11 Day Melbourne & The Great Ocean Road

On arrival in Melbourne head into the city and check in at your hotel, once you have settled in maybe head to the Southbank for a stroll along the Yarra River and have dinner at one of the many trendy restaurants.

Overnight – Adina Apartment Hotel Southbank, Melbourne

With two days to explore Melbourne there is plenty to keep you occupied in the city from the laneways and quirky coffee shops to the calm of the botanic gardens. If you fancy heading out of the city head into the Yarra Valley and visit the wineries and sample the local produce or maybe even opt for a hot air balloon flight and a champagne breakfast. You can also easily visit Phillip Island on a day trip from Melbourne and see the little penguins come in from the ocean to go home for the night.

Overnight – Adina Apartment Hotel Southbank, Melbourne

Today is the start of your Great Ocean Road Adventure so pick up your car hire and head across West Gate Bridge and take the Princes Highway to Geelong and onto Torquay the official start of the iconic coastal drive. There are a few stops you can make on this first stretch of the drive, either Bells Beach or Erskine Falls before carrying on through Lorne and onto Apollo Bay which will be home for the night.

Overnight – Best Western Apollo Bay 

Carry on along the Great Ocean Road to Port Campbell and it’s from here that you will see the amazing rock formations of the Twelve Apostles. These huge stone pillars sticking out from the ocean have been carved over time by the crashing Southern Ocean waves. As you carry on you will then come across London Bridge, which is the arch that has broken off from the cliffs. The next section of coast is called the ‘Shipwreck Coast’ and this takes you onto Port Fairy.

Overnight – Seacombe House Motor Inn Port Fairy

Today you can pick one of two routes, the shorter option will take you via Portland and Cape Nelson carrying on to Mount Gambier and then into Robe. The longer option will mean an early start as you head for the Grampians National Park and onto Halls Gap via a very scenic drive; the highlights of this route include Mckenzie Falls, Reids Lookout and the Balconies. After exploring the Grampians drop back into Dunkeld and drive onto Mount Gambier to reach Robe which is where your overnight accommodation is.

Overnight – Robe House B&B

Leave Robe behind and travel to Kingston and on towards Adelaide where you will go through Coorong National Park passing Lake Albert and Lake Alexandria. You will also go through several towns including Mannum which is one of the oldest towns on the Murray River. The end destination today is the Barossa Valley; one of Australia’s most famous wine producing areas. The region is made up of charming old towns and vineyards for as far as the eye can see, in well-tended and precise rows.

Overnight –Novotel Barossa Valley Resort

Today will allow for some time to explore the Barossa Valley, some of the more well known wineries include Yalumba, Orlando and Penfolds, but there are also plenty of boutique wineries to visit as well as plenty of places to sample gourmet food and local produce. Head into Adelaide to return the car and check into your city centre accommodation.

Overnight – Majestic Roof Garden Hotel, Adelaide

Spend two days exploring the charming city of Adelaide, once considered a sleepy city but having now gone under a rapid transformation there’s a growing small-bar scene, world-class art and music as well as a thriving festival calendar. You could also opt to head to Kangaroo Island to spend the day exploring the flora and fauna; you can do this on a group tour or extend your car hire rental and do it at your own pace.

Overnight – Majestic Roof Garden Hotel, Adelaide

Today your time in Australia has come to an end, head to the airport for your flight home.