Road Tripping: Australia – Sydney to The Great Ocean Road

Last Updated on May 28, 2025 by Travelationship

A road trip across Australia can only be described as epic. It is also the only way you can get a sense of the scale of this country. Road trips are by far my favorite way to explore. I feel more connected to the place I am visiting and make an annoying number of stops at anything that catches my eye. This adventure will take us from Sydney to Allansford, at the end of the Great Ocean Road.

Sydney, the Harbour City:

Sydney Opera House

Easily one of the most recognized buildings on the planet, the Sydney Opera House does not disappoint. The tour, history, and architecture are fascinating on their own levels. The time you spend here will not let you down.

Bondi Beach

I have been on the fence about visiting this famous Sydney landmark. I can say that was just plain dumb. It is a fantastic beach and well deserving of its reputation. I am sure a local could send you to an even better, quieter stretch of sand, but why? Bondi Beach has a little something for everyone. We visited during their annual Sculpture by the Sea Bondi show, which made the experience more enjoyable.

Street Art in Sydney

Melbourne may get all the press on this one, but Sydney is not a Slack job. We spent an enjoyable afternoon with the International Greeter Association, taking a tour of Sydney and her street art. The results were equal parts surprising and delightful. See our Sydney Street Art findings.

Hyde Park Barracks (Sydney Living Museums)

Convict architect Francis Greenway designed this UNESCO site. It was built in 1819 for convicts, men, and boys by convicts. It is one of Australia’s best examples of large-scale prisoner transport and colonial expansion. Outside of some buildings and the small museum, this site is mainly left to one’s imagination.

The Drive from Sydney to Melbourne:

Driving from Sydney to Melbourne took the entire day, and it was not one of those drives that whizzed by. I swear I felt every minute of this one. If you want to squeeze a little more time out of either of these cities, you could fly and pick up the rental car in Melbourne on your way out.

Marvelous Melbourne:

Melbourne was quickly our favorite city on the trip. Even though Sydney was settled first, you can sense that all-too-familiar feeling of history as you walk the streets. Combine that with the outstanding food and ease of the city’s tram system, and you have everything you could want.

Melbourne Highlights

Eureka Skydeck 88

When explorers discovered new lands, looking for a high vantage point to survey the area was standard practice. That makes the Eureka Skydeck the perfect starting point for any visit to Melbourne. Get a jump-start on all of your fellow travelers and a sense of the lay of the land. Also, watch for interesting-looking areas you might want to explore more carefully. Hang with us at the Eureka Skydeck 88.

Old Melbourne Gaol

It is no secret that Australia started as a penal colony. If you want to see a small piece of that beginning, this is the place for you. If you are interested in Ned Kelly, Australia’s most famous folklore hero, you won’t want to miss this one. Spend a little time at Old Melbourne Goal.

State Library of Victoria

Two primary things make this a must-visit on your visit to Melbourne. The La Trobe Reading Room and the tower galleries feature Ned Kelly memorabilia, which houses his famous suit of armor.

Melb’s Art Scene

Street Art

When researching Melbourne’s street art scene, the CBD is all the rage. You can still find good pieces here, but we discovered a fair number of them had been painted over with tagging, which was very disappointing. However, Fitzroy North, running along St George’s Road, showed us our best finds. We only wish we had found them sooner, as I feel there were lots more in the neighborhood; we just ran out of time.

The National Gallery of Victoria

A fun and free museum that showcases an excellent selection of art. However, no new ground is being broken here, and your time would be better spent across the street in the parks, particularly the Shrine of Remembrance. Save your art museum for Adelaide. 

Melbourne Eats

Ying Thai 2

On Lygon St, we had the best Thai food since Thailand. It is tasty and very popular with locals and travelers alike.

Universal Italian Restaurant

This lively Italian restaurant is across Lygon Street from Ying Thai 2. While the most popular dish seemed to be an Italian twist on chicken schnitzel, everything we saw looked great. Be warned: It can get crowded, and the portions are pretty big.

The Great Ocean Road:

As you depart Melbourne, you want to head for the coast and Tourquay for the start of the Great Ocean Road. You will pass through Geelong and continue South on the Surf Coast Highway. If you need a coffee or breakfast, stop at the Salty Dog Cafe on your way through Tourquay to soak up those ocean sights and sounds to get you hyped for your journey.

Teddy’s Lookout

A quick detour takes you to a fabulous little overlook. From above, you can see miles of coast and the Great Ocean Road.

Kennett River Nature Walk

A popular place to stop and stretch your legs, it is also a great place to catch a glimpse of a koala or someone from the kangaroo family. A trail wanders back into nature along a riverbank, presenting good options for birders, as well.

Lake Elizabeth

This could be your chance if you have always wanted to see the elusive platypus. A little bit of a walk from the parking lot, you can find trails leading around the lake. Your best bet is sunrise and sunset, as they tend to hide from predators during midday. We saw several on the day we visited, although we didn’t get any good photos, as the closest ones quickly scurried away.

There are not many services around Lake Elizabeth. Snacks can be found at the Forrest Brewing Company, although you need to mindful of their limited hours. We had a lovely stay at the Otway Haven. When it was time to look for the elusive platypus, Outway Eco Tours was there to get the job done.

The Redwoods Otways

A special treat in the form of a grove of some of the world’s largest trees awaits you on this pitstop. Drive up into the forest-covered hills for a chance to stroll amongst giants. As with most roads in Australia, drive safely as you ascend the mountain, as wildlife could be waiting around every corner.

Cape Otway Lightstation

This is Australia’s oldest and longest-running lighthouse. It is accessed off of the Great Ocean Road and is situated at the point of Cape Otway. The area was home to several disastrous shipwrecks, prompting the building of the light station in 1848. In 1994, the lighthouse was retired, and a new automatic LED was installed below the cliff. A small restaurant and museum are on-site to add to your visit. Keep your eye open on the drive to the light station, as this was the only place we saw koalas in the wild.

Twelve Apostles Marine National Park

A fantastic park runs 17 km (10.5 miles) of dramatic coastline and is named after the rock stacks just off its shore. Coastal trails lead you along much of the park, allowing for grand views of arches and pillars of stone rising into the sky.

I recommend stopping inside the park at the Gibson Steps, Loch Ar Gorge, Razorback Lookout, and Thunder Cave. No visit would be complete without walking to the Saddle Lookout, which is connected to the main park station. Pay close attention to the warning and closed signs, as certain walks are periodically closed due to this ever-changing landscape. If you can make it at sunset, you will have beautiful colors and see the penguins come ashore during certain seasons.

Stay with us for the rest of our journey across the land down under. We visit Uluru, Kakadu National Park, and Barron Gorge National Park via the Skyrail.

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