Great Ocean Road - how much time?
Jul 13th, 2005, 07:56 AM
#22
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These responses have been great! Has anyone driven the GOR going from Kangaroo Island to Melbourne? In November we're planning to drive to Cape Bridgewater near Portland on day 1, stay overnight and then drive to Melbourne the next day. Is this reasonable?
Jul 13th, 2005, 09:05 AM
#23
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We are planning to take two days to do the drive from the Adelaide Hills to Melbourne with overnights in Robe and Princeton (just east of Port Campbell). We will be staying at Arabella Country House B & B, overlooking the ocean, in Princeton. (www.innhouse.com.au/arabella). Wondering if we should venture off the route to visit the caves at Naracoorte before we get to Robe? Are they worthwhile? Skipping the Gampians as we'll be seeing similar scenery in Blue Mts., and Katherine/Kakadu/Litchfield area. Is there something that we just shouldn't miss on the route, besides the Twelve (8) Apostles? Planning also to see the lighthouse at Otway.
Jul 13th, 2005, 07:02 PM
#24
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Hi everyone...
Can anyone suggest a day tour bus to see GOR and stay overnight at Warrnambool? Which route to take...and how long does it takes from Melbourne to Warnambool, include stopover at Lorne & Apollo Bay? How far is it if continue on to Port Fairy & Mt Gambier?
If return to melbourne the next day, can take another bus route via Ballarat? I got this idea from www.vline.com.au but really confused whether this is a bus or train route ? How much does all this tour cost anyway?
Can anyone suggest a day tour bus to see GOR and stay overnight at Warrnambool? Which route to take...and how long does it takes from Melbourne to Warnambool, include stopover at Lorne & Apollo Bay? How far is it if continue on to Port Fairy & Mt Gambier?
If return to melbourne the next day, can take another bus route via Ballarat? I got this idea from www.vline.com.au but really confused whether this is a bus or train route ? How much does all this tour cost anyway?
Jul 15th, 2005, 08:26 PM
#25
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We are also plannig to drive the great ocean road in September. We scheduled only two days.What is a good midway stopping point? From what I can see. it seems that the first day leaving from Melbourne we might not get very far.Are there fewer things to see once you get closer to Adelaide?
We are planning a trip for 1 1/2 days to Kangaroo island. Recpmmendations on places to stay? Should we book a tour? Fly over or take the ferry?
Thanks!
We are planning a trip for 1 1/2 days to Kangaroo island. Recpmmendations on places to stay? Should we book a tour? Fly over or take the ferry?
Thanks!
Jul 16th, 2005, 02:40 PM
#26
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Driving from Melbourne, you should be on the GOR coast within 2 hours. From ther it really depends on how many stops you make, whether you take leisurely meal breaks, and wher you define the end of the GOR. The GOR goes through to Warrnambool but many people find Port Campbell or Peterborough far enough - the rugged coastal scenery end around there. So a good stop-over point depends on how much you are trying to see. Kcgrace if your 2 days is meant to take you to Adelaide, then I think that is a bit ambitious. Excite2, Vline to Ballarat would be a train. I guess you are asking about buses & trains because you don't wish to drive but if it were possible you would be much better off with a car - you could drive inland to Ballarat from Warrnambool and then it's only an hour back to Melbourne. Port Fairy is only 20-30 kilometers from Warrnambool and worth visiting.Mount Gambier is much further away over the South Australian border - haven't done that trip for years but at least 2-3 hours from Warrnambool.
Jul 17th, 2005, 07:33 PM
#27
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Good evening all! I have just returned from two months in Europe, and am surprised that this thread is still running. Some more observations:
1* The drive from Mebourne along the GOR to Port Campbell is quite possible in one day, but would be very rushed. It should be noted that there is free public access to all the coastline. You will come across long, sandy, beautiful beaches with no one on them, and you WILL want to stop. This will occur repeatedly, so your trip will be slow. Additionally, there is an 80kph speed limit on most of the GOR, and you would be well advised to adhere to it: the Victorian Police enforce the limit with zero tolerance.
2* If by 'stopovers' folks mean overnight stays, Lorne and Apollo Bay have many motels and hotels. Accommodation should not be a problem except in December/January, when it will be difficult.
3* V-Line runs a scheduled bus service along the GOR. About three buses a day run in each direction. Note that this is a normal scheduled service so the buses mosey along, and there is no commentary from the driver.
4* There are lots of 'day tour' buses starting from Melbourne, but the trip generally finishes back at Melbourne on the same day. Such a trip would be fairly fleeting and quite tiring.
5* The optimum way to experience the GOR is to hire a car and drive yourself: that way you can stop wherever and whenever you want, and that will be frequently. (From my recent European experience, the free, public access is something to be treasured!)
1* The drive from Mebourne along the GOR to Port Campbell is quite possible in one day, but would be very rushed. It should be noted that there is free public access to all the coastline. You will come across long, sandy, beautiful beaches with no one on them, and you WILL want to stop. This will occur repeatedly, so your trip will be slow. Additionally, there is an 80kph speed limit on most of the GOR, and you would be well advised to adhere to it: the Victorian Police enforce the limit with zero tolerance.
2* If by 'stopovers' folks mean overnight stays, Lorne and Apollo Bay have many motels and hotels. Accommodation should not be a problem except in December/January, when it will be difficult.
3* V-Line runs a scheduled bus service along the GOR. About three buses a day run in each direction. Note that this is a normal scheduled service so the buses mosey along, and there is no commentary from the driver.
4* There are lots of 'day tour' buses starting from Melbourne, but the trip generally finishes back at Melbourne on the same day. Such a trip would be fairly fleeting and quite tiring.
5* The optimum way to experience the GOR is to hire a car and drive yourself: that way you can stop wherever and whenever you want, and that will be frequently. (From my recent European experience, the free, public access is something to be treasured!)
Jul 17th, 2005, 07:44 PM
#28
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One more remark: Chris' Beacon Point Restaurant is always highly regarded in the annual Good Food Guide. I have eaten there regularly since the 1960s. It is an upmarket establishment, by no means a 'cheap eat', but the food is normally very good, the ambience excellent, and the views sensational. The restaurant is located on the hills behind Skenes Creek, about six kilometres on the Melbourne side of Apollo Bay. If you don't have a car, you will need to take a taxi. The views are maximized at lunchtime, so that might be something to consider. Overseas visitors might care to experience a 'pub meal' which is available at either of the Apollo Bay hotels. The food is normally very presentable and you will leave neither broke nor hungry.
Aug 1st, 2005, 08:50 AM
#29
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We're planning to drive the GOR in mid-October after flying in from Sydney, so I figure, we won't even be in the car until 9 am.. Given the late start and the prospect of slow-go traffic, Is it best to head to the Coast and drive down, or stay inland to Warrnambool then drive the GOR back toward Melbourne. A long day doesn't bother us...but if we can minimize traffic, so much the better. Thanks for any help!
Aug 1st, 2005, 07:35 PM
#30
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Hi Wherenow,
Your post is a little unclear: Are you proposing to drive to Warrnambool via the inland Princes Highway, then return to Melbourne via the coast in one day?
If that is the case, don't do it! It really is too long, and you would have to drive at such a pace that you would see very little, too little in fact to make it worth your while. The whole point of the drive is to stop at the various points of interest, and they are legion. What you have suggested is a two day trip, and you should be aware that the road between Warrnambool and Peterborough does NOT run along the coast.
The best option for you, given a 9.00AM pickup, would be to drive through Geelong to Anglesea, which is where the seaside part of the GOR really starts. Then drive round through Lorne and Apollo Bay to Port Campbell. From Port Campbell, go inland through Cobden to Camperdown, and then return to Melbourne via the Princes Highway. If you drive in this direction, the sun should be in the optimal position for viewing. Even this would be a very rushed one-day trip, and you would be well-advised to stop overnight somewhere if you can. As I have previously suggested, Apollo Bay is at the end of a good day's sightseeing.
Your post is a little unclear: Are you proposing to drive to Warrnambool via the inland Princes Highway, then return to Melbourne via the coast in one day?
If that is the case, don't do it! It really is too long, and you would have to drive at such a pace that you would see very little, too little in fact to make it worth your while. The whole point of the drive is to stop at the various points of interest, and they are legion. What you have suggested is a two day trip, and you should be aware that the road between Warrnambool and Peterborough does NOT run along the coast.
The best option for you, given a 9.00AM pickup, would be to drive through Geelong to Anglesea, which is where the seaside part of the GOR really starts. Then drive round through Lorne and Apollo Bay to Port Campbell. From Port Campbell, go inland through Cobden to Camperdown, and then return to Melbourne via the Princes Highway. If you drive in this direction, the sun should be in the optimal position for viewing. Even this would be a very rushed one-day trip, and you would be well-advised to stop overnight somewhere if you can. As I have previously suggested, Apollo Bay is at the end of a good day's sightseeing.
Nov 11th, 2017, 09:24 AM
#31
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Bookmarking for my trip....
Will I be sorry if I only allow two overnights for this drive? I'd be flying from SYD on the morning (assuming there are morning flights available) and would have the rental car, then back into MEL for a few nights...
I could either try to be in MEL that Wednesday night, or, Thursday around noon. For all intents and purposes keeping the car until the next morning versus the evening before adds one extra morning to the drive as well as stretching roughly an extra 6-8 hours of sightseeing.
Thanks.
Will I be sorry if I only allow two overnights for this drive? I'd be flying from SYD on the morning (assuming there are morning flights available) and would have the rental car, then back into MEL for a few nights...
I could either try to be in MEL that Wednesday night, or, Thursday around noon. For all intents and purposes keeping the car until the next morning versus the evening before adds one extra morning to the drive as well as stretching roughly an extra 6-8 hours of sightseeing.
Thanks.
