Great post guys, you have inspired me to take a trip here when I finally get to Australia again! Less people in your 12 Apostles selfie! The Cape Otway lighthouse is the oldest surviving lighthouse in Australia and was rightly known as the Beacon of Hope. Discover some of the best things to do in Melbourne. I am not looking forward to the conclusion of your trek. Passing the iconic 12 Apostles and other amazing natural features carved into the expansive coastline the Great Ocean Road is a road trip to remember. Once you factor in viewpoints and short walks, expect this road trip to take one full day. This is just because we really want to show you the best bits of the beautiful Great Ocean Road! . It is a beast to carry around with me everyday but I love the photos get with it. Soaring high above the limestone stacks youll get the best views of Victorias Shipwreck Coast. A drive between Melbourne and Adelaide via the inland route takes only 8 hours. Stops. These unique and adorable local animals call this spot home and have been known to use the lake as a nesting ground when having babies so best to keep your eyes peeled. What used to be a swamp was reclaimed and turned into these pretty gardens in 1858. Carry a fast-drying towel, a bathing suit and a change of clothes to go swimming. Lorne is a picturesque town set between Loutit Bay and the Otway National Park, it is where the bush meets the ocean. There are 5 ways to get from Mount Gambier to Great Ocean Road by bus or car Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. The route of 243 KM stretches from Torquay to Allansford in Victoria state. Rent a campervan and go on an adventure. During your travel, you plan to visit the following- 1) Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay, Victoria, Australia Recent Melbourne distance calculations Distance from Melbourne to New York , United States Distance from Melbourne to Canberra via Albury NSW 2640 These tours are crafted to help you cover most of it in a short span of time, something you may not be able to do as a tourist in the city. Hey! The green forest with the winding highway meets the ocean here! Related article: What should you not miss on the Great Ocean Road? But all the views are spectacular on this stretch of the Great Ocean Road Trip. ULURU: In our Guide to Uluru and Kata-Tjuta, learn how to get here, what to do, and how to plan your time. What is the road driving distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? Through our stories and images we promote exciting off-the-beaten-path destinations and fascinating cultures as we go. Depart from Melbourne in the morning, and begin your Great Ocean Road journey. For those wanting to drive a bit further west, theres the historic harbour settlement of Portland which you can visit. Kms. 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. We want to book accommodation as we go . To enlarge the map, click the top right icon and it will open up, full screen, in a new tab. Further along, you will find verdant bush where koalas nest and then onto the lush rainforests with spectacular waterfalls and native wildlife. Loch Ard Gorge is a breathtaking natural formation just a short distance from the 12 apostles. We are a single Mum with 3 kids, 8yo Boy and 5 and 4 yo girls. TheForeshore Promenadeis a great place for a stroll as well and stretches on for about 6 km. Along the way you'll stop by the border of Victoria and South Australia and a red line marks the exact spot. I could not imagine trying to swim out past these waves, just to catch one right back to shore. An organized tour that takes care of your transportation will help you take the trip within a day. With your own car however youll be able to stop when and where you want, spending as long as you need to check out the beaches, taking in the views and having the freedom to explore at your leisure. . Here we joined the largest crowds of people yet, all elbowing for the best place to take family photos. A dormant volcanic crater, Tower Hill is full of Australian wildlife (koalas, kangaroos, emus to name a few) and has lush wetlands and bush. The sea enters the area through a narrow opening between two rock pillars. A drive down the road will take you through magnificent landscapes of the white surf hitting the golden beaches, where the limestone stacks and arches weather the powerful ocean. You also get to enjoy free WiFi onboard, tea and snacks and relax in comfort between spots. Let us help you get started with planning your Great Ocean Road itinerary. The Great Ocean Road is one of the world's most stunning coastal drives, winding along Australia's southern coast in Victoria (Australia).The undisputed highlight of the drive is the Twelve Apostles, but the Great Ocean Road leads past many more sights of interest, from bustling coastal towns like Lorne and Apollo Bay to the lush rain forests of Great Otway National Park. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Theyll even show you how to throw a Boomerang and spear! Its also a fantastic place if you are looking to see some native Australian wildlife. I guess the quickest and easiest route from Portland back to Melbourne would be up to Hamilton then via the Glenelg Hwy to Ballarat then it is freeway on to Melbourne. Blazing Saddles Trail Rides, Aireys Inlet. There are a few towns along the way like Lorne, Apollo Bay and Port Campbell where you can stay or camp overnight. Happy travels. They are now a part of a National Park and protected, and are the perfect destination to view the sunset. The drive offers plenty of places to stop off and explore. For more information on routes and trails visit the websitehere. Youll also find the end of theGreat Ocean Walkhere, which allows you to get some stunning coastal views from a boardwalk before taking to the beach to see these immense stacks from the ground. Conveniently located a little ways from Port Campbell, these serviced apartments have great rooms, a gorgeous pool area and make for a great stopover. The coastline is awesome. This is a beautiful surfing and fishing town with heritage buildings that have wonderful eateries and accommodation. Check, (2 hrs
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. Dogs are permitted to join you in a vehicle driving along the length of the Great Ocean Road, even when the highway passes through areas of national park. Make sure you visit first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon for the best koala viewing times. Skydiving is a popular sport at the Great Ocean Road and you're likely to spot many gutsy ones plummeting from the sky at 200 kmph from 15,000 feet above. Screened at CinefestOZ, Portland International Film Festival, Social Justice Film Festival (Seattle), St Louis International Film Festival, Mostly . Julie Last updated: October 8, 2022 Australia 4 Comments. Just a few minutes west of the border you'll come across a beautiful pink salt lake. Before you set off on your adventure though, you should know how long the road is and how long it takes to drive. The Email id you have Entered is not Registered With us. The road curves quite a lot and if you suffer from motion sickness carry anti-nausea medication or chew on citrusy candy to keep it in check. Last week, 1156 properties were scheduled to be auctioned in Melbourne. But you may not have that luxury of time. Please note: this popular area is big and therefore the tour involves quite a lot of driving. ThePort FairyBotanical Gardensare a lovely spot for an afternoon walk and to admire the plants and flowers. This isnt a big deal though as you will still have great views of the scenery either way. If you are spending a night while on the road, the best coastal towns to rent a motel are Anglesea, Lorne, Apollo Bay and Around the Otway National Park. The four of us made our way over to the cave, dodging waves washing up onto shore with approaching high tide. Portland is 6 hours (540 km) away from Adelaide. A sandy trail took us down to a beach. You can also use the share icon and share it on Facebook. Tyler and Kara, since they were shorter, were able to retreat to the far depths of the cave, keeping their feet dry. Day 3 - Set of on the Great Ocean Road, staying overnight in the village of Lorne, halfway . What kind of still camera/lens are you finding most helpful? It is a popular stop for photographs with the name of the road and the plaque. You can drive the entire length of the Great Ocean Road in one long day (about 8 hours return), but we recommend splitting the journey up into a few days. Melbourne To Phillip Island Tour: A Complete Guide For A Perfect Day Trip, We've served 15 million+ guests and we are here for you, All You Need For An Epic Great Ocean Road Tour From Melbourne, Happy customers across 10,000+ experiences, 5,000+ verified reviews with 90% excellent score, Featured and recommended by the best brands, Have a question? If you fancy trying your luck to spot some wildlife head out to nearbyLake Elizabeth. December to February is the best time to take a Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne. What is the distance between Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road? However, the Great Ocean Road is a hit at any time of the year and here is why . Now youll be able to find the wreckage in shallow waters, which makes it great for divers to explore. Private Great Ocean Road tour. Mum, works 2- 3 days a week, Tues and Wednesday and Friday and has the children in daycare and . Torquay is also home to theSurf World Museumwith tons of history about the sport and its fame in Australia. If your tour is on schedule you might find yourself some time for a swim. Having your own vehicle is highly recommended so you can really explore all the things to see on the Great Ocean Road, as it really is one of the Australias top destinations. Have a great time. Read all of our articles in our Australia Travel Guide. Find good prices and choices of accommodation: there is still so much more to see, Port Fairy is a beautiful little village and well worth spending time visiting too. Of all the fantastic destinations, the one that really draws travelers from across the world is a Great Ocean Road tour. You can spend more time at each location and engage in activities like trekking, swimming and adventure sports. It sounds daunting but it's going to be broken down into very manageable chunks. It's also possible to travel from Melbourne to Adelaide via the Great . The spectacular Great Ocean Road hugs the seaside cliffs that snake along the wild and windswept Southern Ocean. The Great Ocean Road drive is one of the most scenic drives that Australia has to offer. 30 mins), 446 Km - Distance from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road, FAQ about Distance from Melbourne to Portland, The driving distance from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road is, Directions from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road, map from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road, Travel time from Melbourne to Portland via Great Ocean Road, Distance from Melbourne to New York , United States, Distance from Melbourne to Canberra via Albury NSW 2640, Distance from Melbourne to Canberra via Albury New South Wales, Distance from Melbourne to Canberra via Orbost. We are located almost at the end of the Great Ocean Road, about 4.5 hours from Melbourne. They will also add to the crowds at every one of your stops, so you want to beat them if you can. can include Port Fairy and more coastal towns. Perpetually ensconced with a book in her hand and a mug of coffee in the other, she has been to over 15 countries in her 23 years of existence and is currently saving miles and money for her solo trip to Iceland. The property at 36 Braemar Street sold for $6 million by private sale. Yes, you can. The Twelve Apostles marked the end of the most scenic of viewpoints but did not end our journey down the Great Ocean Road. Going up is going to be a task though! Apollo Bay is a gorgeous seaside village, located at the entry to the Otways, and without a doubt is one of the most scenic and picturesque stops on our Great Ocean Road drive. Great Ocean Road Melbourne to Adelaide Drive 1,500 km | 7 - 12 days Great surf, picturesque coastal towns, ocean views around every bend, wine country and some spectacular hikes define this road trip. And just for NOMADasaurus readers, if you use the Klook discount codeNOMADS10on the website when checking out, youll get $10 off your first booking! There is no dearth of viewpoints on the Great Ocean Road and Teddys Lookout is another magnificent spot added to the list. The Great Ocean Road is an adventurers' perfect medley; expect breathtaking natural wonders, charming restaurants serving oh-so-delicious fare and vast wilderness dotted with native wildlife and jaw-dropping vistas. Its not nearly as scenic to do it this way, but it does save you about 50 km and one hour of driving. The Great Ocean Road tour allows you to witness the spectacular surf coast of Torquay and Lorne, with their sandy white beaches and curling waves. Bells Beach is Australias premiere surf spot, a spot also labeled by some as the best surfing destination in the world. PLACES TO GO IN AUSTRALIA: Spend some time in Sydney, go wine tasting in Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, explore Uluru and the Red Centre of Australia, visit Melbourne, go snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, and dont miss Tasmania, one of our favorite places in Australia. 52 Great Weekends > No 3: Portland No 3: Portland Located a little over 4hrs Melbourne, Portland is well worth the drive. During your travel, you plan to visit the following-1) Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay, Victoria, Australia. Departs: 7:00am. Frolic in the ocean and then head up to the lush rainforests abundant with wildlife. In the shadow of the Otway ranges meeting Cape Otway is the Apollo Bay, midway of the Great Ocean Road. Whether you surf or not, it is a great place to stop and admire the ocean. Checking out the view of Bells Beach from the lookout. Melbourne's two best day tours, Great Ocean Road & Phillip Island, with entrance to Melbourne Skydeck.