How far is the Great Ocean Road from Sydney?

The Great Ocean Road starts at Torquay, about 1,000 km from Sydney via the coastal route or 870 km via the inland Hume Highway. Most travellers combine it with the Sydney to Melbourne coastal drive, spending a week on the road before reaching the Great Ocean Road.

Can I drive a campervan on the Great Ocean Road?

Yes, but note that some sections have vehicle length restrictions. Vehicles over 7.5 metres may face restrictions on certain bends. Most standard campervans (under 6–7 metres) have no issues. Check current VicRoads restrictions before departure.

Should I drive the Great Ocean Road from Sydney or Melbourne?

Most people drive it from Melbourne as it's only 90 minutes to the start. From Sydney, combine it with the coastal route for an epic 7-10 day adventure. If hiring a campervan in Sydney, you can return it in Melbourne after the Great Ocean Road.

Great Ocean Road from Sydney 2026 | Drive & Campervan Guide

Planning Your Sydney to Great Ocean Road Trip

The Great Ocean Road is Australia's most famous driving route — and combining it with a Sydney to Melbourne road trip creates one of the country's ultimate campervan adventures. By the time you reach the Twelve Apostles, you'll have driven through some of the best scenery in southeastern Australia.

There are two main approaches: drive the coastal route from Sydney to Melbourne first (5–8 days), then continue to the Great Ocean Road (2–3 days). Or take the faster inland route to Melbourne (1 day) and spend more time on the Great Ocean Road itself.

Total Trip: ~1,300 km via coast | 7–10 days recommended | Sydney → Coastal NSW → Melbourne → Great Ocean Road

Getting from Sydney to the Great Ocean Road

Option 1: Coastal Route via Princes Highway (recommended)

This is the scenic choice. Drive south through Jervis Bay, the Sapphire Coast, and Wilsons Promontory before reaching Melbourne. Then continue west to the Great Ocean Road. Allow 5–8 days for the full journey. See our complete Sydney to Melbourne guide for details.

Option 2: Inland via Hume Highway (faster)

If you're short on time, the Hume Highway gets you from Sydney to Melbourne in about 9 hours. This frees up more days for exploring the Great Ocean Road and its hinterland. It's efficient but you'll miss the spectacular NSW South Coast.

Great Ocean Road Highlights

Once you reach the Great Ocean Road (starting at Torquay, 100 km southwest of Melbourne), the real magic begins:

Bells Beach — Australia's most famous surf break, host of the Rip Curl Pro since 1961.
Lorne — A charming seaside village with waterfalls (Erskine Falls) in the hinterland.
Apollo Bay — Relaxed fishing town and gateway to the Otway rainforest.
Otway National Park — Ancient temperate rainforest, the Otway Fly treetop walk, and a glow-worm walk.
Twelve Apostles — The iconic limestone stacks rising from the Southern Ocean. Visit at sunset for the best light.
London Arch & The Grotto — Dramatic coastal rock formations just past the Twelve Apostles.

Campervan Tips for the Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road is narrow and winding in sections. Standard campervans are fine, but larger motorhomes (over 7.5 metres) may find some sections challenging. Check VicRoads for current vehicle restrictions.

Drive slowly and pull over to let faster traffic pass — there are regular pullover points. The road is busiest on weekends and holidays.

Best campsites: BIG4 Beacon Resort in Queenscliff, Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park, and the various campsites along the Apollo Bay coast.

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