The Great Ocean Road is 243 km long, from Torquay to Allansford, near Warrnambool. The itineraries from Visit Great Ocean Road run from 1 to 7 days, and its basic route takes 3 or 4 days. From 16 October 2026 you must book to visit the Twelve Apostles.
Can you do it in a day from Melbourne?
You can, but Visit Great Ocean Road advises against it in its frequently asked questions and suggests allowing more time. From the centre of Melbourne to Torquay, where the road starts, it is 1 h 17 min by car. We have not found the total time from Melbourne to the Twelve Apostles in an official source.
Do you have to book for the Twelve Apostles?
Yes, according to the official websites. This is what they say as of 5 November 2026:
- From when: Visit Great Ocean Road says that, from 16 October 2026, every visitor has to book a place in advance. The centre's website says booking is essential.
- Where: at twelveapostles.org.au, the website of the new Keerray Woorroong centre.
- Price: free until April 2027, according to the Great Ocean Road authority. After that there will be a charge, and we have not seen the amount published.
- What it guarantees: a parking space at a set time.
- What is not affected: Gibson Steps and Loch Ard Gorge do not change.
- Hours: the centre is open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, with last arrival at 7:00 pm. The car park is open from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm.
The pages we opened do not make clear whether you can go to the viewpoints alone without going through the booking system. If in doubt, confirm it on that website before you set off.
Distances and times
| Section | Figure |
|---|---|
| Full road, Torquay to Allansford | 243 km |
| Melbourne centre to Torquay | 1 h 17 min |
| Melbourne airport to Torquay | 110 km |
| Avalon airport to Torquay | 35 min |
| Anglesea to Aireys Inlet | 10 min |
| Lorne to Apollo Bay | 45 min |
| Apollo Bay to Lavers Hill | 47 km |
| Twelve Apostles | 7 km east of Port Campbell |
The official website does not give a full table of sections, so only the figures we have seen are shown here.
How many days does it usually take?
Visit Great Ocean Road publishes more than 30 itineraries. Most last 2, 3 or 4 days, and there are two of 5 days and one of 7. Its "Great Ocean Road Essentials" itinerary is split like this:
- Day 1: from Melbourne to Anglesea, via Torquay.
- Day 2: from Anglesea to Apollo Bay, via Lorne.
- Day 3: from Apollo Bay to Port Campbell.
- Day 4: from Port Campbell back to Melbourne, inland.
If you carry on west, there are other options. Tourism Australia links a 5-day trip from Melbourne to Adelaide and another of 6 days on the Great Southern Touring Route.
When to go
- Best weather: Tourism Australia puts the best time to drive in summer, for the clear skies. The Port Campbell park authority speaks of spring and summer.
- Most crowded: from late December to January and at Easter, according to Visit Great Ocean Road. In autumn and winter there are fewer visitors.
- Peak and low season: December to February and June to August, according to Tourism Australia.
- Whales: from May to September at Warrnambool, and until October in other western towns.
- Twelve Apostles: first thing in the morning and late afternoon are the quietest times, according to the authority.
Before setting off, Visit Great Ocean Road refers you to VicEmergency and VicTraffic for road conditions and emergencies. On 5 November, the authority showed Erskine Falls, near Lorne, as temporarily closed.
Can you go without a car?
Yes, with more changes and less freedom to stop:
- V/Line train: leaves Southern Cross for Geelong or Warrnambool, and stops at Winchelsea and Colac. Timetables do not cover 24 hours.
- Coaches: the towns from Torquay to Apollo Bay connect through Geelong, Marshall and Colac stations. Those from Port Campbell to Port Fairy connect through Warrnambool.
- Searoad Ferry: links Sorrento and Queenscliff in 40 minutes, every hour, from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.
The Twelve Apostles centre has a drop-off area for passengers and refers you to transport.vic.gov.au for routes.
Rules of the road
Tourism Australia sums up the general rules: you drive on the left, the alcohol limit is 0.05 and you cannot use a mobile phone while driving. An overseas licence is valid for up to three months if it is in English. If not, an international permit is needed. That page is written for visitors. If you already live in Australia, check the conditions with the traffic authority in your state.
If you carry on to Tasmania, the ferry leaves from Geelong: we cover it in the Tasmania route.
Sources
All opened on 5 November 2026.
- Frequently asked questions, Visit Great Ocean Road (official)
- Home page, Visit Great Ocean Road (official)
- Getting here, Visit Great Ocean Road (official)
- Itineraries, Visit Great Ocean Road (official)
- Great Ocean Road Essentials, Visit Great Ocean Road (official)
- Between Melbourne and the Twelve Apostles, Visit Great Ocean Road (official)
- Keerray Woorroong Visitor Centre (official)
- Plan your visit, Keerray Woorroong Visitor Centre (official)
- Visitor centre project, Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (official)
- Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (official)
- Port Campbell National Park, Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (official)
- Great Ocean Road guide, Tourism Australia (official)
- Driving in Australia, Tourism Australia (official)