- Where: Melbourne – Adelaide (Melbourne – Great Ocean Road – Grampians National Park – Mount Gambier – Adelaide)
- Time needed: 2 weeks
- Distance: 1200 Kilometers
On this Melbourne to Adelaide road trip, you will explore two of Australia’s biggest cities, drive one of the world’s most famous road trips, hike some jaw-dropping scenery, and see something you probably never saw before.
The Great Ocean Road Itinerary
In this Itinerary – Melbourne to Adelaide we are starting in Melbourne making our way across the famous Great Ocean Road towards Adelaide – South Australia
Unless you have your own transport you are going to need to hire a car to discover this part of the East Coast. Having your own transport allows you that freedom to go at your own pace and stop anywhere, anytime you want.
If you have flown into Melbourne then you can pick up a rental there. There are a few different types of rental at different budgets.
Below are the main two we would recommend. Cars and vans can be booked out more than 6 months in advance due to Melbourne being a very popular place to visit. So do not wait till the last minute to avoid disappointment!
- Discovercars – This is the best website to compare all car rental companies and score the best deal for you. There are all sorts of vehicles available, from small-budget cars to large family saloons, or perhaps even a 4×4.
- Spaceship Vans – Are you a backpacker or a budget traveler? No problem, then this is the one for you! There are great deals available on Spaceship Vans. We used it for four weeks in New Zealand and had no issues, highly recommended by us! Another bonus is that they have depots in Airlie Beach and Brisbane to drop the vehicle off once your trip is completed.
The road trip began in Cairns – sunny Queensland. If you would like to see where it all started, then go back to the first post.
Melbourne Weather
Australia’s second-largest city and the capital of its state – Victoria.
The city is known for having a relaxed atmosphere and European style, which includes European weather. Like Ireland, 4 seasons in one day is not uncommon!
With the cold weather comes the most stunning enchanting landscapes and any photographer’s dream!
Melbourne Trip Planner
To begin our Great Ocean Road Itinerary, we will be starting in Melbourne. Therefore, using the city as a base to explore.
Melbourne is quite large so you should plan to stay for three days. With this in mind, you will have two days to explore the city and one day to explore the surrounding suburbs.
Melbourne has been voted the best city in the world to live on numerous occasions. However, it is a city that can get pretty wet and cold so there must be something special about it to succeed so well in the rankings.
Let’s check out why this city is so great to live in.
Melbourne City Backpacker – Things to Do in Melbourne for Free
There is a certain magic in the air in Melbourne, and I’m not talking about the smell of weed!
It is a very different place when you compare it to Sydney, especially when driving! Things seem to be a lot slower with a “no worries” attitude from the locals.
It is a hipster’s paradise with so many cafes, trendy bars, and boutique restaurants. Funky street art will be around every corner and hard not to notice as you wander through this artistic city, there are certainly a lot of interesting ones to see!
Melbourne Things to Do
Southbank Promenade
An area where you will naturally be attracted to and a very popular place – Southbank Promenade.
Here you can have a meal or drink right next to the river overlooking a perfect view of the city’s skyline. The Eureka Skyline Tower will be the clue where you need to walk. At 300 meters tall it is the Southern Hemisphere’s highest observation deck.
Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit
If you are a Formula 1 fan, then there is a must-see for you in Melbourne.
The majority of the year, Albert Park is a large lakeside urban park located around 3 kilometers from the CBD. Since 1996 this same park transforms into the home of Australian Formula 1 once a year when it hosts the F1 Australian Grand Prix.
It is possible to visit and even drive the track yourself, but obviously not when the Grand Prix is on!
Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit is easy to get to and free to explore. You can choose to drive, run, or walk the circuit starting/finish line and afterward explore the pitstop which is right next to it.
Melbourne Day Trips
Melbourne is located in the center of Phillip Bay, a huge natural bay that has nearly 270 kilometers of shoreline. With that much shoreline then surely you will find a road trip to explore right? Not world famous as the Great Ocean Road but with plenty of stop-offs, viewpoints, and beaches this makes an ideal Melbourne day trip.
Sorrento
Sorrento is located around 90 kilometers away on the Eastern side of Melbourne. Named just like the Italian town, you will understand where it got its name when you drive this gorgeous route!
Driving the majority of this road along the seashore you will pass through lots of charming towns, hidden beaches, and large rolling hills looking over the bay.
A small but worthwhile detour is Murray’s Viewpoint where you can take in all of the bay’s surroundings.
Brighton Bathing Boxes
A famous photograph in Melbourne is the Brighton Bathing Boxes.
They are located around 15 kilometers outside Melbourne, on the same road as Sorrento.
88 Beach huts all with their own unique theme and colours turn an ordinary-looking beach into something special. This is quite a popular and busy tourist destination, so parking is not always that easy to find.
*If you don’t fancy the crowds (or getting up early to beat the crowds!) you will also see some of these lesser-known boxes scattered on some of the quieter beaches towards Sorrento.
Don’t feel like driving yourself?
- From Melbourne, book your Full-Day Great Ocean Road Tour.
- From Melbourne to Adelaide 3-Day Great Ocean Road Grampian Tour
Melbourne to Adelaide Road Trip
Now that you’ve explored Melbourne, it’s time to hit the road.
For those who opt to self-drive:
Starting in Torquay and finishing in Allansford, compromising 260 kilometers of one of the world’s most famous road trips – welcome to the Great Ocean Road itinerary! If that’s not exciting enough, then wait until I tell you – it is all free!!
This fun and winding road will bring you through forests, fishing villages, and most renowned, lots of huge sandstone cliffs, natural arches, and massive sea stacks.
- There are two parts to this drive, starting in Torquay and heading west to Cape Otway is known as the Surf Coast. In this part of the Melbourne to Adelaide journey, you will be cruising in your car, enjoying the scenery, and stopping once in a while at some of the gorgeous lookouts of the Southern Oceans’ ice-blue waters crashing into the mainland.
- From Cape Otway to Allansford starts the second part of the Great Ocean Road – Shipwreck Coast. This part of the Melbourne to Adelaide road trip is where you will see the famous sandstone cliffs and rock formations that make this one of Australia’s most iconic tourist destinations and landmarks.
We would highly recommend venturing from the viewpoints when possible (and when signposted!) and exploring the beaches below. Viewing these magnificent and towering sights from a different perspective of the monumental size.
Shipwreck Coast
Undoubtedly “The Twelve Apostles” is the most famous and most recognizable of all the stop-offs. It is one of the first sights you will see on the second part of The Great Ocean Road Itinerary. There is free parking to view these sandstone giant rocks sticking out of the ocean.
Years of being battered by the huge waves from the Southern Ocean have caused these humongous cliffs to crumble away leaving these few pillars still standing.
We don’t know why they called it “The Twelve Apostles” as there were only eight pillars originally until 2005 and one of the pillars collapsed leaving only 7 pillars standing!
Not only is this Melbourne to Adelaide road trip packed with breathtaking scenery, but it is also abundant with history. Hence the name “Shipwreck Coast.”
The majority of these sights are named after the ships and tragic stories that unfolded in the wild seas you are looking at, and there are many! Loch Ard Gorge and The Wreck Lookout are two popular of these amazing sights.
Great Ocean Road Accommodation
It is possible to complete this Great Ocean Road trip in one day. But if you are feeling the Melbourne chillness (not the weather, the no-stress bit!) then break it up into two days. You will have lots of accommodation choices ranging from budget campgrounds to luxury resorts.
Why not treat yourself to a stay at the popular Great Ocean Road Resort?
The Grampians – Grampians National Park
Continuing on our Great Ocean Road Itinerary located 160 Kilometers and only a short 2-hour drive from the end of “The Great Ocean Road” you will discover a National Park that has many different sights to offer – The Grampians National Park.
Because of the many walks, peaks, and waterfalls available, this National Park is a hiker’s wonderland!
Grampians Accommodation
Halls Gap is the main town within The Grampians. Anything you need you can find here, from petrol to a coffee and sandwich and the majority of accommodation (from luxury to campgrounds).
If you base yourself out of the National Park, you will also find free campsites that you will have almost to yourself!
The Pinnacle Holiday Lodge proves very popular but make sure to check out booking.com to find the best deal for you.
Grampians Pinnacle
Earlier we mentioned that this place is a hiker’s paradise. Despite the many short and long hikes that are available, there is one that stands out above all – The Pinnacle Lookout.
Firstly, let me explain the hike itself. This is a tough 5km hike that has a steep ascent as soon as you begin. Yet the rewards on the way up and the main viewpoint will be worth every drop of sweat!
Having a decent level of fitness will make this easier, having said that, we saw plenty of older people and very young children who also did this hike.
Begin at Wonderland car park, then walk via The Grand Canyon lookout and Silent Street.
Grand Canyon was closed when we were there but you can still see viewpoints from it.
Silent Street will be one of the highlights of this hike – A natural crack with man-made steps that cut through the rock, once you have passed through here you will know you are nearly at the top!
Finally, I would like to highlight one more thing. Try and follow the markers that are laid out, since this is not always possible you will get confused at some point.
Don’t worry, just pause until you find the next marker, perhaps even backtrack a small bit to where your last marker was sighted. DO NOT carry on if you can’t see any markers because it is very easy to get lost here!
Grampians Weather
Perhaps an obvious but maybe overlooked piece of advice is to make sure to check the local weather when you decide to embark on your Grampians hike.
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Always check and prepare for extreme weather conditions which may include strong winds, and heavy rain; as well as hot or cold conditions throughout the year.
Check out your Grampians Peak Trail Plan and Prepare Guide here.
Welcome to South Australia: Mount Gambier
Next on your Melbourne to Adelaide road trip is Mount Gambier so the next step is for us to welcome you to South Australia!
It is only a two-and-a-half-hour drive from The Grampians to Mount Gambier. This little detour sets you up for a long drive to Adelaide the next day, but worth it!
There are two reasons to visit Mount Gambier, firstly Umpherston sinkhole. And secondly, the blue lake.
Umpherston Sinkhole AKA The Sunken Garden
Another free sight to visit is “The Sunken Garden”. This is a majestic garden to view with lots of birdlife and not-so-shy possums inside.
Inside the hole, you will see large curtains of ivy hanging down, rows of terraced flower gardens, and fountains making this place worthwhile to visit!
Let me explain how the sinkhole got its name. To begin with, let’s go back a million years. This was once upon a time a large sea cave where the roof collapsed causing a natural hole in the ground.
Then in 1886, James Umpherston bought the land. Maybe he was bored, maybe he wanted to see the inside, who knows. But he built a stairway down to the bottom. Furthermore, he began building a garden that still exists to this day.
To sum it up – a garden in a sinkhole – Umpherston Sinkhole aka The Sunken Garden
Mount Gambier Blue Lake
Besides sinkholes in Mount Gambier, there are also a few volcanic craters, Blue Lake being the most popular.
This lake has a stunning cobalt blue colour, although on cloudy or rainy days the cobalt blue turns the lake into a normal-looking lake. A 3.6-kilometer loop around the lake still offers many viewpoints to enjoy even on a cloudy day!
Mount Gambier Accommodation
From stylish apartments, cozy B&Bs, caravan parks, motels, and hotels you are certain to discover something to your liking, ranging from economical budget accommodation right through to luxury accommodation like the Mount Gambier Hotel.
Adelaide: The 20-Minute City
Our last port of call on this amazing Great Ocean Road itinerary and 1200 kilometers later – Adelaide! You have made it from Melbourne to Adelaide, congratulations!
Adelaide is a small city and the capital of South Australia, what it lacks in famous landmarks it undoubtedly makes up for with its architecture. This city is stunning with beautiful buildings and gorgeous churches everywhere you look. The perfect place to chill out for a few days.
Nicknamed the 20-minute city because no matter where you are in the city it will take 20 minutes maximum to get to where you need to be. Making it one of the easiest cities to travel across. This brings us to another reason to visit.
Adelaide Beaches
Looking out at the Southern Ocean all the beaches in Adelaide offer very similar qualities. They are all easily accessible, family-friendly, and beautiful!
Our favourite is Glenelg, here you will find lots of choices for pub-style lunches, a glass of wine, and an ice rink that is set up by the pier! Other notable similar beaches nearby are Brighton and Henley.
Things to Consider!
- From May till September, it can be quite cold in Australia, especially in Victoria and South Australia (Melbourne to Adelaide!). Bring plenty of warm clothing including a wool hat, scarf, and gloves! You will need it!
- Beware of sudden waves when visiting beaches or walking along shorelines, the seas can be unpredictable and lethal.
- The most important one of all – Have fun and enjoy!
Enjoy The Journey!
There you have it, our Great Ocean Road Itinerary – Melbourne to Adelaide. Have you completed this Melbourne to Adelaide road trip before or have you now put it on your bucket list?
If you are continuing on, make sure to check out our Adelaide to Uluru post below!
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Slán go fóil
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I want to follow all this for real some day❤
Thank you, Maura! We look forward to following you then!!
Your itineraries are brilliant, makes me feel like hitting the road. Definitely should be a must for first time travellers down under. Keep sharing!
Thank you! You’re the first Australian to comment, so that means a lot!! We hope to inspire people to go and explore, theres a lot to see out there!!