Embark on one of the most majestic road trips you’ll ever take when you go on this Melbourne to Adelaide drive!
Travel to two of Australia’s liveliest cities and get spectacular views and unforgettable memories along the way. While the inland route may be a bit faster, we highly recommend you take the coastal road along the southeast coastline!
On the coastal route, your Melbourne to Adelaide self-drive road trip starts at Australia's culture capital, Melbourne. From there, you start driving to Adelaide and pass along the Great Ocean Road as you stop at Lorne, Apollo Bay, and Mount Gambier, to name a few.
To save you the hassle, we’ve compiled a list of the best stops for your Melbourne to Adelaide self-drive road trip! Plus, if you’re looking to rent a car for your road trip, you can conveniently book one with Klook!
Melbourne - Werribee - Geelong - Lorne - Apollo Bay - Warrnambool - Mount Gambier - Adelaide - Kangaroo Island
Estimated Time: 5 days (excluding Kangaroo Island)
Full itinerary: Melbourne - Werribee - Geelong - Lorne - Apollo Bay - Warrnambool - Mount Gambier - Adelaide Wine Regions - Kangaroo Island
Total Distance: 967 km (excluding Kangaroo Island)
STOP 1: Melbourne
See all of Melbourne on Eureka Skydeck. Image credits: @jaskiratxsehmi
Adventure awaits as you kickstart your drive to Adelaide from Melbourne, your first stop on this trip. Pick up your car rental and begin your journey with a visit to some of Australia’s cultural landmarks, such as the National Gallery Victoria or ACMI.
Other landmarks you can visit in Melbourne include the Eureka Skydeck and the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel.
STOP 2: Werribee
Distance from Melbourne: 31.2 km
Estimated total drive time from Melbourne: 30 min
Activity length: 2 hours
Just a quick drive from Melbourne lies Werribee, a vibrant town full of bustling outdoor adventures and gastronomic experiences. Pay a visit to Wolf on Watton for the juiciest burgers you’ll ever have or to Notorious Espresso for that much-needed coffee break during this Melbourne to Adelaide drive.
Werribee Open Range Zoo
Feed majestic giraffes at Werribee! Image credits: @terrilake_
One of your must-visit stops during your Melbourne to Adelaide drive is the Werribee Open Range Zoo. With Klook, you can book general entry tickets and various tours inside the zoo. For example, you can go on the Deluxe Safari Adventure, where you will meet majestic giraffes, Przewalski's horse, bison, rhinos, and zebras along the way.
STOP 3: Geelong
Distance from Werribee: 45.5 km
Estimated total driving time from Werribee: 36 min
Activity length: 4 hours
After a fun-filled day at Werribee, head to Geelong, a favourite pit stop for those touring The Great Ocean Road. Some Geelong attractions you can visit during this Melbourne to Adelaide drive are the Promenade, the Narana Aboriginal Cultural Center, and the Geelong Botanic Gardens.
Geelong Hot Air Balloon Flight
Rise above the clouds on this hot air balloon flight! Image credits: @hotairballoons_geelong
To get the most spectacular view of Geelong, why not hop aboard a hot air balloon? Launch locations are chosen depending on wind direction to ensure you get the best views the day can offer!
With Klook, you get a hot breakfast meal as well!
STOP 4: Lorne
Distance from Geelong: 66.8 km
Estimated total driving time from Geelong: 1 hour 2 minutes
Activity length: 3 hours
In this Melbourne to Adelaide drive, you shouldn’t miss out on Lorne and the activities it has to offer! You can hit the beach or take a quick dip at Erskine Waterfalls or Sheoaks Falls. For the most majestic coastal views, head to the Aireys Lighthouse or at Teddy’s Lookout.
Live Wire Park
Have a fun time at Live Wire Park! Image credits: @livewirepark
Get ready for a thrilling outdoor adventure with your road trip buddies at Live Wire Park! For the ultimate challenge, go on the 2-hour Super Circuit to test your endurance, agility, and problem-solving skills! Pass through 53 mid-air trails, suspended bridges, tree-scaling activities, and a Tarzan swing.
If you have limited time, you can head onto the Shockwave Zip Coaster, which takes you on a 15-minute ride along a 525-metre zipline with adrenaline-pumping speeds and heart-pounding twists and turns.
STOP 5: Apollo Bay
Distance from Lorne: 45.5 km
Estimated total driving time from Lorne: 54 minutes
Activity length: 3 hours
Another excellent spot for the best coastal views in this Melbourne to Adelaide drive is Apollo Bay. You can visit the Marriners Lookout, Lake Elizabeth, and local museums such as The Bass Strait Shell Museum to discover more about sea life.
Otway Fly Treetop Walk
Be one with nature on the Otway Fly Treetop Walk! Image credits: @otwayflyvictoria
A must-do activity while in Apollo Bay is the Otway Fly Treetop Walk, where you can view the lush Aussie rainforest 30 metres above the ground! You can even level up the challenge when you try the Spiral Tower, 47 metres above the ground.
STOP 6: Warrnambool
Distance from Apollo Bay: 158 km
Estimated total driving time from Apollo Bay: 2 hours and 12 minutes
Activity length: 3.5 hours
Enjoy a stroll along the Warrnambool Foreshore Promenade. Image credits: @niicolehanna
Warrnambool, Victoria’s largest coastal city, is the perfect spot if you’re searching for scenic walks along the beach. We recommend you take a break from your packed Melbourne to Adelaide drive itinerary in this seaside community and check out what it has in store for you.
When in Warrnambool, you shouldn’t miss out on a stroll along the Foreshore Promenade. Park at the Breakwater car park and walk towards the promenade. The sealed promenade is accessible for everyone, even those on bikes, wheelchairs, and scooters.
The promenade stretches over 5 kilometres to Logan’s Beach, where you can lounge by the beach or take a quick dip.
STOP 7: Mount Gambier
Distance from Warrnambool: 185 km
Estimated total driving time from Warrnambool: 2 hours and 7 minutes
Activity length: Whole day
Be amazed by the beautiful sight of The Blue Lake. Image credits: @discover_mount_gambier
Take your time to venture into one of Australia’s secret gems during your Melbourne to Adelaide drive - Mount Gambier! This city actually sits right on top of a volcano!
Marvel at the city’s several sinkholes, especially the Umpherston Sinkhole, where Australia’s most beautiful garden is now located. You can also swim at The Blue Lake or spend a day at The Echo Farm for an excellent farm experience.
Don’t forget to trek on the Crater Lakes when in Mount Gambier! With plenty of trail choices that offer spectacular views, it’s best to choose one that suits your fitness level and includes the landmarks you want to see.
STOP 8: Adelaide
Distance from Mount Gambier: 435 km
Estimated total driving time from Mount Gambier: 4 hours and 41 minutes
Activity length: Whole day
Explore Adelaide CBD at your own pace. Image credits: @momentsbylensphotography
After 4 days on this Melbourne to Adelaide drive, you’ll finally reach Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia. It’s also known as the City of Churches due to numerous churches erected in the area.
You can take a stroll around the city to marvel at the city’s architecture, go on shopping trips at Adelaide Central Market and Rundle Mall, or go on heritage walking tours!
From Adelaide, you can embark on amazing tours to various wine regions. If you’re a wine connoisseur, we suggest you try these wine tours you can book with Klook!
McLaren Vale Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Tour
Have a fun chat with your road trip buddies as you sip on wine.
Experience the best of McLaren Vale's wineries on this 6-hour hop-on hop-off tour that starts in Adelaide! Pick-up is at Stamford Plaza Hotel in Adelaide CBD, and from there, you board a comfy van that takes you to the rolling hills of McLaren Vale.
From world-class Shiraz to traditional Cab Sauv and newer styles like Sangiovese, get to sample various award-winning wines on this tour. You can even take home some bottles!
Barossa Valley Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Tour
Cheers to a fun road trip with the family at Barossa Valley.
Also starting from Stamford Plaza Hotel in Adelaide CBD is the Barossa Valley hop-on hop-off wine tour. Here, you can sample wines such as the renowned Barossa Shiraz, Eden Valley Riesling, and more!
Take in the fresh air as you soak up the marvellous natural landscape surrounding the wine region. It’s home to over 150 wineries, 550 grape-growing families, and some of the oldest vines in the world!
Penfolds Wine Blending Class
Concoct your own wine at Penfolds! Image credits: @vaanpire
Master the art of winemaking at Barossa Valley in this 60-minute wine bending class. Within an hour, you’ll be able to craft your own taste in wine with the help of expert winemakers in Penfolds Barossa Valley Cellar Door.
And the most fantastic thing about this is that you get to bring home a bottle of your wine engraved with your name!
ADDITIONAL STOP: Kangaroo Island
While the drive from Melbourne to Adelaide is over, it doesn’t mean the fun stops there! Adelaide is a gateway to another must-visit destination: Kangaroo Island. Here are Kangaroo Island tours you can easily book with Klook:
Kangaroo Island Day Tour from Adelaide
Enjoy the splendid views of Kangaroo Island! Image credits: @introvert.travel
Put your feet up and relax as you go on an exciting outdoor adventure to Kangaroo Island. Here, you can witness wild Australian sea lions in their natural habitat and marvel at the Admirals Arch and Remarkable Rocks.
Plus, meet kangaroos and koalas at Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park. All this, plus a 2-course lunch at Vivonne Bay Bistro and hassle-free round-trip transfers!
Kangaroo Island Ocean Safari Experience
Don’t forget to say hi to the friendly dolphins you meet!
To witness more of the island’s marine creatures, embark on this 75-minute ocean safari experience. Sail through the waters of Kangaroo Island and meet friendly dolphins, seals, and eagles along the way!
No need to worry about safety - this tour is definitely kid-friendly! You’ll also be accompanied by knowledgeable staff aboard a secure and comfortable vessel. So bring the whole family on this incredible safari experience and receive a discount when you book for 2 adults and 3 children!
Where can I rent a car for a Melbourne to Adelaide road trip?
With Klook, you can easily book top car rental brands such as Hertz, Alamo, AVIS, Europcar, and SIXT. From compact cars to comfortable SUVs, you can rent the car of your choice for cheap! Plus, if you need to cancel your Melbourne to Adelaide drive all of a sudden (we hope not!), you can conveniently cancel your booking for free.
Why book a car rental on Klook?
🚙 Top and trusted brands at the best prices (We've got Hertz, AVIS, Alamo, etc!)
🚙 Over 22 pick up and drop off locations across Australia & New Zealand
🚙 Free cancellation if plans change (before pick up!)
🚙 Choose from a variety of car types to suit your needs
🤑 Pre-book your car for Melbourne on Klook and save heaps!
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