Ultimate Road Trip: Melbourne To Adelaide Loop

Pick up your motorhome hire in Melbourne early in the morning and hit the road right away! There are plenty of picture-perfect stops along the way, and you’ll want to give yourself a tasty late brunch in Torquay, with seaside cafes on offer!

Ready to walk off the calories? Head over to Bells Beach and watch the surfers before hitting the road again!

You’ll arrive in the Anglesea area twenty minutes later, which is your gateway to a range of stunning on-foot adventures and a good place to find a holiday park for the first night of your Melbourne to Adelaide road trip. Witness Split Point Lighthouse, Fairhaven Beach, and snap a picture at Memorial Arch before heading out to either Aireys Inlet or Anglesea for a late afternoon arrival. The choice is yours where you’d prefer to stay!

Campsite recommendation: Big4 Aireys Inlet Holiday or Big4 Anglesea Holiday Park

Just up the road, you’ll find your next destination! You can either have breakfast before you leave or spoil yourself in Lorne with tasty and refreshing café destinations.

Afterwards, it’s time for a wander along Lorne Beach up to Lorne Pier, which is a popular fishing destination with fantastic views out over the ocean. If you brought your fishing rod with you, you’ll want to stop and take your pick of the renowned array of fish on offer. You can catch everything from barracuda and trout to salmon and even shark and squid.

Alternatively, if you’re a hiking enthusiast, spend the day trekking out to Erskine Falls, which is one of the most popular waterfalls in Victoria (and the biggest!). You’ll also find a variety of other photo-worthy nature destinations in the area, such as Phantom Falls, Henderson Falls, and Queenscliff Coastal Reserve.

Finish the evening off with a trip out to Teddy’s Lookout for an unmissable sunset and then return to the same campsite you stayed at the night before since it’s only up the road!

Campsite recommendation: Head Back To Big4 Aireys Inlet Holiday or Big4 Anglesea Holiday Park

Hit the road right after breakfast, making sure to stop at the Mount Defiance Lookout for another stunning glimpse of the ocean. Since you’re driving on the Great Ocean Road you’ll want to keep your camera handy. This is one of the most gorgeous stretches, with coastal roads taking you right along the rocky cliffs overlooking the ocean.

When you get to Apollo Bay it’s worth checking if any local markets are open – you might even find something tasty to eat before you trek down to the Apollo Bay Foreshore Reserve for a good look.

Still have some enthusiasm left for adventure? Pack lunch to go and spend the rest of the day exploring Great Otway National Park! Some of the top things to see include waterfalls, treetop walks, wildlife (including koalas, echidnas, glow works, and platypuses), and so much more!

Then it’s time for relaxation! Head to your holiday park for the night and get some well-earned rest.

Campsite recommendation: Big4 Apollo Bay

Port Campbell is a coastal town and close to some of the most iconic destinations along the Great Ocean Road! Setting off from Apollo Bay, you’ll get to spend the day hunting down breathtaking landscapes such as the 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge, the Razorback and Gibson Steps.

In the afternoon stop by The Grotto and The Bay Of Islands. With mesmerising sea caves and spectacular limestone stacks, your camera roll will definitely be full by the end of the day!

Done? Head over to Port Campbell for the evening. You can either spend a second day in the area at the Port Campbell National Park or set right off to Port Fairy.

Campsite recommendation: NRMA Port Campbell Holiday Park

Take it easy today, it’s your last day in Victoria for awhile! With community markets, the Port Fairy Museum, Hopkins Falls, local craft, and more, you’ll today is a good day for some relaxation after all the hiking. Start yourself off with breakfast in Port Campbell before driving off towards Cudgee for a day amongst animals at the Warrnambool Wildlife Encounters!

Alternatively, if you’ve had your fill of zoo life, give yourself a culture trip instead by heading over to Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Tourism for a first-hand experience of Southwest Victoria’s Gunditjmara Country.

At the end of the day you’ll be settling down in Port Fairy with a big day ahead tomorrow!

Campsite recommendation: Big4 Port Fairy

Time to venture into South Australia! There are so many worthwhile wineries in the Coonawarra area, so pack your tastebuds. But first, stop at the Yambuk Giant Slide to keep your inner child alive before heading up the coast. For a bit of a detour, the Princess Margaret Rose Cave is well worth a visit.

Otherwise, make your mid-morning stop in Mount Gambier for an afternoon of picture-perfect moments with the Umpherson Sinkhole, Blue Lake (yes, it’s as blue as the photos make it look!), Valley Lake, Garden Cave, and Englebrecht Cave. You’ll easily be able to spend most of the day exploring the area!

When you get to Coonawarra, relax with a delicious drink at either Katnook Estate or Wynns Coonawarra Estate before checking in to your holiday park for the evening.

Campsite recommendation: Coonawarra Bush Holiday Park

Time to head back towards the coast, so get ready for fresh breezes and sea salt air! For a beachside breakfast, we recommend feasting at Robe (which is only an hour away from Coonawarra).

Today is the day for photo opportunities, with the Robe Obelisk, Lake Eliza, and Little Dip Conservation Park all within a short driving distance. For a good view of the surrounding area, make your way over to Beacon Hill Lookout, which is an easy walk through lush-forested areas to an almost medieval-looking tower.

There are plenty of secluded beaches to be found in the area, with many sandy roads that need to be avoided. Remember, our motorhomes cannot be driven on unsealed roads.

Campsite recommendation: Sea Vu Caravan Park

You’ll want to set off as early as possible today, because there’s something special lined up for you! Follow Princes Highway alongside Coorong National Park, checking that you have your walking shoes on before you go. Trust us you’ll need them! There are plenty of bushwalks on your way to Murray Bridge.

Again, avoid the unsealed roads in the area, it’s incredibly easy to get bogged in the sand here!

You’ll pull up at Murray Bridge around late morning/early afternoon and head straight over to Monarto Safari Park for an adventure through Australia’s biggest open-range zoo! This is the largest Safari Park outside of Africa, making it well worth an afternoon at the minimum.

Campsite recommendation: Murray Bridge Marina Camping & Caravan Park

Set off on the next leg of your Melbourne to Adelaide road trip, with a special breakfast in Strathalbyn alongside the gorgeous Angas River. You’ll arrive in Victor Harbour shortly after with plenty of things to do!

You can sneak a bit more of Coorong National Park into the day or head down to Fleurieu Peninsula for a huge range of destinations! Discover Ingalla Falls, Normanville Beach, Cactus Canyon, Cape Jervis, Sellicks Beach, Deep Creek National Park, Myponga Reservoir, Crows Nest Lookout, The Bluff, and so much more!

After a busy day of exploring the area, head back to Victor Harbour for some of the best local woodfired pizza.

Campsite recommendation: NRMA Victor Harbor Beachfront Holiday Park

Shoot straight up to Adelaide by following the coast and prepare for two days of adventure and exploration! You can easily spend the day between Onkaparinga River National Park, Sundews Ridge Hike, and Mt Bold Reservoir. With so many little roads and secrets to be found, we definitely recommend a day of driving around before you get to the city’s heart.

Day two of your Adelaide trip is focused purely on city exploration! Spend the day at Adelaide Zoo, wander the Art Gallery of South Australia, mingle with the locals at Adelaide Central Market, or go for a stroll through Adelaide Botanic Garden, the choice is entirely yours!

Campsite recommendation: Windsor Gardens Caravan Park

You’ll want to stop in Hahndorf on your way through to Keith! This iconic little town is well-loved for its German-style architecture and artisanal food – a good breakfast stop perhaps?

Keith is a key agricultural hub and the gateway to the Limestone Coast region! Youll be going for an adventure through the gums lined up along the Dukes Highway today. For more exploration, stop by Don Moseley Park, and wander Mount Monster Conservation Park with its nature walks and environmental wonders. We hope you’ve still got some space in your camera roll!

On your way back to Melbourne you’ll be headed inland, with plenty of regional towns awaiting! Stop at Keith Caravan Park for the night and take some time exploring before winding up for the night – the best Victorian road trip is coming tomorrow!

Campsite recommendation: Keith Caravan Park

Head over to Horsham in the morning, taking a moment to peek your nose into Bordertown and Dimboola on the way! Murtoa is also well worth the detour just for the Cathedral of Wimmera (also known as the Stick Shed). This is also where your journey on the Silo Art Trail begins, with an incredible view of the Murtoa silo art on the way. For the quirky and unusual, drop by Murtoa Museum’s Taxidermy collection (yes the museum is in a water tower) before getting back on track to Horsham.

Now Horsham is known as the gateway to the Silo Art Trail and the North Western Side of the Grampians National Park, and it’ll also be home for the next two nights! You can easily spend even more days exploring the region in pursuit of the famous Silo Art Trail.

Day two is all about art! From Horsham, your Silo Art Trail continues with the Rupanyup Silo, followed by 333km of roads filled with stunning art. Your motorhome road trip will take you on a loop through Murtoa, Rupanyup, Sheep Hills, Brim, Albacutya, and Arkona. You’ll be spending your second night in Horsham as well! The trip will take approximately 4 hours, so make sure you’re looking for rest opportunities along the way.

There are plenty more silos in the area if you’re keen to see more, with Sea Lake, Patchewollock, Lascelles, Nullawil, Rosebery, Goroke, Kaniva, Walpeup, and Katamatite being well worth a look for art enthusiasts.

Campsite recommendation: Horsham Riverside Caravan Park

You’ll have less driving to do today because it’s time to stretch your legs at the Grampians National Park! Head on down to Halls Gap, which is just a short 53-minute drive away and stop by the Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre to organise your tours – or you can take yourself on a self-guided adventure through waterfalls like the MacKenzie Falls, lookouts such as the Balconies, and views of the stunning Victoria Range.

Some other highlights in the area include the Venus Baths, the Grand Canyon (not to be mixed up with its American counterpart), the view from the Pinnacle, and Halls Gap Zoo.

Campsite recommendation: NRMA Halls Gap Holiday Park

Set off from Horsham, making your morning stop in Aratat for breakfast (around 30 minutes away) and take yourself straight on over to Sovereign Hill! You can easily spend the day here, with seasonal activities as well as regular gold panning, confectionary demonstrations, bowling, and shows every day. You’ll find plenty more information and itineraries on the Sovereign Hill website.

If you’re keen to broaden your skillset, drop by the Australian Centre for Rare Arts & Forgotten Trades – who knows, you might come home with a new hobby!

When you’re done for the day, head to Ballarat, get some rest, and prepare for a second day of adventure in the area. You will find even more itineraries on the Ballarat website, from family adventures to breweries and distilleries and outdoor exploration, the choice is yours and there’s definitely no shortage of things to do in Ballarat for a day or more!

Campsite recommendation: NRMA Ballarat Holiday Park

All good things must come to an end, and unfortunately, today is the last day of your Melbourne to Adelaide road trip adventure. But the fun doesn’t have to end right away! Spend some time exploring around Melbourne if you’re keen before you return your motorhome back to us in Tullamarine.