Oceania Tours and Safaris, 12 Apostles, Great Ocean Road, Victoria © Tourism Australia

Oceania Tours and Safaris, 12 Apostles, Great Ocean Road, Victoria © Tourism Australia

Melbourne to Adelaide along the Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road is more than a road trip – it's beauty, freedom and Australian beach culture all wrapped into one.

Trip overview

4 days

car

The must-do experiences

Marvel at the mighty 12 Apostles rock formation
Visit the heart of Australian surf culture
Stroll through a sunken garden

Day 1: Melbourne to Apollo Bay via Lorne

3hrs 187km (116mi)

Weave your way out of Melbourne and embrace Victoria’s rocky, wave-washed coast.

Day 2: Apollo Bay to Port Fairy

2.5hrs 185km (115mi)

Your second day on the Great Ocean Road brings you to some of the drive’s most remarkable sights. Expect to be wowed by towering rock formations and wide, empty beaches.

Great Ocean Road, VIC © Visit Victoria

Must-stop places on the Great Ocean Road

Step off the beaten track and unearth the lesser-known gems of the Great Ocean Road.

Read time • 6min

Day 3: Port Fairy to Robe

3hrs 281km (175mi)

Venture inland to discover sunken gardens, cenotes (sinkholes filled with water) and underground caves.

Day 4: Robe to Adelaide

3.5hrs 336km (209mi)

Your final day brings you into Adelaide, known as Australia’s Festival City. There’s plenty to see and do in the city, and just outside it lies some of Australia’s best wine regions.

Mia Margarita, Adelaide, SA © South Australian Tourism Commission

Guide to Adelaide

Colourful cultural events, a thriving restaurant and small bar scene and fine wine make Adelaide your next must-visit destination.

Read time • 4min

Explore more nearby

Bathing Boxes, Mornington Beach, Mornington Peninsula, VIC © ewenbell.com

Trips and itineraries

5-day Melbourne to Mornington Peninsula family road trip 

Great Ocean Road, Victoria © Belinda VanZanen

Trips and itineraries

6 days on the Great Southern Touring Route

Aerial view of the Sea Cliff Bridge suspended over the ocean in Clifton, New South Wales © Destination NSW

Trips and itineraries

9-day Sydney to Melbourne coastal drive

Indigenous symbol - Natural Beauty

We acknowledge the Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owners of the land, sea and waters of the Australian continent, and recognise their custodianship of culture and Country for over 60,000 years.

Product Disclaimer

*Product Disclaimer: Tourism Australia is not the owner, operator, advertiser or promoter of the listed products and services. Information on listed products and services, including Covid-safe accreditations, are provided by the third-party operator on their website or as published on Australian Tourism Data Warehouse where applicable. Rates are indicative based on the minimum and maximum available prices of products and services. Please visit the operator’s website for further information. All prices quoted are in Australian dollars (AUD). Tourism Australia makes no representations whatsoever about any other websites which you may access through its websites such as australia.com. Some websites which are linked to the Tourism Australia website are independent from Tourism Australia and are not under the control of Tourism Australia. Tourism Australia does not endorse or accept any responsibility for the use of websites which are owned or operated by third parties and makes no representation or warranty in relation to the standard, class or fitness for purpose of any services, nor does it endorse or in any respect warrant any products or services by virtue of any information, material or content linked from or to this site.

*Product Disclaimer: Tourism Australia is not the owner, operator, advertiser or promoter of the listed products and services. Information on listed products and services, including Covid-safe accreditations, are provided by the third-party operator on their website or as published on Australian Tourism Data Warehouse where applicable. Rates are indicative based on the minimum and maximum available prices of products and services. Please visit the operator’s website for further information. All prices quoted are in Australian dollars (AUD). Tourism Australia makes no representations whatsoever about any other websites which you may access through its websites such as australia.com. Some websites which are linked to the Tourism Australia website are independent from Tourism Australia and are not under the control of Tourism Australia. Tourism Australia does not endorse or accept any responsibility for the use of websites which are owned or operated by third parties and makes no representation or warranty in relation to the standard, class or fitness for purpose of any services, nor does it endorse or in any respect warrant any products or services by virtue of any information, material or content linked from or to this site.

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