G’day mate! Headed to Australia and looking for the best Great Ocean Road itinerary?! Keep on reading to hear all about my Great Ocean Road day trip from Melbourne!
The Great Ocean Road is one you’ll never forget and one you shouldn’t miss out on while in Melbourne. Think soaring limestone pillars. A dramatic coastline full of craggy cliffs and those famously dramatic 12 Apostles! Koalas resting in eucalyptus woodlands. Misty waterfalls hidden in lush rainforests. Iconic surf breaks and delicious fish n chips.
It’s absolute heaven, and I already can’t wait to do the drive again (and again, and again).
No Melbourne itinerary (or visit to Australia!) is complete without a drive down the Great Ocean Road. I mean, this spectacularly scenic coastal highway (stretching over 150 miles) is famous for a reason after all, and by far the most popular day trip from Melbourne. My Great Ocean Road day trip was one of my favorites during my 5 days in Melbourne – and we sure did a lot!
The drive is a wild mix of Hawaii (Kauai in particular!), the Pacific Coast Highway in California, and even the Algarve in Portugal. Plus Fern Canyon in Northern California! So, so much natural beauty – no wonder it’s one of Australia’s most iconic and scenic coastal drives. Just like the PCH, the road literally hugs the cliff for a good portion, with tons of panoramic ocean views, rugged cliffs, and pristine beaches. I was honestly blown away by it all.
I mean, driving the Great Ocean Road is kinda like a right of passage in Australia. Just like seeing the Opera House in Sydney and snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef.
And although the actual drive only takes about 4 hours (one-way), you’ll want the ENTIRE day to linger around and take in the fresh air of this beautiful area. Trust me, there’s lots of stops on the Great Ocean Road you won’t want to miss! Get ready for a long road trip, because today’s a lot of time in the car, haha (although I promise the landscapes are worth it!).
Great Ocean Road Itinerary Logistics
Where is the Great Ocean Road?
The Great Ocean Road is located along the southeastern coast of Australia, in the state of Victoria, not terribly far from Melbourne. Because of this, plenty of people add a day trip to the Great Ocean Road into their Melbourne itinerary, and that’s exactly what we did! Psst – HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
If you’re just visiting Sydney (or further north) can you drive the Great Ocean Road? Well, considering Sydney is about 9-10 hours north of Melbourne, I’d have to say no, haha. BUT if you have even 3 days or so to spare, I’d recommend making the short flight down to Melbourne to see the city and of course do a short drive on the Great Ocean Road. It’s pretty spectacular if you ask me.
Australia is beyond huge (about the same size as the USA), so save this Great Ocean Road itinerary for when you’re visiting Melbourne. It’s too far away from other parts of the country (i.e. Sydney is 10 hours away, the Great Barrier Reef/Cairns is ~30 hours away, Brisbane is 18-20, and Uluru is ~25 hours away). But of course you could fly, haha (just can’t do an easy day trip like you can from Melbourne).
Where does the Great Ocean Road start and end?
The Great Ocean Road starts near the town of Torquay, which is about 100 kilometers southwest of Melbourne, Victoria. It officially begins at the Memorial Arch (commemorating the soldiers of WWI) just east of Torquay.
The road then winds its way along the coast, passing through iconic landmarks (the Twelve Apostles! Loch Ard Gorge! Koalas dozing in eucalyptus trees!) and ending near the town of Allansford (about 13 km west of Warrnambool).
So, it stretches ~243 kilometers (151 miles) starting from the town of Torquay in the east and ending near the town of Allansford in the west. Although the official end point is usually considered Allansford, the Great Ocean Road itself continues further west, and eventually merges with the Princes Highway.
Without stopping, it takes about 4 hours to drive the entire Great Ocean Road (from Torquay to Allansford). On the main inland highway it only takes about 2 hours to get from start to finish, BUT you don’t wanna go this way – you’ll miss all the scenic stops! Make sure you drive on the coast, haha.
There’s technically three sections on the drive, and on this Great Ocean Road itinerary I’m taking you to all three!
- Surf Coast: Extending from Torquay to Lorne (the stretch closest to Melbourne), known for its world-class surfing beaches, including Bells Beach, Jan Juc, and Point Addis.
- Rainforest Coast: Near the Otway Ranges and the Great Otway National Park there’s lush rainforest scenery with dense forests, waterfalls, and diverse wildlife. So different from the coastal parts of the Great Ocean Road.
- Shipwreck Coast: Between Cape Otway and Port Fairy you’ll find treacherous seas and rugged coastlines that’ve led to numerous shipwrecks over the years. This is where the famous 12 Apostles are!
What direction should I drive on the Great Ocean Road?
Well, that’s completely up to you of course! Since our Great Ocean Road itinerary was set by our tour, we did the stops in reverse (which was honestly so, so smart).
However, most travelers (and organized tour buses) choose to drive from east to west, starting from Torquay and ending near Port Campbell (making the 12 Apostles their last stop) – opposite from what we did. Doing so, you’ll have the ocean on your right side with better views of the coastline (remember, they drive on the left in Australia – figuring that all out just got me all confused, haha).
Since we did the stops in reverse, we actually drove the Great Ocean Road from west to east, starting at the 12 Apostles near Port Campbell, then continuing on from there to other scenic stops and towns like Erskine Falls and Apollo Bay before continuing on to Melbourne.
Why do I think this was a great idea? First of all, if you leave early enough, you can totally beat the crowds at the famous 12 Apostles, which is usually jam packed by mid-morning (we got there around 9:30am and there were only a handful of other people admiring the view with us). Secondly, parking will be much easier if you’re not following the typical route, as parking lots are not huge by any means and tend to fill up fast.
When to Take a Great Ocean Road Day Trip
I mean, it’s the Great Ocean Road! There’s never a bad time for it!
A few things to keep in mind though (seasons and crowds):
- Summer (December to February) is popular for beach activities and outdoor adventures. It’s peak tourist season, with the busiest weeks from mid-Dec to mid-Jan (when kids are on summer break).
- Spring (September to November) and Autumn (March to May) are great times for mild weather and fewer crowds.
- Autumn (March to May) is best for whale watching (Southern Right Whales and Humpback Whales migrate along the coast during this time).
- Winter (June to August) is a quieter time to explore if you don’t mind cooler temps and occasional rainfall.
For reference, we completed our Great Ocean Road itinerary in late February, and didn’t have any problems with overcrowding or any crazy traffic. This is probably because we started the drive hella early, and made a beeline to the 12 Apostles (instead of seeing them last like most Great Ocean Road trip tours do).
With that being said, start early! And see the stops in reverse like we did. Regardless of when you visit, you’ll wanna leave Melbourne in the early AM. By doing so, you’ll hopefully beat all the big bus tours and have the most crowded stops (almost) to yourself.
Definitely head to the most famous of them all – The Twelve Apostles – first! To save time getting there, drive on the main highway (M1) instead of the GOR, and then head back via the GOR. You’ll get the long boring drive outta the way first.
Weather on the Great Ocean Road
Just like in Melbourne, the weather is kinda wacky (and wildly unpredictable) along the coastline. With this being said, be prepared for all kinds of weather during your Great Ocean Road day trip!
The forecast is hardly ever truly accurate – when we visited it called for overcast skies the entire day, yet we got lucky with a decent amount of sun! I’ve heard it can go from bright sunshine to sudden rain showers and strong winds, so come prepared. But don’t let this deter you – the scenery is stunning regardless of the weather.
And the great thing about any Great Ocean Road itinerary is that it’s always a road trip (either an organized tour or in your own rental) – meaning you’ll have a vehicle to keep things in. Pack layers for sure.
Self-Driving vs. Taking an Organized Tour
A lot of people have this question, and understandably so! But honestly, either option works. If you’ve got time for two days or more along the Great Ocean Road, rent a car and drive yourself (just be extra careful). If all you have time for is a Great Ocean Road day trip, definitely take an organized day trip like this one.
Great Ocean Road Guided Tour: I know most people like flexibility, but there’s so many positives to booking an organized tour, especially if you’ve only got time for a Great Ocean Road day trip. You’re most likely coming from Melbourne, and trust me – it’s a *long* day of driving (at least 7 hours roundtrip). I can’t imagine having enough energy to drive back to the city after seeing all the sights.
Plus, you get to lay back, relax, and look out the window. Zero stress and no logistical nightmares – just how I like it, haha! And you can sleep on the way to the first stop if you want, wink wink. Our guide was oh so fun (a cute young girl in her 20s) who really knew her stuff about Australia and the Great Ocean Road. We asked her so, so many questions, and loved hanging with her for the day.
I recommend picking a small-group tour with an early-morning pick up and one that beats the rush by exploring the typical route in reverse (like this one right here!). This one’s similar in case that other one gets sold out – which is very possible in high season (mid-December to mid-January).
If you’re not comfortable driving on the other side of the road (like me!), don’t fret – Book yourself on a tour. We did just that and had such a stress-free day. Plus, by booking a tour, you won’t miss out on the views – that’s why you’re there after all!
Self-Driving Tour: Have more than a day to explore the Great Ocean Road? It’s much more doable to drive yourself this way since you’ll be staying overnight and won’t need to drive back that very same day.
But please oh please, be a cautious driver. Even if you’ve been driving for over 20 years, be extra careful while driving the Great Ocean Road. It’s a winding coastal route with some sharp bends, steep cliffs, and narrow points (kinda like the Road to Hana in Maui). Always keep an eye out for wildlife (kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, etc), especially in remote areas and near dusk – they seem to just jump into the road at the most inopportune times!
Driving yourself and going the DIY route? You’ll wanna plan your stops in advance – while you can certainly see where the day takes you, if you’ve only got time for a Great Ocean Road day trip, you wanna make sure you see the best of the best. Make this happen by doing a little advanced planning! (This is another great thing about a tour – they plan out an entire Great Ocean Road itinerary for you and keep you on track to make sure none of the highlights are missed).
Plan your Great Ocean Road itinerary with hopes to get back to Melbourne before it gets dark. Driving in the dark on the curvy, windy (unknown) roads is definitely not ideal, especially after driving loads of hours.
What to Pack for a Day on the Great Ocean Road
You don’t need to bring too much, but come prepared for what you’ll need for a day on the Great Ocean Road! Absolute musts are water, snacks, sunscreen, and a hat.
- SUNSCREEN: The #1 thing you must bring (although our tour guide had a huge tub of SPF in the front, haha). The sun is fierce here in Australia – reapply your SPF a few times a day, and yes, even if it’s cloudy out.
- Camera: I mean… these are some of the best views in all of Australia… you’ll wanna take some pics of course, haha. Bring a spare battery just in case, too!
- Water and Snacks: There’s places along the drive to pick up food and drinks, but I recommend keeping some in the car so you don’t have to waste time stopping.
- Comfortable shoes: Especially if you wanna do any hikes in the rainforest!
- Binoculars: To see wildlife if you want – not 100% necessary, but might as well bring them if you’ve got ‘em!
- Light jacket or sweater: the weather changes quickly over here, so best to be prepared!
- Sandals: not a must per say, but bring ‘em if you wanna hang at any of the beaches Rain gear: highly recommended between June through August, and can’t hurt in spring and fall
- Reusable phone battery: it’s a long day out, so bring a portable phone battery so you never run outta charge.
- Reusable water bottle: gotta stay hydrated of course!
- Nausea medication: the roads are pretty curvy and windy here; bring alone meds if you get motion sickness!
Brief History of the Great Ocean Road
Everyone thinks the Great Ocean Road is just a road… and it is… but it holds a pretty significant place in Australian history. I had no clue before visiting, but our guide on our Great Ocean Road day trip told us all about it! The road is actually a memorial to the soldiers who fought in WWI – a pretty long (but worthy) memorial if you ask me!
I’ll try my best to share a bit of what we learned: After WWI, the soldiers had a hard time finding jobs (understandably) so they decided to build a coastal road linking a few isolated towns along Victoria’s southwest coast. This was for both employment purposes and to commemorate their fallen comrades.
They started the build in 1919, and after 14 years (!!!) of harsh conditions and treacherous terrain (with no power tools, only explosives and hands tools), the 151 miles was officially completed!
White it was initially built as a memorial and a means of providing employment to the soldiers, it soon became an important transport route connecting these coastal communities and providing access to remote areas.
And we all know what happens when that happens – tourism! The Great Ocean Road is now one of Australia’s most iconic tourist attractions, yet still the world’s largest war memorial, dedicated to the soldiers of WWI.
Other Important FAQs for a Great Ocean Road Day Trip
What wildlife can I see along the drive? You’re in Australia – you wanna see the wildlife of course! Thankfully, there’s loads of native animals along the Great Ocean Road, and we saw plenty! Kangaroos (on a golf course no less!), koalas in eucalyptus trees (always be on the lookout!), and tons of sulfur-crested cockatoos.
Never touch/pet them (no matter how cute they look), never feed them, and always keep your distance. Plus, many koalas in the wild have chlamydia (fun fact for ya)… although thankfully they can’t transfer the disease to humans.
Construction along the road is very common: Since the road was built between 1919 and 1932, it definitely needs some lovin’ every now and then. We encountered a fair bit of construction (with one-way lanes), but never had to wait more than a few minutes to pass. Don’t let this ruin your trip; it’s not a big deal! Just something to be aware of (it happens all the time).
Respect the Environment: Please oh please follow the Leave No Trace principles, avoid littering (there’s plenty of bins in towns and at the scenic stops), and be sure to stay on designated paths and trails. Be a good human being; it’s not that hard!
Turn on some good old-fashioned Australian music (as you’ll be in the car A LOT). Did I stress that enough? You’ll be in the car for hours and hours between making all the stops on this one day Great Ocean Road itinerary. Enjoy yourself! Better yet — make a playlist in advance! We loved rocking out to some hip Aussie surf bands.
Can I see all these stops in just one day from Melbourne?! Yes! You totally can (we did)! Just know you’ll need to start your day very, very early (our tour started at 6am *on the dot*), and need to pace yourself without spending too long at any given stop. If you’re worried about missing the highlights, just book yourself on a tour (that way you ensure you see the best spots).
Some are merely scenic photo spots with gorgeous landscapes, so you can easily take a few pics and move on. Other stops are longer (rainforest walk, searching for koalas, walking down to Gibson Beach, etc), so save time for those! Plus, you’ll wanna eat along the way – don’t forget to factor in time for lunch!
What are the main towns on the Great Ocean Road?
To be completely honest, the allure of the Great Ocean Road isn’t necessarily the towns, but the scenic landscapes! However, you’ll probably wanna stop for lunch in town, and this is where you’ll find tourist facilities as well.
- Torquay: This is Australia’s surf capital (!!!), known for its beaches, surf shops (the surf brand Rip Curl was founded here!), and surf culture.
- Lorne: An iconic seaside holiday town with the best of both worlds – the beach right in the middle of town and Great Otway National Park in the hills behind Lorne.
- Apollo Bay: Here you’ll find a marina in town with fishing boats coming in with the day’s catch. Meaning fresh, local seafood! We had fish n chips and prawns for lunch here and they were great!
- Port Campbell: This is the closest town to the iconic Twelve Apostles with many different lookouts, beaches, and rock formations.
Psst – Port Fairy and Warrnambool are other main towns along the famous drive, but with only a day trip to the Great Ocean Road, you won’t be headed that far!
Parking along the Great Ocean Road: Most of the places we stopped at had fairly large lots, but not huge by any means. There’s designated parking for the main highlights (like the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and seaside towns like Lorne and Apollo Bay) but they definitely get filled up early.
Another reason why I recommend starting your Great Ocean Road day trip on the (super) early side. You don’t wanna waste time looking for parking spots (although many spots are simply scenic lookouts so people don’t typically stay terribly long).
Should I stay overnight on the Great Ocean Road? You definitely can, and if you’ve got the time I totally think you should. I was in a time crunch trying to see as much as possible during my 5 days in Melbourne, so sadly only had enough time for a day trip to the Great Ocean Road. With 2 days, you can spend much longer at each stop, go on longer hikes, relax at the beach, and/or make even more stops. Plus of course see the sunset that night!
My One Day Great Ocean Road Itinerary
Finally, all the beautiful stops to see! While it’d be downright amazing to have multiple days to dedicate driving the Great Ocean Road, that’s not a reality for many of us! But I PROMISE you can still see *oh so much* on a Great Ocean Road day trip like I did (just either book a tour or plan out your day in advance).
And I know I keep saying this, but I highly recommend doing the stops from west to east (starting with the 12 Apostles and ending closer to Melbourne). I honestly think this made our entire trip, as we dodged so many crowds and got the main attractions mostly to ourselves (seriously, it was magical).
With just a day to see the best parts of the Great Ocean Road, you unfortunately won’t be able to drive the entire length (it’s over 243 kilometers/151 miles long). Doesn’t sound crazy far, but considering you’ve gotta drive 100 kilometers just to reach the start of the road, it makes for an exceptionally long day. And remember, you then have to drive back!
Instead, you’ll wanna focus on seeing the main highlights in Port Campbell National Park (where the 12 Apostles and other famous parts are located anyways). Here’s the stops I recommend in the order we did them (driving to the furthest one first!).
Stop #1: The Twelve Apostles
Majestic. Iconic. And downright grand. THIS IS THE VIEW WE’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR! And when I say no words can truly describe the 12 Apostles, I mean it! They’re by far the most famous sight on the Great Ocean Road – that picture-perfect postcard view.
I was in awe the whole time… and totally wished I could have stared at that view for hours (but alas, we had to get moving in order to see everything on our Great Ocean Road itinerary). The landscape of the 12 Apostles reminded me a tad of the Algarve in Portugal (especially Ponte de Piedade and The Seven Hanging Valleys trail), and boy was it just gorgeous.
Not everyone realizes this, but there were never actually 12 limestone stacks… only 9! And in 2005 one collapsed, so now there’s only 8! They *have* been there for ~10 to 20 million years, so pretty impressive if you ask me.
If you can swing it, visit at either sunrise or sunset – I heard the Twelve Apostles are super spectacular then. Imagine that golden light and warm glow on the limestone cliffs and stacks! We arrived around 9:30am, so still on the early side, but definitely missed sunrise by a few hours, haha. You can really only visit at sunrise or sunset if you’re staying in the area – it’s too dangerous to drive in the dark because of all the animals on/near the road.
Without stopping, it takes about 3 hours to drive from Melbourne’s CBD to the 12 Apostles on the inland route (what I recommend). But thankfully the walk to the viewing platform is only a few minutes from the parking lot. To be completely honest, you really only need about 30 minutes at the 12 Apostles, or even less if you just wanna take a quick picture or two.
But it really pays to come early though, as this is the most famous attraction and stop on the entire drive (and the one I was most excited for on our Great Ocean Road itinerary). One of my friends visited midday the year prior and said it was ridiculously swamped – no thanks!
Psst: There’s loads of free parking, clean toilets, and a small cafe and gift shop (but I don’t recommend going in – you’ll probably get side tracked and you really don’t wanna waste any time… there’s still a lot to see on this Great Ocean Road itinerary!).
Stops #2 and #3: Loch Ard Gorge and The Razorback
Loch Ard Gorge: Not far from the famous 12 Apostles (literally 3 minutes west) you’ll find Loch Ard Gorge, another gorgeous spot actually named after one of the most famous shipwrecks along the coast. In 1878, a ship called Loch Ard crashed onto nearby Muttonbird Island, and of the 54 passengers, only 2 survived – Tom and Eva. A really horrific story, made even worse by the fact that Tom and Eva didn’t end up together!
There’s a path down to the beach, but it was closed due to erosion when we were there (honestly, the views from above are just as impressive, if not more so).
Before leaving, walk over to the Tom and Eva Rock Formations (named after the only 2 survivors); another beautiful view only a few minutes away!
The Razorback: Another short walk from Loch Ard Gorge is yet another stunning rock formation – The Razorback! You don’t even need to move the car. And it’s exactly as it seems – narrow and elongated, resembling the spine of a razor!
Stop #4: Gibson Steps and Gibson Beach
Next up on this Great Ocean Road itinerary – a walk down the Gibson Steps onto Gibson Beach!
You can either admire the view from above, or take the 86 steps down to the beach. And get this – the steps were carved right into the face of the cliff by Hugh Gibson (a local settler), who worked on the route originally used by the Kirrae Whurrong people.
Once down, you can wander along the beach, checking out two of the famous rock stacks rising out of the sea (nicknamed Gog and Magog). I felt so teeny tiny walking beneath the 70 meter high cliffs!
The beach kinda reminded me of the beaches in Half Moon Bay, California quite a bit. (Funny how I traveled over 15 hours when I’ve got similar-ish beaches less than 30 minutes from my house, haha). But hey, they’re both beautiful!
A few notes:
- Do not attempt to swim here – it’s not safe. The waves creep up super quickly, so never turn your back on them for too long while walking along the beach.
- Only walk down the steps if the weather is cooperating. If it’s raining or wet, the steps can get extremely slippery. Don’t take any chances!
- Parking is extremely limited at the Gibsons Steps/Gibson Beach. If you absolutely cannot find parking here, it’s possible to walk from the nearby 12 Apostles parking lot (which is WAY larger), but it’ll take about 20 minutes each way (cutting into your time quite a bit). Get here early to snag a spot before it gets crazy crowded.
Stop #5: Short Rainforest Hike
The Great Otway National Park is a welcome change of scenery – say goodbye to those winding coastal cliffs and hello to the lush, green rainforest! Yes, right here on the Great Ocean Road (I honestly had no clue we’d be hiking into the rainforest today!). What a pleasant surprise.
Psst – a lot of other Great Ocean Road day trip guides tell you to skip the rainforest unless you’ve got more time. Don’t listen to them! You can totally include a short visit to the rainforest if you stay on track (a true benefit of going on a tour).
Here’s a few recommended trails in the park (they’re quite far away from each other, so pick out the one you wanna do in advance):
Melba Gully: There’s such amazing biodiversity here and SO much greenery – like towering ferns and ancient, mossy trees. You’re definitely not on the coast anymore! Make sure to lookout for wallabies in the bush, and glowworms at night! Plus, there’s bathrooms at this stop (sometimes a necessity!).
The walk is super easy – the Madsen’s Track Nature Walk is mostly on boardwalks straight from the picnic area!
Erskine Falls: Care for a waterfall hike?! Before heading out on our Great Ocean Road day trip, I honestly did not expect to be hiking to a 30m waterfall! Just another surprise on this famous road, haha. I won’t say the walk was terribly easy, as we had to walk down (and then back up!) over 230 stone steps, but wow was it just fascinating.
Kinda reminded me of the Hall of Mosses trail in Olympic National Park in Washington State a bit, except with a gushing waterfall!
And passing by towering eucalyptus trees and through a fern-lined gorge made it all that much more motivating, haha. If you don’t wanna walk all the way down, there’s a small viewing platform at the top, but honestly, you can’t really see much.
Maits Rest Rainforest Walk: This is one the shortest and easiest walks through the temperate rainforest, and the loop only takes around ½ hour to complete (perfect if you’re running behind schedule, whoops!). Through the self-guided trail (a mix of boardwalk and rainforest floor), expect to see ancient trees (some 300+ years old!), tons of mosses, and even more ferns.
If you’re staying overnight nearby, bright a flashlight and you may be able to see the glow worms here (yes, glow worms!). Look carefully on the ground next to the boardwalk, and you may get lucky!
Stop #6: Apollo Bay for Lunch
FINALLY, lunch time! Told you bringing snacks in the car was a good idea, haha.
Apollo Bay is a charming laid-back coastal town along the Great Ocean Road, and it’s the perfect place to stop for a seafood lunch! I recommend getting takeaway fish n chips from George’s and walking down to Apollo Bay Beach to eat.
Before heading out, grab some ice cream at Dooley’s – such a perfect treat on such a long day… and it was very much needed (like every other day in Australia, haha).
Stop #7: Kennett River Nature Walk to spot koalas
Okay, this wouldn’t be a proper Great Ocean Road itinerary if there weren’t koalas involved! And on the Kennett River Nature Walk you’re guaranteed to see a few.
How to see them? Park at Kafe Koala and just follow the crowds – you’ll eventually see groups of people looking up, and voila, you found them! Definitely bring your zoom lens; they’re typically pretty high up in the trees!
Sure, it’s kinda touristy (tour buses stop here and the cafe sells bird seed), but hey, there’s KOALAS IN THE WILD here so who wouldn’t wanna see them?! I swear, they’re so cute and so fluffy it’s hard to imagine them as something other than teddy bears, haha.
You’ll also probably see lots of birdlife here as well, like colorful parrots and lorikeets! But everyone comes here to see the koalas for sure.
We were actually able to see some sleepy koalas dozing in the eucalyptus trees on the stretch of road between Loch Ard Gorge and Apollo Bay, but if you decide to stop on the side of the road, make sure you’re extra careful as it’s a super active road.
Stop #8: Lorne Beach
A great place for a quick stop with cool beach vibes, awesome surf shops, and a fun atmosphere. The beach is clean and pristine, and we saw tons and tons of cockatoos! We used this area as a bathroom break before making our way back to Melbourne, but I would have loved to spend more time here!
Plus, not far from the beach is Teddy’s Lookout, a scenic viewpoint at the top of George Street. We didn’t have time to visit and I’m so sad – the pictures look gorgeous! If you’re driving yourself, definitely stop here (and tell me how it is, haha).
Stop #9: Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch
The Memorial Arch marks the beginning of the Great Ocean Road (although this was actually our last stop since we were doing the route in reverse).Here you can read about the construction of the Great Ocean Road (it’s got a pretty interesting history as I noted earlier).
The Memorial Arch has a small parking area, but it gets busy during peak season (especially in the morning; come later in the day and it’ll be much quieter), or just take a quick photo as you’re driving by like I did!
So there ya have it – my perfect Great Ocean Road day trip itinerary from Melbourne! Are you headed to Australia anytime soon?!
Very informative. Thank you Jess for sharing your experiences and itinerary. Covering the 12 apostles first and other spots on the way back was a smart move 🙂