Adelaide to Melbourne

The Great Ocean Road Itinerary

• Days One to Three: UK → Adelaide – Hotelmotel Adelaide

  Fly into Adelaide and check into your classic motel at the heart of South Terrace Precinct for three nights in a King Room. Take time to enjoy the wonders of nature at Botanic Gardens of South Australia and Himeji Garden. Get up close to 2,500+ animals at Adelaide Zoo, shop at Rundle Mall and Adelaide Arcade, and take a ghost tour at Adelaide Gaol. Taste chocolate on a Haigh Chocolate Factory tour, explore wine-making at National Wine Centre, and meet the challenge of Adelaide Oval Roof Climb.

• Days Four to Thirteen: Adelaide to Melbourne

  Pick up your camper van and set off on your ten-night adventure along the Great Ocean Road. Suggested itinerary comprises: Adelaide, Cape Jervis, Kangaroo Island, Robe, Mount Gambier, Port Fairy, Port Campbell, Apollo Bay, Lorne, Torquay, Mornington Peninsula, and Melbourne.

• Cape Jervis

  Cape Jervis is an 88km drive south from Adelaide and sits near the western tip of Fleurieu Peninsula and is perfect for wildlife-watching at Deep Creek National Park, walking the Heysen Trail, and visiting Cape Jervis Lighthouse. It’s also your gateway to Kangaroo Island via the SeaLink Ferry and a 45-minute crossing to Penneshaw – here you can get up close to the native wildlife, witness Remarkable Rocks wind-sculpted granite boulders and the natural Admirals Arch, and walk amongst the wild Australian sea lions at Seal Bay.

• Robe

  Robe leads to driving on 14km Long Beach, snapping selfies at historic Cape Dombey Obelisk, and sampling craft brews at Robe Town Brewery; while Mount Gambier is all about admiring Blue Lake’s vivid waters, exploring the Umpherston Sinkhole, and visiting the symmetrical, dormant Mount Schank volcano. Historic Port Fairy boasts boutique shops, galleries, and café and is an easy stroll from Griffiths Island Lighthouse and a short drive from spotting emus, kangaroos, and koalas at Tower Hill Game Reserve.

• Port Campbell

  Port Campbell lets you see the famous Twelve Apostles limestone stacks and explore Shipwreck Coast landmarks like Gibson Steps, Loch Ard Gorge, and The Grotto on a coastal walk. Apollo Bay reveals Mariners Lookout’s ocean vistas, Maits Rest Rainforest Walk’s 800-metre loop through ancient ferns, and Apollo Bay Beach’s surfing, swimming, and relaxing. Lorne is a hike from Erskine Falls and leads to sweeping coastal views at Teddy’s Lookout, the golden sands of Lorne Beach, and enjoying Lorne Pier’s fresh seafood and colourful sunsets.

• Torquay

  Look forward to catching Bells Beach’s world-class waves, grabbing a craft beer at Bells Beach Brewing, exploring the Australian National Surfing Museum’s surf history, and riding along the Surf Coast Walk in Torquay. The finale of driving along the Mornington Peninsula leads to unwinding at Peninsula Hot Springs, riding the Arthurs Seat Eagle gondola through the treetops, and seeing dramatic views of Point Nepean National Park’s “The Rip” – enroute to Melbourne.

• Day Fourteen: Arrive in Melbourne – Travelodge Hotel Melbourne Docklands

  Arrive in Melbourne, return your camper van, and spend the rest of the day and night relaxing in a Guest Room King at your hotel in Melbourne’s Entertainment Precinct. Perhaps fit in some last-minute shopping at Melbourne Central, The Block Arcade, Royal Arcade, and Queen Victoria Market? Marvel at Eureka Skydeck 88 views and pay a visit to Melbourne Aquarium, Melbourne Zoo, and Healeville Sanctuary. Or why not escape to the Royal Botanic Gardens to admire the stunning flora and fauna?

• Day Fifteen – Fly Back to the UK

  Fly back to London Heathrow via Kuala Lumpur with many happy memories to look back on of your Adelaide to Melbourne self-drive adventure along the iconic Great Ocean Road.