Melbourne to Adelaide along the Great Ocean Road

The official start of the Great Ocean Road is Torquay, famed as Australia’s home of surfing. Check out one of the famous surf beaches, like Jan Jac or Bells Beach, and watch the locals ride the waves.

Australia has a rich history of surfing, and the National Australian Surf Museum proves it. The museum displays surf artefacts, memorabilia and a wall of surfboards. You might even catch a live demonstration of surfboard shaping.

Continue on from Torquay until you reach the town of Lorne; it’s the perfect place to stop for lunch. Swing Bridge Cafe and Boathouse sits on the edge of the Erskine River and serves up fresh, casual fare.

There are ten waterfalls within 10km (6mi) of Lorne, and 60km (37km) of marked walking tracks will lead you to them. Take your pick from the famous Erskine Falls, the picturesque Kalimna Falls and the trickling Henderson Falls.

The Great Ocean Road is certainly not short of phenomenal coastal views, but one of the best is from Teddy’s Lookout. The platform sits high above the coastline and offers a perfect view of the winding road you’ve just driven.

Your final stop for the day is Apollo Bay, and the first order of business is enjoying a local dinner. Perched high above the Great Ocean Road is Chris’s Beacon Point Restaurant. Fresh seafood is the speciality here, fitting of its location.

The 12 Apostles – a collection of towering limestone stacks jutting out of the ocean – are the Great Ocean Road’s most famous formation. Soar above them for an unforgettable view with 12 Apostles Helicopters.

Looking out at the iconic rock formation from a viewing platform is a must-do experience. Feel the wind rising off the crashing waves as you gaze out onto the natural wonder. The colours of the sky offer a particularly impressive backdrop at dawn and dusk.

It’s not just the 12 Apostles that will have you feeling a sense of wonder. Walk down to Gibson Steps Beach to be dwarfed by the mighty 12 Apostles and visit Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge to take in the craggy coastal cliffs and inlets.

With the beauty of the Great Ocean Road, it’s no wonder our native wildlife loves to live here. Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve is home to iconic Aussie wildlife like kangaroos, emus and koalas – all living in the wild.

Explore a dormant volcano with a guide from the world’s oldest living culture with Worn Gundidj. You’ll gain an understanding of traditional Aboriginal lifestyles, native medicinal and edible plants and learn how to throw a boomerang.

Before you temporarily leave the coast, learn to surf or stand-up paddleboard in Port Fairy with Go Surf School. It's suitable for beginners; experienced instructors will get you into the ocean and riding your first wave.

Set your sights on Mount Gambier, where you’ll find the fairytale-like Umpherston Sinkhole/Balumbul. Created from a collapsed cave, the sinkhole is now home to an ethereal garden of hanging vines and green terraces.

A sinkhole filled with beautiful natural water, the Little Blue Lake is like swimming in a postcard. Vertical cliffs tower around the lake, which reaches depths of 47m (154ft). Because of its depth, swimming is only recommended for strong swimmers.

Finish your day with dinner at the Caledonian Inn in the town of Robe. Set in a historic pub, the Caledonian Inn was first licensed in 1858. More than 160 years later, the inn continues to serve locals and travellers alike. 

Before you leave Robe, grab breakfast at Drift Café. This charming eatery serves up classic Aussie dishes like smashed avocado on toast. Take a seat in the spacious back garden with your morning coffee.

Take a morning stroll along the sweeping sands of Long Beach, where aquamarine water meets white sand. The gentle surf makes it a calm place to swim or simply sit on the sand and listen to the waves crash.

As you make your way to Adelaide, stop by Monarto Safari Park. It’s the largest open-range zoo in Australia and offers truly special interactions with animals. You can get up close to Tasmanian devils, meet a Southern white rhino or hand-feed a lion.

Your final stop on your Great Ocean Road adventure is Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. Settle into your accommodation before dining at one of Adelaide’s many exceptional restaurants. This is a culinary city, so expect to be impressed.