The offical start of the Great Ocean Road is 103km from Melbourne CBD and will take approximately 1hr:17mins to drive. In 2009 a Freeway Extension (M1) was built that bypasses Geelong, making access to the Great Ocean Road much quicker.

The step by step directions below should take you there:

• Travel from Melbourne city onto the Westgate Freeway
• Continue onto Princes Freeway
• Continue onto Geelong Ring Road
• Follow the signs for Torquay

You can choose to head to the coast or explore the hinterland by continuing on the Princes Highway (A1) or explore the quieter country roads.

Train services operated by V/Line are available from Melbourne to Geelong or Warrnambool, stopping along the way in many of the major hinterland towns including Winchelsea and Colac.

To reach coastal towns including Torquay, Anglesea, Lorne and Apollo Bay, see connecting bus information under 'By Bus'.

Train times vary and are not available 24/7. Coaches will replace trains on the evening Geelong service, depending on availability.

For train stops and timetables, please visit:

Website: ptv.vic.gov.au
Phone:   1800 800 007

Get to or from the Great Ocean Road aboard Searoad Ferries, the car and passenger ferry service sailing between Queenscliff and Sorrento.  Connecting the Great Ocean Road to the Mornington Peninsula and Phillip Island, the 40 minute crossing is a great alternative to the 3 hour drive around the bay.  Easy drive on/drive off.  Ferries depart every hour on the hour from 7am to 6pm daily. 

Website: www.searoad.com.au 

Phone: +61 3 52574500

V/Line provides bus services to and from surrounding hinterland and coastal towns in the Great Ocean Road region.

• To visit coastal towns between Torquay and Apollo Bay including Anglesea and Lorne, buses connect at Geelong, Marshell and Colac Stations serviced by the Melbourne - Warrnambool train line.
• To visit coastal towns between Port Campbell and Port Fairy, buses connect at Warrnambool Station serviced by the Melbourne - Warrnambool train line
• To visit hinterland towns including Forest, Tanybryn, Cobden, Mortlake and Timboon, buses connect at Colac, Camperdown and Warrnambool Station serviced by the Melbourne - Warrnambool train line.
• To visit Portland, travel to Warrnambool by train and bus from Warrnambool or Port Fairy to Portland 

Bus times may vary and are not available 24/7.

For bus and coach information and timetables visit:

Website: ptv.vic.gov.au
Phone:    1800 800 007

Avalon Airport

Located just outside of Geelong and only 45 minutes from Melbourne CBD, Avalon Airport is the closest airport to the start of the Great Ocean Road, being only a 35 minute drive from Torquay. It offers easy transport options to Geelong and Torquay as well as plenty of car hire options. Avalon Airport currently supports budget Jetstar flights to and from Sydney, the Gold Coast and Adelaide. 

Website:    www.avalonairport.com.au
Phone:      +61 3 5227 9100
Toll Free:  1800 AVALON (1800 282 566)
Email:        enquiries@avalonairport.com.au

Melbourne Airport

Also known as Tullamarine Airport, Melbourne Airport it is the second busiest airport in Australia and is the major airport servicing the city with both domestic and international flights. Transport services and car hire are available onsite with connection to the city by public and private operators.  Airport accommodation is available and basic convenience stores, cafes and restaurants are available most hours.

Website:  www.melbourneairport.com.au
Phone:     +61 3 9297 1600

Sharp airlines operate regular services between Warrnambool, Portland and Melbourne (Essendon)

Essendon Airport 

Essendon Airport is a General Aviation and Corporate Jet Airport situated at the intersection of the Tullamarine and Calder Freeways, just 10 kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD.

Essendon Airport provides facilities and services for International and Domestic corporate aircraft, aircraft maintenance, airfreight, aircraft charter and emergency air service providers. Combined, these operators undertake more than 50,000 annual aircraft movements.

Website: www.essendonairport.com.au 

Phone: +61 3 9948 9400

Warrnambool Airport

Warrnambool Regional Airport is owned and operated by the Warrnambool City Council and is registered under Civil Aviation Safety Regulation (CASR) subpart 13.6.C Registered Airports. 

The airport has 16 hangars on site accommodating both business and recreational aircraft. The airport is home to Ambulance Victoria, Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS 4). The airport averages about 40 aircraft movements daily with General Aviation Maintenance (Courier Service) and Ambulance Victoria fixed wing aircraft daily users. No landing or aircraft parking fees currently apply.

Website: Warrnambool Airport

Phone: (03) 5559 4800

Email: wbool_city@warrnambool.vic.gov.au

Portland Airport

The Portland airport is 13KM from the township of Portland. The airport is home to the aero club and Sharp Airlines, who offer regular services between Portland, Warrnambool and Melbourne (Essendon Airport)

Website: http://sharpairlines.com/travel-information/at-the-airport/portland/
Phone: 1300 556 694

Located in Timboon, just 15 minutes from the Great Ocean Road, Ride With Us offers a wide range of transport services, including local runs to tours and Bicycle Hire and taxis 

Ride With Us Services specialise in personalised tours of the Great Ocean Road and inland areas. 

Specialty Gourmet foodies Tour - visit the quality 12 Apostles food Artisian trail. Meet the local people behind scenes at there farms taste wine, cheese and chocolates. Ice creams and sweet treats. 

Ride With Us Services also provide Great Ocean Walk transfers for those looking to do the Great Ocean walk in comfort and style. They can also arrange transport from airports, train stations, accommodation or from your home. The shuttle service caters for up eight passengers.

Call Ride With Us' friendly staff for more information.

Phone: 0438 407 777

Website: http://www.ridewithus.com.au/

Email: hello@ridewithus.com.au