Leave Mount Gambier around 8:00 AM for the inland route via the Princes Highway and Hamilton Highway. Allow a realistic 4½–5 hours of driving, plus a break; Hamilton is the easiest midpoint for fuel, coffee and a proper leg stretch, with Colac another useful stop if needed. This route is much more practical than trying to hug the coast on arrival day. Expect roughly A$45–70 in fuel depending on the vehicle, and arrive in Torquay around 1:00–2:00 PM. After checking in, leave the car at your accommodation where possible—central Torquay is easy to explore on foot, and foreshore parking can fill quickly on sunny afternoons.
Start gently at Torquay Front Beach, where the foreshore is ideal for an easy coastal walk or a quick swim if conditions are calm. Allow about an hour; bring a towel and check local beach signage before entering the water, as this is still an exposed coastline. From there, walk or drive into the town centre for the Australian National Surfing Museum, generally open daily from late morning to late afternoon; allow an hour and check the current closing time before setting out. Entry is usually around A$10–15 per adult. It is a worthwhile first stop because it gives context to Torquay’s surf culture before your Great Ocean Road stops begin tomorrow.
Have a relaxed meal at The Salty Dog Cafe, a casual local option for coffee, burgers, seafood and easy evening fare, typically around A$20–35 per person. Check the kitchen hours or book ahead if you are arriving on a Friday or during school holidays. Finish with a low-effort sunset walk along the Torquay Foreshore and Torquay Beach, allowing about 45 minutes. The light is especially good from the open beach and grassy foreshore, and it is a pleasant way to settle in without adding another drive after the long journey.
Start at Bells Beach in Jan Juc, ideally around 9:00 AM before the main viewing areas become busy. The clifftop lookout is the highlight rather than the beach access itself—you’ll get the best sense of the powerful break from above, and surfers are often out even in cool September weather. Allow about 45 minutes, and wear a warm layer; the headland is exposed and windy. From here, follow the Great Ocean Road (B100) west for roughly 25 minutes to Aireys Inlet, with parking near Split Point Lighthouse. The lighthouse is usually open for tours on selected days, but access can vary, so check the current tour schedule before travelling; the surrounding clifftop paths and lookouts remain worthwhile even if the tower is closed.
Spend about 1½ hours around Split Point Lighthouse, the unmistakable Round the Twist landmark. Walk the short coastal paths around the headland, keeping clear of the cliff edges, then continue west for approximately 15 minutes to Memorial Arch at Eastern View. This is a quick roadside stop—allow around 20 minutes to park, take the classic timber-arch photograph and stretch your legs. Traffic can slow along this section, so take care when rejoining the road and don’t leave valuables visible in the car.
Continue another 15–20 minutes to Lorne, then park near the foreshore and walk along Lorne Beach and Lorne Pier before eating. The pier is a pleasant place to pause, with broad views back towards the hills; allow about 45 minutes for an easy stroll rather than trying to fit in a swim in September. For lunch, The Bottle of Milk on Mountjoy Parade is the relaxed local-style choice for burgers, fish and chips or a thick shake, generally around A$20–35 per person. It is popular at lunchtime, so ordering early—or accepting a short wait—is sensible.
After lunch, drive inland from Lorne to Live Wire Park, allowing roughly 10–15 minutes depending on traffic. Book the treetop courses ahead, as afternoon sessions can sell out, and allow 2–3 hours for registration, safety briefing and the activities themselves. Closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothes are essential; the park operates outdoors, so bring a rain jacket and expect the session to run more slowly if conditions are wet. Afterward, return to your accommodation in Lorne for an easy evening rather than adding another major stop.
Begin with Erskine Falls, driving inland from Lorne through the forest of Great Otway National Park. Allow about an hour each way for the drive and the walk, and aim to arrive around 8:30–9:00 AM while the car park is quieter. The upper lookout is close to the parking area, but continue down the steps to the lower viewing area for the best perspective of the falls; the return climb is steep and can be slippery after rain, so wear proper shoes and carry water. There is no café or reliable phone service here, and park entry is generally free, but check Parks Victoria alerts before leaving.
Return to Lorne and take the short drive up to Teddy’s Lookout for a 30-minute stop. The viewing platform looks over the Saint George River valley and coastline, making this a good final sweep of Lorne before continuing west. From there, follow the Great Ocean Road for roughly 25 minutes to Wye River Beach. Park near the foreshore and take an easy stroll along the sand for around 45 minutes; it is a lovely low-key place to stretch your legs, with picnic space and toilets nearby. Keep an eye on children around the water, as this is an exposed beach rather than a consistently patrolled swimming spot.
Continue west for about 15 minutes into Apollo Bay and settle in for a late lunch or early dinner at Chris’s Beacon Point Restaurant, a short drive inland from town on Beacon Point Road. Book ahead if possible—seating and opening days can vary in the quieter September season—and expect mains of approximately A$30–55 per person. The elevated setting gives the restaurant its appeal, so allow about 1½ hours rather than trying to rush the meal. Afterwards, drive a few minutes to Marriners Lookout, then walk the short but uphill track to the viewpoint for broad views across Apollo Bay, the surf beach and the coast. Late afternoon is especially attractive as the light softens; allow 45 minutes and bring a jacket, since the lookout can be windy. Return to town to check in, refuel and pick up groceries—FoodWorks Apollo Bay is useful for basics, while the main strip has cafés and takeaway options if you prefer an easy evening.
Leave Apollo Bay around 8:00 AM and drive inland on the C159 toward Maits Rest Rainforest Walk in Great Otway National Park. It’s roughly 25 minutes each way; arrive early because the small car park fills quickly and there is no café or reliable phone service nearby. The gentle 1-kilometre loop takes about 45 minutes beneath ancient myrtle beech and fern-filled forest. Entry is free, but roads can be damp and slippery in September, so wear proper shoes.
Continue about 20 minutes to Otway Fly Treetop Adventures at Ferguson, allowing 2–3 hours. The elevated walkway is the main experience; the zipline is an optional extra and should be booked ahead, particularly for a weekend. Expect roughly A$40–50 per adult for the treetop walk, with higher pricing for combination tickets. The on-site café is useful for a quick coffee or snack, but have lunch before leaving Apollo Bay or carry food, as choices around the forest are limited.
Drive approximately 15 minutes to Beauchamp Falls, taking the forest road slowly—wildlife, potholes and fallen branches are common after wet weather. Allow around two hours for the return walk, which is more demanding than Maits Rest and includes a steep section down to the secluded waterfall. Check conditions locally before setting out; if the track is muddy, sturdy footwear and water are essential. From there, continue about 20 minutes to the Otway Redwoods at Beech Forest. Spend an unhurried hour among the exceptionally tall Californian redwoods, arriving before late afternoon light fades; the plantation is free, but there are no facilities, so take rubbish with you.
Return to Apollo Bay via the C159 and Great Ocean Road, allowing about 50–60 minutes depending on forest-road conditions. Finish at Apollo Bay Fishermen’s Co-op by the harbour, where a simple serve of fresh fish, calamari or local seafood costs about A$20–40 per person. Opening hours vary seasonally and the kitchen can close once the day’s catch is sold, so check that evening’s hours before leaving the redwoods; otherwise, buy takeaway and eat near the harbour.
Leave Apollo Bay around 7:00 AM and follow the Great Ocean Road before turning inland through Great Otway National Park to Cape Otway Lightstation. Allow roughly 50 minutes of driving, plus time for the narrow, winding road and possible koala sightings in the roadside trees. The lightstation precinct generally opens from about 9:00 AM; entry is around A$20–25 for adults and includes the lighthouse grounds, maritime displays and short coastal walks. Allow 1½ hours, and take a jacket—the headland is often much windier than Apollo Bay. Refuel and carry water before leaving, as services are sparse along this stretch.
Return to the coast and continue west to Gibson Steps, roughly 45–50 minutes from the lightstation. Check the Parks Victoria access notice and tide conditions before descending; the steps can close in rough surf, and the beach is not a place to linger near the waterline. From there, drive about five minutes to the Twelve Apostles visitor area. Use the signed car park and pedestrian underpass rather than attempting roadside parking; allow an hour for the main viewing platforms, with the best light and generally fewer tour groups before mid-afternoon. Continue approximately 10 minutes to Loch Ard Gorge for the clifftop viewpoints, gorge walk and access toward the beach—allow 1½ hours, but stay behind barriers because the limestone edges are unstable.
Drive into Port Campbell for lunch at Forage on the Foreshore, a convenient waterfront stop where café meals are usually around A$20–35 per person. It is worth ordering promptly if you are travelling on a busy weekend, as the town’s dining options fill quickly. After lunch, continue west along the coastal road to London Bridge—about 20 minutes—and then on to The Grotto, another 10 minutes farther along. Visit them in that order; both have short walks from their car parks, and the full combination takes around 1½ hours. Keep an eye on the time and daylight, particularly in September, then drive roughly 45 minutes onward to Warrnambool for check-in. Before setting out, check VicTraffic and Parks Victoria alerts for roadworks, closures and beach access conditions.
Begin with an easy final wander along the Warrnambool foreshore and around Lake Pertobe Adventure Playground, allowing about an hour before breakfast. The lake gardens are flat and relaxed, with plenty of parking nearby; in September, bring a warm layer because the waterfront can feel brisk even when town is sunny. Then settle in at Pavilion Café & Bar on the foreshore for breakfast or brunch—expect roughly A$20–35 per person. Check the café’s opening time before setting out, as weekday hours can vary outside the summer season.
Late morning, visit Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, a short drive from the foreshore in central Warrnambool. Allow 1½–2 hours for the recreated nineteenth-century streets, maritime displays and shipwreck stories; it is a good final stop because much of the visit is indoors if the weather turns. Admission varies by the experience selected, so check the current ticket options online, and allow extra time for parking around Merri Street.
Leave Warrnambool around 1:30–2:00 PM and stop at Cheese World and Museum in Allansford, about 15 minutes east along the Princes Highway. It is a useful one-hour break for coffee, a light lunch and locally made cheese before the longer drive. Seasonal trading hours can change, particularly in spring, so confirm that it is open before departing; buy a small cooler bag or ask staff about keeping purchases cold for the trip.
Continue toward Mount Gambier via the Princes Highway, passing through Port Fairy and Heywood before crossing into South Australia. Allow roughly 2½–3 hours of driving without a long stop, with fuel and toilet breaks best handled before the border or in Heywood; check VicTraffic and Traffic SA for roadworks and conditions. The route is straightforward, but late-afternoon wildlife is a reason not to rush—aim to arrive before dusk if possible.