DIY -- Great Ocean Road?

[mfabz]

L

 

Looking for info from those who know. 

 

Will be on the Solstice in February/March 2020.  Thinking of doing the Great Ocean Road on our own upon completion of the cruise.  We will be a group of 6-8 people departing from Melbourne.   Any insight (cars, hotels, etc), tips, info, experiences would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance. 

[Chiliburn]

3 hours ago, mfabz said:

L

 

Looking for info from those who know. 

 

Will be on the Solstice in February/March 2020.  Thinking of doing the Great Ocean Road on our own upon completion of the cruise.  We will be a group of 6-8 people departing from Melbourne.   Any insight (cars, hotels, etc), tips, info, experiences would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance. 

You would need two cars a mini bus is another possibility.google car hire .

 I would give 4 days and explore country Victoria.

After traveling the GOR and staying at Apollo bay head north to The Grampians and stay a night at halls gap

 

[Docker123]

Remember, we drive on the left. Not being snide, but a lot of issues on that drive of tourists on the wrong side.

 

How long do you want to spend? It can be done in one very long day, ot over several.

 

It is a simple drive down to Torquay. It is after there that the road starts and begins to get windy — and scenic. Quite a few spots to safely pull off for views and take photos.

 

with guests, often stop at Loren for lunch.  Really enjoy the swinging bridge cafe. Just a sand dune from the ocean.

 

after Loren, some options include the Otway Fly and Tree top Walk. This is a little more inland off the GOR. Another is the Cape Otway Lighthouse. Brilliant views and refreshing breezes off Antarctica. The road to the lighthouse is my go to spot to show tourists koalas. 

 

Just before the Otway light turn off, perhaps an overnight stop (or even a couple of nights to explore that area), is Apollo Bay. Nice holiday town with plenty of accommodation and food options.

 

Moving further along, some of the land becomes rural farmland away from the coast. This leads towards the 12 Apostles (about 7 or 8 left). Really spectacular at sunset, depending on travel needs.

 

On this part of the road there are various other rock formations, blow holes, ship wreck reminders etc. Fun if you can handle some steep paths, steps and some clambering.

 

Probably stay at Port Campbell, dinner at the hotel. Perhaps cabins at the caravan park.

 

After that most people return to Melbourne via inland road to Princes Highway. Lunch at the Colac Hotel.

 

others keep going westwards to Warrnambool.  Really pretty town. Later in the year there are whales calving.  Your timing could see odd ones around.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[possum52]

16 hours ago, mfabz said:

L

 

Looking for info from those who know. 

 

Will be on the Solstice in February/March 2020.  Thinking of doing the Great Ocean Road on our own upon completion of the cruise.  We will be a group of 6-8 people departing from Melbourne.   Any insight (cars, hotels, etc), tips, info, experiences would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance. 

My suggestion would be to take at least three days - plan your first night's stop perhaps at Apollo Bay after say lunch at Lorne which has plenty of good places to eat. Day 2 - then on to the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge which is where the ship Loch Ard went aground in June 1878. It is an interesting place to stop, there are plenty of information boards telling the story of the Loch Ard. You could continue onto Port Campbell for lunch and then on to Warrnambool for the night where there are plenty of accommodation and dining options. The next day you could take your time returning to Melbourne via the inland route along the Princess Highway after spending some time looking around Warrnambool and the nearby historic town of Port Fairy. I'm afraid Docker123 was being optimistic about seeing a whale in March - June would usually be the earliest you would see any.Even then you have to be lucky. We were there twice during the whale calving season and only saw one whale cow and calf and that was in July.

 

A word of warning if you are planning your trip for 7th to 9th March, book your accommodation early as it is the Labour Day long weekend. 

 

I would suggest you do some reading about the sights on the GOR (Google is your friend) and accommodation and dining options.

 

Leigh

Edited February 7, 2019 by possum52
Left some information out.

[Docker123]

Just a note or 2, the Labour Day long weekend is the Port Fairie Folk Festival. Place booked out many months in advance.

 

The comment about whales was a bit hopeful. However, some killer whales were spotted there about 2 weeks ago.

 

 

[Pushka]

Agree on taking your time. Travelling the great ocean road in one day would be a crazy long day and a waste of a day. It’s not as though it’s a straight drive and it can get really busy. It’s beautiful countryside so stop and enjoy it. Torquay. Port Fairy. Whales? Never seen one there and we’ve been all seasons. Don’t count on that at all. 

[possum52]

1 hour ago, Docker123 said:

Just a note or 2, the Labour Day long weekend is the Port Fairie Folk Festival. Place booked out many months in advance.

 

The comment about whales was a bit hopeful. However, some killer whales were spotted there about 2 weeks ago.

 

 

Good point Docker123, I completely forgot about the Port Fairy Folk Festival and there is also the possibility of a big sporting carnival as well in Warrnambool such as state lifesaving championships which are there the Labour Day weekend this year. It's one weekend of the year other than Christmas and Easter that we avoid spending there.

 

I also forgot the killer whales visiting in January, I was thinking more of the southern right whale cows and their calves. 

 

Leigh

 

 

Edited February 7, 2019 by possum52