Great Ocean Road & Phillip Island, with entrance to Melbourne Skydeck. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. The road curves quite a lot and if you suffer from motion sickness carry anti-nausea medication or chew on citrusy candy to keep it in check. Bells Beach is a paradise for surfers; it is the location of the legendary annual Rip Curl Surfing competition. The nearly 250 kilometre road encapsulates some of Australia's most iconic scenery and gives visitors the opportunity to get close to wildlife. For more information on routes and trails visit the websitehere. A walkway just outside Lorne offers views of the ocean lapping up the mouth of the Saint George River and the Bass Strait. Melbourne to Apollo Bay 187 km/116 miles, about 3 hours Ease into your roadtrip with the leisurely drive from Melbourne to Torquay, just over an hour's drive. Bells Beach is Australias premiere surf spot, a spot also labeled by some as the best surfing destination in the world. Torquay is also home to theSurf World Museumwith tons of history about the sport and its fame in Australia. Perfect write up, very helpful indeed, Appreciate your work guys, Cheers. 375km of scenic winding roads along the southern ocean will take you through some of the countrys most beautiful UNESCO-listed landscapes. It stretches for 243 kms. Skydiving is a popular sport at the Great Ocean Road and you're likely to spot many gutsy ones plummeting from the sky at 200 kmph from 15,000 feet above. The direct route between these two locations is 142km, taking drivers around two hours to complete. For several hours, we traveled along the Great Ocean Road, on very windy roads, through towns like Apollo Bay, Skenes Creek, and Lorne. Great post guys, you have inspired me to take a trip here when I finally get to Australia again! However, Loch Ard Gorge is still a stunning place for a swim. TheForeshore Promenadeis a great place for a stroll as well and stretches on for about 6 km. Private Great Ocean Road tour. Plan ahead and give yourself at least 1 full day. The first destination is Bells Beach in Torquay, a famous location for surfers. Its a highlight of a Great Ocean Road itinerary! Make sure you visit first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon for the best koala viewing times. TheKennett River Koala Walkis the perfect place to get your fix. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. Adelaide to Melbourne via Great Ocean Road - how long? I am not looking forward to the conclusion of your trek. Visit top wilderness destinations and picturesque towns on this epic 3-day tour from Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road and the Grampians. You also wont be getting a sunset picture of the 12 Apostles as it will be one of your first major stops. Conveniently located a little ways from Port Campbell, these serviced apartments have great rooms, a gorgeous pool area and make for a great stopover. Day 1: Melbourne to Port Campbell We depart from Southern Cross Coach Terminal on Spencer Street at 8:30am before we commence this amazing 4 day, 3 night guided Great Ocean Road & Beyond Itinerary. Great Ocean Road one-day itinerary. Apollo Bay is a gorgeous seaside village, located at the entry to the Otways, and without a doubt is one of the most scenic and picturesque stops on our Great Ocean Road drive. It takes 3 day to drive through the Great Ocean Road and to see all the attractions on the way. Recommended Experiences Yarra Valley Full Day Gourmet Tour Skydive Yarra Valley Tandem Freefall. It has the most food options before Geelong, which is a further 1 hour drive away. Join the adventures on our YouTube channel! The Perth to Adelaide Drive (via the Nullarbor Plain) 3,700 km | 16 days Swim with dolphins, climb the giant Gloucester Tree, camp among . Located less than 2 hours from Melbourne. Today, at 4 pm, with clouds and a cold breeze, it did not look like much to us. Our personal recommendation for where we stay in Apollo Bay every time is The Apollo Apartment. Find good prices and choices of accommodation: there is still so much more to see, Port Fairy is a beautiful little village and well worth spending time visiting too. Experience the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne to Adelaide. A relaxed pace - The only 4 day Melbourne to Adelaide Great Ocean Road experience, allowing ample time for all the 'must-sees' along the iconic Great Ocean Road and Beyond. Less people in your 12 Apostles selfie! We enjoyed our travels on the Great Ocean Road, the area of Port Campbell National Park being the highlight of the day. Live chat with local experts anywhere, anytime. In Portland we stayed at the Portland Holiday Village. Although i highly recommend visiting Warrnambool, you may not have the time to spend there. 1. And your Great Ocean Road route should not miss out on two other attractions nearby either. But if you are driving under the speed limit and following protocols, it could be one of the best drives of your life given the amazing view throughout the drive. You will ride on an AC tour bus, accompanied by a friendly tour guide who will ensure you hit all the spots on your Great Ocean Road tour. It was in this area that we were treated to stunning views. With great facilities, cozy apartment-style suites and great views from almost any room on site, this is your best choice if youd like a bit of space to stretch out after a big day of driving the Great Ocean Road. The drive offers plenty of places to stop off and explore. I am using a Canon 5D Mark iii with a 20-70 mm lens. Even in Australia, Tyler and Kara were getting a lot of stares, this time from Chinese tourists. Please note: this popular area is big and therefore the tour involves quite a lot of driving. Have a great time. Includes: 4 nights' accommodation, 5 days unlimited km use of a compact sized car, continental breakfast in Barossa Valley and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps. The weather can play a huge part in what is visible and how close you can get to this area. If you're planning to visit the Great Ocean Road, here's all that you should squeeze into your itinerary. Both are amazing expressions of natural beauty and are worth checking out. The Cape Otway lighthouse is the oldest surviving lighthouse in Australia and was rightly known as the Beacon of Hope. Find more of them listed here. Built in honour of the 3,000 soldiers who worked on this stretch of road after WWI, there is now also a sculpture there to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the arch. We could not get too close to the edge or else we would risk being pulled into the ocean by a rogue wave. Stops. Brekkie tacos, smoothie bowls and a full lunch menu to eat in or take away will please anyone visiting. Stevenson Falls, Triplet Falls, Little Aire Falls, andHopetoun Fallsare just a few of the many highlights here. The distance from Adelaide to Melbourne is 1500km on this itinerary, which amounts to over 21 hours worth of driving. Apart from the trip distance, refer Directions from Portland Ln to Mildura VIC 3500 for road driving directions! Copyright 2023 | Sightseeing Tours Australia ABN: 53 204 539 966 | 252 Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000 |, What should you not miss on the Great Ocean Road, Great Ocean Road Weather Local Weather Forecasts. There is no dearth of viewpoints on the Great Ocean Road and Teddys Lookout is another magnificent spot added to the list. We have been travelling the world together since 2008, with a passion for adventure travel and sustainable tourism. How far is the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne? And just for NOMADasaurus readers, if you use the Klook discount codeNOMADS10on the website when checking out, youll get $10 off your first booking! In Portland there's time for panoramic coastal views from the Cape Nelson Lighthouse, before a scenic drive through dense pine plantations to our lunch venue in the . The standalone arch was earlier connected to the coast with another such arch giving it the name London Bridge, but in 1990 the connecting arch fell down due to erosion. Check our. Most of the people here were Chinese. Imagine free falling from the sky onto these gorgeous views? 3. If you're planning on the West Gate Bridge route, take the Princes Highway over the bridge and travel along the Bellarine Peninsula or the Surf Coast Highway to the famous surfing town of Torquay. Going up is going to be a task though! From the rocks, Tim and I could see a cave in the side of the cliff. Reserve your spot here. The road winds through picturesque locations outdo one another in terms of visual extravaganza. Did you know: The Great Ocean Road is the worlds largest war memorial, and was built by returning servicemen from World War I. The Animal Condition (Feature Film) 2010 - Jun 20177 years. It is a popular stop for photographs with the name of the road and the plaque. With the last day of your Great Ocean Road itinerary upon you, there is still so much to be seen and experienced. A drive between Melbourne and Adelaide via the inland route takes only 8 hours. The Great Ocean Road is an Australian National Heritage listed 240-kilometre (150 mi) stretch of road along the south-eastern coast of Australia between the Victorian cities of Torquay and Allansford.Built by returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932 and dedicated to soldiers killed during World War I, the road is the world's largest war memorial.Winding through varying terrain along the coast . These unique and adorable local animals call this spot home and have been known to use the lake as a nesting ground when having babies so best to keep your eyes peeled. There are 5 ways to get from Mount Gambier to Great Ocean Road by bus or car Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. ThePort FairyBotanical Gardensare a lovely spot for an afternoon walk and to admire the plants and flowers. The view of these sandstone pillars along the coastline is one of the Great Ocean Roads most famous. Stretching over 243km (150mi), among this dramatic coastline's iconic attractions there's a mecca of bucket-list-worthy experiences. Cant wait for the trip , Thanks Tracy. Some people do this as a very long day trip from Melbourne while others can take as long as a week, stopping at towns along the way, leisurely enjoying the beaches, wineries, and historic towns along the way. This will start your Ocean Road drive in the opposite direction as most others, avoiding the busy traffic. These are decent, but not as good as what you just saw, and definitely not as great as what you are about to visit next. The cave was not very big, extending about ten meters back into the cliff from the opening. Tip: Beat the tour buses to avoid the traffic and crowds. Please enter your email address or username. Departs: 7:00am. Day 3: Warrnambool to Port Fairy then Melbourne (or Adelaide) Distance: 30km to Port Fairy, then 312km to Melbourne. Apollo Bay is a popular place, so make sure you have booked your accommodation ahead of time. Find out about other waterfalls in the Otways. The distance between Portland Ln to Mildura VIC 3500 is 542 Km by road. You can also find the flight distance or distance to fly from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road. Monumental. This will help you make the most of your time so you can see the things that matter to you. Adults: $119 $104 Online special! Let us help you get started with planning your Great Ocean Road itinerary. Respect the speed limit. If your tour is on schedule you might find yourself some time for a swim. Starting and finishing in Melbourne is how most people do the Great Ocean Road drive in 1 day. . Phone: +61 3 5227 9100 Toll Free: 1800 AVALON (1800 282 566) Getting to the Great Ocean Road By Car Travel time FROM MELBOURNE CBD 1hr 17min The step by step directions below should take you there: - Travel from Melbourne city onto the Westgate Freeway - Continue onto Princes Freeway - Continue onto Geelong Ring Road - Follow the signs for Torquay If you really want a unique perspective though, and love a bit of adventure, how does skydiving over the 12 Apostles sound? 1st Stop: Torquay. Purchase tickets. Screened at CinefestOZ, Portland International Film Festival, Social Justice Film Festival (Seattle), St Louis International Film Festival, Mostly . To enlarge the map, click the top right icon and it will open up, full screen, in a new tab. One down side to this is that you will be travelling on the side of the road which isnt on the coast side. Day 3: Warrnambool to Port Fairy then Melbourne (or Adelaide). 639. Depart Melbourne and travel over the West Gate Bridge through the vast volcanic plains en-route to Geelong. We would appreciate some advice for an itinerary driving from Melbourne to Cape Jervis via the Great Ocean Road visiting Phillip Island and Kennett River where we may hopefully see some Koalas, on the way. The beaches on the Great Ocean Road are fantastic for swimming, especially in the summer. An alternative to this driving route is that you do it in the reverse order. Things to do in Melbourne Day Trips from Melbourne Great Ocean Road Tour From Melbourne. Or Warrnambool, Camperdown, Geelong, Melbourne. Theres so much to see and do, so you dont want to be left feeling rushed and tired at the end of your trip. Here we are, at another beach, and we have it all to ourselves. You will receive a link to create a new password via email. If you have the time, sample the delights near Warrnambool. Read more about taking a Melbourne to Phillip Island Tour. The waves here were big, similar to US east coast waves just before a hurricane. It starts in Torquay and continues westward to Allansford. Take the Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne to catch the best scenery and attractions. A road trip along the Great Ocean Road & Grampians National Park is a trip where you feel small in the universe. Recommended Experiences Phillip Island: Penguin Parade Afternoon Wildlife Tour Phillip Island Penguin Parade Tour, Yarra Valley is mostly known for its wineries, but thats just one of its many treasures. The four of us were ecstatic to be off those winding roads. We drove from Adelaide to Portland, spent the night in Portland, and then drove the Great Ocean Road. Due to crashing waves over millennia, saltwater and erosion there are now only 8 limestone stacks remaining out of 12. DESTINATIONS AROUND THE WORLD: For more places to visit around the world, check out our Destinations page. Chasing waterfalls? The perfect place for a Melbourne city escape. Here are a few budget Great Ocean Road tours you should consider. Check out the Vline train & bus timetable to make your way between Geelong and Warrnambool. This is a rare opportunity to work for a minimum of 3-6 months and with a start date late April. You can do this in one big day (its almost 600km direct), but we personally recommend breaking the trip up into 2 or 3 days, spending some time in Mount Gambier and Coorong National Park. The starting point of the Great Ocean Road that's closest to Melbourne, Torquay, is 64 miles (103 km) from the city. Other options include coming from Adelaide, so if this is you, just read the itinerary backwards. The Great Ocean Road is one of the world's most stunning coastal drives, winding along Australia's southern coast in Victoria (Australia).The undisputed highlight of the drive is the Twelve Apostles, but the Great Ocean Road leads past many more sights of interest, from bustling coastal towns like Lorne and Apollo Bay to the lush rain forests of Great Otway National Park. Once youve had your fill, hop in the car for a quick drive and to the next and last destination of your road trip. Visit some of the valleys most impressive wineries, go on a skydiving experience and simply kick your heels and relax. Its a lot of driving. Bunyip Tours: Wonderful experience - See 1,941 traveler reviews, 941 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. The same would not go for the rest of the Earth Trekkers. Find out more here. While wandering around town youll surely spot a ton of street art, which is something Geelong is known for. Explore Victoria's Great Ocean Road on an all-day reverse tour Discover the region's history and culture with a knowledgeable local guide Get going early and enjoy a small-group experience that beats the crowds Experience London Bridge, 12 Apostles, Great Otway, and other sites National Park fees Live commentary on board Professional guide Well, at least until the constant winding roads started making Kara nauseous, giving her a front seat in our car and a dose of dramamine. Headout is building the future of how we experience our cities. The main issues can be poor visibility due to fog, slippery roads in wet weather, and traffic from vehicles and pedestrians in the busy sections. What used to be a swamp was reclaimed and turned into these pretty gardens in 1858. So you may get lucky to lay your eyes on some of these cute local beach dwellers. Any advice greatly appreciated! Quest Warrnambool is the perfect place to do just that. 34 mins), (3 hrs Fabulous horse riding through the forest or down along a long golden beach. Would like to do it in 3 days, 2 nights lodging and still see a few things. Join our small group coastal adventure to the beaches, rainforests and more of the Great Ocean Road. Dont feed the koalas or the parrots as they are in the wild and any feeding them our food will disrupt their natural behaviour. It was another spot that was cool to see, even if it was just for a few minutes. The Email id you have Entered is not Registered With us. The Memorial Arch (youve probably seen photos of people standing underneath it) symbolises the start of the road. Don't be an idiot. Julie Last updated: October 8, 2022 Australia 4 Comments. Related article: What should you not miss on the Great Ocean Road? Starting from Torquay, this route takes you through beautiful seaside towns and rain forests as you follow the winding road along the exquisite coastline. Melbourne to Adelaide One Way Itinerary This route follows the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne to Adelaide and is approximately 1,250 km. However, the views arent affected by the bigger cityscape. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It has some of the best park guides in the area to teach you about the history of the volcano as well as local Aboriginal history. Always hustling towards the least trodden path, she has encountered some wonderful people during her escapades and if you ever meet her, she won't stop gushing about them. After a late arrival intoWarrnambool,youll want to see a few of the sights the city has to offer. Here at Port Campbell National Park, we spent over two hours hopping from scenic view to scenic view. A large wave crashed on shore, quickly heading towards our cave and where we thought we would be safe. Our particular itinerary starts in Melbourne and finishes in Port Fairy over 3 days, and is the exact route we have personally done numerous times. Starting and finishing in Melbourne, enjoy a self drive tour along Victoria's southwest coast. If youve hired a car youll most likely collect it at the airport. Your email address will not be published. Learn about the Best Things to Do in Melbourne and get a recap of our experiences here. You can drive the entire length of the Great Ocean Road in one long day (about 8 hours return), but we recommend splitting the journey up into a few days. Theyll even show you how to throw a Boomerang and spear! Head forEastern Beachfirst. Recommended option Bus 3h 30m The Grotto is one of the most impressive sections of the coastline, and essentially a sinkhole. For most people, the trip willstart in Melbourneand can be done in a loop or a return journey. Explore the cool temperate rainforest of the Great Otway National Park, waterfalls on Great Ocean Road, best viewpoints, koalas, and wildlife. The Ultimate Guide To Watch Phillip Island Penguin Parade. Located just outside of Geelong and only 45 minutes from Melbourne CBD, Avalon Airport is the closest airport to the start of the Great Ocean Road, being only a 35 minute drive from Torquay. Whether you are travelling with family, friends or a school group, our Great Ocean Road Private Tour is the best way to explore this scenic coastline. Ziplining, surfing, horse riding, canoes, and kayaking, to name a few. This is the most common Great Ocean Road route. 5 Day Great Ocean Road Itinerary: Day 1 - Melbourne to Lorne Setting out on the first section of the Great Ocean Road will take you from the Victorian capital of Melbourne to the coastal town of Lorne. I could not imagine trying to swim out past these waves, just to catch one right back to shore. An organized tour that takes care of your transportation will help you take the trip within a day. The road starts in Torquay, and finishes in Allansford. 4 From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road Full-Day Trip. Go-Ride a Wave! 5 Melbourne: 2-Hour City Highlights River Cruise. We walked out to the tip of the peninsula. all things travel. Dogs are permitted to join you in a vehicle driving along the length of the Great Ocean Road, even when the highway passes through areas of national park. For a shorter track check outMaits Restwhich will take you through a beautiful section of rainforest. Geelong - The second largest city in Victoria, it is about 30 mins from the beginning of the ocean road trip and worth visiting if you have time. Bells Beach is known for hosting Rip Curl Pro, a world surfing competition. Yes, you can do this as a one day trip from Melbourne, but I dont recommend it. It makes for a perfect family day out or holiday with friends. In front of us were walls of sandstone, giant waves crashing on the beach, and a rocky peninsula just waiting to be explored. This dive spot is actually a ship that was wrecked off the eastern beach in Port Fairy in 1849. Day 1 - Drive to the Grampians National Park from Melbourne, visit McKenzie falls and stay overnight in the town of Halls Gap. You can spend more time at each location and engage in activities like trekking, swimming and adventure sports. You can walk, trek, horse-ride or bike through the park. Great Ocean Road starts at Torquay and finishes in Allansford. Premiered at Melbourne International Film Festival. After passing through Port Campbell, youll pass by The Arch and London Bridge. The Great Ocean Road offers amazing scenery, unforgettable natural features and quaint towns making it a unique vacation spot. Sandstone cliffs plunging into the ocean, pillars of hardened sandstone sitting just offshore, all of this being pounded by some serious waves. Featuring the major stops, seaside towns and villages along the Great Ocean Road including Torquay, Anglesea, Airey's Inlet, Lorne, Wye River, Kennett River, Apollo Bay, Port Campbell National Park, Port Campbell and Allensford; plus Warnambool and Port Fairy (as an extension to the official end of the Great Ocean Rd at Allensford.) Loch Ard Gorgeis the first attraction on the way, just a stones throw from the Twelve Apostles. If you fancy trying your luck to spot some wildlife head out to nearbyLake Elizabeth. BONUS Booking ahead of time ensures you wont miss out on the tour, and get the best price too! You can also try a different route while coming back by adding multiple destinations. After the last couple of years, it seems everyone wants to be out and about and go travelling. It takes travellers past world-class surfing breaks, through pockets of rainforest and calm seaside towns, and under koala-filled tree canopies. Lorneis the closest town from the arch and a great spot to grab some lunch atBottle of Milk, use the facilities and continue on towardsKennett River.