Help! 7 Day Self Drive Holiday from Adelaide to Melbourne, Please Share Your Experience!

Lback in 10 on 03/09/2017 - 12:20
Last edited 03/09/2017 - 13:04 by 1 other user

Dear all Ozbargainer:

We are planning a trip for 7 days, driving from Adelaide to Melbourne through Great Ocean Road. Planning to leave Adelaide on the 11th Sep, because my wife is 9 weeks pregnant and we have her parent with us, we want to take it slow and reduce the driving time to 2-3 maximum each day.

I know there are lots of beautiful sites for visit but not sure how to decide where to stay, can you give some advice about places worth spending time with, all recommendations welcome.

Thanks again

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  BargainCowboy on 03/09/2017 - 12:33

  +1

  I just came back from such a trip, although we did it in "only" 3 days. There are many things to see on the way. All these little towns along the way are beautiful, especially Lorne and Apollo Bay. Get ready to be hit with swarms of tourists (99% Chinese) coming from Melb on a day-trip. The 12 Apostles was a major letdown as we literally had to struggle and fight our way through hundreds of tourists coming to see the same attractions. It might be a good idea to get there early, especially if you're staying in Warrnambool for the night. In all attractions west to the 12 Apostles you'll see a sharp decline in the number of visitors. The Bay of Martyrs is nice and the London Bridge too. I think 2-3 driving a day is taking it too slow, but that's really up to you.
  That's it for the GOR, we visited the Grampians too but that's a different story altogether. If you have more specific questions feel free to ask, there's too many tips to give.

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    back in 10 on 03/09/2017 - 12:52

    +1

    Thank you Cowboy! great tips! do you know if Robe serves Crayfish( Lobster)? I tried to Google but had no luck as people say 99% lobster got exported to China lol

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      BargainCowboy on 03/09/2017 - 13:07

      I'm allergic to sea food, so no idea. Robe is beautiful too, but we did not find it as interesting as other towns. That was a few years back though. My understanding is that many south Australians move there to retire.

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        coin saver on 03/09/2017 - 14:34

        " Robe is beautiful too, but we did not find it as interesting as other towns." did you miss the nudist beach?

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        BargainCowboy on 03/09/2017 - 14:36

        @coin saver: YES!

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        coin saver on 03/09/2017 - 14:42

        @BargainCowboy: And the clothing optional caravan park??

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      Blackfyre on 03/09/2017 - 17:33

      You can get crayfish from either Robe, Cape Jaffa or Kingston SE.
      Robe is a prettier little town and more tourist friendly, more restaurants and accommodation around.
      Cape Jaffa and Kingston SE are the main fishing towns, you can buy crayfish direct by the beach but you have to cook it yourself.

      The main stops on that route would be Robe (if going by the sea) or Penola (for the wine if going inland route), Mt Gambier, Warrnambool, Port Campbell, Lorne, Geelong. That would give you 2-3 hours drive each day.

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  dasher86 on 03/09/2017 - 12:40

  Stay in Port Campbell if you want to see the 12 Apostles.
  It's about a 10-15 min drive and you will get to see both sunset and sun rise and avoid majority of the tourist

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    back in 10 on 03/09/2017 - 12:55

    that would be great! thanks Dasher86

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  RyanMK on 03/09/2017 - 13:55

  There's also Mount Gambier you can consider along the way.

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  susmind on 03/09/2017 - 14:30

  the Kennett River Holiday Park at Kennett River has lots of koala's, but like all koala's they are not active during the day so not much to see unless you're there early in the morning to see them move about a tree or late at night when I did see one koala walking on the ground from tree to tree.

  Fish n chips from the petrol station in Port Campbell are recommended. It on opens ~ midday & to eat them you could walk down the street to the small park next to the Port Campbell wharf.
  Then if you thrown chips to the seagulls there a magpie will swoop the seagulls for yours & his entertainment !

  The Werribee Open Range Zoo near Melbourne is worth a look to.

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  edwardcr on 03/09/2017 - 17:07

  Spend some time in Coonawarra sampling the wonderful wines.

  But if you're from Adelaide you probably already know that!

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  spersephone on 04/09/2017 - 12:39

  Close to Adelaide, check out Hahndorf. It's a lovely little town.