melbourne to lorne via inland route

May 19, 2023 / attitude toy hauler forum

While driving to Lorne we had our first Australian wildlife experiencean echidna crossing the road. While you could drive it in the opposite direction, Port Campbell would be quite far to reach on the coastal route for your overnight stay, and its a fairly long drive from Apollo Bay to Twelve Apostles for an early morning visit. .

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Hi David and Marg, thanks so much for your comment. To drive direct from the Melbourne CBD to Torquay, where the road officially starts, is 104km, or 1 hour and 20 minutes.

If you are wondering the best direction to drive the Great Ocean Road, I recommend driving it from east to west, starting in Torquay. Journey Time: 15 minutes from Points South by the SeaStop Time: 15 minutes. Take in the beauty of the 12 Apostles. Brekkie tacos, smoothie bowls and a full lunch menu to eat in or take away will please anyone visiting. 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. From Beauchamp we drove back to Points South in about 45 minutes. As we were staying so close we were able to arrive early and easily take breaks between exploring different areas. 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. Via: Where should I stop along the way?

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If you time it right, there are also history and bush tucker talks. We arrived at our accommodation at 4.40pm. . This budget-friendly hostel has dorms and private rooms and its in the centre of town with a fantastic roof terrace. Loch Ard Gorge is another place that you dont want to miss. Im glad we bought plenty of food (and wine) as we did not want to go out for dinner. At night we loved snuggling on the comfy couch by the fireplace. You can tackle the Great Ocean Road in one long day, or break it up over a few days, which is what we suggest doing. Its a beautiful drive but slow going. If you had plenty of time, you might want to spend a night here as there are some beautiful beaches and waterfalls nearby. Park at the Kafe Koala and follow the crowds.

The Lightstation is open every day from 10am 5pm (except for Christmas Day), but if you arrive out of hours, you can still walk along the lovely coastal trail that starts by the car park. All prices quotes below are in Australian dollars. RACQ's Trip Planner allows you to find places, get directions or plan your next road trip. Possible stops on the way back to Apollo Bay are the Cape Otway Lighthouse (which we visit the next day) and Maits Rest, an easy walk through the rainforest.

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Lorne is one of the most popular towns on a Great Ocean Road Trip.

Sydney

Amongst the native eucalyptus trees is this surprising cluster of giant Californian Redwoods which were planted in the 1930s and are thriving.

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The Ultimate Great Ocean Road Itinerary - Never Ending Voyage

You can visit the Marriners Lookout, Lake Elizabeth, and local museums such as The Bass Strait Shell Museum to discover more about sea life. Beauchamp Falls wasnt on our original plan but ended up being my favourite stop of the day. We also walked to the Gibson Steps, which took 15 minutes each way (you can also drive but parking is limited). You can also buy a toasted sandwich or cheese platter ($20). Make sure you book ahead though, as its not something you can just show up and do. It hugs the coastline with many twists and turns and stunning ocean views. Days - 1, 2 & 3 - Melbourne CBD. We have been travelling the world together since 2008, with a passion for adventure travel and sustainable tourism. If you want an even better view of the Twelve Apostles, you can take a helicopter ride over them. Reserve your spot here. I have no problem driving. This map shows the best things to see on the Great Ocean Road drive.

South Island

3rd Stop: Lorne.

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We loved it so much we returned a month later for a few days to do nothing but relax and enjoy the view.

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Next we stocked up on supplies at the Foodworks supermarket (theres no big supermarket in Port Campbell) and bought a snack from the Apollo Bay Bakery. If you are looking for other ideas on places to visit in Victoria, see our guide to the best day trips from Melbourne. Jump out of a plane at 15,000 feet above the ground and get the best, most exhilarating views of the entire coastline. Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Lorne - 5 ways to travel via - Rome2rio Or you can take the scenic route via the Great Ocean Road - it'll take you a lot longer and you'll probably want to break the trip up by staying a night or two or three along the way - but the scenery is worth it and there's so much to do along the way. Melbourne airport to the 12 Apostles to Lorne? - Tripadvisor Subscribe, Home | Australia | The PERFECT Great Ocean Road Drive Itinerary (2023). FromWarrnambool Breakwaterall the way toLogans Beachthis is a great spot to take in the coastal views and even pass a little penguin breeding ground. This section could be endless, so rather than trying to Now 2 pillars are left standing above the sea and make for an impressive view inPort Campbell National Park. What is a partial cave, archway and blowhole, The Grotto is definitely something to marvel at.

The Botanic Cafe on the Lake within the Botanical Gardens is a pretty spot for lunch with outdoor seating and views of the lake. If that is not an option though, or you dont like the idea of driving on the wrong side of the road, there are plenty of excellent tours likethis onethat will take you to see all the sights including the Twelve Apostles, Port Campbell, Otway National Park and more. to each other and sharing tips and advice. Its a fairly steep climb back up to the car park where there are toilets. We enjoyed our cone in the lovely gardens. Day 1: Melbourne to Apollo Bay Distance: 195km Drive Time: 3 Hours Sightseeing Time: 5 Hours For most people, the trip will start in Melbourne and can be done in a loop or a return journey. We didnt find the drive difficult although it is very windy, which gets tiring after a while (especially if you get travel sick). Day 1: Melbourne to Port Fairy via inland route. 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. Although officially the Great Ocean Road starts in Geelong, Melbourne is the ideal start to the trip as it provides the contrast of a big city with the quiet of the small towns dotted along the Great Ocean Road. Official site for Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Subscribe. Hi Tracy, November is a beautiful time to travel the Great Ocean Road. Loch Ard Gorgeis the first attraction on the way, just a stones throw from the Twelve Apostles. Great post guys, you have inspired me to take a trip here when I finally get to Australia again! 2pm Check into hotel. Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Melbourne to Lorne. We had a light lunch in the surprisingly good cafe housed in the Assistant Keepers Quarters with views of the lighthouse. Melbourne to Great Ocean Road: Self Drive Tour - 5 Days We are Alesha and Jarryd, the award-winning writers and professional photographers behind this blog.

3.1 Set off from Melbourne early 3.2 Stop in Torquay 3.3 Visit Bells Beach 3.4 Great Ocean Road sign 3.5 Stop in Lorne for lunch 3.6 Erskine Falls 3.7 Sunset at the Twelve Apostles 3.8 Sleep in Apollo Bay 4 Great Ocean Road itinerary - Day 2 4.1 Hopetoun Falls 4.2 Triplet Falls 4.3 Otway Fly Treetop Adventures 4.4 Gibson Steps 4.5 Loch Ard Gorge GOR Via inland Route - Great Ocean Road Forum - Tripadvisor But one of the most incredible Great Ocean Road attractions is just around the corner. Inland route, via Colac. The Quintessential Great Ocean Road Itinerary - 3 Days Theres also a small but well-equipped kitchen, a balcony with table and chairs, and a bathroom with an excellent shower and a spa bath with a view. You can hike, surf, ride helicopters, follow gourmet food trails, wander seaside towns, and much more. Alternative Places to Stay Near Apollo Bay. Check the latest prices of Anchors on Vrbo or on Booking.com. After the gorge youll pass the town of Port Campbell. The town of Port Campbell is in the middle of the park so you can take a break or have lunch there after visiting the eastern side (Twelve Apostles, Gibson Steps, and Loch Ard Gorge), before continuing west. Follow the inland route if you are headed back to Melbourne for a shorter drive. If you decide to drive yourself, its best to drive in the opposite direction of our itinerary below. To: Adelaide. The road starts in Torquay, and finishes in Allansford.

Our first stop was just outside Torquay and was a slight detour off the Great Ocean Road. One of the most adventurous things to do on the Great Ocean Road drive is to do a bit of scuba diving. Languages. There were a few people around then (and some photographers just leaving) but it was still quiet. Jarryd, thank you for talking us along the Great Ocean Road, we are coming down from Brisbane mid April 2023 and plan to self drive it. Journey Time: 3 minutes from RedwoodsStop Time: 20 minutes. Below Ive included driving times between stops and how long we spent at each destination.

Search for more options in Port Campbell here. Our road trip starts in Melbourne and our first destination is Lorne but since that's a little far, let's make a stopover in Geelong on the way.

If you are on a budget, the cheapest way to do a Great Ocean Road Trip is by camping. The current exchange rate is 1 AUD = 0.78 USD and 0.56 GBP.

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We take the coastal route on the way there, and head inland to explore The Otways on the way back.

The lake views here are stunning and if youre lucky you might even be able to lay your eyes on a platypus or two.

Note there are no toilets at any of the other sights on todays itinerary. Perfect write up, very helpful indeed, Appreciate your work guys, Cheers. After the last couple of years, it seems everyone wants to be out and about and go travelling. You can view the falls from the side and clamber on the rocks to see them from the pool below. By Ellie Schneider Surf at Bells Beach, walk among the 12 Apostles and sample wine in McLaren Vale on this five-day journey along Australia's dramatic south-east coastline.

Tasmania

Theres also a cafe if you want a longer break. The Ultimate Melbourne to Sydney Road Trip Itinerary Our itinerary will take you through the most iconic towns and cities, the rugged Phillip Island, the small town of Walhalla, the beautiful Wilsons Promontory, and onto the vast Kosciuszko National Park. They are famous for their scallop pies but have plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. For more experienced surfers, and those looking to set foot onto a world-renowned surf beach, head toBells Beach. . You could also fit them in on the previous day. The return walk took us 20 minutes and it is rather a steep climb back up.

I cant recommend Points South enough. 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.

ACT

You can also walk down the steps and along the beach but as it was raining we skipped that. Top Road Trips Stops: Torquay, Lorne, Great Otway National Park, 12 Apostles, Logan's Beach, Mount Gambier. The drive from Melbourne to Lorne isnt particularly long, only around 2 hours all up. 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. English . Picking up and dropping off the car was quick and easy, and they are near Queen Victoria Market where you can pick up supplies for the trip.

Its a beautiful long sweep of sand that would be great for a walk. Do allocate as much time as you can, thoughits a gorgeous part of the world with plenty to see.

Melbourne

If wed had an extra night, wed have spent it at Points South by the Sea just so we could have a relaxation day in our cottage enjoying the view and local walks. Simon loved the cheese and vegetable pasty. Both are natural, offshore stone archways. The most scenic leg of the drive is further along between Lorne and Apollo Bay. Great Ocean Road.

Hobart

We chose to drive back from Port Campbell to Melbourne via the inland route (3 hours) rather than continue on for the final section of the Great Ocean Road that ends just before Warrnambool. Have a great time. The whole trail is about 15km, but your best chances for spotting the cute indigenous animals are about 6km in atGrey River. Its a small village, but Port Campbell is a nice place to stop for a snack and some fuel. Dinner, stay over night. There are many free campsites and serviced holiday parks along the route, and you can either pitch your own tent or drive a campervan. Another good stop in Aireys Inlet is Fairhaven Beach. I highly recommend visiting in the morning to truly enjoy it. Plan your journey with our route planner. No Great Ocean road trip is complete without making a stop atMemoria Arch, which is less than 30 minutes from Torquay and a real highlight of the journey. (Seriously!) Distance from Lorne: 45.5 km Estimated total driving time from Lorne: 54 minutes Activity length: 3 hours Another excellent spot for the best coastal views in this Melbourne to Adelaide drive is Apollo Bay. Then tuck into a delicious dinner at the Salty Dog Fish & Chippery along the beachfront, the perfect way to end a day of exploring. The ultimate Melbourne to Adelaide roadtrip along the Great Ocean Road and taking in Lorne, Apollo Bay, Port Fairy, Mount Gambier and Victor Harbour. Just down the road is Hopetoun Falls. They live in the eucalyptus trees behind the caravan park and are not hard to find. This connects to the more distant, and much quieter, Living on the Edge walk (to the right of the car park) where you can see Muttonbird Island and enjoy more gorgeous coastal views. Journey Time: 40 minutes from LorneStop Time: 15 minutes.

Northen Territory

Get detailed, easy-to-follow driving or walking directions. Youll find them sitting up in the eucalyptus trees. Beach. I think 3 days/2 nights is the minimum amount of time for a really enjoyable trip. While the Great Ocean Road covers a ton of coastline, this national park is a gem located more on the inland route. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Weve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planets best destinations and adventures. Journey Time: 10 minutes from Port CampbellStop Time: 1 hour 25 minutes. It's okay, you can start planning your Its a casual, diner type place on the seafront strip thats known for its burgers. The Arch is the first in a series of rock formations where you can stop for a quick look from viewing platforms. Anyone remember the 90s TV show Round the Twist? On the way back to Melbourne, do some . Its also a fantastic place if you are looking to see some native Australian wildlife. Road Trip | Adelaide to Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road: Warrnambool