6 Nights – 7 Days

MELBOURNE – GREAT OCEAN ROAD – GRAMPIANS – BALLARAT

A memorable seven-day journey through Victoria’s favourite regions. From the breathtaking Great Ocean Road to the rugged Grampians, gold rush history in Ballarat and spa indulgence in Daylesford, this adventure is packed with nature, culture and pure Aussie magic.

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

Fast facts
• Time: 7 days
• Distance: 816 kilometres
• Transport: car/ferry
• Nearest major city: Melbourne

DAY 1

Melbourne to Great Ocean Road

Depart: Melbourne
O/night: Anglesea
Distance: 114 kilometres

AM
Take Highway One west from the city to Werribee Open Range Zoo. Experience a morning safari and wildlife hangouts before heading to the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula and its array of wonderful wineries and glorious beaches. You get to choose wine tasting or sand between your toes. Or maybe both?

PM
Take the Surf Coast Highway to Torquay, spiritual home of Aussie surfing culture. Bells Beach is a world-famous surf beach and just the place to sit and watch surfers slicing through the ocean swells. Head to the Australian National Surfing Museum to explore the evolution of surfboards and walk through the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame, celebrating the country’s surfing legends.

Locals tip: Head to the Anglesea Golf Club to see kangaroos as they lounge around the course.

DAY 2

Great Ocean Road

Depart: Anglesea
O/night: Warrnambool/Port Fairy
Distance: Approx 237 kilometres

AM
Today, you’re officially road tripping west along the famous Great Ocean Road’s remarkable coastline. Call into the lookouts along the road, including Aireys Inlet Lighthouse and Teddy’s Lookout at the lovely seaside town of Lorne.
Apollo Bay is the next beautiful coastal town; it’s where you start the Great Ocean Walk and where you can learn about local wildlife at Wildlife Wonders, which is also a great lunch or coffee stop.

PM
Detour into the historic Cape Otway Lightstation for mighty coastal views. Head inland for a walk in the forest canopy at Otway Fly Treetop Adventures or detour to Blue and Red Johanna beaches.
Make your way to the iconic Twelve Apostles (best seen from a helicopter). If you have time, and the weather permits, descend Gibson Steps to see the huge limestone cliffs from beach level.
Back on the road heading west, don’t forget to pause at London Bridge and the Bay of Islands for more scenery magic and shipwreck tales. End your epic day driving to Port Fairy or Warrnambool, where you’ve earned a laze in the thermal waters at Deep Blue Hotel and Hot springs

Locals tip: At Warrnambool’s Flagstaff Hill, discover maritime heritage including the story of a huge ceramic peacock that somehow survived a shipwreck.

DAYS 3 & 4

Great Ocean Road to Grampians

Depart: Warrnambool/Port Fairy
O/night: Halls Gap/Dunkeld/Pomonal
Distance: Approx 158 kilometres

AM (Day 3)
Stroll the breakwater at Warrnambool and have breakfast and/or coffee at The Pavilion. If you rise early, you might see racehorses training on the beach. If you’re at Port Fairy, walk to Griffiths Island and stop for a spot of shopping or to enjoy a coffee. Before you leave the coast, discover fascinating local maritime history at Flagstaff Hill.
Detour northwest to the Budj Bim National Park and take a tour of UNESCO Heritage-listed Budj Bim Cultural Landscape, identified as one of the oldest aquaculture systems in the world.

PM (Day 3)
Drive northeast through fertile farmland to Halls Gap through the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park. Stop in at the Dunkeld Bakery or Royal Mail Hotel for lunch along the way. If you’ve got energy to burn, try hiking to the summit of Mt Picaninny for spectacular views The Grampians National Park is vast and mysterious and worthy of a two-night stay, so keep some of your adventure appetite in reserve for tomorrow.

AM (Day 4)
Rise early to make the most of your time here. The Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park is full of breathtaking scenery, and Boroka and Reeds Lookouts are two of the best places to take it all in. A short walk leads to sweeping valley views, with rugged mountain peaks stretching into the distance. Sunrise and sunset here are truly magical, with golden light washing over the landscape. Bring your camera and soak up the tranquility of this ancient, awe-inspiring wilderness.

PM (Day 4)
You’re in a nature-lover’s paradise. Embrace it! Wander bush trails to spot emus and colourful birdlife. To learn more about this deeply spiritual place, 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: Just after dusk, keep an eye out for kangaroos bounding along the streets of Halls Gap.

DAY 5

Grampians to Ballarat

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

AM
En route to Ballarat, take time to enjoy a taste of Victoria’s celebrated wine country. At Best’s Wines, wander through the atmospheric bluestone cellars, steeped in over 150 years of history. Next, delve beneath the surface at Seppelt, where heritage-listed underground tunnels store their top vintages. For a fresh take, stop by Pomonal Estate for handcrafted wines and warm hospitality.

PM
Travel back to Ballarat’s golden age with an afternoon at Sovereign Hill, where you can relive the 1850s gold rush in an outdoor museum. Walk through an authentic replica mining town, complete with bustling shops, working blacksmiths and traditional trades. Try your luck searching for gold in the creek, take a horse-drawn carriage ride or enjoy an old-fashioned lolly from the sweet shop. Alternatively, tour Australia’s oldest and largest regional art gallery, the Art Gallery of Ballarat. (The Art Gallery of Ballarat is undergoing interior upgrades and will remain closed until early 2026).

Locals tip: The Ballarat Botanic Gardens make a beautiful escape place, with an array of exotic and native plantings and a stunning conservatory to explore.

DAY 6

Ballarat to Spa Country

Depart: Ballarat
O/night: Daylesford/Hepburn Springs
Distance: Approx 43 kilometres

AM
Begin your day at Ballarat Wildlife Park, home to a fascinating array of Australian wildlife in a beautiful, natural setting. Feed kangaroos by hand, get up close with koalas and watch playful wallabies. Encounter cassowaries, giant tortoises and tawny frogmouths too. For a truly unforgettable experience, book a personal animal encounter. A must-do for nature lovers!

PM
Make your way to spa country via Daylesford and Hepburn Springs. The rest of the day is reserved for pampering, and there’s no better place for it. Kick back and relax into a long, healing massage or specialist beauty treatment at the Mineral Spa, part of the Mineral Springs Hotel. All the while, you can take in the breathtaking views from this award-winning spa.

Locals tip: Take some glasses and sample the spring water available through pumps around town – each one has a unique flavour.

DAY 7

Spa Country to Melbourne

Depart: Daylesford/Hepburn Springs
Distance: Approx 112 kilometres

AM
Enjoy a relaxed and flavoursome brunch at Daylesford’s beloved café, Cliffy’s. Known for its rustic charm, this local gem is a must-visit. Before heading off, browse the baskets brimming with fresh berries, seasonal vegetables, gourmet cheeses and crusty locally baked bread – perfect for a picnic or a little taste of Daylesford at home.

PM
Meander along Daylesford’s main street, a wondrous collection of specialty shops and second-hand bookstores. Make your journey back to Melbourne, through the villages of Trentham and Woodend, and lovely undulating farms and bushland.