Great Ocean Road Campervan Itinerary: Melbourne to Adelaide (5–7 Days)

Quick Overview

Great Ocean Road Route Map

Tap a stop to see the distance and driving time from the previous stop.

Route Overview

The route starts in Melbourne and follows the Surf Coast to Torquay, the official start of the Great Ocean Road. From there it hugs the coastline through Lorne and Apollo Bay, climbs into the Otway Ranges and finishes the famous section at Port Campbell and Warrnambool.

After the Great Ocean Road, the trip carries on west along the Shipwreck Coast and into South Australia. You pass Mount Gambier, the fishing villages of Robe and Beachport and the long Coorong coastline before arriving in Adelaide via the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Day-by-Day Great Ocean Road Itinerary

Leave Melbourne early and head to Torquay, home of Bells Beach and the famous surf brands. Walk under the Great Ocean Road arch at Eastern View, then continue along the coast to Lorne for waterfalls and a coffee on the main street.

Just before Apollo Bay, stop at Kennett River where wild koalas sit in the trees beside the road.

• Bells Beach lookout
• Great Ocean Road memorial arch
• Erskine Falls near Lorne
• Koala spotting at Kennett River

• Holiday parks and caravan parks in Apollo Bay
• Beachfront campgrounds around Lorne (book ahead in summer)

Turn inland to the Great Otway National Park. Walk to Hopetoun Falls or Triplet Falls, try the Otway Fly Treetop Walk and drive out to the Cape Otway Lightstation, the oldest surviving lighthouse on mainland Australia.

In the afternoon, continue along the Shipwreck Coast to the Twelve Apostles, a line of limestone stacks rising out of the Southern Ocean. Sunset and sunrise are the best times for photos.

• Maits Rest rainforest walk
• Cape Otway Lightstation
• Twelve Apostles lookouts
• Loch Ard Gorge

• Port Campbell caravan parks and holiday parks
• Bimbi Park near Cape Otway (koalas in the campground)

Spend the morning on the Port Campbell coastline. London Arch, The Grotto, the Bay of Islands and Gibson Steps are all short stops from the main road.

Finish in Warrnambool, where Logans Beach has a southern right whale nursery between about May and October.

• London Arch
• The Grotto
• Bay of Islands Coastal Park
• Logans Beach whale viewing platform

• Warrnambool beachfront holiday parks
• Port Fairy campgrounds a short drive further west

Stop in Port Fairy for lunch by the harbour, then cross into South Australia and head for Mount Gambier. The Blue Lake is famous for turning a vivid blue in summer, and the Umpherston Sinkhole is a garden inside a collapsed cave.

• Port Fairy harbour and lighthouse walk
• Blue Lake lookout
• Umpherston Sinkhole

• Mount Gambier holiday parks and caravan parks

Follow the Limestone Coast to the quiet fishing towns of Beachport and Robe. Walk out along the Beachport jetty, then spend the afternoon on the beach or exploring Robe's historic streets and cafés.

• Beachport Jetty
• Little Dip Conservation Park
• Robe Obelisk and Long Beach

• Robe caravan parks
• Beachport foreshore campgrounds

This is the longest driving day. Follow the Coorong, a long, narrow lagoon system backed by sand dunes and rich in birdlife, then cross the Murray Mouth region and reach Victor Harbor on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

• Coorong National Park viewpoints
• Goolwa and the Murray Mouth
• Granite Island and the horse-drawn tram at Victor Harbor

• Victor Harbor caravan and holiday parks

On the final morning, detour through McLaren Vale wine country or the Fleurieu Peninsula beaches before driving into Adelaide to return your campervan.

• McLaren Vale cellar doors
• Port Willunga or Aldinga beaches
• Adelaide Central Market

How Many Days Do You Need?

5 days (highlights only)

Possible if you skip the Limestone Coast stops, but you will spend a lot of time driving. Plan on long days after Mount Gambier.

6–7 days (recommended)

This gives you time at the Twelve Apostles, a whale-watching morning in Warrnambool and a relaxed finish through the Fleurieu Peninsula.

10 days or more

Add the Grampians National Park, Kangaroo Island or the Flinders Ranges. See our Red Centre guide if you want to keep going north.

Best Time to Drive the Great Ocean Road

Spring and autumn give you mild weather and fewer crowds. Summer (December to February) is busy and campsites book out early. Winter is cooler and wetter, but it is the best season for whale watching and storm-watching along the coast.

Cost Overview

For a full breakdown, see our Australia road trip budget guide.

Campervan Tips for the Great Ocean Road

Book campsites early

Coastal campgrounds between Lorne and Port Campbell fill quickly in summer and school holidays.

Allow extra time

The road is narrow and winding, with lookouts every few minutes. A distance of 100 km can easily take half a day.

Watch for wildlife

Kangaroos, wallabies and koalas are most active at dawn and dusk. Take extra care driving then.

Check where you can camp

Free camping is limited along the Great Ocean Road. Read our guide to free camping in Australia and always check local signs.

Which Campervan Is Best?

A hi-top or low-top campervan is ideal for two travellers. If you are travelling with family or want more space for wet weather, consider a motorhome. Our guide to choosing the right campervan explains the differences.

Where to Stay on the Great Ocean Road

Coastal accommodation is limited, so planning your overnight stops matters more than on most routes. Holiday parks in Apollo Bay, Port Campbell and Warrnambool offer powered sites, kitchens and hot showers, and most accept campervans without a booking outside school holidays.

Between Lorne and Port Campbell there are only a handful of public campgrounds inside the Great Otway National Park, and these book out months ahead for summer. In South Australia, Robe, Beachport and Mount Gambier all have caravan parks within walking distance of the town centre.

• Book Apollo Bay and Port Campbell first, because they are the most in-demand stops.
• Carry a self-contained van if you plan to use basic bush camps.
• Check each campground for generator and campfire rules before you arrive.

Things to Do Along the Route

Beaches and surf

Bells Beach, Anglesea, Lorne and Johanna Beach all have swimmable water or surf, but currents can be strong. Swim only at patrolled beaches during summer.

Walks and waterfalls

Short rainforest walks at Erskine Falls, Triplet Falls and Hopetoun Falls make good leg-stretchers between driving legs. Allow an hour each.

Wildlife

Koalas at Kennett River, kangaroos at Anglesea Golf Club in the early morning, and southern right whales at Warrnambool between about June and September.

Food and drink

Try fresh crayfish at Lorne and Apollo Bay, cheese and dairy around Allansford, and Coonawarra wines north of Mount Gambier.

Road Rules and Safety

The Great Ocean Road is a single-lane-each-way coastal road with sharp bends, cyclists and sightseeing traffic. Keep left, use the slow-vehicle pull-offs and never stop on the road to take photos. Speed limits drop to 80 km/h or lower on many sections.

Fuel is available in Torquay, Lorne, Apollo Bay, Port Campbell, Warrnambool and all larger towns, but fill up before the Otways stretch if you are below half a tank. Mobile coverage is patchy around Cape Otway, so download offline maps first. Our guide to the best campervan travel apps lists the best offline options.

What to Pack

• Warm layers and a waterproof jacket, because the Southern Ocean weather changes quickly
• Swimwear, a towel and sun protection
• Binoculars for whale season
• Water bottles, a cooler bag and picnic gear
• A printed or offline copy of your campsite bookings

Is This Route Right for You?

This route suits couples, small groups and families who want a mix of scenery and easy driving. It is manageable for first-time campervan drivers, and the one-way option means you avoid backtracking. If you are on a tight budget, read our how much campervan hire costs guide, and check the campervan rental bond rules before you collect your van.

Campsites and Holiday Parks on the Route

Powered sites are easiest in towns, while the Otways and the Limestone Coast have scenic bush and beachside options. Always check current availability, van length limits and booking rules before you travel.

Victoria

• Torquay and Anglesea: foreshore and holiday parks close to Bells Beach and the start of the road.
• Lorne: foreshore caravan parks beside the beach, handy for the Erskine Falls walk.
• Apollo Bay: several holiday parks within walking distance of the harbour and the Saturday market.
• Otway National Park: Blanket Bay, Aire River and Johanna Beach campgrounds suit self-contained vans and fill early in summer.
• Cape Otway: Bimbi Park offers bush camping among koalas, close to the lightstation.
• Port Campbell: the holiday park is a short walk to the town beach and a quick drive to the Twelve Apostles.
• Warrnambool and Port Fairy: beachside holiday parks, good bases for whale watching and the Port Fairy lighthouse walk.

South Australia

• Mount Gambier: holiday parks close to the Blue Lake and the Cave Garden.
• Robe and Beachport: coastal holiday parks with jetty fishing and quiet beaches.
• Kingston SE and the Coorong: simple parks and roadside stops with easy access to the lagoons.
• Victor Harbor, Goolwa and Hahndorf: holiday parks in the Fleurieu and Adelaide Hills before you reach Adelaide.

More Ideas for Your Great Ocean Road Trip

Lookouts and short walks

• Gibson Steps for a close-up of the sea stacks
• Loch Ard Gorge and Razorback lookouts
• London Bridge and the Grotto
• Cape Otway Lightstation for views and shipwreck history
• Otway Fly Treetop Walk among the tall tree ferns

Quiet detours

• Tower Hill near Koroit, an extinct volcano with emus and koalas
• Bay of Martyrs and Bay of Islands, less crowded than the Apostles
• Naracoorte Caves, a World Heritage fossil site
• Umpherston Sinkhole in Mount Gambier, especially at dusk

Food stops

• Fresh seafood at Apollo Bay and Port Fairy
• The Cheese World museum and dairy outlets near Allansford
• Fleurieu Peninsula wineries and McLaren Vale cellar doors

Frequently Asked Questions