I will be in melbourne next week--had planned to do the great ocean rd that weekend but apparently it's a big holiday weekend--any thoughts about whether a one-day bus trip from melbourne would work at all--or renting a car and driving it myself for a day

I've done the GOR 2x as a day trip - so it is possible, but expect a long day w/o lengthy stops anywhere. They do have 1 day bus trips, but if you feel comfortable I would recommend doing it yourself for a little more flexibility. I wouldn't completely give up on finding accomm. though. Keep checking, and you might get lucky w/ a last minute cancellation. GOR is a sight worth seeing, bring plenty of film.

Hi - it is the Queen's Birthday weekend 7, 8 and 9th May and traditionally it is a weekend that a lot of people go away (it is the last long weekend in a while and before the winter really sets in). If you were planning on staying anywhere you would have to book.

The drive on the GOR is fantastic but it is fairly tiring (particularly if you are not used to driving) and the roads are fairly winding and can be a bit treacherous if wet.If you hire a car and drive yourself you would probably only get to see Maits Rest, The 12 Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge in a day (at a pinch) and I still wouldn't drive back in a day - I'd stay at Apollo Bay or Lorne over night and drive back the next day (both great towns) - (you may still get something) - call the local tourism bureau they will have lists of any accommodation still availabe in the area(Lorne Visitor Information Centre Ph 61 3 5289 1152).

The bus would probably be a bit limiting I would think but worth considering if you definately want to do it in a day - The GOR really is worth seeing and it would be sad if you missed it.

I did the 1 day bus trip two years ago and enjoyed it very much. Although it is a lot of "riding" and it would have been nice to stop longer in some places, there was time to walk around, see the major sights, etc. I'd recommend it.

We too did the trip in one day. Rented a car and were on the road by 9am.

Went as far as the 12 Apostles area and returned on the inland road (the buses were first arriving when we got ready to leave).

Stopped a few times on way out "potty stops" and to pick up some food. On return we stopped for some snack food. Arrived back in MEL about 5pm.

But watch your speed, we got a camera ticket which arrived a few days after we arrived back at home in the States. We did pay it.

It's doable in one day.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a tour of this area? I'd like to do a day trip as well, even if it means a long day. Thanks.

I did this day tour in Sept 2001. The company was "Melbourne's Best Day Tours" website:melbournetours.com.au
I picked this company because it is a small bus - holds only 18. I learned a long time ago if you do tours, try to pick one with a small vehicle - otherwise you spend alot of time with people just getting on/off the thing. This one also went to a golf course where you could see kangaroos in the wild - which I thought was great until 3 days later when we went to the Grampians and must have seen a thousand of them!! But it also stopped on a road that the bigger buses can't do, and you have the chance to see koalas in the wild. We saw two of them.
I would highly recommend this.