Last Updated on April 29, 2024 by Sam
Discover the incredible beauty of Victoria’s coastline with this 2 day self drive Great Ocean Road itinerary. This epic Australian road trip is one of the most stunning coastal routes in the world, encompassing beautiful beaches, lush rainforest, amazing viewpoints, native wildlife, and more. The Great Ocean Road is an ideal addition to the end of our 4 day Melbourne itinerary, with the route starting just over an hour outside of the city in the town of Torquay. Plan the ultimate road trip and visit all the best spots with our 2 day Great Ocean Road trip itinerary from Melbourne.
Two Day Great Ocean Road Trip Itinerary
One of the first things you need to do is make sure you have a suitable vehicle for your road trip. Having your own campervan or car means you don’t need to rely on a Great Ocean Road tour, and allows you more control over your itinerary.
Find the best campervan and motorhome deals on the Motorhome Republic website, which compares a variety of options to help you find the best price. Click here to visit the Motorhome Republic website to book a campervan for your trip!
If you need to rent a car then we recommend visiting the Discover Cars website as they compare prices between operators to get you the best deal! Click here to get a car rental quote on the Discover Cars website!
Day 1
Melbourne is the ideal place to start your 2 day Great Ocean Road roadtrip itinerary, as it’s the closest major city to this scenic coastal drive. The Great Ocean Road itself starts in Torquay, which is just over an hours drive from Melbourne, and ends in Allansford.
Ideally you want a reasonably early start from Melbourne, as that gives you plenty of time to enjoy the stops along this 2 days Great Ocean Road itinerary. If possible, we recommend setting off by 9am – but don’t worry if you have to wait a little later to pick up your rental car or campervan.
Head to the seaside town of Torquay, making sure to drive along the B100 – which stretches for the entirety of the Great Ocean Road. If you want an early stop, then you can visit Torquay Beach for a quick dip in the sea before continuing your road trip.
Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch
Around 35 kilometres from Torquay you will reach the Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch. Many people confuse this with the start of this famous coastal route, but the arch is actually a memorial to the soldiers who worked to build the Great Ocean Road during World War 1.
Located in Eastern View, the memorial arch has a Great Ocean Road sign which makes it a popular photo stop. There is a car park located just beside the arch, and some information boards about the road and its history.
It’s a fairly quick stop at the memorial arch to get some photos before continuing your road trip. If you want to stretch your legs for a bit longer then the car park is conveniently next to a large beach – so you can walk along the sand and get some nice ocean views!
Teddy’s Lookout
Moving along, the next stop on your 2 day Great Ocean Road trip itinerary is Teddy’s Lookout. Approximately a 20-minute drive from the memorial arch – this scenic viewpoint is included on our list of the 8 best lookouts on the Great Ocean Road!
Teddy’s Lookout offers stunning views of the ocean, hills, and forest, as well as a stretch of the Great Ocean Road itself! It’s a few minutes detour from the main coastal route, but it’s worth it for the brilliant views. The lookout is just a few minutes walk from the car park, so it’s a nice and easy stop to make.
If your roadtrip happens to fall between June and October, then you may even catch a glimpse of migrating whales from Teddy’s Lookout if you’re lucky. There are also snakes found in the area, and we did manage to see one as we were driving out of the car park – so pay close attention to try and spot any wildlife!
Marriner’s Lookout
Next up is Marriner’s Lookout, another wonderful vantage point offering expansive views of Apollo Bay and the ocean. The walk to the lookout is a little steep at points, but only takes around 5-10 minutes – and it’s worth it for the lovely views of the stunning turquoise water and the nearby beaches.
It’s around a 5-minute detour from the main road, and is a surprisingly quiet spot considering the great views. On our visit we were the only people there, so it’s quite possible that you can have these brilliant views all to yourself!
Maits Rest Rainforest Walk
Your next stop is for the Maits Rest Rainforest Walk, giving you the chance to venture into the ancient rainforest of Cape Otway. It’s around a 20-minute drive from Marriner’s Lookout to the car park at the start of the walking trail.
This circular walking trail consists of a boardwalk through the rainforest’s towering Myrtle Beech trees and tree ferns. The rainforest’s cool temperate ecosystem makes it ideal for walking, and as you follow the boardwalk you might be lucky enough to spot wallabies, koalas, and kangaroos.
It’s a fairly short walk, only taking around 30-minutes in total – but it’s certainly a highlight of this 2 days Great Ocean Road itinerary!
Bimbi Park
Your final stop of the day is Bimbi Park – where you will spend the night camping under koalas. It’s one of the best places to see koalas on the Great Ocean Road, making it a unique place to stay amongst Australia’s native wildlife.
It’s only possible to visit Bimbi Park if you spend the night there, and it’s an amazing camping experience. Both powered and unpowered campsites are available, suitable for campervans, motorhomes, or tents.
If you are travelling by car then there are also some cabins and other accommodation that can be booked at Bimbi Park. Advance booking is recommended as it’s a popular place to stay thanks to the cute resident koalas – which help earn its spot on our list of best places to stay on the Great Ocean Road!
Click here to book your stay at Bimbi Park on the Booking.com website!
Campsites can’t be booked via the Booking.com website, so you will need to contact the park directly in order to book a campsite. Alternatively, campsites can be reserved on the Bimbi Park website.
Make sure to arrive at Bimbi Park at least an hour before it gets dark, as that way you can take a wander around and spot koalas around the park. Look to the treetops and you are likely to see a number of these cute creatures, and you can get some truly incredible sightings.
Although the koalas are the main attraction, it’s possible to see other native wildlife at Bimbi Park too. Kangaroos and wallabies can be seen near the park, and if you’re very lucky echidnas are sometimes seen in the area. We were fortunate enough to see a kanagaroo at Bimbi Park, which helped make the stay even more special!
Day 2
12 Apostles
Have an early start on the second day of your Great Ocean Road roadtrip, and head straight for the road’s most famous attraction – the 12 Apostles. The earlier you set off the better, as the 12 Apostles get very busy later in the day!
It’s just over an hour drive from Bimbi Park to the 12 Apostles, where there is a large free car park that you can make use of. From the car park it’s a short 5-10 minute walk to the viewing platforms, where you can see the apostles themselves.
The 12 Apostles are a series of ragged limestone stacks rising from the ocean. Located just offshore, these impressive formations make for spectacular viewing alongside the coastline’s beaches and cliffs.
There are a few different viewing platforms at the 12 Apostles, and it’s worth visiting each one to admire the apostles from each perspective. A new viewing area is currently being built, and is expected to be complete by 2025.
Loch Ard Gorge
Your next stop on this 2 day Great Ocean Road itinerary is Loch Ard Gorge, which is less than a 10-minute drive away from the 12 Apostles car park. This picturesque coastal gorge boasts dazzling blue seawater flowing between rocky cliff faces.
There are a few different lookouts and viewpoints to visit in the area, and you can also make your way down some stairs to the Loch Ard Gorge Beach. Make sure to visit the Island Arch Lookout for views into the gorge, and the Tom and Eva Lookout, which has wonderful views of two rock formations rising from the choppy seawater.
The beach and lookout points are all just a short walk from the car park, and make for some spectacular viewing. After you have walked to the various viewpoints it’s time to continue on with your 2 day Great Ocean Road roadtrip itinerary.
London Bridge
Just a 15-minute drive from Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge is a wonderful offshore rock arch. This unique formation previously consisted of two arches and was connected to the mainland, but the connecting arch collapsed in January 1990.
Despite the collapse, the remaining formation is still a popular stop off on the Great Ocean Road. A lookout point provides wonderful views of the remaining rock formation, and the surrounding blue sea and crashing waves make this an impressive spot to visit.
Bay of Martyrs
Your next stop is the Bay of Martyrs, approximately a 10-minute drive from London Bridge. The Bay of Martyrs lookout provides beautiful views of the beach and its sparkling blue water, as well as offshore rock stacks and jagged cliffs hugging the coastline.
It’s up to you how long you spend here, as you can opt to just enjoy the views from the lookout. If you want to stay longer then one option is to head down to wander along this lovely stretch of beach. Alternatively, a cliff top path leads to Halladale Point – where you can enjoy more brilliant views of the area!
Bay of Islands
Next up is the final stop of your 2 day Great Ocean Road itinerary – the Bay of Islands. Conveniently just a couple of minutes drive from the Bay of Martyrs, this lookout point offers a final view of the Great Ocean Road’s spectacular coastline.
There are actually two separate lookout points at the Bay of Islands, both with stunning views of jagged limestone formations, rocky cliffs, and the wonderfully blue water of the Southern Ocean. Both lookout points are just a short walk from the car park, so it’s a fairly relaxing final stop for your road trip.
After you finish enjoying the amazing views, it’s time to hit the road again and continue onwards to Allansford – where the Great Ocean Road ends. It’s approximately a 3 hour drive from Allansford back to Melbourne – so if you’re heading back there then it’s possible to get there on the same day.
If you’re planning a longer road trip then you can continue on towards Adelaide. It takes around 7 hours to drive from Allansford to Adelaide, so you will need to find somewhere to spend at least one night on your route there.
Depending on how long of a road trip you’re planning, a potential next step is to drive across the Nullabor and into Western Australia. If you do this, we recommend following the coastal route in Western Australia so that you can visit the amazing town of Esperance. Make sure to check out our guide to the best things to do in Esperance for inspiration!
If you are heading to Western Australia, make sure to read our guide to the best places to snorkel in Perth, as well as our Rottnest Island day trip itinerary – where you get to see the island’s famous resident quokkas!
Great Ocean Road Information and Tips
How long is the Great Ocean Road? – The Great Ocean Road is 243 kilometres long, starting in Torquay and running to Allansford, just outside of Warrnambool.
Single carriageway – The Great Ocean Road is a single carriageway for its entirety, with only one lane of traffic in each direction – so you will need to wait for suitable moments to overtake if you are stuck behind a slow vehicle.
Great Ocean Road whale season – Between June and October Southern right whales can be seen migrating along Victoria’s coastline. With some luck it’s possible to spot whales out at sea from the various viewpoints on this Great Ocean Road itinerary!
Great Ocean Road Tours
There are plenty of amazing Great Ocean Road tours on the Get Your Guide website, with both one day and two day options available. These tours are a great option if you don’t drive, or if you simply don’t want the hassle of having to drive yourself!
We personally recommend renting a campervan or car if you can, as that way you have more control over where you stop. If you take a tour you won’t be able to follow this Great Ocean Road itinerary exactly, although you will still visit a number of the same spots.
One of the most popular options is a one day Great Ocean Road and wildlife tour, with stops at the 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, Apollo Bay, and more. The tour is priced at $145 AUD and also includes a guided forest walk and return transportation from Melbourne CBD to this scenic coastal road!
Click here to book your incredible day trip on the Get Your Guide website!
Alternatively, there is a two day one night tour available along the Great Ocean Road with a number of brilliant stops including Erskine Falls and Sheoak Falls, as well as the famous 12 Apostles and several other lookouts. Prices start from $333 AUD per person, which includes an overnight stay in Apollo Bay.
Click here to book an amazing two day trip on the Get Your Guide website!
If you’re looking for more road trips around Australia, check out the Great Ocean Drive in Esperance and our 3 week East Coast Australia itinerary!
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