From zig-zag roads and lush wine country to national parks and scenic vantage points – Melbourne to Adelaide is one of Australia’s most iconic road trip routes. The range of discoveries you find along the way is simply remarkable – giving the best Aussie experience to visitors travelling from across the world. So if you’re planning a road trip on this route, you’ll find an in-depth resource below to help you out with everything!
Melbourne to Adelaide road trip runs along the Great Ocean Road of Australia, which in itself is one of the wonders of this country. I’ve been curating road trip guides for Australia for a long time now, but this in particular is something pretty special to me. The only reason is because of the fact that Great Ocean Road boasts a great diversity of attractions to feel and experience. Even if you journey on a full-day trip from Melbourne, you get to see some of the amazing wonders.
The most notable ones include exploring the mighty Mount Gambier, the acclaimed wine regions of Coonawarra and McLaren Vale, and the postcard-worthy seaside towns of Robe, Victor Harbor and Second Valley. Of course, there are plenty of vantage points and lookout areas that offer perfect panoramic views of the ocean. But all-in-all, Melbourne to Adelaide is one such road trip you should definitely add to your bucket-list adventures.
When it comes to planning a road trip, isn’t an easy task! Especially if you do all arrangements on your own. Thus, to help you out in order to compile everything for this trip, we created a simple yet in-depth guide for Melbourne to Adelaide. This article details all the resources – including the best places to visit, hidden gems to explore, accommodation suggestions, a sample itinerary, and much more.
So let’s get started!
Planning Tips for Melbourne to Adelaide Road Trip
Firstly, let’s dig into the finer planning details of our road trip. In this section, we’ve provided a detailed map, suggested driving routes, car rental ideas, and much more.
How to Get to Adelaide from Melbourne
There are multiple routes to reach Adelaide from Melbourne. One via National Highway A8 which cuts through the Grampians National Park into South Australia. The other is via M79, which intersects National Highway A8 at Little Desert National Park. Both these routes considerably take less time, as they cut through the state of Victoria directly.
However, the best driving route to reach Adelaide is via Great Ocean Road. It goes without saying, that the journey is far more scenic than the other routes mentioned above. Furthermore, you can span your entire journey across five to six days to get the best experience of Australia.
Melbourne to Adelaide via Great Ocean Road
Great Ocean Road lies in the state of Victoria in south-eastern Australia. It is a roughly 78-minute drive away from Melbourne’s main city centre and is often regarded as one of the best day trips from the city. This scenic route starts from Torquay and ends in Allansford, covering a total distance of 243 km.
The drive from Melbourne to Adelaide is a total of 924 km. If you drive non-stop, it would approximately take 10hr 41mins to reach via the Great Ocean Road. However, a direct journey is not recommended, and it’s best to include stops throughout your entire road trip. As suggested, plan a detailed itinerary on where to make pit stops, which places to visit, and where to stay. This will ensure that your road trip to Adelaide isn’t tiresome.
How to Rent a Car in Australia
Renting a car in Australia isn’t as difficult as you’d think. It’s a pretty straightforward process, which only requires a little understanding of vehicles. For all my Australian road trips, I’ve suggested Rentalcars.com as their service and price affordability are hard to beat. They are the best in their business, and you can easily get a perfect vehicle at an affordable rate.
Melbourne to Adelaide Road Trip Map
Here’s a driving route map to reach Adelaide (including all the stops)
The Best Melbourne to Adelaide Road Trip Stops
It’s time to finally hit the roads and explore the best road trip stops on this iconic route.
Discover Great Otway National Park
Drive from Melbourne to Otway National Park: 2hr 46mins (209 kms)
Home to dense rainforests, bushlands, tiny waterfalls, and rugged hiking trails – Great Otway National Park is a paradise for all wildlife & adventure lovers. Upon crossing Apollo Bay at the Great Ocean Road, you’d see a road heading inland from the main highway. This stretch leads youy right into the heart of the Great Otway National Park.
This majestic national park has been a popular stopover point for visitors on the Great Ocean Road. Many tourists stay at Apollo Bay, as the area boasts a great chocie of accommodation. Alternatively, the Great Otway National Park also hosts amazing cottages, treehouses, and lodges. This is ideal for those who plan to stay a couple of days more within the park.
What I genuinely like the most about this place is the diversity of things to see & do. From amazing hiking & walking trails, to ziplining across the forested area – the Great Otway National Park bustles with thrilling and energetic activities.
Otway Fly Tree Top
The Otway Fly Treetop Adventures is perfect for families, friends, and young children to enjoy a range of vast activities in the middle of a national park. The two main activities – ziplining and the treetop walk – are the most popular ones here.
The Fly Tree Top, which is situated 25-metres above the ground, gives unparalled views of the Otway Ranges. Its a suspension bridge that expands 600 metre in length. To complete the walk from one end to another, it will approximately take one hour. All-in-all, the Fly Tree Top is a fun adventure to witness the rainforest from soaring heights.
The zipline, on the other hand, is perfect for thrill-seekers. The rope is suspended up to 30-meters in height, from where visitors can zip through the treetops from one station to the other. Ensure that you book both the activities well in advance, as they sell out like hot cakes during peak season.
Cape Otway Lightstation
Great Ocean Road is already known for its spectacular coastline. There’s probably hundreds of viewpoints and lookout areas spready across Victoria and South Australia. However, nothing can beat the panormic sight exploration of Cape Otway Lightstation.
Nestled atop the cliff, this historical landmark is worthy of its own. The views from the lighthouse are simply unmatched. Furthermore, nearby trails and whale-watching from the lighthouse makes it even more enthralling to explore this amazing attraction.
Guided Excursions of the National Park
The Great Otway National Park has a tremendous indigenous history. I would highly recommend you to consider a guided walk in the forest. These excursions are led by conservationist who provide an in-depth knowledge of the national park’s ecology, native wildlife, and protected communities.
Where to stay in the Great Otway National Park
Budget: Beachcomber Motel & Apartments, The Apollo
Marvel at The Twelve Apostles
Drive from Otway National Park to the Twelve Apostles: 55 mins (61.6 kms)
Nestled alongside the coastline of the Great Ocean Road, the Twelve Apostles stands as an iconic landmark of this route. Cometh any season, these towering limestone pillars strike their natural pose to all photographers who want breathtaking pictures. I mean, you could just marvel at this setting for hours and hours, and still not get bored imagining how beautiful they simply look.
The Twelve Apostles were once connected to the mainland cliffs, but by natural occurrences of strong wind & ocean, these limestones got battered with only a few standing tall today. With continuous erosion and changing climate, scientists believe that these limestone stacks will remain unstable in future.
Book Excursion | Great Ocean Road Full-Day Trip from Melbourne
Discover the 12 Apostles’ Viewpoints
When it comes to exploration, there are plenty of ways to see the 12 Apostles. The most budgeted way is to take full advantage of the scenic vantage points. These lookout areas offer the best panoramic view of the limestone along with the coastline surrounding them.
The Castle Rock lookout is my favourite one, but it could be a little crowded during the peak season. The second best is Tom and Eva Lookout offering a sweeping coastline view over the Island Arch and the Loch Ard Gorge. Alternatively, head to Island Arch Lookout which provides fantastic views of the historic rock formations.
Must Read | Best Amazing Viewpoints of the Twelve Apostles for Photographers
Marvel the 12 Apostles from the Air
Honestly, there’s no better way to see these limestones than to take an aerial route. A helicopter ride over the 12 Apostles is all you need to catch breathtaking scenes of the surrounding coastline. From the sky, you could also marvel at the Shipwreck Coast that lines up all the way up to Cape Otway.
Take a guided walk to Loch Ard Gorge
Learn more about the 12 Apostles’ history, timelines, geology, and marine discovery with a guided walk to Loch Ard Gorge. It’s one of the most intriguing places to visit on the coast, as you discover its Ochre-hued cliffs shaped in a dramatic curvacious landscape. Beyond its beauty, Loch Ard Gorge has a popular tale of ship wreckage. But I’ll probably leave this story for your guided adventure!
Where to stay on the Great Ocean Road
Mid-range: The Oak & Anchor Hotel, Lady Bay Resort
Luxury: RACV Torquay Resort, Apollo Bay Guest House, Southern Ocean Villas
Relax at Warrnambool
Drive from Twelve Apostles to Warrnambool: 58 mins (73.7 kms)
Warrnambool is a thriving region that houses some of Australia’s best coastal scenery, quaint seaside villages, fascinating history, and amazing wildlife. The town has been driving a massive number of visitors every year, with plenty of them opting to stay overnight. Thus, along with discovering Warrnambool’s famous sights – you could opt to spend a luxurious night here.
Popular Things to do in Warrnambool, Australia –
Visit Middle Island
Middle Island is a great stop for tourists to spot penguins. They are often found within the Thunder Point Coastal Reserve. You’d also see Maremma’s trained dogs at Middle Island guarding and protecting these penguins from foxes. You can also book a ‘Meet the Maremma Tour’ for a live experience.
Go Whale Watching
Warrnambool is a paradisical land for wildlife lovers. Especially, from June to September – the town treats you with an amazing whale-watching experience, as humpback whales return to the shores to mate and socialize. Some of the guided tours do take you out on a discovery ride to watch these whales in their natural habitat. Few of the operators do offer guaranteed success in spotting them.
Mount Gambier
Drive from Warrnambool to Mount Gambier: 2hr 7mins (182 kms)
Mount Gambier is the highlight of your Melbourne to Adelaide road trip. Bustling with geological wonders, Mount Gambier houses some of the most natural spectacular scenes. From the underground garden of Eden to the crystal blue water lakes, you can spend half a day exploring the wonders of Mount Gambier.
Popular activities to do in Mount Gambier include:
Discover Umpherston Sinkhole
Umpherston Sinkhole is a blissful, lush green park which houses beautiful garden spaces and traditional English plants. It’s one of the photogenic places of Mount Gambier, which was formed by millions of years of limestone corrosion. However, along with its natural process – James Umpherston ( a citizen of Mount Gambier) – converted the entire sinkhole into a beautiful underground sunken garden.
Explore the magical Blue Lake
Unravel one of the gorgeous attractions of the Limestone Coasts – Mount Gambier’s Blue Lake. This 72-metre-deep lake magically changes its colour into different shades of blue, which contrasts beautifully against the backdrop of the mighty coast. The best time to visit Blue Lake is between November to late February. Many lookout areas and vantage points are spread across the crater’s rim to give visitors the best possible view.
Marvel at Little Blue Lake
The lesser-known version of the famous Blue Lake – Little Blue Lake – is equally impressive and gorgeous. It is less crowded, which makes it perfect for tourists to enjoy swimming and diving. Even if you simply want to relax, the towering 10-metre limestone walls which guard the lake, making it sight-worthy for your eyes.
Explore the town of Robe
Drive from Mount Gambier to Robe: 1hr 26mins (128 kms)
Robe is one of the trendiest coastal towns in South Australia today. Just 90 minutes away from Mount Gambier, it’s a perfect place to stay, unwind and relax after a tiresome journey. Many visitors often tend to overlook this town, and often end up staying someplace else.
But in reality, Robe is seriously a good road trip stop. Given its luxuriant sandy beaches, dazzling cafes, bijou boutiques, and stunning coastal scenery, it’s hard to miss this place at any time.
As you soak up the sun relaxing at a beach, you’d tend to get a natural laidback Australia vibe. And essentially this is what visitors need after a tiresome road trip journey. Even if you don’t go out exploring much, there’s plenty to see within the area you stay. Historically, Robe was once the busiest shipping port in SA. And you could still its past resemblance through period buildings and old maritime structures.
Because it was a shipping port once, you’d definitely find some of the state’s finest seafood restaurants located. Some of the local’s favourites include Sails at Robe, Caledonian Inn, and Robe Seafood & Takeaway. The word is you shouldn’t miss out on trying their famous crayfish.
Where to stay in Robe, SA
Budget: Sea Vu Caravan Park, Robe Marina Accommodation
Wander through Fleurieu Peninsula
Drive from Robe to Fleurieu Peninsula: 4hr 6mins (369 kms)
Fleurieu Peninsula is one of my favourite places to visit in South Australia. If you look at our Australian section, you’d see dozens of guides & resources being curated on this region. So, understandably – Fleurieu Peninsula is emerging as one of the hotspots of this amazing country. And that’s the reason why we thought this place should be listed on our Melbourne to Adelaide road trip stops.
This small-sized peninsula packs incredible things to see and do, with beautiful coastal villages, varied hiking trails, diverse native wildlife, and excellent culinary scenes. What pleases me the most is the contrast of crystal clear beaches with a backdrop of towering peaks and rugged landscapes. Such kind of setting opens up the door for visitors to venture into exploring opportunities.
Must Read | 10 Unique Places to Visit on the Fleurieu Peninsula of South Australia
Fleurieu Peninsula is home to amazing attractions and some of the major ones include visiting Victor Harbor, Normanville Beach, Horseshoe Bay (Port Elliot), Port Willunga Beach, and Rapid Bay. For outdoor enthusiasts, Deep Creek National Park will offer an enriching experience of being in the wild. It is also one of South Australia’s beloved camping destinations. If you plan on spending a couple of days extra, then you could also add Onkaparinga River National Park to your itinerary.
What you shouldn’t miss doing in Fleurieu Peninsula is trying out the local cuisine. The region is best known for its classic fish & chips, and there’s no way you could miss the opportunity of sampling it. If you aren’t sure where to look, then this guide will help you in finding the best fish & chips. For a more indulging experience, we also have curated a guide on the best restaurants located in Fleurieu Peninsula.
Also Read | 5 Best Restaurants on the Fleurieu Peninsula
Visit McLaren Vale
Drive from Fleurieu Peninsula to McLaren Vale: 44 mins (51.9 kms)
Melbourne to Adelaide road trip isn’t only popular for its scenic attractions and sights, but also for acclaimed wine regions that remarkably mark their footprint in the culinary world. And there’s no better place than McLaren Vale to relax, unwind, and sample some of the deliciously locally produced wine.
McLaren Vale is only a 40-minute drive from Adelaide. It is regarded as the premier wine region of South Australia. With bushland, vineyards, cellar doors, and award-winning restaurants harbouring the entire region – it’s no wonder that McLaren Vale is also one of the best weekend destinations to explore.
McLaren Vale offers plenty of opportunities for visitors to wander off on their own. Be it sampling the local wines, or joining a guided tour to get an in-depth wine-making process – there are endless things to do here. You could also delve into their wine collections, explore cellar doors, hop into some local cuisine and shop their local farm produce. If you prefer outdoor adventure, then discover its many hiking and scenic walking trails.
Must Read | Explore five of the finest McLaren Vale’s wine trails and scenic walks
Apart from the normal things to see & do in this wine region, there are two main attractions which you shouldn’t miss at any cost – Down The Rabbit Hole and d’Arenberg Cube. These newly introduced attractions are notably worthwhile. To find out more, read this guide.
Book Excursion | McLaren Vale and Glenelg Wine Tasting Tour
Melbourne to Adelaide Road Trip Itinerary
We hope the above detailed road trip stops gave you a comprehensive idea of all the must-see places. However, its a hassle to plan and compile them into one single itinerary. To help you out with this, we created a custom sample itinerary of Melbourne to Adelaide road trip. This sample includes all the places, attractions & experiences listed in our above section.
Sample Melbourne to Adelaide Road Trip Itinerary
Day 1
Depart Melbourne
Melbourne to the Great Otway National Park
Overnight at park of Apollo Bay
Day 2
Leave early morning from Otway
Explore Port Campbell & the Twelve Apostles
Head to Warrnambool
Overnight at Warrnambool/ Port Campbell
Day 3
Early morning checkout from Port Campbell
Drive to Mount Gambier
Exploration & sightseeing at Mount Gambier
Overnight stay
Day 4
Drive towards Robe
Spend a relaxing day at this surfing town.
Overnight stay
Day 5
Head to Fleurieu Peninsula
Explore McLaren Vale, Victor Harbor & other places
Overnight stay
This custom curated five day Melbourne to Adelaide road trip itinerary is perfect for all age-groups. The plan ensures that you visit all the top-rated attractions of Victoria and South Australia. If you need to check out a seperate itinerary for Great Ocean Road, then read this guide.
Popular Guided Tours & Excursions
Explore a range of vast activities, experential tours, and niche guided exursions with GetYourGuide. Our partnership with them brings amazing tours which can compliment your road trip well. With easy availability & affordable pricing, you can be sure of booking the right activity at the right price.
Further Readings & Resources
Love Australian road trips? Here are a couple of in-depth guides:
Great Ocean Road: The Ultimate Great Ocean Road Itinerary for 2 Days
Whitsundays: Whitsundays Itinerary 7 Days: Ultimate Guide (+ Sailing Ideas, Tips)
Airlie Beach: 3-Day Airlie Beach Itinerary | How to Spend 3 Days in Airlie Beach
Flinders Ranges: The Ultimate Guide to Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park
Explore Fleurieu Peninsula with us:
Experiences: Best Things to Do in the Fleurieu Peninsula of South Australia
Where to Stay: 10 Gorgeous Places to Stay on the Fleurieu Peninsula
Coastal Towns: 10 Unique Places to Visit on the Fleurieu Peninsula of South Australia
