The Great Ocean Road

Melbourne

On arrival in Melbourne transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay. The following day is at your leisure to explore this vibrant city, take a stroll down Degraves Street and discover the city’s beautiful arcades and street art around every corner. Melbourne is a perfect balance of world-class dining, art and culture.

Melbourne – Apollo Bay

Collect your hire car and join the Great Ocean Road, one of the world’s most famous coastal drives, and head towards Apollo Bay. The road hugs the coastline for much of the route, revealing spectacular scenery coupled with the added splendour of the Otway Ranges. Enroute, explore Torquay, a surfer’s hang-out and home to Bells Beach, the world-famous surf beach where national and international challenges are held. Arrive in the fishing village of Apollo Bay, boasting magnificent beaches and the rainforest of the Otway Ranges and Otway National Park. The rest of the day is at your leisure, perhaps visit The Bass Strait Shell Museum featuring a huge display of shells from all around the world and showcasing the area’s shipping history.

Apollo Bay – Port Fairy 

Depart Apollo Bay via Port Campbell, a small crayfishing village, and drive the three hour journey to Port Fairy. Highlights along the road include the Blow Hole, Mutton Bird Island and Elephant Rock. Don’t miss the much photographed Twelve Apostles, created by the constant erosion of the limestone cliffs. The only city on the rugged Shipwreck Coast is Warnambool, overlooking the deep blue seas of the Southern Ocean. From June to September, witness the arrival of the whales as they return to Logan Beach, renowned as Victoria’s southern right whale nursery. Arrive at the delightful little fishing port and seaside resort of Port Fairy and check into your hotel. The following day you can relax and unwind on Port Fairy’s main beach, perfect for swimming in the blue waters or enjoying a stroll down the sandy shore.

Port Fairy - Robe

Depart Port Fairy and head towards the Seaside town of Robe, passing Lake George, St Clair and Eliza. The port of Robe was proclaimed in 1847 and gradually grew, exporting wool and horses.

Robe – Adelaide

Travel to Kingston and join the Princes Highway to Murray Bridge. Kingston is the beginning of ‘Lobster Country’ which explains the large lobster sculpture on display. Stop at Victor Harbour, a delightful coastal resort and the largest of the resort towns on Horseshoe Bay. You can take the old horse tram out to Granite Island, home to wallabies and penguins. Don’t miss Rosetta Bluff, a natural rock formation on the south coast. Explore the wineries of McLaren Vale, renowned for Hardy and Seaview wineries. In Hahndorf, a historic German village in the Adelaide Hills, visit the Hahndorf Old Mill, European style bakeries and German shops.

Depart Adelaide