Why Victoria, Australia, is the best place for a road trip

G’day guys! Ness here. I just got back from an epic road trip through Victoria, Australia, so I thought I would share some highlights with this lesser-known and less-traveled region. 

Discover Victoria’s Natural Attractions

Sitting just a couple of hours west of the city of Melbourne, in Australia, are two of Victoria’s most spectacular natural attractions. Travel 3 hours inland from Melbourne, and you will reach the stunning Grampians National Park, one of Australia’s most beautiful nature reserves, known for its sandstone ridges, magnificent waterfalls, and native forests. Setting off along the coast from Melbourne, you will arrive at the route of the Great Ocean Road – one of the most scenic drives not only in Victoria but in Australia, too.

Visiting these two areas of natural beauty is an absolute must when traveling in the state of Victoria. One of the best ways to visit the Grampians and the Great Ocean Road is on a self-drive road trip, which is exactly what I just did!

My Road Trip Itinerary

After 3 days exploring the vibrant city of Melbourne, I hired a car and set out on a 5-day road trip, combining 2 days hiking in the Grampians National Park with 2 days driving along the Great Ocean Road.

The great thing is there’s so much to see and do in the Grampians. 

  • Stop one was McKenzie Falls. They are one of the largest waterfalls in the state of Victoria and are an absolute must-see for any visitor coming to the Grampians. The McKenzie Falls is one of the most popular attractions within the National Park, and it can get busy here, but it is absolutely worth it. The falls are just a short walk from the car park, down steep steps (there is also a lookout at the top for those who are unable to take the steps).
  • The next stop was the Pinnacle Walk and Lookout. This 4.2km there-and-back hike is one of the most popular hiking routes in the Grampians. The Pinnacle lookout is one of the main highlights of the entire Grampians National Park, offering spectacular sweeping views across the valleys and sandstone mountains of the Grampians range.
  • Silverband Falls is another amazing stop. The walk to the waterfalls is only 1km from the car park along an easy track through a shady forest. 

You could easily spend several days exploring all the Grampians has to offer, and for a hiking enthusiast like myself, it was a shame we couldn’t spend more time here. However, it was time for me to leave and start my journey along the Great Ocean Road.

Melbourne GPO building with ornate Gothic Revival architecture contrasted against a vibrantly painted art tram in the foreground, showcasing the city's blend of historical and contemporary urban culture.
A narrow Melbourne laneway showcasing vibrant street art, including a large floral mural with 'MELBOURNE' text, surrounded by a mix of old brick and modern buildings, with two motorcycles parked in the foreground

Driving the Great Ocean Road

Driving towards the coast and the Great Ocean Road, I decided to stop in at Port Campbell and use it as a base.

Setting off from the Bay of Islands, I followed the Great Ocean Road, stopping at various viewpoints and iconic landmarks along the way. Some of the must-see stops along this section of the Great Ocean Road are the Bay of Islands, the Grotto, the London Bridge, Loch Ard Gorge, and the Twelve Apostles. 

I was expecting these viewpoints to be quite busy, but they were not that busy at all. You didn’t have to jostle to get a good view or photo. That is the best part about traveling outside of peak season and doing the route in the opposite direction to most of the tour companies (which come on day trips from Melbourne).

The Twelve Apostles are the main attraction and the most well-known spot along the Great Ocean Road; however, in my opinion, the Bay of Islands and Loch Ard Gorge are better. The Bay of Islands is quieter, and there are several viewing platforms so you can get views from various angles. At Loch Ard Gorge, you can take the steps to the beach, where you are surrounded by stunning sandstone cliffs.

A scenic view of a mountain landscape with dense green forests, rolling hills, and a lake under a partly cloudy sky.
A beautiful waterfall cascading down a rocky cliff into a serene pool, surrounded by lush greenery and trees
A panoramic view of a vast landscape with distant mountains, rocky outcrops, and dense foliage during sunrise or sunset, with the sky painted in orange, pink, and blue hues

Continuing the Journey

From here, I continued my journey through Apollo Bay, Lorne, and Torquey, ending up in Queenscliff, where I took the ferry over to The Mornington Peninsular to end my stay in Victoria with two nights relaxing at the Intercontinental Sorrento, which was just perfection. 

Plan Your Next Adventure

If you are looking to plan your next adventure through the roads less traveled – Reach out, I would love to help you.