Car Rental:
Renting a car offers the most flexibility for exploring the Great Ocean Road. Travel from Melbourne to Torquay, the start of the route, typically takes about 1.5 hours. Daily car rental costs can range from approximately $27 to $75.
Getting There and Away
Major transport hubs for reaching the Great Ocean Road include Melbourne's Southern Cross Station and Tullamarine Airport, as well as Geelong, which serves as a gateway city with its own train station and Avalon Airport.
Guided Tours:
Numerous tour operators offer day trips and multi-day excursions from Melbourne. A full-day tour generally takes 8 to 12 hours round trip, with prices for adult day tours starting from around AU$95 to AU$149. These tours often include pickup from Melbourne CBD and national park entry fees.
Public Transport (Train and Bus):
Visitors can take a V/Line train from Melbourne's Southern Cross Station to Geelong, which typically lasts around 1 hour and costs between $8 and $11. From Geelong, V/Line bus services connect to coastal towns along the Great Ocean Road such as Torquay, Lorne, and Apollo Bay. As of January 2025, regional public transport fares are capped at $11 for a full day.
Ferries:
The Searoad Ferries provide a connection between Queenscliff and Sorrento, linking the Great Ocean Road with the Mornington Peninsula and Phillip Island via a 40-minute crossing.
Shuttle Services:
For those undertaking sections of the Great Ocean Walk or needing transfers between towns, shuttle services are available, particularly between Apollo Bay, Princetown, and the 12 Apostles.
