The Best of Australia with self-drive on the Great Ocean Road

Today is the day you set off from your chosen airport and head for Australia with connecting flight(s) on the way.

You’re finally setting foot on Australian soil. You might already have experienced your first “G’day, mate” at the airport.

You’re transported from the airport to your hotel. If your room’s not ready for you when you arrive, you can have your luggage stored and head out into the town. The most important thing today is to stay awake so that you can get your body adjusted to the Australian time zone as soon as possible. The best cure for jet lag is daylight, fresh air and drinking plenty of water.

Melbourne is a magnificent city with a rich diversity. The city has attracted people from all over the world who have brought their cultures, languages and not least their gastronomic heritage with them, which is why Melbourne is such an exciting melting pot of different nationalities today.

We highly recommend a stroll along the Yarra River on this first day in the city. You’ll find cosy parks, art institutions and an array of different restaurants, where you can enjoy a meal overlooking the city skyline.

After breakfast, which you can enjoy at one of the nearby cafés, it’s time for a closer look at the city. You’ll be going on a guided tour through the city’s narrow laneways and arcades, which form a finely meshed network in the city centre. Your guide will tell you about the city’s culture and history along the way. The walls in the narrow streets are adorned with street art, and the whole area may seem a little run down at first glance – but make no mistake, it’s one of the city’s hippest areas! Feel free to ask the guide for tips on the best places to have lunch after the guided tour.

Please note that you have to make own your way to the starting point of the guided tour. The address is on your voucher. You can either walk here or take a taxi.

The rest of the day is yours to explore more of Melbourne.

If you’re interested in history, we highly recommend a visit to Melbourne Old Gaol, where the famous and infamous bushranger Ned Kelly was hanged in 1880.

And don’t forget to visit Queen Victoria Market, where you can buy almost anything your heart desires.

You can also take the tram to the cosy seaside suburb of St Kilda, which is always buzzing with activity at the beach, with people exercising, sunbathing, swimming and surfing. Around sunset you may be lucky enough to see a small colony of pygmy penguins come ashore close to St. Kilda Pier.

Today, your Australian road trip begins. Over the next five days, it will take you along the Great Ocean Road and to Grampians National Park, among other places – two of the state of Victoria’s greatest highlights.

You’ll need to make your own way to the car hire office, where you’ll collect your hire car. From there, you’ll leave Melbourne and set off towards the Great Ocean Road.

The first part of the journey takes you to Torquay, where the Great Ocean Road officially begins. The road stretches for approximately 240 km between Torquay and Allansford, near Warrnambool, and offers spectacular coastal scenery, rock formations, and nature parks.

The Great Ocean Road was built by returning soldiers after the First World War and is dedicated to those who lost their lives during the war. It is therefore considered the world’s largest war memorial.

Around Torquay, you’ll really begin to experience the area’s strong surf culture. Just outside the town lies Bells Beach, which is reserved for highly skilled surfers and hosts the prestigious Rip Curl Pro surfing competition every year.

From Torquay, continue along the coast through Anglesea and Aireys Inlet towards Lorne. Along the way, you’ll encounter a wonderful blend of lush vegetation, breathtaking coastal scenery, and beautiful beaches, perfect for swimming and, above all, surfing.

In Lorne, we recommend stopping at the enchanting Erskine Falls, surrounded by lush rainforest just outside the town.

Continue along the coast towards Apollo Bay. On the way, you’ll pass Kennett River, where you shouldn’t miss the chance to take a walk along The Kennett River Koala Walk – one of the best places in Australia to spot koalas in the wild.

Late in the day, you’ll arrive in the charming coastal town of Apollo Bay.

Driving distance Melbourne – Apollo Bay: Approx. 200 km (direct)

Driving time: Approx. 3 hours (excluding stops)

See the size and image of your included hire car, as well as the option to upgrade your car category, here.

From Apollo Bay, you'll continue your road trip along the Great Ocean Road. Today, you’ll encounter some of the famous coastal route’s most photographed landscapes and rock formations.

The first part of the tour will take you through the beautiful scenery of Great Otway National Park. If you fancy a detour, you can drive past Cape Otway Lighthouse before continuing west along the coast.

Next comes one of the day’s major highlights: the Twelve Apostles. These striking limestone pillars rising from the sea just off the coast have become one of the most iconic sights along the Great Ocean Road. Despite their name, only eight remain today, as the constant force of the sea has caused several of them to collapse over the years.

Not far from here lies Loch Ard Gorge, named after the ship Loch Ard, which was wrecked off the coast in 1878. During the long voyages to and from England in the 19th and early 20th centuries, Australia’s rugged southern coast was considered one of the most dangerous stretches, and many ships met their fate here. When the Loch Ard sank, 52 people lost their lives, and only two survived.

The tour then continues through Port Campbell and on to London Bridge, another of the coast’s iconic rock formations. The formation once consisted of a double arch resembling London Bridge, but one section collapsed in 1990. Today, the outer section stands isolated from the mainland, but the formation is still well worth a stop.

You'll then continue on to Warrnambool. The town not only enjoys a beautiful setting, but also has a fascinating maritime history, which you can learn more about at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. Between May and September, you may also be lucky enough to spot whales in the waters off Warrnambool.

Before reaching today’s destination, Port Fairy, you can make one final stop at Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve. The reserve lies within an extinct volcanic crater formed more than 30,000 years ago. Here, you can experience Australia’s wildlife and gain fascinating insight into Aboriginal culture and history. The organisation Worn Gundidj works to preserve and pass on the cultural heritage of Aboriginal people to future generations, while giving visitors an insight into the history of the area.

Today’s destination is the picturesque coastal town of Port Fairy, situated at the mouth of the Moyne River. It is one of Victoria’s oldest settlements and was home to sealers and whalers in the early 19th century. Several buildings from that period are now heritage-listed and can still be seen here.

Driving distance Apollo Bay – Port Fairy: Approx. 185 km (direct)

Driving time: Approx. 3 hours (excluding stops)

Before leaving Port Fairy, you can take a walk on Griffiths Island, located just beside the town. The island is an important breeding ground for several bird species, so it is essential that you stick to the marked walking trails to avoid disturbing the birds, which may have chicks hidden in burrows in the sand. You may also be lucky enough to spot the small swamp wallaby.

You'll then leave the coast and head inland towards Grampians National Park.

Along the way, you can visit the Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre, located on the shores of Lake Tae Rak. Here, you’ll be taken on a fascinating journey through Aboriginal culture and history at the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape. You’ll have the opportunity to explore ancient volcanic landscapes and discover how the Gunditjmara people created one of the world’s oldest and most complex irrigation systems, which has sustained life in the area for thousands of years. The area has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The tour then continues towards the southern part of Grampians National Park and the small town of Dunkeld. With Mt Sturgeon and Mt Abrupt as its backdrop, the town has inspired many Australian painters.

From here, you'll continue through the national park’s bushland towards Halls Gap, situated in the heart of Grampians National Park.

You'll arrive in the small town of Halls Gap late in the afternoon. The sunsets here are spectacular, so unless you arrive too late, you can drive out to Reeds Lookout or The Balconies for an unforgettable end to the day.

Driving distance from Port Fairy to Halls Gap: Approx. 160 km (direct)

Driving time: Approx. 2 hours (excluding stops)

Grampians National Park is one of Victoria’s most popular destinations. It is a magnificent natural area with rich biodiversity, breathtaking views, and a fascinating Aboriginal culture.

After breakfast, we recommend driving to the town’s visitor centre. Here, you can find much more information about the park, along with recommendations for activities and walks. For example, you could visit the impressive MacKenzie Falls, but there are many options to choose from, and the walking trails vary in difficulty, so there is something for everyone. Several lookouts offering breathtaking panoramic views can also be reached by car, including the Boroka Lookout and Reeds Lookout. There are also activities for the more adventurous, such as mountain biking, abseiling, and rock climbing.

Keep a close eye on the wildlife. You may be lucky enough to spot kangaroos, emus, koalas, and a wide variety of bird species.

Halls Gap is a charming town with several art galleries, cafés, and restaurants where you can relax after an active day in nature.

Today, you’ll say goodbye to Grampians National Park and make your way back towards Melbourne via the historic gold-mining town of Ballarat.

On the drive to Ballarat, you’ll pass through a wine-growing region that forms part of the Great Grape Touring Route, connecting some of Victoria’s finest wine regions.

Ballarat has a rich gold-mining history dating back to 1851. The discovery of gold attracted thousands of prospectors from all over the world, leading to a rapid population increase in the area and making Ballarat one of Australia’s most significant mining centres at the time. In Ballarat, you can gain fascinating insight into this important period with a visit to the ‘living museum’ of Sovereign Hill, the Eureka Stockade Centre visitor centre, and the city’s Gold Museum.

Incidentally, it was in the mines near Ballarat that a 69-kilogram gold nugget known as the ‘Welcome Nugget’ was discovered in 1858.

From Ballarat, you'll continue towards Melbourne Airport, where you'll return your hire car and take a taxi to your airport hotel. This is your final overnight stay on your road trip around Victoria, before new adventures await in the Australian Outback.

Driving distance Halls Gap – Melbourne Airport: Approx. 250 km (direct)

Driving time: Approx. 3 hours (excluding stops)

You'll make your own way from the hotel to Melbourne Airport, either on foot or by the hotel’s shuttle bus.

From here, you'll fly to Uluru/Ayers Rock Airport. After the past few days’ road trip along the Great Ocean Road and through Grampians National Park, a completely different side of Australia now awaits. The coastal landscapes and lush mountain scenery give way to the Outback’s vast red landscape and the small, laid-back town of Yulara, which will serve as your base during your stay near Uluru.

Out here, you’ll be greeted with a ‘Palya’ – a word from the language of the Anangu people that is used, among other things, as a greeting and can mean hello, welcome, thank you, or goodbye.

Upon arrival at Uluru/Ayers Rock Airport, a free shuttle bus will take you to your hotel, a journey of approximately 15 minutes. In the afternoon, you can relax by the hotel pool or take part in some of the free activities on offer in Yulara. Ask at your hotel what’s happening and when.

Getting around Yulara is easy. A free shuttle bus runs approximately every 20 minutes throughout the day, connecting the hotels with the town square, the visitor centre, the Gallery of Central Australia (GoCA), and the camel farm, among other places. This means you can easily make use of the restaurants, shops, and other facilities throughout the resort.

One of the tour’s absolute highlights awaits you in the late afternoon: the sunset over Uluru. You’ll be picked up from your hotel and taken to a lookout point with uninterrupted views of the mighty rock.

Uluru holds great cultural and spiritual significance for the Anangu people, the area’s traditional owners. And although its significance reaches far deeper than what you can see, it’s difficult not to be captivated when you stand before the mighty rock and watch the light transform it. Seeing Uluru change colour as the sun sinks lower and lower towards the horizon is a truly magical experience. From deep red and orange hues, the rock gradually takes on a new appearance as the last light of the day fades.

This wonderful experience is accompanied by a glass of sparkling wine and some light snacks.

Once the sun has set, you’ll be driven back to your hotel and will have the evening at leisure. Perhaps you’d like to try one of Yulara’s restaurants.

And don’t forget to look up. Out here, with almost no light pollution, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to enjoy the impressive starry sky of the Southern Hemisphere.

You'll have the day to yourself to experience more of the Australian Outback.

There are plenty of tours and activities to choose from here, and we recommend booking them together with your tour if there is a particular experience you don’t want to miss.

Even if you’re not a morning person, getting up early is well worth it here. Sunrise in the Red Centre is every bit as fascinating as the sunset you experienced yesterday, and there are several different ways to enjoy it.

For example, join a sunrise tour at Uluru before continuing to Kata Tjuta, where you’ll take a short but fascinating walk through Walpa Gorge between the enormous domes of rock. If you’d prefer a more leisurely morning, you can watch the sun rise over the desert from the top of a sand dune, enjoy an Australian breakfast, and then visit selected sites at Uluru.

If you enjoy hiking, you can instead lace up your walking boots and join the approximately 12 km-long Uluru Base Walk, which takes you all the way around Uluru. Along the way, you’ll get up close to the rock and learn more about its significance to the Anangu people, as well as some of the stories connected to the area.

The tours start early, and you’ll be back in Yulara before the day really starts to heat up. Afterwards, there’s time to relax – perhaps with a little nap in the shade – or you can take part in some of the free activities in Yulara.

As darkness falls, an entirely different range of experiences awaits. We highly recommend spending your final evening beneath the open sky in the Australian Outback.

For example, watch the Anangu people’s Mala story come to life in the night sky with drones, light, and sound during Wintjiri Wiru, or enjoy dinner beneath the stars followed by a walk through the more than 50,000 lights in the Field of Light.

You can also choose the classic Sounds of Silence, where dinner beneath the stars and the southern night sky take centre stage. If you really want to treat yourself, Tali Wiru awaits with an exclusive dinner and carefully selected Australian wines in an intimate setting on a sand dune overlooking the desert landscape.

Whichever you choose, you’ll have a wonderful opportunity to enjoy another memorable evening in the red heart of Australia.

It’s time for another change of scenery – your next stop is Australia’s largest city, Sydney! From your hotel, take the complimentary shuttle bus to the airport. The departures are coordinated with the flight schedule, so check at reception for your bus departure time.

Upon arrival in Sydney, you’ll notice immediately how different it feels compared to Melbourne. Sydney’s wide boulevards, stretching down towards the Opera House, stand in striking contrast to Melbourne’s narrow, graffiti-decorated lanes.

In Sydney, airport transfers to your hotel are included. If your room isn’t ready when you arrive, you can store your luggage and head out to explore the city.

Why not begin with a stroll down to Bennelong Point, home to the city’s iconic Opera House, beautifully positioned with the Harbour Bridge as a backdrop.

To the west of the Opera House lies the historic neighbourhood of The Rocks, filled with charming old buildings, cosy cafés, and stylish shops and galleries. You might also want to continue to Barangaroo Reserve, where you can experience Sydney Harbour – the world’s largest natural harbour – from a completely different perspective.

Along Sydney’s waterfront, you’ll find a wealth of restaurants, cafés, and bars. Areas such as Circular Quay, King Street Wharf, and Darling Harbour are popular choices where you can enjoy a delicious meal accompanied by views of the harbour and the city’s iconic skyline.

Welcome to Sydney!

Sydney is home to more than 5 million people and is a large, diverse metropolis filled with vibrant neighbourhoods and suburbs, each with its own unique character. To give you the perfect introduction to the city, we’ve included a half-day guided city tour where you’ll be driven to some of Sydney’s most iconic sights and stunning coastal areas.

There’s no shortage of highlights. You’ll pass the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Royal Botanic Garden, The Rocks, Darling Harbour, Hyde Park, Chinatown, and Bondi Beach. Here, you’ll have free time to feel the sand between your toes, watch the energetic surfers, or relax with a coffee as you take in the view of the famous beach.

The city tour will start from your hotel or a nearby pick-up point (see details on your voucher) and ends at Circular Quay, from where you can easily continue your day – perhaps with a visit to the Opera House, located right next door. You can also join a relaxing lunch cruise on Sydney’s stunning harbour, which departs from here.

Circular Quay is the city’s bustling ferry terminal and the main hub for ferries to the surrounding suburbs. For example, you can sail to the beautiful Manly Beach and enjoy a leisurely day by the sea, or visit Taronga Zoo, one of Australia’s most famous zoos. Here you can see animals from all over the world – including Australia’s own unique wildlife such as kangaroos, koalas, echidnas, and the curious little platypus.

Spend the next couple of days discovering Sydney independently and at your own pace. The city offers something for everyone – from iconic landmarks and engaging museums to beautiful beaches and remarkable natural experiences.

If you’re interested in culture and history, you’ll find plenty of fascinating museums in Sydney. Learn about Australia’s nature and wildlife at the Australian Museum, explore the city’s past at the Museum of Sydney, discover modern creativity at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, or dive into the country’s maritime heritage at the Australian National Maritime Museum.

If you prefer fresh air and stunning views, the coastal walk from Coogee to Bondi is an excellent choice. This approximately 7 km route takes you along dramatic cliffs, charming coves, and some of Sydney’s most popular beaches.

You can also visit the new Sydney Fish Market at Blackwattle Bay, where you can sample freshly caught fish and seafood and soak up the lively atmosphere along the waterfront.

There’s also the option to purchase exciting optional tours both in and outside Sydney. Choose from guided walking and cycling tours in the city, or day trips to the spectacular Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley – Australia’s oldest and most famous wine region.

And sometimes, the best experiences are the simplest. Pick up a sandwich, find a bench in the Royal Botanic Garden, and enjoy the views of the Opera House and Sydney Harbour as the sun sets and the city hums around you.

See the excursion options below. We recommend booking them together with your tour, as they often sell out quickly.

You’ll be picked up from the hotel in Sydney and driven to the airport. On your arrival in Cairns, you’ll be picked up and driven to your hotel. You’ll soon notice that you’ve reached a tropical climate with high temperatures and humidity. It’s truly lush as well! Hibiscus, frangipani, heliconia – they’re all here, these exotic plants.

Cairns is a lively coastal city in northern Queensland, and the city is probably best known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef. The city also offers lots of activities, cafés, restaurants and shops. There is no beach here, but to compensate for that, a large, man-made lagoon has been built in the middle of the city, where you can both enjoy the sun and swim.

The rest of the day is yours to do as you please.

You’ll spend the next few days on your own in Cairns. It goes without saying that we recommend a trip out to the Great Barrier Reef, which is a must in these parts. There are several different options to experience the reef, whether you’re into snorkelling or diving, or perhaps you’d rather see the colourful fish and impressive corals through the glass of a glass-bottomed boat.

North of Cairns is Cape Tribulation, where you can experience some of the world’s oldest rainforest and go on a boat trip on the Daintree River, which is inhabited by large saltwater crocodiles.

There are countless possibilities! Read more about the excursions below.

Your tour, on which you have experienced the best of Australia with a self-drive on the Great Ocean Road, has come to an end, and it’s time to head home. You’ll be picked up from the hotel and driven to the airport, from which you’ll fly back to Europe with connecting flight(s) on the way.

You will land at your chosen airport after a wonderful adventure Down Under.