Sister Road Trip!
My sister, Rachel, came to visit us in Melbourne, Australia, from the USA, and we took a beautiful trip down the coast to the Great Ocean Road. I've taken down the play-by-play of our road trip.
I spent a considerable amount of time planning this trip, and I loved our three-day, two-night trip! This road trip is known for its breathtaking views, lush forests, and picturesque towns.
There are plenty of things to see along the way, from historical sites to national parks. I hope you enjoy my photos and tips! If you've been, please let me know what your favorite part of the road trip was, and remember to subscribe for more travels in and around Australia.
Day One: Melbourne to Apollo Bay
We started our journey from Docklands in central Melbourne and headed towards Torquay, beginning the Great Ocean Road. Torquay is known for some of the world’s best surf beaches, and Rip Curl hosts its annual surf competition on Bells Beach.
From Torquay, you’ll start down the coast. Your next stop is Lorne. Lorne is a darling little seaside town with cute shops and is known for its fish and chips. We stopped off at Captain Hook and enjoyed some of the best. We also ate our lunch surrounded by a group of curious cockatoos! And you best stop off at Gelato Gelato for a little treat before you hit the road again.
The vast coastal drive is overwhelming as you push on to Apollo Bay. I suggest taking it slow with some good tunes. We finished day one at the Coastal Motel right along the highway.
Day Two: Apollo Bay to Warnambool (Port Fairy)
We started a foggy day two at Little Crumb, a breakfast cafe in Apollo Bay. It was bustling with locals and had great coffee. We wanted to visit the Wildlife Wonders ecotourism experience, but we didn’t make a booking in time. Instead, we got some insight from a local woman and explored Shelly Beach on foot. It’s a hidden gem off of Elliot Road.
Maits Rest Rainforest Walk
We continued to Maits Rest Rainforest Walk and walked among the lush Otway National Park treetops. The rainforest in south Victoria is leafy and fresh and well worth the time for a mid-day leg stretch! Keep an eye out for Koalas in their natural habitat. We saw a mama koala bear walking with her young on this stretch of the trip!
The Twelve Apostles by Helicopter
Next up on the itinerary is the iconic 12 Apostles. We headed straight to catch a helicopter ride! We paid for the 30-minute tour, and it will be something I will never forget. The cabin of the helicopter was tiny but fun and intimate! We got to ask the pilot lots of questions.
We jetted off over the green cliffside over some fluffy sheep and headed down the brilliantly vibrant coastline where rock formations jutted out of the beautiful beaches below. You'll see 360-degree views of hidden beaches nestled in the rock.
We sailed through the sky and got a good look at the Loch Ard Gorge, Port Campbell, the Arch, London Bridge, and the Bay of Islands. All of which and magnificent and breathtaking.
After exiting the helipad, we continued our tour by car. We popped into a few lookouts and beaches and enjoyed the native wildlife. One of the local guides recommended the sparks gully car park, where you can walk to an unmarked section of the coast - which I highly recommend. Give yourself plenty of time to explore this area; one could easily spend a day enjoying pristine beaches and exploring caves.
Check out the video I put together:
Warnambool (Port Fairy)
We made our way another hour or so down the highway to our quaint Airbnb in Warrnambool, a town that precedes Port Fairy. And we had the best dinner ever at Pippies by the Bay! It was unassuming, so we showed up in workout gear. But the locals were entirely dressed up, and I won’t soon forget the food.
Day Three: Port Fairy to Melbourne
On the third morning, we walked around Warrnambool and had breakfast at the Pavilion Cafe and Bar, overlooking the Warnambool Pier. We drove the inland route home towards Colac with the main attractions behind us. There are several breweries in the warm countryside if that interests you.
Bye, Great Ocean Road!
The Great Ocean Road is an icon of the victoria coastline, and I highly recommend this for anyone spending ample time in the Melbourne area. The coastlines in and around Melbourne are beautiful, but they don’t compare to those down south.
You'll love the Great Ocean Road for the natural beauty of this region, the beach towns, the rugged coastline, stunning oceans views, and wildlife spotting! It's a perfect girls' trip, family vacay, or romantic getaway!
Luckily for me, my sister is still in Australia, and we've got a ton more travels on our docket. What's on your Australian bucket list?! I want to know!
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