A road trip along the Great Ocean Road spans 243 kilometres from Torquay to Allansford, though most travellers will hire a car and start their journey in Melbourne. This itinerary reveals all the best highlights and things to do along the way.

The best of the Great Ocean Road in four days

While you could drive this scenic stretch of land in just a day, touring the Great Ocean Road is an experience you’re going to want to savour. Four days is the perfect amount of time to mix in a bit of relaxation and adventure.

Day 1: Melbourne to Lorne

Start in Victoria's vibrant capital before embracing Lorne's small-town hospitality.

Morning

It'd be nearly criminal to skip having a coffee in Melbourne, a city where top-notch cafes are found just around every corner. Once your stomach (and vehicle) is fuelled up, drive approximately 1.5 hours (100 kilometres) from Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road's starting point, Torquay.

Torquay is one of the best places to experience Australian surf culture. It's home to the first Rip Curl shop (opened in 1969) and the Australian National Surfing Museum. If you've packed your surfboard, or just want to watch world-class waves, head to Bells Beach. Bells Beach hosts one of the longest-standing surf contests, the Rip Curl Pro, every year.

Afternoon

Now that you've escaped the city and have got a taste of Victoria's beach scene, it's time to drive one hour (50 kilometres) to Lorne. This stretch of the trip makes for the perfect day trip from Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road. Stop at the Memorial Arch, built to honour the WWI soldiers who built the road.

Spend the afternoon in Lorne, a small town amidst dense eucalypt forests. You'll find waterfalls galore (Erskine Falls and Kalimna Falls are especially beautiful), riverside hiking trails, a quiet pier and a zip line course.

Day 2: Lorne to Apollo Bay

Where the forest meets the sea.

Morning

If you're up for an adventure, wake up and go on the Kennett River Nature Walk, just a half-hour (22-kilometre) drive from Lorne. Keep a lookout for echidnas hiding on the sides of the dirt road and koalas hanging out in the treetops. They tend to be more active first thing in the morning, though you have a good chance of seeing them at all times of the day.

Grab a cuppa and a snack at the Koala Cafe before driving a further half-hour (23 kilometres) to Apollo Bay, a picturesque small town near the southernmost point of Victoria. Pull over at Marriners Lookout for sweeping coastal views.

Afternoon

With Apollo Bay as your home base, spend the afternoon wandering through the many natural sites in Great Otway National Park, only a few minutes from Apollo Bay. Get misted by one of the many waterfalls tucked in the park's grounds, walk among lovely fern trails, and look for elusive platypuses within its ponds and streams. Stick around after sunset and search for blue and green glow worms, often twinkling in the greenery near Madsens Track Nature Walk.

Day 3: Apollo Bay to Port Campbell

Get ready for iconic views of the Twelve Apostles.

Morning

Enjoy breakfast in Apollo Bay before driving to the Twelve Apostles, one of the most iconic natural landmarks in Australia. This is what you've come to see, after all! Carved by wind, sand and sea, these limestone pinnacles are an impressive sight to behold — and the earlier you arrive, the more likely you are to beat the Melbourne day-trip tour buses.

If you want to see the cliffs and Apostles from a unique perspective, walk down Gibson Steps. While many people zoom past the Twelve Apostles after snapping their pics, few tourists make their way down to the beach on a Great Ocean Road trip.

Afternoon

After admiring the Twelve Apostles, drive 1.5 hours (97 kilometres) towards Port Campbell, stopping at Loch Ard Gorge along the way. You'll see the Loch Ard shipwreck, just one of many wrecks on this stretch of shoreline (nicknamed the 'Shipwreck Coast').

If you're still keen for adventure, go on the Port Campbell Discovery Walk in Port Campbell National Park. The walk begins near the centre of town and ventures along ravines and coastal cliffs, ending at a lookout point that's ideal for sunset.

Day 4: Port Campbell to Warrnambool

Enjoy more natural wonders before ending your Great Ocean Road journey in Warrnambool.

Morning

The drive from Port Campbell to Warrnambool (50 minutes, 62 kilometres) is one of the most scenic stretches of the Great Ocean Road. Just a few minutes out of Port Campbell, you'll find two natural rock arches: The Arch and London Bridge. Though they're not as famous as the Twelve Apostles, many visitors find them even more impressive! If the path is open, visit the Grotto, a mysterious sea cave. This is one stretch of road to really take your time to enjoy.

Afternoon

While the Great Ocean Road technically ends in Allansford, continue another two kilometres and spend your last night in Warrnambool. This cool coastal city is one of the best places to go whale spotting, depending on the time of year. From its lookout points, you might have a chance to see southern right whales, humpback whales and, if you're really lucky, blue whales.

Since you're here, why not continue west towards Adelaide? If you're returning to Melbourne, it's worth doubling back and stopping at some of the small towns you may have missed. Or venture inland for a forest retreat via Colac.

Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out the best road trips in Victoria and epic eco-friendly road trips for your next adventure on the road. If you're watching your budget, browse our picks for cheap holiday destinations, or hit the road with our guide to summer foodie road trips.