The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s most iconic coastal drives. It covers around 240 kilometres between Torquay in the east and the outskirts of Warrnambool in the west.
The journey along the Great Ocean Road passes through several coastal holiday towns and showcases the natural beauty of this part of Victoria including rugged coastlines and rock formations, the famous 12 Apostles, beautiful beaches, lush rainforests, mountain scenery and native flora and fauna.
If you are in Melbourne, there are several ways to reach the start of the Great Ocean Road at Torquay.
By car
Torquay, which marks the official start of the Great Ocean Road, is around 100 kilometres from Melbourne by road.
Head west along the West Gate Freeway (M1), across the West Gate Bridge, and then this road becomes the Princes Freeway (M1) as it skirts around Werribee and the large city of Geelong.
Take the Anglesea Road (C134) exit off the freeway and follow this road for around 14 kilometres until you reach the Great Ocean Road (B100). Turn left if you want to head into Torquay (5 kilometres away) or turn right to skip Torquay and head along the rest of the Great Ocean Road towards Anglesea.
Driving a vehicle is one of the best ways to see the Great Ocean Road. You can stop at various towns you pass through, view the many lookouts on the side of the road, and take a few popular detours along the way, such as the Cape Otway Lighthouse, the Otway Fly tree top walk and a number of waterfalls.
It is quite common to break the journey along the Great Ocean Road into several days, so as to get the most out of this scenic driving adventure. You can stay overnight at popular locations including Lorne, Apollo Bay and Port Campbell.
If you don’t have your own car, consider hiring a vehicle to get the most out of your Great Ocean Road visit.
By public transport
Getting to the Great Ocean Road by public transport involves a train journey followed by a bus trip.
Catch a V/Line train from Southern Cross Station in Melbourne to Geelong. This journey will take approximately one hour. See the train timetable to Geelong.
From Geelong Station, there are a number of bus services you can catch, depending on exactly where on the Great Ocean Road you want to travel to. From Geelong to Torquay, it will take approximately 40 minutes.
- McHarry’s No.50 bus – Geelong to Torquay and Jan Juc
- McHarry’s No.51 bus – Geelong to Torquay and Jan Juc
- McHarry’s Apollo Bay bus – Geelong to Torquay, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet, Lorne, Wye River and Apollo Bay
- V/Line Warrnambool bus – Geelong to Torquay, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet, Lorne, Wye River, Apollo Bay, Lavers Hill, Port Campbell and Warrnambool.
Join a tour
A number of guided tours of the Great Ocean Road depart from Melbourne. Sit back and relax and you are driven to the start of the Great Ocean Road and then along this scenic iconic route, stopping off at a number of popular attractions along the way.
The entire trip from Melbourne and back, usually going as far as the 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge or Port Campbell, can be covered over one long day.
As well as day tours to the Great Ocean Road, a number of organised activities are available, including surf lessons, sky diving, kayaking, snorkelling and scenic helicopter flights.
Coming from Melbourne Airport?
If you are coming to Melbourne by air, see our guide to transport between Melbourne Airport and the city centre. Once in Melbourne’s city centre, choose from the above options to get to the Great Ocean Road.
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