Victoria | Melbourne to Grampians National Park Road Trip Itinerary

Explore the best of the Great Ocean Road and Grampians National Park on this 5 day road trip itinerary.

Day 1:  Melbourne to Halls Gap – into the Grampians

Distance: 250 km
Driving time: 3 hours 

Pick up your Apollo camper at the Melbourne branch, do your handover and stock up on any last-minute supplies. Once you’re on the Western Freeway, the suburbs quickly drop away, and the drive settles into a relaxed rhythm.

Optional stops on the way

• Ballarat: A handy midway stop for coffee or lunch and a leg stretch around the historic town centre.

• Dunkeld (if you come in from the south): A small town with big views back towards the southern Grampians, and a good bakery if you’re hungry.

Things to do in Halls Gap

• Arrive in Halls Gap, the main hub for Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, with a visitor information centre, cafes, shops and fuel.

• Take a gentle walk around town or along one of the short signed tracks nearby. Late afternoon is a great time to see kangaroos and native birdlife around the recreation reserve and campgrounds.

• Drop into the visitor centre to get the latest advice on track conditions and any closures for tomorrow’s walks.

Where to stay

Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park: Boutique, bushy setting a few minutes out of town, with spacious powered sites, a wood-fire heated outdoor pool and loads of wildlife around camp. A nice option if you want that “wake up with kangaroos” feel while still having modern amenities.

Image: Visit Victoria

Day 2: Grampians National Park – lookouts, waterfalls and walks

You’ve got a full day to explore the Grampians. Mix and match lookouts, waterfalls and one good walk that suits your energy levels.

Important: Always check current conditions and any closures with Parks Victoria or at the visitor centre before you head out. Tracks, roads and waterfalls can be affected by weather, fire and ongoing works.

Things to do in Grampians National Park

• Start with a drive to Boroka Lookout, about 15 km from Halls Gap. It’s a short, easy stroll to two viewing platforms with big views over Halls Gap, Lake Bellfield and the surrounding ranges.

• Continue up to Reed Lookout, where you’ll find panoramic views over the Victoria Valley, Victoria Range, Serra Range, Lake Wartook and Mt Difficult from a well-maintained, accessible path.

• From the same area, there are short walks to further viewpoints (like The Balconies) if time and conditions allow.

• Head towards MacKenzie Falls (Migunang wirab), one of the most spectacular and popular waterfalls in the park. Viewing areas and tracks may be affected by a major revitalisation project, so check the latest access information before you go.

If you’re keen on a more solid hike and conditions are suitable, you can swap one or two shorter stops for a half-day walk such as The Pinnacle (from the Wonderland car park or Halls Gap). It’s steep in places but very rewarding – just allow enough time and take plenty of water.

Round the day off with:

• A peaceful walk or picnic at Lake Bellfield or another nearby lake, or

• A simple sunset viewpoint looking back over Halls Gap and the surrounding ranges.

Where to stay

Second night at your Halls Gap holiday park or campground, so you can head straight into exploring without moving the camper.

Image: Visit Victoria

Day 3: Halls Gap to Warrnambool – from mountains to the coast

Distance: 130 km
Travel time: 2 hours 

Today, you’ll leave the mountains behind and make your way to Warrnambool, a lively coastal town at the western end of the Great Ocean Road region.

Stops on the way

• Dunkeld: If you didn’t stop yesterday, this is a good place to grab a coffee or snack with views looking back towards the peaks at the southern edge of the Grampians.

• Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve (short detour): Just before Warrnambool, Tower Hill sits inside a volcanic crater and is known for short walks, picnic areas and regular sightings of emus, kangaroos and koalas. There’s a small access road loop through the reserve and signed walks for different fitness levels.

Things to do in Warrnambool

• Head down to the foreshore and beaches for a walk and, sea breeze after your time in the mountains.

• If you’re visiting in winter, ask about whale watching around Logan’s Beach viewing platform; this coast is known for seasonal whale sightings.

• For a dose of local history and night-time experiences, the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village is a popular option.

Where To Stay

• Surfside Holiday Park Warrnambool: Council-run park right by Lady Bay and Lake Pertobe, with powered and unpowered sites, camp kitchen and super easy beach access. It’s a classic Great Ocean Road stop and works well if you want to wander to the playground or town.

• Discovery Parks – Warrnambool: Another good option close to the beach and promenade, with powered sites, pool, camp kitchen and family-style facilities. Handy for people travelling with kids.

Image: Lachlan Gardiner

Day 4: Warrnambool to Torquay – Great Ocean Road highlights day

Distance: 160 km (via Great Ocean Road and coast)
Travel time: 2.5–3 hours driving, plus sightseeing stops

This is your big Great Ocean Road day, taking in some of Victoria’s most famous coastal views before finishing in Torquay, the surf gateway at the eastern end of the route.

Port Campbell National Park: choose your lookouts

You won’t see everything in one day, so pick a few favourites and give them time:

• Bay of Islands / Bay of Martyrs: Dramatic sea stacks and cliffs west of Port Campbell.

• London Bridge / The Grotto: Striking rock formations and ocean views.

• Twelve Apostles: The must-see stop, with boardwalk lookouts and that classic “wow” moment.

• Loch Ard Gorge: Short walks to sheltered coves, viewpoints and shipwreck stories.

Through the Otways and along the surf coast

• Continue through Great Otway National Park: if time and conditions allow, stop at one of the signed short rainforest walks for a change of scenery away from the coast.

• Roll into Apollo Bay for a break, think ice-cream, a coffee, or a quick foreshore wander.

• Drive the iconic cliff-hugging bends towards Lorne, and detour to Teddy’s Lookout if you’d like that postcard view of the road snaking along the coastline.

• Continue through Anglesea and on to Torquay.

Things to do in Torquay

• Stretch your legs along Torquay’s main beach or the coastal path – it’s a relaxed way to wind down after a big sightseeing day.

• If surf culture is your thing, swing past the surf outlets or the National Surfing Museum (if open) for a look at boards, history and local legends.

Where to stay

Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park: The only beachfront caravan park in Torquay, right on the surf beach at the official start of the Great Ocean Road. Powered sites, cabins and glamping options, updated amenities, camp kitchen and BBQ areas, and an easy walk to Bell Street cafes and the shopping strip.

Image: Visit Victoria

Day 5: Torquay to Melbourne – last coastal coffee, then home

Distance: 100 km

Travel time: 1.5 hours

Your final day is intentionally light so you can enjoy a bit more beach time before heading back to city life!

Things to do

• Start the morning with a beach walk or quick swim in Torquay if the weather’s kind.

• Grab breakfast or one last coffee in town, then make your way back towards Melbourne.

• If you’d like one more stop on the way, the Geelong waterfront is an easy place to park, stroll, and look back across Corio Bay before the last stretch into the city.
   

Return your camper to the Apollo Melbourne branch and wrap up a loop that packs a lot of variety into just a few days – mountains, waterfalls, wildlife and coastline all in one road trip!

FAQs and quick answers

1. Where should I stop between Melbourne and the Grampians?
   Common stops include Ballarat for coffee or lunch and a quick walk around the historic centre, and Dunkeld at the southern edge of the Grampians for views back to the ranges and a low-key bakery stop. 

2. How many days do you need for the Grampians?
   Aim for at least 2 days / 2 nights in and around Halls Gap if you can. That gives you time for a mix of lookouts (Boroka, Reed), a waterfall such as MacKenzie Falls (when access is available), and one good half-day hike without rushing, plus some wildlife-spotting in the early morning or late afternoon.

3. How do I get to the Grampians from Melbourne?
   Most visitors drive Melbourne → Western Freeway / M8 → Ararat → Halls Gap, a sealed highway route of roughly 250 km taking around 2.5–3 hours in normal conditions.

4. Are the Grampians worth visiting?
   Yes – especially if you enjoy short hikes, big views and wildlife. Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park is known for its lookouts, waterfalls, Aboriginal cultural sites and regular kangaroo and birdlife sightings near Halls Gap, all within a compact area that’s very campervan friendly for a 2–3 day stay.

Ready to plan your Melbourne to Grampians & Great Ocean Road campervan trip?

In five days, this itinerary gives you a real change of scenery without needing weeks off work. You’ll get a couple of nights based in Halls Gap for walks, lookouts and wildlife, along with a taste of the coast and a full day of Great Ocean Road highlights!

Hire an Apollo campervan in Melbourne, book key sites in Halls Gap, Warrnambool and Torquay, and then leave a little room in your plans. Some of the best parts of this loop are the small things – an unexpected wildlife sighting, a bakery detour, or a sunset you only catch because you pulled into a lookout for “just five minutes.”