The 12 Apostles is about 3 hours from Melbourne. There are lots of different stops you can make along the coastal route – and taking a few stops will help break up the journey so that you can see more along the way and make the most out of your Great Ocean Road drive.

There are two routes you can take from Melbourne: The inland route, or the coastal route.

If you’ve only got a day – we recommend going the coastal route on the way there and then doing the inland route on the way back.

If you take the coastal route, it will take about 4.5 hours. That means it’s probably a good idea to set off early in the morning, to give yourself enough time on the drive. The whole round trip is about 500 kilometres!

Go west out of Melbourne and cross the West Gate bridge, then join onto the Princes Highway and go towards Geelong. We recommend this route on the way there purely because of the better scenery along the way – it is far nicer – but the inland route is quicker if you need to shave off time on the way back!

Here are the steps we recommend along the way:

Torquay

Make Torquay your first stop from Melbourne. Known as the surf capital of the Great Ocean Road, Torquay is a great place to go and pick up your caffeine fix on the way to the coast.

The small town here is famous for its surf and you’ll be able to get yourself something nice to eat. The Salty Dog Café is a great place to grab your morning coffee and a bite!

Bells Beach

Bells Beach is a little detour between Torquay and Lorne. Check out the internationally known pro surf beach, with its world-famous breaks and one of the longest waves in the country.

It’s also famous for its yearly surf competitions held by Rip Curl.

Anglesea

Drive through or stop off at Anglesea for a quick look at the beach!

Aireys Inlet and Split Point Lighthouse

Welcome to your first viewpoint! For a spectacular view of the Great Ocean Road up to Lorne, check out this beautiful lighthouse situated on top of a cliff. Snap a photo with the sea in the background, and take a tour of the iconic lighthouse if time permits!

Lorne

Known as the ‘Byron Bay of Victoria’, Lorne is a small surfy town that is packed with boutique shops, and pretty restaurants. With a beachfront promenade that parallels the beach, perfect for a stroll through town to stretch your legs after a long drive. If you have enough time, check out Erskine Falls near Lorne. You can either hike down the 230 steps on the way down, or you can take an easy 15-minute hike to the bottom of the waterfall.

Apollo Bay

The gateway to the 12 Apostles, Apollo Bay is a perfect place for a stop. There’s another hour and 20 minutes to go, so if you’re feeling peckish, get yourself a scallop pie from Apollo Bay bakery before you continue onwards to the 12 Apostles. With plenty of short hikes to walk on, history to read, and beaches to take photos of, Apollo Bay is a great little stop-off.

Cape Otway Lightstation

Fill your road trip with not 1, but two lighthouses! Check out one of the oldest lighthouses in Australia. Cape Otway boasts impressive views and an interesting history. Stop here to take a snap of the coast before continuing the drive.

Melba Gully

Feel like taking one more stop off before you get to the 12 Apostles? Check out this gorgeous little pocket of natural paradise. With some pretty nature walks and through giant ferns, this pretty walk adds a splash of green to your day. Check out Crowes lookout on the drive outwards.

Gibson Steps & 12 Apostles

When you’ve made it to the 12 Apostles, check out the viewpoint at the top of the Gibson Steps. These steps lead down to the beach and can be descended on a good weather day (sometimes they are closed if the conditions are not safe). Either way, the view from the top offers a stunning view of your final stop-off point!

Top tips for your journey:

  • Avoid driving back in the dark. This is when roos are most active and are more likely to jump out in the middle of the road!
  • Try and leave early on the first day that you’re going to the 12 Apollo Bay to allow plenty of time for your drive
  • For an authentic Aussie road trip experience, grab a pie on your journey
  • Wear comfortable shoes – you might be walking a lot

Want us to take you? To be transported to the 12 Apostles without worrying about any driving, let us take you there!