So you’re looking for the perfect Great Ocean Road Itinerary. You have 3 days (good choice – it’s MUCH better taking your time than doing a day tour), and you want to see as much as possible while still being able to relax a little, too. Well, you’ve come to the right place!
After at least 4 trips along the Great Ocean Road – some as a day trip and some over the weekend – I can confirm that the most ideal Great Ocean Road Itinerary (3 days/2 nights) is to jet straight to Port Campbell from Melbourne and then slowly make your way back towards the city from there. I say this for a few reasons:
- Begin with the most scenic Great Ocean Road stops (rather than end with them when you’re tired)
- Start with the sunset over the 12 apostles on your first night
- Spend the longest day driving the shortest distance and really taking in the sights
- Drive in the opposite direction to most tour buses, missing a lot of the crowds
So if you’re keen for this 3 Day Great Ocean Road Itinerary – keep reading!
But First – Visiting Melbourne? Check out my other helpful guides:
- Melbourne General Guide – All Suburbs
- Abbotsford Guide
- Fitzroy Guide
- Melbourne Hidden Bars
- Melbourne Day Trips
- Melbourne Weekend Getaways
Best Time for a Great Ocean Road Trip
The summer is the best time to road trip the Great Ocean Road for many reasons. Although Melbourne’s weather is ALWAYS fickle (and you must check the forecast for the whole day, every day to avoid surprises), it’s obviously going to be the best weather in summer.
Next, the longest days are also in summer. This leaves much more time for adventures and activities, with much of November, December, January, and even February with sunsets past 8pm (up to 8:45 around the summer solstice). The very best time would be November and December as the days are long but it’s usually not QUITE as hot yet. Make sure to plan your days accordingly!
Great Ocean Road Trip Car Rental
If you need to rent a car, I always recommend rentalcars.com because you can compare prices from all different providers and choose the cheapest!
If you want to save on accommodation, you can also rent camper vans in Melbourne.
Where to Stay for a Great Ocean Road Trip
There are many choices when it comes to deciding where to stay on your Great Ocean Road trip. Anyone would recommend one night in the southern part of the Great Ocean Road (Torquay, Lorne, Apollo Bay) and one on a more northern part (Port Campbell or perhaps even Port Fairy).
For this trip, I recommend a Great Ocean Road itinerary for 3 days and 2 nights. Spend one night in Port Campbell and one in Apollo Bay, but for alternate options or weekend trips, check out my Great Ocean Road Accommodation Guide.
Day One: Port Campbell + Hinterland
Day one of your Great Ocean Road Itinerary’s 3 Days will be a more relaxed one. Some people may need/want to leave Melbourne later in the day (due to hotel checkouts, getting off work for a weekend, etc) so this day can actually be as long or short as you like.
If you must leave after work, drive straight to the Twelve Apostles to be there for the sunset time (which is very different depending on the time of year). The main point of today is to see the sunset at the 12 apostles and start your Great Ocean Road tour with a bang. So you may need to rearrange checking into your accommodation, having dinner, and seeing the sunset depending on your timing.
If you can leave bright and early, you’ll have a chance to check out the Twelve Apostles Gourmet Trail, check into your accommodation, and have dinner before watching the sunset at the Twelve Apostles. My recommendation is this:
Leisurely Breakfast in Melbourne
Since you are spending 3 days on your Great Ocean Road trip instead of just one, you can relax! Have breakfast before you head out on your drive. If you are staying in the city, check the best brunches in Melbourne or my Southbank Guide to find my top recommendations for a delicious Melbourne brekkie.
Get on the Road towards Port Campbell/Timboon
At your convenience, get on the road. The drive to Port Campbell will be around 3 hours (give or take) so you’ll want to fuel up, grab some snacks, and get the playlist ready. Although still beautiful, this part of the Great Ocean Road trip is more about getting yourself in place for the next few days.
12 Apostles Gourmet Trail
Because you’ll be driving straight to Port Campbell through the countryside, you’ll pass straight by some of the points of interest on the 12 Apostles Gourmet Trail. This is a route of local food and drink artisans in and around Port Campbell, Timboon, and other parts of the Hinterland inland from the coast. If you wanted to do it all it would take 5 hours, but I suggest picking a few of your favorites and prioritizing them.
The first one you may come upon is Dairylicious Farm Fudge on the road into Timboon. Drive into Timboon if you are interested in the Timboon Cheesery, Timboon Fine Ice Creamery, Timboon Railway Shed Distillery, or BerryWorld berry picking.
You’ll find sustainable eatery The Place of Wonder on the way to Port Campbell, and the Sow & Piglets Brewery on the main strip of the little town. If you want to go back into the hinterland a bit, you can visit Gorge Chocolates and Apostle Whey Cheese and Gelateria back towards Simpson. You can find all of the above on Google Maps.
Check into Your Accommodation
Next, check into your Port Campbell Accommodation. Here are my recommendations:
Larger Groups + Luxe – Southern Ocean Villas
If you need two or three bedrooms, the Southern Ocean Villas is THE place to stay in Port Campbell. These Villas are gorgeous and modern inside, with private patios and fabulous amenities. I stayed here with my family and we wished we had more days so we could have stayed longer.
More Affordable – Sow & Piglets Guesthouse (Port Campbell Hostel)
The Port Campbell Hostel, Sow & Piglets, offers private, family, and dormitory rooms, and is right on the main street of town near the brewery.
It’s perfect if you are backpacking and want something cheaper, or to split with a partner or travel group. Or, you can head here to try a beer flight and have some pizza – I do every time!
Book Here on Hostelworld or Book here on Booking.com
Ocean View Rooms – Southern Ocean Motor Inn
If you just need a regular hotel room and are partial to an ocean view/proximity, the Southern Ocean Motor Inn is right across from the bay and also pretty affordable for the area.
Grab a Bite to Eat for Dinner
For dinner in Port Campbell, I recommend 12 Rocks Beach Bar Cafe for a quick yet high-quality pub meal if you need to jet off to catch the sunset (remember it’s a tiny town)!
If you have more time, check out the Sow and Piglets Brewery and/or the Ice Creamery in town, which serves artisan ice cream from Timboon.
If you catch it on a good day, it’ll be one of the best sunsets of your life!
12 Apostles for Sunset!
Try to arrive at the 12 Apostles Car Park at least 30 minutes before sunset so you can check out the visitor center and spend some time walking around the area’s many viewpoints and trails.
I hope for your sake that you get a good sunset, because good sunsets over the 12 Apostles are some of the best in the entire world! The west-facing coast leads to a perfect sunset over the ocean, turning the rolling waves pink as they crash against the large looming chunks of sandstone. Be sure to check out all different trails and viewpoints in the area, and to bring your camera!
Day Two: Bay of Islands to Apollo Bay
Today we will go the shortest distance for our whole Great Ocean Road itinerary, but do the most! Today there are LOTS of possible stops and viewpoints, so choose the ones that sound good to you! You most likely won’t want to do ALL of the Great Ocean Road trip stops I have listed below, but pick and choose your own adventure (as with all my itineraries). They are listed in order.
The first five stops are actually north of Port Campbell, so you will begin by driving about 15 minutes in the opposite direction to the Bay of Islands, then turn around and drive south from there. All the main points of interest are very clearly marked on the road.
Start early if you can, so you can make it to the Cape Otway lighthouse before it closes at 5.
Bay of Islands
A beautiful bay with rocky outcroppings. Some say it’s as spectacular as the 12 Apostles, but it’s less crowded. It has a few different viewpoints.
Bay of Martyrs
Viewpoints with a path to walk down on the sand if you want. Also has some incredible island views.
The Grotto
Here, you can walk down to a small cave grotto that was formed by a sinkhole. This is a popular site to visit and one of the only caves you can get up close to (photo below).
London Bridge
A huge rock with a hole through the middle (can you sense a theme here?) that used to be connected to the mainland. This is a pretty spectacular sight!
The Arch
This is a big – you guessed it – archway in the rock. There are usually big waves crashing through it to make for quite the spectacle.
The Bakers Oven
This is actually more of a ‘secret’ Great Ocean Road trip stop, as there are no signs on the road. It’s a small dirt road turnoff that has a great view at the end and a small trail (visible on Google Maps).
Loch Ard Gorge, The Razorback, Tom & Eva Lookout, and Thunder Cave
The Loch Ard Gorge area has 5km+ of trails meandering around the cliffs and looking out to tons of fascinating rock formations, caves, and a big gorge. The Loch Ard Gorge is famous for a shipwreck that landed there in the 1800s, of which there were only two survivors.
This area is VERY easy to spend a few hours in, so just be wary of time! If anything, make sure to check out the Loch Ard Gorge as a first priority. Use the photos below to tell which viewpoints you’d like to go to.
Gibson Steps
The Gibson Steps go down to the beach on the southern side of the 12 apostles. You can walk up to the water around the remaining two apostles on that side. I would say it’s worthwhile – if you only touch your feet on the sand a few times, this should be one of them.
Lavers Hill
After the previous stop, the Great Ocean Road cuts inland for quite some time. The terrain changes significantly, and you’ll drive through some thick vegetation and forests until you come to a small town called Lavers Hill.
Lavers Hill is a great place to grab some food. Stop at Yatzies for some pies, souvenirs, outdoor garden seating, and feeding exotic birds in the courtyard.
Castle Cove Lookout
This lookout is just a tiny turn of the road that nears the ocean for a hundred meters or so before jutting back into the hinterland. Once you reach this lookout, you’ll have been driving through forests and countryside for quite some time, so it’s a nice little view of the ocean before driving inland again to enter Great Otway National Park.
Cape Otway Lightstation
After driving inland for 20 minutes or so, you’ll come to a right turn to enter Great Otway National Park. 20 minutes back to the coast (keep your eyes out for koalas!) and you’ll have reached the Cape Otway Lightstation. The Lightstation is actually a big area full of accommodations, old quarters, art, and lots of information about the War and things that went on there.
Keep in mind the whole thing closes at 5 pm, and after that point, you won’t be able to walk to the lighthouse but only a remote viewing point a kilometer away. If you don’t have time, check out the Mait’s Rest Rainforest walk instead.
Maits Rest Rainforest Walk
If you have time or are too late to check out the Lightstation, this tiny little walk should only take you about 20 minutes or so and will give you a full feel for the rainforest-like vegetation in Cape Otway National Park.
You’ll be able to feel the landscape changing dramatically as you drive, and when you arrive here and walk through massive ferns and vines you’ll feel like you’re in another place entirely from the dry bushland near the 12 apostles.
Apollo Bay
Phew – we’ve done it! After the Mait’s Rest walk, you should only be about 20 minutes or so from Apollo Bay, the cute little Aussie beach town which will be your resting place for the night.
Apollo Bay has a main strip of shops, restaurants, and pubs which will be lively on the weekend. There’s a long bay that’s perfect for swimming if it’s warm, and plenty of options for food and a drink this evening.
I suggest having a meal at the Great Ocean Road Brewhouse, which has great pub-style options and a lively patio facing the sea. Apollo Bay is super famous for its scallop pies, which you can get at a few locations but I recommend the Apollo Bay Bakery – an interesting twist on the classic Aussie meat pie!
Here are some accommodation options in Apollo Bay:
Larger Groups/Apartment Style – 7 Falls Apartments
We stayed here with my family, and it was SO luxurious! These places have three floors, fabulous views, two decks, 3-4 rooms, and stocked kitchens. They’re amazing. This is DEFINITELY the best price you’ll get around here for their size and proximity to the beach.
Good Location + Affordable Hotel – The Apollo
The Apollo is widely known in Apollo Bay for its affordable prices and perfect location right on the main strip. You can walk everywhere from here!
Affordable Hostel – Apollo Bay YHA
If you are just looking for a cheap bed, the YHA has 4-bed dorms and also private rooms for under $50 per person, which is epic. It has a good location too.
Great Ocean Road Itinerary Day 3: Apollo Bay back to Melbourne
Today, you’ll wake up in beautiful Apollo Bay and spend the day leisurely cruising back to Melbourne, stopping at as many viewpoints and points of interest as you have time for. Many of these are impossible to see on a tour bus, which is why it’s a great idea to do a self-drive Great Ocean Road Itinerary for 3 days!
Today’s plan has less massive and dramatic sandstone rock formations and more generally beautiful coastline. The Great Ocean Road itself is much closer to the water today, and you’ll have views of crashing waves even as you drive. As I said above, you most likely won’t have time for all of these, but choose the stops you like best.
Breakfast in Apollo Bay
Fuel up for the drive! I suggest eating at Cafe 153 as they have great breakfast options and coffee. If you haven’t had a scallop pie yet, now would also be a good time.
Marriner’s Lookout
The first lookout point of the day is just a few minutes’ drive from town. Follow maps to Marriner’s Lookout Car Park and walk a short uphill trail (5-10 min hikee) to a view over all of Apollo Bay.
Carisbrook Beach Rocks + Waterfall
Carisbrook Beach is famous because people have made hundreds – and I mean hundreds – of rock stacks all over the beach. Some days are better than others (as the tide sometimes knocks many down) but it’s always a fun little stop and a chance to make a rock tower yourself.
Carisbrook Waterfall is also a short walk away if you’d like something a bit different from ocean views. The walk is uphill and about 30 minutes round-trip. The waterfall is quite impressive, especially given its proximity to the Great Ocean Road!
Kennett River
Kennett River is a must-stop due to the resident koalas that live in the surrounding gum trees. I always stop and get a coffee at Cafe Koala, then have a walk/drive up the dirt road ascending the hill next to the cafe. I’ve had a 100% success rate spotting koalas, too!
Most tour buses will stop here for some koala and bird-spotting, too, so a big group gathering at the base of a tree with their cameras should be a tell-tale sign of a koala.
If no one else is around, drive slowly up the hill and keep your eyes out for little balls of fluff in the branches – they camouflage well, but are always around!
Sheoak Falls
Sheoak Falls is similar to Carisbrook Falls, but with a bit of a longer/more strenuous hike (45 minutes return) and with a bit more forested/green surroundings. If pressed for time, choose one waterfall or the other.
Teddy’s Lookout
Just before you arrive into Lorne, you can visit another fabulous hilltop lookout: Teddy’s Lookout. This one takes about 2 minutes to walk to from the car park, and looks out over a beautiful beach and inlet. It’s a convenient and worthwhile Great Ocean Road trip stop!
Lorne
Lorne is one of the larger cities along the Great Ocean Road and is a perfect place to stop for lunch. It’s known to be a bit more swanky than Apollo Bay, but still has those small beach town vibes with some nice cafes along the main road. I recommend HAH for trendy meals on the sand or The Bottle of Milk on the main road.
Memorial Arch
The memorial arch commemorates the WWI servicemen who actually built the Great Ocean Road. It signifies the beginning (or, in this direction, end) of the Great Ocean Road. But don’t worry; there’s still lots more to see!
Split Point Lookout + Lighthouse
The Split Point Lookout is in the tiny town of Aireys Inlet. It’s yet another viewpoint of the cliffy coast, and also has a scenic lighthouse. If you have time, you should also check out Loutit Bay Lookout, Eagle Rock Lookout, and Land’s End lookout. It’s a lovely area with nice beaches as well.
Bells Beach
Bells Beach is actually one of the most famous surf beaches in Australia. It holds many surf competitions throughout the year, and is a great place to visit anytime.
Torquay
Torquay is known to be the real gateway to the Great Ocean Road. It’s a coastal city on the ocean-side of Geelong, and is home to some great beachside accommodation (I recommend some in my G.O.R accom guide), restaurants, and also the Australian National Surfing Museum (closes at 5pm). It’s a great idea to have dinner here.
After Torquay, that’s about it! You may be exhausted, so it might be a good idea to stay somewhere around the area or jet back to Melbourne to continue your travels, go back to work, or have some relaxation!
When you have a love of adventure, sometimes your holidays can be a bit too fast-paced to be relaxing… and that’s still okay! 🙂
I hope you enjoy this Great Ocean Road Itinerary for 3 days; I think it’s the perfect amount of time to explore the area and truly make the most of it. Pop any questions or comments below or DM me on Instagram!
If you’ll still be around Melbourne, I have many other helpful guides:
- Weekend Getaways from Melbourne
- and more!
Passionate, full-time travel blogger with over 230k on social media and 150kMPV blog. Extraordinary photographer with two DSLR's + a drone with a love for capturing candid moments, epic drone shots, and magical compositions. I'm a natural-born content creator originally from California, but I've been on the road for 9 years living, working, traveling, blogging, and photographing my way around the world. I recommend the most amazingly adventurous and unique + boutique travel experiences/stays and helpful products to my audience and write comprehensive guides on my website that have helped millions of travelers so far. I love to inspire people to plan their dream trips, and many readers have given feedback as such. The reach on my platforms continues to soar, especially when combining cutting-edge social content with optimized articles on my high-authority website.