About the Great Ocean Road: The Great Ocean Road runs along the southern coastal road of Victoria. 664 km/413 miles, about 9.5 hours. One of Australia's most scenic drives, the Great Ocean Road is a magnificent three-day self-drive touring route from surf capital Torquay to the famous 12 Apostles, ending at historic fishing village Port Fairy. From here you can drive further onto Portland and then to Hamilton for a more countryside experience then over the border to Mt Gambier in South Australia onto Adelaide.

Suggested Itinerary: For a 7 day scenic drive motorhome route:
Scenic Drive Route: Melbourne to Apollo Bay, then Apollo Bay to Port Fairy, from Port Fairy to Portland and then to Hamilton for a more countryside experience then over the border to Mt Gambier in South Australia onto Adelaide.

Melbourne to Geelong (see map below)
74.9 km via M1, about 1hour and 30 minutes

Melbourne to Apollo Bay
198 km/120 miles, about 3 hours
Ease into your road trip with the leisurely drive from Melbourne to Torquay, just over an hour's drive. Home to some of Australia's best-known surf beaches, Torquay marks the official beginning of the Great Ocean Road. Dose up on surf culture at the Australian National Surfing Museum before visiting Bells Beach, host of the annual Rip Curl Pro. Stop at nearby Anglesea and take a detour to the golf course, famous for the kangaroos lounging under the trees surrounding the greens. Magnificent coastal views will dominate the next 30 kilometres as you drive to beach town Lorne, the perfect spot for lunch – fish and chips on the beach is a must. Another twenty minutes winding along the coastal road will bring you to Kennett River and its most famous locals: koalas. Take some birdseed for their flighty friends then follow the 'koala walk' with your camera ready. As you make your way to Apollo Bay, you'll travel up along cliff-tops offering incredible views and alongside wild beaches – take time to stop at the lookouts for photos, or beachside for a stroll. From coastal town Apollo Bay, follow the Great Ocean Road into the lush Otway National Park, and turn off to the Cape Otway light station (about a 50-minute drive). Take a tour of the oldest surviving lighthouse in mainland Australia, climbing to the top to see where the Bass Strait meets the Southern Ocean. Make your way back to Apollo Bay for the night. Dine at Chris's at Beacon Point, where gourmet food is complemented by spectacular cliff-top views, and sleep next to the beach at Whitecrest. Or escape it all at the Great Ocean Ecolodge, a conservation centre nestled 25 kilometres away in the Otway National Park, for an extraordinary encounter with native wildlife.

Apollo Bay to Port Fairy
189 km/117 miles, about 3 hours
From Apollo Bay, follow the Great Ocean Road into the lush rainforest of the Otway National Park and turn off to the Otway Fly Treetop Walk, an easy hour's drive. Reach for the sky along the treetop canopy walkway – the longest and tallest of its type in the world – or up the adrenaline with a zip-line tour. Back on the Great Ocean Road, get your camera ready for the spectacular coastline leading to Port Campbell and its famous 12 Apostles, a group of magnificent rock stacks rising up from the Southern Ocean. Descend all 86 of the Gibson Steps to walk down to the wild beach for a ground-level view of the 12 Apostles. Take plenty of time to stop at lookouts over the cliffs of the Loch Ard Gorge and, just beyond Port Campbell, the hauntingly beautiful Bay of Islands. For the best views of this beguiling coastline, take to the skies on a helicopter tour. Unforgettable. Continue along the Great Ocean Road west, to Warrnambool. Explore the maritime capital's history then head to the viewing platforms at Logans Beach to spot its impressive winter visitors: southern right and blue whales. Catching a glimpse of these giants schooling their calves just offshore is truly awe-inspiring. From Warrnambool, drive towards Port Fairy and take the turn-off to Tower Hill State Game Reserve, an easy 15-minute drive. Take to the walking tracks, keeping an eye out for koalas, emus, kangaroos and waterbirds who roam freely among the hills and lake-filled craters of this extinct volcano. Visit the Worn Gundidj Visitor Centre to find out more about the reserve's Aboriginal and geological history. Top off the day with dinner in nearby Port Fairy. Dine on acclaimed seasonal regional fare at Fen, where dishes are inspired by the coastal landscape, or at the historic dining room at the Merrijig Inn, Victoria's oldest inn, where you can book in to stay the night in cosy country-style comfort. Or, make the short journey back to Warrnambool for modern European fare at the celebrated Pickled Pig and stay overlooking the beach in coastal luxury at the Lady Bay Resort.

Port Fairy to Portland
76 km via Princes Hwy/A1, about 1 hour and 45 minutes
Port Fairy is the historic seaside town is a popular tourist destination, voted Victoria's Number 1 Tourist Destination and Australia's Fourth Most Popular by recognised industry magazine Australian Traveller in its 100 Best Towns In Australia edition, published in March 2009. Port Fairy offers incredible ocean views, river views, award-winning restaurants, a range of accommodation, Links golf course, boutique shopping, delightful beaches and picturesque natural attractions, together with the internationally recognised Port Fairy Folk Festival each March. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway, family-friendly or pet-friendly break, beach holiday or just a peaceful and relaxing beach holiday, Port Fairy is the ideal holiday destination. www.visitportfairy-moyneshire.com.au/townsplaces/port-fairy. Portland is a city located in Victoria and his population is 8,841 inhabitants. Portland is Victoria’s first settlement and is one of the best kept secrets. Situated on the far South West Coast of Victoria we are a perfect holiday destination for all. Portland offers a great range of activities. Fantastic beaches, fishing, Whale watching, tours of aboriginal sites, shopping, history and botanical gardens. http://www.visitportland.com.au/

Portland to Hamilton
77 km in a straight line, about 1 hour and 45 minutes
Hamilton is located in Victoria and his population is 10,104 inhabitants. The distance from Portland to Hamilton is 76.3 km in a straight line. Hamilton is a major centre located in the south-west of Victoria, south of Horsham and north of the coastal towns of Portland and Port Fairy . All about Hamilton and photos of Hamilton. Hamilton offers attractive parks, green gardens and recreation areas. The 4 ha 'Botanical Gardens' were established in 1870 and feature a collection of pine and oak trees. There is also a rotunda, fountain, caretaker's cottage and an animal enclosure. Apex Park, on the corner of the Glenelg Highway and Apex Drive has BBQ and picnic facilities as well as a preserved steam locomotive. The 221 ha known as the 'Community Parklands' is located at the northern end of Hamilton. Includes lakes, and fields of native wildflowers. Lake Hamilton is located at the eastern end of town and is surrounded by 25 ha of parkland. The lake's main sandy beach is located at the end of Rippon Road. A smaller beach is also located near the boat ramp off Mill Road. A walking and cycling track circles the entire lake.

Hamilton to Mt Gambier
125.0 km via C187 and Princes Hwy/A1, about 1 hour and 45 minutes
Mount Gambier is a city in the southeastern corner of South Australia. It’s known for its limestone, volcanic landscape and crater lakes. One of these, Blue Lake, turns cobalt blue in summer. Nearby, the Centenary Tower offers panoramic views of the area. The Umpherston Sinkhole contains a lush sunken garden. The Lady Nelson Visitor Centre houses a full-size replica of a late-18th-century ship.http://www.mountgambierpoint.com.au/attractions/ . Mount Gambier welcomes you to South Australia. Here you’ll discover some natural wonders such as the Blue Lake which turns a vivid blue colour during the summer months or marvel at the Umpherston Sinkhole. For the adventurous, snorkel the crystal clear waters of the Piccaninnie Ponds which have been filtering through the limestone over thousands of years, or scuba dive deeper into the large underwater cavern known as The Cathedral. Nearby, Ewens Ponds Conservation Park is renowned for its incredible underwater visibility of up to 80 metres. Must Do's: Blue Lake, Umpherston Sinkhole, Naracoorte Caves National Park (1 hour drive from Mount Gambier), Piccaninnie Ponds, Ewens Ponds.

Mt Gambier to Adelaide
434.1 km via Riddoch Hwy/A66 and National Highway A8 , about 5 hours
Adelaide is the capital city of the state of South Australia, and the fifth-most populous city of Australia. In June 2016, Adelaide had an estimated resident population of 1,326,354. South Australia, with a total of 1.7 million inhabitants, has the most centralised population of any state in Australia, with more than 75 percent of its people living in greater Adelaide, while the other population centres in the state are relatively small. Adelaide is north of the Fleurieu Peninsula, on the Adelaide Plains between the Gulf St Vincent and the low-lying Mount Lofty Ranges which surround the city. Adelaide stretches 20 km (12 mi) from the coast to the foothills, and 94 to 104 km (58 to 65 mi) from Gawler at its northern extent to Sellicks Beach in the south.
http://southaustralia.com/places-to-go/adelaide | Distances are coutesy of http://www.distandco.com/





Courtesy and very special thanks to http://www.visitvictoria.com/

Back to home and more tourist destinations