Great Ocean Road Departs This Thursday — Four Days, 367 km, and the Full Length of the Road

This Thursday, a small group of cyclists will load bikes into the AllTrails support vehicles in Melbourne and transfer to the western end of the Great Ocean Road. By Sunday afternoon they'll be finishing at Albert Park Lake, right on the Formula 1 circuit, having ridden every kilometre of one of Australia's most iconic coastal routes.

Here's what they're in for.

The Tour in Numbers

Distance: 328 km (or 367 km with the longer Saturday option)
Daily average: 82 km (92 km on the longer route)
Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
Difficulty: 7/10 — undulating coastal roads, some solid climbs
Group size: 10–15 cyclists
Dates: 15–18 October 2026

What the Route Looks Like

The tour begins at Childers Cove on the Shipwreck Coast and rides east the whole way to Melbourne — with the Southern Ocean on the left and the Otways overhead. It's 367 kilometres of sealed bitumen across four days.

Day 1 (Thursday): Transfer from Melbourne to Childers Cove, then 40 kilometres to Port Campbell through the Bay of Islands. The limestone cliffs and rolling surf set the tone early.

Day 2 (Friday): Port Campbell to Apollo Bay — 96 kilometres, and the highlight day on paper. Loch Ard Gorge and the Twelve Apostles in the morning, then inland through the Otway Ranges and the famous Lavers Hill climb. Those who want the climb will earn it. Those who don't can take the bus to the top and still have a story. Apollo Bay for the night.

Day 3 (Saturday): The longest day — Apollo Bay to Queenscliff, 92 or 131 kilometres depending on how much the legs have left. The road hugs the cliffside for much of the morning before opening out through Lorne, Anglesea, and Torquay — the official eastern end of the Great Ocean Road. After Torquay there's the option to bus to Queenscliff, or ride another 40 kilometres through Ocean Grove and Point Lonsdale to The Rip. Group dinner in Queenscliff tonight.

Day 4 (Sunday): The ferry from Queenscliff to Sorrento, then 100 kilometres up the eastern side of Port Phillip Bay to Melbourne — as part of the Around the Bay event. Beach Road on a Sunday morning, shared with thousands of other riders, finishing at Albert Park Lake.

How AllTrails Runs It

AllTrails has been running the Great Ocean Road tour for over 25 years. Safety and support vehicles travel the route, luggage is transferred each day, and most meals are taken care of. A first-aid qualified guide and a mechanic travel with the group throughout.

The Around the Bay event entry is included in the tour price, as is the Queenscliff–Sorrento ferry. A rider pack — jersey, water bottle, day bag — is also included.

E-gravel bikes are available to hire for those who need one (subject to availability).