Start with a slow walk through Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria in South Yarra — it’s the kind of last Melbourne stop that resets your head before a long drive. If you’re there around late morning, the lawns along Ornamental Lake and the paths near Fern Gully are especially good for a quiet loop, and you’ll usually see plenty of locals doing exactly the same. Entry is free, and you only need about an hour unless you’re happily lingering. From there, it’s a short ride or a very manageable walk to the Shrine of Remembrance, where the terrace gives you one of the best city views looking back toward the CBD and the Dandenongs on a clear day. It’s free to enter, though the galleries and rooftop access can take a little longer if you want to read the displays.
Head down to St Kilda Esplanade and Pier for lunch by the water and a proper coastal exhale before the road trip starts in earnest. The beach isn’t exactly tropical in May, but that’s part of the charm — brisk air, big sky, and a nice stretch along the pier to watch the ferries come and go. If you want an easy sit-down or takeaway lunch, this is a good point to aim for somewhere casual near Acland Street or Grey Street and then eat along the foreshore. Budget around A$20–30 per person for a decent lunch, and allow about 1.5 hours so you don’t feel rushed. After that, swing back through Armadale for Hector’s Deli — the sandwiches are genuinely worth planning around, especially if you want something road-trip-friendly and a bit more polished than standard service-station fare. Expect a short wait at peak lunch, and it’s smart to grab drinks there too.
Before fully heading out of town, make one last easy stop at Werribee South Foreshore. It’s a quiet, low-key stretch that gives you a final look at open water and a clean transition away from inner-city traffic, which is exactly what you want before a big interstate drive. It’s not a “destination” in the dramatic sense, but that’s the appeal: fewer crowds, plenty of room to breathe, and a good point to mentally switch from city mode to road-trip mode. If you’ve timed the day well, this is the last calm pause before you point the car west and start the long run toward the coast tomorrow.
Start with Marriner’s Lookout as soon as you’ve had coffee in Apollo Bay — it’s the easiest way to get your bearings and one of those viewpoints that actually earns the detour. Park by the lookout track and give yourself about 30 minutes; it’s free, the climb is short, and the view over Marriners Creek, the curve of Apollo Bay, and the sweep of the Southern Ocean is especially good before the wind gets up. From there, head straight into Great Otway National Park for the Maits Rest Rainforest Walk, which is the perfect change of pace after the exposed coastline. The loop is only about an hour, and the boardwalk is usually calm and damp in a nice way — tree ferns, moss, towering myrtle beech, all the classic Otways stuff. It’s an easy walk, free to access, and the trail is best enjoyed slowly rather than rushed.
Continue east to Kennett River Koala Walk, where the fun is less about a formal trail and more about scanning the gums near Grey River Road and around the caravan park area. Give it 45 minutes and don’t be shy about looking up — koalas are often high in the trees, and the real trick is patience, not chasing them. Keep moving after that toward Aireys Inlet for lunch at The Gables at Aireys Inlet, a solid, relaxed stop with good coffee, proper meals, and a coastal-town feel that isn’t trying too hard. Expect roughly A$25–40 per person depending on how hungry you are; if the weather’s decent, snag a table outside or near the window so you can enjoy the light and come back to the road feeling human again. This is also a good moment to stock up on snacks and water for the afternoon, because the next stretch is best if you can keep things unhurried.
After lunch, swing by Aireys Inlet Lighthouse for a quick heritage stop and a bit of cliff-top drama. It only needs about 30 minutes, but it’s one of those places where the views do most of the work — you’ll get a proper sense of the coastline and, on a clear day, a very satisfying look back along the bends of the Great Ocean Road. Then continue on for the day’s marquee stop at Port Campbell National Park: Twelve Apostles, which is worth timing for later afternoon light if you can manage it. Spend about an hour here: walk the main viewing platforms first, then, if the conditions are good, take your time with the shorter paths around the edges rather than just snapping one photo and leaving. It’s a classic for a reason, and the changing light usually makes the limestone stacks look completely different every few minutes. Keep your layers handy — even in mild weather, the wind off the water can be sharp once the sun starts dropping.
Give yourself an early start and head straight out to Cape Bridgewater Seal Colony Lookout while the light is still soft and the wind hasn’t fully picked up. This is one of those places where the drama is the point: sheer cliffs, a big ocean horizon, and usually plenty of movement below if the seals are hauling out. Allow about an hour, including a little time just to stand there and watch. It’s free, but it can feel properly wild, so bring a windproof layer and don’t rush the edges if it’s blustery. From there, continue on to Bridgewater Bay Beach for a short walk among the dunes and the long sweep of sand — it’s the kind of beach where you come for the scenery more than a swim, especially in May. Give yourself around 45 minutes and wear shoes you don’t mind getting sandy.
By late morning, roll back into Portland and stop at Botanic Bistro Portland for lunch. It’s a sensible central choice when you want something easy without overthinking it, with mains and café-style plates typically landing around A$20–35 per person. It’s the kind of place that works well after a windy coastal morning: sit down, warm up, and take your time. If you’ve got a bit of flexibility, linger over coffee before heading a few minutes into the CBD for the afternoon stop.
Spend the middle of the day at the Portland Maritime Discovery Centre, which gives the town a bit of context beyond the pretty harbor frontage. Portland’s identity is tied closely to shipping, fishing, and its long relationship with the coast, and this is the easiest place to connect the dots. Allow about an hour; entry is usually inexpensive or donation-based depending on the exhibit setup, so it’s a low-effort, high-context stop. After that, finish with a gentle seaside wander at Nuns Beach. It’s an easy place to stretch your legs before leaving town, with calm views, a relaxed local feel, and enough open space to let the day slow down a bit. If the weather’s fair, it’s a lovely final coastal pause before tomorrow’s inland stretch.
Arriving in Mount Gambier by late morning, head first to Blue Lake Lookout. It’s the classic “you’re really here” moment for this town, and the best first stop because the colour and scale make much more sense when you’re seeing it before the day heats up. Give it about 45 minutes, especially if you want time for photos and a slow lap of the viewing area. There’s no entry fee, and parking is straightforward. From there, it’s an easy drive or short hop onward to Umpherston Sinkhole, which is at its prettiest in the softer morning light — the hanging ferns and terraced gardens feel a bit magical, and an hour is plenty to wander without rushing.
For lunch, book in at The Barn Steakhouse just outside the centre. This is the kind of place locals actually send visitors to when they want a proper meal, not a token road-trip bite. Expect hearty South Australian portions, good beef, and a relaxed country-dining feel; budget roughly A$30–50 per person depending on how hungry you are and whether you go for wine or dessert. It’s an easy reset point before the afternoon stretch, and if you’re timing things loosely, you’ll be glad for the sit-down after a morning of sightseeing.
After lunch, head to Valley Lake Conservation Park for an unhurried lakeside walk. This is the best place on today’s route to slow the pace and let Mount Gambier breathe a bit — the paths are easy, the views are open, and it’s ideal for a coffee-in-hand stroll or a picnic-style break if the weather plays nice. Then finish back in town at Cave Garden / Thugi, right in the CBD, so you end the day somewhere simple and central rather than out on the edge of town. It’s a quick 30-minute stop, but worth it for the sinkhole history and the convenience of being able to wander straight from there to a café or your accommodation without another big drive.
By the time you leave Mount Gambier, this day works best if you treat it as a gentle inland-coast pivot rather than a big driving slog. Your first stop, Lake Robe Foreshore, is exactly the sort of reset road-trippers need: flat walking paths, salty air, gulls overhead, and that easy, sleepy Robe rhythm that makes you slow down without trying. Give yourself about 45 minutes here; there’s no cost, and the best move is just to wander the foreshore track, watch the light on the water, and grab a coffee nearby if you need one before the next stop. A short hop through town brings you to Obelisk at Robe, where the views are the whole point—cliffside ocean drama, classic South Australian coastline, and a very good chance to get those windblown photos you’ll actually keep. It’s a quick 30-minute stop, and the free viewpoint is best when you don’t overthink it.
Roll back into Robe for lunch at Robe Town Brewery, which is one of the more dependable road-trip lunches on this stretch: relaxed, unpretentious, and built for people who want a proper meal without losing the day. Expect roughly A$25–40 per person, especially if you’ve got a beer or cider with it, and plan for about an hour so you’re not rushing out the door. If you’re sensitive to time, aim to order once you sit down—service can be casual when it’s busy, and the place has that easy regional pace where lunch can stretch a bit. It’s a good spot to mentally swap from coast mode to wine-country mode before heading inland.
From there, the day shifts nicely into the Wrattonbully Wine Region near Naracoorte. This is a great detour because it breaks up the drive with something a little richer and more local than just another viewpoint. Pick a cellar door that’s open on the day you’re travelling—many operate roughly 10am–5pm, and tastings are often free or around A$10–15, sometimes waived with purchase. The whole point here is not to speed through; give yourself about 90 minutes to taste a couple of wines, ask questions, and breathe for a minute before the final stop. Then carry on to Naracoorte Caves National Park, which is the day’s standout and feels very different from everything before it. If you have time for only one thing, make it the cave experience; the park is usually open daily, with entry fees commonly in the A$15–25 range depending on what you do, and the best light and energy tend to be late afternoon.
At Naracoorte Caves National Park, don’t try to cram in too much—this is the one place where a slower pace pays off. If the timing works, focus on one major cave or the visitor area and a short walk around the surrounds rather than racing between everything. The site is well set up for self-drive visitors, and it’s an easy place to spend about 1.5 hours without feeling like you’ve overcommitted. After that, you can continue on toward Bordertown with a satisfied, nicely mixed day behind you: coast, lunch, wine, caves, done in a way that still leaves a bit of energy in the tank for tomorrow.
Give yourself a straightforward start and keep this one moving — the first stop is really about the visual payoff, not lingering. Coonalpyn Silo Art is best seen in the cool of the morning when the colours pop and the roadside parking is easy. Plan on about 20 minutes here: enough time for photos, a quick stretch, and to appreciate how big the artwork feels once you’re standing under it. There’s no real cost beyond your coffee stop later, so it’s a good low-effort way to ease into the day.
From there, continue north to Keith Hotel for a proper country-town breakfast or brunch. It’s the kind of place that does the job without fuss — good bacon and eggs, toasted sandwiches, pies, and strong coffee, usually in the A$15–25 range per person. If you’re there around opening time, service tends to be smoother and the dining room still has that sleepy morning feel. It’s a practical refuel rather than a destination meal, and that’s exactly why it works on a road trip.
After breakfast, head for Bool Lagoon Conservation Park near Naracoorte for a quieter change of pace. This is one of those stops that depends a bit on water levels and season, but when conditions are right it’s excellent for birdlife and a proper break from the highway rhythm. Give yourself about an hour to wander, scan the wetlands, and take it slow — bring binoculars if you have them, because even a short stop here feels more rewarding when you can pick out the birds properly. Entry is generally free or low-cost for park access, but check signage if you’re arriving outside normal visiting conditions.
Once you’re back on the road, the day eases into the Hills approach and the scenery starts feeling more suburban-rural than outback. Head up to Mt Barker Summit Lookout first for the best “we’re nearly there” moment of the day — a 45-minute stop is plenty to take in the views and let the road trip catch its breath. It’s usually free, and the short drive up means you don’t need to overthink it; just aim for late afternoon light if you can, since the Adelaide Hills look much better with softer contrast.
Finish with a relaxed glass at Cobb’s Hill Estate in Mount Barker. This is a good end-of-day cellar door because it feels scenic without being too formal, and it gives you a final slow moment before Adelaide tomorrow. Plan on about an hour, and if you’re driving, it’s sensible to keep it to one tasting or a couple of small pours. The setting is the point here: countryside views, an unhurried table, and a proper transition from road mode into city-adjacent wine country.
Ease into the last day with Mount Lofty Summit first thing — it’s the right kind of grand finale because you get the whole city spread out below you before you’ve even properly arrived. Go early if you can, since parking is easiest before the tour buses roll in, and the lookout itself is free. Give yourself about 45 minutes to wander the viewing platforms, breathe in the cool Hills air, and take in the sweep from the Gulf to the skyline. From there, it’s a short drive deeper into the hills to Cleland Wildlife Park, which is one of the most satisfying last stops on this route because it feels genuinely close-up rather than staged. Budget around A$38–45 for adult entry, and plan on roughly 2 hours if you want time for kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, and a relaxed lap without rushing; mornings are best because the animals are most active and the park is quieter.
Drop down to Perryman’s Bakery in Stirling for lunch — exactly the sort of dependable Hills stop locals use when they want something easy, warm, and good without turning it into a “food destination.” Expect about A$15–25 per person for pies, rolls, sweets, and coffee, and it’s worth arriving a little before peak lunch if you want a seat without waiting. After that, the drive into the city is gentle and fairly quick, so you’re not losing much time. Once you’re in Adelaide, keep things low-effort at Adelaide Botanic Garden; it’s a lovely reset after days of driving, and the paths are flat enough that you can wander for about an hour without it feeling like another big outing. The Palms, Amazon Waterlily Pavilion, and shaded avenues are especially nice if you want a slower, greener way to arrive in town.
Finish the trip at Central Market, which is exactly where you want to end a road trip like this: noisy in the best way, packed with produce, cheese, pastries, and all the little things you suddenly want to taste before heading home. Aim for late afternoon so you can browse without the heaviest lunch crowd; many stalls run until early evening, though some close earlier, especially on quieter weekdays, so don’t leave it too late. A casual graze here might run A$20–40 per person depending on how enthusiastic you get, and it’s easy to lose track of time in the best possible way. If you still have energy after that, you’re already close to the CBD, Victoria Square, and the evening tram zone, so this is the moment to either linger over one last coffee or call it a finish and enjoy the fact that the road trip has landed exactly where it should.