Planning a campervan road trip from Melbourne to Adelaide can be challenging, especially if you have never attempted the route before. That’s why we are here, with our seven-stop trip that takes you 1057 km to Adelaide, with the chance to stay in beautiful coastal towns along the way. The 16-day trip is perfect for anyone looking to explore a diverse landscape, with the following stops:
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1. Melbourne to Ballarat
Before leaving Melbourne, we recommend taking time to visit sites you may have missed, such as the Royal Botanic Gardens and Federation Square. These will allow you to stretch your legs and enjoy beautiful architecture before a 1-hour-and-30-minute drive brings you to Ballarat.
In Ballarat, you can enjoy preserved Victorian architecture and numerous heritage sites steeped in local history. We recommend Sovereign Hill, a living history museum that offers an insight into the Gold Rush era. Grampians National Park is the perfect space to learn about Aboriginal history and experience beautiful flora and fauna.
2. Ballarat to Apollo Bay
Just over two hours of driving will bring you to Apollo Bay, a beautiful coastal town with plenty of beaches and rainforests to enjoy. While you are here, we recommend the Great Otway National Park, which has something for everyone visiting Australia. The coastlines, rainforests, and waterfalls provide plenty of breathtaking views and photo opportunities, while Melba Gully is full of glowworms, offering a unique experience. Apollo Bay also offers plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs after driving, including the Great Ocean Walk, which stretches 100km across the Southern Ocean Coastline.
3. Apollo Bay to Port Fairy
A 2 and a half hour drive will bring you to Port Fairy, a lovely coastal village with historic buildings, boutique shops, and cafes to enjoy. The vibrant art scene, river walks, and beaches set it apart from other stops on your itinerary. As part of your stop, make sure you visit Port Fairy Beach, which offers plenty of space for swimming and surfing. The crystal clear waters provide plenty of activity, whilst the white sand is ideal for relaxing on.
Griffiths Island is also worth a visit, where you can see the colony of short-tailed shearwaters. You can walk along the tracks to enjoy ocean views and see other native wildlife, too. There is a historic lighthouse that’s worth a visit, providing some peace and quiet during your trip.
4. Port Fairy to Mount Gambier
After Port Fairy, head to Mount Gambier, where you will enjoy stunning scenery set amidst a volcanic landscape. The Blue Lake is one of the most famous attractions, along with the Umpherston Sinkhole. This sunken garden in a collapsed limestone formation is full of ferns, hydrangeas, and hanging vines, offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Make some time to visit the Blue Lake, too, a volcanic crater filled with water that develops a bright cobalt blue during the summer. You can walk around the lake’s perimeter, learning about its history as you do. Take a moment to appreciate the panoramic views, with several lookout points available across the lake.
5. Mount Gambier to Coonawarra
A short, 45-minute drive brings you to Coonawarra, which is the perfect stop for any wine lover! You are just an hour away from the Limestone Coast, a famous wine region known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, so make sure you spend some time sampling it at boutique wineries! If you are looking for recommendations, we recommend Wynns Coonawarra Estate, where you can learn about their winemaking and rejuvenation processes.
You can also visit Katnook Estate, which has been around since 1867. Their vineyards take you through their rich heritage, and you can spend an afternoon sampling their finest wine and learning about the history of the region.
6. Coonawarra to Murray Bridge
A 3-hour and 15-minute drive will take you to Murray Bridge, a lovely riverside town. Along Australia’s longest river, you can enjoy this beautiful town with historic bridges, water activities, and lots of walking trails. We recommend visiting the Montaro Safari Park, where you can see Australia’s largest giraffe and lion prides.
The Sturt Reserve is another excellent attraction, with a riverside playground where you can enjoy walks around the water, and plenty of quiet spots to relax on the grass. The annual Murray River Splash Festival happens here, too, if you can time your trip with it.
7. Murray Bridge to Adelaide
A final one-hour drive will take you to the end of your road trip, with the vibrant city of Adelaide providing plenty for you to see and do. There are art galleries, parks, and plenty of festivals to enjoy if you time your trip right. As part of your trip, we recommend visiting the Barossa Valley wine region to enjoy a vineyard tour and wine tasting.
Alternatively, you can spend most of your time in the city, checking out the Adelaide Zoo with over 2,500 animals for you to see. The Adelaide Botanic Garden is also the perfect spot to enjoy stunning floral displays, with the Amazon Waterlily Pavilion and Bicentennial Conservatory being popular spots with locals and tourists alike.
Start planning your Melbourne to Adelaide campervan road trip
Now that you have your itinerary, it’s time to continue planning and choose your perfect campervan for your road trip. Travellers Autobarn has a huge range of campervans that are perfect for longer road trips, with reasonable prices and plenty of space to relax. Check out their campervans and hit the road from Melbourne today.
