Fuel up at a popular local café in Canberra (try a good coffee and a takeaway sandwich or pastry) before you hit the road; cafés typically open around 7:00–8:00am. This sets you up for a long driving day and easy start to the trip.
Leave Canberra heading south-west then south via the Monaro and Princes Highways toward Gippsland; expect roughly 5–6 hours driving with stops. Plan fuel and toilet breaks every 1.5–2 hours.
Arrive Lakes Entrance and have lunch at a fish-and-chips or waterfront eatery to enjoy local seafood and views of the Gippsland Lakes; many places open from 11:00am. It's a great place to stretch your legs and take in the lakes and Ninety Mile Beach.
Walk part of Ninety Mile Beach or head to the Lakes Entrance lookout to see the spillway and wide coastal views — short walks are pleasant and open year-round (dawn–dusk for beaches).
Check in to a local holiday park or caravan park such as NRMA Eastern Beach Holiday Park or a beachfront campsite; office hours commonly 8:00am–8:00pm but check your booking. Set up camp and use facilities to refresh.
Choose a relaxed dinner at a lakeside pub or cook at your campsite; pubs typically serve dinner from 5:30pm and campsite kitchens are handy for campers. Enjoy an early night to recover from the drive.
Grab bakery pastries and coffee in Lakes Entrance before departure; local bakeries typically open 7:00am. A quick breakfast gives you energy for walking in Wilsons Promontory later.
Drive south-west toward Wilsons Promontory (approx 2.5–3.5 hours depending on route and stops). Ensure you have fuel and bring water — some stretches are remote.
Visit the Wilsons Promontory Visitor Centre (usually open ~9:00am–5:00pm) for maps and current track conditions, then do a short hike such as Squeaky Beach or Lilly Pilly Gully (beach tracks are open dawn–dusk).
Enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the park’s beachside day-use areas; picnic tables and BBQs are available but bring your own food. Wilsons Prom is prized for its beaches and wildlife so keep an eye out for kangaroos and emus.
Set up camp at Tidal River campground (bookings recommended; sites available year-round though busy in peak season). The campground has good facilities; check-in offices generally have daytime hours.
Take a short walk from the campground to Norman Beach or Lilly Pilly Gully at sunset — beaches are best around dusk and make a peaceful end to the day (dawn–dusk access).
Cook dinner at your campsite or use the camp kitchen; self-catered meals are common in Tidal River because evening dining options are limited. Prepare for cooler coastal nights.
Have an early breakfast at camp or grab coffee and takeaway breakfast from Tidal River supplies; note visitor centre/camp shop opening times are limited. Early start helps cover the long coastal drive.
Drive west along the South Gippsland/Great Ocean Road corridor toward Port Fairy; allow 4–5 hours with scenic stops. You’ll pass coastal lookouts and small towns — pick one or two stops for short walks or photos.
Stop in Foster or a coastal town for lunch, where pubs and cafés typically serve from midday; choose a light meal to keep your afternoon flexible. Foster is a common service town before reaching the Great Ocean Road sections.
Arrive Port Fairy in the afternoon and stroll the historic wharf, Griffiths Island lighthouse and the pretty walkways — the town is compact and great for a relaxed wander (open access, dawn–dusk for some reserves).
Check in to Port Fairy Holiday Park or a beachfront campsite and set up; parks usually have office hours into the evening but confirm arrival times when booking. Use facilities to rinse off and organise tomorrow’s drive.
Dine at a local bistro or fish-and-chip shop in Port Fairy; many eateries serve dinner from 5:30pm and are well worth trying for fresh local produce. Book ahead on weekends.
Enjoy breakfast at a café in Port Fairy before a short coastal drive; most cafés open from 7:00–8:00am. A cooked breakfast will set you up for walks and viewpoints on the Great Ocean Road.
A scenic morning drive along the Princes Highway / Great Ocean Road stretches to Port Campbell (approx 1.5–2 hours). Expect picturesque coastal lookouts and short photo stops en route.
Visit the 12 Apostles lookout and nearby Loch Ard Gorge in Port Campbell National Park; visitor areas and lookouts are open daily (visitor centre hours vary, often ~9:00am–5:00pm). Walk the boardwalks for iconic coastal limestone views.
Have lunch in Port Campbell (cafés/seafood options) and try a local pie or seafood dish; shops usually open midday. This is a convenient stop to refill supplies before afternoon walks.
Do short walks to Gibson Steps (beach access) or the Bay of Islands coastal reserve for fewer crowds and dramatic coastal scenery; beach access follows tide and safety signage. Keep an eye on tides and track closures.
Check in to a campground or caravan park near Port Campbell / Princetown and set up for the night; there are powered and unpowered sites. Book ahead in peak times for powered sites.
Dinner at a Port Campbell pub or small restaurant — simple pub fare and local seafood are common and practical for campers. Enjoy a relaxed evening and prepare for a longer drive tomorrow.
Have a quick breakfast at camp or visit a local bakery before departing Port Campbell; bakeries usually open from 7:00am. Early departure helps fit in key stops like Mount Gambier.
Head west and slightly inland to Mount Gambier to see the Blue Lake — drive takes ~3 hours; visitor centre typically open 9:00am–5:00pm. The Blue Lake viewpoint is a short walk and well worth the stop.
Visit Mount Gambier’s Blue Lake lookout and surrounds — the crater lake is a spectacular turquoise (seasonal colour changes) and easy to access. Facilities and walks around the rim are pleasant for a short visit.
Continue west-southwest toward Robe on the Limestone Coast (approx 2–2.5 hours). Robe is a charming seaside town perfect for evening beach walks and seafood.
Check in to Robe Beach Caravan Park or a beachfront camping area and set up; caravan parks typically have office hours through the afternoon. Robe offers good beach access and town amenities.
Dine on local seafood at one of Robe’s waterfront restaurants or pubs; many venues open evenings from 5:30pm and specialise in fresh local catch. Try the local oysters or a classic fish dish.
Enjoy breakfast in Robe — cafés open from around 7:00–8:00am; a relaxed seaside breakfast before the final leg is ideal. Pick up any last-minute supplies for Adelaide.
Drive north-west toward Adelaide (approx 3.5–4 hours depending on stops). Plan for one or two short stops en route (Meningie or Murray Bridge) to stretch and refuel.
Stop for lunch in Murray Bridge or Tailem Bend; pubs and cafés are convenient and typically open at midday. Use this stop to top up fuel and check campsite arrival times in Adelaide.
Check in at Adelaide Shores (West Beach) or a metropolitan caravan park near Glenelg; parks usually accept late afternoon arrivals but confirm check-in times when booking. Set up and relax before evening plans.
Take a tram or short drive to Glenelg for a beachfront stroll, shops and cafes (open into the evening) — a pleasant way to enjoy Adelaide’s coast on arrival. Sunset at Glenelg Jetty is popular.
Finish with dinner at a Glenelg restaurant or a short trip into central Adelaide for more options; restaurants typically serve dinner from 5:30pm. Celebrate the end of the road trip with a sit-down meal or market-style food.