The Great Southern Touring Route - 5 Day Self-Drive Itinerary

Melbourne - Apollo Bay - Port Fairy - Halls Gap -the Bay of Islands Coastal Park on the drive to
Ballarat - MelbourneWarrnambool. The picturesque city overlooks the
Total Distance 792kmsdeep blue of the Southern Ocean and has a
Highlightsfascinating maritime history. Visit Flagstaff Hill, a
- Werribee Open Range Zoorecreated 19th century maritime village and in the
- Surfworldevening experience 'Shipwrecked', a sound and
- Otway Flylaser spectacular that tells the tragic story of the
- Twelve ApostlesLoch Ard disaster on a 9-metre aqua screen.
- Port Campbell National ParkOn the way to Port Fairy, visit Tower Hill to
- Sovereign Hillintimately observe Australian wildlife in a dormant
- Grampians National Parkvolcano or experience bush culture with Worn
- Ballarat Wildlife ParkGundidj, the local Aboriginals. Travel a further 10
- Eureka Centreminutes along the road to the historic fishing
- Victoria Wineriesvillage of Port Fairy. Steeped in history and charm,
The Great Southern Touring Route offers thePort Fairy's culture and architecture have been
very best of Victoria's attractions - stunningbeautifully preserved.
coastal and inland scenery, history and heritage allOvernight: Port Fairy.
in a circular route connecting Melbourne to 3 ofDay 3 - Port Fairy to Halls Gap (158kms, 2 hrs)
Victoria's regional cities - Geelong, WarrnamboolThe Great Southern Touring Route leaves the
and Ballarat. The flexible, compact touring route iscoast near Port Fairy and travels north towards
a unique and diverse driving experience, providingthe Grampians National Park. Along the way,
links with the internationally acclaimed Greatcharacter packed country towns provide a
Ocean Road, the natural wonders of theglimpse of Australian life. Nearing the Grampians,
Grampians National Park and the historic Ballaratthe pristine beauty and enormity of the ranges
goldfields.becomes apparent as they begin to dominate the
Pickup car hire Melbourne.horizon. In the Grampians National Park, you'll
Day 1 - Melbourne to Apollo Bay (184km, 2 hrsdiscover hidden valleys, waterfalls, lakes and
45 mins)wildlife. Explore the region on one of the many
From Melbourne travel towards Geelong along thewalks in the magnificent Halls Gap are and soak
Princess Highway, stopping at Werribee Parkup the breathtaking views from the spectacular
which features an award winning historic mansionlookouts. Take a tour to see Koori rock art within
and the Werribee Open Range Zoo, an Out ofthe park and learn about the local Aboriginal
Africa adventure. Geelong's new waterfront is aculture at Brambuck. For the adventurous,
popular attraction to take a break.Grampians Adventure Services provides rock
Then it's on to Torquay Australia's surfing capitalclimbing, abseiling, mountain biking, guided walks,
with beautiful beaches, a surfing museum, and acanoeing and kayaking.
great shopping centre devoted to surfwear andOvernight: Halls Gap
surfing merchandise. Torquay is the official startDay 4 - Halls Gap to Ballarat (142kms, 1 hr 45
of the Great Ocean Road, where it begins to windmins)
its way though Angelsea and onto Lorne. With theThe touring route continues onto Ballarat and
ocean on one side and rainforest behind, Lorne isalong the way you can take a self-guided tour of
a cosmopolitan beachside destination, popular forthe wine regions of the Pyrenees, Grampians and
swimming and surfing. Restaurants, cafes andBallarat and learning the intimate secrets of some
boutique shops adorn the street overlooking theof Australia's best cool-climate wines.
bay.In Ararat you'll find Gum San Chinese Heritage
The road hugs the coastline to Apollo Bay,Centre, which re-lives the journey and story of
providing spectacular lookout opportunities alonggold prospectors from Southern China and their
the way. Apollo Bay is set in the picturesquediscovery of Australia's largest alluvial goldfield.
green foothills of the Great Otway National ParkThe legacy of the boom from the gold rush days
and boasts long sandy beaches and deep-blue sea.is evident in the majestic architecture and wide
Sample some freshly caught seafood.tree-lined streets of Ballarat. Strike gold at
Overnight: Apollo BaySovereign Hill, the city's major attraction
Day 2 - Apollo Bay to Port Fairy (193km, 2 hrsrecreating the gold fever that gripped Australia in
45 mins)the 1850's. Sovereign Hill is brought to life in this
The Great Ocean Road briefly leaves the coastoutdoor living museum, which features a working
as you head through the Great Otway Nationalbakery, blacksmith, lolly shop and main street
Park where you'll marvel at mighty fern gullies,troopers. At night 'Blood on the Southern Cross'
huge trees, beautiful waterfalls and native animalsdepicts the 1854 Eureka Stockade, the only civil
in the lush temperate rainforest. For a bird's eyeuprising when miners took on the authorities. It's a
view, take a walk along the 600 metre longspectacular sound and light show not to miss!
Otway Fly Tree Top canopy walk.Overnight: Ballarat
As the Great Ocean Road returns to the coast,Day 5 - Ballarat to Melbourne (115 kms, 1.5 hrs)
the majesty of the Port Campbell National ParkSpend the day looking around Ballarat, as it boasts
quickly begins to unfold. Colossal rock stacks soara number of other great attractions including the
from the ocean floor and blowholes roar withBallarat Fine Art Gallery, beautiful botanic gardens,
spouting water. The massive Twelve Apostles arethe Eureka Centre and a wildlife park. At Ballarat
a highlight of the whole trip. See them from theWildlife Park enjoy close contact with Australian
boardwalk or for truly awe-inspiring scenery andnative animals. Feed the free-roaming kangaroos,
breathtaking photographic opportunities take awatch crocodiles and Tasmanian Devil feedings,
helicopter flight with Great Ocean Roadand participate in koala and wombat photo
Helicopters. More of nature's beauty is revealed inopportunities.