Driving a Lap of Australia – solo – will be one of my greatest achievements for the rest of my life. There are so many unique and incredible places to visit in Australia; I feel so lucky that I got to visit so many of them! If you’re planning a road trip from Adelaide to Melbourne, this is the guide for you – all the best places to visit on your adventure.

How Many Days Do You Need to Road Trip From Adelaide to Melbourne?

You can drive between the two cities in a straight shot in one (very long) day. The inland route is 725km, about 8-9 hours of driving. However, I recommend a minimum of one week to do the trip. This will give you time to do lots of hiking, add on a multi-day trip to the Grampians, and detour off the coastal Great Ocean Road to see the Otways! I did this road trip over 12 days, and I really wish I had had two full weeks (14 days). Anywhere between 7-14 days is a good amount – of course if you have longer, that’s even better! If you are planning on visiting Kangaroo Island, you should add on a minimum of three extra days to enjoy the island properly.

The Best Stops Between Adelaide and Melbourne

There are so many amazing places to visit between these two cities. Where to stop will definitely depend on how much time you have on your road trip! I chose not to visit Kangaroo Island, due to limited time and how expensive the ferry is – I just didn’t have enough time to make a trip worthwhile. These are the top spots to visit from Adelaide to Melbourne.

Fleuireu Peninsula

Just south of Adelaide, be sure to spend some time exploring the Fleuireu Peninsula! This is an all-too-often overlooked part of South Australia, so try to make time in your itinerary for it.

McLaren Vale (Wineries)

This is one of the best wine regions not just in South Australia, but in all of Australia! There are so many wineries here, so be sure to visit at least one. d’Arenberg Cube is a five-story wine experience in a uniquely designed building – entry includes a wine tasting.

Maslin Beach

This was the first nudist beach in Australia – I was unaware of this fact until I went, haha! Whether you swim sans suit or in the normal section, this is still a beautiful, long sandy beach to enjoy on a nice day.

Cactus Canyon

This was a quick stop from the road for me, as I couldn’t figure out if you could actually walk down into the canyon itself. Stop at the lookout in Sellicks Beach, at the junction of Esplanade and Palmerston Ave (save the exact location on GoogleMaps!), which is where I took this photo.

Second Valley

Tucked away in between the rocky coastline, Second Valley is a stunning beach and a perfect place to spend a sunny day. Relax on the sand or snorkel in the crystal-clear water – the choice is yours. I preferred Second Valley to Rapid Bay (more below) as it was more sheltered! Note that parking can be difficult here, it might be easier to park on the street and walk down to the beach.

Rapid Bay

The drive to Rapid Bay is one to remember: a long road through the fields, before climbing the hill and seeing a magnificent view of the ocean open up before you. Rapid Bay is great for exploring – be sure to walk down to the cave! It was extremely windy when I was here, which meant it wasn’t great for relaxing at the beach, but on a different day would have been divine.

Deep Creek Circuit

This hike is definitely a hidden gem in the Fleuireu Peninsula! Head into Deep Creek National Park to do the full loop, visiting a waterfall, lookout, coves along the coast, creek crossing, and enjoying amazing bush scenery all around. You can start the walk at either Trig Campground or Tapanappa Lookout – I started at the campground – and it’s recommended to do the walk in a clockwise direction. The total walk is 12km (7.4 miles) with 526 meters of elevation gain. It took me 3.5 hours altogether. The roads to get to the campground are unsealed, but suitable for 2WDs (just take it easy).

Blowhole Beach

If you’re looking for another spot to visit in Deep Creek National Park, head down to Blowhole Beach. You can park at the main car park and hike down, which took me about 25 minutes. But if you have a 4WD, you can drive on the track to the beach car park. The beach is outstanding!

Granite Island

Make a stop in Victor Harbor to stroll across the causeway to Granite Island. You can also take a horse-drawn tram across, but to be honest it costs a lot for what it is and the horses looked a bit sad. There’s a short 3.7km trail (including the causeway) around the island, which took me about 45 minutes. This is a great place to spot little penguins, the smallest penguin species – visit early morning or late evening for your best chance to see these cuties!

Port Elliot

This pretty seaside town is the perfect stop to hit the beach – although there are a good number of cute shops and cafes to visit, too. The long sandy beach at Horseshoe Bay can’t be missed. Head up to Freeman Lookout for a great view over the beach! I had just a quick stop here and regretted it – I easily could have stayed for a whole day (or longer!).

Pink Lake (Coorong)

After visiting several other pink lakes in Australia, like Hutt Lagoon on the West Coast and the Pink Lake in Esperance, I left disappointed. The water wasn’t actually that pink or colorful. So I was thrilled to stop at the Pink Lake in Coorong National Park, which was actually pink! My jaw dropped when I saw the color of the bright water. Save the exact location on GoogleMaps so you know where to stop on the drive!

Big Lobster

Did you even drive from Adelaide to Melbourne if you didn’t stop at the Big Lobster?! Australia has a number of “big things” around the country: the Big Banana, the Big Prawn, the Big Mango, the Big Koala, the list goes on. The Big Lobster in Kingston, South Australia, is the main one to visit on this road trip. Be sure to stop for a photo here!

Mount Gambier

This town in South Australia, close to the border with Victoria, was one of my favorite surprises of my road trip. I only had one day here, but it’s the kind of place I could have spent a few days in, exploring at a more relaxed pace.

Blue Lake Circuit

The main attraction in Mount Gambier is, of course, the spectacular Blue Lake, a crater lake located right in the middle of town. There’s a 4km circuit you can do around the lake, which took me about 45 minutes. This is definitely one spot that can’t be missed!

Umpherston Sinkhole

This massive sinkhole in Mount Gambier has been turned into an intriguing garden, with walking paths down into the hole and through the gardens. It’s free to visit and a popular spot – going early in the morning or late in the afternoon might see fewer crowds.

Little Blue Lake

The Little Blue Lake, a crater lake like the Blue Lake, is located a short drive out of Mount Gambier. It’s much smaller, but you can get into the water and swim here – the perfect spot for a dip on a nice day!

Ewens Ponds

Ewens Ponds is one of the best places in the country for snorkeling and diving – the clarity of the water allows plants to grow underwater down to about six meters. There is a truly unique ecosystem here: some of these plants are not found growing underwater anywhere else in the world! You can also spot very rare fish, like the Ewens Pygmy Perch. A permit is required for snorkeling and diving sessions, which needs to be booked online in advance through National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia. The current cost is $16.50 per person, with a minimum of two people required (they don’t allow you to go solo). You’ll need to bring your own equipment, including a wet suit. Due to the special ecosystem here, normal swimming is not allowed in the ponds at all.

Cape Bridgewater

Too many people skip Cape Bridgewater, as they don’t want to detour off the main route to Portland after crossing into Victoria. But it’s certainly worth spending a few hours here – especially if you want to hike out to see the seal colony! The hike is about 7.3km, and will take 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on your pace. You can also take a boat tour out to see the seal colony from the water – there are just so many of them! Read my full blog post on the Cape Bridgewater seal hike here.

Grampians National Park

This was my favorite detour off the Great Ocean Road, and one of my top destinations for hiking in Australia. If you’re driving from Adelaide to Melbourne, definitely give yourself time to stop here. You can read my huge blog post on all the best hikes in the Grampians here! But here are my top picks:

• Mount Abrupt – a moderate hike outside of Dunkeld with impressive views of the southern Grampians (7.5km, 2.5 hours)
• The Balconies – a short and easy hike to a spectacular viewpoint over the mountain range (2.3km, 30 minutes)
• The Pinnacle (from Wonderland car park) – hike through the Grand Canyon and up Silent Street before arriving to unbeatable scenery at the summit (4.5km, 1.5-2 hours)
• Mount Difficult – a challenging full-day hike, but the best for 360-degree views over the Grampians (17.3km, 5-7 hours)

Childers Cove

If you’re driving from Adelaide to Melbourne, this will likely be your first stop on the “classic” Great Ocean Road route. It’s a short drive off the highway, but well worth it. The cove is beautiful!

Bay of Islands and Bay of Martyrs

These two sections of coastline on the Great Ocean Road are very close to one another. Both showcase the changing coast, with dramatic rock features poking up from the water. There is a longer trail you can hike around here, if you have the time!

The Grotto

Walk down the steps to see a perfectly formed archway, looking out to the sea. This is a top photo spot on the Great Ocean Road, especially to photograph the waves coming into the grotto.

London Bridge

Did London Bridge actually fall down? This rocky arch is another popular stop on the Great Ocean Road – it used to be connected to land until 1990, when part of the bridge collapsed into the ocean. There were two tourists on the outcrop at the time of the collapse, who suddenly found themselves stranded! (They were eventually rescued by helicopter.)

Loch Ard Gorge

Loch Ard Gorge is a stunning part of the Great Ocean Road: the orange beach, a bay of clear blue water, and the yellow cliff walls of the narrowing gorge. I think the main viewpoint was closed when I visited. But I still had nice views from Loch Ard Wreck Lookout and the surrounding paths.

Twelve Apostles

One of the most iconic sights in all of Australia, and a symbol of the Great Ocean Road: the Twelve Apostles is the most popular place to visit in this part of the country. These dramatic rock stacks were formed by erosion, as the wind and water erode the soft limestone. Nowadays, there are only eight of the original Twelve Apostles left. It’s the busiest and most crowded stop between Adelaide and Melbourne, but it sees high visitor numbers for good reasons: they are a truly unique and stunning sight.

Gibson Steps

See one of the remaining rock stacks up close when you hike down Gibson Steps to the beach. There is a car park here, but it’s small – I recommend walking on the trail from the Twelve Apostles visitor center (which has a massive car park) to get here.

Cape Otway Lighthouse

This is the oldest lighthouse in Australia, so it merits a visit if you’re driving from Adelaide to Melbourne or road tripping the Great Ocean Road. It dates back to 1848 – you can explore the lighthouse precinct and even climb the lighthouse! If you don’t want to pay for a ticket, or are visiting outside of opening hours, I recommend following the path to the left of the toilets for a short walk through the bush. It follows the coastline, and eventually you’ll come to a viewpoint where you can see the lighthouse.

Maits Rest Rainforest Walk

Maits Rest Rainforest Walk is a short and easy walk to see huge ferns and giant rainforest trees up close. This is an excellent choice to experience the rainforest environment if you don’t have time to do any of the longer walks nearby – it’ll only take 15-20 minutes.

Hopetoun Falls

Be sure to stop at this beautiful waterfall when exploring the Otways. A short five-minute walk in the bush brings you to down to Hopetoun Falls, which plunges 30 meters into the Aire River. The main parking area is small, and there isn’t much room for long vehicles to turn. There’s a large lay-by suitable for vans and caravans off Binns Road, about 400 meters walk from the car park.

The Redwoods Otways

I absolutely loved this spot in the Otways – walking amongst enormous redwood trees, feeling so tiny. There’s no official walk here, just wander through the forest and admire the giant Redwoods. The car park here is also small, but most people don’t spend too long here. I’d love to visit the Redwoods in California one day and compare the two!

Triplet Falls and Little Aire Falls

These are two waterfalls in Great Otway National Park, accessed on the same track. You can choose to do the loop and just see Triplet Falls, or you can take the side trail and detour to see Little Aire Falls. I preferred Little Aire Falls over Triplet Falls, so recommend seeing both! It took me 1.5 hours to see both waterfalls and complete the loop.

Beauchamp Falls

The Otways are full of gorgeous waterfalls – and Beauchamp Falls is another one you shouldn’t miss! It’s a gradual descent (which you have to walk back up on the return), but well worth the effort. There’s a large pool, but lots of rocks to scramble over to get to it for a dip. The hike took me about 1 hour in total. If you’re camping, you can spend the night at the free campsite here!

Marriners Lookout (Apollo Bay)

This is a short 10-minute walk, with magnificent views over Apollo Bay and the coast. The beach is the main attraction in Apollo Bay, and the calmer waters make it a good pick for beginner surfers.

Kennet River Nature Walk

If you’re visiting Australia and haven’t seen a koala yet, the Kennet River Nature Walk is meant to be the best place to spot one on the Great Ocean Road. I spent about 20 minutes here, following the river into the bush, but didn’t have any luck. Thankfully I’d seen koalas before (including in my backyard when I was housesitting outside Adelaide!), so I wasn’t too disappointed.

Teddy’s Lookout (Lorne)

I love this view over the ocean and dramatic clifftops – it’s a classic shot of the Great Ocean Road. Like many other coastal towns here, the beach in Lorne is the number one reason people visit. It was packed on a sunny Sunday (finding somewhere to park was difficult!), but with good reason.

Great Ocean Road Sign (Memorial Arch)

The Great Ocean Road was built after World War I, with work starting in 1919 and all 243km of road finally being completed in 1936. This iconic memorial arch was built to honor the 3,000 returning soldiers who built this renowned coastal route. The arch is east of Lorne, between Lorne and Torquay. I actually thought it was in Torquay, and didn’t drive that specific stretch of road due to my camp spot for the night! I was low-key devastated, but didn’t want to backtrack over an hour just to take a photo with my car here.

Bells Beach

Bells Beach is one of the top surfing beaches in the country – so you’ll definitely want to stop here on a road trip along the Great Ocean Road. This was my last stop before reaching Melbourne, and I visited early in the morning. There was barely anyone there!

Planning Your Road Trip From Adelaide to Melbourne

Both Adelaide and Melbourne are well-connected with both domestic and international flights. I use Skyscanner to find the best flight deals. As this is a road trip, you’ll need a car to experience it fully. There are plenty of day trips from Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road, or multi-day tours though! Check out options below.

National parks in Victoria are free to visit, with no admission or entry charges for vehicles or people. Deep Creek National Park in South Australia has a vehicle entry charge of $13 per day. If you’re visiting a few chargeable parks in SA (such as some in the Flinders Ranges), consider buying a multiple-entry parks pass. I bought a two-month parks pass for South Australia, which cost $52. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

Adelaide to Melbourne: Where I Camped

I camped for my entire trip between Adelaide and Melbourne, sleeping in my Nissan X-Trail every night.

• Rapid Bay Campground ($15, book in advance and pay by cash on arrival)
• Stringybark Campground in Deep Creek National Park ($36.50, book online in advance)
• Bellum Hotel in Mount Gambier (free, call in advance to check spaces)
• Sawpit Free Campground (free)
• Plantation Campground in the Grampians (free)
• Troopers Creek Campground in the Grampians ($16.40, book online in advance)
• Hawksdale Apex Campsite (free)
• Aire River East ($16.40, book online in advance)
• Beauchamp Falls Campground (free)
• Tanners Road Bend Campground (free)
• Inverleigh Road Side Stop (free)

Aire River East wasn’t my preferred campsite for the one night I stayed there, I had hoped to stay at Joanna Beach or Parker Hill – but they were fully booked. However, I did see a koala in a tree at the campground, which was pretty cool! If you are camping – especially if you’re staying at free camps – on your road trip, you’ll need a shower now and then. There are free showers at the tourist information center in Dunkeld, and at the amenity block in Portland.

Adelaide to Melbourne: Where to Stay

If you aren’t camping, or are looking for other accommodation along the way, here are a few options around the main stops:

Where to Stay in Port Elliot

• YHA Port Elliot Beach House – a clean and comfortable hostel, right next to the beach
• The Shack @ Port Elliot – a stylishly decorated one-bedroom holiday home in Port Elliot

Where to Stay in Mount Gambier

• Mount Gambier Hotel – smart rooms in a convenient location, right in the center of town
• Delgattie Estate – a luxury, adults-only B&B, with stylish boutique features
• Blue Lake Holiday Park – a central caravan park, with bungalows and chalets

Where to Stay in the Grampians

• YHA Grampians Eco, Halls Gap – top-rated hostel accommodation in the Grampians
• Halls Gap Motel – clean and comfy rooms in a central location for exploring

Where to Stay on the Great Ocean Road (Port Campbell)

• Port Campbell Parkview Motel & Apartments – suites and apartments just a 10-minute drive from the Twelve Apostles
• Sea Foam Villas – luxe villas in Port Campbell, on the Great Ocean Road
• NRMA Port Campbell Holiday Park – cabins and villas, along with powered and unpowered sites
• Apollo Bay Waterfront Motor Inn – a variety of accommodation options with a pretty garden
• Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park – everything from basic campsites to cabins, just a minutes’ walk to the beach

A road trip from Adelaide to Melbourne (or Melbourne to Adelaide) will take you to some of the best places in Australia. The Great Ocean Road is phenomenal, and lesser-visited spots like Mount Gambier and the Fleuireu Peninsula have lots to offer visitors. I hope this post helps planning a road trip between these two cities in Australia!

Have you done the road trip from Adelaide to Melbourne before? What were your favorite places?

You might also like my posts:

The Best Hikes in the Grampians National Park, Victoria

Cape Bridgewater: Hiking to the Seal Colony

The Best Stops on a Road Trip From Perth to Esperance

A Hiking Itinerary for the Flinders Ranges, South Australia

My Top Solo Road Trip Safety Tips

What I Learned About Life Living Out of My Car

Australia Budget: Month 10 (January 2024)

All of my Australia posts!

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