Victoria | Melbourne to Great Ocean Road Road Trip Itinerary

Discover the Great Ocean Road on this magnificent three-day self-drive itinerary

Day 1: Melbourne Apollo Branch to Apollo Bay - surf coast towns & seaside sunset

Distance: 214kms

Travel time: 2 hours 50 minutes

Pick up your Apollo vehicle in Melbourne, stock up on groceries and snacks, and head for the coast. Your overnight stop is Apollo Bay, but the fun starts long before you get there.

Stops on the way

• Geelong (optional leg stretch): Stroll the waterfront and Eastern Beach boardwalk if you want coffee or an early lunch before the official Great Ocean Road begins.

• Torquay & Bells Beach: Torquay marks the start of the Great Ocean Road and is the heart of Victoria’s surf culture. Call into Bells Beach lookout to watch the waves and check out the view towards the cliffs.

• Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch (Eastern View): The classic photo stop – grab a quick shot under the timber arch and read a little about the road’s World War I history.

• Lorne: A good place for a walk along the pier or beach, or a café stop. If you have extra time and the weather’s kind, a short detour inland takes you to Erskine Falls in the forest.

• Kennett River (optional): One of the easier places to spot wild koalas in the gums above the road – drive slowly and pull over safely in designated bays only.

Roll into Apollo Bay in the late afternoon. The curve of the bay and the hills behind town make it an easy place to downshift into holiday mode.

Things to do in Apollo Bay

• Wander the foreshore and grab fish and chips or pizza to eat by the beach.

• If you’ve got the energy, drive or walk up to Marriners Lookout for a view back over the town and coastline.

Where to stay

• Apollo Bay Holiday Park: powered and unpowered sites within walking distance of the main street and beach, with a camp kitchen, playground and pool. Great as a first-night base if you’re still finding your rhythm with the van!

• BIG4 Apollo Bay Pisces Holiday Park: a great alternative option on the eastern edge of town with ocean views and powered sites for campervans and motorhomes.

Image: Visit Victoria

Day 2: Apollo Bay to Port Fairy - rainforests, 12 Apostles & the Shipwreck Coast

Distance: 185kms

Travel time: 2 hours 40 minutes

Today is all about variety! Cool, shady forest in the morning, with the big ticket limestone stacks and bays in the afternoon along an incredibly scenic drive.

Stops on the way

Great Otway National Park (optional detour):

• Walk the short Maits Rest Rainforest loop or one of the other signed walks to see tree ferns and towering eucalypts.

• If you’re keen and have time, choose one waterfall (e.g. Hopetoun Falls or Erskine Falls) rather than trying to tick off all of them.

Cape Otway (optional side trip): Drive out to Cape Otway Lightstation, Australia’s oldest surviving lighthouse on the mainland, for shipwreck stories and long views along the coast.

Port Campbell National Park: This is the classic cluster of Great Ocean Road icons:

• Twelve Apostles – take your time on the boardwalks and viewing platforms to see the stacks from a few angles.

• Gibson Steps – walk down to beach level (if conditions and tide allow) to feel the scale of the cliffs.

• Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge (London Arch), The Grotto, Bay of Martyrs and Bay of Islands - all within a short drive of each other as you continue west, each with its own lookout and story.

Continue past Warrnambool (or drop in for supplies and a café stop) and arrive in Port Fairy in the late afternoon or early evening.

Things to do in Port Fairy

• Stroll the historic wharf and stone cottages, and keep an eye out for fishing boats coming in.

• If it’s still light, walk the causeway to Griffiths Island for the lighthouse and, in season, the shearwater (muttonbird) colony at dusk.

Where to stay

BIG4 Port Fairy Holiday Park – powered grassy sites for campervans, cabins if you want a night off set-up, and facilities like a camp kitchen and pool, within easy reach of town.

Image: Visit Victoria

Day 3: Port Fairy to Melbourne - via Tower Hill & inland return

Distance: 300km

Travel time: 3 hours 30 minutes

Your last day loops you back to Melbourne via the inland highway, with a couple of easy nature and food stops to break things up.

Stops on the way

• Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve (optional, just east of Port Fairy): A volcanic crater filled with wetlands and short walks, known for koalas, emus and birdlife. It’s a good place for a morning walk and wildlife spotting before you settle into the drive.

• Warrnambool: Top up fuel and grab brunch or coffee. If you’re visiting in winter, the Logans Beach whale viewing platform is known for seasonal southern right whale sightings!

From here, make steady progress back along the Princes Highway and M1 towards Melbourne. Stop at a country bakery or service centre if you want to stretch your legs.

Roll back into Melbourne, return your Apollo campervan, or add an extra city night if you want, to explore laneways and restaurants before returning home.
 

FAQs and quick answers

1. Is 3 days enough for the Great Ocean Road?
   Three days is enough for a highlight loop from Melbourne: one night in Apollo Bay and one in Port Fairy gives you time for the surf coast, 12 Apostles and Shipwreck Coast without rushed 6–7 hour drives. If you want longer hikes or winery time, aim for 4–5 days instead.

2. Which direction is best for the Great Ocean Road, westbound or eastbound?
   Most people drive Melbourne → Apollo Bay → 12 Apostles → Port Fairy → inland back to Melbourne, as in this itinerary. It keeps you on the ocean side of the road for many lookouts and lets you hit the biggest coastal views on Day 2 when you’re fully in holiday mode!

3. What time of year is best to drive the Great Ocean Road?
   The road is open year-round, but many travellers like late spring to early autumn (Oct–Apr) for milder weather, longer days and beach time. Winter (Jun–Aug) is good for whale watching near Warrnambool and Port Fairy, plus there are fewer crowds at the 12 Apostles. Make sure to pack warm layers and a rain jacket.

4. Is the Great Ocean Road suitable for campervans and motorhomes?
   Definitely. The Great Ocean Road (B100) and the inland Princes Highway are sealed and widely used by campervans and motorhomes. You’ll need to take corners steadily on winding roads, watch for rockfall and wildlife signs, and stick to signed parking areas for larger vehicles at major lookouts.

Ready to plan your Great Ocean Road campervan holiday?

In three days, you’ll tick off surf breaks like Bells Beach, the curve of Apollo Bay, the cool green of Great Otway National Park, and the drama of the Twelve Apostles and Shipwreck Coast, finishing with fishing-village charm in Port Fairy.

Hire your Apollo campervan in Melbourne, pre-book Apollo Bay and Port Fairy holiday parks for powered sites, and then give yourself permission to take this road slowly – stopping at lookouts, walking short trails and letting the Southern Ocean set the pace.