Discover Melbourne & Victoria
Great Southern Touring Route
From cosmopolitan Melbourne, the Great Southern Touring Route travels south-west to Geelong, past the vineyards of the Bellarine Peninsula to the scenic Great Ocean Road. The coastline is famous for the imposing beauty of the Twelve Apostles, whale watching near Warrnambool and history of ships being wrecked in its treacherous waters. Turn inland to the walking trails, waterfalls, wildflowers and abundant wildlife of the Grampians National Park. Finally this route heads east to Ballarat, home to Sovereign Hill, where you can experience life on the goldfields in the 1800s. Take a short detour on your way back to Melbourne to visit the spa town of Daylesford...
Drive Times and Distances Grid
Day 1 Melbourne to Apollo Bay
Day 2 Apollo Bay to Port Fairy
Day 3 Port Fairy to Halls Gap
Day 4 Halls Gap to Melbourne
Things to see and do
- Play golf amongst the resident kangaroos on Anglesea Golf Course.
- Experience the Otway Fly Treetop Walk the longest and highest walk above the rainforest canopy in the world.
- Whale watch from Logan Beach near Warnambool (Oct).
- Discover fascinating local history at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village an interactive maritime village and museum, and enjoy “Shipwrecked ” Sound and Laser Show.
- Don’t miss a helicopter ride over the Twelve Apostles.
- Explore Tower Hill, an extinct volcano, brimming with birdlife, kangaroos, koalas and emus.
- Call in at Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre which brings to life the five aboriginal communities in Victoria.
- Enjoy breathtaking views from Boroka, Reed, Mt Sturgeon and the Pinnacle lookouts in the Grampians National Park.
- Visit Ballarat Wildlife Park and feed the free roaming kangaroos.
- Understand life in the era of the 1950s gold rush at Sovereign Hill.
- Indulge yourself in some spa therapy at the Salus Spa on the shores of Lake Daylesford.
- Swim or learn to surf in Torquay, don’t miss a visit to the SurfWorld Museum.
- Luxury
- Boutique
- Coastal
- Food & Wine
- Wildlife
- Indigenous
Accommodation / Attractions
Great Ocean Road
Grampians
Goldfields
Daylesford & the Macedon Ranges
Accommodation
Overlooking Bass Strait, set high in the Otways above the Great Ocean Road, Chris's Beacon Point Restaurant and Villas has become the Mecca for gourmet travellers. Chris's passion for the food of Southern Europe combined with the freshest and purest produce has made his cuisine world famous.
from £95Book
Mantra Erskine Beach Resort is located on absolute beachfront, in the historic seaside town of Lorne along Victoria's famous Great Ocean Road. Under two hours' drive from Melbourne, the resort is nestled between the crystal clear water of Louttit Bay and the Otway Hinterland.
from £37Book
Located on Victoria's surf coast. the Crowne Plaza Torquay combines ultra modern comfort with the stunning natural beauty of the Great Ocean Road. The Crowne Plaza Torquay enjoys a beachfront location and can be reached in just over an hours drive from Melbourne.
from £92Book
Accommodation
Halls Gap Colonial Motor Inn is nestled in the heart of the majestic Grampians within metres of Geriwerd National Park and central to many tourist attractions such as the Pinnacle, Mackenzie Falls and the popular Boroka lookout.
Book
The Mountain Grand is a boutique hotel / guest house and conference centre set amongst the picturesque Grampians mountains. The guest house has three lounge areas for guests to relax and enjoy afternoon teas in serenity.
from £55Book
DULC will take you away into another world with modern facilities, especially coordinated to gently ease away stress and instill inner calm. Set in the depths of the spectacular Grampians National Park, DULC offers the choice of three exclusive architecturally designed cabins.
from £130Book
Accommodation
Craig's Royal Hotel was established in 1853 and was one of the first Grand Hotels built as a result of the wealth from Australia's Gold Rush Era. The hotel is renowned for its standard of hospitality and service. Famous guests over the last 150 years include Princes and Prime Ministers.
from £82Book
The Hotel Shamrock has presided majestically over the heart of Bendigo. The renewed Hotel Shamrock interior boasts of 5* changes whilst the majestic Victorian architecture still delights.
from £48Book
Whether you require simple accommodation for one or family apartments, we can provide you with outstanding accommodation in Ballarat at a price that fits your budget.
from £55Book
Accommodation
Set in the heart of Victoria’s Spa Country in the village of Hepburn Springs, Peppers Springs Retreat is an iconic Art Deco establishment with a dash of Gatsby glamour. It is surrounded by peaceful gardens and bush and the retreat offers plenty of the pampering for which the area is renowned.
from £52Book
Located in the heart of Hepburn Springs on the terraced banks of Spring Creek, The Grande provides a unique example of a 1920's spa resort guest house.
The rooms and suites at the Lake House are surrounded by several acres of beautiful manicured gardens, waterfalls and streams - the perfect place to take a few days to recharge in the fresh air.
from £84Book
Tours & Attractions
See a koala snoozing in the fork of a gum tree or a family of kangaroos lazing in a clearing. Magpie geese, possums, wallabies and echidnas are just some of the birds and animals you might come across on one of the five self-guided nature walks.
from £28Book
The iconic lighthouse is the highlight of the Great Ocean Road, but there's so much more to see and do within the Lightstation grounds. You can immerse yourself in the extraordinary history of the lighthouse keepers, watch whales at play and soak up the natural beauty of the Cape.
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Explore the Shipwreck Coast on our exciting half day tour departing from Port Campbell. Highlights include Port Campbell, Loch Ard Gorge, Twelve Apostles, Gibson's Steps Beach and Glenample Homestead.
from £27Book
Tours & Attractions
Renowned for rugged mountain ranges and stunning wildflower displays, Grampians National Park is one of the State's most popular holiday destinations. Declared in 1984, the 167,000-hectare park is home to abundant bird life and almost a third of Victoria's plant species.
Hamilton Art Gallery, one of the finest galleries in Australia, is famous for its outstanding international collections of fine and decorative arts.
Experience a true Australian adventure of spectacular scenery, wildlife and glowworms! Our 3 day Bunyip Tours adventure will take you on a journey to discover the breathtaking coastline of the Great Ocean Road and the hinterland of the Grampians.
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Tours & Attractions
Bendigo Pottery is Australia’s oldest working pottery. Visitors can discover the history of the pottery in the Interpretive Museum, watch potters working, have a hands on experience with clay play and wheel throwing lessons, relax in the café, and shop in the sales gallery.
from £3Book
Experience a living history of the Chinese people of Bendigo from the gold rush to the present at the Golden Dragon Museum and Chinese Gardens.
from £3Book
Home to a concentration of large old tree sites and fauna refuges, Heathcote-Graytown National Park also contains significant Aboriginal cultural sites and places.
Tours & Attractions
Daylesford & Macedon Ranges Spa Country day tour. Discover the mysteries of Hanging Rock and the fabled disappearance of Miranda 100 years ago! Enjoy wine tasting, arts and crafts and indulge yourself in some spa pampering.
from £60Book
Visit our boutique winery, try our award winning cool climate wines and enjoy a wood-fired pizza all in a most beautiful setting amongst the vines.
Lerderderg State Park comprises 14,250 hectares and stretches some 20 kilometres between Bacchus Marsh and Blackwood.
