Great Ocean Road Itinerary: 15 Must-See Stops from Melbourne

On By saar.decosterIn Australia

Planning a Great Ocean Road itinerary from Melbourne? This iconic coastal road trip is one of the best ways to experience Victoria, with dramatic cliffs, surf beaches, waterfalls, rainforest, small coastal towns and some of Australia’s most famous natural landmarks.

The Great Ocean Road stretches along Victoria’s southern coast and is an easy addition to an Australia itinerary from Melbourne. You can visit the highlights on a Great Ocean Road day trip, but I personally think taking two days gives you much more time to enjoy the beaches, viewpoints and quieter stops along the way.

If you’re spending time in Melbourne before your road trip, check out my Melbourne Travel Guide for the best things to do, places to eat and neighbourhoods to explore.

In this guide, I’m sharing 15 of the best Great Ocean Road stops, listed in the order you’ll encounter them when driving west from Melbourne. I’ve also included some of my favourite places from the route and a few tips for planning your trip.

If you’re looking for more places to explore around Melbourne, you can also check out my Best Day Trips from Melbourne guide.

1. Bells Beach

One of the first major stops on the Great Ocean Road is Bells Beach, just outside Torquay. This famous surf beach is known for its powerful waves and is one of Australia’s most iconic surfing spots.

Even if you’re not a surfer, it’s worth stopping here to watch the waves and take in the rugged coastline. It’s a great introduction to the landscapes you’ll see throughout the rest of your Great Ocean Road road trip.

Surf waves at Bells Beach along the Great Ocean Road itinerary in Australia
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2. Lorne Beach

Lorne is one of the most popular coastal towns along the Great Ocean Road and a great place to stop for lunch or a coffee.

Lorne Beach has a wide stretch of sand and a relaxed seaside atmosphere. Take some time to walk along the beach, explore the town or grab something to eat before continuing along the coast.

If you’re doing the Great Ocean Road in two days, Lorne is also a good place to slow down rather than simply ticking off viewpoints.

3. Erskine Falls

Just inland from Lorne, you’ll find Erskine Falls, one of the most popular waterfalls in the Otway Ranges.

The waterfall drops around 35 metres into a lush, fern-covered gully, making it a completely different experience from the coastal scenery.

It’s a particularly nice stop if you want to add some rainforest and nature to your Great Ocean Road itinerary. Keep in mind that you’ll need to drive inland from the main coastal road, so allow some extra time for the detour.

4. Apollo Bay

Further along the Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay is a charming coastal town and one of the best places to stay overnight.

With its beach, local cafés, seafood and relaxed atmosphere, Apollo Bay makes a great base if you’re doing the Great Ocean Road in two days. Staying here also means you don’t have to rush through all the Great Ocean Road attractions in one day.

For budget-friendly accommodation, Apollo Bay Backpackers is a well-decorated and welcoming hostel that feels like a home away from home. It’s ideal if you’re tackling the Great Ocean Road as a two-day road trip, like we did.

5. Hopetoun Falls

If you’re looking for more waterfalls along the route, Hopetoun Falls is a peaceful inland stop surrounded by rainforest.

Located in the Otways, the waterfall offers a completely different landscape from the dramatic coastal cliffs and beaches. It’s a scenic detour for travellers who have enough time to explore beyond the main Great Ocean Road attractions.

If you’re doing the Great Ocean Road as a day trip from Melbourne, you may want to skip some of the inland detours and focus on the coastal highlights instead.

6. Cape Otway Lighthouse

Cape Otway Lighthouse offers dramatic views over the Southern Ocean and a glimpse into Victoria’s maritime history.

Located at the southern tip of the Otway Peninsula, the lighthouse is surrounded by rugged coastal scenery and is one of the more historic stops on this Great Ocean Road itinerary.

It’s a good place to take a break from the drive and experience another side of the Great Ocean Road beyond its beaches and famous limestone formations.

7. Castle Cove

Castle Cove is a beautiful coastal viewpoint with dramatic cliffs and wide views over the Southern Ocean.

It’s one of the Great Ocean Road stops that can easily be overlooked when you’re focused on getting to the Twelve Apostles. However, the rugged coastline here is exactly what makes this road trip so special.

Take some time to enjoy the views before continuing towards the more famous attractions further west.

8. Johanna Beach

Next up, Johanna Beach is a wild and peaceful stretch of sand surrounded by green hills and dramatic coastal scenery.

The beach is popular with surfers and is also a beautiful place for a walk or a quiet stop along the Great Ocean Road.

Compared with some of the busier Great Ocean Road attractions, Johanna Beach feels much more open and peaceful. If you have enough time, it’s a lovely addition to your itinerary.

9. Gibson Steps

The Gibson Steps are one of the most impressive stops near the Twelve Apostles.

The steps lead down towards sea level, giving you a completely different perspective of the enormous limestone cliffs. Instead of viewing the coastline from above, you can get much closer to the cliffs and see their scale from the beach.

For me, this is one of the Great Ocean Road stops worth adding to your itinerary, especially if you’re already visiting the Twelve Apostles.

10. Gibson Beach

At the bottom of the Gibson Steps, Gibson Beach offers wide sandy views framed by towering limestone cliffs.

Being down at beach level gives you a completely different perspective of the coastline and makes it easier to appreciate just how enormous these cliffs are.

It’s one of those places where you can simply stop for a moment and take in the landscape instead of rushing to the next attraction.

11. Twelve Apostles

No Great Ocean Road itinerary from Melbourne would be complete without visiting the Twelve Apostles.

These massive limestone stacks rising from the Southern Ocean are the most famous of all the Great Ocean Road attractions and one of Australia’s most recognisable natural landmarks.

The Twelve Apostles are understandably one of the busiest stops on the route, but seeing the limestone formations rising out of the ocean is still an incredible experience.

If you’re planning a Great Ocean Road road trip, make sure you leave enough time here to enjoy the viewpoints rather than treating it as a quick photo stop.

12. Loch Ard Gorge

Just a few minutes from the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge is another beautiful stop to add to your Great Ocean Road itinerary.

The gorge is surrounded by dramatic limestone cliffs and is closely connected to the area’s shipwreck history. There are several viewpoints and short walks where you can explore the coastline and enjoy views of the beach and cliffs.

The combination of the turquoise ocean, sandy beach and towering cliffs makes Loch Ard Gorge one of the most scenic Great Ocean Road stops.

13. London Bridge

Further west, London Bridge is another striking natural rock formation along the Great Ocean Road.

The formation has been shaped by coastal erosion over time, creating the dramatic landscape you see today. There’s a viewing area where you can stop and admire the rock formation and surrounding coastline.

It’s another reminder that the Great Ocean Road is about much more than just the Twelve Apostles.

14. The Grotto

The Grotto is a unique limestone formation carved into the cliffs by coastal erosion.

A short walk takes you to the viewing area, where the ocean is framed by the natural rock formation. While it’s smaller than some of the other famous Great Ocean Road attractions, it’s an interesting stop if you’re continuing west along the coast.

The Grotto is a good example of why it’s worth exploring beyond the most famous viewpoints on a Great Ocean Road road trip.

15. Bay of Islands

To finish this Great Ocean Road itinerary, head to the Bay of Islands, a dramatic stretch of coastline filled with limestone stacks and offshore rock formations.

The Bay of Islands is generally quieter than the Twelve Apostles, making it a peaceful place to finish your Great Ocean Road road trip.

After driving past some of the biggest attractions along the route, ending your journey here gives you the chance to enjoy the coastline without quite as much of the crowds.

Final Thoughts on the Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road is more than just a scenic drive, it’s an experience that stays with you long after you leave.

From watching surfers in Torquay and walking along wild beaches to standing in front of the Twelve Apostles and discovering quiet coastal towns along the way, every stop offers something different.

The beauty of a Great Ocean Road road trip is that you don’t need to rush. Some of the best moments come from the unexpected stops, empty viewpoints and small places you weren’t even planning to visit.

After spending time exploring Victoria during my Australia working holiday, the Great Ocean Road became one of those adventures that perfectly captures what travelling Australia is about for me: incredible landscapes, freedom and the feeling of being somewhere completely different from home.

Whether you visit as a Great Ocean Road day trip from Melbourne or take a few days to explore the coast at a slower pace, this is a road trip worth adding to your Australia itinerary.

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FAQ

How many days do you need for the Great Ocean Road?

I recommend spending 2–3 days on the Great Ocean Road if you want to experience the highlights without rushing. A day trip from Melbourne is possible, but it means spending a lot of time driving and less time enjoying the beaches, viewpoints, and smaller coastal towns.

Is the Great Ocean Road worth visiting?

Yes, the Great Ocean Road is absolutely worth visiting. It combines some of Australia’s most beautiful coastal scenery with beaches, forests, wildlife, surf towns, and famous landmarks like the Twelve Apostles. It’s one of the most memorable road trips you can do from Melbourne.

Can you do the Great Ocean Road as a day trip from Melbourne?

Yes, it is possible to visit the Great Ocean Road on a day trip from Melbourne, especially if you join a tour or have limited time. However, the drive is long, so staying overnight allows you to explore more stops and enjoy the journey at a slower pace.

What are the best stops on the Great Ocean Road?

Some of the most popular stops along the Great Ocean Road include:

  • Torquay and Bells Beach
  • Lorne
  • Erskine Falls
  • Apollo Bay
  • Great Otway National Park
  • Gibson Steps
  • Twelve Apostles
  • Loch Ard Gorge
  • Bay of Islands

Each stop offers a different side of the coastline, from beaches and waterfalls to dramatic cliffs and rock formations.

What is the best direction to drive the Great Ocean Road?

The most popular route is driving from Melbourne towards the west, ending near the Twelve Apostles and Bay of Islands. This direction gives you the best ocean views from the car and allows you to stop at viewpoints along the way.

What is the best time to visit the Great Ocean Road?

The Great Ocean Road can be visited all year round, but the best months are usually during spring, summer, and early autumn (September–April). Summer offers warmer weather and longer days, while the shoulder seasons are great for avoiding crowds and enjoying more peaceful viewpoints.

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