Round trip drive time Geelong-Twelve Apostles?
Nov 13th, 2013, 06:44 AM
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Round trip drive time Geelong-Twelve Apostles?
Our cruise ship anchors off Geelong 7:00am Tuesday Feb 25 and departs 4:00pm. Google Maps tells me I can drive overland from 18 The Esplanade South (Hertz office in Geelong, which looks like it is close to where the ship's tender will dock) to 12 Apostles in 2 hours. Google also says the trip back to Geelong along the Great Ocean Road will take 3 hours, 10 minutes.
If I am able to leave the Hertz office by 8:30, will I be able to drive the above and get back by the last tender, maybe 3:30? Or am I just overly ambitious?
Many thanks for your advice.
If I am able to leave the Hertz office by 8:30, will I be able to drive the above and get back by the last tender, maybe 3:30? Or am I just overly ambitious?
Many thanks for your advice.
Nov 13th, 2013, 10:48 AM
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Overly ambitious and not worth it. See http://tinyurl.com/7mwcg8y.
To begin with, there never were 12 apostles, and now there are only eight left, a bunch of them have fallen down. But be that as it may, travel along the GOR is slow, and can be very slow if there is road work and if you encounter slow-moving campers etc. It's not a highway, just a country road.
The whole point is not to be in a rush. Now if you were to race the clock for a bet, with lots of money at stake, and throwing prudence to the wind, you might make it there and back in time, it's possible. But would it make sense on any level? I don't think so.
To begin with, there never were 12 apostles, and now there are only eight left, a bunch of them have fallen down. But be that as it may, travel along the GOR is slow, and can be very slow if there is road work and if you encounter slow-moving campers etc. It's not a highway, just a country road.
The whole point is not to be in a rush. Now if you were to race the clock for a bet, with lots of money at stake, and throwing prudence to the wind, you might make it there and back in time, it's possible. But would it make sense on any level? I don't think so.
Nov 13th, 2013, 11:31 AM
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I was going to respond - but hesitated because I was concerned that I would just be negative and unhelpful. michelhuebeli has, however, responded far more eloquently than I could have done.
We spent a couple of days down the GOR back in June (think December/middle of winter, if you're from the northern hemisphere). It was deserted and we had the road to ourselves. Makes the driving easy and we had a great couple of days (that's a couple of days, not a few hours). I wouldn't go near the GOR in summer (Jan/Feb) - but then I don't have to, because I live here. Expect lots of traffic and slow-going in summer. I'd love to encourage you to "see the GOR" but in good conscience couldn't possibly endorse what you're proposing.
[As an aside, I'm curious as to what cruise ship anchors off Geelong? Generally, the cruise ships come in to the Port of Melbourne - and there, we could easily recommend what to do for 7+ hours.]
We spent a couple of days down the GOR back in June (think December/middle of winter, if you're from the northern hemisphere). It was deserted and we had the road to ourselves. Makes the driving easy and we had a great couple of days (that's a couple of days, not a few hours). I wouldn't go near the GOR in summer (Jan/Feb) - but then I don't have to, because I live here. Expect lots of traffic and slow-going in summer. I'd love to encourage you to "see the GOR" but in good conscience couldn't possibly endorse what you're proposing.
[As an aside, I'm curious as to what cruise ship anchors off Geelong? Generally, the cruise ships come in to the Port of Melbourne - and there, we could easily recommend what to do for 7+ hours.]
Nov 13th, 2013, 11:38 AM
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Thanks to both of you. You confirmed my previous experience with Google Directions--not to be trusted.
The ship is Seabourn Odyssey, and it will be in Melbourne the day before. Exactly why it stops in Geelong I don't know. Sydney is the next port, after one day at sea.
Any suggestions what to do for a few hours in Geelong?
The ship is Seabourn Odyssey, and it will be in Melbourne the day before. Exactly why it stops in Geelong I don't know. Sydney is the next port, after one day at sea.
Any suggestions what to do for a few hours in Geelong?
Nov 13th, 2013, 12:39 PM
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Go to Geelong Railway Station and take the train into Melbourne, to Flinders Street, lvg. at 07:56, 08:14, 08:57, 09:28, taking about 1 1/4 hour.
Across from iconic Flinders Street (train) station is Federation Square and the Melbourne Visitors Center - drop in and get all the helpful brochures you can eat. Fed Square is a nice place to hang, plan, regroup, check out the Ian Potter Arts center (Australian Art).
Then cross the bridge and walk the Botanical Gardens where they have cleverly sectioned off the vegetation according to zones of Australia, from rainforest in one corner to tropical forest in another etc.
Down below is a walking track by the river.
Take the tram to St. Kilda for a bit of waterfront strolling.
There's much more in Melbourne waiting for you to explore, it's a classy city.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trams_in_Melbourne
http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/visit-melb...scape-features
Across from iconic Flinders Street (train) station is Federation Square and the Melbourne Visitors Center - drop in and get all the helpful brochures you can eat. Fed Square is a nice place to hang, plan, regroup, check out the Ian Potter Arts center (Australian Art).
Then cross the bridge and walk the Botanical Gardens where they have cleverly sectioned off the vegetation according to zones of Australia, from rainforest in one corner to tropical forest in another etc.
Down below is a walking track by the river.
Take the tram to St. Kilda for a bit of waterfront strolling.
There's much more in Melbourne waiting for you to explore, it's a classy city.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trams_in_Melbourne
http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/visit-melb...scape-features
Nov 14th, 2013, 01:44 AM
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Bizarre. You arrive in Melbourne at 8 am and depart at 11 pm ..... for Geelong (arriving at 7am and departing for Sydney at 3 pm). I'd have to say that's a pretty bizarre itinerary (particularly for what Seabourn charges); perhaps they're too mean to pay the port charges in Melbourne for another day....
As peterSale suggests, perhaps go for a drive around the Bellarine Peninsula and over to Queenscliff. Visit some wineries if you're so inclined (Scotchman's Hill probably being the best known).
http://www.visitvictoria.com/Regions...rine-Peninsula
http://www.thebellarinetastetrail.co...p,id,1173.aspx
http://www.visitvictoria.com/Regions...ns/Queenscliff
As peterSale suggests, perhaps go for a drive around the Bellarine Peninsula and over to Queenscliff. Visit some wineries if you're so inclined (Scotchman's Hill probably being the best known).
http://www.visitvictoria.com/Regions...rine-Peninsula
http://www.thebellarinetastetrail.co...p,id,1173.aspx
http://www.visitvictoria.com/Regions...ns/Queenscliff
Nov 14th, 2013, 08:00 AM
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Thanks again to all.
tt7--it IS bizarre, now that I look at it. I live in New York, and a comparable change of port would take me from Manhattan to Newark. I suspect you are right-docking for a full 24 hours more in Melbourne would no doubt be expensive.
Ah well, we'll enjoy Bellarine and Queenscliff.
tt7--it IS bizarre, now that I look at it. I live in New York, and a comparable change of port would take me from Manhattan to Newark. I suspect you are right-docking for a full 24 hours more in Melbourne would no doubt be expensive.
Ah well, we'll enjoy Bellarine and Queenscliff.
