Scenic drive
Great Ocean Road car rental
The short answer
The Great Ocean Road is Australia's most famous coastal drive - the Twelve Apostles, surf beaches and rainforest, an easy loop from Melbourne. Rent a car (car hire, as Australians say) in Melbourne and take it at your own pace over two or three days.
Last checked Oct 21, 2026By Brett Gould2 sources ↓
Distance508 km (316 mi) loop
Driving time7 hest., no stops
Allow2-4 days
Right carAny car
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Renting in Melbourne for the Great Ocean Road
- Airport or city? Melbourne Airport is the easy pick if you're flying in: you collect the car and head west on the ring road without driving through the city center. A city pickup suits you if you're spending a few days in Melbourne first, so you don't pay for a car while it's parked.
- Which car: a small or mid-size automatic is all you need on this sealed road; choose an SUV for more luggage room or a family. Every car we list is an automatic.
- Book ahead for summer, Easter and school holidays, when Melbourne cars go fastest.
Sample plans
- 2 days: Day 1, Melbourne to Lorne and Apollo Bay via Torquay and Bells Beach (about 190 km), with the Otways rainforest in the afternoon. Day 2, the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge in the morning, then back to Melbourne inland via Colac (about 280 km).
- 3 days: Day 1, Melbourne to Lorne (about 140 km), beaches and Erskine Falls. Day 2, Lorne to Port Campbell via Apollo Bay, Cape Otway lighthouse and the Twelve Apostles at sunset (about 170 km). Day 3, London Bridge and the Bay of Islands, then inland back to Melbourne (about 280 km).
- Distances are approximate; allow far longer than the drive time for the lookouts.
The drive
- The Great Ocean Road proper runs about 240 km from Torquay to Allansford, but the natural trip is a loop from Melbourne - about 510 km round trip to the Twelve Apostles, about 7 hours of driving (more if you continue to Warrnambool), ideally over two or three days rather than a rushed day tour.
- The road is sealed the whole way but winding and coastal - unhurried is the point. Give yourself time for the lookouts; the driving is the attraction, not the distance.
- Pick up and return in Melbourne, so it's a simple round trip.
Highlights along the way
- Twelve Apostles - the limestone stacks at sunrise or sunset are the signature stop.
- Lorne and Apollo Bay - relaxed seaside towns to overnight and eat well.
- Great Otway National Park - rainforest walks, waterfalls and glow-worms just inland.
- Bells Beach and Torquay - the surf-culture gateway at the eastern end.
Related questions
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Quick answers
How many days do you need for the Great Ocean Road?
Two to three days does it justice - a round trip from Melbourne to the Twelve Apostles is about 510 km, about 7 hours of driving. You can day-trip it, but the winding coastal road rewards an unhurried pace.
Do I need a 4WD for the Great Ocean Road?
No. The road is fully sealed, so a comfortable small or mid-size automatic is ideal. A 4WD is unnecessary unless you're heading well off the beaten track.
Where do I rent a car for the Great Ocean Road?
Pick up in Melbourne - it's the natural start and end of the loop. Set Melbourne as pickup and return when you search.
Is the Great Ocean Road a one-way or round trip?
Most people loop back to Melbourne. If you'd like to carry on to Adelaide afterward, message us and we'll check a one-way for you.
Sources
1Google MapsDistance and drive time, no stops, rounded to 15 minutes.maps · checked Oct 21, 2026
2Rental company termsRoads, ferries, one-way fees, night driving and kilometers, as shown on each booking.rental terms · checked Oct 21, 2026
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