Skip to content

Melbourne to Adelaide: the Great Ocean Road and the Grampians

Short answer

About 730 km and around 8 hours direct on the Western Highway. Most backpackers take the long way: the Great Ocean Road, the Grampians and across the border, over three days on a tour or a week or more in a van.

Distance · about 730 km Driving · around 8 hours Tours from · $949
Book along the way

Tours along the route

The day trips and short tours worth stopping for between Melbourne and Adelaide.

All tours →
Compare

Ways to do Melbourne to Adelaide

Option How it works Price Link
Campervan Self-drive van Our day-by-day plan via the Great Ocean Road, the Grampians and the Coorong. Melbourne to Adelaide road trip plan (7–14 days, ≈ 1,200 km with detours). Cheapest van on the hire companies' own sites: $750 all-in for 7 nights (8–15 Jun 2027, checked 26 October 2026), for the van, not per person. Every date and van type. van from $750 Get a van quote →
Fly Flights Direct flights run between Melbourne and Adelaide, but you'd miss the Great Ocean Road. Search fares Flight tips →
Multi-day tour · 3 days Melbourne to Adelaide 3 Day Great Ocean Road & Grampians Tour (Shared Accommodation) 3-day one-way small-group trip: the Great Ocean Road, the Twelve Apostles and the Grampians. from $949 See the trip →
Multi-day tour · 3 days Adelaide to Melbourne 3 Day Grampians & Great Ocean Road Tour (Shared Accommodation) The same trip the other way, Adelaide to Melbourne. from $949 See the trip →

Prices are per person in AUD. Distances and drive times are rounded and don't include stops.

On the way

Stops worth making

Melbourne Melbourne Laneways, rooftop bars and St Kilda before you hit the road. South Australia South Australia Adelaide, the Barossa, Kangaroo Island and the outback beyond.

Torquay and Bells Beach, Apollo Bay, the Twelve Apostles at Port Campbell, Halls Gap in the Grampians and Mount Gambier's Blue Lake.

Melbourne to Adelaide: your questions

How long is the drive from Melbourne to Adelaide?

About 8 hours for roughly 730 km direct. The Great Ocean Road and Grampians route is much longer and worth at least three days.

Can you do the Great Ocean Road on the way to Adelaide?

Yes, and it's the reason to go by road. Our 3-day tour runs Melbourne to Adelaide via the Great Ocean Road and the Grampians, from $949.

Tour or campervan from Melbourne to Adelaide?

A tour if you want it sorted in three days with a group. A van if you want a week or more at your own pace; it's a one-way hire, so expect a one-way fee in the quote.

Is there a time difference between Melbourne and Adelaide?

Yes. South Australia runs half an hour behind Victoria, so put your watch back when you cross the border.

Read before you go

Plan the next leg

Sydney to Byron Bay →Byron Bay to Noosa →Brisbane to Noosa →Noosa to Rainbow Beach →Rainbow Beach to Airlie Beach →Airlie Beach to Cairns →Brisbane to Cairns →Sydney to Cairns →Sydney to Melbourne →

Doing the whole coast? See the 21-day East Coast itinerary, compare bus passes or ask us to plan it.