The extensive grounds contain much more than just the lighthouse and you can learn about the history dating back to 1848 and enjoy fantastic views of the rugged cliffs.
Learn a little about the surfing history of the town at the Surfworld museum, and if youve brought your board along with you a paddle at Famous Bells Beach, home of the Rip Curl Pro, is a must do. You can also walk down the steps and along the beach but as it was raining we skipped that. As the area is popular with day tour buses from Melbourne, the Twelve Apostles are busiest in the afternoon. Required fields are marked *. I have no problem driving. Melbourne is a city renowned for its food, shopping, sporting culture and nightlife. Plan your journey with our route planner. You can view the falls from the side and clamber on the rocks to see them from the pool below. On the way youll see Tom and Eva, two rock stacks named after the only survivors of the shipwreck. Journey Time: 1.5 hours from MelbourneStop Time: 10 minutes. You can also buy a toasted sandwich or cheese platter ($20). Check out Points South on Vrbo or compare prices on Booking.com. Although officially the Great Ocean Road starts in Geelong, Melbourne is the ideal start to the trip as it provides the contrast of a big city with the quiet of the small towns dotted along the Great Ocean Road. We arrived in Port Campbell at 2.45pm and had a few hours rest before heading out to see the sunset at London Bridge, which is a quieter alternative to the Twelve Apostles. Simon loved the cheese and vegetable pasty. Before making your way onto day number 3 of your adventure-packed Great Ocean Road trip youll be looking for a place to catch a good nights sleep.
A round trip from Melbourne to the 12 Apostles travelling along the Great Ocean Road will take your travel . There are a few options for pit stop number 3, which will time in perfectly with a late lunch. From the car park, there is a short trail that will lead you right to the viewpoint where youll be gifted with the most incredible sweeping views of Apollo Bay and the coastline.
The best Great Ocean Road stops are in the Port Campbell National Park (including Twelve Apostles) so focus your time here. Not even 15km from Apollo Bay is the incredibly lush and beautifulGreat Otway National Park. Then tuck into a delicious dinner at the Salty Dog Fish & Chippery along the beachfront, the perfect way to end a day of exploring. Join the adventures on our YouTube channel! The road up into the forest is even windier than the coastal route and narrow in parts. 5- Arrive at Lorne. At 8.30am we had it entirely to ourselves.
It might not seem as impressive as the other stops from the viewing platform by the car park, but you can walk down to the beach for a scenic walk. We had no idea what it was at first although its spikes made us guess it was a porcupine. We arrived at our accommodation at 4.40pm.
Port Fairy is a tiny town on Victorias iconic shipwreck coast with a charming vibe and an exciting causeway that leads you out to an island worth exploring too. Possible stops on the way back to Apollo Bay are the Cape Otway Lighthouse (which we visit the next day) and Maits Rest, an easy walk through the rainforest. and answers related to Lorne. Turn off for this road just before you reach Apollo Bay. If you just wanted a quick stop, you could do that in about 15 minutes, but its worth following one or all of the three marked trails.
Happy travels. Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Melbourne to Lorne. The only exception is if you only have one day for the drive, which I explain below. Another worthwhile detour on the way to Port Campbell is Wreck Beach, but we didnt have the energy to stop. Takinga surf lessonis a sure-fire way to have you feeling confident on the board and in the water if you havent tried the sport before. We saw two koalasone sleeping (which they do for up to 22 hours a day) and one munching on leaves (which they do for the rest of the time). Dont forget that in Australia you drive on the left. 15 minutes down the road from Kennett River is Wongarra, where we spent the next two nights at Points South by the Sea. For the best panoramic views in Apollo Bay head straight forMarriners Lookout.
We also walked to the Gibson Steps, which took 15 minutes each way (you can also drive but parking is limited).
Just around the corner is Timboon Fine Ice Cream where you can choose from a huge selection of unusual flavours including a whisky cream made with the drink from next door. The return walk took us 20 minutes and it is rather a steep climb back up. Even better, its a non-profit enterprise that provides training and employment opportunities to people with mental and physical disabilities. They have cheaper compact cars and you can drive the route in any vehicle. Alternative Places to Stay in Port Campbell.
The Twelve Apostlesare one of the most amazing sights within Australia and its not hard to see why as you drive along the coast from Great Otway. Gradually caves were formed, then arches, and when they collapsed the rock stacks stood alone, isolated from the shore. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend. For a great post-drive meal check out theGeelong Boathousefor a classic fish & chips by the sea. We even saw a wallaby (like a smaller kangaroo)! Make sure you visit first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon for the best koala viewing times. The drive from Lorne to Apollo Bay is the most scenic section of the Great Ocean Road. Next we stocked up on supplies at the Foodworks supermarket (theres no big supermarket in Port Campbell) and bought a snack from the Apollo Bay Bakery. The total driving distance from Adelaide to Melbourne is almost 1,000km along the coastal route, so the Great Ocean Road is actually only a small part of the journey. This is where the exterior scenes of the familys lighthouse home were filmed! Itll take longer than you think due to the many curves and places youll want to stop to take a photo or visit an attraction. Other options include coming from Adelaide, so if this is you, just read the itinerary backwards.
Thats how were going to structure this post for you.
Days - 1, 2 & 3 - Melbourne CBD. Both are amazing expressions of natural beauty and are worth checking out. Get detailed, easy-to-follow driving or walking directions. We stayed at Anchors at Port Campbellwhere there are three cottages on a farm a few kilometres inland from town.
If you time it right, there are also history and bush tucker talks. Enter a city to drive through, or find all. Journey Time: 25 minutes from Aireys InletStop Time: 50 minutes. The steps lead to a beach where you can get another view of the Twelve Apostles, but unfortunately, they were closed for safety reasons on our visit. Port Fairy. That way you can travel at your own pace, avoid the crowds, and have more time to enjoy the many Great Ocean Road attractions beyond the Twelve Apostles.
I think 3 days/2 nights is the minimum amount of time for a really enjoyable trip. We take the coastal route on the way there, and head inland to explore The Otways on the way back. We personally stayed there when we travelled across Australia, and highly recommend it. When we drove past around 2.30pm, the viewing platform was rammed. They are set up studio style (best for a couple) with the large comfortable bed on a platform at the back and a sofa, armchair, and small dining table at the front. There are many free campsites and serviced holiday parks along the route, and you can either pitch your own tent or drive a campervan. The Bay of Islandsoffers similar scenery to the Twelve Apostles but without the crowds. Drive from Melbourne to Adelaide along one of Australia's most famous coastal routes. Built in honour of the 3,000 soldiers who worked on this stretch of road after WWI, there is now also a sculpture there to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the arch.
Lorne is one of the most popular towns on a Great Ocean Road Trip.
From there you could continue the loop back down to the Great Ocean Road via Lavers Hill. One of the best things to do on the Great Ocean Road is going out for a paddle at some of the most famous surf beaches in Australia. The 20-metre falls crash over a ledge with a backdrop of lush ferns and the forest towering above. hi guys my husband and l are going to drive the great ocean road in early November. Although the property is along the road itself, the cottages are perched upon the cliffside and it feels wonderfully tranquil with only the sound of crashing waves below. To get you fueled up for your last day head toBohemiaCafe & Barfor a takeaway coffee or a wicked and delicious breakfast. At Timboon Railway Shed Distillery you can do whisky tastings and tours, but its worth a visit even if you dont sample their wares.
Relax and unwind in the seaside town of Lorne, attracting visitors for more than a century with its easy Mediterranean feel and charming scenery. The nearest major city is Melbourne and its a popular day or side trip from there (its where we visited from).
Griffiths Islandcan be accessed by a footbridge nearby to the wharf and is a great place to do a little bird watching. But one of the most incredible Great Ocean Road attractions is just around the corner. It would also be tempting to continue down past the end of the road to Warrnambool or Port Fairy for a night and visit the nearby Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve for a chance to see koalas, kangaroos, and emu in the wild. While you could drive it in the opposite direction, Port Campbell would be quite far to reach on the coastal route for your overnight stay, and its a fairly long drive from Apollo Bay to Twelve Apostles for an early morning visit. Picking up and dropping off the car was quick and easy, and they are near Queen Victoria Market where you can pick up supplies for the trip. 