Holiday Overview
Southern Australia and Victoria are home to one of the most stunning drives in Australia - The Great Ocean Road. This route can be taken in either direction from Adelaide to Melbourne or vice versa. This self-drive holiday allows you to see some of the most beloved of Australian wildlife, either on Philip Island or Kangaroo Island. Aside from this you will never be far away from the rolling vineyards of Yarra Valley or Barossa Valley and a crisp white wine.
Start Melbourne end Adelaide (or vice versa) 11 nights / 12 days
States visited: Victoria and South Australia
Highlights; See the penguins & koalas of Philip Island. Witness the coastal icons, the towering Twelve Apostles. Taste some of the best wines from Southern Australia’s Yarra Valley or Victoria’s Barossa region. Get up close to the wallabies playing on Kangaroo Island.
The Great Ocean Road - Australia Fly Drive includes:
- Flights
- 11 Days Car hire, Fully Inclusive, Unlimited Kilometres, Zero Excess & GPS
- 3 nights Melbourne hotel
- 1 night Apollo Bay hotel
- 1 night Port Fairy hotel
- 1 night Robe hotel
- 2 nights Barossa Valley hotel
- 2 nights Kangaroo Island hotel
- 1 night Adelaide hotel
- French & Phillip Island Wildlife Expedition
Day 1 - Melbourne
Arrive Melbourne, Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Featured accommodation
Rydges Melbourne
Enhance your experience
Crown Towers Melbourne
Intercontinental Melbourne The Rialto
Day 2 - Melbourne
A full day at leisure to enjoy vibrant Melbourne. Perhaps take a walking tour of the city or explore further afield in the nearby Yarra Valley or Mornington Peninsula.
Featured accommodation
Rydges Melbourne
Enhance your experience
Crown Towers Melbourne
Intercontinental Melbourne The Rialto
Unmissable Experiences
Melbourne Experiences
Day 3 - Melbourne
Take an escorted tour to nearby Philip Island. A must see for anyone wanting to become better acquainted with Australian wildlife, including koalas and kangaroos and of course the famous penguin parade.
Featured accommodation
Rydges Melbourne
Enhance your experience
Crown Towers Melbourne
Intercontinental Melbourne The Rialto
Unmissable Experiences
French & Phillip Island Wildlife Expedition
Day 4 - Melbourne to Apollo Bay
Collect your hire car and embark on one of the worlds more spectacular drives, The Great Ocean Road. The first overnight stop is at Apollo Bay.
Featured accommodation
Best Western Apollo Bay Motel & Apartments
Enhance your experience
Captain's at the Bay
Day 5 - Apollo Bay to Port Fairy
Today the Twelve Apostles await, a series of towering limestone pillars, jutting out from the Southern Ocean. Continue along the Shipwreck Coast to Port Fairy, where you can amble around the fisherman’s wharf and quaint whitewashed cottages.
Featured accommodation
Seacombe House - Comfort Inn Port Fairy
Day 6 - Port Fairy to Robe
Leave Victoria behind and head onwards to South Australia. Choose to take the slightly shorter route through Mount Gambier and its blue lake, set within a dormant volcano crater, or take the longer way round and visit the Naracoorte Caves.
Featured accommodation
Robe House
Day 7 - Robe to Barossa Valley
Head North to one of Australia’s most famous wine producing labels, the Barossa Valley. Where household labels such as Jacob’s Creek, Penfolds and Wolf Blass reside.
Featured accommodation
Barossa Shiraz Estate
Enhance your experience
The Louise Hotel
Barossa Weintal Resort
Day 8 - Barossa Valley
Spend the full day in the Barossa enjoying the epicurean delights of this lovely region.
Featured accommodation
Barossa Shiraz Estate
Enhance your experience
The Louise Hotel
Barossa Weintal Resort
Day 9 - Barossa Valley to Kangaroo Island
Today starts with a drive to Cape Jervis, for the ferry to Kangaroo Island, often referred to as Australia’s natural zoo, its also a gourmet destination, famed for its artisan produce.
Featured accommodation
Mercure Kangaroo Island
Enhance your experience
Sea Dragon Lodge & Villas
Day 10 - Kangaroo Island
Spend a full day enjoying the unique wildlife, scenery and culinary delights of Kangaroo Island.
Featured accommodation
Mercure Kangaroo Island
Enhance your experience
Sea Dragon Lodge & Villas
Day 11 - Kangaroo Island to Adelaide
Catch the ferry back to the mainland and continue to Adelaide, perhaps take a walk in the beautiful Botanic Gardens, before dining in one of the cities many restaurants.
Featured accommodation
Grand Chancellor Adelaide
Enhance your experience
Playford Hotel
Majestic Roof Garden
Day 12 - Adelaide
Return your car at the airport and catch your onward flight.
Rydges Hotel, Melbourne Holidays
Rydges is located in Melbourne CBD, in the heart of the theatre district. All air-conditioned rooms feature a flat-screen TV and free WiFi. The roof area boasts a heated roof-top pool and a fitness centre.
Crown Towers Melbourne
Beautifully located on the southern bank of the Yarra River in Melbourne, Crown Towers sets the benchmark for luxury hotels in Australia. Lavishly appointed and offering an impeccable standard of customer service and attention to detail, Crown Towers is a hotel that truly understands the meaning of opulence.
Intercontinental Melbourne The Rialto Melbourne Holidays
Intercontinental Melbourne The Rialto is geared to give you memorable, authentic local experiences. A lifetime's experience in luxury, housed in a much-loved Melbourne landmark. This luxury Melbourne hotel features a Venetian Gothic façade while the modern interior translates the building into the 21st century.
Best Western Apollo Bay Motel & Apartments, Victoria Holidays
Best Western Apollo Bay Motel & Apartments is situated in the heart of Apollo Bay and is a 20-minute drive from the Otway National Park, and a 4-minute walk from the Apollo Bay Museum. The accommodation features a seasonal outdoor pool, a BBQ area and free onsite parking.
Captain's at the Bay, Apollo Bay Holidays
Captains at the Bay B&B is located in the heart of Apollo Bay, nearby many delicious restaurants, trendy cafes and designer shops. The accommodation offers a free cooked breakfast and Free WiFi.
Seacombe House - Comfort Inn Port Fairy Holidays
This unique property is spread across 3 buildings, and provides a variety of accommodation, including cottages and private rooms. The three accommodations are the Comfort Inn Suites, the Historic Cottages and the Seacombe Guest House.
Oscars Waterfront Boutique Hotel, Port Fairy
The prestigious property of Oscars Waterfront Boutique Hotel has become a well-known weekend retreat and idyllic destination for national and international tourists alike. Oscars is located in the town of Port Fairy at the end of the Great Ocean Road, close to the 12 Apostles, Grampians and Coonawarra wine region.
Robe House, Robe Holidays
Built in 1847 this charming building was the first to be built in Robe. From its early years as home of the Government Resident, Robe House has played an important role in the towns’ history. Built from locally quarried sandstone and featuring high vaulted ceilings and rustic floorboards, Robe House is now 5 fully self-contained bed and breakfast apartments.
Barossa Shiraz Estate
Barossa Shiraz Estate offer luxury accommodation in the Barossa Valley. Surrounded by Vines, and with sweeping views of the Barossa Valley, each of the cottages are private, and self-contained, providing the perfect base to explore this world famous wine region.
The Louise Hotel, Barossal Valley Holidays
Ideally situated in the heart of Barossa wine country in South Australia, you’ll find absolute luxury and inspired design with private spaces, generous ensuites and breath-taking vineyard views.
Barossa Weintal Resort
The Barossa Weintal Resort, nestled in the heart of the picturesque Barossa Valley, offers a comfortable and welcoming stay for guests looking to explore one of Australia’s premier wine regions. With spacious, well-appointed rooms and suites, the resort caters to all types of guests, from couples on a romantic getaway to families and groups seeking a memorable escape. Its relaxed ambiance, combined with modern amenities like an outdoor pool and garden areas, ensures a comfortable and enjoyable retreat. The resort's prime location provides easy access to nearby wineries, gourmet dining spots, and the stunning countryside that defines the Barossa Valley.
Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge Holidays
Designed to blend with its surroundings, Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge sits in bushland overlooking American River Bay. Well positioned in a region popular with nature lovers and adventure seekers, this Kangaroo Island hotel is close to the Penneshaw Penguin Centre and provides a truly idyllic getaway. Offering 38 rooms with pool or water views, Mercure Kangaroo Island features a restaurant, bar, pool and conferencing facilities.
Sea Dragon Lodge & Villas, Kangaroo Island holidays
Located on Kangaroo Island, the third-largest island in Australia which is just 16kms from the mainland, Sea Dragon Lodge & Villas is a boutique, adults only, eco-friendly retreat, where you can enjoy romantic sunsets with spectacular ocean views, farm-fresh local produce, your very own secluded beach and an abundance of wildlife.
Grand Chancellor Adelaide Holidays
The Hotel Grand Chancellor Adelaide, ideally located in the centre of the city, is just a short walk to the Adelaide Oval, Convention Centre, Rundle Shopping Mall and Adelaide Central Markets. Surrounded by world class restaurants and bars, the Hotel is nestled amongst the vibrant Leigh, Peel and Gilbert Laneways of the city.
Playford Hotel, Adelaide Holidays
The award-winning 5-star hotel, The Playford Adelaide - MGallery by Sofitel, is a boutique hotel in the heart of Adelaide on vibrant North Terrace. The hotel features a 24-hour fitness centre with a heated pool and sauna. The restaurant offers an extensive buffet breakfast.
Majestic Roof Garden, Adelaide
The Majestic Roof Garden Hotel, located in the lively East End of Adelaide, is a chic and stylish accommodation choice for visitors looking to explore South Australia’s capital. This four-and-a-half-star hotel combines modern design with comfortable luxury, offering spacious rooms that feature plush bedding, elegant decor, and contemporary amenities to make guests feel right at home. Its central location places guests within walking distance of Rundle Street's vibrant dining and shopping scene, as well as nearby cultural attractions like the Art Gallery of South Australia and Adelaide Botanic Garden, making it a perfect base for city exploration.
Image Gallery
Barossa Valley
Melbourne
Kangaroo Island
Great Ocean Road
Melbourne
Apollo Bay
Adelaide
Adelaide
Barossa Valley
View from Robe marina boardwalk
Robe coastline at dusk
Apollo Bay from the air
Balloon over Yarra Valley
Melbourne - Queen Victoria Market
Australia Stopovers
Australia is on the other side of the world, making it really easy to include stopovers as part of your perfect itinerary. Stopover experiences can enhance or contrast with your Australian journey, so if you are looking to see the delights of Dubai, the shops of Singapore, the bustle of Bangkok, the neon of New York or the cuisine of Capetown, just let us know...
Alternative Holidays That May Interest You
Below you will find a small selection of 2024, 2025 holidays that may interest you. Remember, we tailor-make each holiday to your exact needs, so please call us on 0800 270 0069 and let one of our Holiday experts design the perfect trip for you
Legendary Pacific Coast Fly Drive Holiday
- Sydney
- Hunter Valley
- Port Macquarie
- Coffs Harbour
- Byron Bay
- Gold Coast
- Brisbane
- Cruise Sydney Harbour
- Stay on a working vineyard
- Enjoy bohemian Byron Bay
- See the glitz of Gold Coast
12 Nights from £2490pp
The Great Ocean Road - Australia Fly Drive
- Melbourne
- Apollo Bay
- Robe
- Barossa Valley
- Kangaroo Island
- Adelaide
- Get up close to wildlife on Kangaroo Island
- Witness the coastal icons, the towering 12 Apostles
- Taste the best wine from Yarra Valley and Barossa Valley
- See the penguins & koalas of Philip Island
11 Nights from £2805pp
Perth's Road to Margaret River Fly Drive Holiday
- Perth
- Margaret River
- Karri Valley
- Mandurah
- Visit the stunning beaches of Margaret River
- Explore the seaside town of Mandurah
- Visit Lake Beedup in the Karri Forest
11 Nights from £3415pp
Western Australia Coastal Adventure Fly Drive
- Perth
- Cervantes
- Kalbarri
- Monkey Mia
- Dirk Hartog Island
- Carnarvon
- Ningaloo
- Exmouth
- Visit Namburg National Park to see the Pinnacles
- Wander through Kalbarri National Park to step back in time
- Experience swimming with Whale Sharks at Ningaloo Reef
- Feed the dolphins at Monkey Mia
14 Nights from £3565pp
Coastal Coral Sea Australia Fly Drive Holiday
- Brisbane
- Noosa
- Hervey Bay
- Rockhampton
- Airlie Beach
- Townsville
- Cairns
- Visit the cosmopolitan city of Brisbane
- Visit Queensland's whale watching capital
14 Nights from £2830pp
Golf Australia
- Adelaide
- Kangaroo Island
- Melbourne
- Sydney
- Hunter Valley
- Play some of Australia's best golf courses
- Stay on a family owned working vineyard
- See the wildlife of Kangaroo Island
- Enjoy the cities of Adelaide, Melbourne & Sydney
15 Nights from £2975pp