Great Ocean Road 2-day Itinerary

The Great Ocean Road is one of the most beautiful drives in Australia, and you can do it in two days so you don’t even have to take time off (if you are working in Melbourne)! We spend 2 nights in Apollo Bay so did not have to move between places which worked out really well. The Great Ocean Road is a must-see! In this post you can find the Great Ocean Road 2-day Itinerary that I have done that will take you from Melbourne along the entire length of the Great Ocean Road and back. The Great Ocean Road is known for its rugged cliff-top drives and breathtaking views of Southern Ocean beaches with no shortage of wildlife including kangaroos, koalas and penguins to see along this route!

Start in Melbourne

If you fly into Melbourne, don’t worry; there are plenty of car rental options at baggage claim! We drove directly to Apollo Bay Friday after work to knock out most of the driving and start the next day on the West side of the Great Ocean Road.  

Great Ocean Road 2-day Itinerary | Day 1

Stop 1: Apollo Bay

There are enough places in Apollo Bay where you can stay. We used Airbnb for a cosy house that we shared with our 2 friends. We started our morning by hiking up Marriners Lookout which is located on top of the hill sitting just north of Apollo Bay. After an easy 10-minute walk from the car park, you will be rewarded with a spectacular view.

If you fancy lunch in Apollo Bay I would recommend Apollo Bay Fiserman’s Co-Op —make sure you try their famous fish and chips!

Stop 2: 12 Apostles

After our short hike in Apollo Bay we decided to make our way to the 12 Apostles. The 12 Apostles are located just off the shore of Port Campbell National Park and are a collection of Limestone stacks. Don’t spend too much time looking for all 12 Apostles as nowadays there are only 8 left. This is one of the reasons to plan this trip rather sooner than later as the remaining 8 Apostles might become a stack of rocks as well. There is ample parking available so just park your car and go for a stroll.

Stop 3: Lorch Ard Gorge

Our next stop for the day was: Lorch Ard Gorge. This is a natural wonder located in the Great Otway National Park. It’s a deep, narrow gorge with sheer cliffs on either side. The gorge is home to several walking trails that lead to its most beautiful features, including the Waterfall Lookout and Crow’s Nest Lookout (which you’ll pass on your way).

You can also see some of the best views from Lorch Ard Gorge City Viewpoint or look out over it from nearby Kennett River Road if you’re just passing through town without time for an adventure hike.

If you have time for more than just admiring this spectacular place from afar—or if you want to experience hiking at its best—you should consider taking one of several different hikes through Lorch Ard Gorge. There are many options available at different levels of difficulty; some take only 30–45 minutes while others require much more time and energy!

Stop 4: Otway National Park

If you are like me and enjoy chasing waterfalls don’t forget to stop at the Otway National Pak. There are many to choose from but we decided to stop at the following 2:

1. Triplet Falls: The Triplet Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Great Otway Park. You can walk a stunning 1-hour loop through the rainforest and see the waterfall along the way.
2. Hopetoun Falls: From the platforms, you will have the best view of the waterfall. You have to follow the path from the car park to get to the platforms. We decided to walk the full loop which took us 30 minutes. You can also walk to the upper platform which is only an easy 20-metre walk.

After our 2 short hikes, we drove back to Apollo Bay where we spend the night.

Great Ocean Road 2-day Itinerary | Day 2

Stop 5: Lorne

We left Apollo Bay around 09:30 am to start our day along the coast back to Melbourne. Not long after we left the road was blocked because a cycling event was going on. I highly recommend checking online if events are taking place as there are no signs along the road to indicate that the road will be blocked after a certain time. This unfortunately resulted in a massive detour to get to Lorne. Even though it took us 2.5 hours instead of 30 min it was definitely worth it.

Lorne is a beach town in Victoria, Australia. Lorne is a popular holiday destination, known for its long beaches, many bays and inlets, and relaxed lifestyle. The main beach at Lorne has undergone significant development including boat ramps, a large playground and other amenities to make it more family friendly. There are plenty of shops and cafes along the main street as well as galleries showcasing local artwork.

We stopped here for lunch but could have easily stayed for the weekend.

Stop 6: Bells Beach

You’ll understand why this beach is so popular when you get there. There are a few surf breaks, but the main one is Bells Beach, which hosts a major international surfing competition every year. If you’re not into surfing, don’t worry—the beach has plenty of spots to park yourself and watch from afar as well.

The most exciting thing about this area is the sunset! It’s worth stopping for at least an hour before driving back home for your next stop in Torquay.

Stop 7: Torquay

Torquay is a quaint town and a great place to enjoy the beach. There are plenty of dining options and coffee shops to stop at along the way. It’s also worth stopping by one of Torquay’s many parks or beaches to take in some fresh air before heading out on your drive back home.

Conclusion Great Ocean Road

I hope you enjoyed this 2-day Great Ocean Road itinerary and will be inspired for your next road trip! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below. We’d love to hear from you about your experiences on this trip as well as any tips for other travelers who plan on taking this road trip soon.

Do you want to extent your trip and go to the Grampians as well? Visit 3 Day Hiking Adventure in the Grampians