Are you looking at getting out of the hustle and bustle of Melbourne and going on a road trip along one of the world’s most scenic coastal routes?
If you love natural beauty, wildlife, great food and wine as well as visiting cozy seaside towns along the breathtaking, cliff-hugging Great Ocean Road, this 4-day Great Ocean Road itinerary is for you!
After driving the GOR a couple of times, I thought I'd write a full guide for each day and each stop with all the best things to see and do, where to eat and sleep, so you just need to book and follow it.
Day 1: Bye Melbourne and Hello World Famous Surf Beaches
Morning
Check out from your accommodation in Melbourne and leave the city noise of Melbourne behind. It’s an easy 1 hour and 30 minutes drive into the town of Torquay.
As the gateway of Victoria’s Surf Coast, Torquay is known for its perfect surf breaks and the iconic Bells Beach, home to the long-standing Rip Curl Pro. It’s probably no surprise that you can find a full range of surf outlets in town too, which are worth visiting if surfing the waves isn’t your thing.
Torquay also marks the beginning of the 243 km panoramic Great Ocean Road. It's a great stop to get a coffee along the beach.
As you drive south, you will pass through the Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch, possibly the most photographed spot along the cliff-facing road. The arch has been built as a tribute to World War I servicemen and it’s a good spot to stretch your legs.
Lunch
Head into Lorne, another few minutes further down the road and check out the charming galleries, local boutiques and of course, Lorne Pier.
I had lunch here at HAH Lorne Beach, a small sustainable café by the beach serving up incredible homemade food and also renting out surfboards, bikes and SUPs.
Hot tip: If you are on the lookout for koalas, the best place to have guaranteed spotting is at Kennett River!
Afternoon
Stay overnight in either Lorne or Apollo Bay. I stayed in the latter.
Choosing to stay in Apollo Bay, will get you to the 12 Apostles a little faster the next morning and likely reward you with fewer crowds as the day tour buses from Melbourne will only arrive later.
There is a nice and unexpected Italian place called Casalingo Italian in Apollo Bay, which I can highly recommend for dinner.
Best Places to Stay in Lorne & Apollo Bay
- Captain's at the Bay, Apollo Bay: Check availability and best rates on Booking.com
- Bed of Roses, Apollo Bay: Check availability and best rates on Booking.com | Agoda
- Cumberland Lorne Resort, Lorne: Check availability and best rates on Booking.com | Agoda
Day 2: The Heart of the Great Ocean Road and 12 Apostles
Morning
Start the next day bright and early and head to the Great Otway National Park which is around a 40-minute drive through lush rainforest from Apollo Bay.
Breathe the fresh morning air from the top of the lighthouse as you climb on top of the observation deck. It's stunning and truly confirms that the Great Ocean Road is much more than just visiting the 12 Apostles.
Time to head to the 12 Apostles and see the unquestionably most famous landmark along the Great Ocean Road. Note that due to Mother Nature, there are now only 8 limestone rocks instead of 12 left standing.
Within a few kilometers, you can also find several other spots worth visiting.
I highly recommend the natural arch formation of London Bridge, The Arch as well as Loch Ard Gorge, a truly picturesque gorge with crystal clear water and The Grotto, another stunning rock formation. You will want to take your time around here to explore all the sights and activities fully.
Hot tip: If you want to explore the Twelve Apostles without the tour bus crowds arriving from Melbourne, I recommend you come in the morning or late afternoon. Another good spot to visit is the Gibson Steps, which are 86 steps that lead down to the beach where you can see the 12 Apostles in all their glory from a different angle and with fewer people.
Afternoon
That afternoon, I recommend you make your way to stay in either Port Campbell directly, which is quite touristy due to its prime position next to the 12 Apostles.
Or book yourself into one of the lovely cottages in Warrnambool or Port Fairy, about a 50 to 60-minute drive from Port Campbell.
Best Places to Stay in Port Fairy & Port Campbell
- 54 On Bank, Port Fairy (where I stayed!): Check rates on Booking.com | Agoda
- The Victoria Apartments, Port Fairy: Check rates on Booking.com | Agoda
- Gallery Apartments, Warrnambook: Check rates on Booking.com
Day 3: From the Ocean to the Vineyards
Morning
Start your morning with a coffee in the charming fishing village of Port Fairy. I found a very nice coffee shop called Bank St And Co with great food and warm staff serving you.
Then, you will continue your drive through Portland with its more than 200 buildings from the 19th century. From here you’ll begin driving inland and soon cross the border into South Australia. Take a snap at the sign as you cross states!
Lunch
Your next stop is Mount Gambier. Its character is shaped by limestone and volcanic landscapes. The colour-changing Blue Lake set in a volcanic crater is a great spot for a lunchtime picnic or a quick stretch.
I stopped at Presto Eatery right in town, and got a small bit to eat and great coffee, all set in a beautiful heritage shopfront.
Another highlight in town that you shouldn’t miss is a visit to the Umpherston Sinkhole. This beautiful sunken garden formed from a collapsed cave and has been transformed into a fairy tale garden with a viewing platform at the top as well as stairs to visit the terraces on the bottom. It was honestly my most favorite place in Mount Gambier!
Hot tip: Visiting Umpherston Sinkhole is possible in the day as well as evening, when the garden comes alive with possums you can feed in the floodlights.
Afternoon
Stay overnight in either Mount Gambier or drive on to the historic town of Penola in the middle of the Coonawarra wine region, a must-visit if you are a lover of good wine and food.
It is said to be like the Bordeaux region of France. There are some great country cottages for your overnight stay.
Best Places to Stay in Penola & Surroundings
- The Barn Accommodation, Mount Gambier: Check rates on Booking.com | Agoda
- Ruby's Cottage, Penola: Check rates on Booking.com
- Alexander Cameron Suites, Penola: Check rates on Booking.com
Day 4: Along the Ocean to Adelaide
Morning
Wake up in Penola and drive towards the coast of South Australia. The town of Robe is a great stop along the way with beautiful beaches, perfect for morning tea.
As you continue your drive along the water’s edge, you will pass through the ancient landscape of Coorong National Park with its sand dunes and salt lakes.
To fully access the park, a 4WD is required as some roads are sand only. If you can, stop off at one of the salt lakes and have a look, they are huge!
Afternoon
In the afternoon, make your way over Murray Bridge into Adelaide. If you have some time, stop off at Hahndorf along the way.
Hahndorf is a little highlight, especially if you are of German descent like me or if you simply like German food and hospitality as it was settled by 19th-century Lutheran migrants and is still today known for its German architecture, food and atmosphere.
Best Places to Stay in Adelaide
- Adabco Boutique Hotel Adelaide (where I stayed!): Check rates on Booking.com | Agoda
- Pullman Adelaide: Check rates on Booking.com | Agoda
- The Playford Adelaide MGallery: Check rates on Booking.com | Agoda
If you're looking for more recommendations on where to stay in Adelaide including the best neighborhoods, also read my full accommodation guide to the city.
Best Great Ocean Road Tours
If you don't want to plan and book your Melbourne to Adelaide trip yourself, there are plenty of awesome organized tours along one of Australia's most scenic coastal routes. Here are some of the best Great Ocean Road tours:
- From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road and Wildlife Tour – Popular, book ahead online.
- From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road Full-Day Sunset Tour – Includes Great Otway National Park and koala spotting.
- From Melbourne: Great Ocean Road Reverse Eco Tour – This great tour to avoid the crowds.
- Great Ocean Road: Skydive over the Twelve Apostles – Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
- Oceans to Mountains Explorer: 3-Day Great Ocean Road Tour – all highlights in multiple days.
Book Your Trip To Australia
Book Your Flight
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Book Your Hotel
My top pick for finding the perfect accommodation is Booking.com, as they guarantee the best room rate available, plus you get free cancellation on most bookings.
Book Your Tours & Activities
I like finding and pre-booking tours with Get Your Guide and Viator. You will book with instant confirmation, great customer support, and free cancellation for many activities.
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Melbourne to Adelaide Road Trip – Frequently Asked Questions
📍 Where are the best stops between Melbourne and Adelaide?
If you're going on a road trip between Melbourne and Adelaide, must-visit stops include the Twelve Apostles along the Great Ocean Road and Mount Gambier's Blue Lake and Sinkhole. I also loved the small town of Port Fairy and visiting the Great Otway National Park.
🚗 How long is the drive from Melbourne to Adelaide via the Great Ocean Road?
Driving from Melbourne to Adelaide via the Great Ocean Road is approximately 1,000 kilometers (620 miles). It will take a total of 12 to 14 hours pure driving time without stops. I highly recommend 3 to 5 days to drive this stretch, so you can admire the stunning coastal scenery, visit the Twelve Apostles and seaside towns along the way, it's absolutely worth it!
❓ What's the best way to see the Great Ocean Road?
Of course, you can join a day trip from Melbourne. However, I actually think it's rushed and doesn't do the route justice. I highly recommend multiple day tours or you can copy the itinerary in this article and rent a car in Melbourne to drive the Great Ocean Road.
Melbourne to Adelaide Road Trip – Final Words
Surely, Melbourne has plenty of hidden gems, but the best gem hidden in plain sight is a road trip from Melbourne to Adelaide hands down!
I absolutely love driving this scenic road and I have taken family visiting from overseas on this very road trip itinerary, who were just as impressed and are still talking about the breathtaking coastline, the koalas we spotted and the little cottages we slept in.
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