Port Campbell to Warrnambool drive: Distance, time & road trip stops

The best road trip stops on the Port Campbell to Warrnambool drive include London Bridge, Worm Bay and the Bay of Islands. By car along the Great Ocean Road, the distance from Port Campbell to Warrnambool is 67km, with a driving time of around 52 minutes.

The drive from Port Campbell to Warrnambool is the last leg of Victoria’s famous Great Ocean Road. Many of the Great Ocean Road tour buses turn back for Melbourne at Port Campbell, but Warrnambool has a few sights worth seeing. And, if driving from Melbourne to Adelaide, Warrnambool is a logical overnight stop.

Find your ideal Port Campbell accommodation here.

Warrnambool highlights include Budj Bim National Park tours, Deep Blue Hot Springs and land-based whale-watching from Logans Beach. For Warrnambool accommodation, look here.

This guide is aimed at helping travellers plan their perfect Port Campbell to Warrnambool road trip itinerary.

Port Campbell to Warrnambool distance and driving time

By car along the Great Ocean Road, the distance from Port Campbell to Warrnambool is 67km. You can expect a driving time of around 52 minutes.

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.

From Port Campbell, the Great Ocean Road continues west past a few more of the impressive coastal rock formations – notably London Bridge and the Grotto. Then, from the tiny Great Ocean Road/ Peterborough Airport, you can go skydiving.

Skydive 12 Apostles lets you jump out of a plane, taking in the spectacular Shipwreck Coast on the way down. Bookings should be made in advance.

Port Campbell to Warrnambool road trip: Peterborough to Allanford

Peterborough is a little further along, and it’s on the eastern shore of Curdies Lagoon. You can have a bit of beach time here, too. Peterborough Beach is reasonably well protected by offshore reefs.

Further round, there’s gorgeous little cove Worm Bay. There are more coastal rock formations at the Bay of Martyrs, with car parks near the lookouts with the best views.

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.

The best single view, however, is at the Bay of Islands, where a series of rock stacks fill the panorama in a broad sweep. It’s arguably more impressive than the 12 Apostles, and receives a fraction of the visitors.

From here, the Great Ocean Road heads inland, although you can take a short diversion towards Childers Cove. It has much of what makes the Great Ocean Road so impressive – high cliffs around a photogenic cove, with rock stacks just beyond the shoreline.

Childers Cove near Warrnambool, Victoria. Photo courtesy of Visit Victoria.

The Great Ocean Road ends in Allansford just outside Warrnambool, where it meets the Princes Highway. The last attraction before the end is Cheese World, which is a cheese factory with a small museum attached. Admission is free.

Port Campbell to Warrnambool drive: Warrnambool attractions.

Top things to do in Warrnambool include land-based whale watching at Logans Beach and visiting the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum – which has a great sound and light show. A little further afield, you can see all manner of native wildlife at Tower Hill and get an Aboriginal cultural education in Budj Bim National Park.

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.