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A driving holiday is arguably the best way to experience Australia – but planning one from scratch can be daunting. That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide for a road trip between Melbourne and Adelaide. Follow the itinerary to spend five or more days exploring two of Australia’s greatest cities – and everything in between.

Day 1: Melbourne (~150km, ~2h) > Lorne (~47km, ~1h) > Apollo Bay (~87km, ~1h20mins) > Twelve Apostles (~250km, ~3h) > Mount Gambier

Upon your arrival via Scoot at night, take a good rest and collect your rental car in Melbourne the next morning or, pick up your car directly at Melbourne Airport if you are taking Scoot’s morning flight. 

Head along the scenic Great Ocean Road towards the Twelve Apostles – an iconic attraction. The distinctive limestone pillars towering 45 metres above the sea are a sight to behold. Be sure to stop along the way at Lorne and Apollo Bay lookout points for the stunning views. 

After a long day of driving, end your day at Mount Gambier. 

Stay: Look forward to a relaxing night at the luxurious The Barn. Or, if you want accommodations with a twist, spend the night in a former prison – The Old Mount Gambier Gaol.

Day 2: Mount Gambier (~4km, ~8mins) > Umpherston Sinkhole (~98km, ~1h) > Naracoorte Caves National Park (~30km, ~18mins) > Coonawarra

Today’s drive will cover under 150km, allowing plenty of time to marvel at these locations. 

Start the day early: head towards Blue Lake and take a walk along the 3.6km circumference of the crater lake in Mount Gambier. The water turns turquoise in November, and reverts to a deeper blue in February when summer ends.

A short drive from the lake will take you to Umpherston Sinkhole, a gorgeous sunken garden that was once a limestone cave. 

And don’t forget to check out the Naracoorte Caves National Park, South Australia’s only World Heritage Site, which is just an hour’s drive away. Apart from discovering caves full of ancient wonders, you can also spend your time hiking (and taking photos) at the park.

Stay: Experience Bellwether’s Glamping, situated in a winery, or at Coonawarra Bubble Tents, where clear plastic "bubbles” ensure panoramic views of the stars at night. 

Day 3: Coonawarra (~305km, ~3h15mins) > Monarto (~83km, ~1h) > Victor Harbor

The day starts with a three-hour drive to Monarto Safari Park, the largest open range zoo in the world outside of Africa, where you can enjoy the Lions 360 Experience. This involves walking down a tunnel into an enclosure that gives you a 360-degree view of one of Australia’s largest lion prides. The park is also home to chimpanzees, cheetahs, meerkats, giraffes and more.

Next, take an hour’s drive to Victor Harbor, a popular seaside town. Take the iconic horse-drawn tram ride over the Granite Causeway to Granite Island. And if you want to check out the penguins there, be sure to book a night walking tour with Oceanic Victor. It also operates Aquarium Swim tour that offers you the opportunity to swim with the Southern Bluefin Tuna.

Stay: Spend the night at the quaint Beach Huts Middleton (a must for your Instagram feed) or, if you’re travelling with the family, stay at one of the cosy apartments or houses owned by Victor Lifestyle Properties. 

Day 4: Victor Harbor (~50km, ~40mins) > McLaren Vale (~46km, ~40mins) > Hahndorf (~33km, ~40mins) > Glenelg (~10km, ~20mins) > Adelaide

Kickstart the day at the award-winning geometric design of d’Arenberg Cube, a multi-functional building in McLaren Vale. You can also opt for a fine-dining experience against the backdrop of the rolling hills of Willunga, but be sure to book in advance. Contemporary art displays and tactile experiences await at the Alternate Realities Museum and The Blending Bench.

Then it’s time to shop! Check out the main street of Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest German settlement. It’s full of galleries and stores where you can buy jewellery and homeware – Bamfurlong Fine Crafts is a favourite for Australian-made ceramics. For lunch, tuck in to Bavarian cuisine, a specialty at the Hahndorf Inn.

If you visit between late November and April, go strawberry picking at Beerenberg Farm. The farm shop is also open all year round and is a great place to sample and purchase locally-made condiments, jams and sauces.

Continue your drive to Glenelg for one of the best sunsets in South Australia, before heading to Adelaide for the night. 

Stay: For a unique accommodation experience, opt for the Fire Station Inn, Adelaide’s first fire station, converted into a boutique spa hotel. 

Day 5: Adelaide > Melbourne

For those who love road trips, we recommend driving back to Melbourne and exploring other parts of South Australia that you have yet to cover. 

Alternatively, you could either catch a domestic flight back to Melbourne or fly from Adelaide back to Singapore (via Scoot’s partner airline, Virgin Australia). 

You may also consider extending your stay in South Australia with a 3D2N visit to Kangaroo Island. Known as the zoo without fences, it includes the Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch and Stokes Bay. At Kangaroo Island Outdoor Action, you can also enjoy sandboarding, quad biking and kayaking. 

Between 27 November and 10 December, book your all-in one-way fare to Melbourne via Scoot from only S$180 per person. Plus, get S$50* off your rental car when you book your flight with Scoot. 

These days, tour guides and drivers are a thing of the past when it comes to exploring new frontiers on the open road. Thanks to the widespread availability of Wi-Fi hotspots and GPS, becoming your own tour guide is easier than ever before.

Fancy a more adventurous holiday like a road trip to the extended Great Ocean Road (GOR)? Many people are under the misconception that the GOR journey ends in Melbourne at the Twelve Apostles sea stacks. But did you know that the extended Great Ocean Road actually goes all the way to South Australia? There’s so much more to see as the road stretches to Adelaide. Explore everything this scenic route has to offer, including amazing sunken gardens, inspiring modern architecture, sublime ocean views and so much more.

To get you started, we’ve put together an itinerary of unmissable attractions on your road trip, from Melbourne all the way to Adelaide. 

Your fly-drive vacay begins!

The first thing you’ll need to do is book your flight to Melbourne. Flying with Scoot is one of the best options – don’t miss their special promotion on flight fares from 27 November to 10 December. Not only are their flights wallet-friendly, they also have a direct flight to Melbourne, which is where the adventure begins! Next, book your car in Melbourne via Scoot’s rental car page before you fly and get a special discount. Let’s get started!

Exploring the spectacular

The extended Great Ocean Road begins once you pass the Twelve Apostles in Melbourne, and has something for everyone. It is nothing short of exaggeration to say you’ll constantly see sights that will take your breath away. After a few hours of driving, you’ll come to a region in South Australia known as the Limestone Coast. And no journey through this area should bypass the famous Umpherston Sinkhole, also known as “The Sunken Garden”. You can take in the stunning scenery at its viewing platform at the top, and also wander to the bottom along its vine-clad terraces. Keep a look out for a family of possums that come out at dusk, and you may even have the chance to feed them1.

At The Blue Lake, you can explore a mysterious phenomenon. During winter, the lake, occupying the crater of an extinct volcano, turns from a sombre blue to a deeply intense turquoise2. And if you are into diving or snorkelling, you should definitely check out Kilsby Sinkhole. This world-renowned dive site boasts gin-clear waters where you can explore their depths under the supervision of a qualified instructor3.

As you continue towards Adelaide, you will come to the Fleurieu Peninsula. This coastal region boasts many fascinating attractions, such as the rugged Port Willunga Beach. For something truly futuristic, take time to explore the d’Arenberg Cube, which sits within one of the region’s most famous wineries. This unusual-looking building creates an optical illusion that gives the impression of floating above the vineyard. See it to believe it! Depending on your budget, you can sample a variety of wines, savour some of the region’s natural produce in the restaurant, or simply enjoy the view4.

Ending on a high in Adelaide

There isn’t much further to go until you reach Adelaide, but there’s still loads to do. Once you’ve checked into your accommodation, your first port of call should be RoofClimb. Imagine standing 50 metres above the city’s famous football ground – the Adelaide Oval5. The vistas over the surrounding landscape and ocean are breathtaking, and there is no better location to get a breather from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Once you’re back on terra firma, spend some time wandering around the picturesque neighbourhood of Glenelg, complete with its stunning beach. The sunsets are awe-inspiring – an ideal backdrop for your holiday wefies! From late September in Glenelg, you can enjoy an experience to last a lifetime: swimming with dolphins. Temptation Sailing offers licensed cruises that allow you to get up close and personal with these cute creatures, or simply watch them from the boat6. Either way, this is something you should add to your bucket list.

South Australia also has adorable animals on land. Drive 30 minutes out of the city to Adelaide Hills and you will come to Cleland Wildlife Park. This 35-hectare site is home to more than 130 species of Australian wildlife, many of which roam freely around the park. Cleland Wildlife Park has so much to offer animal lovers, such as feeding kangaroos. It’s also one of the very few places in the world where you can actually hold adorable koalas7. You know you want to! 

After all that excitement, what better way to celebrate conquering the extended Great Ocean Road than rewarding yourself with a fantastic meal? Adelaide’s very own foodie paradise, known as the Peel-Leigh Street precinct, is set among the once-sleepy side streets of the city8. You will find a range of delicious dining options to suit all budgets and indulge your passion for food made with some of South Australia’s finest natural produce.

Between 27 November and 10 December, book your all-in one-way fare to Melbourne via Scoot from only S$180 per person. Plus, get S$50* off your rental car when you book your flight with Scoot.

*Terms & Conditions apply.

[1] Umpherston Sinkhole

[2] Blue Lake

[3] Kilsby Sinkhole

[4] d'Arenberg Cube

[5] RoofClimb

[6] Temptation Sailing

[7] Cleland Wildlife Park

[8] Peel & Leigh Street

Whether you're into nature and wildlife, amusement parks, or just relaxing on the beach, Australia's playground is the place to make memories that last a lifetime.

1st day? Straight to the sand and waves, of course!

The Gold Coast has almost 60km of beautiful white beaches. Top picks for a family trip are Broadbeach, and Burleigh Heads. Both are great for picnicking and barbecuing, and are good spots to swim or take your very first surfing lesson – they’re quieter, and the water is calm.

Immerse yourself in the rainforest the whole of Day 2

Lamington National Park is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, the most extensive subtropical rainforest in the world. It's an incredible place to experience nature and trek, with more than 160km of trails. To really get up close to the rainforest, try the O' Reilly's Treetop Walk, a network of suspension bridges 15-metres high that takes you through the cool canopy of flowering and fruiting trees.

A day for the kids with cuddly koalas and more

Give your kids the quintessential Australian experience on Day 3! The Currumbin  Wildlife Sanctuary, a 10-minute drive from Gold Coast, is  home to all the species of Australian wildlife you might dream of. Residents include koalas, kangaroos, platypuses, wallabies, Tasmanian devils and red pandas. While you’re there, you can meet Kangaroos, cuddle Koala’s and take a tour of the wildlife hospital.  Little booklovers will also love the Gruffalo Trail, a walk inspired by The Gruffalo, British writer Julia Donaldson’s most famous work. With the onset of the whale-watching season in June stretching to November each year, hop on a whale-watching cruise from Surfers Paradise to witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

Visit a theme park... or four

Dreamworld is Australia's largest amusement park. With rollercoasters, water rides, a 75km/h swing and the world's tallest free-fall, it's the perfect spot for thrill-seekers. Even the littlest ones can enjoy family thrill rides such as Escape from Madagascar and the Sky Voyager, a new virtual-reality ride that takes you on a journey over iconic spots like the Great Barrier Reef and Sydney Harbour.  There's also plenty to do for those who like to keep their feet firmly on the ground, including animal encounters and a DreamWorks experience where kids can get close to Shrek, Po, and the Madagascar Crew. The Gold Coast has many other theme parks and experiences, including SeaWorld and Warner Bros. Movie World. Warning, you may need more than two days to cover all these theme parks, so you can plan to visit them on Day 4, 5 or more!

Tour the city of Gold Coast in a fire truck

Hop on the coolest ride in Australia for a tour of Gold Coast. Board your Fire Truck at Surfers Paradise for your adventure that starts with siren sounds as you depart for an exciting ride to the Spit via Surfers Paradise, along the beachfront / Esplanade, via Narrow Neck, and past Sea World. Plenty of smiles, laughs and waving to everybody to be enjoyed as you ride aboard a real Fire Truck! At the Spit you will be able to experience operation of a fully functional fire hose & pose for photographs holding the nozzle & wearing authentic Fire Helmets! Kids love the chance to sit in the drivers seat for a steering photo and an up close view of the Fire Engine! Then it’s time for an introduction to the workings of the truck & pump, followed by another fun Fire Truck ride with the music on for the return journey to Surfers Paradise!

Experience the food throughout the trip

Forget taking your itinerary day-by-day! Relish every moment, AND food, for every palate and preference is catered for here, plus there's a thriving vegetarian scene. The glorious weather and fresh, clean air mean most restaurants have outdoor dining areas where you can look out on jaw-dropping scenery. A must-visit is Northcliffe Surf Club, which has gorgeous views of the coastline and a family-friendly menu with classic Aussie food. If you are craving Indian food by the end of your visit then head to Kokum by Michelin star chef Mural at Main Beach Embracing traditional Indian techniques and featuring handpicked local Australian ingredients. For the best breakfast or brunch scenes must do is Paddock Bakery in Miami, Bam Bam Bakehouse in Burgeligh or Cardamom Pod in South Port.