Top 3 Reasons for Americans to Book a Melbourne to Adelaide Road Trip (Including the Great Ocean Road and Southern Ocean Drive) — PLUS a Step-by-Step Itinerary
Vegemite sandwiches versus PB&J. Fringe instead of bangs. Thongs instead of flip flops.
Much may separate Australians and Americans — including our language! — but there is much that unites us as well. (I can personally attest to this as an American living in Australia!) One thing we can all agree is loved by both Yanks and Aussies alike? Travel.
So, for Americans looking to book their next overseas holiday, why choose the southeastern corner of Australia? Well, first let us explain the Melbourne to Adelaide Road Trip, step by step:
Land in Melbourne. Heaps of international flights land in Melbourne daily. Book your flight and be one of the lucky ones stepping off a plane at Melbourne International Airport.
Be sure to spend some time in sweet Melbs. It really is a gorgeous city on a river, with delicious dining options (we recommend the ‘Feed Me’ menu at Chin Chin…yum!) and heaps of culture and entertainment.
Rent that car. Preferably something with 4WD…after all, once you cross the border from Victoria (the state Melbourne is in) into South Australia (the home of Adelaide) you’ll be able to legally drive on the beach.
Drive the first leg of your journey on the Great Ocean Road. If you stay along the coastal route, it takes a bit over 4 hours of driving to get to the first main stop: the famed 12 Apostles rock formations. We’ve stayed in a beautiful Airbnb just a short walk away from the 12 Apostles, but there are plenty of other places to stop along the Great Ocean Road. We highly recommend a look at Anglesea, Lorne and Apollo Bay to stop for lunch, a look, or both.
Watch as the Great Ocean Road becomes the Southern Ocean Drive. As you continue west, soon you’ll begin the Southern Ocean Drive. We’ve written some recommendations of places to check out along this trek, including Koroit (a bit of Ireland in Australia) and Port Fairy.
After your stay with us at Mount Schank, continue North to Adelaide. The unparalleled beauty of Mountain Path Meadows and our unique timber geodesic dome stay is perfectly located at the end of your Great Ocean Road trip. After unplugging for a relaxing and rejuvenating stay in The Dome, we recommend you check out the sinkholes, cenotes, and volcano craters dotting our nearby landscape. Then, you’ll continue your Southern Ocean Road trip by driving northbound.
Stick to the coastal route for maximum world-class natural beauty. Stay near the ocean and you can not only enjoy adorable seaside towns such as Beachport and Robe (where Drift Cafe is a great place for brekky or lunch!), but you’ll also enjoy incredible natural landscapes like Cape Jaffa and the Coorong National Park.
After the Coorong, it’s not long until you’re in the Hills. No, not Laguna Beach. These are the Adelaide Hills. Make sure your brakes are solid before this stretch of road! We recommend checking out Mount Lofty if you’re craving some elevated views.
Cruise into rAdelaide. Often ranking high on lists of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has plenty of green spaces (it’s worth a visit to the Botanic Gardens!) and is easy to navigate. Enjoy a night or two here before moseying on to your next destination.
Now that you’re familiar with the trip, here are a few reasons for Americans to book it…if you’re not already convinced.
Experience driving on the left side of the road. It requires heaps of concentration but is a unique and unforgettable experience for an American. Study those roundabouts in advance!
Take the road less travelled to the hidden gems. Be the only one of your friends to have seen these lesser-known Australian landmarks. (Hello! There’s a Pink Lake in the Coorong…need we say more?)
Take advantage of the current exchange rate. At the time of writing this blog post, every $1 in U.S. dollars equates to $1.42 in Australian dollars. That means you’ll get more value here than at home. Be sure to check the current exchange rate for the most accurate information.
There you go: Three fantastic reasons to take a holiday in 9 easy steps. Americans, do you have any questions? And Aussies: What did we forget to include in our lists? Let us know on Facebook.