7 Day Victoria Road Trip Itinerary | Australia Travel Planner

Although it’s one of the smallest states in Australia, Victoria is chock full of attractions to keep the most intrepid traveller busy, and this 7 Day Victoria Road Trip Itinerary, covers the the best things to do in Victoria, over a period of one week.

You could easily spend a week exploring Melbourne, the state’s capital, if you have the time.

Venture further afield and you’ll find stunning coastlines, lush rainforests, quaint villages, and beautiful mountain ranges.

With this 7 day Victoria road trip itinerary you’ll get to experience the state’s most impressive natural attractions and history.

You’ll wind your way along the world famous Great Ocean Road, which has been rated as one of the Best Road Trips in the World; before heading to the Grampians National Park and the gold rush town of Ballarat.   

If you love road trips filled with nature and cultural heritage, then this 7 day itinerary is for you!

– Written By Audrey Chalmers from Victoria Uncovered 

PS – Useful Travel Resources to use while heading to Australia, to tick off this 7 Day Victoria Travel Itinerary –

• Book your Rental Car in Victoria on Discover Cars and RentalCars.com
• Book the best Victoria Tours at GetYourGuide or Viator or Klook
• Book your Budget Accommodation in Victoria on Agoda or Booking.com
  
• Get the best flight deals on Kiwi.com
• Get an eSIM by Airalo to stay connected and Save on Roaming Fees
• Sign up for a Priority Pass before flying to Victoria, and get access to premium Airport Lounges.
• Sign up for a Travel Insurance to enjoy a hassle free vacation in Victoria.

7 Day Road Trip Itinerary – Victoria, Australia

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Day 1 – Melbourne

No Victorian road trip guide is complete without including at least one day in the magnificent city of Melbourne. Of course, one day in Melbourne isn’t enough and I highly recommend spending more time if you can.

There are countless attractions to see and the city is often referred to as the cultural capital of Australia. At any given moment there are art exhibitions, live music performances, theatre productions, and an array of coffee shops to discover.

The city of Melbourne | Photo by Denise Jans on Unsplash

Start your day by ticking off some of the Best Things to do in Melbourne, such as exploring Melbourne’s graffiti covered laneways, then head to Federation Square a favourite meeting place for locals. Here you’ll find a range of restaurants, bars, and specialty stores. Follow this up with a visit to nearby St. Paul’s Cathedral and for sporting fans a tour of the Melbourne Cricket Ground is a must.

When you are in Melbourne, we highly recommend you to sign up for the Klook Pass Melbourne, which will give you access to 20 of the Best Sights in Melbourne, and you’ll be able to save 45% of the costs as well.

Day 2 – Melbourne to Apollo Bay

Victoria boasts a multitude of picturesque landscapes, and one of the most iconic routes to experience its beauty is the Great Ocean Road. The road trip from Melbourne to Apollo Bay, offers travellers a blend of coastal charm, natural wonders, and cool surfing vibes.

Torquay: The Gateway To The Great Ocean Road

Starting your journey in Torquay, the official beginning of the Great Ocean Road, visitors are greeted with a laid-back coastal atmosphere. Torquay is renowned for its surf culture, and a visit to Bells Beach, home of the Rip Curl Pro Surfing Competition, provides a glimpse into the world of professional surfing. The Australian National Surfing Museum in Torquay is a treasure trove of surf history, showcasing the evolution of this water sport in Australia.

Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery

A few kilometres down the road, chocolate enthusiasts will find solace at the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery. This sweet haven has a mind-blowing amount of chocolates and ice cream on offer from its enormous showroom. If you’re travelling with kids, there’s a window with views into the factory where they can watch the chocolates being made.

Split Point Lighthouse

As the journey continues, the Split Point Lighthouse stands tall, offering panoramic views of the rugged coastline. Known as the White Lady, the lighthouse is till in operation today, guiding ships through the treacherous waters of Bass Strait. Tours of the lighthouse take about 45 minutes.

Lunch At Lorne

Lorne, one of the biggest towns on the Great Ocean Road, beckons travellers with its inviting cafes and restaurants. For a satisfying lunch, Pit Stop is a local favourite serving milkshakes, hamburgers, and chips with an Aussie twist from a food truck in a 60s American Airstream.

Teddys Lookout and Erskine Falls

The scenic route unfolds with Teddys Lookout, a vantage point that showcases the beach, lush greenery, and the winding Great Ocean Road below. Nature enthusiasts will find Erskine Falls, surrounded by dense forest, a refreshing stop. The 30 metre tall waterfall is easily accessed from the car park down several flights of stairs.

Erskine Falls | Photo by Andrew St Lawrence on Unsplash

Koala Spotting At Kennett River

A visit to Australia wouldn’t be the same without seeing a koala in the wild and Kennett River on the Great Ocean Road is just the place to see them. Home to a large population of wild koalas it’s relatively easy to spot them sleeping in the trees.

Apollo Bay

Apollo Bay marks the halfway point of the Great Ocean Road and is the perfect place to stop for a night or two. The town offers a range of accommodations and places to eat. For fine dining Chris’s Restaurant at Beacon Point, offers dinner with a view, or if you prefer a more relaxed setting, the Apollo Bay Hotel is a top choice.

Apollo Bay | Victoria, Australia

Day 3 – Apollo Bay To Port Campbell

Heading out from Apollo Bay, spend the day exploring the Otways and Port Campbell National Park.

Melba Gully

Melba Gully is a beautiful patch of rainforest where you can walk between giant tree ferns under the shade of the rainforest canopy. The Madsens Track is a short 1.5 kilometre circuit walk through rainforest, past Anne’s Cascades. If you prefer, you can visit at night, when glow worms can be found along the trail.

Gibson Steps

Head back to the coast and you’ll reach Gibson Steps, where the enormity of the cliffs and the force of the Southern Ocean become apparent. Make your way down to the beach via the 86 steps that were carved into the face of the cliff by local settler Hugh Gibson. Here you can marvel at Gog and Magog, two limestone stacks rising up out of the sea.

View of Gog and Magog from Gibson Steps | Photo by Daniel Seßler on Unsplash

12 Apostles

A short drive will take you to the world-famous 12 Apostles, which happens to be one of the most iconic landmarks in Australia. Shaped by the relentless crashing waves, these limestone stacks rise majestically from the Southern Ocean. For a truly memorable experience treat yourself to a helicopter ride over the 12 Apostles and other famous sites along the coast.

Lunch In Port Campbell

Stop in Port Campbell for lunch at 12 Rocks Beach Bar & Café, the only restaurant in town that overlooks the beach. There’s plenty of seating both inside and out, the service is fast, and the menu features seafood and other creative options.

London Arch

Resume your driving along Great Ocean Road, stopping at the London Arch. Formerly known as London Bridge, this natural arch formation was once connected to the mainland until it collapsed in 1990 leaving two people stranded on the arch. No one was injured but it was three hours before they could be rescued by police helicopter!

The Arch | Photo by Stephen Mabbs on Unsplash

The Grotto

Further along, you’ll encounter The Grotto, part blowhole, part archway, part cave it is a geological wonder that mesmerises all who visits. A series of wooden boardwalks and lookouts allows you to see the cave formation from above before descending to the rock pool at its base.

Bay Of Martyrs and Bay Of Islands

With a 7 day Victoria itinerary, you’ll have time to see the less visited Bay of Martyrs and Bay Of Islands. This area of coastline is known for its towering limestone cliffs, flat island rock stacks, and views of the Southern Ocean. It offers a more peaceful experience away from the crowds and there are two walking tracks where you can take a stroll.

Now that you’ve finished your exploration of the Great Ocean Road head back to Port Campbell for the night stopping at the Sow and Pigletts Brewery for a beer and REAL Pizza for a bight to eat.

Day 4 – Port Campbell To Halls Gap

Now it’s time for a change scenery and to head inland to Halls Gap at the foot of the beautiful Grampians Mountain Range. Although bushwalking is the main activity here, there are plenty of other Halls Gap attractions to keep you busy.  From fascinating Aboriginal history, to wineries, galleries, a zoo and even Adventure Golf, this is a great place to spend a couple of nights.

There are a variety of places to stay in Halls Gap most are within the budget to mid-range price points. Self-contained cabins are a popular choice but there are a couple of motels to choose from as well. It’s best to book ahead especially at weekends.

Grampians Mountain Range

It’s about a 2 ½ drive from Port Campbell to Halls Gap. Once you arrive, you’ll have time for a short walk to the Venus Baths. An easy 2 ½ kilometres from the town centre, the walk crosses Stony Creek and leads to rocky platforms filled with water. You can enjoy the scenery while resting on large cool rocks or whether permitting splash around in the rock pools.

Alternatively, or if you still have time, make your way to MacKenzie Falls. There are a lot of steps to get to the base of the falls, but it’s definitely worth it and a must visit in Halls Gap.

Day 5 – Halls Gap

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at Livefast Café before hitting the trails. The 2 hour walk to the Pinnacle, is a highlight of any visit to the Grampians, and takes in stunning views of the Wonderland range and Wimmera Plains. The walk is well designed but take care to stay on the track and carry plenty of water.

Halls Gap | Photo by Huzaifa Tariq on Unsplash

With hundreds of kilometres of trails throughout the park there are plenty of other walking tracks to choose from. Other must-see sights include Boroka Lookout, Reeds Lookout, and The Balconies.  

Finish the day, with an ice cream from Coolas Ice Creamery, a beer at Paper Scissors Rock Brew Co, and dinner at Flame Brothers Restaurant and Bar.

Day 6 – Halls Gap to Ballarat

Now it’s time to start heading back towards Melbourne, but not before learning a little about the history of Victoria. The regional city of Ballarat is the perfect place to do just that. This gold rush era town is filled with wrought-iron-trimmed streets, grand architecture, and immersive experiences that take you back in time.

On arrival, get to know the city’s history by taking a heritage walking tour. Maps are available from the Visitor Centre and guide you through streets passing by landmark buildings like, Her Majesty’s Theatre and a Turkish Bath House. You can stop in along the way.

Afterwards head to the Eureka Centre, site of the 1854 Eureka Stockade Rebellion (a pivotal moment in Australian history) and home to the Eureka Flag. Through art installations and modern digital technology you’ll hear the stories of the men and women who fought for miners’ rights and learn of the gold rush’s cultural impact.

A stroll around Lake Wendouree is a lovely way to end the day. Buy an ice cream from an old tramcar and take a 45 minute cruise, onboard the replica Golden City Paddle Steamer. Finish off with a bite to eat at the Yacht Club or head back into town for dinner at the Golden City Hotel.

Day 7 – Ballarat To Melbourne

For your last day of this 7 Day Victoria Road Trip Itinerary, step back in time at Sovereign Hill – a huge outdoor museum that transports you back to the 1850s. Costumed characters and horse drawn carts add to the realism of this recreated goldfields town filled with shops, hotels, a theatre, schools, gold diggings, and underground mines. It’s possible to spend a whole day here panning for gold, shopping for old-fashioned sweets and candles, or riding a horse and cart. You can even get beneath the earth’s surface on a gold mine tour.   

Alternatively, you can get up close to native animals at the Ballarat Wildlife Park. There are more than 100 free range kangaroos onsite, as well as koalas, emus, wombats, reptiles, and penguins. The park is also home to animals from around the world including two Sumatran-Siberian tigers, called Kai and Akasha.

Meet Koalas at Ballarat Wildlife Park

The park is just a 4 minute drive from Sovereign Hill, so it’s possible to visit both attractions before driving back to Melbourne.  

Summary – 7 Day Victoria Travel Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Melbourne | Explore Melbourne

Day 2 – Road Trip from Melbourne to Apollo Bay

Day 3 – Road Trip from Apollo Bay to Port Campbell

Day 4 – Port Campbell to Halls Gap

Day 5 – Explore Halls Gap

Day 6 – Road Trip from Halls Gap to Ballart

Day 7 – Road Trip Ballart to Melbourne | Departure from Melbourne

Victoria, despite being one of the smallest states in Australia, offers a rich tapestry of experiences for the avid traveller. This 7-day Victoria road trip itinerary show cases the diversity of attractions, seamlessly blending natural wonders with cultural heritage.

Starting in the cultural capital of Melbourne this Victoria itinerary takes you along the incredible Great Ocean Road, then inland to the beautiful landscapes of Halls Gap, culminating in the historical city of Ballarat. Ensuring a well-rounded exploration for those with an appreciation for both nature and cultural heritage.

If you have time, you can extend your trip to Australia, and experience this 7 Day Cairns Itinerary as well. Since you are in the region, you can even fly from Melbourne to Auckland, and experience the best of New Zealand with this 14 Day New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary.

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