Daily costs per person in US dollars. The Great Ocean Road is a road trip — transport and accommodation are the main expenses. Most natural attractions are free. These ranges cover budget campers to comfortable mid-range.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: AUD (Dollar) (Cards widely accepted)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $20–45 | $60–130 | $180+ | Camping → motels/B&Bs → boutique lodges |
| Food | $15–25 | $30–60 | $70+ | Self-catering → pub meals → seafood restaurants |
| Transport | $15–25 | $25–40 | $50+ | Shared car hire → private car → campervan |
| Activities | $0–15 | $20–50 | $80+ | Free viewpoints → treetop walks → helicopter flights |
| Entry Fees | $0–10 | $10–25 | $30+ | Most viewpoints are free |
| Daily Total | $50–120 | $145–305 | $408+ | Budget road trip → comfortable mid → luxury coastal |
Money-saving tips
Self-drive to save
The Great Ocean Road is best explored by car. Split car hire and fuel costs between 3-4 travellers and the per-person cost is far less than any tour bus. Hire from Melbourne and return to Melbourne — one-way fees are expensive.
Camp along the way
Caravan parks and campgrounds are spread along the entire route. Camping costs $20-40 per site per night and many parks have excellent facilities including kitchens, showers, and laundry. BYO tent or hire a campervan.
Pack your own food
The coastal towns have supermarkets but tourist-area restaurants are overpriced. Buy supplies in Melbourne or Geelong before starting the drive and cook at your campground or hostel kitchen.
Free attractions dominate
The Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, London Arch, all the coastal viewpoints, Kennett River koalas, and most waterfalls are completely free. The biggest expenses are accommodation and fuel, not entry fees.
Visit in shoulder season
Summer (Dec-Feb) is peak season with highest prices. Autumn (Mar-May) and spring (Sep-Nov) offer milder weather, fewer crowds, and lower accommodation rates.
Download the Parks Victoria app
The free Parks Victoria app has maps, walking track information, and alerts for all the national parks along the Great Ocean Road. Download before departing as mobile coverage is patchy in the Otways.
