The south coast of Victoria is an absolute gem of Australia, boasting amazing landscapes, rugged coast, and amazing beaches that draw in tourists from around the world. Since Melbourne doesn’t have the wow factor that the Sydney Harbour has, many visitors look to get down to the coast to check out the 2 popular Victorian destinations; The Great Ocean Road and Philip Island, but which one is better to tour?
These two iconic destinations offer distinct experiences, each with its own unique highlights. In this article, we will delve into the differences between touring the Great Ocean Road and Phillip Island, helping you decide which one aligns more with your interests and preferences.
First of all, let’s look at some numbers
| Great Ocean Road | Phillip Island | |
| Travel time from Melbourne CBD | 1 hour 15 mins | 1 hour 30 mins |
| Distance from Melbourne CBD | 100km (62 miles) | 125km (78 miles) |
| Full days needed to explore highlights | 3 | 2 |
So The Great Ocean Road is closer but takes longer to get through than Phillip Island. That’s not the full story though.
The Great Ocean Road
Stretching along the southeastern coast of Victoria for 243 km in its entirety, the Great Ocean Road is known for its breathtaking coastal scenery and dramatic rock formations. The road itself offers constant coastal views winding its way along the cliffs. You get to see pristine beaches and great rainforests full of Australian wildlife.
The jewel in the crown of this route has to be the Twelve Apostles (eight now actually), a collection of limestone stacks majestically rising from the Southern Ocean, these can create some of the best photos you will see.
Getting to The Great Ocean Road
It’s not in Melbourne as such and you can’t see this road via public transport so the best option is a car which involves a 1 hour 15-minute drive south from Melbourne to get to the start of it. Then you can drive along it for a couple of days with a night stopover or 2 to see the best of it. Alternatively, there are plenty of guided tours you can take too that usually last 1,2 or 3 days. Both have their pros and cons as tours do know where to stop but self-driving gives you more freedom.
What are the highlights of The Great Ocean Road?
There is so much to see and the road is so long but for me these are things that I would say are the ‘must-do’ highlights in order from start to finish (East to West)
- Bells beach – A world-famous competition surfing beach
- Split Point lighthouse – Unique lighthouse coastal views and this is where ‘Round the Twist’ series was filmed
- Anglesea – Quaint little stop off town with a boat lake and cafes
- Lorne – A nice, larger town with a great beach and more shops and cafes
- Kennet River – A great spot to see Koalas and tropical birds
- Apollo Bay – A town where most stop for a night, it has a nice beach and some brilliant hilltop views
- Cape Otway Lighthouse – Another great lighthouse view area and rainforest area but this is an expensive entry fee
- The Twelve Apostles – Natural limestone towers sat in the ocean. The highlight of the trip
- Loch Ard Gorge – My second favourite area – A great beach gorge with caves and roaring waves, plus some fantastic ocean viewpoints
- London Bridge – Naturally formed limestone arches in the sea
The worst bits
- There’s not a very high chance but there is a potential to get roadblocked by cliff-face landslides, which means taking a completely alternative route around the Ocean Road if you encounter one ahead
- More tourists come to this area, especially at The Twelve Apostles
- It’s not ideal for those who are easily travel sick as the roads are mostly winding
Phillip Island
Located just off the coast of South West Victoria, Phillip Island is an ideal trip for wildlife lovers and those looking for a more nature-based trip. Known for its diverse wildlife and stunning coastal landscapes, Phillip Island has a mix of natural wonders and really engaging attractions.
A main attraction on the island is the world-famous Penguin Parade, where every evening, hundreds of adorable little penguins waddle ashore at Summerland Beach. I thought this was one of the best nature experiences I’ve had.
Getting to Phillip Island from Melbourne
Again this is definitely recommended by car or via a tour and it is a 90-minute drive South East from Melbourne via the Monash Freeway (M1) through Grantville and Bass, then to San Remo, over the bridge and into Phillip Island.
You can go by bus, V-line operates a bus to Cowes from Southern Cross Station in Melbourne City, which is the main town on the Island. The bus ride takes around 2 hours to reach the bridge at San Remo and then 25 minutes to get to Cowes. You can also get a train for 50 minutes to Dandenong then a 1 hour bus to Phillip Island.
What are the highlights on Phillip Island
The island is easy enough to get around in a couple of days as it’s not huge but there is plenty to see and these are the ‘must-do’ highlights.
- Pelicans feeding by the bridge – If you’re lucky you’ll catch some huge Pelican’s feeding by the island’s entrance bridge
- Penguin Parade – The highlight of the island for me. Watch lots of small Penguins come ashore together during sunset and walk underneath you
- Seal-watching cruise – A tour out to sea to witness lots of seals frolicking on the rocks
- The Nobbies – A great boardwalk with rugged coastline views and a cool, modern visitors centre
- Cowes Beach – Close to the main town and features nice views, cafes and it is a popular spot for visitors
- Cape Woolamai – This is Phillip Island’s highest point and it features a fantastic coastline walking trail.
The worst bits
- It’s further to travel from Melbourne, unless you’re staying near that area
- You will need to pay for experiences to get the best out of the island
- It sometimes feels like a ‘lite’ version of The Great Ocean Road
- Is slightly more dependent on good weather
The Great Ocean Road Vs Phillip Island Conclusion
While both the Great Ocean Road and Phillip Island offer some of the best natural beauty and wildlife encounters you can find in Victoria, they do cater to slightly different preferences.
The Great Ocean Road is ideal for travellers who appreciate epic coastal views, stunning rock formations, and the freedom of a self-guided road trip. It’s a fantastic choice for those looking for a mix of scenic driving and iconic landmarks but it will please just about every visitor to Victoria. Here’s me racing my son in Lorne.
This area is the highlight of the whole state for me and this would be my choice between the two tours.
Phillip Island is perfect for wildlife enthusiasts and families, offering unique animal encounters and good conservation experiences. The interactive elements of the island’s experiences and natural wildlife make it a brilliant destination for those who want to get up close to real native Australian species.
The Great Ocean Road is best for
Epic coastal views, unusual rock formations, free wildlife encounters, stunning beaches
My rating 4.5 / 5
Phillip Island is best for
Animals and unique nature experiences, remote island lovers, less tourist
My rating 3.5 / 5
Whether you’re into rugged coastline and dramatic landscapes that the Great Ocean Road offers or the charming penguins and adorable koalas of Phillip Island, both destinations will give you something to remember and will give you a real appreciation of the best that Victoria has to offer.
If you had the time while you’re in Melbourne you could fit both trips in over 3-4 days with a self-drive or arranged tour. It’d be rushed but you would see the main highlight of both.