The Great Ocean Road
Three Days, One Camper, and No Regrets (mostly)
Because apparently, a 3-day road trip in Australia counts as “just taking the scenic route.”
Last time I went from Melbourne to Adelaide, I took the Firefly bus — a charming experience if you enjoy trying to sleep upright next to strangers and questioning your life choices at roadside petrol stations. This time, I upgraded.
A Jucy camper van relocation gave me three days to get from Melbourne to Adelaide with some freedom, a mattress on wheels, and a to-do list mostly consisting of don’t hit wildlife and see everything possible.
Spoiler: no wildlife were harmed, just my nerves.
Jump ahead for...
(For the leisurely reader with tea in hand and time to spare)
(For the efficient explorer who’s got places to be)
(For the visual wanderer who came for the views, not the verbs)
Day 1: Airports, Waterfalls, and Fog-Based Character Development
My flight from Hobart landed just after 9am. By 10:30, I was on the road in a neon-green-and-purple van affectionately known as Jucy Lucy.
After a quick supply run (read: snacks and emergency coffee bags – they are so much better than instant!), it was time to point the wheels toward Lorne — also known as “the town where every trail leads to a waterfall.”
June daylight is stingy in Victoria, so my stop at Teddy’s Lookout was brief, but spectacular — cliffs, crashing surf, and just enough mist to feel cinematic. I also squeezed in a forested stroll to Erskine Falls, which delivered the perfect ratio of beauty-to-effort for a sleep-deprived arrival day.
Then came the drive into the Otways — which would have been scenic, had it not been swallowed by fog thick enough to hide both the road and my sense of optimism. Every twist and turn felt like a deleted scene from a forest-based thriller. I rolled into Beauchamp Falls campground by 6pm, mentally exhausted and physically frozen.
Dinner was reheated soup in the van. Luxury. By 8pm, I was in bed wearing all the layers I owned, questioning whether fog counts as a spiritual experience.
No regrets. Mostly.
Day 2: Rainforests, Rock Stars, and Sinkholes After Sunset
Waking up in the middle of Otway National Park, surrounded by damp forest air and birds doing their morning warmups, was an instant mood reset. The fog was gone. The robins were back. And the satin bowerbirds? Scene-stealing divas, obviously. While I made coffee, they performed an entire show — no encore needed.
Beauchamp Falls campground is also the trailhead for its namesake walk, which felt more like stepping into a rainforest fairytale. Mossy trunks, dripping ferns, the occasional suspicious rustle in the undergrowth… and then Beauchamp Falls herself, cascading like she knows she’s photogenic. I didn’t have long to hang around — the itinerary waits for no one — but it was one of those rare hikes that’s worth every wet toe.
Next stop: Hopetoun Falls. I had the place entirely to myself, which made it feel less like sightseeing and more like trespassing in a very polite way. It’s smaller than Beauchamp but no less cinematic — especially with the ferns doing their best Jurassic Park cosplay.
Time to rejoin the Great Ocean Road and hit the headliners: The 12 Apostles, The Ridge, London Bridge, The Grotto, and Bay of Islands. There’s no shortage of sightseeing spots on this stretch of coast. Stunning, iconic, and approximately 87% full of tourists with selfie-sticks. I tried to channel calm, awe-filled appreciation. I mostly succeeded.
Lunch happened in Peterborough, the van backed in for ocean views while I ate and congratulated myself on peak travel multitasking.
Then came a long inland push toward Mount Gambier, where the road straightened out, the landscape flattened, and I finally saw emus in the wild — which felt oddly momentous.
By the time I arrived, it was well after sunset. The famous Blue Lake would have to wait (and then didn’t happen at all — spoiler), but Umpherston Sinkhole came through in spectacular, glowing fashion. Lit up at night like a fairy-tale cave garden, it felt more magical than anything I could have planned for.
I was too fried to keep driving and too wary of the large number of kangaroos “sleeping” along the roadside, so I settled for a recreational ground 20 minutes out of town. It wasn’t glamorous, but it had clean toilets and not a soul around.
A win, honestly.
Still no regrets. (Unless you count skipping a real dinner again, which I don’t.)
Day 3: Beige Landscapes, Botanical Surprises, and a Race Against the Return Clock
Let’s just call it what it was: Day 3 was a grind.
I hit the road early, bleary-eyed and determined to cover ground before the camper van’s 3pm curfew at Adelaide Airport. I’d chosen the Coorong route — in theory for the wetlands, in reality for the shortest path north with the fewest roo-risk kilometres.
The first stretch of driving was… beige. Just so much beige.
Flat fields. Long roads. That kind of scenery that makes you question if the Earth really does have curves.
I stopped for petrol and morale boosts in the form of photographing oversized seafood and wall art — shoutout to the Big Lobster for being aggressively unnecessary and exactly what I needed. If I couldn’t have awe-inspiring cliffs, I’d settle for crustacean-based absurdity.
Around midday, I rolled into Meningie and called the camper company. They granted me a two-hour grace period, bumping my drop-off to 5pm. Two extra hours. Practically a time fortune.
Armed with this small win, I made one of the best accidental decisions of the entire trip: a stop at the Pangarinda Botanical Garden. Closed gate. No parking. Vibes: uncertain. But I took a chance — and was rewarded with a sprawling native plant haven that I had entirely to myself.
Birds everywhere.
No entry fee, no crowds, no expectations. Just me, the local honeyeaters, and cereal for lunch. My kind of break.
Of course, that unexpected joy came with the usual cost: a minor time panic. I pulled into the Adelaide Airport with 19 minutes to spare, mildly sweaty but victorious.
Jucy Lucy returned in one piece. Mission complete.
No regrets. (Unless you count driving 400km in a day and eating nothing but cereal. But again — I don’t.)
The Nitty Gritty in a Nutshell
Route:
Melbourne to Adelaide
Total Distance:
~ 1000km
Total Duration:
3 days/ 2 nights
Transport:
Jucy Condo Camper
Drive Time:
4 – 6h a day
Accommodation:
Free camp sites
I booked a JUCY Condo camper van through Imoova — a camper relocation platform where rental companies offer heavily discounted one-way trips.
- Route: Melbourne Airport → Adelaide Airport
- Distance: ~1,000 km (unlimited km)
- Time allowed: 3 days
- Cost: $1/day + bond ($1,000, refunded) + $50 Imoova booking fee
- Fuel: $100 refund upon receipts
- Driver age requirement: 21+ (but varies by provider)
- License: Standard car license accepted
Check relocation listings frequently — they change daily and go fast.
Download the Petrol Spy App to check for cheapest fuel on your way
While the route is stunning, time is tight. Plan wisely — 3 days sounds generous until you’re chasing waterfalls and wombats in fading daylight.
Relocation companies: Imoova.com, Transfercar.com.au
My full car relocation guide: Car Relocations
Camper van info: JUCY Condo
Night 1 – Otways Region (Near Beauchamp Falls)
Beauchamp Falls Campground (Free)
Drop toilets, bush setting, access to walking track
No power, no bookings, unsealed access
Best for self-contained campers seeking proximity to the falls
Stevensons Falls Campground (Free)
45 min drive north of Beauchamp Falls
Flush toilets, fire pits, more space and slightly better access
Still remote but more accessible than Beauchamp
Big Hill Campground (Lorne area) (Free)
Closer to Lorne, accessible via Great Ocean Road
Bush setting, drop toilets, suitable for vans
Better if you prefer to stay nearer the coast
Night 2 – Around Mount Gambier
Tarpeena Recreational Reserve (Free)
Clean flush toilets, water access, waste dump, mobile reception
20min north of Mount Gambier, no bookings required
Walking distance to a general store and public BBQ area
Mount Gambier Showgrounds (Low-cost)
Approx. $10–15/night, includes toilet/shower access
Usually open to self-contained vans; contact ahead
Close to town, secure and convenient
Millicent Showgrounds (Budget option, ~30 min away)
Power and amenities available
Quiet location, good value for powered site
Good for those preferring facilities over convenience
Download the WikiCamps app — essential for finding free, low-key campsites across Australia.
Lorne: A charming coastal own along the Great Ocean Road
Lookouts & Coastal Views
Teddy’s Lookout
Iconic elevated view over the Great Ocean Road and St. George River. Short walk from the carpark. Perfect photo op.Mount Defiance Lookout (on the way to Lorne)
Stunning roadside pull-off with a panoramic coastal view.
Waterfalls & Walks
Erskine Falls
15-minute drive inland from Lorne. Tall, two-tiered waterfall with both upper and lower viewing platforms. Lush fern-filled forest walk.Sheoak Falls (and Swallow Cave)
Just 5 mins past Lorne on the GOR heading west. Short 10–15 min walk. Swallow Cave is a bonus side trail.Henderson Falls (via the Sheoak Picnic Area)
Quieter, more secluded 3 km return walk from the picnic ground. Beautiful dense rainforest.Phantom Falls
Part of a longer 7 km loop starting near Allenvale Mill. Great if you have time and love forest trails.
Other Nature Spots
Lorne Foreshore Reserve & Swing Bridge
Great birdwatching area — look for herons, lorikeets, and even black cockatoos. Beautiful estuary light at sunrise and sunset.Cumberland River Holiday Park area
Even if not camping, worth a quick stop — river meets the sea here with towering cliffs and potential wallaby sightings
Nice extras
The Bottle of Milk or Lorne Central – two good food stops in town
Lorne Pier – ocean views, fishing, and chance of spotting seals or stingrays
The Otways: A forested national park packed with waterfalls, wildlife, and winding roads
Waterfalls & Walks
Beauchamp Falls – Scenic single-drop waterfall; 3 km return walk from free campground
Hopetoun Falls – Iconic Otways waterfall; short steep walk with platform views
Triplet Falls – Lush rainforest loop trail with multiple cascading falls
Melba Gully – Ferny forest track known for glow worms after dark
Maits Rest – Easy boardwalk through ancient rainforest, suitable for all levels
Forest Giants & Rainforest
Redwoods Otways – Towering Californian redwoods planted in the 1930s; peaceful and photogenic
Turtons Track – Winding drive through thick rainforest between Tanybryn and Beech Forest
Aire Valley Plantation – Hidden forest spots near Aire Crossing, good for picnics and birdwatching
Scenic Drives & Lookouts
Cape Otway Lightstation – Historic lighthouse with sweeping views (entry fee required)
Gables Lookout – Quiet ocean clifftop stop with dramatic coastal views
Other Attractions
Otway Fly Treetop Adventures – Elevated treetop walkway and zipline through the canopy (ticketed)
Aire Crossing Campground – Secluded camping spot by the river, good for birdlife
12 Apostles: Dramatic limestone coastline dotted with rock stacks, gorges, and shipwreck history
Iconic Rock Formations
12 Apostles – Towering limestone stacks off the coast; most famous stop on the Great Ocean Road
London Bridge – Former double-arch rock formation (part collapsed in 1990); dramatic views
The Grotto – Natural sinkhole formation with layered rock and ocean backdrop
Loch Ard Gorge – Scenic inlet with turquoise water and sandstone cliffs; rich shipwreck history
Bay of Islands – Quieter alternative to the Apostles with wide vistas and fewer crowds
Bay of Martyrs – Clifftop lookout with expansive views and accessible walking paths
Walks & Lookouts
Gibson Steps – Stairway down the cliff to the beach with views of the Apostles from sea level
Razorback Lookout – Jagged cliff formation near Loch Ard Gorge
Thunder Cave & Broken Head – Accessible via walking trails from Loch Ard Gorge
Practical Stops
Port Campbell – Small town hub for fuel, food, and short walks
The Arch – Smaller rock arch along the coast, good for a quick photo stop
Visitor Facilities – Main 12 Apostles site has parking, toilets, and viewing platforms
Mount Gambier: A unique blend of craters, sinkholes, and crystal-clear springs in a compact regional hub
Volcanic & Geological Sites
Blue Lake / Warwar – Fills a dormant volcanic crater; famous for its vivid cobalt-blue colour in summer
Valley Lake / Ketla Malpi – Another crater lake with a scenic drive, boardwalks, and a wildlife park
Mount Schank – Extinct volcanic cone; short but steep hike to the rim with panoramic views
Caves, Sinkholes & Gardens
Umpherston Sinkhole – Sunken garden lit at night; beautifully maintained with terraced plants and resident possums
Engelbrecht Cave – Guided tours available through underground limestone cave system beneath the city
Cave Gardens – Sinkhole garden in the town centre with waterfall feature (in season) and light shows
Ewens Ponds – Series of crystal-clear freshwater springs ideal for snorkelling and diving (permit required)
Town Attractions & Facilities
Mount Gambier Visitor Centre – Good for maps, local tips, and public amenities
Railway Lands – Urban parkland with walking paths, sculptures, and a nature play area
Apex Lookout / Centenary Tower – Panoramic city views from elevated platforms (Centenary Tower open seasonally)
Coorong & Meningie: A coastal wetland haven with lagoons, birdlife, and quiet lakeside towns
Nature Reserves & Wetlands
Coorong National Park – Long, narrow lagoon system stretching along the coast; important Ramsar-listed wetland
Pelican Point – Peaceful spot with views over the Coorong lagoon; often great for birdwatching
Jack Point Pelican Observatory – Boardwalk to a hide overlooking pelican nesting areas (seasonal)
Parks & Scenic Walks
Pangarinda Botanical Garden (Wellington East) – Native plant reserve with walking trails and abundant birdlife; free entry, uncrowded, great picnic spot
Meningie Lions Walking Trail – Foreshore path along Lake Albert with interpretive signs and lake views
Narrung Jetty & Ferry – Small detour via free cable ferry near Point Malcolm Lighthouse (Australia’s only inland lighthouse)
Lookouts & Photo Stops
Pink Lake (Meningie) – Salt lake that turns pink under the right conditions; visible from the highway
The Big Lobster (Kingston SE) – Quirky Aussie roadside attraction perfect for a brief stop and a photo
Meningie Lookout – Small elevated view over Lake Albert and surrounding plains
Photo Gallery
Coastlines, Rainforests and Questionable Time Management
Somewhere between the fog, the sinkholes, and the birds that refused to pose, I managed to relocate a camper van and mildly relocate my soul.
Was it relaxing? Absolutely not. Was it scenic, surreal, and surprisingly soul-soothing? You bet. Camper van relocations aren’t exactly glamorous, but they’re efficient, mildly chaotic, and leave you with the kind of stories that age well with distance. And besides — I got to fall asleep in a rainforest and wake up to bowerbirds. That’s always going to beat a night on the Firefly bus.
No regrets. (Still mostly.)