RoadAtlas
Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension — Australia — Scenic
Australia & Pacific

Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension

Australia

Point-to-point
Melbourne Portland

In short: Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension is a 660 km including Melbourne and Portland extension scenic road trip in Australia, typically driven over 3 days, best in Nov–Apr (Aus. summer). Highlights: Melbourne, Torquay, Lorne.

Distance
660 km including Melbourne and Portland extension
Duration
3 days
Best Season
Nov–Apr (Aus. summer)
LegendaryEasyScenicEV-friendly

The classic Torquay-to-Allansford Great Ocean Road links surf coast, rainforest and the Twelve Apostles. This extended itinerary begins in Melbourne and continues beyond Allansford through Port Fairy to Portland, which is why its headline distance is 660 km.

~1 refuel
~2 charges
Practical notes
The classic Great Ocean Road runs from Torquay to Allansford; this 660 km product adds Melbourne access plus Port Fairy and Portland. Check the current route-advice bulletin (https://visitgreatoceanroad.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/GOR-Travel-Route-Advice-January-2026.pdf) and VicTraffic (https://traffic.transport.vic.gov.au/) immediately before each day for crashes, fire, landslip, works and closure information. Allow coastal traffic and wind margin and do not rely on hard-coded temporary closure text.

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Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Melbourne to Lorne via Torquay and the Surf Coast

Australian National Surfing Museum · Bells Beach lookout · Ipsos Restaurant and Bar

Day 2Lorne to Port Campbell via Apollo Bay and the Otways

Maits Rest rainforest walk · Cape Otway Lightstation · Apollo Bay Bakery

Day 3Twelve Apostles to Portland via Port Campbell, Warrnambool and Port Fairy

Twelve Apostles and Port Campbell lookouts · Warrnambool breakwater and foreshore · Merrijig Kitchen

Stops along the route

Melbourne — Departure — Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension — Australia
Departure
Melbourne
Use the city only as the access point for the extended product.
Torquay — City — Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension — Australia
City
Torquay
The classic Great Ocean Road begins here.
Lorne — City — Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension — Australia
City
Lorne
First coast overnight.
Allansford and Warrnambool — City — Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension — Australia
City
Allansford and Warrnambool
Allansford is the classic road endpoint; Warrnambool begins the extension.
Port Fairy — City — Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension — Australia
City
Port Fairy
Give the historic town a real walk and meal.
Portland — Arrival — Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension — Australia
Arrival
Portland
Finish the disclosed western extension.

Things to Do

Apollo Bay and the Otways — Nature — Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension — Australia
Nature
Apollo Bay and the Otways
Use the rainforest and lighthouse corridor on day 2.
Port Campbell and the Twelve Apostles — Landmark — Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension — Australia
Landmark
Port Campbell and the Twelve Apostles
The limestone coast anchors the westbound route.
Australian National Surfing Museum — Surf history museum — Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension — Australia
Surf history museum
Australian National Surfing Museum
Use this as the main Torquay stop.
Bells Beach lookout — Coastal viewpoint — Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension — Australia
Coastal viewpoint
Bells Beach lookout
Use the public lookout and remain behind cliff barriers.
Lorne foreshore — Coastal walk — Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension — Australia
Coastal walk
Lorne foreshore
Finish with a short foreshore walk.
Maits Rest rainforest walk — Rainforest walk — Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension — Australia
Rainforest walk
Maits Rest rainforest walk
Use the short formed Great Otway National Park loop if open.
Show 5 more
Cape Otway Lightstation — Historic lighthouse — Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension — Australia
Historic lighthouse
Cape Otway Lightstation
Book entry and keep enough time for the Port Campbell transfer.
Twelve Apostles and Port Campbell lookouts — Coastal viewpoints — Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension — Australia
Coastal viewpoints
Twelve Apostles and Port Campbell lookouts
Start early and use only open official platforms.
Warrnambool breakwater and foreshore — Short coastal walk — Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension — Australia
Short coastal walk
Warrnambool breakwater and foreshore
Use one meaningful leg stretch before continuing west.
Port Fairy historic wharf walk — Historic town walk — Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension — Australia
Historic town walk
Port Fairy historic wharf walk
Give the town a real walk and meal instead of treating it as a drive-through.
Portland arrival waterfront — Coastal walk — Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension — Australia
Coastal walk
Portland arrival waterfront
Finish at the waterfront rather than using a filler tram ride.

Where to Eat

Ipsos Restaurant and Bar — Greek and Mediterranean — Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension — Australia
Greek and Mediterranean
Ipsos Restaurant and Bar
Reserve a Lorne dinner.
Apollo Bay Bakery — Bakery — Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension — Australia
Bakery
Apollo Bay Bakery
A practical route lunch; verify hours.
Forage on the Foreshore — Modern Australian — Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension — Australia
Modern Australian
Forage on the Foreshore
Reserve a Port Campbell dinner.
Merrijig Kitchen — Regional Australian — Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension — Australia
Regional Australian
Merrijig Kitchen
Reserve the defining Port Fairy lunch or early dinner.
Clock by the Bay — Modern Australian — Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension — Australia
Modern Australian
Clock by the Bay
Reserve a Portland finish meal and verify current service.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension drive?

The Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension covers 660 km including Melbourne and Portland extension from start to finish.

How long does the Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension take to drive?

Most travellers spend 3 days on the Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension?

The recommended season for the Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension is Nov–Apr (Aus. summer).

Where does the Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension start and end?

The Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension runs from Melbourne to Portland.

What are the main stops on the Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension?

The Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension passes through Melbourne, Torquay, Lorne.

How difficult is the Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension to drive?

The Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension is rated easy and is best handled with any vehicle.

Can I drive the Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension in a regular car?

Yes — the Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

How many fuel stops are needed on the Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension?

Plan around 1 refuels (or about 2 EV charges) along the Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension, based on its 660 km including Melbourne and Portland extension length.

Is the Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension EV friendly?

Yes — the Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension has charger coverage along the route and works as an EV road trip.

Is the Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension safe to drive?

The classic Great Ocean Road runs from Torquay to Allansford; this 660 km product adds Melbourne access plus Port Fairy and Portland. Check the current route-advice bulletin (https://visitgreatoceanroad.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/GOR-Travel-Route-Advice-January-2026.pdf) and VicTraffic (https://traffic.transport.vic.gov.au/) immediately before each day for crashes, fire, landslip, works and closure information. Allow coastal traffic and wind margin and do not rely on hard-coded temporary closure text.

What scenic tier is the Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension?

The Great Ocean Road and Western Coast Extension is a legendary drive — The world's most extraordinary drives — once-in-a-lifetime road trips with cinematic scenery, legendary roads, and unmatched cultural depth.