Great Southern Touring Route: A Relaxed 5 Day Campervan Itinerary from Melbourne
Day 1: Melbourne to Apollo Bay
Distance: 187 kms
Travel time: ~3 hours
Your Great Southern Touring Route begins in Melbourne, where you can pick up your Apollo campervan and head southwest towards the Surf Coast. This first day is all about easing into holiday mode. Rather than rushing through the drive, take your time and enjoy the shift from city streets to sea air. The route to Apollo Bay is one of Australia’s most memorable coastal drives, with long ocean views, cliff-hugging roads and inviting beach towns that are perfect for a slower pace.
Where to stop between Melbourne and Apollo Bay
Torquay marks the official start of the Great Ocean Road and makes a fitting first stop. Stretch your legs in town, soak up the surf culture and spend a little time around the foreshore before heading to nearby Bells Beach for a look at one of Australia’s most iconic surf breaks. From there, continue to Anglesea, where nature lovers can often spot kangaroos around the local golf course. It is a fun and surprisingly easy wildlife stop early in the trip. Lorne is a natural place to pause for lunch, whether that means a bakery pick-up, fish and chips by the beach, or a picnic near the water. As you continue from Lorne towards Apollo Bay, the coastal scenery becomes even more cinematic, with cliff-top bends and lookouts inviting plenty of photo stops.
Things to do in Apollo Bay
Apollo Bay is the kind of seaside town that encourages you to slow down. Once you arrive, take a gentle walk along the beach, browse for something sweet from a local bakery, or settle in with coffee and ocean views. If you still have energy for one more nature stop, the nearby Great Otway National Park offers beautiful options. Maits Rest Rainforest Walk is an easy and atmospheric boardwalk through ancient forest, where towering myrtle beech, mossy trunks and tree ferns create a completely different mood from the coast you have just driven. If your visit falls on the third Sunday of the month, the Apollo Bay Farmers Market is a lovely stop for local produce, artisan treats and picnic supplies for the days ahead.
Where to stay in Apollo Bay
Apollo Bay Holiday Park is a great fit for campervan travellers, with powered sites in an excellent position close to the beach and town. It is an easy, comfortable base for couples who want to walk into town for dinner and wake up near the water. If you prefer to be settled and ready for an early start, choosing a powered site here makes the first night especially easy.
Day 2: Apollo Bay to Port Fairy
Distance: 189 kms
Travel time: ~3 hours
Today follows one of the most spectacular stretches of the Great Ocean Road. It is not a long driving day, but there is so much to see that an early start is worthwhile. Expect a mix of lush forest, wild coastal scenery and some of Victoria’s most photographed natural landmarks. This is the day to take your time, walk down to the viewing areas and let the changing colours of the cliffs and ocean sink in.
Where to stop between Apollo Bay and Port Fairy
If you did not get into the Otways yesterday, this morning is a good time to do it. A rainforest walk adds a beautiful contrast before the road swings back towards the coast. From there, the route becomes a showcase of iconic limestone scenery. The 12 Apostles are the headline act, but nearby stops like Gibson Steps and Loch Ard Gorge are just as rewarding, especially for couples who enjoy short walks and dramatic landscapes. Gibson Steps offers a beach-level perspective beneath towering cliffs, while Loch Ard Gorge combines history and scenery in one unforgettable stop. Farther along, the Bay of Islands delivers another striking stretch of rugged coast, often with fewer crowds and a wonderfully open feel. If you are travelling in winter, Warrnambool’s Logan’s Beach is a seasonal bonus for whale watching. Before reaching Port Fairy, Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve is worth a detour for a walk through an extinct volcanic crater, where koalas, kangaroos, emus and birdlife can often be seen in a natural bush setting.
Things to do in Port Fairy
Arriving in Port Fairy feels like stepping into a slower, gentler rhythm. This historic fishing village is ideal for couples who want a quiet evening stroll after a day of sightseeing. Wander past the wharf, explore the riverfront, and admire the bluestone cottages and heritage buildings that give the town its character. There are plenty of inviting local eateries for a relaxed dinner, and the compact town centre is easy to enjoy on foot. If you prefer a simple evening, pick up something local and head to the foreshore for a sunset picnic.
Where to stay in Port Fairy
Port Fairy Holiday Park is a strong overnight choice for campervan travellers, offering a peaceful setting within easy reach of town and the beach. It suits couples looking for a quiet night stop with powered sites and a convenient base for a morning walk before heading inland.
Day 3: Port Fairy to Halls Gap
Distance: 158 kms
Travel time: ~2 hours
After two days by the sea, today turns inland towards the Grampians. The scenery shifts from coast and pasture to mountain silhouettes and bushland, bringing a whole new mood to the trip. It is a shorter driving day, which leaves plenty of room for a relaxed morning in Port Fairy and an unhurried afternoon as you approach Halls Gap.
Where to stop between Port Fairy and Halls Gap
Before leaving Port Fairy, enjoy one last wander through town. The riverfront, beaches and historic cottages are especially lovely in the morning light and make the most of this charming stop. Then begin the drive north to Dunkeld, where the southern edge of the Grampians rises dramatically from the plains. This is an excellent lunch stop, particularly if you enjoy local food with a view. The mountain backdrop here is one of the most striking on the route, and the area feels peaceful and spacious after the busier coast. Keen walkers may want to tackle a hike near Dunkeld such as Mount Sturgeon or Mount Abrupt, but if you are keeping the day slow, even a shorter walk and scenic picnic can be enough.
Things to do in Halls Gap
Halls Gap is one of Victoria’s best bases for nature-loving travellers. Surrounded by the Grampians National Park, it is ideal for a late afternoon wildlife walk, a gentle cycle around town, or simply settling in and watching kangaroos appear as evening falls. The village itself has a relaxed holiday feel, and it is a wonderful place to recharge before a fuller day in the national park tomorrow. If you have time after arrival, choose an easy walking trail, browse the local shops, or head to a lookout for sunset over the ranges.
Where to stay in Halls Gap
NRMA Halls Gap Holiday Park is a reliable option for powered campervan sites close to the natural attractions of the area. Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park is another excellent choice, especially if you like the idea of a scenic, nature-filled setting where wildlife often wanders close by. Either option works well for travellers wanting a peaceful base in the Grampians.
Day 4: Halls Gap to Ballarat
Distance: 142 kms
Travel time: ~2 hours
This morning is all about making the most of the Grampians before rolling east to Ballarat. It is one of the easiest driving days of the trip, so you can fill the first half with lookouts, short walks and one last immersion in the mountain scenery. The afternoon then transitions to regional Victoria’s goldfields, where heritage streets and good food make a very different but equally enjoyable overnight stop.
Where to stop between Halls Gap and Ballarat
Start the day in Halls Gap with a visit to Brambuk, where you can gain a deeper appreciation for the cultural and spiritual significance of the Grampians landscape. From there, a string of famous lookouts offers sweeping views across ridges, valleys and rocky escarpments. Boroka Lookout, Reed Lookout and The Balconies are all memorable and relatively accessible, making them perfect for a scenic morning without a huge hiking commitment. If you are up for a little more effort, MacKenzie Falls is a standout. You can either admire it from the upper viewing area or take the steeper walk down to the base for a closer look at one of Victoria’s most impressive waterfalls. On the way towards Ballarat, the landscape opens into farmland and broad country views, with the Mt Langi Ghiran area offering a pleasant scenic break if you feel like stretching your legs.
Things to do in Ballarat
Ballarat makes a rewarding overnight stop because it blends history, food and an easy-going city feel. Once you arrive, take a walk through the handsome Victorian-era streetscape before settling in for dinner. This is a great place to enjoy a relaxed evening meal after several days in nature, whether that means a classic pub dinner, something more modern, or a local tasting experience. If you still have energy, Ballarat’s heritage atmosphere is reason enough for an evening stroll.
Where to stay in Ballarat
For a campervan-friendly overnight stop, choose a Ballarat holiday park with powered sites and easy access to the city’s key attractions. Staying close to town makes it simple to enjoy dinner, explore the heritage streets and set yourself up for a smooth start on the final day.
Day 5: Ballarat to Melbourne via Daylesford
Distance: 166 kms
Travel time: ~2.5 hours
Your final day brings together a little gold rush history, a little indulgence and one last dose of regional Victoria charm before returning to Melbourne. It is a gentle end to the trip, with heritage streets, a long lunch opportunity and the option of a restorative mineral water stop before heading back to the city.
Where to stop between Ballarat and Melbourne via Daylesford
Start in Ballarat with a walk through its heritage streets or a visit to Sovereign Hill if you are curious about the gold rush era. It is a lively and immersive stop, with old-world streetscapes, traditional trades and gold panning displays that make the town’s history feel tangible. From Ballarat, continue to Daylesford, one of Victoria’s most loved country escapes. This is an ideal lunch stop, whether you choose something refined with lake views or keep it simple with a bakery picnic in the gardens. Then head to nearby Hepburn Springs, where you can sample the local mineral waters and enjoy the leafy, restorative atmosphere the region is known for. If you want to finish the trip with a little indulgence, this is a memorable way to wrap up your road trip before the final drive back to Melbourne.
Things to do in Melbourne
By the time you return to Melbourne, you will have completed a richly varied loop through some of Victoria’s best scenery. If your schedule allows, spend one more evening in the city to stretch out the holiday mood a little longer. Otherwise, return your campervan knowing you have covered surf coast, rainforest, dramatic limestone cliffs, wildlife reserves, mountain lookouts and spa country in just five easy-going days.
Where to stay in Melbourne
If you need one last campervan stay before returning home, choose a Melbourne holiday park with easy access to the Apollo branch for a smooth drop-off the next day. If not, this is the natural endpoint for your Great Southern Touring Route loop.
Few Victorian road trips pack in as much variety as this one. In just five days, you can wander windswept beaches, walk through ancient rainforest, watch the light change over the 12 Apostles, spot wildlife in volcanic bushland, take in the Grampians from dramatic lookouts and finish with a spa-country detour before returning to Melbourne. It is the kind of campervan journey that feels both adventurous and effortless, especially when you keep the pace slow and leave space for bakery stops, scenic picnics and unplanned moments along the way. When you’re ready, you can easily book your Apollo camper online and pick it up from your closest Apollo branch before hitting the road.
