Great Ocean Road Trip - Suggestions ?

[tigs]

Hi all

Scat and I are looking to do a road trip from Sydney in 2007 that will encompass the Great Ocean Road. Very early planning stage right now, but looking for ideas and feedback from anyone who has done this before.

Initial thoughts are to drive to Melbourne, then do the Great Ocean Road, get to Adelaide, perhaps hit the Barossa for a day or two, then home via Wagga (hi Bomi and Gill !).

Who has done this before? What are your thoughts on best time of year to do this, places to stay, time required, sidetrips, etc etc. ?

There have been a few people who have expressed interest in doing something similar, and we are more than happy to try and tee this up with any other members - the more the merrier !

Thanks for your help guys !

Cheers
Tigs

[Buffy]

Nick, the billy lids and I are keen to do this too! We haven't done the big family driving holiday further than 4 hrs in the car, but with careful planning and lots of mental health breaks we could do it! :driving:
I have bookmarked the visitvictoria.com site and the great ocean road site too.
Going in Autumn might be nice??

[tigs]

Nick, the billy lids and I are keen to do this too! We haven't done the big family driving holiday further than 4 hrs in the car, but with careful planning and lots of mental health breaks we could do it! :driving:
I have bookmarked the visitvictoria.com site and the great ocean road site too.
Going in Autumn might be nice??

Buffy

Autumn sounds good. I'll check out the site you mention and we can compare notes.

cheers
tigs

[NickS]

Here's a little something we found on the Great Ocean Road ...

http://trackchat.com.au/media/data/500/File0002.jpg

http://trackchat.com.au/media/data/500/File0003.jpg

I figure (roughly) that the whole trip would probably require about 7 days driving, assuming that there are no real hardcore 1000km days. I would be happy to do it over 2 weeks, this allows time in Melbourne / Adelaide etc. for visiting some other areas and doing some tourist things.

We will do some more reading / thinking and see what we can come up with.

[DaveHAT]

Hi all

Scat and I are looking to do a road trip from Sydney in 2007 that will encompass the Great Ocean Road. Very early planning stage right now, but looking for ideas and feedback from anyone who has done this before.

Initial thoughts are to drive to Melbourne, then do the Great Ocean Road, get to Adelaide, perhaps hit the Barossa for a day or two, then home via Wagga (hi Bomi and Gill !).

Who has done this before? What are your thoughts on best time of year to do this, places to stay, time required, sidetrips, etc etc. ?

There have been a few people who have expressed interest in doing something similar, and we are more than happy to try and tee this up with any other members - the more the merrier !

Thanks for your help guys !

Cheers
Tigs

Hi Tigs,

We did this trip in 2003 in the Landcruiser when we Russel Coighted our way around Oz and the Great Ocean Rd in itself is a day trip if you factor in a few stops. As an overall drive we found it a little disappointing. (NOT BEING NEGATIVE JUST OUR OBSERVATIONS) We embarked on the drive expecting the whole trip to hug the coastline with lots of twisty and fun driving ... but the reality is it is nothing like that. There is some very beautiful scenery around Apollo Bay but after the initial picturesque start to the drive there are big sections that are just like every other 100km Rd in Australia. Once you get to Port Campbell / The 12 Apostles area it once again becomes very scenic and viewing the 12 Apostles (or 12 piglets as they were originally known) is really beautiful, esp at around sunset. Despite being a little disappointed I would still rate this as a drive everyone must do once in their lives.

Expect high winds and BULK LOADS of inconsiderate flying oriental tourists when you're at the 12 Apostles. Without a doubt the best way to view them is via one of the many helicopter Joy flights available in the area. Warnambool is most likely your best rest stop with lots of good accomodation and eating after doing the great ocean Rd.

From Melbourne I would advise that you make your way across to Adelaide via Ballarat and Soverign Hill -> Brilliant is all I can say, great for kids and adults alike.

Adelaide is a beautiful place, we spent nearly 3 months there and the wine tasting is second to none. Barossa, McLaren Vale, Claire Valley, once again Brilliant. Getting around Adelaide is really easy with excellent Public Transport and well sign posted roads. Sounds like a great trip you have planned and we would 200% love to get amongst it with you as well...........BUT ! :werd:

There's much more to be said about the trip you have planned which we will have to exchange over :beer: & :beer: & :beer: & :beer: ......

[fatas]

early june before tax time nick may need the rest:sucks: :stick: would be good we may be in this will watch this space:)
10 days would do it for us and mel can drive too so i can :beer: :whip: :)
and some thing else :cheers: :nutbag:

[The Blacktop Pirate]

i was lucky enough to go down to the Classic Adelaide tarmac rally event earlier in september as support crew for my dads car. Even though i was in a 1995 jeep cheroke 4lt 6 cylinder auto some of the roads are just magic around there. See if you can find some of the stage notes on a website somewhere cause for driving purposes they dont come to much better. Less people and cops in adelaide then sydney too.

doesnt matter where you go just remember to have fun! also head down to melbourne via kangaroo valley some nice roads there too.

[Hethro87]

Sounds like you know the roads quite well there sam! :whip:

Wont we be on clinical at this time next year? So long as im not on it on my birthday :flame: Grrrr

Depending on what im doing (ie not on clinical) i would be interested in coming.

Hethro

[BOMI]

As previously talked about, this is great idea. Probably wont be able to join the drive but Gill and I would be very happy to put as many of you up as possible. Two spare bedrooms and a big lounge room.

What to do in Wagga... Hmmmm you could see the Army and RAAF base. If you do it late next year you could all joning the Riverina REV FEST.

Thats about it, im outa ideas.

Here is an interesting fact.

The Murrumbidgee river actula flows fater in Wagga Wagga then any other town.



Why?














So it can get the F outa there fasters :whip:


Nah its not that bad, sorta :(

There are some nice restaurants :beer: here so I think that will do the weary travelers, thats if you come back this way.


Troy :)

[mad_HAT]

Hey guys, as I lived in that part of the world for 26 years, feel free to ask me any questions.

I suggest you follow the coast right down NSW and then through Gippsland, Phillip Island, then Car Ferry from Sorrento to Queenscliff (avoiding Melbourne) then Great Ocean Road, Warnambool then Mt Gambier then Victor Harbour then Adelaide.

If you choose the above route, then stays at Narooma, Metung near Lakes Entrance in Gipsland is a MUST, also a stay on Phillip Island, and perhaps then Torquay (which is the start or the GOR), then Warnambool, then Victor Harbor then Adelaide.

The GOR is great if you give yourself a day to enjoy it. Lunch at Lorne or Apollo Bay, then the aposles in the arvo. Make sure you time it for a weekday too, weekends can be a real nightmare.

Time of year, well being an expat Vic, and loving the climate of Syd, I suggest no later than March, def not outside daylight savings time.


Hope some of this helps

[BOMI]

Hey guys, as I lived in that part of the world for 26 years, feel free to ask me any questions.

I suggest you follow the coast right down NSW and then through Gippsland, Phillip Island, then Car Ferry from Sorrento to Queenscliff (avoiding Melbourne) then Great Ocean Road, Warnambool then Mt Gambier then Victor Harbour then Adelaide.




I sugested the Mornington peninsilar/ Philip Island the ferry idea to Tigs the other day. Wasnt to sure weather it would be the go but having an ex mexican suggest it to me thinks its a good way to go.

I went out with a chicky a few years ago who's parents lived at Mt Elisa, beautiful area, great look out down the road at Aurthers seat, the on to Philip Island and BEYONDDDDDDDDD.

You guys are gonna have a ball :thumbs:


Troy