StuQ

When I am in Melbourne, I would like to drive the Great Ocean Road. On its website, it says it is about 66 miles long. Yet, I have read that one should take 2 or 3 days to do it. Can I please get some info on that. Why 3 days? what does one do? I am guessing it is more than driving the stretch and looking at the view. Are there walks? Parks? Any info is appreciated.

Melnq8

The GOR is more like 150-175 miles long, depending on who you believe.

Details here:

http://www.travelmate.com.au/Places/...sp?RegionId=25

We spent 2.5 days exploring the GOR. Lots of reasons to stop, lots of exploring, lots of walks.

For some ideas and details, you might want to take a look at my trip report:

http://www.fodors.com/community/aust...t-wild-tas.cfm

DownUnder

Melbourne to the 12 Apostles via the GOR is 285 kilometres or 177 miles. Useful sites are www.visitotways.com and http://www.greatoceanrd.org.au/ and www.visitvictoria.com
There is much to see on the way.

JoanneH

Melbourne to the 12 Apostles should do it for you. A lot of the Great Ocean Road is not along the Ocean but inland. Best Bits IMHO Melbourne to Apollo Bay, Over the Mt.(Otway Nat. Park),some Rain Forest, Then back to coast for the marked viewing stops until you reach the 12 Apostles. Just past the Apostles is Loch Ard Gorge, Broken Head, The Arch etc. Past Port Campbell the road starts turns inland. We drove it all the way to Adelaide and the best part was Melbourne to 12 Apostles. JMHO

DownUnder

Yes it can be done in a day, but it is a very long and tiring day and not recommended. Melbourne to 12 Apostles is about 4 and a half hours without stops, but really the scenery is so fabulous that you need to stop even if it's just to see the Koalas (Kennett River) and the Kangas. (Anglesea) not to mention the view from Airey's Inlet Lighthouse. An overnight at either Apollo Bay or Port Campbell is the way to go,

JohnFitz

Much of the road requires you to drive slowly eg 60kmph or slow down to 30 or 40 kmph because of its turns and twists. People unfamiliar with it look at the length and equate the distance with how fast you can drive .You need to allow time to stop and enjoy various vistas and towns .

And without being alarmist a number of tourists have had recent serious accidents as a result , it was suggested , of tiredness and underestimating the time it takes to drive it and going faster than is safe .