... and 2 nights. Where would you stay for those 2 nights? I'm thinking of spending the first night in Warrambool and the second night in Lorne - rushing through SA a bit but we'll have plenty of time on the Great Ocean Road.

Any ideas or suggestions? Do you think we'll be too rushed going from Adelaide to Warrambool in one day?

We've got a reasonable budget so we'll probably stay in hotels instead of hostels ... unless there are any really good hostels. (I've stayed in some hostels that are much nicer than cheap hotels ) I've heard of the Warnambool Beach Backpacker is pretty nice. Has anyone stayed there?

We're visiting family in Adelaide, but they'll be working so we have one free day - any advice on what to do? Thinking Barossa Valley or Fleurieu Peninsula but I don't really know much about either.

Thanks!

Presume you are thinking of turning off the Western Highway at Keith, Jennifer in Hobart.

If I was doing it I would go Robe first night (similar sort of place, atmosphere wise to Lorne except it isn't on the open sea). You turn off at Tailem Bend for that. Then Lorne the following night.

You can turn off at either Kaniva or Ararat to get to Warnabool as well. Kaniva is probably the most direct but I wouldn't recommend if you are trying to make good time. The wander through the Western district of Victoria slows you up a bit.

If you want to make good time, probably Ararat is the best. Bit further but you are on the Western Highway for much of the time. It is a pretty good run down from Keith as well but either way with a few pit stops it will take about 10 hours.

The great ocean road is good but perhaps a little over rated. You get a far more inspiring view of an ocean from the eyre Highway on the way to Western Australia. The winding road actually detracts from the spectacle a bit if you are driving and, heading east as you will be, you will be on the side away from the ocean.

The Barossa Valley is pretty standard fair for a day out of Adelaide but I like your other idea better. If you go to Goolwa you can see what they call the barrage. It seperates the salt and fresh water in the MUrray. It is in a pretty sad state at the moment with the drought but when the Murray is in full flow it is a brilliant thing to have a look at. Well brilliant might be overstating it a bit. Fascinating never theless.

There is also Hindmarsh Island which has a controversial bridge project.

Hello there Jennifer in Hobart,


We went to Adelaide July 2005, I can thoroughly recommend "Premier Stateliner". Did a Barossa Valley tour with them, decent wineries were on the agenda (some tours take you to the crappy ones) and other interesting stops. E.G.- The Whispering Wall at Gawler. The Wall is an accoustic phenomenon-- it carries a whisphered conversation for 150 metres! A three course lunch is included. There is also a half day tour to Hahndorf which is a German village/town, and afternoon tea is included.

If you have two days to spare the above is available as a combo which means you save a good deal of money!

Anyway Good Luck.

Hi Geok,

Thanks for all the info. I'll have to get out my map and get my head around it all.

quote:

Originally posted by geok:
The great ocean road is good but perhaps a little over rated. You get a far more inspiring view of an ocean from the eyre Highway on the way to Western Australia. The winding road actually detracts from the spectacle a bit if you are driving and, heading east as you will be, you will be on the side away from the ocean.

Hmm ... doesn't really suprise me. I would love to go West instead but we are going to Adelaide and Melbourne to visit my husband's family and we thought doing the drive would give us something fun to do in between.

The road sounds a bit like going north out of San Fran (I think the road has a special name??) It was stunning but it was a lot of work to drive and after a while I was a bit ill from the road

Whistler - sounds like fun! However, we'll be spending a lot of time with family so we are just looking for something to occupy us during the day. I'm not sure how much free time we'll have ... but maybe we'll be able to fit both in.

Thanks to you both for answering my post!

Adelaide to Port Fairy may be a more enjoyable drive.
Depending on your likes - Apollo Bay is a nice place to stay as well.

I would stop at the Otway Fly -