5 Nights – 6 Days

MELBOURNE – GREAT OCEAN ROAD – GRAMPIANS – BALLARAT

Get ready for a 6-day adventure, starting with a ferry ride across the bay, and taking in Bellarine Peninsula, Great Ocean Road, Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park and Ballarat’s gold rush era. It’s a journey of natural beauty, wildlife encounters and adventure with plenty of great food, wine and pampering included.

 

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What to expect
• Touring the Great Ocean Road – an epic world-class drive
• Remarkable wildlife and natural attractions
• History + heritage – shipwrecks, gold rush
• Grampians adventure
• Unforgettable Twelve Apostles & Otways experiences
• Wine tasting & cellar tours
• Pampering and relaxation

Fast facts
• Time: 6 days
• Distance: 748 kilometres
• Transport: car/ferry
• Nearest major city: Melbourne

 

DAY 1

Queenscliff to Great Ocean Road

Depart: Queenscliff
O/night: Lorne
Distance: 90 kilometres

AM
After arriving in Queenscliff on Searoad Ferries from Sorrento, get to know the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula. Take your pick from brilliant wineries, sublime beaches and a unique dining experience aboard The Q Train.Take the Surf coast Highway on to Torquay and visit Bells Beach, the spiritual home of Aussie surfing culture.

PM
Stop by Torquay’s Australian National Surfing Museum to check out the fascinating surfboard evolution display, explore the Surfing Hall of Fame and see the Bell’s Beach Trophy Collection before hitting the road to explore the coastline on the way to Lorne. Make sure you pause along the way to discover Anglesea Main Beach and enjoy a swim or gentle beach stroll.

Locals tip: There are 10 waterfalls within 10km of Lorne, Erskine Falls is one of the easiest to access and is an easy walk from town. There are 230 steps down to the bottom of the falls and what goes down must come up.

 

DAY 2

Great Ocean Road

Depart: Lorne
O/night: Port Campbell
Distance: Approx 131 kilometres

AM
Before leaving the lovely seaside town of Lorne, call into Teddy’s Lookout, a favourite viewing spot on the Great Ocean Road. Or chase some zipline fun and adventure at Live Wire Park.
Apollo Bay is the next beautiful coastal town. It’s where the Great Ocean Walk begins, where Wildlife Wonders offers natural sanctuary tours and where you can savour arguably the freshest seafood on the coast, direct from the Fisherman’s Co-op.

PM
Take the scenic rainforest detour into the historic Cape Otway Lightstation precinct to see remarkable coastal vistas. Factor in extra time to discover lovely walks leading to Rainbow Falls or Parker Hill. The Californian Redwoods are also worth a detour off the Great Ocean Road, see what it is like to stand so small amongst the towering trees. There are so many options to consider before arriving at the breath-taking Twelve Apostles. Take things up a level with a helicopter ride over the coastline. The views are unforgettable!
With your memory-bank full, drive on a few kilometres to the gorgeous fishing village of Port Campbell.

Locals tip: Delve deeper into the stories of the Shipwreck Coast – visit Loch Ard Gorge and learn about Eva Carmichael, Tom Pearce and the shipwreck they survived.

 

Day 3 & 4

Grampians (Gariwerd)

Depart: Port Campbell
O/night: Halls Gap / Dunkeld / Pomonal
Distance: Approx 219 kilometres

AM (Day 3):
Head north through rolling farmland towards Halls Gap, the heart of Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park. Take a break in Dunkeld, a charming small town framed by the towering Mount Sturgeon, marking the park’s southern gateway. Enjoy a coffee, soak in the stunning mountain views, and stretch your legs before continuing into the Grampians' rugged landscapes.

PM (Day 3)
With its soaring peaks, tumbling waterfalls and rich Indigenous heritage, the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park is a nature lover’s paradise. Wander bush trails to spot kangaroos, emus and colourful birdlife, or hike to Boroka or Reeds Lookouts for panoramic views.

AM (Day 4)
Stroll the dam wall at Lake Bellfield. Laze on the lawns, enjoy a picnic and marvel at the majesty of the Grampians (Gariwerd) escarpment pushing up into the sky.

PM (Day 4)
For a deeper connection to the landscape, join a guided walk with Absolute Outdoors or Grampians Personalised Tours, where local experts share stories of the region’s history, geology, and incredible wildlife.

Locals tip: Stop in at Dunkeld Bakery (mysteriously hidden in a back street) for delicious baked goodies.

 

DAY 5

Grampians to Ballarat

Depart: Halls Gap / Dunkeld / Pomonal
O/night: Ballarat
Distance: Approx 152 kilometres

AM
Take a scenic drive east towards Ballarat, passing through some of Victoria’s finest wine-producing regions. Stop at Best’s Wines, where generations of winemakers have perfected their craft. Then, venture underground at Seppelt, where an intricate network of hand-dug tunnels reveals the secrets of fine sparkling wines. Finish at Pomonal Estate, where cool-climate wines and boutique charm make for a perfect tasting experience.

PM
Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of gold rush-era Ballarat at Sovereign Hill, a living museum where history comes to life. Try your hand at panning for gold, explore heritage streetscapes and watch blacksmiths, candle-makers and other traditional artisans at work. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped straight into the 1850s.

Locals tip: Take a leisurely stroll along Ballarat’s Sturt Street to admire grand Victorian architecture and historic landmarks alongside chic cafés and boutiques.

 

DAY 6

Ballarat to Melbourne through Spa Country

Depart: Ballarat to Melbourne
Distance: Approx 156 kilometres

AM
Start your morning at the Ballarat Wildlife Park, hand-feeding roaming kangaroos and meeting the koalas.
The rest of the day is all about being pampered, and ‘spa country’ is the perfect place for it. Try the bubbling mineral waters from the pumps at Hepburn Springs before relaxing into a massage or beauty treatment at the Mineral Spa, part of the Mineral Springs Hotel.

PM
Lean into that feeling of relaxation with an unhurried lunch at Daylesford’s iconic café, Cliffy’s. It’s the ideal place to feed body and soul with fresh local produce and friendly ambience. Make your way gently back to Melbourne through the forested hills and enchanting villages of Trentham and Woodend.