Melbourne to Allansford: The Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road may be one of Australia’s most popular motorhome road trips, but unlike other fan favourites such as the Adelaide to Darwin roadie or the Sydney to Brisbane coastal drive, the Great Ocean Road doesn’t officially start in a major city. Note: you may book a campervan from Sydney to start here.
 
However, Melbourne, the Victorian capital, is just over 100 kilometres from the ‘official’ beginning of this incredible road trip - and it’s certainly not 100 kilometres that you’ll want to miss. Add this short stretch to your road trip and include visits to Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula, wineries, and the town of Queenscliff, and enrich your road trip with even more of the coastal goodness and adventures that Australia has to offer. Even though it’s only a short stretch, you can easily spend multiple days making your way south to Torquay with this first leg of your itinerary.
 
Melbourne
Australia’s unparalleled capital of arts and culture, Melbourne is a must-see destination in its own right, and the logical starting point for a motorhome road trip on the Great Ocean Road. It’s a city of food, sports, museums, history, and metropolitan chic, so be sure to allow a few days here to explore before you hit the road. The National Gallery of Victoria offers a captivating introduction to Australian culture, while the restaurant Attica shines on the country’s foodie scene as the only Aussie eatery on the San Pellegrino World’s Top 50 list. You can get your fill of sports at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (the MCG or simply ‘the G’ to locals) where you may be able to catch a live match, or where you can take a tour of the grounds and the National Sports Museum on site. Finally, jump on the iconic Melbourne trams and head to the lush 94-acre Botanic Gardens to take a breather from it all in the heart of the city with a picnic and a good book so you’re well rested before you begin driving to discover more exciting adventures.
 
When you leave Melbourne, simply take the M1 (The Princess Highway) southwest. It will take just over an hour to reach Geelong.
 
Geelong
A little brother to Melbourne, Geelong is the state’s second-largest town and is centred around the vibrant Corio Bay waterfront area. Prepare to spend at least half a day simply wandering along the waterfront, stopping for drinks and bites to eat in the bars and restaurants, visiting The Carousel, or relaxing in the sun. Beer fans are in for a treat with Little Creatures and White Rabbit, two of the cities top breweries, which can both be found on the same site. The Old Geelong Gaol adds a dose of history, and the Geelong Art Gallery is the place to go for a little more of the artistic vibe that’s so prevalent throughout Victoria. And for something truly different, don’t miss the Geelong Powerhouse, a 3,000-square-metre building that’s home to hundreds of pieces of graffiti artworks from more than 200 artists.
 
Instead of heading directly south to Torquay when you leave Geelong, take a short detour on the Bellarine Peninsula.
 
Bellarine Peninsula wineries
The Bellarine Peninsula is a haven of cool-climate winemaking, dotted with exceptional vineyards and cellar doors. You can create your own tasting trail across the peninsula and try a number of the top wineries, or simply pick one or two so you can take your time and enjoy a lazy afternoon nibbling on delicious meals and trying some of the best vinos in the state. Scotchman’s Hill is one of the more renowned wineries in the region, and has been running for over 30 years. You can enjoy a tasting in their old French provincial farmhouse with views over Port Phillip Bay, although keep in mind that there is no restaurant on site. Leura Park Winery is another popular spot, and here you can also enjoy a tasty lunch or a segway tour with your wines.
 
Queenscliff
Queenscliff is a small seaside resort town on the tip of the peninsula. For such a small space, it truly does offer a huge range of attractions and things to do. Take a walk to Point Nepean, stroll through the beautiful and historic Fort Queenscliff Museum, or head out onto the water for a whalewatching or a scuba diving tour. Alternatively, keep it simple and relaxing by meandering through the township and visiting the stores for a few souvenirs, and the restaurants for a few divine meals (be sure to try the local fresh seafood).
 
Lake Connewarre Wildlife Reserve
Make one more stop on your road to Torquay - this time at the Lake Connewarre Wildlife Reserve. This wetland is home to a number of endangered migratory bird species and is listed as a wetland of international significance. For visitors, this is a place of unique beauty, and one where you can discover some of Australia’s natural environment as you try canoeing, kayaking, fishing and coastal walking. It’s an idyllic little spot for a lazy picnic lunch and an alluring location for a few extra photos for your holiday album.

In total, the drive from Torquay to Apollo Bay will only take you just over two hours. That said, the places to visit and things to see along the way can easily stretch that into two or three days. All you’ll need to do is follow the gorgeous coastline and the many signs pointing out the way. Your stops will consist of beaches, walks, swims, surfing, eating, and exploring, and the relaxed little towns along the way will put you in holiday mode the second you arrive.
 
Torquay
This small seaside town is mostly known for its status as the gateway to the Great Ocean Road, but it also offers a few other major claims to fame such as being the birthplace of internationally renowned brands Rip Curl and Quicksilver. It may come as no surprise, then, that this tiny town is all about the ocean. It’s where you’ll find the Australian National Surfing Museum Surf World, and it’s where you can take the gorgeous Surf Coast Walk to better appreciate the oceanside views. Or, get into the water with a snorkelling tour of the Point Danger Marine Sanctuary to visit some of the undersea creatures that call it home. If you’re in town on a Saturday morning, the Torquay Central Farmers Market is a vibrant spot to spend a few hours picking up nibbles for breakfast and fresh fruit for the road.
 
Bells Beach
Bells Beach is just down the road from Torquay, and it’s one of the most famous surf beaches in Australia. Each year, the crème de la crème of the surfing scene converge on these sandy shores to take on waves of up to five metres at the Rip Curl Easter Pro, the world’s longest-running surf competition. For keen surfers, the right-hand breaks can be relied on to be good pretty much most of the year, and particularly from March to October through the winter months. That said, this isn’t a good beach for beginners; it’s more suited for intermediate and advanced surfers. Not a surfer? Not a problem - grab a spot on the clifftops or by the beach with a coffee and a snack and watch as skilled athletes navigate the waves.
 
Anglesea
Anglesea isn’t much further along the coast from Torquay and Bells Beach, and it continues on with the theme of being a beach-loving, scenery-filled, laid-back town. That said, its most famous attraction has little to do with the ocean - it’s the golf course. The Anglesea Golf Club offers 18-holes, beautiful scenery, and wild kangaroos. Whether you play a round or enjoy a bite to eat in the on-site bistro, you’ll adore the bizarre and wonderful sight of this Australian icon jumping around the course. The 2.5-kilometre Anglesea Art Walk is another special attraction, as you can stroll through town and see six creative mosaic artworks along the way. And for those who missed out on a chance to learn to surf at Bells Beach, Anglesea offers much more beginner-friendly waves.
 
Airey’s Inlet
After Anglesea, it won’t be long before you stop again - this time at the charming and historic Airey’s Inlet. It’s a tiny coastal hamlet that proves there’s no such thing as too much time spent at the beach, swimming, surfing, and admiring the endless scenic views along Australia’s coastline. The main attraction here is the Split Point Lighthouse, a historic structure built in 1891 more than 70 metres above sea level on the cliff tops. It’s as scenic as it is historic, and you can take a tour of the lighthouse to learn more about its past, including a number of spooky ghost stories.
 
Lorne
Continue along the coast and it won’t be long before you arrive in Lorne, another of the Great Ocean Road’s tiny but tremendous towns. The Lorne surf beach is the only patrolled stretch of sand and sea, but there’s more than enough here for everyone whether you’re a surfer, swimmer, or sunbather. Avid fishermen will love the Lorne Pier, art aficionados will appreciate the outdoor sculpture park and Qdos Arts, and the scenic Teddy’s Lookout is the perfect place for a walk for all. And of course, anyone driving along the Great Ocean Road with a motorhome simply must visit the Great Ocean Road Heritage Centre in the information centre to learn about this epic road trip’s history and tales.

Much like the first half of the Great Ocean Road, the drive from Apollo Bay to Allansford would only take a determined driver a couple of hours. And once again, the difference between simply getting from A to B, and thoroughly enjoying the drive, is the places you visit and the things you do along the way. This part of the drive is home to some of the most iconic attractions along the Great Ocean Road and in Australia - it even contains a few surprises along the way.
 
You can easily spend several days exploring Apollo Bay and the Great Otway National Park, but the rest of the drive is likely something you’ll finish up within a day.
 
Apollo Bay
Next stop: Paradise by the Sea, otherwise known as Apollo Bay. This seaside destination offers more walking, fishing, kayaking, surfing, swimming, and sunbathing, and adds a serious smorgasbord of land-based activities as well. Apollo Bay’s sunsets are the stuff of legend, and you can make them even more special by taking a horse trek on the beach as the sun dips below the horizon. Throughout the day, you’ll spend your time tasting some of the area’s famous seafood (visit in February if you’d like to be there for the annual Seafood Festival), and checking out the local gifts shops and galleries. Try the Great Ocean Road Brewhouse for a refreshing drink, and head to Chris’ Beacon Point for the ultimate dinner-with-a-view.
 
Great Otway National Park
Almost as soon as you hit the road from Apollo Bay, you’ll be in the Great Otway National Park. This park marks the southern tip and half-way point of the Great Ocean Road, and adds a series of opportunities for exciting and lush outdoor adventures to your trip. Technically speaking, the park begins just outside of Torquay, so you can explore it throughout this leg of the campervan road trip. It’s primarily known for its walks and waterfalls, and there are certainly plenty of them to keep you entertained. To mention just a few, the Beauchamp Falls, Hopetoun Falls, and Little Aire Falls are all accessible via quick and easy hikes, and each offer a picturesque cascade at the end. The Great Ocean Walk is one of the biggest hikes in the park, covering a full 91 kilometres from Apollo Bay up to the Glenample Homestead (although you don’t need to walk the whole way to appreciate its beauty).
 
12 Apostles
What began 10-20 million years ago as a rugged limestone cliff-face, today stands as 12 resolute pillars of stone jutting out from the ocean just off the Victorian coast. They form by far the most iconic image of the Great Ocean Road, and are one of Australia’s most renowned natural attractions. The 12 Apostles have been carved by wind and surf, from a coastline to a series of arches down to the pillars that remain today. They are spectacular at any time of day and any time of year, but are best viewed at sunrise or sunset (or both) for the way the light plays against their white faces and illuminates the ocean around them. This isn’t a quick photo stop, so prepare to spend at least an hour or two admiring this unique view.
 
London Arch
A little further up the road and off the coast is the London Arch, a gorgeous natural archway that was once known as the London Bridge - until time, weather, and ocean had their way with it. The connecting piece of land collapsed in 1990, and while there were two people on it at the time, they were fortunately at the tip of the bridge away from the fracture, and were airlifted safely off the arch (and now have an incredible story to tell from the experience). Even though you can no longer stroll over the bridge, it’s still certainly a worthy attraction on your RV roadie on the Great Ocean Road.
 
Cheese World
Cheese is a universally loved snack, and for something a little different after so much ocean and scenery, make a stop in Cheese World shortly before you reach Allansford. The complimentary cheese tastings are always a treat at the end of a road trip, and you can also visit the produce store for more locally made treats such as wine, or grab a coffee and a bite to eat in the cafe. There’s also a local history museum on site, and you can watch a film from inside the cheese factory to see the fascinating process behind this delicious snack.
 
Allansford
The final official stop along the Great Ocean Road is the town of Allansford, a rural destination that’s not located on the shorefront - but rather on the banks of a river. Allansford truly is a representation of small town Australia, so it doesn’t have too many great sights and things to do. However, the Hopkins Falls are just a short drive from town, and offer a stunning display of one of the widest cascades in the country.
 
Allansford may signal the official end of your motorhome tour of the Great Ocean Road, but that certainly doesn’t mean that you have to end your travels here. For example, from Allansford, it’s only another day or two’s drive to the South Australian capital of Adelaide, or you could easily turn your campervan around and relive the Great Ocean Road from the other direction. You can even continue your own extended ‘ocean road’ drive and simply keep following the shoreline - after all, the true benefit of travelling by motorhome is that freedom to go where you please whenever you please. No matter what you do, the memories, photographs, and sand in the bottom of your shoes will no doubt be with you for a lifetime.