Melbourne Travel Forum

We have about 15 days in Australia which we are planning to split between Melbourne, Sydney and the drive in a hire car between them along the coast. Given that we are driving along the coast between Melbourne and Sydney is it worthwhile taking a day or two out of our time in Melbourne to drive along the Great Ocean Road and back. Any other suggestions as to what we should be sure to see on the drive to Sydney will be very welcome.
Thanks in advance, John

That's something hubby & I had planned to do for the big Melbourne vt meet in 2006 John....but unfortunately hubby got sick & couldn't make it. But going on what I've been told, and the pix I've seen here on vt.....I would certainly do it if I was you.

Just check out all the wonderful pages here about it! It's still on my 'must do' things when we eventually get back to Melbourne :o)

Cheers, Ann.

Yes. The scenery will be different and there are other things to do on the way there and back, An overnight stay would be good as while it can be done as a day trip it would be a long day.

I agree Mark....an overnight stay is definately the way to go! :o)

The GOR is west of Melbourne and Sydney is North East or East depending on which major highway you take.

I'd like to suggest you fly into Syd, spend 4 -5 days there, then grab hire car and drive Hwy 31 (hume) to Canberra and stay there at least one night. Back onto the Hume (good road, lots of trucks, but not that much to see unless you detour a bit) and then overnight Albury or even the Glenrowan area (Ned Kelly country) and then continue to the outskirts of Melb and take the ring road through to the Princess Hwy (Highway 1) go through Geelong and stay overnight maybe Queenscliff. From there do the GOR over 2 days and then back to Melb, maybe with overnight stay in Ballarat. Then fly back to UK from melb. Suggest you might like to leave the so called coast road between Syd and Melb. There are not that many places where you travel along the coast itself, except in towns. The GOR is REALLY well worth doing.

Yes, absolutely drive along the Great Ocean Road, it is fantastic. I also suggest you stay for the night, somewhere near the western end, and then drive back to Melbourne through the hinterland route. So many beautiful places and some lovely small towns.

Yep the drive along the Great Ocean Road is magnificent and well worth it!!.

Now I am thinking how much I want to do it again (aaah so many places, so little time!!).

Does this mean I am going to throw a spanner into the works? Personally, I love the GOR especially Port Campbell and the Apostles (reluctant to put a number to them) but if you are going to drive from Melbourne to Sydney, I'd personally not go - just take more time driving between the two cities.

From Melbourne head to Wonthaggi and Inverloch, Lower Tarwin and Venus Bay. Onto Walker Bay and Wilson's Prom National Park - all stunning and variant sea and shorelines. Head to Port Albert and 90 mile beach (just touch part of it) before heading slightly inland to Sale (admittedly, Sale is not the most exciting place). Flat drive to Bairnsdale - head inland to Buchan Caves and then down back to the coast and Metung/Lakes Entrance (or go to Buchan after Lakes Entrance). Stunning forested landscape, the Snowy River beyond Buchan through the Mallacoota (definitely a stop to be had). From Mallacoota, there's till stunning seashore drive to be had all the way to Sydney - or head in land if you're a bit over it (this would be before Mallacoota or a long way into New South Wales) and head for the mountains, Canberra and the National Parks. You can always head back to the coast from Canberra if you need more. Length of time to drive - about 3 weeks :) But some people do it with an overnight stop (madness!) so anywhere in between - but would recommend 3 or 4 days.