Clubvolare
← All templatesGreat Ocean Road in 3 days
Victoria · 3 days · 2 nights · road trip

Great Ocean Road in 3 days

The classic Victorian road trip, paced so you are not driving in the dark. Day one hugs the surf coast, day two winds through Lorne and the Otways, day three delivers the limestone stacks at golden hour before the inland run home.

road tripcoastVictoriafamilyResearched from official sources

When to go

November to April for long daylight; whales pass Warrnambool June to September.

The plan, day by day

Day 1

Melbourne to Lorne

Surf coast day — Torquay, Bells Beach and the Memorial Arch.

  1. 08:00🚆Depart Melbourne (west via Geelong)Melbourne CBDAround 1h30 to Torquay outside peak hour.
  2. 09:45🍽Torquay — Surf Coast walk and coffeeTorquay
  3. 11:00★Bells Beach lookoutBells BeachShort walk from the car park to the amphitheatre view.
  4. 12:30★Split Point Lighthouse, Aireys InletAireys InletThe white lighthouse from Round the Twist.
  5. 13:30★Memorial Arch, Eastern ViewEastern View
  6. 15:30🏨Lorne — beach, pier and dinnerLorne
Day 2

Lorne to Port Campbell via the Otways

Waterfalls, rainforest canopy and the Cape Otway light.

  1. 08:30★Erskine FallsLorneSteep steps to the base — worth it.
  2. 10:00★Kennett River koala walkKennett RiverGrey River Road — wild koalas and king parrots.
  3. 11:30🍽Apollo Bay lunchApollo Bay
  4. 13:30★Cape Otway LightstationCape OtwayAbout A$25 per person
  5. 15:00★Maits Rest rainforest walkGreat Otway National ParkFlat 30-minute boardwalk loop.
  6. 17:00🏨Port Campbell — check inPort Campbell
Day 3

Twelve Apostles and the run home

Sunrise at the Apostles, gorges before the crowds, inland return.

  1. 06:30★Twelve Apostles at sunrisePort Campbell National ParkFree car park, boardwalk to both lookouts.
  2. 07:45★Gibson StepsPort Campbell National Park
  3. 08:45★Loch Ard GorgePort Campbell National Park
  4. 10:00★London Bridge and The GrottoPort Campbell
  5. 12:30🍽Colac lunch stopColac
  6. 14:00🚆Drive home via Princes HighwayMelbourneAround 2h15 inland — faster than retracing the coast.

Before you go

  • Fuel up before Apollo Bay — stations thin out in the Otways
  • Download offline maps for the Otways (patchy reception)
  • Book Port Campbell accommodation early in summer
  • Pack a windproof jacket — the coast is cold even in January
  • Check Parks Victoria for lookout or track closures

This list is created with your trip, so you can tick it off as you pack.

Where this came from

Opening hours, prices and track closures change. Check the official source before you rely on a timed booking — we never earn a commission on anything listed here.