12 Day Great Ocean Road & Tasmania Fly/Drive Itinerary

Melbourne, crowned "The World's Most Liveable City" for seven consecutive years, is the ideal starting point for your Australian self-drive adventure. This compact and vibrant city offers hidden gems, lush Botanic Gardens, and stylish squares to explore. 

Must-do activities include: wandering cobbled laneways with coffee shops, boutiques, and bars; admiring street art in Hosier Lane; visiting St Kilda's esplanade and cake shops; experiencing the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground; and enjoying Queen Victoria Market, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. With a dazzling array of restaurants, Melbourne truly earns its title as Australia's foodie capital.

Accommodation: Melbourne - 1 Night

Collect your rental vehicle and get ready embark on one of the world's greatest coastal drives: the Great Ocean Road.

The Great Ocean Road Touring Route has a number of scenic lookouts from Torquay all the way to the border of Victoria and South Australia. Make your way along the coast to Bells Beach to check out the amazing surf and capture some spectacular views of the coastline and the Southern Ocean.

Be sure to stop at the town of Anglesea and visit the golf course: it's famous for the kangaroos lounging under the trees and hopping across the greens!

Apollo Bay
Tonight you will stay in the beautiful village of Apollo Bay. The Bay is referred to as the “Paradise by the Sea” and is a great place for those who love the beaches and water sports.

Approximate Distance: 200 km | 124 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 45 mins

Accommodation: Apollo Bay - 1 Night

The 12 Apostles are giant limestone rock stacks that rise majestically from the Southern Ocean and are considered the most beautiful of all Australia's natural wonders. The best way to enjoy the rugged splendour of these famous rock formations is by helicopter. A 25-minute scenic flight allows you to get up close and personal with Victoria's dramatic coastal beauty.

Onwards to Port Fairy
The coastline is dotted with many plaques and signs that mark the places where more than 160 ships sank along the aptly named Shipwreck Coast. Wreck Beach, just beyond the Twelve Apostles, marks the start of a trail where the anchors of two ships, the Marie Gabrielle (1869) and Fiji (1891), are embedded in the beach.

Approximate Distance: 185 km | 115 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 45 mins

Accommodation: Port Fairy - 2 Nights

At the end of the Great Ocean Road, Port Fairy is one of the state’s earliest settled coastal villages, with more than 50 nineteenth-century buildings classified by the National Trust.

This charming fishing village boasts wide streets lined with nineteenth century cottages, stone churches and huge Norfolk pine trees.

Here are some great ways to enjoy your day in Port Fairy:

• Spend some time on the wharf and watch the fishermen unloading freshly-caught abalone and crayfish.
• Take to the water: try a surfing lesson, a guided fishing trip or take a cruise to the seal colony on Lady Julia Percy Island.
• Explore Port Fairy's wealth of boutiques, antique stores, and art shops dotted throughout the town.
• Learn about the local maritime history on the Port Fairy Maritime and Shipwreck Heritage Walk.
   

The geological wonders of Mt Gambier are well worth exploring on your way to Coonawarra. This dormant volcano houses the mysterious 70-metre-deep Blue Lake: its waters appear steel grey during winter, turning a startling shade of cobalt blue in the summer months.

The Umpherston Sinkhole may not have the prettiest name, but don't be put off: it's a spectacular sunken garden filled with flowers and greenery, hidden in a giant crater in the centre of Mt Gambier town. Created from a collapsed limestone cave, it must be seen to be believed.

Coonawarra
South Australia is home to 18 wine regions, one of which will be your home tonight. Coonawarra is the country's top producer of premium red wines, and it's affectionately known as "Australia's Other Red Centre". You'll find tantalizing local produce here too, from native preserves and pickled walnuts to mettwurst and wagyu beef.

Approximate Distance: 215 km | 134 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Coonawarra - 1 Night

From Coonawarra you'll drive to South Australia's capital: Adelaide, the "City of Churches".

En route, an optional stop at the World Heritage-listed Naracoorte Caves is well worth the admission price. The 800,000-year-old caves feature spectacular stalactites and stalagmites and are a must-see. You can choose between walking, dry cave tours or try something more adventurous.

Cosmopolitan Adelaide is filled to the brim with culture, flavours, events, and entertainment. With spacious boulevards and vibrant inner-city districts, sophisticated architecture and lush gardens, South Australia's capital has it all.

Tonight you are spoiled for dining options: Adelaide's reputation as a foodie destination is well deserved. Famous for culinary creativity and blessed with outstanding local produce, there truly is something for everyone.

Approximate Distance: 375 km | 233 miles   Total Driving Time: 4 hours 15 mins

Accommodation: Adelaide - 2 Nights

Today is yours to explore Adelaide however you desire. 

History buffs will love the exquisite churches around every corner, many dating back to the 19th century. The variety of architecture is simply staggering.

For a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounter, head to Glenelg beach and join a cruise in search of wild dolphins — you can even swim with them if they are in the mood!
Adelaide Central Market is filled with over 80 stalls including cheese shops, seafood, patisseries and artisan produce. This bustling hub is a fantastic place to grab lunch and indulge in a spot of people-watching.

If Coonawarra whetted your appetite for wine, The iconic Penfolds vineyards and Magill Estate cellar door are a mere 15 minute drive from town.

Adelaide is known as the Festival Capital of Australia - from comedy and cabaret to food and fashion, there's always something on no matter when you visit.

Board your flight to Launceston, Tasmania. One of Australia's oldest cities, it's a charm-filled place with Colonial and Victorian heritage buildings in abundance.

Enjoy the afternoon in this cultural hub by taking a walk along the waterfront. Immerse yourself in the city's rich cultural heritage and enjoy a thriving food and wine scene amongst the backdrop of vibrant Georgian streetscapes.

The boutique riverside city is located at the head of the picturesque Tamar Valley and boasts magnificent natural attractions including the spectacular Cataract Gorge Reserve and beautiful parks & gardens.

Accommodation: Launceston - 2 Nights

While in Tasmania you can sit back and relax: with three guided full-day coach excursions, you will experience the island's premier attractions without lifting a finger, beginning with the stunning Cradle Mountain National Park.

Cradle Mountain Day Tour
Cradle Mountain National Park boasts iconic scenery and diverse walking trails. Spend around 5 hours exploring this World Heritage-listed area with guidance tailored to weather and fitness levels. En route from Launceston, visit Sheffield, "The Town of Murals," featuring artistic depictions of Cradle Mountain's history. At the park, enjoy short walks to Rainforest City and Pencil Pine Falls before choosing the Dove Lake Circuit, a gentle 2-hour trail, or the more challenging Marion’s Lookout climb. Spot friendly wombats, visit Weindorfer’s Chalet, and explore King Billy Pines. End the day sampling local cheeses at the award-winning Ashgrove Cheese Factory.

Today's full-day tour explores the delights and highlights of the East Coast before ending the day in picturesque Hobart.

Freycinet National Park

At Wineglass Bay pink granite mountains form the backdrop for secluded bays, pristine waters, white sandy beaches, local wildlife and walking trails. Consistently voted one of the best beaches in the world, it is truly a slice of paradise.

Wineglass Bay Guided Walk

On arrival at Freycinet, your guide will take you to the Wineglass Bay Lookout and help you take those sought-after photographs. From the Lookout, you have the option to return to the start of the walk with your tour guide or hike down to Wineglass beach (2.5-hours return). Those who choose to return with the guide will explore more of the National Park and visit Honeymoon Bay, Sleepy Bay and Cape Tourville lookout.

After 4 to 5 hours at Freycinet National Park you will then continue your journey onto Hobart enjoying a stop at Kate’s Berry Farm along the way.

Accommodation: Hobart - 2 Nights

Approximate Distance: 200 km | 124 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 30 mins

Take an early start from Hobart and head to the stunning Tasman Peninsula, home to Australia’s highest sea cliffs. Enjoy panoramic views of the area from Pirates Bay Lookout and the short but spectacular Waterfall Bay Clifftop Track. This is one of Tasmania’s “Great Short Walks," around 45 minutes, ending at the remarkable rock formations of Tasman Arch and Devil’s Kitchen.

Meet the Tasmanian Devils
Next stop is the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo to witness the startling sight of Tasmanian Devils feeding. Watch the snarling, fighting and bone crushing in a spectacle of devilish behaviour. Hand feed the wallabies and walk amongst the local fauna and flora in the charming “Unzoo” setting.

Port Arthur: The Inescapable Prison
Visit the Port Arthur Historic Site to explore Australia’s convict history with expert guides, including a Harbour Cruise around the Isle of the Dead. Tour the prison for a glimpse into convict isolation. Stop at Federation Chocolate for delicious samples, then visit Richmond Village to cross Australia’s oldest convict-built bridge, rumored to be haunted. End the day with stunning views of Hobart from a scenic lookout, a perfect way to conclude the journey.

Your 12 day Australian adventure ends here in Hobart. Spend the day exploring the waterfront or the market of Salamanca Place on a Saturday Morning. For those with energy to burn, climb to the summit of Mount Wellington for panoramic views over the city of Hobart, Bruny Island and the Tasman Peninsula. Make your way to Hobart airport for your departing flight.