Guide
Melbourne to Apollo Bay: Great Ocean Road stops
Choose between Torquay, Split Point and Lorne, then finish in Apollo Bay: a practical first coastal day from Melbourne.
Save it for later on this device or print a clean planning copy.
Quick facts
- Best time
- March-May, September-November, Early summer mornings
- Recommended duration
- 1 coastal day ending with an Apollo Bay overnight
- Budget range
- Low: Share car rental and fuel per person · Mid: Add the room cost per night · Comfort: Allow separately for tower entry and restaurants
- With kids
- Yes
Orientation
Give the Surf Coast its own day
Surf beaches, the Aireys Inlet lighthouse and the winding road from Lorne to Apollo Bay belong to the eastern section. An overnight finish gives you time for two or three chosen stops.
For a return day trip, concentrate on Torquay and Aireys Inlet or Lorne. Apollo Bay is the overnight destination in this plan, rather than another compulsory stop before the Twelve Apostles.
I would use Torquay for supplies, then choose between climbing the lighthouse at Aireys Inlet and a long break in Lorne. An Apollo Bay overnight leaves the next morning available for the Otways crossing.
Alex Travels · TravelHighlights.io
Keep planning
Choose the next useful step
Jump straight to the next relevant part of your trip.
Guide map
- Melbourne
- Torquay
- Bells Beach
- Anglesea
- Aireys Inlet and Split Point Lighthouse
- Lorne
- Kennett River
- Apollo Bay
Itinerary
Suggested itinerary
Return day trip from Melbourne
Eastern coast without an Apollo Bay overnight or the Twelve Apostles.
- 1Choose Torquay and a Bells Beach viewpoint.
- 2Make Aireys Inlet the main stop; add Lorne only if the return journey leaves enough time.
- 3Return to Melbourne without pushing west to the Twelve Apostles.
First day of a two-day loop
One Apollo Bay night, followed by the western section and Melbourne return on day two.
- 1Choose Torquay or Bells Beach, then Aireys Inlet or Lorne.
- 2Reach Apollo Bay in the afternoon and stay overnight.
- 3Visit the Twelve Apostles next day; the rental return deadline determines how many extra stops fit.
Two days for the eastern section
One night each in Lorne and Apollo Bay; the rest of the route needs additional days.
- 1Day 1: Torquay and Aireys Inlet, then an overnight in Lorne.
- 2Day 2: time in Lorne and the coastal drive to Apollo Bay for the second night.
- 3Reserve day three and any extra days separately for the western section and return journey.
Interactive packing list
Packing list for Australia
Powered by Plantrip
Check off the essentials as you prepare. This interactive list is provided by PlanTrip.
Bases
Best base areas
Best for
Torquay
Surf focus and gentle first night
Pros
- Easiest coastal start from Melbourne
- Good if arriving late or starting slowly
Watch-outs
- Too far east for a tight two-day route
- Adds pressure to day two if the Twelve Apostles are the priority
Best for
Lorne
Comfort, food and coastal town atmosphere
Pros
- Scenic, easy and relaxed
- Good for families who want less driving on day one
Watch-outs
- Can be expensive
- Still leaves a lot of route before Port Campbell
Best for
Apollo Bay
First overnight on a classic route
Pros
- Balanced position
- Good handoff to Otways and Twelve Apostles
- Practical food and accommodation base
Watch-outs
- Peak stays need early booking
- Not as close to sunrise viewpoints as Port Campbell
Planning notes
Avoid These Common Mistakes
Leaving Melbourne too late
A late start turns every early stop into a decision under pressure.
Making every surf town mandatory
Torquay, Bells Beach and Anglesea are useful, but you do not need long stops at all of them.
Underestimating Lorne to Apollo Bay
The road is scenic and winding, which makes it slower and more tiring than a straight highway section.
Choosing the overnight without a route goal
Apollo Bay, Lorne and Port Campbell serve different trips. Pick the town before booking the rest.
Travel planning answers
Melbourne–Apollo Bay questions
Do I need to stop in every coastal town?+
No. Pick two or three priorities: Torquay for supplies, Bells Beach for surf views, Aireys Inlet for the lighthouse and Lorne for a longer break.
How long is the drive from Lorne to Apollo Bay?+
The regional tourism board gives about 45 minutes of driving. Viewpoints, parking searches, traffic and roadworks take additional time.
Is Split Point tower a quick free photo stop?+
Seeing the lighthouse from outside and paying to climb it are different visits. The operator lists 30- or 45-minute prepaid guided tours; allow extra time for arrival and parking.
Are koalas guaranteed at Kennett River?+
No. Check current access notices for the infrastructure project and park only where permitted. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed; do not feed or touch animals.
Can the whole route fit into one day?+
For a single day this guide recommends the eastern coast. For Apollo Bay, the Twelve Apostles and the return to Melbourne, use at least the overnight version described here.
Worth it / Skip if
Worth it
Worth it when you treat the first coastal section as its own travel day rather than a quick transfer to the Twelve Apostles.
Skip if
Skip most early stops if you only have one day and your real goal is the Twelve Apostles area.
With kids
Plan food and toilet breaks in Torquay or Lorne. Split Point tower has stairs and no lift; check the operator’s age and adult-supervision rules before booking.
Budget range
Low
Share car rental and fuel per person
Mid
Add the room cost per night
Comfort
Allow separately for tower entry and restaurants
Guide details
Melbourne departure logic
Treat this as a coastal day ending with an overnight in Apollo Bay. A 7–8am departure is our planning assumption, subject to rental collection and city traffic. After an overnight flight, allow time to rest before attempting a long driving day.
If you must be back in Melbourne that evening, choose Torquay and Aireys Inlet or Lorne instead. A Twelve Apostles visit would be a separate excursion with a different approach.
Torquay, Bells Beach and Anglesea
Use Torquay for groceries and fuel before the coastal section. If surf views matter more, choose a short Bells Beach viewpoint visit and reduce time in town. Watching surfers does not make this a recommendation to swim there.
Anglesea is an alternative lunch stop. It need not be another long break after Torquay and before Lorne.
Aireys Inlet, Lorne and Kennett River
At Split Point, choose between seeing the lighthouse from outside and paying to climb the tower. The operator lists 30- or 45-minute prepaid guided tours. The tower has stairs and no lift; signed visitor parking is away from the entrance. Check booking and family access rules in the operator FAQ.
Choose Lorne for a longer lunch if you skip the tower visit. The regional tourism board gives about 45 minutes of driving from Lorne to Apollo Bay, before any viewpoint stops.
Keep Kennett River optional. During the visitor infrastructure project, current access notices matter more than old café and parking tips. Park only where permitted, do not feed birds and give koalas space. A wildlife sighting cannot be scheduled.
Apollo Bay and the first overnight decision
Aim to reach Apollo Bay during the afternoon. Groceries, check-in and dinner need time too. The regional tourism board lists about 75 minutes from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles without stops; in this plan, that drive belongs to the following day.
Sleeping in Lorne shortens day one but leaves more driving before the western cliffs on day two. Two eastern coastal days with one night each in Lorne and Apollo Bay require extra days for the western section and Melbourne return.
Family and traveler trade-offs
With children, a reliable meal break and a reachable overnight destination are more useful than seven viewpoints. Check that the lighthouse stairs and age rules suit your group. If photographing the Twelve Apostles is a priority, add a Port Campbell night rather than pushing west after this coastal day.
Parking and driving notes
Use marked car parks and pullouts. Even an early arrival does not guarantee spaces on summer weekends. The bends beyond Lorne require the driver's attention; a spontaneous roadside photo stop is not a substitute for legal parking.
This day's costs are car hire, fuel, food and any tower entry. Add the Apollo Bay room per night. Divide shared vehicle and room costs by the actual number of travelers; use the budget guide for a complete worked example.
Where to go next
Combine this day with the full itinerary and overnight base comparison. Browse every guide in the Great Ocean Road hub.
Sources & Last updated
Last updated: 2026-09-07
Sources
- Tourism Australia: Official Great Ocean Road destination and drive planning context(checked: 2026-06-19)
- Visit Great Ocean Road: Regional visitor information for Great Ocean Road towns and route context(checked: 2026-06-19)
- Tourism Australia: Driving in Australia context for international visitors(checked: 2026-06-19)
- Visit Great Ocean Road: Approximate driving time from Lorne to Apollo Bay.(checked: 2026-09-07)
- Split Point Lighthouse: Visit types, duration, stairs and parking instructions.(checked: 2026-09-07)
- Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority: Visitor infrastructure project; check current access before stopping.(checked: 2026-09-07)
For your trip planning
Travel Services
Useful services for your trip. Choose what fits your plans.
Affiliate offers: We may earn a commission if you book. External search forms load only when opened, sharing data with Travelpayouts and the provider.
Nearby / next stop
ROUTE · ROADTRIP
Essential
Last updated 2026-09-07
Great Ocean Road: an itinerary for 1, 2 or 3 days
One coastal section or the full Melbourne loop: clear Apollo Bay and Port Campbell night plans, driving times and specific cuts.
Read guide →
BASE · PLANNING
Last updated 2026-09-07
Great Ocean Road: Apollo Bay or Port Campbell?
One or two nights: compare Apollo Bay, Lorne, Port Campbell and Warrnambool by approach, viewpoint days, return route and room needs.
Read guide →
