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Australia Great Ocean Road in 2 nights

Posted by (Miami, FL, USA) on

Hi All-
I've been searching for more suggestions on our plans to drive the GOR this December. I've found different itineraries but no real explanation as to what would be better, maybe it is all personal opinions but as the head travel planner for my groups of 5 I want to make sure I plan the best route with the best use of time....side note we are planing our drive from Melbourne on the 27th and back to the MEL airport for a 4 or 5pm flight to Sydney on the 29th. (have not booked the flight yet)

originally it was Melbourne to Apollo Bay then the next day Apollo Bay to Port Fairy. then drive from Port Fairy to MEL Airport.
Now I am thinking it may be better to stay in Apollo Bay and then in Port Campbell and then Port Campbell to MEL on our third day.

I'm not sure if driving from Apollo Bay to Port Fairy is necessary as it looks like most of the sights are within 30 mins to/from Port Campbell....will we be missing a lot if we don't go all the way to Port Fairy?
What are the sights in this stretch of road from Port Campbell to Port Fairy? We would definitely go east to the Bay of Islands which Maps says is only 15mins away

some notes:
We wanted to see the 12 apostles at sunset and avoid the tour buses
I'd like to go into the Otway National Park and check out the lighthouse climb and the Tree top Park walk- not sure how long this will take.
We may like to do a Heli tour day 2 as well. what is the best section for this?
Also want to stop at Carisbrook Creek for the stacked rocks closer to Lorne (i think it was)

the last suggestion I received was to start in Port Campbell, driving the short way (still 3 hours) from Mel to Port Campbell and seeing the East and West driving sights day one. Day two drive to Apollo bay, day three head to airport stoping on the way....however I am not sure if that is the smartest option as I feel in my mind it would be rushed to see all between Apollo bay and Torquay with an afternoon flight and its still a direct 3 hour drive

any thoughts on the best travel route would be greatly appreciated!
any restaurant or specific lodging suggestions as well would be helpful too!

thanks travel forum!

Posted by
7659 posts

We visited Australia and New Zealand last March and April. Our first week was in Melbourne, Australia, a great city that we very much enjoyed.
We books a great two day (one overnight) minibus tour with Viator that took us on the first day to the 12 Apostles area, were we made different stops to see the Apostles well. That was fantastic, then we drove to the Great Ocean Road east and made stops in a village overlooking the ocean for lunch. Also, we stopped to see wildlife. One stop we saw a large group of kangaroos in the wild and other stop our guide took us up a hilly, wooded area where we saw many koalas in the wild. Some of the koalas were fairly close and we took great photos.

The tour that day ended on a peninsula, sorry if I forgot the name, but we overnighted in a hotel with a BBQ dinner included. The next day we visited a nature park and saw (closeup) many different species of animal and including more Kangaroos and Walabys (we fed them) and Koala. We saw a Tasmanian Devil and a bird show.
That evening we were taken to Phillip Island, driven around to see scenic seashore areas where the Penguins nest. Prior to dark, we were taken to the reviewing area and seated where we saw the Penguins returning from the ocean. We were able to see about 40 penguins up close when they moved past our stands to their nests. The park had trails raised over their path, so we could see them. That was great.

I highly recommend this tour.

Posted by
2822 posts

Port Fairy is a pretty little place in its own right and has the advantage of being only about 20 mins. from the Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve near Koroit. The reserve is located within an old caldera (unfenced) where the animals are free to roam. You're guaranteed to see Emu's (usually with chicks), Koalas, and more grey kangaroos than you can count. It really is a charming place featuring gentle walks thru well marked paths. We make it a point to stop there on every visit to that part of Victoria. It is, however, about the only thing of interest that might justify the drive from Port Campbell. Cape Otway and the Twelve Apostles are the main attractions along that stretch of coast as you've noted. If you're pressed for time then Port Campbell is probably your best bet.

Posted by
2822 posts

Another thought as it occurs to me: driving in Australia can be particularly hazardous after dark - you never know what will come boinging out of the forest next to the highway, and a big kangaroo can make a real mess of a rental car (and its occupants). Take great care on your drive back to Port Campbell ... or wherever you decide to stay.

Posted by
23 posts

Thanks for your responses and concern! I’ve heard the same about driving. My dad will be the man in charge of that task and I am definitely not planning on letting us do any night driving. Better safe than sorry :)

We are planning to visit Philips island on the 26th. the day before we drive the GOR. Sounds like a great place to explore!

Posted by
703 posts

''Another thought as it occurs to me: driving in Australia can be particularly hazardous after dark''

this is good advice but 'generally' speaking the times to keep an eye out is at dusk and very early morning for kangaroo on the roadside. perhaps not so much at night time. though wombats like to come out at night and are like mini 'tanks' waddling across the road.
hope this helps

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