Beginning in one of Australia’s trendiest cultural hubs, this road trip will take you down the Victorian East Coast to the famous Twelve Apostles and Port Fairy, and then back again to finish off with a coffee on Degraves Street. Oh so Melbourne!
Stats:
5 days / 4 nights
Drive distance = 664kms
Travel time = Just under 9 hours
Key roads = M1, B100
Day One – Geelong, Torquay & Lorne
Pick up your wheels in Melbourne (Tullamarine or the CBD), bundle in your road trip mates and hit the road.
You’re going to need some great sing-a-long tunes for the drive ahead. Scroll to the bottom of the itinerary to find the lastminute lovelies’ Spotify playlist of today’s hottest indie hits.
Let’s go!
Begin with an easy drive along the M1 to Geelong, Victoria’s second largest city. Just one hour from the CBD, Geelong is home to some great cafes and waterfront parks. Take advantage by stopping in at Cafe Go on Bellerine Street and filling your tummy with hot coffee and delicious brekkie. (We recommend the Persian eggs with Meredith goats’ cheese and dukkah. Yuuuuum!) Then wander on down to Eastern Beach and take some snaps of the quirky bay walk bollards that call Geelong home. There are over 100 bollards installed along Geelong’s waterfront that chronicle the city’s past and present, including lifesavers and footballers.
Next stop is Torquay, approximately 30 minutes south of Geelong along the B100 (Great Ocean Road), and home to the famous Bells Beach. Find a park and get into your cossies because you’re going to be experiencing Bells Beach first hand with a two hour surfing lesson. Catering for amateurs and pros, the lesson will be taken by a fully qualified instructor who will teach you the ins and outs of how to ride the perfect wave, man.
After your surfing lesson, jump in the car, pop on some tunes and continue along the B100 (GOR) to Lorne. This leg of the drive will take you along the beautiful coast, past Anglesea, Fairhaven and Aireys Inlet. Make sure you pull over in at least one of these suburbs and appreciate the view. These spots are great for seeing wildlife, including kangaroos and seals who are soaking up the sun, so keep your eyes peeled.
Lastminute lovely Louise raved about her stay at Mantra Lorne. Read her review here.
Day Two – Erskine Falls, Cape Otway, Port Campbell
Good morning! Lorne has some pretty special eateries located on the main strip. We suggest heading to Ovenhouse, situated in the main cafe area, for some great brekkie options that will put some oomph into your morning.
Kick back and relax, go for a swim, and take in the surroundings before pulling on your runners because Erskine Falls is on the agenda and it’s quite a climb. A short drive from the centre of Lorne, the hike will take around three hours and you’ll cover 15 kilometres (round trip). Once you reach the falls, the somewhat arduous clambering will be worth it, with spectacular views of Erskine Falls cascading over one of the highest drops in the Great Otway National Park.
Upon completion, your next stop is Apollo Bay. Just under an hour away, Apollo Bay is an easy drive further along the coast. Like Lorne, Apollo Bay is close to the Otway National Park. Why not take a walk through the canopy of the rainforest, along the Otway Fly Treetop Walk? It’s a must-do if you want to experience the rainforest from above and meet some friendly forest inhabitants.
Next up, Port Campbell is on the schedule, so get some food in your belly and get ready for a drive. Home to the famous Twelve Apostles, Port Campbell is less than two hours away, but take it slow to appreciate the full experience.
Once you arrive, it’s probably just about night time so check into a hotel in Port Campbell’s centre and get a good night’s rest. Sweet dreams!
Day Three – Port Campbell & The Twelve Apostles, Bay of Islands Coastal Park, Port Fairy
Up and at ’em! Get ready to spend some serious sight-seeing time in Port Campbell National Park. Within the National Park you’ll find tourist sites that include Loch Ard Gorge and of course, the jewel in the crown of Port Campbell, the Twelve Apostles.
Take some snaps and spend a moment appreciating your jaw-dropping surrounds. All of the sites can be seen within a few hours.
When you’ve taken more photos than you thought possible, set your sights on Port Fairy, a small coastal town located just over one hour away along the Great Ocean Road. Keep an eye out because you’ll head straight past the beautiful Bay of Islands coastal park, a 32 kilometre long reserve that’s home to secluded beaches, rock stacks, red limestone cliffs and plenty of animal life. Stop here for a while to appreciate the park’s lush offerings.
Next up: Port Fairy. A charming fishing village, Port Fairy boasts wide streets lined with 19th century cottages, great Norfolk pines and old stone churches.
There are plenty of things to do in Port Fairy, including getting some fresh air and walking around the stunning conservation area, checking out the busy fishing port and taste testing the local cafes. Rebecca’s Cafe & Ice Cream Shop is a must-visit.
Rest your weary head this evening at a Port Fairy hotel. Clonmara Bed & Breakfast is one to track down for some classic country-style sleeping and home-style dining.
Want to sample more of Port Fairy’s accommodation gems? We don’t blame you. Find more Port Fairy hotels here.
Day four/five – Melbourne
Today you’ll embark on a drive back to Melbourne on the A1 motorway.
Make some stops along the way for great roadside eateries and sights including the Colac Botanic Gardens and the Winchelsea Tea Rooms & Cafe.
When in Melbourne, make sure to eat some fantastic food, drink some great coffee and spend a few hours checking out the shops. Head to Chapel Street for a range of great boutique stores, to Bridge Road for outlet shopping, or to Bourke Street for a combination of the two. Either way, you’ll be able to scratch your shopping itch.
Day one not enough? Book yourself into a Melbourne hotel and spread the Melbourne love over two days. lastminute.com.au lovely Nicole highly recommends The Olsen in South Yarra and the Novotel in the CBD. Check out her reviews for foodie tips and things to see and do!
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Have we missed anything? Add your tips in the comments below!