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Victoria’s Top 4 Self-Drive Itineraries

Need help planning your Great Ocean Road holiday itinerary? Tick off all of your favourite attractions with our top itineraries below!


1. MELBOURNE - THE TWELVE APOSTLES


Duration: Overnight

Key Attractions: Twelve Apostles & Great Ocean Road


If time is short, this overnight itinerary is two days full of highlights. You’ll drive along the famous Great Ocean Road, catching star attractions like Bells Beach, Cape Otway and the Twelve Apostles.


Day 1: Melbourne – Twelve Apostles – Anglesea

Drive direct from Melbourne to the Twelve Apostles via the inland road. It’s the opposite of what most do, so you’ll avoid some of the crowds and catch the great stone stacks in their best light. From there, Cape Otway is next before hitting the most scenic section of the Great Ocean Road.


Stopping points in order of arrival include:

  • Loch Ard Gorge, Port Campbell

  • Twelve Apostles, Princetown

  • Gibson Steps, Princetown

  • Otway Fly Treetop Walk, Beech Forest

  • Hopetoun Falls, Beech Forest

  • Californian Redwoods, Beech Forest

  • Koalas at Kennett River

  • Teddy’s Lookout, Lorne

  • Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch, Eastern View

  • Split Point Lighthouse, Aireys Inlet

Recommended accommodation: Great Ocean Road Resort, Anglesea


Day 2: Anglesea – Melbourne

With much of the driving done, you have the day to explore the beach towns along the Surf Coast and the Bellarine Peninsula before heading back to Melbourne. The region was put on the map when local brands Quicksilver and Rip Curl went global. Forty years on, the region still oozes relaxed surfer vibes.


Stopping points in order of arrival include:

  • Surf Coast Walk: Urquharts to Sunnymeade

  • Roo Tour at Anglesea Golf Club

  • Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie, Bellbrae

  • Bells Beach, Jan Juc

  • National Australian Surfing Museum, Torquay

  • Surf City, Torquay

  • Point Lonsdale Lighthouse

  • Eastern Beach, Geelong

  • Werribee Open Range Zoo, Werribee

Love the itinerary but not the idea of self-driving? For private tour options, visit Great Ocean Road Private Luxury Tours

 

2. GREAT OCEAN ROAD – MORNINGTON PENINSULA – PHILLIP ISLAND


Duration: 2 night, 3 days

Key Attractions: Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road, Mornington Peninsula & Phillip Island

If it’s coastal Australia you’re wanting to explore, this three-day itinerary will lead you to Victoria’s most iconic destinations without ever having to backtrack.


Day 1: Melbourne – Twelve Apostles – Anglesea

The Twelve Apostles and the Shipwreck Coast is one of Australia’s most popular attractions for good reason. On day one of this itinerary, you’ll see sea stacks, sheer cliffs, an ancient rainforest and picturesque beaches. Your best route is via the inland road, heading straight to the Twelve Apostles to avoid the pending crowds.


Stopping points in order of arrival include:

  • Loch Ard Gorge, Port Campbell

  • Twelve Apostles, Princetown

  • Gibson Steps, Princetown

  • Otway Fly Treetop Walk, Beech Forest

  • Hopetoun Falls, Beech Forest

  • Californian Redwoods, Beech Forest

  • Carisbrook River, Sugarloaf

  • Teddy’s Lookout, Lorne

  • Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch, Eastern View

  • Split Point Lighthouse, Aireys Inlet

Recommended accommodation: Great Ocean Road Resort, Anglesea


Day 2: Anglesea – Mornington

Using Searoad Ferries to transport you and your vehicle across Port Phillip Bay, you’ll experience Victoria’s two most popular holiday destinations in one day. In the morning, explore the Surf Coast and Ballerina Peninsula before cruising across the bay towards Sorrento and the Mornington Peninsula.


Stopping points in order of arrival include:

  • Roo Tour at Anglesea Golf Club

  • Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie, Bellbrae

  • Bells Beach, Jan Juc

  • Point Lonsdale Lighthouse

  • Sorrento

  • Bridgewater Bay, Blairgowrie

  • Peninsula Hot Springs, Fingal

  • Mills Beach, Mornington

Recommended accommodation: Brooklands of Mornington


Day 3: Mornington – Phillip Island – Melbourne

From Mornington, island life awaits to your east. On day three, you’ll get to meet Australia’s unique wildlife including koalas, dingos, snakes and penguins. Before the fatigue of an epic three adventure sets in, it’s time to start the drive back to Melbourne.


Stopping points in order of arrival include:

  • Maru Koala & Animal Park, Grantville

  • Cape Woolamai, Phillip Island

  • Smith’s Beach, Phillip Island

  • Pyramid Rock, Phillip Island

  • Swan Lake, Phillip Island

  • The Nobbies Centre, Phillip Island

  • Penguin Parade, Phillip Island

Love the itinerary but not the idea of self-driving? For private tour options, visit Great Ocean Road Private Luxury Tours

 

3. MELBOURNE - ADELAIDE


Duration: 2 nights, 3 days

Key Attractions: Bellarine Peninsular, Great Ocean Road, Twelve Apostles, Mount Gambier & Adelaide.

From capital to capital with a diverse array of highlights in between, this itinerary creates a perfect bridge for those wanting to check out Adelaide’s wineries, historic churches and booming art scene.


Day 1: Melbourne – Anglesea

From Melbourne, follow the line of long-haired surfers across the West Gate Bridge towards the Surf Coast. On day one, you’ll be sightseeing along a stunning coastline known for its waves, spectacular beaches and walking trails.


Stopping points in order of arrival include:

  • Eastern Beach, Geelong

  • Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Grovedale

  • Surf City, Torquay

  • Bells Beach, Jan Juc

  • Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie, Bellbrae

  • Roo Tour at Anglesea Golf Club

  • Surf Coast Walk: Urquharts to Sunnymeade

  • Split Point Lighthouse, Aireys Inlet

Recommended accommodation: Great Ocean Road Resort, Anglesea


Day 2: Anglesea – Twelve Apostles – Port Campbell

Day two is full of highlights, as you cruise the Great Ocean Road towards the Twelve Apostles. Whilst the sea stacks might be the jewel in the crown, take your time along the way, as you’ll be passing many attractions worthy of your time.


Stopping points in order of arrival include:

  • Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch, Eastern View

  • Teddy’s Lookout, Lorne

  • Koalas at Kennett River

  • Californian Redwoods, Beech Forest

  • Hopetoun Falls, Beech Forest

  • Otway Fly Treetop Walk, Beech Forest

  • Gibson Steps, Princetown

  • Twelve Apostles, Princetown

  • Loch Ard Gorge, Port Campbell

  • Port Campbell

Recommended accommodation: Best Western Great Ocean Road Motor Inn


Day 3: Port Campbell – Adelaide

Continuing along the Great Ocean Road towards Adelaide, you’ll spend the morning visiting some of the lesser known but still as impressive, coastal viewpoints. In the afternoon, things will heat up with a visit to two volcanic craters, before driving the final leg of your journey.


Stopping points in order of arrival include:

  • London Bridge, Peterborough

  • The Grotto, Peterborough

  • Bay of Martyrs, Peterborough

  • Bay of Islands, Peterborough

  • Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve

  • Port Fairy Lighthouse

  • Blue Lake, Mount Gambier

  • Robe

  • Adelaide

Love the itinerary but not the idea of self-driving? For private tour options, visit Great Ocean Road Private Luxury Tours

 

4. GREAT SOUTHERN TOURING ROUTE

Duration: 2 night, 3 days Key Attractions: Sovereign Hill, Grampians, Tower Hill, Twelve Apostles & Great Ocean Road

The Great Southern Touring Route highlights Victoria’s diverse natural beauty including rocky peaks, lakes, volcanic plains, coastline and wildlife.


Day 1: Melbourne – Grampians

From Melbourne, head north-west towards the historic gold rush village of Sovereign Hill. From there, it’s on to the spectacular Grampians National Park where you’ll find aboriginal artwork and picturesque walking trails.


Stopping points in order of arrival include:

  • Sovereign Hill, Ballarat

  • Bunjil’s Shelter, Black Range

  • Brambuk Cultural Centre, Halls Gap

  • The Pinnacle Walk, Halls Gap

  • MacKenzie Falls, Halls Gap

Recommended accommodation: Pinnacle Holiday Lodge


Day 2: Grampians – Anglesea

It’ll pay to make tracks early as day two is full of highlights. First up, it’s the dormant volcanic crater of Tower Hill before hitting the coast at the Twelve Apostles. Following the Great Ocean Road in an easterly direction, in the afternoon you’ll traverse an ancient rainforest before reaching the famous beaches of the Surf Coast.


Stopping points in order of arrival include:

  • Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve

  • Loch Ard Gorge, Port Campbell

  • Twelve Apostles, Princetown

  • Gibson Steps, Princetown

  • Otway Fly Treetop Walk, Beech Forest

  • Californian Redwoods, Beech Forest

  • Koala’s at Kennett River

  • Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch, Eastern View

  • Split Point Lighthouse, Aireys Inlet

Recommended accommodation: Great Ocean Road Resort, Anglesea


Day 3: Anglesea – Melbourne

Beach walks, wildlife and shopping will dominate day three as you sightsee around the gorgeous Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula.


Stopping points in order of arrival include:

  • Surf Coast Walk: Urquharts to Sunnymeade

  • Roo Tour at Anglesea Golf Club

  • Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie, Bellbrae

  • Bells Beach, Jan Juc

  • National Australian Surfing Museum, Torquay

  • Surf City, Torquay

  • Point Lonsdale Lighthouse

  • Eastern Beach, Geelong

  • Werribee Open Range Zoo, Werribee

Love the itinerary but not the idea of self-driving? For private tour options, visit Great Ocean Road Private Luxury Tours.

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