Great Ocean Road & the Twelve Apostles

Australia's most famous coastal drive, ending at the Twelve Apostles limestone stacks near Port Campbell. Free — no tolls, no entry fees — but it's a genuinely long day: around four hours' drive each way from Melbourne. Worth it if you stay overnight or start at dawn; brutal as a rushed bus day-trip.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

Can I get to the Twelve Apostles without a car?

Not practically by public transport. Book a day tour from Melbourne — plenty run daily from about $95 to $150 — or hire a car, which gives you the stops the buses skip.

How far is the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne?

The road starts at Torquay about 90 minutes from the city, but the Twelve Apostles are roughly 275 km — about four hours' drive via the coast. A full loop back inland via Colac saves over an hour on the return.

Is the Great Ocean Road drive difficult?

It's winding, slow, and Australians drive on the left — allow much longer than the map suggests and use pull-over bays rather than holding up traffic. In winter, watch for fog and finish the coastal section before dark.

Does it cost anything to see the Twelve Apostles?

No — the lookouts, boardwalks, and visitor facility car park are free, open dawn to dusk year-round. The kiosk at the visitor centre runs roughly 10am to 5pm.

What are the best stops along the Great Ocean Road?

Bells Beach, the Memorial Arch, Kennett River for wild koalas, Apollo Bay for lunch, Maits Rest rainforest walk, then the Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and Gibson Steps. Loch Ard Gorge is arguably better than the Apostles and less crowded.

Are there really twelve apostles?

There never were — the name was marketing, and erosion has since collapsed several stacks. Around seven or eight remain visible depending on how you count, and honestly it doesn't matter; the scale is the point.

Can I do the Great Ocean Road as a day trip?

Yes, and thousands do — but it's 8 to 10 hours minimum with an early start. If you can, overnight in Apollo Bay or Port Campbell so you see the Apostles at sunset or sunrise without the coaches.

When is the best time to visit the Twelve Apostles?

Sunrise or the last hour before sunset — soft light on the stacks and far fewer people. Tour coaches cluster between about 11am and 3pm, so avoid that window if you're self-driving.

Nearby in Ask Melbourne

• Werribee Open Range ZooAttraction159.44 km · 1993 min walk
• Penguin ParadeAttraction178.65 km · 2233 min walk
• Williamstown BeachBeach179.49 km · 2244 min walk
• ScienceworksMuseum181.7 km · 2271 min walk
• Westgate ParkPark183.02 km · 2288 min walk