Melbourne
How to get from Melbourne to Great Ocean Road
Driving is the only practical way to see the Great Ocean Road: pick up a car in Melbourne and reach Torquay in about 1h15 (100 km (62 mi)), Apollo Bay in 3h (190 km (118 mi)) and the Twelve Apostles in 4h30 (275 km (171 mi)). A one-day coach tour costs less than a rental plus fuel if you are travelling alone; two or more people sharing a car usually pay less and see more.Driving is the only practical way to see the Great Ocean Road: pick up a car in Melbourne and reach Torquay in about 1h15 (62 mi (100 km)), Apollo Bay in 3h (118 mi (190 km)) and the Twelve Apostles in 4h30 (171 mi (275 km)). A one-day coach tour costs less than a rental plus fuel if you are travelling alone; two or more people sharing a car usually pay less and see more.
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Key facts
- Fastest option
- Car, Melbourne to Torquay about 1h15 via the M1 (check)
- Cheapest for one person
- Day coach tour from Melbourne, 2026 estimate AUD 100–160 (check)
- Cheapest for two or more
- Rental car plus fuel, 2026 estimate AUD 60–120 per day plus fuel (check)
- Public transport
- V/Line train Melbourne–Geelong, then limited coach links along the coast (check)
- No airport on the route
- Fly to Melbourne (MEL) or Avalon (AVV), then drive (check)
- Best window
- Start before 8am to reach the Twelve Apostles before the tour buses (check)
- Minimum time
- One long day by car; two days to enjoy it (check)
Options compared
The Great Ocean Road starts at Torquay, about 100 km southwest of central Melbourne, and runs west through Lorne, Apollo Bay, Port Campbell and on to Warrnambool. There is no train or scheduled flight along the coast, so the choice is really between driving yourself and joining a tour.
Distances below are road distances from Melbourne CBD. Times assume normal traffic and no long stops; in summer and on public holidays add 30–60 minutes for the Geelong bypass and the coastal towns.
- Two or more travellers: a rental car is usually the cheapest and most flexible option.
- Solo traveller on a tight schedule: a day tour covers the highlights without driving.
- Travellers without a licence: V/Line to Geelong or Warrnambool, then a local tour or taxi for the coast (check).
| Mode | Time | Price (2026 estimate) | Frequency | Operator | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car (own or rental) | 1h15 to Torquay; 3h to Apollo Bay; 4h30 to Twelve Apostles | AUD 60–120 per day plus fuel, AUD 25–40 each way (check) | Any time | Rental firms at Melbourne Airport and CBD | Book rental online |
| Day coach tour | 12–14h round trip | AUD 100–160 per person (check) | Daily departures, early morning | Melbourne-based tour operators | Book online in advance |
| V/Line train plus coach | 3h30–5h to Apollo Bay or Warrnambool (check) | AUD 20–40 one way (check) | Several trains daily to Geelong; coaches less often | V/Line | Book on the V/Line site |
| Private transfer or small-group tour | Same as car | AUD 150–400 per person (check) | On request | Private operators | Book online |
How to book
Rental cars are the main booking decision. Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) and Avalon Airport both have rental desks, and the CBD has pick-up points. Book online before you arrive: walk-up rates in summer are higher and popular vehicle classes sell out around Christmas and Easter. Check whether the quoted price includes unlimited kilometres and whether one-way drop-off at Warrnambool or Geelong costs extra (check).
Coach tours sell through operator websites and major booking platforms. Morning departures are standard, and most include a guide and stops at the main lookouts. Book at least a few days ahead in peak season.
V/Line tickets can be bought at Southern Cross Station, online or by phone. Seats on the Geelong line are unreserved; coach connections along the coast should be reserved (check).
- Compare rental prices for your exact dates before booking; rates change daily.
- Confirm the insurance excess and whether it covers the unsealed sections near the Twelve Apostles (check).
- For tours, check the pickup points: most leave from central Melbourne hotels.
Tips
Drive the route west to east if you can: from Melbourne, the coast is on your left when heading west, but the classic lookouts are easier to enter heading east towards Melbourne. Most visitors drive Melbourne to Warrnambool and return inland via the Princes Highway, which is faster.
Fuel up in Geelong, Colac or Apollo Bay; stations between Apollo Bay and Port Campbell are few and priced higher (check). Mobile coverage is patchy in parts of the Otway Ranges (check).
Wildlife is active at dawn and dusk, so avoid driving the forest sections at those times if you can. Summer weekends and the Christmas–New Year period bring heavy traffic; a weekday start is calmer.
If you only have one day, aim for the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge and skip the western towns. With two days, sleep in Apollo Bay or Port Campbell and see the sunset and sunrise at the Apostles.
- Start before 8am to beat the tour buses at the Twelve Apostles.
- Carry water and food: some coastal towns have limited options outside summer (check).
- Check road closures and fire danger ratings before setting out in summer (check).
Route map
The drive follows the M1 from Melbourne to Waurn Ponds, then the B100 (Surf Coast Highway and Great Ocean Road) through Torquay, Anglesea, Lorne, Apollo Bay, the Otway Ranges, Port Campbell and on to Warrnambool. The inland return uses the A1 Princes Highway through Colac and Geelong.
Key distances from Melbourne CBD: Torquay 100 km, Lorne 140 km, Apollo Bay 190 km, Twelve Apostles 275 km, Warrnambool 310 km (check).
| Stop | Distance from Melbourne | Drive time from Melbourne |
|---|---|---|
| Torquay | 100 km | 1h15 |
| Lorne | 140 km | 2h |
| Apollo Bay | 190 km | 3h |
| Twelve Apostles | 275 km | 4h30 |
| Warrnambool | 310 km | 5h |
Questions people ask
How long does it take to get from Melbourne to Great Ocean Road?
By car, about 1h15 to Torquay (100 km), 3h to Apollo Bay (190 km) and 4h30 to the Twelve Apostles (275 km). Coach tours take 12–14 hours for the round trip. Add time in summer traffic.
What is the cheapest way to get from Melbourne to Great Ocean Road?
For one person, a day coach tour at roughly AUD 100–160 (2026 estimate) is often cheapest. For two or more, a rental car at about AUD 60–120 per day plus fuel usually costs less per person.
Do I need to book in advance from Melbourne to Great Ocean Road?
Yes for rental cars and tours in summer, around Christmas and on long weekends, when both sell out. V/Line train seats to Geelong are unreserved, but reserve coach connections along the coast (check).
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialV/Line
- officialVisit Victoria
- officialParks Victoria