Great Ocean Road: Routes and Planning

The Great Ocean Road has two distinct travel stages in this plan: the eastern coast to Apollo Bay and the western cliffs around the Twelve Apostles. Decide how many nights you can spend outside Melbourne before choosing individual stops.

Alex-style practical take

With two days, I would book one Apollo Bay night and return to Melbourne after the Twelve Apostles on day two. Three days add a Port Campbell night. That allows another cliff visit if wind or visibility undermines the first attempt, though good light is never guaranteed.

Route logic

Use Torquay for supplies and a Surf Coast introduction. Aireys Inlet with Split Point, or Lorne, can be the longer stop. The regional tourism board gives about 45 minutes of driving from Lorne to Apollo Bay, before viewpoint breaks.

From Apollo Bay, cross the Otways to the Twelve Apostles: 85.5km and roughly 75 minutes without stops according to the region. Cape Otway adds a detour. Port Campbell lies 12km west of the Twelve Apostles and becomes the second overnight base in the three-day version.

These regional driving estimates are planning baselines, not promised arrival times. Traffic, works and breaks change the journey.

Not ideal for

Travelers who struggle with bends should shorten the coastal section or choose another excursion. This windy coast also cannot promise consistently warm swimming weather. Starting a long driving day directly after an overnight flight adds another avoidable difficulty.

Suggested route options

• One day: Torquay and Aireys Inlet or Lorne, then Melbourne. The Twelve Apostles would be a different, focused day trip using a more direct approach and far fewer coastal stops.
• Two days, one night: selected Surf Coast stops and Apollo Bay on day one; Twelve Apostles, at most a few nearby viewpoints and the Melbourne return on day two.
• Three days, two nights: Apollo Bay on day one; selected Otways or cliff stops and Port Campbell on day two; a short final visit and Melbourne return on day three.
• Onward to Adelaide: plan extra nights and the rental return separately. Warrnambool and Port Fairy then replace the return toward Melbourne.

Common mistakes

• Treating every map pin as compulsory. The map includes western extensions.
• Scheduling sunset at the Twelve Apostles before a long night drive. This is what the Port Campbell night is for.
• Combining Cape Otway, every cliff stop and long forest walks with a day-two Melbourne rental return.
• Assuming an upper viewpoint means the beach below is accessible. Loch Ard Gorge currently has no open beach descent.

Where to stay overview

Apollo Bay ends the first coastal day. Lorne sits farther east and suits a trip giving that section more time. Port Campbell shortens access to the western cliffs. Staying in Warrnambool shifts the route farther west and requires a different return plan. The overnight guide explains these choices without invented hotel endorsements.

Budget planning

For two adults, our example assumes AUD 80 per rental day, AUD 160 per room night and AUD 70 daily food for both, plus AUD 90 fuel and AUD 20 parking for the trip. Three days and two nights total AUD 880 jointly, or AUD 440 per person. These are hypothetical planning inputs, not current quotes. Flights, extra vehicle protection, one-way fees and major activities are additional where applicable.

The budget guide also calculates one and two days. The family guide uses a separate example for two adults and two children. Save bookings, the return deadline and shared expenses before departure, for example in WanderSpend.

Driving and safety notes

Check VicTraffic, weather and park access before each stage. High fire danger can affect roads and destinations. Check the proposed inland return as well; a different road is not automatically open.

At the Twelve Apostles, the upper Saddle Lookout is suitable for visitors with limited mobility. London Bridge has a short upper path; The Grotto becomes steeper and uses stairs beyond its first platform. The cliff guide explains these differences and the closed beach access at Loch Ard Gorge.

Where to start

First choose the route by days and nights, then the overnight base. Read Melbourne to Apollo Bay for the first coastal stops. The best-time guide covers seasons and holidays, while driving advice covers the car and return journey.