One of the world's great coastal drives, connecting Australia's two southern capitals along 750 km of dramatic cliffs, surf beaches, rainforest, and the iconic Twelve Apostles. The Great Ocean Road itself (Torquay to Allansford, 243 km) is the headline, but continuing west through the Grampians and into South Australia adds exceptional diversity. This route is short enough to be a side trip from the east-coast trail, making it a popular add-on before or after the Sydney-to-Cairns run.
Suggested duration: 3-7 days
Best Direction
Melbourne → Adelaide (east to west) keeps you on the ocean side of the road for the best views and easiest pull-offs at lookouts. The Twelve Apostles hit harder when they appear around a bend rather than being in your rearview mirror.
Best Time of Year
October to April for warm weather and longer daylight
December-February is peak summer -- best weather but busiest roads and highest accommodation prices
March-April and October-November offer mild weather and thinner crowds
June-August can be moody and dramatic with big Southern Ocean swells; whale watching season (June-September) from Warrnambool and the coast
Stop-by-Stop Breakdown
1. Melbourne → Torquay / Bells Beach
Distance: 105 km
Drive: 1.5 hours via the M1 freeway
V/Line bus: Melbourne Southern Cross to Geelong ($8 AUD / ~$6 USD, 1 hour), then local bus to Torquay ($4 AUD / ~$3 USD)
Stay: Half day (Bells Beach, Australian National Surfing Museum)
2. Torquay → Lorne
Distance: 45 km
Drive: 1 hour (winding coastal road)
Stay: 1 day (waterfalls in the Otways, Teddy's Lookout)
3. Lorne → Apollo Bay
Distance: 45 km
Drive: 1 hour
Stay: 1 night (small coastal town, Great Otway National Park, glow worms at Melba Gully)
4. Apollo Bay → Twelve Apostles / Port Campbell
Distance: 95 km via the inland route through Otway rainforest
Drive: 1.5 hours with stops (Cape Otway Lighthouse, koala spotting along Lighthouse Road)
Stay: 1-2 nights in Port Campbell (Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, London Arch, The Grotto)
5. Port Campbell → Warrnambool
Distance: 65 km
Drive: 50 minutes
Stay: 1 night (optional; whale nursery at Logans Beach June-September, Tower Hill nature reserve)
6. Warrnambool → Grampians (Halls Gap)
Distance: 190 km
Drive: 2 hours
Stay: 1-2 days (Pinnacle hike, MacKenzie Falls, Boroka Lookout, kangaroos and emus at Halls Gap)
7. Grampians → Adelaide
Distance: 450 km
Drive: 4.5-5 hours via the Western Highway and Dukes Highway
V/Line + connecting bus: Limited connections via Ballarat and Ararat; not practical for this leg
Stay: Arrival in Adelaide
Transport Options Compared
Self-Drive (Best Option)
Car rental (Melbourne, one-way to Adelaide): From $40-70 AUD/day (~$28-48 USD). One-way drop-off fee varies: $50-200 AUD
Campervan: From $60-110 AUD/day (~$41-76 USD) plus drop-off
Fuel for full route: $80-120 AUD (~$55-83 USD)
National park fees: Free (Port Campbell and Grampians are free entry; Cape Otway Lighthouse is $20 AUD)
Pros: The road was built for driving; stop wherever you want, sunset/sunrise at the Apostles on your own schedule
Cons: Need a driver, one-way fees, fuel costs
Backpacker Tours
Autopia Tours (3-day Melbourne to Adelaide): From $545 AUD (~$376 USD) in shared dorms, $755 AUD (~$521 USD) for twin/double. Includes Great Ocean Road, Grampians, 2 nights accommodation, 2 breakfasts, 2 dinners, national park fees
Groovy Grape: 2-day Adelaide to Melbourne (reverse direction), from $395 AUD (~$273 USD)
Wildlife Tours Australia: 3-day tour from $499 AUD (~$344 USD)
Pros: No driving, social, guides know the best spots, meals and accommodation included
Cons: Fixed itinerary, can feel rushed, less independence
Public Transport (Limited)
V/Line train + bus: Melbourne to Warrnambool by train (3.5 hours, $32 AUD / ~$22 USD). From Warrnambool, options are very limited along the Great Ocean Road itself -- no regular bus service covers the coastal stretch
Melbourne to Adelaide by bus: Firefly Express runs direct in 10-11 hours for $65-90 AUD (~$45-62 USD) but takes the inland highway, missing the Great Ocean Road entirely
Pros: Cheap
Cons: You will not see the Great Ocean Road
Flying
Melbourne to Adelaide: 1.5 hours, from $80-150 AUD (~$55-103 USD) with Jetstar or Rex
Pros: Fast
Cons: Misses the entire point
Budget Comparison
Method
Approximate Cost (AUD)
Approximate Cost (USD)
Self-drive car (shared between 3, 4 days)
$150-250 per person
$103-172
Backpacker tour (3 days)
$395-755
$273-521
Public transport (inland only)
$65-90
$45-62
Flight
$80-150
$55-103
Tips & Warnings
Drive on the left -- the winding cliff roads are not the place to forget which side of the road to be on
Wildlife at dusk -- kangaroos, wallabies, and wombats are most active at dawn and dusk. Avoid driving these roads after dark
Sunrise at the Twelve Apostles -- arrive before dawn to avoid tour buses and get golden light. The car park is open 24 hours
Free camping -- limited along the Great Ocean Road itself, but there are bush campsites in the Otways and Grampians from $15-20 AUD per site
Fuel -- fill up in every town. Apollo Bay and Port Campbell have fuel but prices are higher than in Melbourne
Rain and fog -- the southern coast can turn grey quickly even in summer. Bring layers
Relocation deals -- check for Melbourne→Adelaide (or reverse) campervan relocations for as low as $1/day
Koalas -- scan the eucalyptus canopy along the Kennett River stretch and the Otway Lighthouse road; wild koalas are common here
Related Routes
East-Coast-Sydney-to-Cairns -- continue north from Melbourne or start south from Sydney
Red-Centre-Alice-Springs-Uluru-Darwin -- fly Adelaide to Alice Springs to add the outback