Great Ocean Road by Public Transport

Melbourne - Apollo Bay - Warrnambool - Melbourne
1 or 2 days

Buckle up for a ripper trip along Australia's legendary Great Ocean Road! This coastal marvel will blow your socks off with stunning scenery and cheeky twists. Picture jaw-dropping cliffs, waves high-fiving the shore, and sandy beaches begging for a good sunbathing session. And if we told you you could take this trip all by cheap and comfortable public transport for just $10 a day, you’d tell us ‘you’re dreamin’.

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  • Style

    Public Transport Traveller

  • Transport

    Train & Bus

  • Time

    1 full day
    12 hours

  • Difficulty

    Easy
    Mostly sitting on trains & buses
    Walks at each stop are easy

REALITY CHECK

Before we get into this trip, a bit of a reality check is needed. The V/Line service that takes you along the Great Ocean Road is public transport. It runs to a very precise timetable and will not vary from this so that you can get an extra 5 minutes to take a photo.

The bus stops for 10-15 minutes at three stops and 30 minutes at the Twelve Apostles. This is enough time to get a good overview of the Great Ocean Road but it is not an in-depth experience.

We highly recommend spending a night in Apollo Bay if you have time, not only because it’s a great little beachside town, but also because it breaks up all the travel and makes for a more relaxed journey.

We have done the whole trip in a day. It’s a long day mostly spent enjoying the views out the window. When you do visit the main stopping places you have to keep moving to see them but if you only have a day and are travelling on a budget, go for it! Take a friend if you can, or make friends with the others doing the same journey. It will make your day all the better.

TOURS: If you can afford it a day tour out of Melbourne is probably a better option as you will not only see the main places seen by public transport but also stop at some of the sites not possible by public transport, including a walk in the temperate rainforest at Maits Rest - our absolute, non-coastline highlight of the Great Ocean Road. If you want to join a tour our recommendation is to book with Go West Tours. Their one day trip is $145.

ITINERARY

TICKETS: You will need to buy paper tickets as the myki card system cannot be used on some routes on this trip. You can buy tickets in advance at staffed Metro and V/Line stations or online. If you buy online you will need to visit a staffed Metro station or V/Line outlet to have your ticket printed. There is time to do this on the morning of day 1 at Southern Cross Station before the train to Geelong.

GREAT OCEAN ROAD IN 1 DAY: It is a long day but you can do this whole trip in one day for just $10 in transport costs. It’s pretty simple:

  • Buy your ticket so all the travel occurs on the one day. If booking online select a return from “Melbourne, Southern Cross” to “Warrnambool Station”. Be sure to select the outward route via Apollo Bay.

  • Follow the itinerary below and in Apollo Bay get immediately onto the Warrnambool bus after getting off the bus from Geelong.

  • You will need to bring food with you as there is no time to get food along the way until you get to Warrnambool at about 5pm.

  • You can only do this journey on Mon, Wed, or Fri.

GREAT OCEAN ROAD IN 2 DAYS: For a much more leisurely trip, spend a night in Apollo Bay:

  • Buy your ticket so you travel Melbourne to Apollo Bay on day 1 and Apollo Bay to Melbourne on day 2. For day 2 select the service departing Apollo Bay at 13:22 going via Warrnambool.

  • You can only do this journey on Sun-Mon, Tue-Wed, or Thu-Fri.

Geelong

DAY 1 - PART 1

MELBOURNE to GEELONG

The transport information here is correct at the time of writing. You should double check the timetables on the PTV website:

TRAIN SOUTHERN CROSS STATION TO GEELONG:

  • There are trains from Southern Cross Station in Melbourne from very early in the morning so you could go earlier and spend a little time walking around Geelong.

  • The last possible train you can use is the departure at 9:10am which arrives in Geelong at 10:15am giving you 12 minutes to get yourself onto the connecting bus to Apollo Bay.

  • If you want to go later in the day you need to be on, at the latest, the 1:30pm train out of Southern Cross Station. This train arrives in Geelong at 2:32pm.

LEAVING MELBOURNE: As you depart Melbourne you will move past the Docklands area on the left side of the train. Formally the original docks of Melbourne this area was transformed in the 1990s and 2000s into the modern apartment-style suburb seen today.

GEELONG: Make sure you get off at “Geelong” station. There are also “North Geelong” and “South Geelong” stations - don’t get off at these.

Great Ocean Road between Lorne and Apollo Bay

DAY 1 - PART 2

GEELONG to APOLLO BAY

BUS GEELONG TO APOLLO BAY:

  • There are 3 buses a day from Geelong Train Station, only the first two are useful: 10:27am and 2:44pm. We recommend the earlier bus so you have the whole afternoon to enjoy in Apollo Bay. If you are doing the whole Great Ocean Road in one day you must get on the 10:27am bus.

  • The bus departs from Bay 2 at the Geelong Station Station. It is the first bus stop you see as you exit that station and clearly marked to the Great Ocean Road.

  • Get a seat on the left side of the bus for the best views.

  • The trip takes 2 hours 40 mins.

LORNE TO APOLLO BAY SECTION: The last hour of the bus drive from Lorne to Apollo Bay is the most spectacular of the journey. The Great Ocean Road, built by soldiers returned from World War 1, is the world’s longest war memorial. The road officially begins in Lorne so prepare for a visual feast that will leave you spellbound. Marvel at towering cliffs draped in lush greenery, standing tall against the crashing waves below. Catch glimpses of pristine beaches where surfers chase their dreams. The road hugs the coastline, offering panoramic vistas that will take your breath away.

Story: A History of the Great Ocean Road

APOLLO BAY: Your bus will arrive at 1:11pm or 5:23pm depending on which bus you took. The bus route ends at the Apollo Bay Visitors Centre. Everything in town from here is within walking distance but should you need a taxi the phone number is 0400 229 222.

GREAT OCEAN ROAD IN ONE DAY: If you are doing the Great Ocean Road in one day you have about 10 mins before the bus to Warrnambool departs. It’s enough time to take a look at the beach and use the toilet. Jump ahead to Day 2 - Part 1 to continue your journey.

Apollo Bay, Great Ocean Road

DAY 1 - PART 3

APOLLO BAY

Apollo Bay, where waves tickle the shore, seafood tantalizes taste buds, and good vibes dance in the salty air. Beach bliss awaits!

VISITOR CENTRE: You will alight the bus right outside the Apollo Bay Visitor Centre so if you need any local information drop in.

RESTAURANTS:

  • If you are getting off the bus hungry for lunch, look no further than the Apollo Bay Bakery which is less than 200m from the bus stop. The bakery is the home of the famous Great Ocean Road Scallop Pie. People queue up for these at peak tourism times and they are delicious - if you like scallops!

  • Apollo Bay Hotel is the place to go for a great pub meal.

  • Casalingo is our favourite restaurant in town. Delicious Italian meals, huge wine selection, cool vibe.

Koala, Great Ocean Road

THINGS TO DO:

  • SWIM: If the weather is right hit for beach for a swim and some rays. The bay is lovely and you can’t do the Great Ocean Road without getting in the ocean.

  • WILDLIFE: 5km from Apollo Bay is Wildlife Wonders where you can join a guided walk nature walk to see Australian native animals up close, including a high chance of seeing koalas. A taxi will get you there.

  • WALK: If you need to stretch your legs after a morning on train and bus, take a walk to the harbour at the end of the bay. There is a fish and chip shop here along with great views back to town and out across the ocean.

ACCOMMODATION: Note that during public and school holidays prices in Apollo Bay are very high. Try to avoid holidays!

The Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road

DAY 2 - PART 1

APOLLO BAY to WARRNAMBOOL

After your night in Apollo Bay, buckle up for a wild coastal rollercoaster! From Apollo Bay to beyond Port Campbell, the Great Ocean Road serves up mind-blowing cliffs, rockstar beaches, and selfies with the famous Twelve Apostles.

BUS APOLLO BAY TO WARRNAMBOOL: The bus to Warrnambool departs every Mon, Wed & Fri from outside the Visitor Centre at 1:22pm. Don’t miss the bus, they don’t run very often! The total journey time is 3.5 hours with stops at all the important sites along the way. For the first section to Princetown we recommend sitting on the right side of the bus for the best views. Switch over to the left side, if you can, when you are back at the coast.

APOLLO BAY TO TWELVE APOSTLES: The Great Ocean Road goes inland for most of the next 1.25 hours as you dive into the Otway Ranges. The Otways are a rare piece of ancient temperate rainforest where majestic forested mountains rise proudly, adorned with verdant foliage and misty valleys, offering a haven for diverse wildlife and captivating landscapes.

Once you emerge at the coast you are only minutes from the famous Twelve Apostles. The bus will stop here for 30 minutes giving you plenty of time to walk to the viewpoint. To get to the viewpoint walk to the right of the amenities block and follow the path under the Great Ocean Road.

There are toilets and a gift shop at the car park.

Loch Ard Gorge, Great Ocean Road

TWELVE APOSTLES TO LOCH ARD GORGE: It is only a few minutes drive to Loch Ard Gorge. The Gorge derives its name from the 1878 shipwreck of the clipper "Loch Ard". There were only two survivors, who washed ashore here.

You have only 10 minutes here so you have to make a choice: walk down the stairs to the beach (pictured) or take the trail to view the Razorback, a striking limestone formation rising sharply from the ocean's edge. Its narrow, blade-like ridge and towering cliffs is a dramatic spectacle. if you do the Razorback you have time to view the beach from above.

LOCH ARD GORGE TO LONDON BRIDGE: Back on the bus you will pass through the town of Port Campbell before continuing on to London Bridge. Ten minutes here is enough time to walk to the viewpoint. Once connected to the mainland, it resembled a bridge. In 1990, part of the arch dramatically collapsed, isolating two tourists on the outer section.

Story: When London Bridge Fell Down

Bay of Islands, Great Ocean Road

LONDON BRIDGE TO BAY OF ISLANDS: After passing through the town of Peterborough, the final tourist stop for the bus is at Bay of Islands, one of the most beautiful views along the Great Ocean Road, a series of majestic limestone stacks emerging from the Southern Ocean, that see few visitors. The viewpoint is close to the bus stop so your 10 minutes here allows plenty of time to enjoy the view.

BAY OF ISLANDS TO WARRNAMBOOL: From here you leave the coast and travel through a verdant farming landscape through to the region centre of Warrnambool.

WARRNAMBOOL: Originally inhabited by the Gunditjmara people, Warrnambool's European history began with the arrival of the Henty brothers in 1834. It quickly flourished as a trading port and whaling center. The maritime industry thrived, and today, Warrnambool is a charming city blending its rich heritage with modern amenities, drawing visitors with its coastal allure.

The bus will drop you at the train station. You should have at least 40 minutes before the train to Melbourne leaves. There is an IGA Supermarket just 450m from the station on Timor St if you need some supplies for the train trip.

DAY 2 - PART 2

WARRNAMBOOL TO MELBOURNE

TRAIN WARRNAMBOOL TO SOUTHERN CROSS STATION: The train departs Warrnambool at 5:36pm and takes 3.5 hours to Melbourne. The train is very comfortable with big cushy seats. Usually there is food service on this train but it is not always guaranteed. Sit back, relax, and enjoy looking back through all the great photos from your time on the Great Ocean Road.

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FAQs

  • 1 day

    • Public Transport: $10

    • BYO food $0

    • TOTAL: $10

    2 days

    • Public Transport: $20

    • Lunch Apollo Bay x 2: $30

    • Dinner Apollo Bay: $20-$50

    • Accommodation: from $100

    • TOTAL: $170-$200+

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