8am-fly in, pick up car, drive to 12 apostles (inland route) 12.30- visit 12 Apostles, lunch ect, 2.30-Back on the road. Although the property is along the road itself, the cottages are perched upon the cliffside and it feels wonderfully tranquil with only the sound of crashing waves below. While it is a large city the laid back beach vibe is very present here and you could wind up spending more time here than you planned. You can view the falls from the side and clamber on the rocks to see them from the pool below. The drive from Melbourne to Lorne isnt particularly long, only around 2 hours all up. The Twelve Apostles are by far the most famous sight on the Great Ocean Road. After a late arrival intoWarrnambool,youll want to see a few of the sights the city has to offer.
Amongst the native eucalyptus trees is this surprising cluster of giant Californian Redwoods which were planted in the 1930s and are thriving. But one of the most incredible Great Ocean Road attractions is just around the corner. However, when the winds pick up it is best to stay above the Grotto. But that does not take away from the impressive views at all.
Road trip planner - Journey planner - Tourism Australia And to get your fill of more art you can visit theGeelong Art GalleryandThe Heritage Center.
On the way youll see Tom and Eva, two rock stacks named after the only survivors of the shipwreck. We stayed in Cottage 1 and didnt want to leave. Even if youve never seen the show, its worth a stop as its a quintessential lighthouse and there are beautiful coastal views. You can look down to the falls from a platform near the car park, but its better to walk down the steps to get a closeup view. For more experienced surfers, and those looking to set foot onto a world-renowned surf beach, head toBells Beach.
Best one day itinerary to Great Ocean Road from Melbourne We enjoyed our cone in the lovely gardens. The Great Ocean Road is in the state of Victoria in south-eastern Australia. This rock arch was once connected to the mainland until in collapsed in 1990 (leaving two tourists trapped but uninjured). As the area is popular with day tour buses from Melbourne, the Twelve Apostles are busiest in the afternoon. There are two viewing platforms to admire London Bridge a short walk from the car park. These are some of the places people talk about on Trippy: Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questions
If you have limited time you could skip this one (we preferred London Bridge), but its only a quick stop. The ocean views are incredible and we could have happily spent all day curled up on the window seat with the fire roaring watching the waves crash down below. One of the most iconic road trips in all of Australia, if not the world, has got to be the Great Ocean Road drive. There are also several wineries and breweries in the area worth stopping in at to pick something up to enjoy throughout the rest of your trip too. I was originally looking for accommodation in Apollo Bay, but Im really glad we ended up 15 minutes outside of town in the hamlet of Wongarra. Your email address will not be published. One of the best walking tracks to visit here isMelba Gulleywhich is full of gorgeous giant fern trees and home to glow worm caves, which are best seen after dark.
Soaring high above the limestone stacks youll get the best views of Victorias Shipwreck Coast. If you cant drive or only have a day available, this Great Ocean Road Day Tour is popular. Simon had a reusable coffee cup but wished hed had a larger flask for our early start at Twelve Apostles (the kiosk there doesnt open until 10am). Journey Time: 20 minutes from ChocolaterieStop Time: 25 minutes. You can sometimes see whales here in winter. The steps lead to a beach where you can get another view of the Twelve Apostles, but unfortunately, they were closed for safety reasons on our visit. Theres a pull-down bed in the living room so the cottages can sleep up to four people. Now 2 pillars are left standing above the sea and make for an impressive view inPort Campbell National Park. Not even 15km from Apollo Bay is the incredibly lush and beautifulGreat Otway National Park.
The cottage is very well-equipped and Bryan is a fantastic host who goes out of his way to help you make the most of your stay and share his tips for the area. This is the only Great Ocean Road Map you will ever need.
3 must-do stops on a Melbourne to Lorne road trip - Mantra
Looking for ideas for more destinations within driving distance of Melbourne? Takinga surf lessonis a sure-fire way to have you feeling confident on the board and in the water if you havent tried the sport before. However, you can take the train to Geelong, take the walk to Geelong, then take the bus to Lorne Visitor Centre/Great Ocean Rd. We walked all of the trails except for the furthest section between Broken Head and Sherwood Estuary and walked a total of 6km (3.7 miles). 375km of scenic winding roads along the southern ocean will take you through some of the countrys most beautiful UNESCO-listed landscapes. 5 Day Great Ocean Road Itinerary (Our Route), Where to Stay in Apollo Bay: Points South by the Sea, Where to Stay in Port Campbell: Anchors at Port Campbell, Search for more options in Port Campbell here, Check the latest prices of Anchors on Vrbo. 9am- Arrive Barwon heads for sky dive then head back to Melbourne CBD, drop car off in city . Im glad we bought plenty of food (and wine) as we did not want to go out for dinner. .
Simon loved the cheese and vegetable pasty.
If youve hired a car youll most likely collect it at the airport. There arent many eating options up here so bring a packed lunch or theres a cafe at Otway Fly and a few options further along in Lavers Hill. English . Deep lush valleys, sky-high rainforests, stunning waterfalls and tons of walking tracks make it a great spot to get off the beach and still be in nature.
There are beautiful countryside and ocean views and all the comforts you need including a well-equipped kitchen, spa bath, and gas log fire. We spent four days self-driving the road from Melbourne, but you could follow our Great Ocean Road itinerary in two or three days if necessary (we had a fair amount of relaxation time). Family. Established during early 19 th Century this town has come a long way, but it has also made a really good effort to stick to its roots. The extensive grounds contain much more than just the lighthouse and you can learn about the history dating back to 1848 and enjoy fantastic views of the rugged cliffs. Along the way you can sample cheese, whisky, beer, chocolate, fudge, strawberries (in summer), ice cream, and olives from local producers.
There are a few options for pit stop number 3, which will time in perfectly with a late lunch. For a great post-drive meal check out theGeelong Boathousefor a classic fish & chips by the sea. Split into colour-coded sections to help you find exactly what you are looking for quickly and easily, the map includes viewpoints and lookouts, campsites and campgrounds, the major towns and holiday destinations, waterfalls, beaches - even petrol stations(!) . I think 3 days/2 nights is the minimum amount of time for a really enjoyable trip. The most scenic leg of the drive is further along between Lorne and Apollo Bay. On this five-day self-drive trip, explore the coastal capital city of Melbourne and then hit the open road. Battery Hillis a great spot to get a view from on high of the town and see some pieces of Port Fairy history like the remnants of a Russian invasion from the 1860s.
Highlights include the Telegraph Station, World War II Radar Bunker, whale viewing platform (we had no luck), and the lighthouse itself, which you can climb. The Bay of Islandsoffers similar scenery to the Twelve Apostles but without the crowds. We decided to skip sunrise and arrive about an hour later at 7.20am.
We spent the full day we had in the Apollo Bay area detouring off the Great Ocean Road to explore the inland forest section of the Great Otway National Park. Apollo Bay has plenty of spots for lunch and a big beach.