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7-Day Melbourne to Adelaide Self-Drive

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Overview

Take the scenic road from Melbourne to Adelaide over seven wonderful days driving on one of Australia's most famous coastal routes.

Beginning in Metropolitan Melbourne, you'll tour the outskirts of the city, visiting goldrush towns, beautiful bays and scenic coastal villages before you pack up and begin your journey along the Great Ocean Road.

Apollo Bay will be your next stop, but first, you'll visit the vibrant city of Geelong and the Bellarine region with its buzzing waterfront precinct, craft breweries, local wineries, farm-to-table restaurants and endless swimming, surfing and paddle opportunities.

From there, you'll continue along the Great Ocean Road to the colourful, lively seaside village of Port Campbell before continuing on to Warnambool via a stop at the iconic landmark, Twelve Apostles. The next day, you'll cross in South Australia and head to Robe, a fishing port and coastal town in the heart of the Limestone Coast.

Your final stretch to Adelaide will be punctuated by stops in the iconic wine-growing region of McLaren Vale and the town of Victor Harbour, surrounded by beautiful beaches, isolated islands, rocky cliffs and granite boulders.

If you're looking for the ultimate Victoria and South Australia road trip, this is it.
Sightseeing
Beach & Sea
Outdoors & Nature
Culture & Arts

Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to Melbourne

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Welcome to Melbourne

Upon arrival in Melbourne, you'll pick up your rental car for the next seven days and make your way to your hotel, staying in a prime location close to the city. After checking in, you'll have the rest of the day free to spend as you wish. Melbourne's trendy and lively atmosphere is infectious; it is known for its culture, gastronomic and sporting activities. Stroll through the city admiring its architecture, its bohemian neighbourhoods and the abundance of places to eat and drink.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Quest Jolimont4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    MelbourneOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Melbourne to AdelaideOptional Activity

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Melbourne

    East Melbourne

Day 2

Explore Port Phillip Bay and surrounds

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Explore Port Phillip Bay and surrounds

Today, you begin your day with a guided Melbourne City tour before leaving the city hustle and bustle behind to explore Port Phillip Bay, one of Victoria's top recreational destinations that span from Port Melbourne down to Portsea. Covering 264 kilometres of shore, locals and travellers flock from Melbourne and regional Victoria to enjoy the world-class swimming beaches, coastal parks and vast coastline.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Quest Jolimont4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Melbourne City Tour Private

    Port PhillipOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Melbourne to AdelaideOptional Activity

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    East Melbourne

    Melbourne

Day 3

Coastal Drive from Melbourne to Apollo Bay via Geelong

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Coastal Drive from Melbourne to Apollo Bay via Geelong

Sitting southwest on Melbourne, on the expansive coastline that spans Australia's busiest port, you'll find the vibrant city of Geelong and the Bellarine region. Today, you'll leave Metropolitan Melbourne behind as you cruise around the bay to find Geelong's buzzing waterfront precinct, craft breweries, local wineries, farm-to-table restaurants and endless swimming, surfing and paddle opportunities. You'll then continue your journey along the Great Ocean Road to the popular Apollo Bay.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Best Western Apollo Bay Motel & Apartments4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    GeelongOptional Activity

    Bells BeachOptional Activity

    AngleseaOptional Activity

    Great Ocean Road sign

    LorneOptional Activity

    Koala's at Kennett River Nature WalkOptional Activity

    Apollo BayOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Melbourne to AdelaideOptional Activity

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    East Melbourne

    Geelong

    Bells Beach

    Anglesea

    Eastern View

    Lorne

    Kennett River

    Apollo Bay

Day 4

Great Ocean Road Drive from Apollo Bay to Warrnambool via Port Campbell

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Great Ocean Road Drive from Apollo Bay to Warrnambool via Port Campbell

This morning, you'll set off to continue your journey from Melbourne to Adelaide along the iconic Great Ocean Road. On the way, you'll stop off at the colourful, lively seaside village of Port Campbell before continuing on to Warnambool via a stop at the iconic landmark, Twelve Apostles, and its spectacular coastal scenery. In Warrnambool, you can explore this city which boomed during the Victorian Gold Rush but has long been associated with popular legends of the first discoverers.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Gallery Apartments4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Loch Ard GorgeOptional Activity

    Cape Otway LightstationOptional Activity

    Triplet FallsOptional Activity

    Otway Fly Treetop Adventures

    Twelve Apostles

    Port CampbellOptional Activity

    The ArchOptional Activity

    WarrnamboolOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Melbourne to AdelaideOptional Activity

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Apollo Bay

    Port Campbell

    Cape Otway

    Wyelangta

    Ferguson

    Victoria

    Warrnambool

Day 5

Journey to Robe in South Australia via Port Fairy and Mount Gambier

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Journey to Robe in South Australia via Port Fairy and Mount Gambier

Today, you'll drive across the Victorian-South Australian border from Warrnambool to Robe. On the way, you'll stop off in the charming town of Port Fairy and perhaps enjoy a walk along the coastline. Moving on, you'll cross over into South Australia and stop in Mount Gambier, a city known for its vibrant limestone, volcanic landscape and marvellous crater lakes. Afterwards, you'll continue on to Robe, a fishing port and coastal town in the heart of the Limestone Coast.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Robe House4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Port FairyOptional Activity

    Mount GambierOptional Activity

    RobeOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Melbourne to AdelaideOptional Activity

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Warrnambool

    Port Fairy

    Mount Gambier

    Robe

Day 6

Leisurely Journey from Robe to Adelaide via Victor Harbour and McLaren Vale

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Leisurely Journey from Robe to Adelaide via Victor Harbour and McLaren Vale

Today, on the way to Victor Harbour, you'll stop in Port Elliot, a town toward the eastern end of the south coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula. Continuing on, you'll arrive in Victor Harbour, surrounded by beautiful beaches, isolated islands, rocky cliffs and granite boulders. The town overlooks the beautiful Encounter Bay and is popular for its range of outdoor activities. After touring the birthplace of South Australia’s wine industry, McLaren Vale, you'll make your final drive to Adelaide.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Mantra Hindmarsh Square Adelaide4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Victor HarbourOptional Activity

    McLaren ValeOptional Activity

    AdelaideOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Melbourne to AdelaideOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Robe

    Victor Harbor - Goolwa

    McLaren Vale

    Adelaide

Day 7

Cultural Tour of Adelaide and Departure

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Cultural Tour of Adelaide and Departure

Discover the cultural boulevard and the foundation for the development of Adelaide, socially and culturally with this tour. Combining history, heritage, culture and architecture, it is a great introduction to this city which will nicely round off your self-drive trip from Melbourne to Adelaide.

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Cultural Caper Walking Tour of Adelaide

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Melbourne to AdelaideOptional Activity

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Adelaide

Included in Price

  • 6 nights accommodation
  • 5 activities
  • 1 breakfast
  • Airport transfer

Not Included in Price

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entrance fees
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • Ground transportation
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Licensed English speaking guides
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits

Notes

The rental car has not been included but can be priced upon request
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