See The Best of Victoria: Our 7-Day Victoria Road Trip Guide
Experience Victoria's incredible beauty with our Victorian road trip guide.
Features the Great Ocean Road, 12 Apostles, the Grampians, and Daylesford, as well as where to eat, stay and more.
A seven-day road trip through Victoria isn’t exactly a tribute to ‘slow travel’. Home to some of the most iconic coastline in the world (over 2,500km’s in length), a myriad of exceptional national parks, quaint villages with incredible fare and some quintessential Aussie outback, this beautiful state literally has too much to do.
With more than enough incredible sights to fill your week (and then some), squeezing all the adventure potential Victoria has into seven days is a tough gig, but it is possible.
You've just got to know where to go!
We recently spent a week exploring the region in a Jucy Rentals Crib and loved every minute of it.
We’ve prepared our ultimate seven-day Victorian road trip guide, starting from Melbourne, which will allow you to plan your own unforgettable road trip.
THE ULTIMATE VICTORIAN ROAD TRIP GUIDE
ABOUT OUR VICTORIA ROAD TRIP ITINERARY
We may be a little biased being Victorian and all, but there are almost too many options for an incredible road trip around the state.
But with only a week/7-days to explore, we chose a route that was both easy to navigate, and took in many incredible sights - especially important for international visitors on a tight timeframe.
THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD
A world-renowned coastal masterpiece, the Great Ocean Road is the perfect mix of world-class surf breaks, old growth rainforest, misty waterfalls, sheer cliffs, sleepy seaside towns and endless incredible views!
RELATED | Our complete guide to the Great Ocean Road
THE GRAMPIANS
Rising out of the vast plains of western Victoria, the Grampians are an impressive mountain range known for their rugged natural beauty, picturesque waterfalls, abundant wildlife, aboriginal rock art, epic campsites and some of the best viewpoints (read: Instagram hotspots) in all of Victoria.
DAYLESFORD
Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges region is the perfect place to chill out, enjoy some incredible food and wine, meander through the historic villages and if you have the time, invigorate the body and mind at a mineral spa.
RELATED | Our guide to Daylesford and Hepburn Springs
Our clockwise route takes you from Melbourne down the ubiquitous Great Ocean Road, a 'must-see' for any visitor (or local) to Victoria.
From the Great Ocean Road (via the best attractions, beaches, and food!), our route heads north to the Grampians, a mass of otherworldly mountains and home to the best sunsets in the state.
From here, it's a slow drive back to Melbourne via the home of all things good in life (food, wine, spas), Daylesford.
Now, we're not naive enough to think that all of you wish to do this route, so some alternative options are below:
YARRA VALLEY
An alternative route for those foodies (and wine lovers) amongst us could be to drop the Grampians and start your Victoria road trip in the Yarra Valley. We've written a complete guide the Yarra Valley which will help you plan the best places to see and where to eat.
We’ve also got a round-up of the best Airbnbs in the Yarra Valley to help you choose where to stay, too!
GIPPSLAND
Wilsons Prom, located in the south East of the state, is heaven on earth, as is the rest of Gippsland's verdant rolling hills, forested mountains and bright white beaches. Perfect for a less-touristy roadie trip through Victoria.
HIGH COUNTRY
Victoria's High Country is a wonderfully attractive part of the state, and with many mountain roads and cute towns, it's a great Victoria road trip alternative. Check out the famous Beechworth town centre (and bakery), and drive through the beautiful valleys surrounding Mt. Buffalo, stopping at Bright.
VICTORIA ROAD TRIP ROUTE OVERVIEW AND MAP
DAY #1 | Melbourne to Lorne/Apollo Bay, via Torquay and Bells Beach
DAY #2 | Erskine Fall, beach day in Lorne
DAY #3 | Lorne/Apollo Bay to Port Campbell, via Otways
DAY #4 | 12 Apostles to Halls Gap, via Timboon
DAY #5 | Explore the Grampians
DAY #6 | Grampians to Daylesford
DAY #7 | Daylesford to Melbourne
DON'T HAVE YOUR OWN CAR?
If you're looking at exploring Victoria but don't have your own car, don't fret - there are a few cost-effective options that allow you to see the best of the state without breaking the bank.
Here are a few of our fave options:
BY CAR
If you're like us, and you'd prefer to stay in a beautiful Airbnb or accommodation, a car is the next best option.
If you need to hire a car, we recommend booking through Rentalcars.com. We've used them all around the world and find they have the cheapest deals, everytime.
BOOK | Rentalcars.com
BY VAN
One of the most common sights you’ll see on the roads in summer is the bright green and purple branding of Jucy Rentals vans.
#Vanlifing along this coastline is one of the most popular ways to discover the area — and is something we can personally vouch for having done the very same for a week back in 2017!
BOOK | Book your Jucy Rental
WHERE TO STAY ON YOUR VICTORIAN ROAD TRIP
Accommodation can be hard to find in Victoria during peak seasons, so we recommend booking in advance.
While we'd recommend staying in Airbnb's along our Victoria road trip, we totally understand a lot of you may want to save money and camp, or may be driving with a campervan/Jucy Van and want a holiday park, so we've provided multiple accommodation options for each destination on this itinerary.
GREAT OCEAN ROAD | LORNE/APOLLO BAY
AIRBNB/MOTEL
LORNE | Chatby Lane Lorne
APOLLO BAY | Apollo Bay Waterfront Motel, Captains at the Bay, or Marengo Motel
GREAT OCEAN ROAD | PORT CAMPBELL
HOLIDAY PARKS
RELATED | Alternatively, check out our guide to the best Airbnb's on the Great Ocean Road, which has 15+ incredible Airbnbs listed.
GRAMPIANS
DAYLESFORD
HOLIDAY PARK
RELATED | If you're looking for other options in Daylesford, check out our guide to the best Airbnbs in Daylesford.
It’s fair to say we love Airbnb, and our handy little guide will help you guys love it too - from setting up your own account, through to tips and tricks to get the most out of your stay.
AIRBNB GUIDE | Our essential guide to getting the best out of Airbnb
DISCOUNT | Sign up using our Airbnb code below, and get up to £30 / $40 off your booking!
ROOM + BOARD @ Daylesford | Airbnb
YOUR DAY BY DAY VICTORIA ROAD TRIP PLANNER
DAY #1 | MELBOURNE - LORNE
Departing Melbourne early, slowly make your way to the beautiful seaside town of Lorne, 3 hours away.
From Melbourne, take the Princess freeway (M1) towards Geelong, before taking the Geelong bypass towards Torquay. Here, you’ll join the B100 which later becomes the Great Ocean Road.
On the way, we recommend stopping for brunch and coffee at Pond Cafe on Torquay's esplanade. This fave post-surf hangout spot for locals and tourists alike serves up a damn good Aussie brunch and Seven Seeds roasted coffee (delish) right across from the green foreshore.
The menu is tasty and focuses on lots of fresh ingredients and flavour. We opted for the avo toast with chipotle hummus, goat’s cheese and smoked almonds with an added poached egg, and it was a dream!
After Torquay, make a detour to the famous waves of Bells, where the Rip Curl Pro is held each year.
As the road slowly meanders towards the rugged coastline, take it slow - the Great Ocean Road is one of the most beautiful roads in the world, and the section from Fairhaven to Lorne is the most picturesque.
We recommend stopping at these various sights along the way: the famous Great Ocean Road memorial arch for a photo (after all, if you’ve been there but didn’t ‘gram it, did it even happen?), Split Point lighthouse for some incredible views along the whole coast, Fairhaven beach for a swim, and the Aireys Inlet pub for lunch.
Arrive to Lorne just in time for a sundowner at the Lorne Pub! Alternatively, head a bit further to Apollo Bay which is quieter and cheaper but with less of the Melbourne vibe.
WHERE TO STAY | Chatby Lane Lorne, or Cumberland River Holiday Park
WHERE TO EAT | Pond Cafe, Torquay, Lorne Pub/Airey's Pub
DAY #2 | LORNE
After a long day of driving, take it easy today and stay local, enjoying the sights and natural attractions around Lorne and Apollo Bay.
Wake up early to the sound of the sea before making your way up to the stunning Erskine Falls (before the crowds). About 10 minutes drive from Lorne itself, the misty 30m high Erskine Falls tower above lush green gums and ferns and moss-laced rock - and are always a dang sight cooler than anywhere else in the area.
During low water, you can cross the river and explore right up to the falls themselves. In summer, it makes for a perfect swimming hole to escape the heat (just make sure the levels aren’t too high).
Head back to Lorne for a breakfast burger and milkshake at The Bottle of Milk on the main street (we live for ‘The Hulk’). Sit under the yellow/white umbrellas and take in the warm breeze.
This part of Victoria has some of the best beaches in Victoria, so we recommend heading to the beach and spending hours swimming in the turquoise (and cold) waters. Try your hand at surfing if you're keen to try something new.
When the sun falls, check out MoVida (pricey), the trendy Chopsticks Noodle Bar is where it’s at for some tasty Asian food and beer, or IPSOS for some Greek food.
WHERE TO STAY | Chatby Lane Lorne, or Cumberland River Holiday Park
WHERE TO EAT | The Bottle of Milk, Chopsticks Noodle Bar, or IPSOS
DAY #3 | LORNE - PORT CAMPBELL
Slowly make your way out of Lorne (with a cheeky stop at Bottle of Milk, cause NOM!), and begin the most scenic part of the Great Ocean Road on your way to Apollo Bay (or if you're staying in Apollo Bay, take an easy morning!).
We suggest leaving early for this part of the Great Ocean Road, considering the urge to pull over at every single turnout and take photos of the epic coastline will be strong. If you’re inclined, stop and have a swim at one of the deserted beaches you see along the way too, or stop at Kennett River to see the koalas.
On your way to Port Campbell, detour through the ancient Otway National Park, one of the most pristine swathes of rainforest in Victoria.
There are a number of things to see within the National Park, including the breathtaking Hopetoun Falls (located just beyond the town of Forrest, follow the signs).
Nestled amongst the thick green rainforest of the Otway National Park, Hopetoun Falls cascades 30m to the rocky pools below. Picturesque as it may be, the wonderfully placed fallen tree at the bottom of the falls provides an ethereal quality that takes this waterfall from good to pure nature froth. The walk down, while steep and slippery, is actually quick and easy.
Just down the road is the Otways Californian Redwood Forest, one of the best kept secrets in Victoria (like the Warburton Redwood Forest used to be!).
The 85-year-old plantation is left over from the logging industry that used to operate here in the 1930s. Today, the 60m high trees make for an enchanting, peaceful place to wander through.
Close-by is the Otway Fly Treetop Adventure (book your tickets here), where you can go zip lining or explore the forest from the treetops - an hour-long 25m high treetop walk amongst the magnificent forest of giant Myrtle Beech, Blackwood, and Mountain Ash trees.
If time permits, the 12 Apostles at sunset makes for an absolutely epic golden hour. Sure, it might be super busy, but it’s totally worth it as the colours shift from blue to orange, then red and purple.
Arriving into Port Campbell late, head to Port Campbell Hotel for a traditional Aussie pub meal.
WHERE TO STAY | The Cottage Where the Ocean Meets the Trees, or NRMA Port Campbell Holiday Park
WHERE TO EAT | The Bottle of Milk, Port Campbell Hotel
DAY #4 | THE 12 APOSTLES - HALLS GAP (THE GRAMPIANS)
They say the early bird catches the worm, and never a truer phrase was spoken around these parts! Want to have the 12 Apostles all to yourself and watch an epic sunrise?
Of all the very best things to do on the Great Ocean Road, the number one and hands-down most popular is of course the 12 Apostles. Get up early (5am), wrap yourself in a blanket and watch the landscape come to life.
While it’s worth nothing that there are no longer twelve, 4 having eroded and crashed into the ocean below, the eight remaining limestone stacks are still an incredible sight to witness. There’s a boardwalk here that takes you all along the best viewpoints of the Apostles and the stunning coastline beyond it, with plenty of epic photography opportunities.
Head to the close by and equally beautiful (if not more!) Gibson's Steps and Loch Ard Gorge (read our guide here!) after as well!
After an incredible morning filled with natural beauty, head back to Port Campbell for brunch at Grassroots.
Grassroots Deli Cafe is a weatherboard, homestead style cafe with a wide sun terrace out front serving up fab coffee, tasty food. Enjoy a coffee, a delicious brekky burger, or their signature frittata. They also have delightful muffins... grab one for the road.
Once you’re done taking in the sheer beauty of the Twelve Apostles, buckle in and put on your favourite playlist as you drive from there to the Grampians.
Before heading north to the Grampians, stop at London Bridge. The views from the London Bridge lookout over the limestone arch and pristine beach below are beautiful and definitely one of our favourite places to see on the Great Ocean Road.
From Port Campbell, follow the road north towards Timboon, a cute town famous for its dairy industry and in turn, ice cream. Stop for a quick one before the 2hr drive to Halls Gap in the Grampians.
Head straight to Halls Gap and grab something quick and easy in town - the Paper Scissors Rock Brew Co. is a good bet, selling delicious sides to their craft beer selection.
WHERE TO STAY | Red Gum Cottages, Halls Gap, BIG4 NRMA Halls Gap Holiday Park
WHERE TO EAT | Grassroots Deli Cafe, Timboon Fine Ice Cream, Paper Scissors Rock Brew Co.
DAY #5 | THE GRAMPIANS
The Grampians are, for all intents and purposes, our favourite place in Victoria, so a road trip is not complete without a visit to these majestic mountains. Jutting from the plains below, these mountains are rich in native flora and fauna, as well as historic Indigenous rock art and history.
If you want to see one of the most impressive sunrises ever, rise early (again...sorry!) and head up to Boroka lookout before the break of day to watch the first light fall over the vast plains below.
Close by you’ll find the stunning MacKenzie Falls, a cascading series of waterfalls which culminate in a 35m drop to a picturesque pool below. The surroundings are idyllic, and the walk steep but easy (2km return), so this is definitely worth checking out.
Head back to Halls Gap to grab lunch at Harvest, a local institution serving great food and coffee - sit outside and try the waffles if you're a sweet tooth.
After lunch, head back up into the hills to the historic site of Zumsteins. Built in the 1930's as a holiday retreat, Zumsteins now plays host to a stunning picnic area where you can see masses of Kangaroos (just don't feed them). There are also heaps of walks that start from here, including along the McKenzie River boardwalk.
From Zumsteins, it's a short drive to the Balconies, a relatively easy walk that follows a rocky path through native flora to the most stunning view, overlooking the rocky outcrop known as the Balconies, and the Victoria Valley below. This is one of our favourite views in the Grampians, and is equally amazing at sunrise if you have more time.
Next to the carpark for The Balconies is Reids Lookout, which is our favourite sunset spot in all of Victoria. If you can, grab a few beers/champagne, some biscuits and dip, and set yourself up for a sundowner on the rocks. Our sunset here a few years ago was honestly one of our favourite moments - just sitting back and watching nature’s ultimate show with a few other travellers around.
Head back into Halls Gap and grab dinner at one of the many restaurants in town.
WHERE TO STAY | Red Gum Cottages, Halls Gap, BIG4 NRMA Halls Gap Holiday Park
WHERE TO EAT | Harvest
DAY #6 | THE GRAMPIANS - DAYLESFORD
If you’re all ‘sun-rised’ out, have a sleep in, you’ve deserved it. Otherwise, if the early rise life has got you, head up to Mt. William - one of the best sunrise locations in all of the Grampians. Sure, there's a bit of a hike to get to the top, but trust us - it is totally worth it!
After, head to the Pinnacles and Grand Canyon walk, probably the best short walk in the Grampians (3hrs round trip), and one which you simply must do when visiting. The walk starts by meandering through the Grand Canyon, a picturesque series of gorges and waterfalls, before snaking its way up the mountainside to the Pinnacles. You'll climb ladders, cross bridges and walk through narrow rock faces before ending with a cliffside viewpoint with impossible beautiful panorama over Halls Gap and Bellfield Lake.
A word of warning - this is the mother of all leg workouts, but the views from the top are totally worth it.
Around midday start making your way back to Melbourne towards Daylesford, but not before stopping at one of Australia's most significant Indigenous cultural sites, Bunjil Shelter. According to the creation stories, Bunjil created all that he saw - the land, water, trees, plants and animals. The painting, said to be thousands of years old, depicts Bunjil alongside two Dingoes, who were his helpers. It may be small, but this is something worthwhile visiting.
Jump on the Western freeway (A8) towards Melbourne, passing Ararat and stopping in the town of Beaufort for petrol and some of the best Aussie country pastries at The Pyrenees Pantry (don't miss this!). Continue on the A8/M8 towards the town of Ballarat, merging onto the A3000 towards Daylesford.
You'll probably arrive late into Daylesford, so grab your bearings by taking a walk along the historic main street and down to Lake Daylesford, before making your way to the best pub meal you'll ever have at The Farmers Arms.
WHERE TO STAY | L’Papillon, Daylesford Holiday Park
WHERE TO EAT | The Pyrenees Pantry, The Farmers Arms
DAY #7 - DAYLESFORD - MELBOURNE
Nestled into the picturesque hills and forests of central Victoria, Daylesford found fame first as a wealthy gold-rush town in the 1850s, and not long after as a fashionable hub for the nearby Hepburn mineral springs. Over the past few decades, its enticed many a Melburnian to make the move from the big smoke to the sticks, and these days it’s home to a thriving mix of eclectic art galleries, bougie boutiques, farmers markets, and more.
Basically, it’s a dream destination for foodies, culture vultures, and outdoor lovers alike. Oh, and it's also Australia's spa capital. Read our guide to Daylesford for more info!
One thing Daylesford does reallllly well is brunch (and coffee), so head to either Pancho or The Larder. Pancho is the stuff of every hipster foodie’s dreams; a former terrace with a previous life as a butchers, transformed into an indoor jungle with tables nestled into cosy nooks and lush green plants and vines all around - grab the potato and leek rosti with poached eggs, spiced pumpkin with black barley.
Depending on what your vibe is, after brunch, you could head to The Convent Gallery for some modern art viewing, Wombat Hills gardens for a nice leisurely stroll, Lavandula Swiss-Italian farm for some vintage vibes (and lavender!), or make your way to Hepburn Springs bathhouse to wash away the aches and pains of a week on the road before heading back to Melbourne - it's completely up to you.
You'll want to be back on the road to Melbourne by about 5ish, as the drive takes around 1.5 hours. It's an easy one - just jump on the C141 and M8 highway back to Melbourne.
WHERE TO EAT | Pancho
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION | VICTORIAN ROAD TRIP
PLAN YOUR ACCOMMODATION AHEAD OF TIME
It's important to plan ahead, especially in the summer months or during school holidays. Hotels, hostels and holiday parks will book out, so be sure to check availability online before you go.
We recommend using the following booking services - Booking.com and Airbnb.
HIRE A JUCY VAN
As we mentioned above, if you’re going to road trip through Victoria, you need a set of wheels. We recommend getting a Jucy van, a pimped out mini-campervan which allows you to sleep wherever you choose (within reason!). They’re also home to a mini kitchen, bed, and sound system.
What more could you want?!
DRIVE ON THE LEFT
Yep, in Australia you drive on the left-hand side of the road, so if you’re not from a country that drives on the left-hand side (aka the normal side!) of the road, you’ll have to remember this every time you drive. It shouldn't be too hard, just follow everyone else!
YOU’LL NEED A VALID LICENSE
As an international visitor, you are able to drive in Australia with your foreign licence for three months, so long as that licence is in English.
VICTORIA ROAD TRIP SAFETY
Australia is one safe country and if you take the necessary precautions you’ll have no issues. However, if embarking on a road trip, you do need to take necessary safety measures while driving on the open road.
These include:
Follow the speed limit
Don’t drink and drive
Rest if you’re tired
Be careful on windy, coastal roads
Watch out for wildlife, including Kangaroos, at dusk. This is peak grazing time, and you’ll see them lining the roads in rural areas.
Always be prepared for the worst case moments (but expect the best!), and travel with adequate travel insurance.
We recommend World Nomads, which we've both used personally on our travels.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO ROAD TRIP VICTORIA?
To be honest, Victoria is pretty incredible at any time of year, so no matter when you're free, we recommend jumping in the car and exploring each and every corner.
In summer, the coast is abuzz as the beach towns come alive, while in winter, the natural landscapes turn deep green and the wild and moody weather is delightful.
The issue with summer, though, is the crowds, so we tend to stay away if we can. With this comes huge traffic delays, difficulties parking, and a potentially unpleasant experience with thousands of other people everywhere you go.
We're firm believers the best time to road trip Victoria is during shoulder season (Spring and Autumn). Timing your visit for the shoulder season , or shifting your visit to winter means you’re more likely to enjoy each location without having to jostle for a position at a lookout.
TRAVEL INSURANCE | STAY SAFE IN AUSTRALIA
Whatever you do, don’t travel through Australia without travel insurance, even if you’re the most experienced traveller.
Whether it’s a car accident, theft, or lost baggage, things can go wrong in Australia, and insurance is your only way of mitigating the issues!
BUY | Click here to get the best travel insurance deals with World Nomads
TRAVEL BETTER WITH THESE ESSENTIAL POSTS
GREAT OCEAN ROAD | The best things to do on the Great Ocean Road, and the ultimate guide to visiting Loch Ard Gorge, plus 10+ incredible Airbnbs on the Great Ocean Road
DAY TRIPS | 9 amazing day trips from Melbourne
THE BEST OF THE OTWAYS | Our guide to Hopetoun Falls and the mystical Otway Californian Redwoods
DAYLESFORD | Our favourite things to see, eat and do in Daylesford, plus our guide to the perfect Daylesford weekend
YARRA VALLEY ESCAPE | The complete guide to the Yarra Valley, our travel guide to Healesville, plus the best Airbnbs in the Yarra Valley, our complete guide to the beautiful Warburton and the East Warburton Redwood Forest
PHILLIP ISLAND | Top things to do on Phillip Island, and the best Airbnbs on Phillip Island
LOCH | A guide to the pretty town of Loch, Gippsland
AIRBNB GUIDE | Our essential guide to getting the best out of Airbnb
TRAVEL INSURANCE | Don’t leave home without travel insurance (seriously, don’t!). Click here to get the best deals with World Nomads, our trusted travel insurance provider
ECO FRIENDLY PACKING ESSENTIALS | Don’t leave home without our favourite eco-friendly travel essentials
EXPLORING MORE OF AUSTRALIA? YOU'LL LOVE THESE POSTS!
Thanks to JUCY for helping make this road trip possible. Find out more at www.jucyworld.com and follow them on social media @JUCYworld.
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That, and you're officially a legend.
