3-Day Great Ocean Road Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-day Great Ocean Road itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaGreat Ocean Road travel expert at TourRadar

• 3 Days in Victoria, incl. Great Ocean Road and Grampians

  The first day winds along Great Ocean Road, visiting Memorial Arch and Twelve Apostles. Day two takes you through Tower Hill Reserve, while day three showcases Grampians highlights including MacKenzie Falls and The Balconies, covering 375km of stunning coastline.

  

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  • Day 1

    Melbourne to Great Ocean Road

    Meet at the Immigration Museum in Melbourne's CBD at 7:35 AM to avoid morning traffic. The day starts with a beautiful coastal drive along the Great Ocean Road. Get your camera ready for amazing ocean views. Look for koalas in the eucalyptus trees between Anglesea and Apollo Bay. Take a guided walk through Great Otway National Park but bring shoes with good grip since paths can get slippery. In the afternoon, visit the famous Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. A good tip is to see the Twelve Apostles near sunset when tour buses are gone and the lighting is perfect for photos. You'll spend the night in Warrnambool after covering 375km.

    
  • Day 2

    Warrnambool to Grampians

    Start at Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve, set in an old volcano crater. Come early to spot emus and kangaroos in their natural habitat. Travel north to the Grampians National Park for the Pinnacle lookout hike (4.5km return). You'll need reasonable fitness for this moderate hike, but there are plenty of scenic spots to rest. Bring lots of water, especially in summer. End your day in Halls Gap with a classic Australian BBQ dinner. If you're staying at the Grampians Eco YHA, ask for a room away from common areas for better sleep.

    
  • Day 3

    Grampians to Melbourne

    Begin with a morning hike to MacKenzie Falls (2km return). The walk down to the falls is steep with many steps, so take your time and bring water. Visit the Balconies and Boroka Lookout for great views best captured in morning light. The trip back to Melbourne (290km) includes rest stops and usually arrives around 5:30 PM, depending on traffic. One traveler suggests: "Wear layers as temperatures can vary significantly between the coast and mountains."

    

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• 3 Days Melbourne to Adelaide, incl. Great Ocean Road and Mount Gambier

  Victoria's iconic coastline unfolds over three days, from Bells Beach to Bay of Islands. Guided walks in Great Otway National Park, visits to Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge complement stays in Apollo Bay's ocean-view villas.

  

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  • Day 1

    Melbourne to Apollo Bay (285 km)

    Leave Melbourne CBD around 8:30 AM and cross the West Gate Bridge toward Geelong. The revitalized waterfront is perfect for your morning coffee break. Next up is Bells Beach near Torquay where you can watch skilled surfers tackle world-famous waves. Look out for Eastern Grey kangaroos at Anglesea. They often graze in the open and make great photo opportunities. The Great Ocean Road starts here. One visitor shares: "The road hugs the cliffs so dramatically - sit on the left side of the vehicle for the best coastal views." Stop for lunch in Lorne after about 90 minutes. You'll find plenty of good cafes along the main street. Later visit Kennett River where wild koalas are often spotted in the trees during cooler hours. Spend the night in Apollo Bay at one of the elevated accommodations with ocean views.

    
  • Day 2

    Apollo Bay to Mount Gambier (390 km)

    Start your day with a walk through Great Otway National Park's ancient rainforest. See the massive Mountain Ash trees before heading to the 12 Apostles. Get there by 9 AM to beat the crowds and catch the best morning light. A regular visitor notes: "The viewing platforms can be windy - bring a warm layer even on sunny days." Visit Loch Ard Gorge to learn about local shipwreck history before lunch in Port Campbell. Drive through Warrnambool and Port Fairy then cross into South Australia. Tower Hill Game Reserve offers more wildlife viewing opportunities on your way to Mount Gambier and its Blue Lake. Stay at The Barn where you can enjoy some excellent regional food.

    
  • Day 3

    Mount Gambier to Adelaide (440 km)

    Take the 9:30 AM tour of Naracoorte Caves World Heritage site. Continue through Coonawarra wine country known for outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon and unique red soil. Stop for lunch in Keith before continuing through changing rural landscapes. Visit Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills around 3 PM. This German heritage town has interesting shops and cafes worth exploring. Stop at Mount Lofty Summit for city views before arriving in Adelaide around 6 PM.

    

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• 3 Days in South Australia, incl. Great Ocean Road and Grampians

  The route covers 375km of Great Ocean Road, stopping at Apollo Bay, Twelve Apostles, and Loch Ard Gorge. A guided rainforest walk in Great Otway National Park awaits, plus chances to spot migrating Southern Right Whales (Jun-Sep) from coastal viewpoints.

  

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  • Day 1

    Melbourne to Warrnambool via Great Ocean Road

    Leave Melbourne early for your 375km journey on the Great Ocean Road. Stop at Anglesea to look for wild koalas in the eucalyptus trees. If you have binoculars bring them along. Take a break at Apollo Bay for lunch and walk on the beach. Pack some windproof layers since the Southern Ocean can get quite breezy. "The variety of breathtaking views of the coastline made this a very memorable trip - I won't forget watching an amazing sunset standing in a field of kangaroos!" Take a guided walk through the rainforest at Great Otway National Park before visiting the famous Twelve Apostles limestone formations. Visit the Twelve Apostles in late afternoon when the light is perfect for photos and most tourists have left. Spend your first night in Warrnambool.

    
  • Day 2

    Warrnambool to Halls Gap

    Start your day at Tower Hill Conservation Reserve, set inside an extinct volcano crater where you'll see plenty of native wildlife. You'll likely get some great photos of emus and kangaroos up close. In the afternoon take the 4.5km hike to the Pinnacle Lookout in Grampians National Park. Make sure to wear good hiking shoes with grip since you'll need to climb over some rocks. One visitor said: "The climb up the Pinnacles at Hall's Gap was tough but manageable, and will remain one of my best experiences." Stay overnight in Halls Gap and enjoy a traditional Australian BBQ dinner. Look for kangaroos grazing on the town's sports field at sunset.

    
  • Day 3

    Grampians to Adelaide

    Begin with a morning 2km hike to Mackenzie Falls on a steep but well-maintained path with railings. Visit the Balconies and Boroka Lookout for sweeping views of the Grampians. The 520km drive to Adelaide goes through Bordertown and passes some beautiful pink lakes near Dimboola. You'll usually reach Adelaide around 7:30pm so book your accommodation beforehand.

    

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