Should I take a Great Ocean Road tour or self-drive, and do I need a car?

Short answer: Self-drive if you can give the road two days and you're comfortable driving on the left. Book a tour if you only have one day, hate winding roads, or are still jet-lagged. Either way, you only need a car for the coast. Melbourne itself is easy without one.

Who it's for (and who should skip it)

Self-drive suits you if:

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• You have two or more days and can sleep on the coast.
• You like stopping when and where you want, such as a beach, a waterfall walk or a bakery.
• You're comfortable driving on the left on narrow, twisty roads.
• You're traveling as a group of three or four, where one rental car can be cheaper than several tour seats. Compare real quotes for your dates.

A tour suits you if:

• You have one day, or you'd rather arrive at the Twelve Apostles without having driven there.
• You're nervous about left-side driving, winding roads or wildlife at dusk.
• You're traveling solo and don't want to pay for a whole car.
• You want a driver so everyone can look out the window.

Skip the one-day self-drive if you plan to drive the whole coastal road both ways in a single day. The official advice below says why.

How far it really is

Distance is the thing most first-timers underestimate. The "Great Ocean Road" doesn't start at Melbourne's edge.

• Torquay, the road's official starting point, is just over a one-hour drive from Melbourne.
• Melbourne Airport (MEL) is 110 km (68 mi) from Torquay, and Avalon Airport (AVL) is 49 km (30 mi) from Torquay.
• The 12 Apostles are 275 km west of Melbourne, roughly a four-hour drive along the Great Ocean Road.

That four-hour figure is driving time only. It doesn't include photo stops, lunch or a slow truck on a bend.

The state road authority's driving guide is blunt about it. It says the narrow, windy road means the trip takes longer than it looks on a map, and that the Melbourne–Port Campbell round trip is a long way to travel in one day, so it suggests making it a two-day trip. That leaflet is an older publication, but the road hasn't changed shape.

What the drive is actually like

The coastal road is a scenic two-lane road, not a freeway.

• Because much of the road winds, there is little room for full overtaking lanes. Slow-vehicle turnouts let slower traffic pull aside so others can pass.
• In Australia, all vehicles travel on the left side of the road. The regional tourism body suggests asking passengers to remind you each time you set off and at intersections.
• Speed limits are strictly enforced in Victoria.
• Mobile reception can get patchy, especially through forested sections like Lavers Hill and the Otways. Download offline maps before you leave Melbourne.
• Wildlife is a concern at dawn and dusk, and kangaroos and koalas can cross the road unexpectedly.
• Night driving is best avoided on these roads.

If you've never driven on the left, don't make this your first day doing it. Most rental pickups are at the airport or in the city. Spend ten minutes in a quiet car park or suburb before you hit the coast.

Road closures and conditions are real, especially after heavy rain and in summer fire season. The regional tourism body points travelers to VicEmergency and VicTraffic for the latest safety information. Check both the morning you go.

How a tour compares

A Great Ocean Road day tour from Melbourne is designed to do the whole thing in one long day. You trade flexibility for not having to drive, navigate or park.

What you get:

• No driving, no left-side stress, no parking at busy lookouts.
• A set route that usually covers the coast, a rainforest stop and the Twelve Apostles. Exact stops vary by operator, so read the itinerary.
• A long day. Operators set their own departure and return times, so check the specific listing.

What you give up:

• Time at each stop. Many people want longer at the Apostles or a proper walk in the Otways, and a group schedule rarely allows it.
• Sunrise or sunset at the Apostles, which a day tour generally can't offer.
• The option to change plans because of weather or crowds.

Prices vary a lot by operator, group size, season and what's included. Compare a few listings with the same inclusions and don't assume the cheapest is the best fit.

Middle options if you don't want to drive

• Train plus local tour. Visit Victoria lists a V/Line train to Warrnambool followed by a one-hour trip to the 12 Apostles with Warrnambool Tours. Check the V/Line timetable and the operator's schedule yourself. Rail times and tour days change.
• Scenic flight. Visit Victoria also lists a 12 Apostles Air Adventure flight from Torquay. It's a splurge and no substitute for the drive. Treat it as an add-on.
• Tour one way, then make your own way. Some travelers join a multi-day tour or book a one-way hire. Ask about one-way fees before you commit.

Do you need a car in Melbourne itself?

Usually not. The central city and inner suburbs are well covered by trams, trains and buses, and parking in the CBD is expensive and awkward. Public Transport Victoria is the official source for tickets and routes. Rent only for the days you leave the city, and pick up on the morning you head out.

Flying into Avalon instead of Melbourne Airport shortens the drive to Torquay on paper. Tourism Australia notes that hire cars are available at both airports and in central Melbourne. Check which airlines serve Avalon on your dates before you plan around it.

What to see at the Apostles end

If you reach the Twelve Apostles area, give it more than a quick selfie.

• The 12 Apostles are part of Port Campbell National Park, which stretches over 30 km along the coast from Princetown to Peterborough.
• The main viewing walk is 600 m to 1.2 km return and takes about 45 minutes.
• Gog and Magog, two offshore stacks, are a short 1 km walk south at the Gibson Steps.
• Port Campbell, with cafés, restaurants and shops, is 12 km west of the site.

Visitor-centre hours, parking fees, trail closures and lookout works change. Check Parks Victoria's Port Campbell National Park page before you go.

Tips and tricks

1. Make it two days if you drive. Overnight on the coast. Lorne and Apollo Bay are natural stops, and you'll reach the Apostles with more energy and daylight.
2. Do it in reverse for a one-day drive. If you must do one day, a common approach is to take the faster inland highway to the Apostles, then drive the coast back toward Torquay. Check timings in your maps app and leave early. It's still a long day.
3. Time the Apostles. Early morning or late afternoon tends to be quieter than midday, when tour groups cluster. Sunrise and sunset can be spectacular, but only if you're staying nearby.
4. Break the drive up. The regional tourism body suggests breaks every 45–60 minutes. Use designated pull-outs and let faster locals pass.
5. Don't drive right after a long flight. The regional tourism body advises a good night's sleep before a long drive, especially after a long flight to Australia, and sharing the driving where you can.
6. Sort your licence before you book. Visitors can often drive on a valid overseas licence, sometimes with an English translation or International Driving Permit. Rules vary by licence type, and rental companies set their own requirements. Check the Victorian government's guidance for visitors and your rental company's terms.
7. Check your card's rental coverage. Many travel cards include rental-car protection, but terms and country exclusions differ. Read your card's benefits guide before declining the rental company's cover.
8. Fuel up and pack snacks before the Otways. Services thin out between towns, and reception drops. Fill the tank in a larger town.
9. Use points for the flight, not the car. If you're flying to Melbourne on points, Capital One and Citi both transfer to Qantas at 1:1. See our transfer partners guide for the full chart.

Worked example (illustrative)

Two-day self-drive for two, no tour needed

• Morning, Day 1: Collect a rental in central Melbourne rather than paying for a car while you sightsee. Head for Torquay, the road's official start. Stop for breakfast and a beach walk.
• Midday: Drive the coast through Lorne, stopping at a lookout or two. Take a short rainforest or waterfall walk in the Otways if the weather allows.
• Afternoon: Arrive in Apollo Bay (or Lorne) and check in well before dusk. Walk the town and get dinner. You're off the road before kangaroo hour.
• Day 2 morning: Start early for the Twelve Apostles and walk the main route (about 45 minutes per the official page). Add Gibson Steps, then have a late breakfast or early lunch in Port Campbell.
• Day 2 afternoon: Take the faster inland route back toward Melbourne and return the car. Budget a long drive, plus fuel and city parking or drop-off time.

If you only have one day: Skip the self-drive and book a day tour from Melbourne. Pick one with a reasonable number of stops. Spend your saved energy on the Apostles walk and Gibson Steps.

Rough cost logic: Compare the per-person tour price with your share of the car hire, fuel, one night's accommodation, and any one-way or after-hours fees. For two people, a tour often wins on a single day. For three or four people over two days, self-drive often wins. Get real quotes for your dates.

FAQ

Can I do the Great Ocean Road in one day?

Yes, but it's a long day. The Twelve Apostles are about four hours' drive from Melbourne , and you still have to get back. A tour handles that for you. If you drive, plan an early start, limit your stops and take the faster return. Two days is much nicer.

Do I need a 4WD for the Great Ocean Road?

No. The main road is sealed and a normal rental car handles it. The tourism body has a section on whether you need a 4WD, but the main road doesn't call for one. Unsealed side roads are a different matter. Check your rental agreement, because many companies restrict unsealed roads, and look at conditions before you go.

Is the Great Ocean Road hard to drive for a first-timer?

It's manageable, but demanding. The road is narrow and winding, and you'll be driving on the left. If you're a confident driver, you'll be fine at a relaxed pace. If left-side driving makes you anxious, a tour removes the problem. Avoid driving at night, and use the slow-vehicle turnouts.

Do I need a car in Melbourne?

Not for the city. Trams, trains and buses cover the central area and many suburbs, and parking in the center is expensive. Rent a car only for the days you leave town, or skip it entirely and take a tour. Check Public Transport Victoria for current tickets and routes.

Can I get to the Twelve Apostles by public transport?

Only partly. Visit Victoria lists a V/Line train to Warrnambool, then a one-hour trip to the Apostles with Warrnambool Tours. That's not a quick or flexible day trip, and timetables change. Confirm both the V/Line schedule and the tour's days directly.

What's the best direction to drive?

It depends on your plan. For a two-day trip, most people drive west from Torquay so the road builds toward the Apostles. For a one-day trip, many drive out the fast inland way and come back via the coast. Whichever way you go, set your own pace and be ready to adjust if conditions are poor.

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

• How much does a Great Ocean Road day trip cost?
• How many days should I spend in Melbourne?
• What is the best time of year to visit Melbourne?
• How many days do I need for the Great Ocean Road?
• Is the Phillip Island penguin parade worth it?

See every question about Melbourne + Great Ocean Road → /answers/melbourne/

Last verified: 2026-10-12. Road conditions, closures, visitor-centre hours and tour or V/Line schedules are most likely to change, so check VicTraffic and VicEmergency before you drive and the official Visit Great Ocean Road site for current details.

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.australia.com/en-us/places/melbourne-and-surrounds/guide-to-the-great-ocean-road.html
• https://visitgreatoceanroad.org.au/visit12apostles/the-12-apostles/
• https://www.visitvictoria.com/regions/great-ocean-road/see-and-do/nature-and-wildlife/beaches-and-coastlines/12-apostles
• https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/~/media/files/formsandpublications/licences/great_ocean_road_safe_driving_tips.pdf
• https://visitgreatoceanroad.org.au/plan-your-trip/road-safety/
• https://visitgreatoceanroad.org.au/explore/9-questions-you-didnt-know-to-ask-before-driving-the-great-ocean-road/
• https://visitgreatoceanroad.org.au/explore/self-driving-itineraries-for-1-3-or-5-days/

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