Set off mid-morning from Melbourne and ease into the drive with a coffee and brunch at Little Creatures Brewery in Geelong before strolling the waterfront at Eastern Beach to stretch your legs and admire bay views. Continue along the Surf Coast, pausing for surf-watch and a walk on the clifftop trail at Bells Beach and a scenic stop at the lookout above Point Addis Marine National Park before arriving in Torquay/Anglesea by early afternoon.
After arriving in Torquay/Anglesea, take a relaxed coastal stroll along the foreshore to Torquay Front Beach then grab a late lunch or craft coffee at The Pond Cafe before heading to Anglesea Golf Club to spot kangaroos on the fairways at dusk. Finish the afternoon with a short drive to the scenic headland at Split Point Lighthouse nearby for sweeping ocean views and golden-hour photos as the light softens.
Wind down the day with a relaxed seafood dinner at The Wye River Hotel (or similar coastal tavern) - order local flathead or scallops and sit on the outdoor deck to enjoy the sea breeze. After dinner, take a short twilight walk along Jan Juc Beach to watch the sky deepen and look for distant headland silhouettes, then finish with a nightcap at Front Beach Bar & Bistro back in Torquay before turning in.
Leave Torquay after breakfast and follow the coastal ribbon to explore the dramatic clifftops and rainforest-shelf contrasts starting with a brisk walk through the native woodland and rock platforms at Anglesea Coastal Reserve before stopping for photos at the windswept headland of Point Danger Lookout. Continue to the seaside village of Fairhaven Beach for a coffee and a sandy stroll, then detour inland to wander the fern-lined paths and see small waterfalls in Erskine Falls Reserve just before descending toward Lorne for a relaxed lunch by the pier.
Drive into the heart of the coast and pause for an invigorating cliff-top walk at Teddy's Lookout, where sweeping vistas of the rugged shoreline and the valley below make for perfect photos. Continue to the picturesque seaside town of Aireys Inlet to explore the historic Split Point Lighthouse precinct (tours available) and relax with fish and chips on the rocks at Aireys Inlet Beach, then finish the afternoon with a short rainforest stroll along the shaded tracks of Lion's Head Reserve before descending toward Lorne for dinner.
As the sun softens, settle into a relaxed seaside evening at Lorne Pier, watching local anglers and pelicans as the tide slips in, then stroll the nearby esplanade to browse artisan shops and galleries like Lorne Sculpture Gallery for local craft. For dinner, choose a table at The Bottle of Milk for casual burgers and shakes or book ahead at Seasonal @ The Grand for a seafood-forward meal, then finish with a moonlit walk along Cleve Avenue Reserve where tall gums frame the stars.
Depart Lorne after breakfast and take the cliff-top Great Ocean Walk toward Maits Rest Rainforest Walk for an easy, fern-filled loop beneath towering gums, then continue to the windswept promontory at Sheoak Falls Lookout for coastal panoramas and seabird watching. Pause at Kennett River to join a guided wildlife stroll searching for koalas in the eucalyptus canopy and to sample fresh pastries and coffee at a local café before arriving in Apollo Bay in time for a seaside lunch.
Spend the afternoon winding the road to the dramatic clifftops at Teddy's Lookout for sweeping coastal vistas, then descend toward the seaside settlement of Aireys Inlet to explore the historic precinct and enjoy fish-and-chips on the rocks. Continue through the Great Ocean Road curves to stop at Mariners Lookout for bird and seal spotting, then stretch your legs with a short coastal boardwalk at Skenes Creek before rolling into Apollo Bay in time for a relaxed beachfront drink.
As daylight softens, settle into the relaxed seaside village of Skenes Creek with a sunset drink on the deck at The General Store Café, watching fishing boats return and the sky turn copper. Afterward, enjoy a casual beachfront dinner at La Bimba in Apollo Bay or sample local seafood at Pompei's Restaurant, then take a starlit stroll along Apollo Bay Foreshore where the sound of waves and the scent of eucalyptus close the day.
Rise early for a cool, bird-filled stroll through the fern gullies of Shelly Beach & Marengo Coastal Reserve, then drive inland to wander the elevated boardwalks and towering myrtles at Melba Gully, searching for lyrebirds and the hush of old-growth forest. Finish the morning with a scenic lunch stop at Johanna Beach picnic area, where the dramatic river mouth and sweeping sand dunes make a perfect backdrop for a relaxed picnic or short beach walk before heading deeper into the Otways.
After your Melba Gully and Johanna Beach morning, head back toward the coast for a late-afternoon exploration of Cape Otway Lightstation-wander the historic grounds, climb the lighthouse for sweeping views, and learn about shipwrecks at the small museum. Finish with a calm drive through the Otways to Maits Rest Rainforest Walk, taking the elevated boardwalk beneath towering tree ferns as the golden light filters through the canopy, then stop at Skenes Creek Lookout for a final seaside panorama before settling in Apollo Bay for dinner.
As dusk falls, head to Moggs Creek Reserve for a cliff-top stroll and watch the sun sink behind rugged headlands while seals and sea birds bob offshore; follow this with a twilight seafood feast at Acre Eatery & Bar in Apollo Bay, where locally caught rock lobster or grilled snapper are seasonal highlights. Finish the night with a short drive to Wild Dog Creek Lookout for starry-sky panoramas above the treeline, or drop into Apollo Bay Brewhouse for a relaxed nightcap and to sample a local ale before turning in.
Set out early along the winding coast to stop first at Marriners Lookout for morning light on the surf and a chance to spot dolphins from the clifftop, then continue to the rugged headland at Cape Otway Homestead for a short heritage walk and coffee among historic gum trees. Drive on to explore the dramatic rock formations at Condah Hole Lookout and stretch your legs with a coastal boardwalk at Peterborough Beach, arriving into the Port Campbell region in time for a harbour-side brunch and to prepare for the afternoon's Twelve Apostles highlights.
Drive the coastal ribbon stopping first at Kennett River for a guided wildlife walk to spot koalas and colourful parrots in the eucalyptus canopy, then continue to the dramatic sea stacks at Moonlight Head for a short cliff-top hike and sweeping ocean views. Finish the afternoon with a photo stop and a coastal stroll at The Grotto, followed by a late-afternoon visit to the wind-sculpted platform of Loch Ard Gorge to explore rock arches and the shipwreck history before rolling into Port Campbell for dinner.
Unwind after a day of coastal wonders with a sunset drive to Port Campbell Coastal Reserve for low-light photos of the cliffs, then head to Hollow Mountain Lookout for sweeping views as the horizon deepens. For dinner, enjoy fresh local fare at 3 Sheets Restaurant (or a nearby waterfront bistro), then finish the night with a moonlit stroll along Port Campbell Foreshore listening for surf and spotting illuminated headlands from the bench-lined promenade.
Leave Port Campbell after an early coffee and head west to explore the windswept cliffs at Logans Beach Whale Platform, timing your visit for prime whale-watching (seasonal) and panoramic views over the Southern Ocean. Continue to the historic fishing village of Peterborough for a beachside walk and birdwatching at the tidal flats, then stop at Camps Bay Lookout for dramatic cliff-top photos and a short coastal scramble before arriving in Warrnambool for lunch.
After lunch, follow the coastal road to the dramatic blowholes and sculpted cliffs at Bay of Islands Coastal Park, stopping for a short walk along the headlands to photograph sea stacks and nesting seabirds. Continue west to explore the broad sandy sweep of Almurta Beach for a seaside stroll, then finish the afternoon with a peaceful estuary paddle or birdwatching session at Hopkins River Mouth, where the calm waters and reed beds are perfect for late-afternoon light and spotting waterbirds before you roll into Warrnambool.
As the light softens, drive to Purnim Reserve for a tranquil riverside walk where tidal reflections and native birdlife offer peaceful sunset photography opportunities, then continue to Lady Bay for a sandy stroll and to watch fishing boats head home. Finish with dinner at South Beach Café & Bar, savouring fresh local seafood or grilled catches on the deck while the ocean breeze and distant headlands close the day.
Set out after breakfast and head west to explore the rugged headlands of Thunder Point Coastal Reserve, where a short clifftop walk rewards you with panoramic views and kelp forests below, then drop down to stretch your legs on the sand at Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve - take the scenic loop drive and a guided walk to spot emus, kangaroos and abundant birdlife in a volcanic crater setting. Continue toward the coast with a coffee stop at the historic hamlet of Killarney before visiting the secluded rock pools and fossil-rich platforms at Yambuk Lakes & Beach, perfect for tidepooling and shoreline exploration en route to Portland.
Head west along the coast to explore the dramatic basalt stacks and windswept headlands at The Bay of Islands Coastal Park (western precinct) where short cliff-top trails offer close-up views of sculpted sea arches and nesting seabirds. Continue on to the peaceful fishing hamlet of Yambuk Beachfront Reserve for a late-afternoon beach walk and tidepooling, then finish with a scenic stop at [Cape Nelson Lighthouse Reserve](https://www.google.com/search?q=Cape+Nelson+Lighthouse+Reserve+9+days+road+trip+from+melbourne+to+Adelaide+using+the+scenic+coastal+route+and+the+great+ocean+road+official+site) to climb the headland for panoramic views across the shipping channel as the light softens before rolling into Portland.
As twilight falls, park at Lady Bay Foreshore for a gentle walk along the sand and watch local pelicans and fishing boats return to harbour, then head west to sample fresh local seafood at The Portland Cable Trams Café & Restaurant where harbour views lend a maritime finish to the meal. After dinner, take a short drive up to Cape Bridgewater Cliffs for dramatic sunset silhouettes and, if timing allows, join a guided short boardwalk to the nearby Bridgewater Lakes to spot resident fur seals and listen for the hollow roar of the blowholes as night settles.
Leave Portland at first light and follow the coastal highway, stopping to stretch your legs at Port Fairy Breakwater for dramatic harbour views and early-morning birdlife, then continue west to explore the basalt cliffs and tidal platforms at Cape Nelson State Park where a short walk reveals nesting seabirds and panoramic ocean swells. Cross into South Australia and take a scenic detour to Mount Gambier's Blue Lake Lookout for a quick photo stop of the brilliant crater lake before rolling toward the coast and a relaxed seaside brunch at Kingston SE Jetty to watch local fishermen mend nets and taste fresh seafood.
After a coastal morning, follow the highway inland briefly to explore the historic wharf precinct and maritime displays at Port MacDonnell, then continue west to walk the windswept dunes and tidal flats of Eight Mile Creek Conservation Park, searching for migratory waders and dramatic shell-strewn beaches. Finish the afternoon with a scenic drive into South Australia, pausing at the panoramic headland lookout at Cape Jaffa Lighthouse Reserve to watch fishing boats and sample fresh oysters at a local roadside stall before rolling into Robe as the light softens.
Slow the pace with a coastal sunset drive to Guichen Bay Foreshore Reserve in Robe for a relaxed shoreline walk and oyster-shell hunting as the light softens, then head to The Bluff Lookout for panoramic views over the bay and passing fishing boats. Finish with dinner at Robe's Wharf Restaurant & Bar sampling south-east SA seafood and a local wine, then stroll the lantern-lit jetty at night to listen for waves and spot bioluminescence in calm waters if conditions allow.
Set off from Robe and follow the coastal highway north with a first stop at Cape Dombey Obelisk for panoramic views over the lighthouse and shipwreck-strewn shoreline, then stretch your legs with a dune-to-beach walk at Long Beach (Robe) where sand dunes and turquoise shallows invite an early-morning paddle or birdwatching. Continue via coastal towns to savour a seaside brunch at Kingston SE Jetty or a seafood roll at a local fishmonger in Beachport, then take the short woodland detour to Canunda National Park for a cliff-top lookout and a chance to spot kangaroos grazing near the coastal heath before heading inland toward Adelaide.
Drive north from Robe and pause at Cape Jaffa Clifftop Walk for a brisk cliffside stretch and shorebird watching, then continue to the historic seaside village of Kingston SE to visit the Barrack Lake jetty and sample a freshly shucked oyster or fish-and-chip lunch at a waterfront kiosk. Later, follow the coast toward Beachport, walk the long wooden Jetty and Boardwalk, explore the tidal flats of Beachport Conservation Park for migratory birds, and sip coffee at a beachside café before resuming the drive inland toward Adelaide.
As the sun dips, pause in Kingston for a relaxed harbour-front meal at The Jetty Kingston watching local boats tie up, then take a short detour to wander the peaceful shoreline at Pelican Lagoon for golden-hour birdlife and reflective water views. Continue north toward Marion with a final scenic stop at Goolwa Beach Jetty to stroll the sand and catch the last light before sampling South Australian wines and seafood at Victor Harbor Wharf Eatery or a cosy bistro in Adelaide as you arrive into the city for the night.