Great Ocean Road trip: The ultimate 3 day self-drive itinerary

I live in Wagga Wagga, NSW, and this trip has been on my bucket list for years. Finally, I planned it all out, hit the road, and made it happen! I couldn’t wait to share this incredible adventure with you.

We started the journey in Melbourne, where we spent a couple of days on either side of the trip exploring the city. Melbourne is always such a fun place to visit, with its amazing food, shopping, and coffee spots. From there, we headed off on the famous Great Ocean Road, and it did not disappoint!

If you’ve been dreaming of doing this iconic Aussie road trip, here’s our full itinerary to help you plan your adventure. I’ve added tips and highlights along the way to make it as smooth (and enjoyable!) as possible.

Day 1: Melbourne to Apollo Bay

6:00 AM: Depart Melbourne.
8:00 AM: Arrive in Torquay. Have breakfast, explore this lovely Surf Coast town, and take a walk down to the beach – it’s a great spot to start your journey.
8:45 AM: Stop at Bells Beach to soak up the views and snap some photos of this iconic surf spot.
9:15 AM: Visit the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery in Bellbrae. Enjoy free tastings, pick up some treats, and try not to eat them all in one go.
10:15 AM: Head to Point Roadknight in Anglesea for a relaxing walk or a dip in the calm waters. This spot is perfect if you’re looking to stretch your legs.
11:00 AM: Explore Split Point Lighthouse in Aireys Inlet. Take a stroll around the area for some stunning views. Bring a hat – it can get windy – and grab a scone at the café at the bottom. Walking here is free, and the scenery is absolutely worth it.
12:00 PM: Stop for a quick photo at the Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch – you can’t miss this iconic landmark!
12:30 PM: Arrive in Lorne. Explore the beach, grab some lunch, and enjoy wandering around this lively town. I loved it here; we even drove around admiring the gorgeous homes.
2:00 PM: Visit Erskine Falls. Wear comfy joggers for the trek to the base – it’s a bit of a walk, but the view is incredible. Don’t forget your hat.
3:30 PM: Take in the spectacular views from Teddy’s Lookout – you’ll definitely want your camera for this one.
4:30 PM: Stop at Cape Patton on the way to Apollo Bay for breathtaking coastal views. This is where you will see where the road meets the ocean.
5:30 PM: Arrive in Apollo Bay. Check in, relax, and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant – or grab some fish and chips to enjoy by the jetty.

Day 2: Apollo Bay to Port Campbell

5:45 AM: Start your day with a magical sunrise at the beach in Apollo Bay.
7:30 AM: Have breakfast at The Shelter café. Their food is amazing, and the place has such a cool vibe. Make sure to pack some snacks for the road since you might not have lunch until later.
9:30 AM: Visit Cape Otway Lighthouse to learn about its history and enjoy stunning views. It costs $22 to enter, but it’s totally worth it, and you can even climb to the top of the lighthouse. It doesn’t open until 9.30am. If you’re early, take a walk around the cliff’s edge to see the lighthouse from a distance – it’s breathtaking! Wear comfy shoes and bring a hat for the walk. It wasn’t a hard walk and I loved it.
10:30 AM: Stop at Lavers Hill for a quick snack or some hot chips. It’s a small stop, but enough to keep you going.
11:30 AM: Spend time exploring the Twelve Apostles – they’re even more amazing in person! The new viewing deck gives you fantastic views of all eight Apostles. Make sure you do some googling about why they are called the Twelve Apostles, and why there was only ever 9, and now 8! If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take a helicopter ride starting at $175 per person. (We didn’t because it was windy and rainy, but it looked incredible.)
1:00 PM: Head to the Gibson Steps and walk down to the beach for stunning cliff views. Be prepared for a bit of a workout on the way back up, but it’s absolutely worth the effort. (Tip: See the Apostles first, then backtrack to the Gibson Steps – this way, you don’t miss anything because there’s a hiding Apostle you might not see from the beach unless you’ve already seen it from the viewing deck.)
2:30 PM: Arrive in Port Campbell. Enjoy a late lunch, check in, and explore this charming small town. The bay is gorgeous, and we had a lovely dinner at the local pub.

Day 3: Port Campbell to Melbourne

7:00 AM: Start the day with a swim in the bay at Port Campbell and watch locals winching their boats into the water (no ramp!) – it’s fascinating to see! You can also take a walk along the cliffs for dramatic views.
8:30 AM: Head to Loch Ard Gorge and then on to the London Arch. Both are incredible landmarks with fascinating history – look up the stories behind them before you go! Loch Ard Gorge is a bit of a backtrack – 6kms in the direction of the Twelve Apostles, but it’s worth doing. If you have time on day 2 you can do it then, but you might be too exhausted, I was! Look out for Koalas along the way too. Just don’t handle them or get too close, they will swipe at you and it’s not pretty.
9:30 AM: Have breakfast in Peterborough. It’s a quaint little town with a lovely café – you’ll spot it as soon as you arrive.
11:00 AM: Begin your drive back to Melbourne, soaking in the beautiful scenery along the way.
1:00 PM: Stop for lunch in Geelong or Colac or another small town along the route.
3:00 PM: Arrive back in Melbourne, ready to relive the amazing memories from your trip.