Melbourne - Great Ocean Drive / Yarra Valley / Healesville

📅 Itinerary

Day 1: Melbourne → Great Ocean Road (Lorne / Apollo Bay)
• Depart early morning from Melbourne CBD
• Stop at:
• Bells Beach
• Anglesea Lookout
• Split Point Lighthouse
• Memorial Arch
• Lunch at Lorne
• Visit Erskine Falls
• Sunset at Teddy’s Lookout or Apollo Bay

Overnight in: Apollo Bay or Lorne

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Day 2: Great Ocean Road → 12 Apostles → Return to Melbourne
• Breakfast at local café
• Drive to:
• Gibson Steps
• 12 Apostles
• Loch Ard Gorge
• Optional: Take a helicopter ride over the 12 Apostles
• Lunch at Port Campbell
• Start return drive to Melbourne (approx. 3–4 hours)
• Light dinner back in Melbourne

Overnight in: Melbourne CBD

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Day 3: Yarra Valley Wine & Chocolate Day
• Depart 8:30 AM from Melbourne
• Visit:
• Domaine Chandon or Yering Station for wine tasting
• Yarra Valley Dairy for cheese tasting
• Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery
• Lunch at Meletos or Innocent Bystander
• Optional: Hot air ballooning (if you start the day very early)

Overnight in: Yarra Valley (optional) or return to Melbourne

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Day 4: Healesville Sanctuary + Local Attractions
• Arrive at Healesville Sanctuary by opening (10:00 AM)
• Enjoy wildlife encounters (wombats, kangaroos, platypus)
• Lunch at Sanctuary Harvest Café
• Optional nearby stops:
• Maroondah Reservoir Park
• Four Pillars Gin Distillery
• Return to Melbourne in the evening

Overnight in: Melbourne CBD

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Day 5: Free Day in Melbourne / Local Exploration
• Explore any of the following:
• Queen Victoria Market
• Royal Botanic Gardens
• National Gallery of Victoria
• Brunch at Hardware Société or Higher Ground
• Souvenir shopping / Relaxed dinner

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🏨 Accommodation
• Melbourne CBD: Dorsett Melbourne, Oaks Melbourne on Market, or Quincy Hotel
• Great Ocean Road (Day 1): Mantra Lorne, Apollo Bay Eco YHA
• Yarra Valley (optional): Balgownie Estate, Yering Gorge Cottages

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🍴 Food Recommendations
• Great Ocean Road:
• The Bottle of Milk (Lorne)
• Chris’s Beacon Point Restaurant (Apollo Bay)
• Yarra Valley:
• Meletos
• Innocent Bystander
• Yarra Valley Chocolaterie
• Healesville:
• Giant Steps Winery
• Four Pillars Gin Tasting Room
• Melbourne CBD:
• Chin Chin (Thai fusion)
• Tipo 00 (Italian)
• Hardware Société (brunch)

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📌 Tips
• Rent a car for Great Ocean Road and Yarra Valley – driving gives more flexibility
• Book winery tastings and hot air ballooning in advance
• Bring layers – weather can change quickly along the coast and in the valley
• Start Great Ocean Road early to beat the crowds
• Avoid driving at night in regional areas (wildlife hazard)