Great Ocean Road: Torquay to Warrnambool

A three-day drive along Victoria's surf coast, through the Otway rainforest to the Twelve Apostles and the Shipwreck Coast, ending in Warrnambool.

Distance: 338 km (210 mi)
Driving: 3 h 41 min
Suggested days: 3
Stops: 12
States: Victoria
Updated: May 4, 2026

At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 338 km (210 mi) with 12 stops, from Melbourne to Warrnambool. About 3 h 41 min of driving in total.

More road trips in Victoria · More road trips from Melbourne

Route description

Day one: leave Melbourne on the Princes Freeway to Geelong, then follow signs to Torquay, about 105 km and 1 h 20 min. The B100 officially starts at Torquay. Stop at Bells Beach, climb Split Point Lighthouse at Aireys Inlet, and pass under the memorial arch before Lorne, where the road hugs the cliffs. Fill up with fuel in Torquay or Lorne.

Day two: Lorne to Apollo Bay is about 45 km of tight bends, so allow an hour without stops. Look for koalas on Grey River Road at Kennett River. From Apollo Bay (a good overnight base) drive to Cape Otway Lightstation, a 13 km spur off the main road. Take care for wildlife at dawn and dusk.

Day three: from Apollo Bay the road leaves the coast and climbs through the Otway Ranges via Lavers Hill, roughly 100 km to Port Campbell. Visit the Twelve Apostles early before coaches arrive, then Gibson Steps and Loch Ard Gorge. Continue 65 km west to Warrnambool through Peterborough. Walk only on marked paths, since cliffs are unstable.

Practical notes: the road is sealed throughout but narrow and winding, and drivers should not rush; 80 km/h limits and lower apply, with plenty of pull-offs. Summer and school holidays are very busy, so book lodging well ahead. Autumn is quieter, and whales visit from June to September. Fuel is available in the main towns.

Stop-by-stop itinerary

In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.

1

Melbourne
Victoria
Start
2

Torquay
Victoria
96 km
3

Bells Beach
NatureTorquay, Victoria
Australia's most famous surf break, host of an international surf contest held each Easter since the early 1960s. Even if you do not surf, the cliff-top viewing platform is a good place to watch the swell roll in.
7 km
4

Split Point Lighthouse
ViewsAireys Inlet, Victoria
The white tower above Aireys Inlet, built in 1891, is a landmark of the Great Ocean Road and appeared in the children's TV series Round the Twist. Tours of the tower run on set days.
23 km
5

Lorne
Victoria
17 km
6

Kennett River koala walk
NatureKennett River, Victoria
A short gravel road, Grey River Road, climbs from the Great Ocean Road through eucalypt forest where koalas sit in roadside trees. Look up carefully, and keep a respectful distance from wild animals.
21 km
7

Apollo Bay
Victoria
23 km
8

Cape Otway Lightstation
HistoryCape Otway, Victoria
Built in 1848, this is the oldest surviving lighthouse on the Australian mainland, on a windswept headland at the end of a 13 km side road. Whales pass offshore in winter and spring.
21 km
9

Twelve Apostles
ViewsPort Campbell, Victoria
Limestone stacks standing in the Southern Ocean off the Port Campbell National Park. Only a handful remain, as the cliffs keep eroding. Sunrise and late afternoon give the best light and fewer crowds.
50 km
10

Loch Ard Gorge
NaturePort Campbell, Victoria
A sheltered cove between high limestone cliffs, named after the clipper Loch Ard, wrecked here in 1878. Steps lead down to the beach; stay out of the water, as currents and swell are dangerous.
4 km
11

Port Campbell
Victoria
5 km
12

Warrnambool
Victoria
71 km

Suggested stages and overnight stops

3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.

Day 1: Melbourne → Bells Beach · 103 km · 1 h 07 minOn the way: Torquay.
Day 2: Bells Beach → Cape Otway Lightstation · 105 km · 1 h 08 minOn the way: Split Point Lighthouse, Lorne, Kennett River koala walk, Apollo Bay.
Day 3: Cape Otway Lightstation → Warrnambool · 130 km · 1 h 25 minOn the way: Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, Port Campbell.

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually October–April. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.

Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons

FAQs

How long is Great Ocean Road: Torquay to Warrnambool?

3-day road trip of about 338 km (210 mi) with 12 stops, from Melbourne to Warrnambool. About 3 h 41 min of driving in total.

How many days do you need for Great Ocean Road: Torquay to Warrnambool?

We suggest 3 days: about 3 h 41 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

Where does Great Ocean Road: Torquay to Warrnambool start and end?

It starts in Melbourne and ends in Warrnambool.

Which states does Great Ocean Road: Torquay to Warrnambool pass through?

Victoria.

When is the best time for Great Ocean Road: Torquay to Warrnambool?

The most pleasant months are usually October–April. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)