Updated on October 9, 2025

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Great Ocean Road Touring Route – 6 Days of the Best Places to Visit

The Great Ocean Road drive in Victoria can easily take 6 days or more; it is one of the best drives in Australia. \

We have dozens of awesome beaches, beautiful waterfalls in the Otways, bushwalks, and loads of activities from surfing to treetop adventures, all culminating in the highlight of the famous 12 Apostles in the Port Campbell National Park.

Where to stay

Our two-night stays in the towns of Lorne, Apollo Bay, and Port Campbell are intended to serve as a guide.

Lots of caravan parks, campgrounds and accommodation choices can be found in all the small towns along the way, and up in the Otway Ranges. Low-cost campgrounds by the ocean are also an option. Please be sure to look for details on our free campgrounds and all the paid caravan and camping parks pages.

ROUTE	DISTANCE	TRAVEL TIME
Melbourne to Torquay	104.5 kilometres/ 65 miles	90 minutes
Torquay to Lorne	46 kilometres / 28.5 miles	50 minutes
Lorne to Apollo Bay	47.3 kilometres / 29 miles	60 minutes
Apollo Bay to Lavers Hill	51.4 kilometres / 32 miles	50 minutes
Lavers Hill to 12 Apostles	40 kilometres / 25 miles	45 minutes
12 Apostles to Port Campbell	11.2 kilometres / 7 miles	10 minutes
Port Campbell to Colac	77.6 kilometres / 48 miles	60 minutes
Colac to Melbourne	152 kilometres / 94.5 miles	2 hours
TOTAL TIME		8 HOURS DRIVING

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MELBOURNE TO LORNE via Torquay

Drive Time: 2 hr 5 mins / 149 km

Torquay is the first main town encountered along the Great Ocean Road. It’s a very popular family destination for generations of Victorians and a great little holiday town. It has safe swimming beaches as well as the National Surfing Museum, surfing gear outlet shops, and places to eat.

What to see between Torquay and Lorne

• Bells Beach is close by to Torquay, home of the Rip Curl Classic Surf competition, held annually every Easter since 1961 (during the event there is no free public access along the road that leads to the beach or onto the beach).
• A Chocolaterie may not be something one imagines when touring the Great Ocean Road – but this place is divinely decadent! Located on the main road between Bells Beach and Anglesea, it’s well worth stopping in as the regular food on offer is exceptional too. The Chocalterie has an ‘older sibling’ in the Yarra Valley that is just awesome too.
• Pt Addis beach and wonderful walks like the pretty Koori Cultural Walk.
• Split Point Lighthouse, Aireys Inlet.
• Anglesea – hire a paddleboat or spot kangaroos on the local golf course.
• Long golden beaches and surf spots, so many good reasons to take the journey slowly and relax.
• The Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch, stop for a selfie and read the history of the building of the Great Ocean Road. Take a walk on the long, fabulous beach too.

Lorne – 2 Nights

The busiest little town along the Great Ocean Road drive. Lorne has a beautiful beachfront with the forest coming right down to the back of the town. There are numerous excellent cafes and restaurants, interesting shops, and a variety of accommodation options, ranging from campgrounds to cottages and 4-star resorts.

Things to do in Lorne

•  Visitor Information Centre and Great Ocean Road Story display, well worth popping in to find out some fascinating history. 15 Mt Joy Parade.
• The Lorne Historical Society, open on Sundays from 10-12, read more on their website.
• Erskine Falls is an easy drive or a good hike, following the Erskine River from the town. Lots of other walks and waterfalls in the area, too.
• Plenty of fun can be had for kids on the foreshore which is one of the most popular Lorne attractions with a lovely beach, rock pools,  swimming pool, in-ground trampolines, a skate park, and playground.
• Teddy’s Lookout is an ideal spot for a few walks and super views down along the Ocean Road. Turn right at the Lorne hotel and drive up the hill, following the signs.
• Live Wire Adventure Park
• Surf Lessons
• Cinema
• Read more about things to do in Lorne

LORNE TO APOLLO BAY

This is where the real fun begins, the road hugs the coast with a drop off to the ocean on one side and the Otways rising up steeply on the other side.

What to see between Lorne and Apollo Bay

From Lorne, it is approximately 1 hour to Apollo Bay, with several worthy stops along the way. These stops are directly off the main ocean road and most are clearly signposted.

• Artillery Rocks – A favourite of ours. Popular for fishing, the rock formations are worth seeing. They are approximately 12.5 km/under a 20-minute drive from Lorne (this is not signposted, but use the directions from the image below if you want to stop; one of our favourite spots).
• Sheoak and Carisbrook Waterfalls are both easy walks that start from car parks along the Ocean Road. Clearly signposted.
• A number of lookout points and parking areas provide views and beach access, some are suitable for long vehicles.
• Kennett River and Koalas in the wild! The tiny community of Kennett River boasts possibly the best koala viewing in the area. Turn right towards the shop and then left up Grey River Road. Koalas can be anywhere here and it is a good spot for seeing the colorful King Parrots and Crimson Rosellas. Drive a couple of km’s up the road to escape the crowds perhaps and look for koalas. Further up is the Grey River Reserve, a pretty picnic area and well known for viewing glow worms after dark.
• Some good accommodation options are available in the Kennett River area for anyone wanting to stop over and possibly see the glow worms.

Apollo Bay – 2 Nights

Such a beautiful town for a holiday. Apollo Bay is not overdeveloped and has a super relaxed feel. The long golden beach, the pier where seals are often seen, and fresh seafood is for sale. Rolling hills, and a lovely foreshore area with playground, information centre, sculptures, free BBQs and walking tracks.

Things to do in Apollo Bay

• Buy fresh seafood from the pier & hopefully spot seals at the end of the pier.
• Children’s playground, skateboard park & Free BBQ’s
• Summertime Fairground and rides on the foreshore
• Mariners lookout
• Swimming on the beautiful long beach
• BYO bikes and ride along the foreshore trail
• Apollo Bay Cinema
• Do the Waterfalls of the Otways and Otway Fly Tree Tops Walk day trip – details below.

Great Ocean Road Helicopter

The ‘Great Ocean Walk‘ starts here, 8 days, and 100 km of adventure all the way to the 12 Apostles… Sections of the Great Ocean Walk can be done if you do not have the inclination or time to spend doing the full 100 km.

Day Trip into the Otways – Waterfalls and Otway Fly Tree Tops Walk

Spend the second day in the area to experience even more of the mountains and coast. This circuit drive from Apollo Bay and return is a super drive on sealed and unsealed roads. It does involve a reasonable amount of narrow, winding, unsealed sections.

To see every waterfall listed below and visit the Otway Fly, it will require a very long day of adventuring (or perhaps, camp at one of the free campgrounds along the way).

Depending on the time of year and whether you can be up and on the road early, you can decide for yourself how much to do.

It will take approximately 11 hours to complete everything, including 2 hours at the Otway Fly, driving time, and a 1-hour stop for lunch. Choosing a couple of waterfalls to visit and completing the circuit drive will be a great day out.

Another attraction in the Otways that is particularly good for families, is the Otway Park Trees Adventure course.

Waterfalls of the Otways – Driving Directions for a day trip

Drive 3km East (towards Melbourne) from Apollo Bay along the Ocean Road to Wild Dog Road and turn left, follow the road all the way to the Turtons Track junction.

Apollo Bay to Turton’s Track Junction – 22km / 30 mins

Turton’s Track Junction to Otway Fly and then Triplet & Little Aire Falls car park – 28km / 40 mins

• If you plan to do the Otway Fly Treetops walk, it takes about 2 hours, and there is a good cafe there. We do recommend it.
• Triplet Falls walk – 1-hour / 2.1km loop
• Little Aire Falls – 2 hr / 5.2 km return

Triplet Falls car park to Beauchamp Falls – (retracing some of the route) 15.2km / 25 mins

• Beauchamp Falls Walk – 1 hour / 3kms return

Beauchamp Falls to Hopetoun Falls – 7.5km / 15 mins

• Hopetoun Falls Walk – Upper viewing platform – 20-metre walk | 30 mins / 1km – about 200 steps down.

Hopetoun Falls to Californian Redwood Forest – 1.3km / 3 mins

• Time here – whatever works best for you. It is not a large area, but it’s gorgeous, and it’s worth having a picnic and relaxing. Not dog-friendly.

Californian Redwoods to Great Ocean Road – via Binns Rd, all unsealed. 13.8km / 30 mins

Binns Road & Great Ocean Road Junction to Apollo Bay – 15kms / 16 mins

OPTIONAL – When you get back to the Great Ocean Road, either return to Apollo Bay or turn right and go about 5 5-minute drive to Maits Rest Rainforest Walk or even to Cape Otway if time allows or do these on the way to the 12 Apostles the next day.

Food & Petrol

• Fill up your tank in Apollo Bay, as there is no fuel on this route. 
• Pack a picnic or buy food from the cafe at the Otway Fly, The Beechy Pub in Beech, Forest.

APOLLO BAY TO PORT CAMPBELL

The drive to the 12 Apostles area from Apollo Bay takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes. It passes through lush forest and farmland before returning to the coast, where all the famous sights people come to see within the Port Campbell National Park are located.

What to see between Apollo Bay and Port Campbell

• Maits Rest – 20 minutes drive from Apollo Bay, this is a beautiful, short walk on a good path through the rainforest. Stunning Myrtle Beech trees are a feature. The walk takes about 20 minutes.
• Cape Otway – A deviation from the Great Ocean Road to Cape Otway is a pretty drive through Manna Gum Forest, where koalas live. The historic lighthouse is worth seeing, but a charge is involved for the tour. Read more here. 
• Melba Gully – Another pretty rainforest walk just past Lavers Hill. Ancient Myrtle Beech Trees and a small cascade make up the walk, which takes about 30 minutes. At night, this is a popular spot to see glowworms. Maybe stay nearby if you are keen to see them.
• Moonlight Head – about 20 minutes past Lavers Hill, is a place many people miss! A steep walk down to the beach at Moonlight Head rewards visitors with a classic scene of a ship’s anchor embedded in the rocks. The result of the shipwrecks Marie Gabrielle (1870) and Fiji (1890). Accessible at low tide only
• Princetown – A tiny township, very close to the Twelve Apostles. Princetown has a wetlands boardwalk, access to the beach, a cafe, and a campground.

Port Campbell National Park & The Twelve Apostles

• Read our guide to the 12 Apostles area for the best views, walks, and beaches to see.
• Gibsons Steps – This is one of our favorite beaches. 88 steps cut into the limestone cliff face (a lot less than the 1000 Steps near Melbourne). Stunning views towards two of the famous rock stacks of the 12 Apostles. During storms or high tides, the steps may be closed off but the lookout platform is still worth stopping for.
  • Parking is extremely limited at Gibsons Steps. From the nearby 12 Apostles car park it is possible to walk 2km back to Gibsons Steps if you have been unable to park.
• Twelve Apostles – It is a very short, 2-minute drive to the 12 Apostles car park from Gibson’s Steps. Loads of free parking, plenty of space for caravans and motorhomes. Helicopter scenic flights leave from here and are highly recommended! Mid-to-late afternoon is the busiest time here. Staying overnight in Port Campbell will enable travellers to return for sunset or sunrise. The walk from the car park takes a couple of minutes to reach the viewing platforms.
• Toilets and a basic cafe for drinks etc.
• Helicopter Rides –  Book ahead to do one of these tours, or just show up on the day.
• Loch Ard Gorge – Named after one of the most famous shipwrecks along the coast, Loch Ard Gorge is… gorgeous. Walk to the ‘Razor Back’ formation, follow the shipwreck trail, and head down to the beach. Walks continue around the clifftop to the historic cemetery, Mutton Bird Island to the Blow Hole and further on to another beach. It is easy to spend a couple of hours exploring this area.
• Return the next day to see more of the area perhaps.

Port Campbell – 2 Nights

Port Campbell is a charming little fishing village with excellent restaurants, a lovely beach, and a clifftop walk, making it an ideal place to stay overnight or longer.

Not far from Port Campbell, on the road towards Warrnambool are more special places to visit.

• The Arch (about 5 minutes from Port Campbell)
• The Famous London Bridge, which fell down… (a few minutes past The Arch)
• The Grotto – A sinkhole that is rather spectacular too. (another few minutes from London Bridge)

Things to do near Port Campbell

• GORGE Chocolates GORGE Chocolates was established in 2004 in the countryside just minutes from the 12 Apostles.  A modest beginning soon gave way to a business appreciated by locals and tourists in the area.
• Apostle Whey Cheese “Dairy farmers Julian and Dianne Benson launched Apostle Whey Cheese on October 29, 2005. Since that day, Apostle Whey Cheese has won numerous major cheese awards and become a significant tourism drawcard for the region. Just a short drive from the Twelve Apostles and the Great Ocean Road, Apostle Whey Cheese is a genuine paddock to plate operation”
• Timboon Distillery “The Timboon Railway Shed Distillery offers a distillery experience and daily lunch service in a location with a real ‘sense of place’.  Both of our dining spaces are relaxing. Choose our covered and heated deck or the rustic and relaxed atmosphere inside the shed which is air-conditioned”
• Experience Timboon and the Rail Trail by hiring a bike. The Crater to Coast Bicycle Hire service specialises in hiring out mountain bikes for a fun day in the outdoors. They also have bike trailers available, so the whole family, including your pets or kids, can come along too.
• Allensford Cheese World Anyone who enjoys the delights of cheese will love this place!

PORT CAMPBELL TO MELBOURNE OR ONWARDS

The return to Melbourne via Colac takes 3 hours / 229 km  / 142.5 miles.

Or continue on the road trip and stay in Warrnambool, Adelaide, or the Grampian Mountains… Follow the Melbourne to Adelaide route and keep travelling in Australia.

	Warrnambool	The Grampians	Adelaide
Port Campbell to	62 km / 50 minutes	209 km / 2.5 hrs	664 km / 7.5 hrs

Visitor Information Centres

• Torquay Visitor Centre, 77 Beach Road
• Lorne Visitor Centre, 15 Mountjoy Pde
• Apollo Bay Visitor Centre, 100 Great Ocean Road
• 12 Apostles Visitor Centre, 26 Morris Street, Port Campbell,
• Warrnambool Visitor Centre, 89 Merri Street