Great Ocean Drive and Mornington Peninsula"My Favourite Scenic Drive in Australia" The Great Ocean Drive and Mornington Peninsula is an essential part of your trip if you fancy a leisurely drive along some of Australia's best coastline. The Mornington Peninsula is made up of a string of coastal towns along Port Phillip Bay and is also home to some 70 wineries making good pinot noir, shiraz and some whites. The Peninsula resembles the shape of Italy but everything is very close together making it easy to explore before catching the vehicle/passenger terminal from Sorrento to Queenscliff which is a short drive away from the start of the Great Ocean Drive. The Great Ocean Road was built after World War 1 by returning service men. It took 3000 men 13 years to build it, a lifeline for coastal towns that were previously only accessible by boat. The aim was to build a road whose beauty would make it one of the best coastal drives and wow did they succeed. The scenery is wild and unspoilt and is dotted with beaches, coves and seaside towns, all of which have their own personality and style. 
How long to go forWhilst you can do a day trip to both the Great Ocean Drive and Mornington Peninsula, I would take at least 4 days and do a leisurely drive from one to the other. You can do a loop and finish back in Melbourne. Or, you can carry on to Adelaide. This is about a days straight drive or you can take 2 days and make a stop off. Click here for
Melbourne to Adelaide australian road maps
When to goYou can go throughout the year but its best when the skies are blue and there is no rain. So, head here during the summer (December through to February) or shoulder season (end of October, November or March) when it will be less busy.
The drive does get very busy at peak times (Deember - February) so its best to get ahead of the crowds and set off early, that means 7am ish form Melbourne to beat the coach tours. If not, wait til after lunch and then set off.
Getting thereThe Mornington Peninsula is just an hours drive from Melbourne (via M1)and the drive there is easy. Once there, there is a ferry that takes you to the start of the Great Ocean Drive.
Getting AroundIt's hard to get lost once you are reach the Mornington Peninsula as there really is only one main road so driving is a doddle. Once at the seaside town of Sorrento you can catch a ferry over to Queenscliff which is not far from the start of the Great Ocean Drive. The Vehicle/passenger ferry from Sorrento to Queenscliff costs $69 one way and runs every hour from Sorrento Pier from 7am to 6pm. If you don't fancy driving, then you can hook up with an organised tour from Melbourne but most are day trips and you would have to do one day for the Mornington Peninsula and another for the Great Ocean Drive. Another alternative is to walk part of the Great Ocean Drive. “Both Feet” do 3, 4 or 6 day walks with fantastic accommodation food and views. Costs are from $1395 per person though. But if that is out of your price range then you can dip in and dip out of the 90km treck that Victoria parks run – they have included huts in remote and beautiful settings.
What to do and see on the Mornington PeninsulaHere are the top sites along the way on the Mornington Peninsula: Take a leisurely drive and stop off at the many seaside towns - Frankston, Dromana, Portsea and Sorrento are all good and have cafes, boutiques and beaches. Dromana is where the majority of the Mornington Peninsula wineries are based. Some of them offer superb food in wonderful settings. Try Dromana Estate, Harrison Road or Red Hill Estate, 53 Red Hill Shoreham Road.
What to see and do on the Great Ocean DriveHere are the best bits of the Great Ocean Drive: Anglesea Golf Course is famous for the many Kangaroos that happily jump all over the course. Keep your eyes peeled for the many Koalas that are high in the trees along the drive.
Lorne is a firm favourite for brunch/lunch or even an overnight stay, particularly if you started the drive after lunch. Once famous for its surf beach, it is now a town with cafes, restaurants and tourist accommodation. Apollo Bay and Port Campbell are also good places to browse, stay or stretch your legs. My personal favourite however is Port Fairy. I recommend staying overnight here so you have the time to enjoy its charm
The Otway fly tree top walk (about 50 mins from Apollo Bay) is worth a visit and is the best way to explore the Otway forest. It is an elevated walkway through ancient rainforest (cost $19.50)
The famous 12 Apostles are stunning and worth the 100’s of photos you are bound to take. Constant erosion of the limestone cliffs over millions of years have left remnants which have become the 12 apostles. They are particularly beautiful at sunrise and sunset.
Not far from here are some other great rock formations that are worth a stop. Loch Ard Gorge is named after a ship wreck called The Loch Ard where nearly all its crew died in 1878. The Arch and London Bridge are worth a look. The Grotto, Bay of Martyr and Bay of Islands are other rock formations and you can walk along the secluded beach to take a closer look.
Where to stayMORNINGTON PENINSULA Budget options YHA Sorrento – from $20Frankston Holiday Park – Cabins from $120 GREAT OCEAN DRIVE Apollo Bay Other accommodation options in Apollo Bay: Budget Option Port Fairy Where to eatThere are some nice places to eat on the
Great Ocean Drive and Mornington Peninsula
Try any of the wineries near Dromana for the best food and wine. My favourite is or
GREAT OCEAN DRIVE Take me back to things to do in Melbourne Take me back to the top 10 places to travel in australia Take me back to the real australia travel home page |
www.stayz.com.au Gives you access to the best holiday rentals in Australia.
Go Do for great Australian Ativities .
offers hundreds of hotels and great prices.
Would you like to have access to my "best kept secrets" page? Sign up for my really useful travel tips and I will send you the password.
Ayers Rock Australia
Whitsundays Australia