3-Day Great Ocean Road Itinerary For First-Timers + FREE Map
The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s most iconic road trips, and with good reason!
The official route runs from Torquay to Allansford (243 km) and it’s packed with jaw-dropping cliffs, beautiful forests, and epic coastal views.
Last time we did a Great Ocean Road drive (in winter of all seasons, we lucked out with excellent weather), we spent 4 days and it still felt a bit rushed. So definitely 3 days is the BARE minimum.
You’ll have to do some modifications to the route, to make sure you can hit the main Great Ocean Road attractions without spending most of your time behind the wheel, though.
For example, it’s best to skip the last 50-60 km (which are mostly farmland) and end at Port Campbell instead of Allansford.
But don’t worry, we wrote this 3-day Great Ocean Road itinerary to save you all the hours of research and planning. If we only had that amount of time, this is the exact route we’d follow and the places we’d stay at.
We also include advice on what’s worth your time, how to plan this road trip the right way, and how to dodge the worst of the crowds!
Day 1: Melbourne to Apollo Bay via Torquay (195 km, 3 hours)
Hit the road early from Melbourne, traffic can be a pain if you leave after 7am. Torquay’s your first stop, about 1.5 hours out, and worth a wander to check out Bells Beach and the surf shops!
Then make your way to Lorne, a solid spot for lunch and coffee. Don’t skip the Memorial Arch for that classic Great Ocean Road photo on your way there, it’s a quick pull-over, but you’ll want a photo for the fridge.
If you’re keen to stretch your legs while in Lorne, definitely head to Sheoak Falls for a short but lovely walk. Erskine Falls is a bit more of a detour but also worth it if you’ve got the time.
Go back to the road and stop again at Kennett River to stretch your legs on the nature walk. It’s short but famous for the local koalas and kangaroos. There’s also a nice coffee shop!
The drive between Skenes Creek and Apollo Bay is unreal, especially late arvo when the light hits the ocean! Roll into Apollo Bay, grab some fish and chips, and put your feet up for the night.
Where to stay in Apollo Bay
Apollo Bay is a popular spot on the Great Ocean Road, so you’ll want to book your stay early, places fill up fast.
There are a few campsites around with powered and unpowered sites, but they get snapped up quickly. The recreation reserve is one of the most popular, check it here.
For something easy on the wallet, the YHA Apollo Bay is an excellent pick. It’s basic but clean and comfortable, it does the job if you just need a bed.
A good spot for families is the Apollo Bay Waterfront Motor Inn. It’s right by the water and has rooms that fit up to four people.
If you’re keen on a bit more comfort and quiet, consider staying on Skenes Creek instead of Apollo Bay. It’s just out of town and there are some nice Airbnbs by the water, plus a caravan park.
Day 2: Apollo Bay to Port Campbell (150 km, 2.5 hours)
It’s a big day behind the wheel, so get an early start! Also consider packing your own food, there’s not much in the way of cafes or restaurants until you hit Port Campbell.
You’ll start your day in Great Otway National Park, one of our favourite places in the region! It’s a must in any Great Ocean Road trip, absolutely beautiful and epic for photos, we took most of ours there.
Start with a stroll at Maits Rest, a short rainforest walk that’s easy on the legs and a good wake-up.
And if you’ve got time (and the weather’s playing nice), definitely visit these spots, they’re all close together:
- Californian Redwoods Forest, with massive trees over 60 metres tall, is absolutely magical
- Hopetoun Falls, a gorgeous waterfall with a lookout. You can go down to the base of the falls via a staircase
- Beauchamp Falls, another beautiful waterfall, shorter but more dramatic than Hopetoun in our opinion
Triplet Falls is also beautiful but a bit further out. It’s worth the extra drive if you’re up for it!
Also, the Cape Otway Lightstation is a great stop, but the detour will add up to about 1.5 hours of driving time. We don’t think it’s worth it unless you’re into lighthouses.
After the forest, start driving to Port Campbell along the coast. You’ll check the big-ticket sights on the way:
- Gibson Steps (another of our favourites) is usually a great spot to walk down to the beach.
- Twelve Apostles are next! Expect crowds between 10am and 4pm, so aim for sunrise or sunset if you want a quieter (and more dramatic) view.
- The Razorback and Loch Ard Gorge are nearby and easy to check out as well.
Note: At the time of writing, Gibson Steps and Loch Ard Gorge are closed due to safety issues. You can still see them through their car parks, though. But check this before going to the Parks Victoria website.
Where to stay in Port Campbell
Port Campbell is another popular spot to stay in the Great Ocean Road, so definitely lock something in early, especially during school holidays.
There are a couple of campsites in town with powered and unpowered spots, but this one is one of the most popular.
For something budget-friendly and right on the beach, the Southern Ocean Motor Inn is a solid pick. They’ve got everything from basic rooms for couples to self-contained apartments for families.
If you don’t mind being a street or two back from the water, the Port Campbell Parkview Motel & Apartments is another good option for couples or families.
If you’re struggling to find a spot, try Peterborough! It’s quieter and usually has more availability, but don’t expect much nightlife, just a comfy place to crash.
Day 3: London Bridge + Grotto then back to Melbs (265 km, 3.5 hours)
If you still have the energy, squeeze in a few last stops near Port Campbell before heading back to Melbourne, they’re all worth a look:
- London Bridge
- The Grotto
- Bay of Martyrs
- Bay of Islands
These spots are less crowded than the main lookouts and the views are just as good, so don’t rush through!
Then make your way back to Melbourne. The inland route is much straighter than the coast you’ve driven through the past two days, which is a relief after all those bends.
We recommend breaking the trip at Colac. The botanical gardens are a good spot to stretch your legs, and there’s plenty of choice for lunch!
From there, it’s about 1h 45m to Melbourne. There are a few small towns along the way if you need another pit stop, but it’s mostly an easy run back into the city.
FREE downloadable Great Ocean Road map
Planning your Great Ocean Road trip
Renting a car or caravan
You don’t need a 4WD for the Great Ocean Road unless you’re planning to get deep into the Otways or to remote beaches. The main sights are easy to reach with a regular car!
If you’re renting a car, check the rental fine print, especially if you’re tempted to drive through an unsealed track. Many companies don’t allow unsealed roads!
For car rental operators, we like to check in both Rental Cars and Discover Cars to compare prices and book the cheapest one for our dates.
The same goes for caravans if you’re renting one! We love the freedom they give you but check the fine print. If you’re sticking to the bitumen, these campervan options are solid:
- Travellers Autobarn is the cheapest, basic but reliable (some have kitchens, none have bathrooms). Check them here.
- JUCY is a step up with bigger vans, some with bathrooms, still affordable. Check them here.
- Star RV is the luxury option. You’ll get a proper home on wheels, great if you like a bit of comfort after a long day exploring. Check them here.
Camping on the Great Ocean Road
Holiday parks are dotted throughout all the main towns (Torquay, Apollo Bay, Port Campbell) with powered and unpowered sites, plus hot showers and toilets.
Parks Victoria campgrounds are cheaper than holiday parks, with powered and unpowered sites too, but they fill up quickly, especially in peak season. Check them here.
As for free camps, there are some but way inland and, honestly, not worth the detour if you only have 3 days available.
Also, you could get a fine if you just park up anywhere for the night. Sleeping in your van or pitching a tent in car parks, beach pullouts, or lookouts is illegal, and rangers do patrol.
We recommend getting the WikiCamps app for legit sites and checking what people are saying lately, things change all the time!
Best time to do it
The consensus is that summer is the best time to do the Great Ocean Road. But it’s also peak season and crowds will be unavoidable, so we’re not fans.
Shoulder seasons (autumn and spring) are much better in our opinion, in autumn waterfalls should still flow strongly! The Otways are also spectacular, plus fewer people around.
Winter is thought to be the worst season to go, but honestly, don’t discard it just yet.
We’ve done it in winter and we had a pleasant surprise with epic weather, misty forests, and even a bunch of rainbows! There might be road closures though, so be flexible.
Top Tips
The road is mostly smooth bitumen, but between Lorne and Apollo Bay it gets tight with sharp bends and steep drops. If it’s raining, take it slow!
It’s a twisty drive and wears you out quicker than you’d think. Swap drivers if you can..
Also, lookouts aren’t always well signed. Some are just tiny brown signs or sudden turnoffs, so pay attention to the road..
If you’re renting a car in Melbourne and heading west, CityLink tolls kick in straight away. Some hiring companies cover it, but double-check or you’ll cop a bill later. More info here.
Did you know?
The Great Ocean Road isn’t just a pretty drive, it’s the world’s largest war memorial.
After World War I, thousands of returned soldiers built the road by hand, carving it out along the cliffs and bush.
It was a way to give them work and honour mates who didn’t make it home.
The project took over a decade, with tough conditions and basic tools. No fancy machinery back then.
Today, every twist and lookout along the coast stands as a tribute to their effort and sacrifice.
FAQs
How many days do you need to do Great Ocean Road?
You’ll want at least 3 days to do the Great Ocean Road without rushing. Some people say 1 or 2 days, but you’ll spend most of it in the car and miss a lot. Not worth it in our opinion.
Do you need a park pass for the Great Ocean Road?
No, most people don’t need a park pass to drive the Great Ocean Road. Most of the famous stops are free and open to everyone.
You do need one if you’re camping in a national park campground.
Ready to drive the Great Ocean Road?
Now that you have your Great Ocean Road itinerary, we reckon a campervan is the BEST way to do it! Some of the campsites along the coast are unreal, and you’ll wake up to views you’d never get from a hotel room.
Here are some campervan rentals we recommend if you’re driving from Melbourne. Just know that whichever you pick, book ahead in busy months and double-check what’s included:
- Travellers Autobarn is usually the cheapest but still decent. Some vans have a kitchen, but you’ll be using public loos. Check them here!
- JUCY is a solid middle ground. Their vans are a bit roomier and you’ll find some with bathrooms, some without. Prices are still reasonable. Check them here!
- Star RV is basically a mini apartment on wheels. Comfy beds, your own shower, good kitchen… but of course, it’s the pricier choice. Check them here!
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