Why Drive Adelaide to Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road?
The direct Adelaide to Melbourne highway takes roughly 8 hours of monotonous freeway driving. But swing south via the Great Ocean Road and you unlock one of Australia's finest campervan journeys—a route that weaves through world-class wine regions, limestone coastline, ancient rainforest, and the iconic Twelve Apostles.
This guide covers the complete 910 km route with the best stops, free and paid campsites, driving tips, and a flexible 5-7 day itinerary. Pick up your campervan in Adelaide and drop off in Melbourne to make it a seamless one-way adventure.
Day 1-2: Adelaide to the Coorong (180 km)
Before leaving Adelaide, stock up on supplies at the Adelaide Central Market. Head south on the Princes Highway, stopping at Strathalbyn for a riverside coffee break. The historic town sits on the Angas River and has excellent bakeries.
Continue to Meningie on the shores of Lake Albert, then enter the Coorong National Park—a 130 km coastal lagoon system that's a birdwatcher's paradise. Over 230 species inhabit the wetlands, including pelicans, black swans, and migratory waders from Siberia.
Coorong Camping Options
- 42 Mile Crossing Campground — Free bush camping with pit toilets, directly beside the lagoon. 4WD recommended in wet weather.
- Parnka Point Campground — Vehicle-accessible site with firepits and basic facilities. $12/vehicle/night.
- Meningie Lakeside Holiday Park — Powered sites from $35, hot showers, camp kitchen.
Day 2-3: Coorong to Robe & Mount Gambier (280 km)
Continue along the Limestone Coast to Robe, a charming fishing village with pristine beaches. The Long Beach stretch is one of South Australia's best—you can drive on the sand at low tide (check local conditions). Robe's main street has excellent seafood restaurants; try the crayfish at Adventurous Spoon.
Push on to Mount Gambier and visit the spectacular Blue Lake. From November to February, the lake turns a vivid cobalt blue due to calcium carbonate reactions—a genuinely surreal sight. The free walking trail around the crater rim takes about 45 minutes.
Side Trip: Umpherston Sinkhole
Don't miss this sunken garden in Mount Gambier—a collapsed limestone cave transformed into a manicured garden. At dusk, possums emerge from the surrounding walls. Free entry, open 24 hours.
Day 3-4: Into Victoria — Portland to the Twelve Apostles (220 km)
Cross into Victoria and stop at Portland, Australia's first permanent European settlement in Victoria. The Maritime Discovery Centre tells the region's whaling history. From Portland, take the Great Ocean Road westbound through Warrnambool, where southern right whales calve between June and September at Logan's Beach.
The stretch from Port Campbell to the Twelve Apostles is the Great Ocean Road's crown jewel. Arrive at sunset if possible—the limestone stacks glow amber and gold as the sun drops into the Southern Ocean. Currently, eight stacks remain (there were never actually twelve).
Port Campbell Area Campsites
- Port Campbell Holiday Park — Walk to town and the Twelve Apostles. Powered sites from $42/night. Modern amenities.
- Princetown Recreation Reserve — Budget camping 5 km from the Apostles, $20/night. Basic but perfectly located.
Day 5-6: Apollo Bay to Lorne (100 km)
The road between Port Campbell and Apollo Bay features some of the most dramatic coastal driving in Australia. Stop at Gibson Steps for beach-level views of the stacks, then at Loch Ard Gorge for the shipwreck story and breathtaking gorge walk.
Apollo Bay is the Great Ocean Road's best town for a rest day. The Saturday farmers market sells local cheese, berries, and handmade pastries. For a detour, drive into the Otway Ranges to walk among towering mountain ash trees and spot wild koalas along the Grey River Road.
The winding road from Apollo Bay to Lorne hugs cliffs above the ocean—it's stunning but take it slow in a campervan. Lorne itself is a relaxed beach town with great cafés and the beautiful Erskine Falls nearby (a 15-minute walk through temperate rainforest).
Day 6-7: Lorne to Melbourne via Geelong (140 km)
The final stretch passes through Torquay (birthplace of Rip Curl and Quiksilver) and Bells Beach, famous for the annual surf competition. Stop at the Australian National Surfing Museum if the waves aren't cooperating.
Continue through Geelong, Victoria's second city, where the waterfront Bollard Trail features over 100 painted bollards depicting local characters. From Geelong, it's a 75 km freeway run to Melbourne.
Book a one-way Adelaide to Melbourne campervan rental and start planning this incredible journey.
Essential Tips for This Route
- Fuel: Fill up in every town—gaps between fuel stops can be 100+ km on the Limestone Coast.
- Wind: The Great Ocean Road is exposed to Southern Ocean weather. Pack layers even in summer.
- One-way fees: Many campervan operators charge relocation fees for one-way trips. Compare one-way deals here.
- Wildlife: Kangaroos are active at dawn and dusk—avoid driving these hours on rural roads.
- Season: Summer (Dec-Feb) has the best weather but is busiest. Autumn (Mar-May) offers mild days, smaller crowds, and stunning foliage in the Otways.
