Quick answer
You can see the Great Ocean Road and the Twelve Apostles in one day from Melbourne, but it is a long day of 10 to 12 hours. The best plan is to follow the coast west through Torquay, Lorne and Apollo Bay, cut through the Otways to the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge, then return on the faster inland route. A private car lets you stop where you like and doze on the way home.
The Great Ocean Road runs about 240 kilometres along Victoria's south-west coast from Torquay to near Warrnambool. It was built by returned servicemen between 1919 and 1932 and is dedicated to those who died in the First World War. Most visitors aim for the Twelve Apostles, but the best of the drive is the coast in between.
Can you do the Great Ocean Road in one day?
Yes, if you start early and accept a long day. Driving the coast all the way to the Twelve Apostles and back the same way is too much for one day, so the usual approach is coast one way and the inland route back. That keeps the scenery where it matters and the driving time manageable.
What is a good one-day itinerary?
| Time | Stop | Why stop |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 am | Pickup in Melbourne | Early start beats the coach crowds |
| 8:30 am | Torquay and Bells Beach | Surf coast views and coffee |
| 9:30 am | Memorial Arch, Eastern View | The road's official gateway and history |
| 10:15 am | Lorne | Teddy's Lookout or a short walk to Erskine Falls |
| 11:00 am | Kennett River | Wild koalas in the gum trees |
| 12:00 pm | Apollo Bay | Lunch by the water |
| 1:15 pm | Maits Rest, Great Otway National Park | Short rainforest boardwalk |
| 3:00 pm | Gibson Steps and Twelve Apostles | The headline view |
| 4:00 pm | Loch Ard Gorge | Sheltered cove and shipwreck history |
| 5:00 pm | Return via the inland route | Faster drive home |
| 8:00 pm | Drop-off in Melbourne | Door to door |
Why take a private tour instead of a coach?
- Stay longer at the stops you love and skip the ones you don't
- Arrive at the Twelve Apostles when the light suits you, not when the timetable says
- Travel with your own group only, with room for coats, cameras and a sleeping child
- Be collected from and returned to your door, hotel or Avalon Airport
- Rest on the long drive home while someone else does the driving
When is the best time to go?
The road is worth driving all year. Summer has long evenings and warm swims, but more traffic. Autumn and spring are quieter and often clear. Winter brings big seas and dramatic skies at the Apostles. Whatever the season, pack a warm layer — the coast is often windy.
Australian Chauffeurs Group runs private Great Ocean Road tours in late-model sedans, SUVs and vans for up to eleven passengers, quoted as a full-day booking for your group.
