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Looking for the perfect 3 day Great Ocean Road itinerary? This coastal road is often named one of the most scenic drives in the world, and rightly so; it needs to be at the top of any Australia bucket list! But planning a trip along this stretch of road can be tricky. Where to stop? How long do you need? Where to stay? This post offers suggestions of where to stay, what to see and any tips you need along the way!
Where is the Great Ocean Road?
The Great Ocean Road begins in the surf town of Torquay, which is found around 100 KM southwest of Melbourne. From here it winds its way westward along the stunning coastline towards the township of Allansford, just outside Warrnambool. This spectacular route hugs the edge of the continent, following the edge of the Southern Ocean, and passes through a series of charming seaside towns, including Lorne, Apollo Bay, and Port Campbell. Located between the cliffs of the Otway Ranges and the southern coastline, the Great Ocean Road provides access to world-renowned attractions like the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and Great Otway National Park.
Where does the Great Ocean Road start and finish?
You can start the Great Ocean Road at either end of it. Officially, it starts in Torquay, and after driving 243 KM, it ends in the town of Allansford, which is located just east of Warrnambool. Most people start from the Torquay end, as this is closest to Melbourne. Without stopping, driving the Great Ocean Road (one way) would take just over three and a half hours.
If you choose to start in Melbourne, this would make the total drive between 350 and 375 KM (depending on any detours taken along the way), making the driving time around 5 and a half hours.
How long do you need for the Great Ocean Road?
A 3 day Great Ocean Road itinerary would be more than enough to see everything you wanted along the Great Ocean Road, giving you enough time to stop (and spend time at) all the major sights along the way. It wouldn’t feel like too much driving, and would give you a chance to spend the night at some of the adorable towns along the way. This itinerary also includes the return journey to Torquay, so you don’t need to factor in time for the return journey as well.
Of course, if you are pushed for time, you can shorten the itinerary to two or even one day. If you only have one da,y you might want to consider a group travel tour to make the most of your time. They know the best places to stop and will hit the right times so that they aren’t too crowded.
If you have two days to spare, then choose between staying in Apollo Bay or Port Campbell for the best location to see the sights on the road.
Can I do a tour of the Great Ocean Road?
Yes absolutely! There are different options for group tours that you can choose from, including 1-day, 2-day and 3-day tours. These often start in Melbourne; however, some will drop you off in Adelaide.
HERE ARE SOME GREAT OPTIONS:
1-day tour: Great Ocean Road and 12 Apostles Tour
2-day tour: 2-Day Great Ocean Road & Grampians Tour
3-day tour: 3-Day Great Ocean Road Grampians Tour
Should I take a campervan along the Great Ocean Road?
If you are planning on hiring a campervan to travel around Australia, then the Great Ocean Road is the ultimate place to do this. There are plenty of campsites along the way, including freedom sites. It would be wise to book your spot in advance to make sure there is availability.
Top Tip: Take a look at Travellers Autobarn for the best selection of campervans!
Alternatively, if you are mainly travelling around Australia using public transport, look into hiring a car for the Great Ocean Road. You would need to collect this from Melbourne or a major city. Discover Cars has a lot of great options for all budgets. Perfect for a 3-day Great Ocean Road itinerary!
Great Ocean Road 3 day itinerary summary
This 3 day Great Ocean Road itinerary starts and ends in Torquay, and also includes the return journey back so you don’t need to factor in any time for the return journey.
However, if you are planning on starting in Melbourne, make sure to factor in a little extra time. As well as some time to have a quick stop in Torquay! Regardless, it is still possible to do a 3 day Great Ocean Road itinerary.
Day 1: Torquay to Apollo Bay with lots of beaches and stops along the way.
Day 2: Apollo Bay to Port Campbell with a stop in a rainforest and sunset at the 12 Apostles.
Day 3: Port Campbell to Torquay, taking in the landmarks before heading back.
Great Ocean Road 3 day itinerary in detail
Day 1: Torquay to Apollo Bay
Distance: 100 KM / Time: 1.5 hours
Day 1 of the 3 day Great Ocean Road itinerary starts in Torquay and ends in Apollo Bay, a short drive. But there is so much to see along the way, you are going to want to stop at each place and take your time.
Torquay
A brilliant place to start your adventure, not just because it is the official starting point of the Great Ocean Road! This sleepy little town is also known as Australia’s surfing capital. It’s a haven for surfers, coastal walkers, and ocean lovers alike. With laid-back charm and stunning seaside scenery, it’s the perfect spot to kick off an adventure.
Start the day by having brunch at Pond Cafe, which will fuel you up in the right way to get your trip started. The Breaky Burger is absolutely delicious! And if you are into shopping, the famous Aussie brands Quiksilver and Rip Curl, as well as the now cult favourite, Ghanda, were all born in Torquay. There are outlet shops where you can pick up some real bargains.
Top Tip: If you are in need of any beauty treatments or even a new tattoo for the perfect souvenir, make sure to check out Zaya Studio in Torquay. Owned by the most amazing women and is a real sanctuary.
Bells Beach
12 minutes from Torquay
The first real stop of the 3 day Great Ocean Road itinerary – and you are only going to drive around 12 minutes from Torquay. Bells Beach is an iconic place in Victoria, known for being home to the world-famous Rip Curl Pro competition, which takes place each Easter.
Point Addis
8 minutes from Bells Beach
Depending on how much time you have, depends on how long you might want to spend at Point Addis. It can be as little as a quick stop to take in the stunning views, which are accessed via a short walk on a boardwalk from the car park.
However, the Point Addis National Marine Park also boasts some beautiful walks if you want to take the time. You could try the Koorie Cultural Walk, which is 2 KM long, and includes signs about how the indigenous people lived in the area.
Split Point Lighthouse & Aireys Inlet
25 minutes from Point Addis
Split Point Lighthouse is famous for being the setting of the 90s children’s programme – Round the Twist. But there is more to this spot than just a throwback. You can book guided tours of the lighthouse, and it offers some great views of the coastline from the top. Underneath the lighthouse, boardwalks take you down for views out over the ocean.
The nearby town of Aireys Inlet is quaint and picturesque. It has coffee shops and places to stop if you need a snack!
Memorial Arch
8 minutes from Aireys Inlet
A lovely place to stop for a photo on the Great Ocean Road drive, and really, it is a must. There is a car park right by the arch, so it is a very short stop. The Memorial Arch was created to remember the returning WWI soldiers. The Great Ocean Road was built between 1919 and 1932, actually as a memorial to soldiers who died during World War I. It was constructed by returned servicemen, making it the world’s largest war memorial.
Lorne
17 minutes from Memorial Arch
Lorne is the ideal place to stop for lunch. It has an abundance of cute cafes, fancy restaurants and gorgeous boutique shops. As well as another Ghanda outlet! So take your time to wander, pick the best place to eat and browse the shops.
It is a lively little seaside town, with lots of holiday homes. As such, it also has a gorgeous long beach that is worth spending some time relaxing on.
Cape Patton Lookout
35 minutes from Lorne
Located between Kennett River and Apollo Bay, it is ideal as one of the last stops of the day on day 1 of the 3 day Great Ocean Road itinerary. It is one of the highest coastal vantage points on the route, and it has sweeping views of the dramatic coastline, turquoise waters, and the winding road itself carved into the cliffs. All of this makes it a perfect photo opportunity.
Apollo Bay
20 minutes from Cape Patton
You’ve made it! The final stop of the day on day 1 of the 3 day Great Ocean Road itinerary. You will want to arrive at Apollo Bay with enough time to wander and grab something to eat. There are lots of choices for accommodation and places to eat. From cafes, restaurants, to fish and chips. It can get busy during the summer, so make sure to book your accommodation in advance.
Where to stay in Apollo Bay:
WHERE TO STAY IN APOLLO BAY:
Budget: YHA Apollo Bay Eco – A sustainable stay right in the middle of town with dorm beds and private rooms.
Mid range: Apollo Bay Waterfront Motor Inn – Situated right in front of the beach with ocean view rooms.
High-end: Chocolate Gannets: Secluded self-contained villas with sea views, spa baths and modern amenities.
Day 2: Apollo Bay to Port Campbell
Distance: 175 KM / Time: 3.25 hours
Day 2 of the 3 day Great Ocean Road itinerary will actually involve a little less driving along the ocean – the road takes you slightly inland. But it will be full of rainforests and waterfalls, with the occasional view of the ocean, of course! Plus, reaching the most iconic spot at the end of the day. Before setting off, make sure to grab some breakfast in Apollo Bay!
Cape Otway Lightstation
35 minutes from Apollo Bay
First stop on day 2 of this 3 day Great Ocean Road itinerary is Cape Otway Lightstation. This is the oldest surviving lighthouse on mainland Australia, and you can pay to explore the lighthouse, take in the view from the top and see the Telegraph Station, WWII radar bunker, and old workshop. There are also a lot of boardwalks around here for some lovely walks.
While driving along the road to the light station, keep an eye out for wildlife – you might be lucky enough to see a koala in the wild!
Castle Cove
25 minutes from Cape Otway
This lookout is easily accessible from the roadside, so this can be a quick pull-in to take in the views over the beach. If you have time and want to stretch your legs, there are also paths that lead down to a secluded beach.
Otway Fly Treetop Adventures
30 minutes from Castle Cove
Located in Otway National Park, this is a chance to get up close with an ancient rainforest. There is plenty to do at Otway Fly Treetop Adventures. Depending on how much of a thrill seeker you are will depend on how much you want to do and how much time you need to spend here.
If you are after some adrenaline, then pre-book the zipline tour, which is a 2.5-hour adventure through the treetops. It is cheaper if you book in advance, so make sure to plan your trip.
There is also a treetop walkway, which gives you a chance to walk high up in the canopy above the forest floor, among the huge towering Mountain Ash, Myrtle Beech, and Blackwood trees that form this forest.
Hopetoun Falls
20 minutes from Otway Fly Treetop Adventures
One of the most stunning waterfalls to find along the Great Ocean Road. You drive down a road that almost resembles a dirt track to find a car park. From here, you can get a view of the falls, but to get the most out of them, you are going to need to embark upon the steps down (and then back up).
Beauchamp Falls
20 minutes from Hopetoun Falls
The second of the waterfalls you are going to want to stop at during your drive. This one does require a 3 KM walk to view them, which is moderately challenging. But once you reach it, you are treated to a 20 M waterfall cascading into a pool, surrounded by beautiful ferns and greenery.
Gibson Steps
1 hour from Beauchamp Falls
The final two stops are right next to each other, and ideally, you want to hit them as the sun is setting. Check out Gibson Steps first in golden light, and then make it to the Twelve Apostles for sunset.
It is 86 steps down to the beach from the cliff face, and make sure to check the tide times before you head down. Once you are on the beach, you have a good view of two of the stacks – Gog and Magog.
Twelve Apostles at sunset
2 minutes from Gibson Steps
This stop really needs no introduction – the most iconic stop along the Great Ocean Road, and most likely the reason for doing a 3 day Great Ocean Road itinerary. Getting here for sunset will mean you get to see them in the most beautiful light. As the sun dips below the horizon, its golden light casts a warm glow across the limestone stacks, turning them shades of amber, rose, and ochre. Long shadows reach across the ocean, adding to the beauty of the scene. Combined with the sound and smell of the sea, it is the perfect way to spend an evening.
Top Tip: If you have the budget, you can also look at booking a scenic flight over the Twelve Apostles for the most amazing bird’s eye view
Port Campbell
10 minutes from Twelve Apostles
You might want to consider checking into your accommodation in Port Campbell before sunset, which is easy to do as it is only a 10-minute drive from Twelve Apostles.
Port Campbell is the perfect place to spend your second night on the Great Ocean Road. It is a small town located in a little bay and is really walkable and friendly.
WHERE TO STAY IN PORT CAMPBELL:
Budget: Sow and Piglets Guesthouse – Just a short walk from the beach and with a brewery attached. Offering dorms and private rooms.
Mid range: Southern Ocean Motor Inn – Directly across from the beach with clean and spacious rooms.
High end: Anchors Port Campbell – With a terrace, garden and stunning countryside views. Self-contained apartments with spa baths and modern amenities.
Day 3: Port Campbell to Torquay
Distance: 250 KM / Time: 4 hours
The final day on the 3 day Great Ocean Road itinerary focuses on the beautiful limestone formations along the coast near the Twelve Apostles. Port Campbell is the perfect starting point for this, before heading back to Torquay. You start by driving away from Port Campbell before making your way back for your return journey.
Before leaving Port Campbell, make sure to have some breakfast at Grassroots Deli Cafe.
The Grotto
10 minutes from Port Campbell
One of the more famous viewpoints along the Great Ocean Road, it is a short walk down to the Grotto. Part archway, part cave and part sinkhole, it forms a viewpoint through to the ocean beyond.
London Bridge
4 minutes from the Grotto
London Bridge used to be attached to the mainland, but coastal erosion caused the first archway to collapse. When it was still attached, you could walk over to stand on it. There was no warning of the collapse, so people were on it at the time. Luckily, no one was hurt! Nowadays, there is one arch left, and you can watch the dramatic sea pound against it.
Bakers Oven
15 minutes from London Bridge
For some reason, this is a much quieter and less talked-about viewpoint along the Great Ocean Road. Shaped like a giant stone arch with a hollowed centre, it looks like a natural oven (albeit a large one) which was carved by wind and waves over many years.
Loch Ard Gorge
4 minutes from Bakers Oven
This is the site of the most famous shipwreck. Fifty-two people were lost from the Loch Ard ship, and only two teenagers survived. They were fortunate enough to be washed onto the only safe gorge on the coast. The cove was named after the wrecked ship.
There are plenty of walks and viewpoints that you can access from this area, so be sure to allow some time to take it all in. This part of the Great Ocean Road is truly stunning.
Twelve Apostles
5 minutes from Loch Arch Gorge
This 3 day Great Ocean Road itinerary had to include a second stop at the Twelve Apostles because, let’s face it, they are one of the main reasons you drive this route. Having seen it at sunset, use this time to firstly enjoy it in a different light and secondly to take advantage of the different viewpoints from which you can see the sea stacks. Taking in any spots you might have missed last night.
Wreck Beach
35 minutes from Twelve Apostles
For the final stop on this 3 day Great Ocean itinerary, head to Wreck Beach. The image of an anchor sticking up out of the sand is an iconic GOR image. The beach is known for the rusted anchors embedded in its rocky platform, the sober remains of the two 19th-century shipwrecks of the Marie Gabrielle and the Fiji.
Warning: it is a steep descent of over 350 steps, and you will need to check the tide times before you embark on this. At high tide, the anchors are under the sea, so that exhausting climb back up you will have after will not be worth it.
Drive back to Torquay
2 hours from Wreck Beach
Coming to the end of your 3 day Great Ocean Road itinerary, it is finally time to leave the Great Ocean Road and head back to where you started. You don’t need to drive back along the route you came (unless there is anything you want to see again!), but you can take the more direct and faster route that takes you inland. This should take you just over 2 hours to make it back to Torquay.
Final thoughts on 3 day Great Ocean Road itinerary
The Great Ocean Road is one of the best road trips in Australia, and it is renowned for a very good reason. It was one of the highlights of my time in Australia, and I highly recommend it. Allowing time for a 3 day Great Ocean Road itinerary really allows you to see the sights, without feeling rushed. However, even if you have less time, make sure to add this to your Australia to-do list!
Useful travel tools and links
To help you plan your trip, here are some of my favourite useful travel tools and links I use on a daily basis to travel:
- Hostelworld: The place to book hostels and cheaper accommodation. Perfect for backpacking trips. With 24 hour cancellation options, and easy to manage from your account.
- Booking.com: One of the largest places to search for hotels around the world. Often with free cancellation options.
- Hotels.com: Also a fantastic place to source hotels, and they offer a loyalty programme.
- Expedia: Another option for hotels as well as a great place to search for flights, car hire and more.
- Skyscanner: The best place to search for flights to find the best rates.
- GetYourGuide: Easy access to book a wide range of curated tours, activities, and experiences around the world.
- Viator: A great place to search for group tours and day trips. Part of the TripAdvisor brand.
- KnowRoaming: eSIMs are a game changer for travel. Purchase before you go and be connected as soon as you land. KnowRoaming eSIM plans keep you and your devices seamlessly connected in 200+ international destinations.
- G Adventures: The ‘go to’ for all group travel tour adventures. Perfect for solo travellers.
- Amazon: Link to my storefront with ALL the useful gadgets and items I couldn’t travel without.
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