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If you want a perfect trip from Melbourne to Adelaide, take your time and drive the scenic route. While you can drive there on one gruelling day along the A8, the drive will be long and not very relaxing. Instead, make a vacation of it! Spend a relaxing week driving along the Great Ocean Road and stopping at great scenic spots.
We will review a seven-day itinerary for a pleasant trip, with suggestions for popular stops along the way and tips to make your journey run smoothly.
Let’s get started so you can get on the road.
How Long Should You Spend Driving From Melbourne to Adelaide?
While you can technically drive from Melbourne to Adelaide in just under 9 hours if you drive inland along the A8, there is a much more relaxing option to take the scenic coastal route.
The scenic route along the Great Ocean Road and Limestone Coast can be done in 2-3 days if you are short on time. However, if you’re not in a rush, make a week of it and enjoy making plenty of great scenic stops along the way.
Melbourne to Adelaide Road Trip Itinerary
Here is a 7-day itinerary for a road trip from Melbourne to Adelaide, taking the scenic coastal route. Ideally, this is a great caravan journey with plenty of campgrounds to stay in all along the road. Alternatively, you can travel in a car and camp in tents instead. Finally, there are plenty of towns to stop in and rent a hotel along the way.
No matter which way you choose to travel, reserve your campgrounds or hotels ahead of time since the route is popular, and they can sell out fast, especially if you plan to travel during holidays or anytime during the summer.
Day 1: Melbourne to Lorne
Make your first driving day short so that you have plenty of time to double-check your gear and clothes. You will also need some time in the morning to pack things like perishables and frozen treats in your EcoFlow GLACIER Portable Refrigerator. This fridge works as a fridge and freezer, all in the size of a standard cooler.
It even has a built-in ice maker for excellent icy cold beverages on your stops at all the gorgeous beaches. It holds a charge for 40 hours, and you can charge it with clean, free energy from your EcoFlow solar generator.
Since your first day is short, spend some time on the famous Surf Coast along Torquay, the home of Australian surfing. Even if you don’t surf, the beaches are a must-see! Take your time, enjoy a swim and some cold drinks.
When you get to Lorne, take a short walk to the famous Teddy’s Lookout. The best time to visit is at sunset for a panoramic view of where the St George River meets the ocean.
Day 2: Lorne to Port Campbell
Driving from Lorne to Campbell, including a must-see detour to Beauchamp Falls and Hopetoun Falls, will take you a little under four hours.
Start by driving to another great surfer town, Apollo Bay, with many great swimming places. Bring your EcoFlow RIVER Portable Power Station to the beach to play music and charge your devices while you enjoy the sun and waves with an ice-cold drink.
While there are different size options in the EcoFlow RIVER series, the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max is the perfect compact size for bringing to the beach, but it still has plenty of power, so you can stay there as long as you want.
While in the Apollo Bay area, take a 15-minute detour to Maits Rest for a short 800 m walk along a boardwalk through the lush Otway Rainforest with giant trees and lush ferns; if you are lucky, you might even see some koala bears lounging around in the massive eucalyptus trees.
After you leave Apollo Bay, head next to the breathtaking Beauchamp Falls and Hopetoun Falls. You can see the falls with just a short walk to each, and you won’t be disappointed!
If you didn’t get too delayed on your Apollo Bay swim and make it to Port Campbell in time for the sunset, head down to the famous Twelve Apostles beach and watch the sunset over the sea stacks for another gorgeous sunset.
Day 3: Port Campbell to Port Fairy
This is another short drive, a little under two hours. But you will need it since there are so many great scenic stops with plenty of photography opportunities along the way. Some good ones to stop at include The Arch, London Bridge, The Grotto, the Bay of Martyrs, and the Bay of Islands. If you are making good progress and have time to spare, another great scenic spot that will require more of a detour off the Great Ocean Road is Childers Cove.
If you travel in the summer and are dealing with the heat, take advantage of the rapid cooling offered by your EcoFlow WAVE 2 Portable AC. Or, if you like to avoid the crowds and travel in winter, this portable unit even doubles as a heater so you can take the chill off on cool nights!
You will come to the end of the Great Ocean Road in Allansford. From there, drive through Warrnambool to the small coastal town of Port Fairy, often called Victoria’s prettiest little town, and for good reason. It has great small-town charm with beautiful beaches, scenic views, and great dining out at the local restaurants.
Day 4: Port Fairy to Mount Gambier
Day four brings another short day of driving, just 2 hours, but again, there will be plenty of great stops along the way, this time with lots of nature reserves and geological sites. If you have time, spend some time in the Griffiths Reserve before you leave Port Fairy.
Then enjoy some more coastal driving with several nature reserves along this stretch of the famous Shipwreck Coast if you want to take some detours and go for a hike. You can even stop at Yambuk Lake and the Great Yambuk Slide for some fun for the little ones.
When you get to Portland, stop for lunch, enjoy the beach, and check out some sites, including the Petrified Forest and the Tarragal Caves. Also, check out the Point Danger Gannet Colony if you have birdwatchers in your travel group.
Finally, save some time for exploring Mount Gambier, one of the best places to explore the Limestone Coast. It’s famous for its crater lakes, sinkholes, and ancient volcanoes. The gorgeous Umpherston Sinkhole, filled with rich plant life, and the famous limestone Engelbrecht Cave are two popular destinations there.
Day 5: Mount Gambier to Robe
Next, take the coastal route from Mount Gambier to Robe to enjoy more of the Limestone Coast. When you leave Mount Gambier, check out the famous Tantanoola Caves, which have beautiful limestone sites. You can even make a day of it and book a tour with SA Parks, but make sure you book it ahead of time to ensure you can get in.
Next, drive on to Millicent and take the Southern Ports Highway. Beachport is an excellent stop along the way for lunch and an afternoon surf or swim. You can always stay there, too, if you want something quieter. Otherwise, keep heading onwards to the more trendy town of Robe. While in Robe, check out the Robe Lighthouse and enjoy another gorgeous sunset on the beach, then check out some of the local nightlife.
Day 6: Robe to Victor Harbour
Robe to Victor Harbour is another longer drive, around four hours, but it is incredibly scenic. You will drive along the beautiful Coorong National Park. This area is famous for its great fishing, so you can stop and put your line in the water. Sand dunes and wetland areas are also popular with visitors, but you mostly need a 4×4 to access those.
Victor Harbor is located along Encounter Bay, another popular holiday destination with gorgeous ocean views. So be sure to plan ahead to secure your place to stay if you travel during summer or the holidays. Alternatively, if you like to avoid the crowds and travel in winter, you might be able to catch the migratory route of the Southern Right Whales.
You can stop at the South Australian Whale Center in Victor Harbor to find out where the whales might be on their journey.
Day 7: Victor Harbor to Adelaide
Now, your journey is reaching an end, and this is your shortest driving day yet. But it does not have to be uneventful. In fact, there are plenty of stops and short detours to make along the one-hour journey from Victor Harbor to Adelaide, so you can still make an entire day of it if you wish.
Some popular destinations are Aldinga Beach and Sellicks Beach, both incredibly beautiful. Sellicks Beach has dramatic cliffs for great photography opportunities, and the hard-packed sand means that even 2WD vehicles can drive on the beach without worrying about getting stuck in the sand.
If you like wine, there is a small wine region around McLaren Vale with popular wineries, including Paxton Wines, known for its organic wines, and the popular Down the Rabbit Hole, known for its fun atmosphere, great food, and great wine.
Before you head into the beautiful city of Adelaide, check out the relatively easy hikes in the gorgeous Onkaparinga River National Park.
Finally, when you get to Adelaide, plan to spend at least a day or two enjoying the beautiful city. It has more gorgeous beaches, vineyards, gardens, a great selection of restaurants, and small-city nightlife to enjoy.
Melbourne to Adelaide Tips
Pay attention to these four important tips to make the most of your relaxing but exciting journey!
- Note that there is no free camping along the Great Ocean Road, and the beach car parks are often patrolled at night. So, if you make the trip in summer, be prepared for lots of travellers. Plan ahead and book your campgrounds well in advance, as they might otherwise be sold out.
- Do not drive at night to avoid encounters with wildlife on the road that could be dangerous for both them and you. It is best to stop before sunset each night.
- Download an app like Petrol Spy to find cheap fue—some stations along the coast charge a lot more, especially during summer.
- Having roadside assistance and/or travel insurance is always recommended to deal with unexpected vehicle breakdowns or other issues along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Driving from Melbourne to Adelaide is a beautiful journey, especially if you take the coastal route, which offers many beautiful sights along the way. Take your time, don’t be in a rush to travel as much as possible each day, and you will have a nice, relaxing adventure.
The most scenic route from Adelaide to Melbourne is along the coast on the Great Ocean Road and along the Limestone Coast, which will take at least 2-3 days or up to 7 if you make plenty of great scenic stops along the way.
Final Thoughts
Melbourne to Adelaide can be a beautiful, relaxing road trip, whether you are caravanning or travelling by car. Along the way, you can see many fabulous beaches, nature reserves, hikes, stunning waterfalls, and gorgeous sunsets. Be sure to plan ahead, especially when travelling in the summer or on holiday. These are popular destinations, so the campgrounds and hotels can sell out fast.
Bring your EcoFlow Portable Power Station with you to keep your essential devices running so you and the kids can relax and enjoy your trip. You can even charge it with your EcoFlow portable solar panels when you stop at all those great beaches along the way. Now, hit the road and have fun.