TravelerKaren

We are driving the GOR from Melbourne to Cape Jervis over 4 days. Our first planned stop is Apollo Bay. Is it worth making a detour to Ballarat first and then heading to Geelong to start this drive? This is about a 1.5 hr drive from Melbourne and then another 1.25 hr drive from Ballarat to Geelong. We planned to stop along the way at Twelve Arches and Loch Ard. Would that cut into the day too much if we made that stop and is that a worthwhile stop?

marg

Yes, Ballarat is worth visiting but you may not have time to do it justice. Unless you can spend the full day there, I'd stick to doing the GOR. Ballarat is full of lovely old buildings, a great art gallery, several museums and a really good folk museum which by itself, could take up several hours, plus the gold museum across the road. If you have the time, spend a day in Ballarat, overnight there and then head to Geelong.

TravelerKaren

marg, thanks for the reply. Since we already have our hotel booked in Apollo Bay, sounds like we should just stick to the GOR.

CounterClifton

I like Ballarat, but agree with marg. Time would be tricky. And I'd add the Ballarat Wildlife Park, which I think gives the best viewing of Tasmanian Devils in Vic.