I just made the unfortunate discovery that the long weekend I booked flights from U.S. to Melbourne is Easter weekend.We were planning on spending Friday and Saturday on the G.O.R., Sunday in the Goldfields , Monday at Phillip island and Tues . in Melbourne. We were going to wing it with hotels. Is that going to be a problem? Would it make sense to reverse and hit the G.O.R. Monday and Tuesday?

I think it unlikely to be a major problem save for accomodation , as you state .

It is school holidays and Easter so everything will be busy. I expect all tourist attractions and shops to be open save on Good Friday when most things shut for most of the day . So driving that day to / on the GOR is not a bad idea . But you do need to book ahead if you want a bed .All the seaside towns will be busy .

Shops will be open all weekend in the city so Tuesday is not a problem .

If you are going to Ballarat Sovereign Hill and other attractions will be open as they will be at Phillip Island .

Definitely book your accommodation now. The Great Ocean Road is very popular at that time of the year and Easter seems to be the most crowded holiday season of all.

I'd recommend Bendigo instead of Ballarat for gold. Stay at the Shamrock - built in 1900 or thereabouts, and a lovely hotel.

Stick with your itinerary, but book ASAP. http://www.visitvictoria.com/