The ultimate self-drive Holiday!
5 Days / 4 Nights
The Great Southern Touring Route offers the very best of Victoria's attractions - coastal scenery, cities and towns, history and heritage... Visitors will discover the excitement and heritage of the goldrush in the Goldfields region, marvel at the grandeur of the Grampians National Park, uncover the mysteries of the Shipwreck Coast and be amazed at the Great Ocean Road's colossal coastal scenery.
DAY 1 - MELBOURNE TO LORNE
From Melbourne head towards Geelong and the Great Ocean Road. Along the way Werribee's attractions include an open-range zoo and a historic mansion set in beautiful gardens. Discover the magic of Australia's rare fauna at the Little River Earth Sactuary. Geelong's new waterfront is a popular hightlight. You can take a pleasant detour to the seaside villages of the Bellarine Peninsula. They offer sandy beaches, shopping, colourful maritime history, and the lovely historic buildings of Queenscliff.
Then it's on to Torquay, Australia's surf capital. There are sandy ocean beaches, a surfing museum and a shopping centre dedicated to surfwear and surfing goods. Torquay is at the official start of the Great Ocean Road; follow this amazing road as it winds its way through Anglesea, Aireys Inlet and on to Lorne. Set against a dense rainforest backdrop, Lorne's main street overlooks a glistering bay bordered by a wide sandy beach, popular for swimming and surfing. Restaurants, cafes, galleries and a wide variety of shops add to Lorne's appeal. Many of the Otways' best waterfalls and bushwalks are in the area.
Key attractions: Werribee Open Range Zoo, Werribee; The Mansion at Werribee Park, Werribee; Little River Earth Sanctuary, Little River; Narana Creations, Geelong; National Wool Museum, Geelong; Pettavel Winery & Restaurant, Geelong; Scotchmans Hill, Geelong; Barwon Park National Trust, Winchelsea.
DAY 2 - LORNE TO PORT FAIRY
The road spectacularly hugs the coastline to Apollo Bay, passing a series of hamlets, including Wye River, Kennett River and Skenes Creek, Otway National Park is nearby, with rugged coast, isolated beaches and sensational rainforest scenery featuring.
The road briefly leaves the coastal as it heads into the rugged Shipwreck Coast. A region well named given the number of ships that have been wrecked in the treacherous waters. As the road returns to the coast the majesty of the Port Campbell National Park quickly begins to unfold. Here, a procession of huge natural features looms large. Blowholes roar with spouting water and the sea boils around the towering rock stacks and cliff bases. The massive Twelve Apostles are a highlight. Boardwalks, viewing platforms and an interpretive centre make it easy to see and understand the truly awe-inspiring scenery.
More of nature's beauty in the Bays of Islands Coastal Park is revealed on the drive to Warrnambool. The picturesque city overlooks the deep blue of the Southern Ocean and has a long, fascinating maritime history. These remarkable times are recaptured at the city's major attraction, Flagstaff Hill, a recreated maritime village and port representative the 19th century. Just 20 minutes further along the road is the historic village of Port Fairy. One of Victoria's earliest ports, Port Fairy has dozen of beautiful buildings to remind visitors of its colourful heritage.
Key attractions: Twelve Apostles, Cape Otway Lightstation, Cape Otway; Otway Fly Tree Top Walk, Laverns Hill; PremiAir Helicopter Services, Port Campbell; Shipwrecked at Flagstaff Hill, Warrnambool; Worn Gundidj, Tower Hill.
DAY 3 - PORT FAIRY TO GRAMPIANS
The Great Southern Touring Route leaves the coast near Port Fairy and heads toward the Grampians National Park. Along the way, character-packed country towns provide a glimpse of Australian rural life.
Nearing the Grampians, the enormity of the ranges becomes apparent as they begin to dominate the horizon. The road from Dunkeld takes visitors on a spectacular journey across the ranges to Halls Gap, hidden in a valley between two giant ridges where you can see the lakes, valleys, waterfalls, history and wildlife of the sprawling national park.
The Grampians, unique in Aboriginal cultural significance, also features fine wine country and is the western entry for the wine touring route known as the Great Grape Touring Route, which incorporates the wine regions of Grampians, Pyrenees and Ballarat.
The northern section of the region extends up through the Wartook Valley and the rural city of Horsham, gateway to the rock-climbing centre of Mt Arapiles and the wilderness of the Little Desert National Park.
Key attractions: Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre, Ararat.
DAY 4 - GRAMPIANS TO BALLART
The touring route continues into Ballarat, it is evident that the wealth generated in the years following the 1850's gold rush has left a magnificent legacy of fine buildings. There are grand hotels, theatres, galleries and shops build on wide tree-lines avenues. Much of the golden past is recreated at the city's major attraction, Sovereign Hill.
Sovereign Hill features a working bakery, blacksmith, lolly shop, hotel and theatre as part of a live 1850's main street. Troopers march around the streets. The stagecoach thunders through, taking visitors on a rollicking ride. At night, "Blood on the Southern Cross" depicts the 1854 Eureka Stockade - infamous as Australia's only civil uprising when miners took on oppressive authority - in a spectacular should and lights show.
Key attractions: Sovereign Hill & Blood on the Southern Cross, Ballarat; The Eureka Cetre, Ballarat.
DAY 5 - BALLARAT TO MELBOURNE
Spend the day looking around Ballarat as it boasts a string of other attractions, including a Fine Art Gallery, Botanical Gardens famous for begonias, Lake Wendouree and a wildlife park. Wine is the "new gold" of the region, with many award-winning wineries offering visitors the opportunity to taste and buy at their cellar doors.
Finally your adventure finishes with your return to Melbourne.
Key attractions: Ballarat Fine Art Gallery; Ballarat Wildlife Park.
SELF DRIVE TOURING MELBOURNE & BEYOND
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