Australia's Most Famous Coastal Drive — Twelve Apostles, Rainforest & Surf
Combine two of Australia's best experiences — a South Australian wine country adventure and the world-famous Great Ocean Road — in one epic campervan road trip. Drive from Adelaide through the Coorong, past volcanic lakes, and along the dramatic limestone coastline to Melbourne.
The Adelaide to Melbourne route via the Great Ocean Road is one of Australia's all-time classic road trips. This 900km journey takes you from South Australia's wine regions through the volcanic landscapes of western Victoria to the towering limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles and the rainforest-draped Otway Ranges.
This route is perfect for a one-way campervan hire — pick up in Adelaide, drop off in Melbourne (or vice versa). The driving distances are manageable, the scenery is world-class, and there are excellent campgrounds and free camps along the entire route.
243km of Australia's most spectacular coastal scenery — sea stacks, gorges, waterfalls, and endless ocean views.
The iconic limestone formations are even more impressive in person — watch the sunset paint them gold from the viewing platform.
Begin in Adelaide's wine regions — Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, or the Adelaide Hills — before heading east.
Walk through ancient temperate rainforest with towering ferns, waterfalls, and the Otway Fly treetop walk.
The Adelaide–Melbourne route is popular for one-way hires, with competitive pricing from most rental companies.
Apollo Bay, Lorne, Port Fairy, and Warrnambool offer food, culture, and coastal charm along the route.
Here's a suggested 5–7 day itinerary covering the best of this route.
The Great Ocean Road section (Warrnambool to Torquay) is the undisputed highlight. The Twelve Apostles — towering limestone stacks rising from the Southern Ocean — are Australia's most photographed natural landmark. Nearby, Loch Ard Gorge tells the dramatic story of a 19th-century shipwreck, and London Arch (formerly London Bridge) dramatically collapsed into an arch in 1990.
The Otway Ranges offer a completely different experience — ancient temperate rainforest with giant ferns, mossy waterfalls, and wild koala populations. The Otway Fly treetop walk lets you experience the forest canopy 25 metres above the ground.
Excellent campgrounds line the entire route. The Coorong has national park camping with waterfront sites. Mount Gambier and the volcanic lakes region have several affordable holiday parks. Along the Great Ocean Road, Johanna Beach free camp is a hidden gem, and Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve offers budget camping in a prime location.
Great Otway National Park has beautiful bush campgrounds including Blanket Bay and Aire River. For a treat, Lorne's foreshore caravan park puts you right on the beach in one of the road's prettiest towns.
One-way hires between Adelaide and Melbourne are widely available and competitively priced. The route works equally well in both directions — Melbourne to Adelaide lets you start with the Great Ocean Road while you're fresh. Adelaide to Melbourne builds anticipation towards the dramatic coastline. Check both directions for the best pricing.
Some companies offer relocation deals on this route, especially in autumn and winter. These can bring prices down to $10–$20/day for flexible travellers.
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