• Distance: Melbourne to Adelaide taking shortest route is 730km or 8 and a half hours, but you’ll miss this wonderful coast road.
• Driving Time: 12 hours (via Kingston SE and not going to Kangaroo Island)
• Duration: 5 to 7 Days

This would have to be Australia’s best coastal drive. From Melbourne head through Geelong and the coastal towns of Torquay, Anglesea and Lorne to Apollo Bay or Cape Otway. It’s a two and a half to three hour drive, but take your time.

Accommodation suggestion: Apollo Bay or Cape Otway Lighthouse

From here it’s just over an hour to the famous 12 Apostles and Port Campbell then on to Peterborough and Warrnambool. There’s a lot to explore here and it’s under half an hour to charming Port Fairy.

Accommodation suggestion: Warrnambool or Port Fairy

Finish the Great Ocean Road and on to Mount Gambier in SA (2hrs 20min from Warrnambool) for the mysterious Blue Lake and maybe the Englebrecht Caves and then decide to stay on the coast and head through the national parks to Robe or Kingston SE or head north through Penola and the Coonawarra wine region to Naracoorte for the World Heritage limestone caves – allow plenty of time for these. From Mt Gambier it’s an hour and a half to Naracoorte and an hour 44 mins to Kingston SE.

Accommodation suggestion: Robe, Kingston or Naracoorte

The aim today is Victor Harbor. From Naracoorte head to Keith and Tailem Bend, cross the Murray and down to Goolwa via Strathalbyn (4 hrs 30 mins). From Kingston, hug the coast, cross the Murray to Wellington and to Victor via Strathalbyn, Goolwa and Port Elliot. (3 hrs 30 mins)

Accommodation suggestion: Victor Harbor

From Victor Harbor it’s only an hour or so to Cape Jervis to catch the ferry to Kangaroo Island. Allow a couple of days here to do the place justice – there’s so much natural beauty and wildlife.

Accommodation suggestion: Kingscote or Penneshaw

After the ferry crossing back to Cape Jervis, head up the Fleurieu Peninsula, through the McLaren Vale wine district to Adelaide (1hr 30 mins).

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