Apollo Bay to Warrnambool drive: Distance and road trip attractions
The Apollo Bay to Warrnambool drive is 161km long. The driving time is theoretically 2h15m, but there are several Great Ocean Road attractions worth stopping for on the way.
The Apollo Bay to Warrnambool drive is the second major leg of the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. This is where Australia’s most famous road trip diverts inland through the Otway forests, then emerges at the Shipwreck Coast.
If you drive the full Apollo Bay to Warrnambool distance in one go, it’s 161km, with a driving time of around two hours and 15 minutes. But making the journey as quick as possible entirely defeats the object. You might as well see some of the best Great Ocean Road attractions along the way.
7 fantastic Great Ocean Road experiences
1. Crowd-beating reverse direction tour. 2. Surfing lessons in Anglesea. 3. Split Point Lighthouse climb. 4. Shockwave Zip-Coaster. 5. Guided wildlife walk. 6. Budj Bim National Park tour. 7. Great Ocean Road by motorbike.
Apollo Bay to Warrnambool drive: Shelly Beach and other Cape Otway attractions
Shortly after leaving Apollo Bay, you’ll pass the Marengo Reefs Marine Sanctuary. This is where you can go kayaking with seals. The Great Ocean Road then diverts inland, but there are several attractions on Cape Otway if you’d prefer to detour down the forest tracks, spotting koalas along the way.
Top spots include Shelly Beach, Addis Bay, the Cape Otway Light Station, Station Beach and Aire River Beach.
At the western end of Cape Otway, the Great Ocean Road briefly meets the coast again near surf hotspot Johanna Beach. Pull over at the Castle Cove Lookout for a quick photo stop.
Pick the right Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne
- For wildlife and nature focus: One day tour with koalas and guided forest walk.
- To beat the crowds: Reverse direction Great Ocean Road day tour.
- For adventure: Two day camping and surfing trip.
- For backpackers: One day highlights tour aimed at younger travellers.
- For exclusivity and flexibility: Private tour where you can pick the sights you want to see.
- For an extended trip: Three day Melbourne to Adelaide tour.
Apollo Bay to Warrnambool: Princetown Beach and Gibson Beach
The Great Ocean Road then continues through Princetown, Port Campbell and Peterborough. Most of the highlights of the Shipwreck Coast come along this stretch of the Apollo Bay to Warrnambool drive.
Start with Princetown Beach or the Princetown Wetlands Boardwalk, then move on to the Gibson Steps Lookout in the Port Campbell National Park. About 1km along from the Gibson Steps and Gibson Beach is the most famous Great Ocean Road attraction – the Twelve Apostles.
Twelve Apostles Lookout and Great Ocean Road skydives
These infamous rock stacks can be seen from the Twelve Apostles Lookout, but you’re better off taking a 12 Apostles helicopter flight. On a Great Ocean Road helicopter tour, you can see how the coastline fits together, including other key rock formations such as Loch Ard Gorge, the Razorback and London Bridge along the way.
At Peterborough, Skydive 12 Apostles offers Great Ocean Road skydives. But after Halladale Point, Worm Bay and Bay of Islands Beach, the road leaves the coast for the fairly mundane last stretch towards Warrnambool. The gorgeous Childers Cove is just a short diversion away, however.
In winter, branch off the Great Ocean Road before entering Warrnambool and head for the clifftop lookout at Logans Beach. There’s a very good chance of seeing southern right whales between May and September.
Top Warrnambool experiences to book before arriving
- Take a geologist-led tour of Budj Bim National Park – discover the Aboriginal cultural connections to the ancient volcano.
- Relax in the rockpools – at the geothermally-fed Deep Blue Hot Springs.
- Tandem skydive near the 12 Apostles – jump from a plane over the Shipwreck Coast.
The best Warrnambool accommodation options
The top places to stay in Warrnambool are:
- For a family-friendly holiday park with a kids’ club: Discovery Parks Warrnambool.
- For luxury with a full service spa: Deep Blue Hotel and Hot Springs.
- For waterfront location: Lady Bay Resort.
- For high quality apartments with a pool: Gallery Apartments.
- For a good value motel: Mid City Motel.
The other legs of the Great Ocean Road journey worth knowing about are: Melbourne to Torquay | Torquay to Lorne | Lorne to Apollo Bay | Warrnambool to Portland.
More journeys in Victoria, Australia
How long is the Castlemaine to Bendigo drive?
Where should I stop on the Ballarat to Daylesford drive?
Visit Fairy Park on the Geelong to Ballarat drive.
How long does the Ballarat to Melbourne train take?
Paddle at Fairy Cove and Squeaky Beach on Wilsons Promontory.
Take the Raymond Island ferry from Paynesville to see the koalas.