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The Adelaide to Melbourne drive (or vice versa) is most well-known for the Good Ocean Freeway. However, previous the well-known limestone cliffs, there waits a weird large lobster, a great deal of penguins, some whales, and a crazy sinkhole.
I’ve achieved most of this freeway journey twice now, and it’s one amongst my favourite strategies to spend 4-7 days in Australia. The rugged cliff roads, clear waters and windy walks make for a killer introduction to every Victoria and South Australia. Being able to cross a state border on this enormous nation isn’t any indicate feat and easily one different objective to grab some mates and a cool subject of beers and head off on the vacationer path of the land down beneath.
Adelaide to Melbourne campervan rental
Getting a automotive is one alternative for this route, and I’ve achieved it every strategies. Personally, I am a whole convert to the Van Life after dwelling in Giant Bertha, pictured underneath, and having enjoyable with the luxurious of not one nonetheless two double beds wherever I’m going. (That’s the Britz Voyager model).
It should be well-known that on a very good chunk of this route you presumably can’t wild camp, so to be licensed, you will need to pay for a campsite (although the odd free one may be accessible), One factor to difficulty into your journey worth.
I preferred my Britz Camper rental, and being the one camper agency I’ve utilized in NZ/Australia, they are my recommendation. They usually have a sale, which suggests no one-way expenses; they make their very personal campers, so that you understand it’s good if one thing does happen to go fallacious, and the marginally out-of-the-city locations make select up/drop off a no-traffic easy crusing.
Must you resolve to go for automotive lease, we used Thrifty, which was a decent-priced alternative.
How prolonged is the drive from Adelaide to Melbourne
Technically, do you have to go inland, you’ll be able to do it in about 9 hours, nonetheless alongside the shoreline will in all probability be longer. Nonetheless don’t be a speedy fool; decelerate and luxuriate in among the many best drives in Australia.
That is among the many sooner of Australia’s good drives, which leaves you a great deal of time to cope with some others, such as a result of the beautiful Broome to Darwin freeway journey in lesser-explored Western Australia.
I did it over 4 days the first time which the underneath with lodging stops covers, the second time I had a few days throughout the Bellarine Peninsula first coming the alternative strategy. I’ve achieved it with family and buddies, and it’s superior each strategy, nonetheless sadly, most of my pictures obtained stolen along with my digicam, so excuse the marginally crappy Fb add images on this.
Anyway, let’s go!
Adelaide
All I can say about Adelaide is that this: It’s going to get a fairly unhealthy rep as not having an extreme quantity of to produce, nonetheless I most well-liked the vibe proper right here. It’s type of gritty however kinda cool, however not loads taking place. It’s an excellent place merely to spend a number of down days kicking once more, having some beers and chilling out, notably do you have to’ve merely obtained off a wonderful prolonged observe journey on The Ghan. I need I had spent ample time proper right here to jot down some further particulars, nonetheless fortuitously, this publish is about getting from Adelaide to Melbourne and by no means the city itself, so let’s get this freeway journey started…
Cleland Wildlife Park
Sooner than I first obtained right here to Australia, I assumed there could be Kangaroos and Koalas all over the place. After 4 days of driving by the use of the East Coast and exploring the entire best points to do in Queensland, I’d solely seen a few ineffective ones (freeway kill, they’re seen as pests over proper right here). Cleland Conservation Park is, attributable to this truth, an essential place with a guarantee of seeing them. This protected park is just exterior Adelaide’s metropolis centre and an excellent spot to start out out your Adelaide to Melbourne freeway journey.
Fleurieu Peninsula
Once you’ve had your wildlife restore, observe the freeway alongside the Fleurieu Peninsula to the first slice of coast you will get on this freeway journey. When you want to do some boozing, then flip off to the McLaren Wine Space, although I saved my slice of vineyards for the Bellarine wineries on the end of the journey.
Lake Albert / Meningie
The freshwater physique of Lake Albert attracts a wide range of pelicans, which, for me, was the precept draw. It’s on a regular basis pretty spectacular on account of it’s not a relaxed lake the least bit, due to the inflow of water from shut by Lake Alexandrina. In case you might be into birds and actually really feel like nothing is spherical, proper right here is your spot.
Meningie is the one *fundamental* metropolis (cough, inhabitants approx 1000) on the Lake, and whereas we opted to crash proper right here for the first night to see the sunset, it was slightly little bit of a disaster, as outlined in my non-accommodation strategies underneath.
To Camp: Lake Albert Caravan Park has a formidable stop on the lake to rearrange camp, watch the pelicans and sink a few chilly ones to an superior sunset. Job achieved.
Enhance: The place I stayed at proper right here was perhaps the worst lodging I’ve ever slept in. My mum booked it based mostly totally on the views and by no means the god-awful Journey Advisor opinions. After falling asleep completely clothed on excessive of the mattress on account of I assumed I would get some type of sickness, I awoke lined in an entire bunch of ineffective flies… So yeah, I’ve no recommendation the least bit for this place.
Coorong Nationwide Park
A ought to in your Adelaide to Melbourne freeway journey is the Coorong Nationwide Park, which you will already be in if you arrive at Lake Albert. Hire a Kayak early throughout the morning to take in the lagoons and their peaceful and spectacular wildlife.
The vibes are laid once more, and the windy shoreline is an excellent technique to start the day exploring Salt Creek or Narrung.
The Giant Lobster
Must you have spent any time travelling spherical Australia or New Zealand, you will know they like large, weird points. The Adelaide to Melbourne journey isn’t any utterly completely different. The Giant Lobster has formally develop right into a vacationer trip spot, and it even has a fame, Larry the Lobster (creative, huh!).
Swing by Kingston for a espresso stop and get a selfie with one in all many oddest belongings you’ll seemingly ever publish to Fb.
Beachport
The Beachport Conservation Park is one different occasion of merely how loads protected nature and wildlife the extended Adelaide to Melbourne drive has. Flip off from the coast in path of Lake George, and in addition you’ll find yourself a strolling path acceptable for a stroll to interrupt up the drive.
Must you get the likelihood to be taught regarding the Aboriginal custom in Australia, then that you must take it, and this space has a great deal of historic previous.
Once more on the coast, you presumably can take the seaside pathway in path of the lighthouse, which supplies a viewpoint in path of Penguin Island. You’ll seemingly need binoculars and luck to see the small inhabitants of penguins proper right here, nonetheless no concern; if you get to Melbourne, you presumably can head to St Kilda Seashore Breakwater and see them just a bit nearer.
Mount Gambier
Mount Gambier was one amongst my favourite stops in South Australia and likewise one in all many weirdest. As compared with most areas you’ll go to on the Adelaide to Melbourne route, it’s pretty a occurring metropolis with a wide range of bars, consuming locations and late-night taking part in options. That said, in January a popular vacationer time of 12 months it was moreover unusually deserted, it just about appeared like a metropolis constructed and prepared for people to maneuver in. I assume it has a wide range of fly-in/out workers.
Once you’ve checked out the Blue Lake (which is really one in all many bluest points you will ever see), head to the city for some trendy pub grub and a cheeky drink.
Mount Gambier sinkhole (formally Umpherston Sinkhole) sits within the midst of the city and has been transformed proper right into a well-kept yard home the place you presumably can stroll down and loosen up throughout the gardens. Maintain a be careful for Possums, which might be lovable (not similar to the freaky-ass American ones), although they’re nonetheless thought-about an enormous pest proper right here.
At night, the sinkhole partitions are lit up with a light-weight and sound current, which tells the story of how the volcano created Mount Gambier, and it’s actually worth pulling up a chair for. All in all, Mount Gambier is pretty dope.
To Camp: The Blue Lake trip park is close to the lake, and it’s an awesome place to park your wheels to leisure for the night whereas being shut ample to the (barely odd) nightlife.
Enhance: If you need low price and cheerful, the Pink Carpet Motel, barely out of metropolis, does the job.
The 12 Apostles
The star of the Good Ocean Freeway, I’d actually advise you to return again ahead the night sooner than for sunset after which as soon as extra for daybreak. Seeing the utterly completely different mild break alongside these limestone shares on a regular basis gives a singular angle. Daybreak moreover seems a lot much less busy. Must you actually really feel like splurging, taking one in all many fast helicopter flights above isn’t a nasty idea for another check out one amongst Australia’s most iconic sights. Anticipate crowds.
Good Otway NP
A great chunk of the Adelaide to Melbourne route is alongside the coast, nonetheless surprisingly, the GOR takes pretty a dip inland. No complaints, though, on account of it is by the use of the Good Otway Nationwide Park. The mountain ranges are dwelling to some spectacular waterfalls, equal to Triplet Falls, and the numerous boardwalks provide some spectacular walks by the use of the park. Must you take the precept stroll to the coast, you will get to the Twelve Apostles. The Cape Otway lighthouse, inbuilt 1848, which is properly and pretty historic in trendy Australian historic previous, could be viewable from proper right here. Make certain you could have one eye peeled for koalas, and do you have to don’t see them, then Kennett River is a must-stop to try as soon as extra.
Apollo Bay
In truth, the seashore is nice, and the vibes are chilled, nonetheless I don’t see why this place will get loads consideration. On my closing journey, I merely drove by the use of. You might have so many further areas you presumably can stop and luxuriate in on the Adelaide to Melbourne route with far fewer people. Must you cross by and it’s not too busy, then utterly, stop for a peek and some seafood (it’s a critical declare to fame), however when it’s rammed and in addition you merely want some sand, perhaps proceed.
Lorne
This place has obtained pretty hip in the present day. Fancy burger joints, trendy bars and a battle to find a parking home even on a not-so-sunny day. In case you’re feeling hungry, want a seashore day with companies or just have to confirm into an upmarket joint and bake throughout the photo voltaic (SPF40 on, please; this photo voltaic is a killer), then Lorne is a popular place for that very objective.
To Camp: Although I didn’t pitch up, I’ve had buddies who’ve camped on the Torquay campgrounds and headed barely further alongside from Lorne and said they obtained an excellent deal. Free tenting could also be very restricted and, for in all probability essentially the most half, illegal alongside most of the surf coast.
Enhance: When you might get the Mantra on a deal (which I swear this chain on a regular basis has a deal), then go for it. Great close to the seashore, and in addition you get slightly little bit of luxurious for a few nights.
Torquay
The seaside metropolis of Torquay is believed not only for its superb surf however as well as for its large wave events and competitions. When you want to catch some waves whereas road-tripping from Adelaide to Melbourne, then spend time proper right here. You presumably may even head alongside the Surf Coast stroll, which might take you to among the many best spots in town.
It even has a nationwide surf museum do you have to really must be all regarding the breaks.
Bellarine & Geelong
People usually skip Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula as they head up the freeway once more to the city on their Adelaide to Melbourne freeway journey. Don’t do this and miss out on this chilled-out space. Head to Stage Lonsdale to walk its blissful seashore and go rock pooling beneath the rickety pier.
Take the Bellarine Type Path, a map of spherical fifty areas to eat, drink and be merry. With craft beer properties, wineries, and loads up to date native produce, it’s the ultimate phrase foodie getaway in Victoria.
Geelong serves up some cool bars and is current course of enormous regeneration, whereas heading to Queenscliffe is a bit like stepping once more in time. I’ve obtained a whole completely different info on a weekend throughout the Bellarine Peninsula, so try it out for further inspiration.
To Camp: The Big4 Bellarine campsite is conveniently positioned within the midst of the space, making it an ideal base to call dwelling with the camper.
Enhance: I was dwelling the Van Life throughout the Bellarine, so I can’t provide up any go-to choices of the place to stay, nonetheless uncover any individual on the seashore, and as on a regular basis, you’ll be worthwhile!
Melbourne
And that’s a wrap. Drop off your Britz campervan on the outskirts of the north of the city, hop on a observe, and also you’re ready to check out the craft beer, take throughout the buzz and hell, and be part of a Neighbours set tour in case your mum drags you alongside on one… Melbs is an superior metropolis, and I really feel it deserves its private publish!
Have an superior freeway journey alongside the great, good ocean freeway!
Should know:
Adelaide to Melbourne by Bus: To see the entire sights on the route, it is seemingly best to take a tour. That said, V-Line provides some bus firms all by way of the realm, which you would discover on the map hyperlink.
Adelaide to Melbourne Trains: Although that’s doable at a annoying ten-hour journey, it takes the inland route, which suggests skipping the entire coastal goodness. Till you have no completely different alternative, I can see no objective you’d make this journey by observe. There are some trains which be a part of with buses to try this – see the VLine hyperlink above.
The one-way expenses can typically set off pretty an increase in price, nonetheless fortuitously, Britz (and most others) will often waive these or have a sale on to skip them as a result of it’s such a popular path to do in every directions.
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