PerkJolt
What is the best direction to drive the Great Ocean Road?
Short answer: For most people, drive it east to west. Leave Melbourne, join the road at Torquay, and follow the coast toward Warrnambool. The road is built to be driven that way, and the ocean stays on your side of the road. Reverse it if you're arriving from Adelaide, or if you want to beat the tour buses to the Twelve Apostles.
The details
- The road has a natural start and finish. Visit Victoria describes the drive from Melbourne as about one and a half hours, mostly on dual-lane highway. You take the Princes Highway over the West Gate Bridge to Geelong, then the Surf Coast Highway to Torquay. (checked Oct 12, 2026) The coastal drive begins at Torquay, and Visit Victoria's own touring route lists Torquay as the start of the Great Ocean Road and continues west to Warrnambool. (checked Oct 12, 2026)
- Why east to west works. Australians drive on the left. Heading west, the sea is on your left, so you can pull into lookouts without crossing oncoming traffic. This is general geography, not a Visit Victoria claim. You also meet the gentler Surf Coast first. The big finale, the Shipwreck Coast, comes last. The Visit Victoria touring route highlights Loch Ard Gorge and the Bay of Islands near the western end. (checked Oct 12, 2026)
- There is a quick "back way" for the return. Visit Victoria says there are two ways to travel: the "front" way hugging the coast, and the "back" way cutting inland. The inland option follows the Princes Highway from Geelong to Warrnambool. That makes a loop easy: coast out, highway back (or the reverse). (checked Oct 12, 2026)
- When to reverse it. Driving west to east makes sense in three cases:
- You're coming from Adelaide or the Grampians, so you reach the western end first.
- You want the Twelve Apostles early, before the day-trip coaches arrive. Take the inland road to the Port Campbell area first (roughly three hours from Melbourne, typically), then drive the coast back toward Melbourne.
- You don't mind having the ocean on the far side of the road.
- No car? V/Line trains run from Southern Cross Station to Geelong and Warrnambool. V/Line coaches run from Geelong via the Great Ocean Road to Apollo Bay and Warrnambool. (checked Oct 12, 2026) Timetables vary, so check V/Line before you plan around them.
- Road status matters more than direction. The Lorne to Apollo Bay stretch has been hit by storms. The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority reported that January flash flooding damaged parts of the eastern Great Otway National Park around Lorne. Lorne itself stayed open, but some roads, tracks and visitor sites were closed. (checked Oct 12, 2026) That notice is from February, so don't assume those closures still apply. Check live status before you leave.
- Roadworks. Transport Victoria notes that work sites may involve lane closures, reduced speed limits, traffic lights, message signs or detours. (checked Oct 12, 2026)
Tips
- Sleep on the coast, not in Melbourne. Lorne, Apollo Bay and Port Campbell all work as bases. It's your choice, but a two-day trip beats a one-day rush.
- Allow extra time for the cliff section between Lorne and Apollo Bay. Posted speeds are rarely what you'll actually drive.
- If you do a day trip west, leave Melbourne early and plan to return by the inland road, so you aren't driving winding coast in the dark.
- Fill up and grab food in the larger towns. Stretches between them can be long.
- Check VicTraffic and the VicEmergency site the morning you go. Both are named on the Authority's page above.
FAQ
Is it better to drive the Great Ocean Road east to west or west to east?
East to west suits most visitors. You start at the official beginning in Torquay and stay on the ocean side of the road. West to east works if you're arriving from Adelaide or want to reach the Twelve Apostles before the crowds. Neither direction is wrong, so choose based on where you start and sleep.
Where does the Great Ocean Road actually start?
It starts at Torquay, about 1.5 hours from Melbourne's CBD by Visit Victoria's estimate. (checked Oct 12, 2026) The coastal road runs west from there to Warrnambool. Some stretches beyond are signed as the Great Ocean Road, but most trip planning treats Torquay and Warrnambool as the two ends.
Can I do a loop from Melbourne instead of out and back?
Yes. Drive the coast one way and return by the Princes Highway through Colac. Visit Victoria describes the inland route as running from Geelong to Warrnambool past farmland and country towns. (checked Oct 12, 2026) Choose the coast for your outbound leg if you want the best light and views while you're fresh.
Want the whole trip planned? The PerkJolt Melbourne + Great Ocean Road guide puts the routes, timing and points strategy in one place. Get the Melbourne + Great Ocean Road guide
More questions about Melbourne + Great Ocean Road
- Should I take a Great Ocean Road tour or self-drive, and do I need a car?
- How do I get from Melbourne airport to the city?
- Is the free tram zone in Melbourne CBD still available, and where does it cover?
- How much does a Great Ocean Road day trip cost?
- How many days should I spend in Melbourne?
See every question about Melbourne + Great Ocean Road → /answers/melbourne/
Last verified: 2026-10-12. Road closures after storms and roadworks are the most likely to change. Check VicTraffic at https://traffic.transport.vic.gov.au and the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority at https://www.greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au before you go.
Good to know before you go
. Confirm hours, fees, schedules and road or trail status on the official page before you book or go.
Sources
- https://www.visitmelbourne.com/regions/great-ocean-road/practical-information
- https://www.visitmelbourne.com/regions/great-ocean-road/see-and-do/road-trips-and-itineraries/great-ocean-road-touring-route
- https://www.greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au/Latest-News/Closures-in-Eastern-Great-Otway-National-Park
- https://transport.vic.gov.au/news-and-resources/projects/great-ocean-road-and-inland-routes-upgrades