Exploring Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road: A Family Adventure
Australia has a way of stealing hearts, and our family holiday to Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road did just that! From the vibrant city streets filled with art and culture to breathtaking coastal landscapes, every moment was unforgettable.
Melbourne is a city best explored on foot, and we dove right into its energy with a walking tour that took us through some of its most iconic spots. We started at Federation Square, where modern architecture meets cultural experiences. From there, we wandered into Hosier Lane, a famous graffiti-covered alley bursting with colour and creativity. The street art was mesmerizing, each piece telling its own unique story – make sure to absorb anything you like when there as the art can change, literally, overnight. Degraves Street, a charming laneway packed with cafés, is a great place to stop, grab a coffee and watch the world go by. Ending at the State Library of Victoria, we stood in awe of the La Trobe Reading Room—one of the most impressive libraries we've ever seen.
Whilst the city is easily walkable, there is a great tram system in place with free rides being offered to all within the city centre. After we left the walking tour, we jumped on a tram and headed downtown to il Mercato Centrale to grab some lunch. With a wide selection of food options, from pizza to fish and seafood, a bakery and homemade pasta, our whole party was easily catered for. A must stop for lunch or dinner when in Melbourne.
For a breathtaking panorama of the city, we ascended to the Melbourne Sky Deck—the highest public observation deck in the Southern Hemisphere. Standing at the top, we were treated to a sweeping 360-degree view of Melbourne's skyline. Are you brave enough to step onto the Edge though?! The Edge suspends you in a transparent glass cube, almost 300 metres above the streets of Melbourne. Dan’s face when he saw the glass floor and windows changed from opaque to clear made it clear to everyone up there that this certainly isn’t for him! (Disclaimer: he was watching from outside and still went white.)
On the Wednesday evening of our first week, we visited The Queen Victoria Market which was still open in the evening, despite it being early Autumn. As the evening set in, we explored its bustling food stalls, savouring street food that ranged from sizzling skewers to rich, creamy gelato. It was a true taste of Melbourne’s diverse culinary scene.
Heading towards the end of our first week, both families packed our cars up in preparation to leave Melbourne behind. On a beautiful Easter Friday morning, we set off towards the coast, beginning our journey in Sorrento. This charming coastal town boasts a rich maritime history and you can’t visit without a stop to Fort Nepean. Opening as a National Park in 1988, Fort Nepean is one of the fortifications that protected Melbourne during World War I and II. Here, history meets nature as we walked through military tunnels and admired the stunning ocean views. Descend the 115 steps to look out over The Rip; where the calmer waters of Port Phillip meet the rough seas of the Southern Ocean. This is one of the most dangerous sea lanes in the world!
Whilst in Sorrento, take a trip to Diamond Bay at sunset - this was a sight to behold—the sky painted in hues of pink and orange, the ocean stretching endlessly before us. This was one of many, many special moments of our holiday.
From Sorrento, we took the ferry over to Queenscliff and spent a night in Torquay before driving along the Great Ocean Road towards Lorne. I was completely mesmerised by the stunning scenery at every step of our journey, particularly the stretch between Lorne and Apollo Bay. Make sure to stop at the famous Great Ocean Road sign and Memorial Arch on your way!
Once in Lorne, we based ourselves here for 3 nights and there is plenty for you to see and do. You can’t visit here without at least one visit to a waterfall and we chose Erskine Falls. A short drive from Lorne, you have the choice of walks and can get up close to the falls themselves. For pretty much, guaranteed kangaroo sightings, head up to Lorne Country Club where the roos are residents. The guys played an early round of golf with many photo opportunities with the roos and Dan even caught two on a tee having a fist fight! Before we left Lorne, I tried my hand at bodyboarding, for the first time, with the kids. This was a definite highlight—the thrill of catching waves, the laughter, the shared excitement as we rode the surf together and the water wasn’t as cold as I expected. I guess I am too used to the North Sea temperatures….!
No journey along the Great Ocean Road is complete without visiting Gibson Steps and the Twelve Apostles. Walking down the steps and standing on the beach, we looked up at towering limestone cliffs, feeling dwarfed by nature’s grandeur. At the Twelve Apostles, the sheer magnitude of the rock formations took my breath away.
Our family holiday to Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road was a journey of contrasts—from urban energy to coastal serenity. Each stop gifted us memories that will last a lifetime. Whether it was the art-filled lanes of Melbourne, the golden hues of Diamond Bay at sunset, or the dramatic beauty of the Twelve Apostles, Australia delivered adventure, wonder, and countless moments of joy. Would we go back? Without a doubt.
