The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s most popular scenic drives, winding along the southern coast of Victoria, past breathtaking views of the Southern Ocean and dramatic coastline. This road trip is a bucket list adventure for many travellers, with plenty of must-see attractions, stunning beaches, and charming towns along the way. With so much to see and do, planning a 7-day itinerary is the perfect way to make the most of this incredible journey.
Over the course of seven days, visitors can explore the best that The Great Ocean Road has to offer. From iconic landmarks like the Twelve Apostles and London Arch to hidden gems such as the serene beaches of Apollo Bay and the lush rainforests of Otway National Park, this itinerary has something for everyone. Along the way, travellers can sample the region’s delicious food and wine, visit charming seaside towns, and experience the laid-back Australian lifestyle.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor to Australia or a seasoned traveler, a road trip along the Great Ocean Road is an unforgettable adventure. So buckle up and get ready to hit the road as we guide you through a 7-day itinerary that will take you from Melbourne to the stunning coastal landscapes of Victoria.
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What is The Great Ocean Road
Built at the stretch of 240-kilometer along the south-eastern coast of Australia between the Victorian cities of Torquay and Allansford, the Great Ocean Road welcomes its visitors with rocky cliffs, magnificent beaches, and soaring ridges surrounded by mesmerizing green and luscious countryside. This incredible coastline also boards rich wildlife, adventurous hiking and biking trails, and opportunities to surf.
When is the Best Time to Visit The Great Ocean Road
The best time to visit the Great Ocean Road would be the summer months in Australia which lies between December – February as you could spend most of your time beach hopping. However, visiting The Great Ocean Road at this time of year you would be up against more crowds, traffic, and a fight for parking spots!
During the winter season which is from June to August, would be less crowded due to the cooler weather. You might get lucky and spot some whales during this season as well which would make it a great time to visit.
Day 1
Spend the day in Melbourne
Starting your trip from Melbourne would help you get a jet start into the magical world of Australia. There are so many free things to do in Melbourne as well as many great places to wander around and admire the beauty of the city. Melbourne also has a lot of beautiful street art located around the city.
Melbourne holds the key to your fun-filled adventure. While here, familiarise yourself with the surroundings, there are plenty of great bars and restaurants in Melbourne for a bite to eat, as well as a brilliant shopping scene in the Melbourne CBD.
During your stay in Melbourne, grab a chance to visit the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) – the largest stadium in Australia. It holds around 100,000 people at once. A stadium famous for cricket games, Olympics, Aussie rules football, and concerts, lets you experience the aura from a player’s point of view.
Melbourne is a very beautiful city, with many skyscrapers lining the skyline. It is home to Eureka Tower – the perfect place to enjoy an aerial view of the place. The skyscraper is located in the Southbank precinct of Melbourne and has been welcoming visitors since 2006.
Melbourne also hosts a lot of plays and dramas and has thus gained the title of ‘Cultural Capital’.
If you wish to explore more, pay a visit to the Royal Botanic Gardens. Finest in its kind, the garden has two parts and is home to more than 10,000 plant species from around the world.
If you have a love for museums, paying a visit to the Melbourne Museum and Royal Exhibition Building would be the correct choice. The Melbourne Museum is a top attraction for visitors due to its rich history and preservation. Also, the museum is surrounded by beautiful gardens and parklands.
Day 2
MELBOURNE TO TORQUAY
After existing in Melbourne, you would find yourself on the road to Torquay.
The surf-side of Australia, Torquay, is famous for its beaches and picturesque outlook. The location also holds the record for the longest-running surfing competition- Rip Curl Pro Surf and Music Festival, which is held during easter.
With your stay in Torquay, surf your way up on the waves like the professionals do and enjoy the mighty ocean. Relax and enjoy the tranquil waves of water at the famous Bells Beach. Wander along the beach and walk up to the top of the many cliffs and experience the scenic beauty.
Torquay also homes the magnificent Surf World Museum which celebrates the sports and prestigious Australian champions in its Surfing Hall Of Fame.
You can also explore the towns while bushwalking and learn more about the place.
Torquay also has some best beers ready for you to try out! Visit Bells Beach Brewery and try out their sample beers to enjoy the taste of Australia. Their uniqueness comes from the idea behind the beer production. While offering completely different products, the beers produced here are fresh, local, and inspired by the town’s surf culture.
If you visit the local farmer’s market, you might see some of the freshest and most healthy vegetables that are grown here. Located near the town centre, this market is not just like other farmer markets. Lively music, food delicacies, and a great range of vegetables, you would find everything that you expect and do not expect from a local farmer’s market.
If this falls short of amusement, try the vineyards of Bellbrae Estate. A wine lover’s heaven, the vineyard is located a few minutes away from the town centre and is surrounded by lush greenery. Here you can taste locally produced, wide-ranged wines and even buy some as per your liking.
Day 3
TORQUAY TO LORNE
Existing Torquay would lead you towards Lorne. As you leave, you might stumble on various strawberry fields. Take a break and venture into these fields and enjoy quality family time while strawberry picking.
After the adventure, you move ahead towards your net stop. Lorne is a town blooming with white beaches, surfers ready to take on the waves, and buzzing artists. A popular surfing spot, Mountjoy Parade has many shops and cafes for its visitors.
This tourist favorite destination is a perfect spot for enjoying picnic time. Cumberland Falls are quite the spot for it where benches are placed neatly near the Cumberland River. Hike your way up to the falls whiles crossing the fairyland-like forest with majestic views!
The Great Ocean Road itinerary includes a great deal of adventure but to support the journey, one might need some fuel. Enjoy the finely curated wines at the Gosling Creek. They offer a great range to choose from like Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc.
Day 4
LORNE TO APOLLO BAY
Lorne might leave a great impression on you, but, the Great Ocean Road itinerary includes a few more locations that might blow your mind away!
After your visit to Lorne, move ahead to Apollo Bay. Famous for Cape Otway Lighthouse- the oldest working lighthouse in Australia, Apollo Bay also has Great Otway National Park. The lighthouse has saved and guided various ships and boats over the years, passing from BassStrait and the Southern ocean. Whereas, the national park gives a great trekking route for tourists willing to do so.
Great Ocean Road’s fourth-day visit to Apollo Bay gives you a glimpse into the rich natural heritage of the place. Once here, walk your way up to the Mariner’s Lookout and enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the town, ocean, and countryside.
Another attraction at Apollo Bay is Apollo Bay Beach. Yellow sand and dunes with water slightly kissing the yellow sands make the beach quite serene and tranquil.
At Apollo bay harbor, you might be able to spot some marine life like jellyfishes, sting rays, and other variety of fishes. The harbor’s beach is safe for visitors travelling with children since it has breakwater walls.
Day 5
APOLLO BAY TO PORT CAMPBELL
Moving ahead on your Great Ocean Road itinerary, Port Campbell is the next top destination. Located with a rugged coastline and a calm, sandy swimming beach, this scenic seaside village is visually pleasing.
Home to some of the iconic monuments like the Twelve Apostles, the Arch, and a collection of other breathtaking rock formations and natural landscapes, this town is surely worth your visit.
Another monumental stoppage during this long drive is the Campbell National Park. The national park is located along this coastline and flourishes with wild seascapes and lush greenery. On your way across, you would find the Great Otway National Park which is home to centuries-old flora whereas on the other side you would be welcomed by Bay of Islands Coastal Park which showcases the array of marine life.
The most talked-about and astonishingly famous spot in this national park is the Twelve Apostles. Stacks of limestone on the coast of the Great Ocean Road are the most photographed spots in all of Australia. Their dramatic appearance along with the white sand at the beach makes it a must-see and must-have spot in your Great Ocean Road itinerary.
Although, with time, a few apostles have vanished but remaining apostles still deliver the best of nature and mesmerise visitors along.
Some other attractions of Port Campbell are Loch Ard Gorge, London Arch, and the Island Archway.
Loch Ard Gorge is near the Twelve Apostles and has quite an interesting story stuck to it. According to the locals, the gorge is named after a shipwreck that killed all on board except two teenagers. The Shipwreck Coast is another name for this stretch of coast that has stairs. These stairs descend towards the beach where you can enjoy a serene view and click as many photographs as you can!
As for the London Arch, it is somewhat a wonder attraction for the tourists. Once known as the London Bridge, collapsed into the sea and thus became the London Arch. Erosion got the best of this part of the coast and yet gave a tourist-friendly location.
Island Archway has a similar look yet it stands out! Made its existence in 2009, a natural bridge of the Great Ocean road collapsed and permanently changed the outlook of the coastline. After this incident, the remaining land now forms an archway. It reminds the visitors and locals just how fragile the coastline of Victoria really is.
This archway was once at the entry of the Loch Ard Gorge looking as stunning as it ever can be. It was there as a tribute to the ship that ran aground here.
There you can see two individual rocks that have been named as Tom and Eva, dedicated to the two survivors of the wreckage.
Visiting Port Campbell will give you a lot to remember by and help you learn about the historic changes and development this coastline has witnessed.
Day 6
PORT CAMPBELL TO PORT FAIRY
The next step on your sixth day of the Great Ocean Road itinerary is Port Fairy.
Port Campbell showed us the best of nature and marine life but Port Fairy holds something more special.
Port Fairy is a notable fishing town situated on Victoria’s far southwest coast on the Moyne River. This falls between Portland and Warrnambool.
One of the many things to do in Port Fairy is to admire the historical buildings along with doing beach hopping. Port Fairy holds its roots in many beaches, some of them being East Beach, Pea Soup Beach, and South Beach. These beaches are perfect to experience your surfing skills and gazing into the sun setting. Also, you can discover the riverside and enjoy a quaint evening.
Other than this, take a cruise out to the seal colony on Lady Julia Percy Island and watch these magnificent animals up close. Along the way, be welcomed by the dolphins and whales.
Explore Port Fairy and pay your visit to the Griffits Island Reserve, Battery Hill, Basalt Wines, and Port Fairy Golf Links. Visiting these places would surely load with unforgettable memories and bring you a step closer to the rich history and aura of Australia.
Day 7
PORT FAIRY TO MELBOURNE
Since it’s the last day in your Great Ocean Road itinerary, before exiting Port Fairy, pay your visit to the lighthouse located on the most eastern tip of the island. There you might learn about how they use solar power sustainably and work efficiently.
Although leaving Port Fairy might bring you to the end of your trip but not to worry as you have explored every best bit of the area.
As you move ahead from Port Fairy, your next stop will be back to Melbourne. The place where you started your journey from is also the place where you’ll end it.
Leaving early from Port Fairy might help you reach Melbourne right on time and skip the possible traffic!
Before You Leave for the Great Ocean Road
Before you set off on your way to the Great Ocean Road , there are a number of things you will need to get organised to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey. These include what to pack, where to stay and what is the best insurance for your trip. All of this is discussed in detail below.
What to Pack for Your Trip to the Great Ocean Road
When packing for your Great Ocean Road trip, bring comfortable and lightweight clothing suitable for outdoor activities, sun protection items (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses), insect repellent, a water bottle and snacks to stay hydrated, camera and binoculars for sightseeing, beach essentials (swimsuit, towel, shade), a basic first aid kit, and a map or GPS device. With these items, you’ll have the essentials needed to explore the stunning coastline and natural beauty of the Great Ocean Road.
Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you are no doubt going to see, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below.
Photography Equipment
Main Photography Camera – Sony A7v Mirrorless Camera and Sony A7iii Mirrorless Camera
Microphone – Sony Mic ECM-B1M
Main Lens – Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
Zoom Lens – Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8
Camera Tripod – ZOMEI Z669C Camera Tripod
Gorilla Pod – JOBY JB01507-BWW GorillaPod
Action Camera – GoPro Hero 11 and Insta 360 One RS
Drone Camera – DJI Mavic Pro 3
Camera Bag – Wandrd PRVKE 41L and The Nest by Tropicfeel
Phone Tripod – Manfrotto MKPIXICLAMP-BK, Mini Tripod with Universal Smartphone Clamp
Sturdy Phone Tripod & Selfie Stick – ATUMTEK 61″ Selfie Stick Tripod, Sturdy Phone Tripod Stand with Wireless Remote
Hard Drives – LaCie Rugged Mini, 5TB, 2.5″, Portable External Hard Drive
SSD – SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB Portable NVMe SSD
Travel Adapter –Worldwide Travel Adapter Universal Travel Plug with 4 USB Ports+Universal AC Socke
What is the Best Travel Insurance for Australia
I know travel insurance is the least enjoyable thing to purchase and look at when you’re planning a trip, however, you wouldn’t want to be without it in the event that something happened. Accidents can happen anywhere and the extortionate medical bills will ruin your trip if you are not covered.
To ensure you have a stress-free trip with no worries about potential medical bills, make sure you cover yourself when you travel. We can recommend using SafetyWing, a backpacker-friendly and cheap insurance company that provides good coverage and support. It is also nomad-friendly, unlike most other insurance companies, meaning you do not need to worry about being out of your home country for too long.
Get a quote for your travel insurance right here and get covered!
Australia boasts its natural wonders and without a doubt, it proves it’s worth it. The Great Ocean Road is the epitome of this wonder and nothing defies its beauty.
The best of Australia can be discovered while travelling through the Great Ocean Road and having an itinerary on hand would only ease your troubles.
As your trip comes to an end, the Great Ocean Road itinerary hopes to soothe your trip and help you enjoy a worry-free journey!
Also, remember to share this with your friends and family that you are going to share this amazing experience with. Sharing is caring and we want to ensure that everyone is fully prepared to maximise their experience completing this stunning road trip.
If you are planning a trip soon then check out our other Australia content right here. Come and find us on social media to see where we are currently exploring. Tag us in your photos from your stay and we will share them with the rest of our community of explorers and backpackers.
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