Melbourne to Torquay drive: Distance and road trip stops
The Melbourne to Torquay drive gets you to the start of the Great Ocean Road. The distance is 101km, and driving time around 1h13m. Good road trip stops include the Werribee Open Range Zoo and Buckley Falls.
Torquay, Victoria, is where Australia’s most famous road trip starts. This surf town is the beginning of the Great Ocean Road. But before you can drive the Great Ocean Road, you need to drive to Torquay. And, in all likelihood, you’ll be coming from Melbourne.
Before leaving, you may want to tick Melbourne Cricket Ground tours, Yarra River dinner cruises and cross-city hot air balloon flights off your Melbourne wish list. For a great range of Melbourne tours and experiences, explore here. To track down the best value Melbourne accommodation, come this way.
Book in advance for the best prices on Torquay accommodation.
Melbourne to Torquay distance and driving time
The Melbourne to Torquay drive is 101km in distance, with a driving time of around one hour and 13 minutes. Obviously, this can vary significantly depending on Melbourne traffic.
The Melbourne to Torquay drive leaves central Melbourne to the west, crossing the West Gate Bridge and passing the Scienceworks museum.
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.
Melbourne to Torquay drive: Werribee and the You Yangs
The West Gate Freeway becomes the Princes Freeway as the drive passes through Melbourne’s south-western suburbia. The most interesting potential stop here is the Werribee Open Range Zoo in Werribee.
From Werribee, there’s not an awful lot of countryside before you hit Geelong’s northern suburbs. But the You Yangs Regional Park has some good walks if you’re prepared to build in a detour. The Serendip Sanctuary is just to the north of Lara, too, while Avalon Airport is on the eastern side of the freeway.
Melbourne to Torquay drive: The Surf Coast Highway
There are plenty of things to do in Geelong. But most tackling the Melbourne to Torquay drive won’t want to go into the city. Buckley Falls, however, is just off the freeway, should you be wanting a quick photo stop.
When the Princes Highway diverts west towards Winchelsea, you need to head south and join the Surf Coast Highway. South of Geelong, there’s a short stretch of farmland before the Surf Coast Highway passes through Torquay.
Your Torquay checklist
- Skydive from 15,000ft – see the Great Ocean Road from above and get the thrill of your life.
- Learn to surf – get standing on your board by the end of a beginner’s surfing lesson.
- Book your Torquay accommodation.
Things to do in Torquay include the Australian National Surfing Museum, surfing lessons, and aerobatic flights at Tiger Moth World.
The other legs of the Great Ocean Road journey worth knowing about are: Torquay to Lorne | Lorne to Apollo Bay | Apollo Bay to Warrnambool | Warrnambool to Portland.
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.
More Victoria travel
How much does the Melbourne to Bairnsdale train cost?
Go wine-tasting in Gisborne on the drive from Melbourne to Daylesford.
Get happily lost at A Maze N Things on Phillip Island.
Take the Raymond Island ferry from Paynesville to see the koalas.
Explore the Gunbower National Park from Koondrook.