The Great Ocean Road is located in the very south of the Australian state of Victoria and its beginning is about 100 km southwest of the city of Melbourne.

Most travellers head to the Great Ocean Road by car, after all, this area is famous all over the world for its great road-trips.

However, you can also get here by public transport buses from Geelong, which is served by frequent commuter trains from Melbourne.

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By car

There are several access roads to Great Ocean Road.

We'd recommend taking at least one route along the coast and the other inland, which definitely has plenty to offer as well!

From Melbourne

The main route from Melbourne is along the M1 highway. In this case, you have two route options:

• At Geelong, you follow the "Great Ocean Road" signs and go directly to Torquay on the coast, where the Great Ocean Road officially starts.
  • Route map
• From Geelong, continue on the M1 in the direction of Colac, before which you turn south at the "Birregurra" turn-off and drive through the beautiful area around Lake Elizabeth or Stevenson Falls to Apollo Bay
  • Route map
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From Adelaide

If you have more time in Australia, road-trips from Adelaide to Melbourne using the Great Ocean Road are popular.

As Adelaide is already a long way from the Great Ocean Road itself (600km), you'll probably take multiple stages via the Coastal Road and continue along the coast through Kingston and Mount Gambier to Warrnambool, where the western start of the Great Ocean Road is.

• Route map
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By public transport

There is only one tourist bus service on the Great Ocean Road, operated by V/Line. Great Ocean Road is only accessible by public transport from Melbourne or Geelong.

The bus route, which is also referred to as 101, is divided into two parts:

• Geelong - Torquay - Anglesea - Aireys Inlet - Lorne - Apollo Bay
  • 4 times a day
  • In Geelong, the frequent V/Line trains connect to Melbourne
• Apollo Bay - Lavers Hill - 12 Apostles - Port Campbell - Bay of Islands - Warrnambool
  • 3 times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
  • V/Line trains to Melbourne connect to Warrnambool 4 times daily

To find connections and timetables, visit vline.com.au/Timetables.

Always pay for your tickets by card from the bus driver or at the ticket office at Melbourne station.

Nearest airports

Travellers heading to Great Ocean Road will mainly use the following airports:

• Melbourne MEL - Major international airports with direct flights to all over the world.
  • 112 km from Torquay
• Adelaide ADL - International airports with direct flights to destinations such as New Zealand and South East Asia
  • 672 km from Port Campbell
• Melbourne-Avalon AVV - small airport for domestic low-cost flights
  • 50 km from Torquay
• Mount Gambier MGB - small domestic airport with direct flights only to Melbourne and Adelaide
  • 253 km from Port Campbell