Melbourne to Adelaide: The Ultimate Great Ocean Road Trip (Part 1)
- Mario Ng
- Jun 19
- 6 min read
Updated: 7 minutes ago
Our Epic Australian Road Trip - How it all began
Back in 2022, my friend and I embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime road trip through Australia. We started in Melbourne, spent a night soaking in the city vibes, before heading off towards the iconic Great Ocean Road. From there, we continued westward into South Australia, passing Mount Gambier, eventually arriving in Adelaide. After a few days of catching up with friends, we decided beforehand to drive all the way back to Melbourne in one day. We ended our Australian trip with a couple of nights in the city before flying back home.
This post is Part 1 of our multi-part blog series covering the full journey, from the early planning stages to every scenic stop and hotel stay. If you’re planning your own Melbourne to Adelaide road trip, bookmark this page!
How the idea was born: Europe or Australia?
It all started with a casual chat. On one random Saturday afternoon, we were chilling around, and the conversation somehow shifted to travelling and, in particular, about a road trip in Europe. We talked about exploring Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, and timing our trip to catch the Hungarian Grand Prix. My friend was in, even though F1 did not really interest him.
Unfortunately, reality hit. Both of us were swamped with work and only had about 10 days to spare. We began to wonder whether a European road trip would feel too rushed. We did not want a whirlwind tour; we wanted time to take it all in. Then came the lightbulb moment: “What about Australia?”
Australia ticked all the boxes: epic coastlines, culture, nature, and a road trip that could be just as unforgettable, just without the jet lag and fast pace of Europe.
The Planning Stage
Booking our flights
Our first task was booking the flights. We aimed for late July to early August, but airfares were sky-high due to the post-pandemic travel surge. We had our hearts set on Singapore Airlines, because who doesn’t love flying with them? But ticket prices were steep.
I then checked Scoot. Surprisingly, ScootPlus return tickets to Melbourne were cheaper than Singapore Airlines' Premium Economy Class tickets. Those ScootPlus seats were also more spacious than Singapore Airlines’ Economy Class seats. After doing a quick calculation and considering comfort against cost, we decided that ScootPlus was the way to go.
Our flight schedule:
Flight Number | Departure Airport | Departure Date | Departure Time |
Scoot TR18 | Singapore Changi Airport | 28 July 2022 | 1:35 am |
Flight Duration | Arrival Airport | Arrival Date | Arrival Time |
7 hrs 25 mins | Melbourne - Tullamarine Airport | 28 July 2022 | 11:00 am |
Flight Number | Departure Airport | Departure Date | Departure Time |
Scoot TR25 | Melbourne - Tullamarine Airport | 6 August 2022 | 9:45 pm |
Flight Duration | Arrival Airport | Arrival Date | Arrival Time |
8 hrs 10 mins | Singapore Changi Airport | 7 August 2022 | 3:55 am |
Route Planning: Melbourne to Adelaide (and Back!)
Our planned route from Melbourne to Adelaide via the Great Ocean Road was relatively straightforward. The expected key stops included the following:
Melbourne (The first and final part of our entire road trip)
Apollo Bay (great base to explore the area)
The Twelve Apostles (tourist favourite)
Mount Gambier (crossing into South Australia)
Adelaide (our turnaround point)
But how would we return?
After all the enjoyment driving through the coastal areas and exploring the small towns, we would have arrived in Adelaide. After that, we had to decide how to head back to Melbourne.
Flying back was easy, but expensive. Returning our rental car in Adelaide would incur a hefty one-way fee, and the flight tickets back to Melbourne were not cheap either. The finances were not adding up.
Instead, we decided to drive back from Adelaide to Melbourne in a single day. It would be long, but possible. It was also part of the adventure, all 700+ km of it. The inner F1 fan in me was ready for it. The Ultimate Great Ocean Road Trip, here we come!
🗺️ Melbourne to Adelaide (via the Great Ocean Road) and Back Route Map
Choosing the hotels: A Blend of Luxury and Local Charm
We wanted the trip to feel special, so we mixed luxury hotels with boutique local stays. Ultimately, we decided on the following accommodations:
Sofitel Melbourne on Collins – A suite stay to kick off the trip in style
Apollo Bay Waterfront Motor Inn – Coastal charm and convenience
Mount Gambier Hotel – A comfy stop after a long day’s drive
Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets – Boutique vibes, thanks to a Dennis Bunnik review
Sofitel Adelaide – A must-stay. The first five-star hotel in Adelaide in 30 years
Mercure Welcome Melbourne – A quick crash pad after the long return drive
W Melbourne – A luxurious suite stay to end the journey in style
🗺️💡 Pro Tip: Click on those links above to check out our hotel reviews!
Choosing the right car
Choosing the car was just as exciting as planning the route. Initially, we booked an Audi Q5 through Hertz. However, I wondered if a saloon might be better for long-distance comfort and stability. Ultimately, we switched to Sixt and booked a Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
As with most rentals, the car was not guaranteed to be available. We would only find out what we got upon arrival. We were excited to find out the day of our arrival!
Our 10-Day Melbourne to Adelaide Road Trip Itinerary
We wanted this road trip to be both scenic and comfortable. After some intense research and various reviews on websites, vlogs, and blogs, we settled on the following Great Ocean Road itinerary:
Itinerary Overview
Day 1 (28 July 2022): Arrive in Melbourne – Sofitel Melbourne on Collins
Day 2 (29 July 2022): Drive to Apollo Bay – Apollo Bay Waterfront Motor Inn
Day 3 (30 July 2022): Explore Apollo Bay
Day 4 (31 July 2022): Visit Twelve Apostles, drive to Mount Gambier – Mount Gambier Hotel
Day 5 (1 August 2022): Drive to Adelaide – Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets
Day 6 (2 August 2022): Wine tasting in McLaren Vale
Day 7 (3 August 2022): Explore Adelaide – Sofitel Adelaide
Day 8 (4 August 2022): Long drive back to Melbourne – Mercure Welcome Melbourne
Day 9 (5 August 2022): Explore Melbourne – W Melbourne
Day 10 (6 August 2022): Final day in Melbourne, fly back
Day 11 (7 August 2022): Home Sweet Home
What’s Next?
With everything booked and confirmed - flights, route, hotels, car — it was time to start the countdown. In the next part of this series, we will take you from Melbourne to Apollo Bay in 2 Days of Food, Coffee & Scenic Drives!
👉 Coming up in Part 2:
Jet lag, laneways, and the luxury suite that set the tone for the whole trip. We couldn’t wait to hit the road and kick off our epic journey across southern Australia!
🚗 The Ultimate Melbourne to Adelaide Road Trip Series
Part 1: The Ultimate Great Ocean Road Trip
What began as a casual chat about Europe turned into the ultimate Melbourne to Adelaide road trip — here’s how we planned every unforgettable kilometre.
From a Dreamliner touchdown to scenic coastal drives, boutique stays, and seafood feasts — our Australian adventure kicked off with style, sunshine, and serious road trip vibes.
From smoked trout breakfasts and sanctuary strolls to a breathtaking chopper ride over the Twelve Apostles — our Great Ocean Road journey hit full stride with wildlife, wonders, and winding roads all the way to Mount Gambier.
Part 4: From Mount Gambier to Melbourne: A Scenic South Australian Road Trip Through Adelaide’s Hidden Gems
From marathon drives and foodie discoveries to wine tastings, Vietnamese feasts, and unforgettable moments with friends — our Adelaide chapter was a rich blend of flavour, friendship, and scenic surprises.
Part 5: Final Stretch: One-Day Drive, Silo Art & City Eats
From silos and sunsets to one final stroll through Melbourne’s markets, we wrapped up our 721-kilometre return drive with heartfelt meals, sky-high views, and the kind of memories only the open road can offer.
🏨 The Ultimate Melbourne to Adelaide Road Trip Series: Where We Stayed
Sofitel Melbourne on Collins – A suite stay to kick off the trip in style
Apollo Bay Waterfront Motor Inn – Coastal charm and convenience
Mount Gambier Hotel – A comfy stop after a long day’s drive
Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets – Boutique vibes, thanks to a Dennis Bunnik review
Sofitel Adelaide – A must-stay. The first five-star hotel in Adelaide in 30 years
Mercure Welcome Melbourne – A quick crash pad after the long return drive
W Melbourne – A luxurious suite stay to end the journey in style
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