Greatest of the Great
6 DAYS - 5 NIGHTS
You’re about to discover just how great six days can be. From great and small creatures to great sights, great stories, great drops and great heights - this itinerary puts the ‘great’ in the Great Southern Touring Route. So what are you waiting for? Let the great times roll!
DAY 1
Melbourne to Geelong
Depart: Melbourne
O/night: Geelong
Distance: 127 kilometres
Morning
Your ‘Greatest of the Great’ trip begins with just over an hour’s drive to Little Malop St in Geelong. Filled with street art and quirky cafés, it’s almost like you haven’t actually left Melbourne as you enjoy a spot of brunch and people-watching. Sated and caffeinated, take a walk along the sparkling waterfront, before jumping in the car and visiting some Bellarine wineries. Bellarine is a cool-climate region, famed for producing Pinot Noir, Shiraz and Chardonnay. If any of these varietals are calling your name, put Jack Rabbit Vineyard on your list to stop for a tasting… and some delicious local produce. If you’re hungry for lunch try Claribeaux on The Bellarine at Curlewis Golf Club. Their signature restaurant, will delight with its’ creative structural form and culinary options – French influence, contemporary fusion and a keen focus on sustainable local produce.
Afternoon / evening
From the lush green vines to the deep blue sea, the next stop is Sea All Dolphins Swims in Queenscliff. First, you’re kitted out with all the swimming gear you need: flippers, a snorkel and a heavy-duty wetsuit, then… it’s anchors away! The friendly and experienced crew will take you out onto Port Phillip Bay for 3.5 hours, where you’ll swim with baby fur seals and look out for playful dolphins along the way. If you’re lucky, they’ll swim with the boat, and if you’re even luckier, you can jump in and swim with them too. Either way, Sea All Dolphin Swims is a truly unforgettable ‘Greatest of the Great’ experience.
If surfing is more your thing, and you have a few days to stay, Honu Honi Surf Camp is an all-inclusive surf camp experience which will allows you to surf some of the best breaks on the Great Ocean Road.
After all the ocean swimming, you deserve a good nights sleep. Check into the Rydges Geelong. The perfect base from which to seek out one of Geelong city’s amazing restaurants.
DAY 2
Geelong to Port Campbell
Depart: Geelong
O/night: Port Campbell
Distance: 217 kilometres
Morning
Now we begin the drive that rivals any destination, not just on the Great Southern Touring Route, on the Great Southern Land. The Great Ocean Road begins at Torquay, the surfing capital of Australia. Stop at Bells Beach to watch the local surfers do what they do best. Then, sit back and enjoy the dramatic coastal scenery as you wind through the Great Ocean Road. With crashing waves on your left and epic rocky cliffs on your right, you can see why it’s known as a drive unlike any other. Make sure you stop and take it in at Teddy’s Lookout, Mount Defiance Lookout, and Marriner’s Lookout along the way.
Afternoon / evening
The jewel of the Great Southern Touring Route towns is undoubtedly cute, coastal Lorne. Stop here for a walk along the beach and a light lunch at superfood café, HAH Lornebeach. From sea to tree, stop at Wildlife Wonders for a 75-minute, guided walk through The Otways. Your conservationist guide will share the secrets of the plants and animals that call this bushland home. And it’s wonderful to know that this is a sustainable wildlife experience, with all profits going directly to conserving the unique flora and fauna of the area.
Get ready for great heights when you arrive at Port Campbell to visit the 12 Apostles. Don’t miss these storeys-high, limestone rock stacks rising majestically from the Southern Ocean at sunset – quite simply, epic. There’s a viewing platform to see them and take photos from, or you can see them from the air with 12 Apostles Helicopters. You can also wander down Gibson Steps to the beach to see them from a different angle. Although wherever you’re snapping from, they really don’t have a bad side as one of the most incredible natural wonders of the route!
Accommodation choices: Southern Ocean Villas, Anchors Port Campbell, Alkina Lodge.
DAY 3
Port Campbell to Warrnambool
Depart: Port Campbell
O/night: Warrnambool
Distance: 70 kilometres
Morning
Enjoy an early morning walk into the picturesque Loch Ard Gorge in Port Campbell National Park. Then, on the way to Warrnambool, if it’s not too early for the hard stuff, try a single malt whisky at Timboon Distillery. Don’t worry, as well as sampling what owner and distiller, Josh Walker, calls ‘liquid gold,’ you can also enjoy an early lunch of local cheese, meats and breads. Another 40 or so minutes will get you to Warrnambool, where if it’s between June and September, you can whale watch. Every year, magnificent female Southern Right Whales return to the waters of Warrnambool to calve. From the shoreline at the Warrnambool breakwater you can see Middle Island where during breeding season Maremma dogs guard the local penguin population, these amazing animals have been trained to protect the penguins during breeding season!
Afternoon / evening
Now, it’s time to take a load off at Deep Blue Hotel & Hot Springs. The first hot springs hotel in Victoria, it’s the perfect place to relax, rejuvenate and replenish. There are 15 hot spring bathing experiences as well as massage day spa services, so you’ll come out feeling like new.
DAY 4
Warrnambool to Halls Gap
Depart: Warrnambool
O/night: Halls Gap
Distance: 161 kilometres
Morning
Whether you can see whales or waves, take an early morning stroll along the iconic main beach, Logans Beach. Then get back on the road, just over an hour in-land, consider a stop at Pomonal Estate, a newly established winery, microbrewery and cider house that celebrates everything the region has to offer. But don’t ruin your appetite as you have such a great lunch to look forward to…
Afternoon / evening
Arrive at Royal Mail Hotel in the charming town of Dunkeld. Home to two restaurants, when your visit Royal Mail Hotel you can choose from the more casual Parker Street Project or the two-hatted, fine dining Wickens at Royal Mail Hotel. This place is so great, you could go to Parker Street Project for lunch and come back to Wickens for dinner. Up to 80% of the produce is grown on-site and the wine cellar contains 25,000 bottles, leaving you with unparalleled choice. And deliciousness.
Once you’ve had your fill, it’s only a 45-minute drive to check in at Meringa Springs. Just remember to take the time to say hello to your friendly neighbours… the kangaroos who are permanent residents!
Don’t relax with your new furry friends too long though, because one of the best places to see the sunset in the Grampians is Reed Lookout. Just walk 1 km from the car park to The Balconies, where you’ll see the most incredible, panoramic views of Victoria Valley and the surrounding ranges. For the ultimate Grampians experience book a tour with Grampians Personalised Tours & Adventures, this way you won’t miss any of the highlights!
DAY 5
Halls Gap to Ballarat
Depart: Halls Gap
O/night: Ballarat
Distance: 142 kilometres
Morning
Get up with the local cockatoos and rosellas and out into the natural beauty the region is famous for. Join a guided walk along the Grampians Peaks Trail with the guys from Absolute Outdoors, or go chasing waterfalls – MacKenzie Falls, to be precise. One of the largest waterfalls in Victoria, It’s also the only one in the Grampians that flows all year ‘round. There are two platforms to view this mesmerising sight from, upper and lower. If you are able to make it down to the lower platform, it’s well worth all those stairs.
As you drive out of Halls Gaps, watch out for more wildlife, particularly kangaroos, emus and… look up for koalas!
Afternoon / evening
Now you’ve walked up a thirst, stop for some wine tasting on the way to Ballarat. Don’t miss Best’s Wines, Grampians Estate and Mount Langi Ghiran.
Let the good times continue to flow as you arrive in Ballarat, with it’s flourishing brewing scene, before checking into The Provincial. The Provincial is 1909 on the outside and modern on the inside – with buzzing European restaurant Lola and luxe accommodation available. The menu is locally sourced and seasonally driven. The wine list is creative and extensive. It’s a boutique experience in the heart of Ballarat, and the rooms look just as good as the food tastes.
A short stroll of the historic local streets will lead you to the Art Gallery of Ballarat, with an eclectic mix of classic, Indigenous and modern artworks. Explore the ground floor for ever-evolving exhibitions, and upstairs for the permanent collection.
Before dinner back at Lola, put Ballarat Wildlife Park into the GPS. You’ll see kangaroos, meerkats, penguins, tigers and even the most enormous saltwater crocodiles! But the highlight is getting to cuddle a koala! The greatest of the great wildlife experiences right there!
DAY 6
Ballarat to Melbourne
Depart: Ballarat
O/night: Melbourne
Distance: 158 kilometres
Morning
As your time on the route is running out, it feels only right to travel to the living museum of Sovereign Hill. Step back into 1851 as you ride a horse and carriage, dress up for a sepia portrait and pan for gold, immersing yourself in local history.
After you’ve worked up a prospector’s appetite, have a traditional high tea lunch in the heritage splendour of Craig’s Royal Hotel, the oldest hotel in Ballarat. Surrounded by fine china and finger sandwiches, you might even feel a little royal yourself. Don’t forget to take a selfie or five.
Afternoon / evening
Back very much in the present day, it’s time to get back on the road to visit one last town on the way to Melbourne. It may be last, but definitely not least. Daylesford is known as Australia’s spa capital because it has the highest concentration of natural mineral waters in the country. Why not take an afternoon walk from Tipperary Springs to Bryce’s Flat? When you’re ready for something heartier, the two-hatted Lake House is not only Daylesford’s premier restaurant, it’s a hotel spa, retreat and local icon not to miss.
If you can stand to drag yourself away, it’s less than an hour and a half until you’re back in Melbourne. Nowhere near enough time to talk about all the great memories you’ve made on this greatest of the great road trips! But do remember, you can always come back.
