Traveling Australia's Great Ocean Road is one of our travel dreams. We invited a guest writer to provide his itinerary and advice for doing an epic Australian road trip and seeing the lesser-known treasures of Australia's southern coast.

The adventurer in each of us is drawn to a path that beckons. At the base of Australia is a shore that is unparalleled in its natural beauty. Waiting for you to discover its beauty.

My best travel memory is of the trip I had with some buddies to drive the Great Ocean Road in Australia in a campervan. A camper van carrying a sophisticated British chef, a party animal, a dapper devil, and a photographer got in and started traveling. The itinerary was for traveling down the coast to Melbourne, stopping off to tour Adelaide via the Great Ocean Road, and then returning directly to Sydney.

It seemed inevitable that the trip would get interesting with five mature guys in one van. I wanted to offer our schedule and advice for planning a similar amazing road trip across Australia because we had so much fun discovering the lesser-known treasures of the country's southern coast.

Overview of the Great Ocean Road Route

Officially, the Great Ocean Road begins at Torquay, south of Melbourne, and concludes in Allansford, Victoria. covering a distance of 151 miles (243 km) in total. Bells Beach, Otway National Park, and the well-known Twelve Apostles are the main destinations along the route. Be ready to be astounded by the bends this route has to offer because no images do the road justice.

My companions and I drove from our starting location in Sydney for 4–7 days, touring Melbourne along the way, before we found ourselves speeding along the Great Ocean Road. We begin this itinerary with some advice on our top 42 Wallaby Way location. (Aside: please do not attempt to locate this address from Finding Nemo; it is not genuine.)

How To Pick An Australian Campervan Rental

• My buddies and I decided that renting a campervan was the best option while we were organizing our itinerary for the Great Ocean Road. The most economical method to travel throughout a country is in a campervan, especially if you plan to drive to the majority of the destinations.

• Over time, renting a campervan will prove to be more cost-effective than hiring a car and lodging in a hotel or hostel. Additionally, you will have the freedom to set your own itinerary rather than being constrained by tour groups. Because the campervan can serve as both a vehicle and a bed, it gives you an unmatched amount of flexibility when it comes to route planning.

• Selecting a campervan rental that can accommodate the amount of people you are traveling with is highly advised; while trying to fit in extra people may help save costs, it may also compromise comfort and the availability of seat belts.

• The height of the roof should also be taken into account. Depending on your height, you could prefer a van with a raised roof or high top so you can stand comfortably inside.

• Make sure the campervan has a table, sink, refrigerator, heat, air conditioning, and a cooking appliance. While smaller vans might only have a little gas grill that fits on a tiny counter, larger vans might feature a stove.

• Because of their excellent ratings and the larger van they provided, which allowed us to accommodate five individuals, we chose Travellers Autobarn Campervan, which is close to Sydney Airport.

Advice For Campervan Travelers In Australia

It might be prudent to think about a few of these things before you leave on your road trip.

Tip 1: Book Campsites In Advance

An increasingly popular vacation option for many Australians is renting a campervan. As a result, campsites can get booked very quickly and far in advance. We didn't care to plan ahead for this during my vacation, so every night we had to frantically try to locate somewhere to stay.

In Australia, campsite costs can vary from $50 to $70 AUD. If you choose a location with electricity while staying at a recognized site, this will also have an impact on the price. These locations will provide kitchens, showers, and possibly even some recreational areas. You can find free campsites if you're looking to save a few bucks, but they'll be in isolated areas with nothing nearby.

Tip 2: From Dusk To Daybreak, Rental Insurance Is Null And Invalid

Some people may find this surprising, but the reason for this general policy is the high number of accidents caused by animals that are more active at night. Most rental businesses don't want to deal with the hassle of travelers hitting animals with their cars and causing damage. You may still drive legally as long as you drive very carefully.

Like deer in North America, kangaroos can appear out of nowhere and are deadly, yet they will flee in the opposite direction of a threat. Therefore, it may suddenly hop back into the road, even if you believe it has already crossed it out of your path.

Tip 3: Take Necessities When Traveling

Lastly, I would suggest packing a few nonperishable necessary food items. You will have food even if something were to happen to your cooking appliance or refrigerator. Poptarts, protein bars, and sandwiches with peanut butter and Nutella are all highly recommended. Make sure you have a substitute if you have a nut allergy.

Read Also: The Most Beautiful Beaches On The American East Coast

Activities In Sydney To Do Before Departing

Sydney is a convenient starting place for your Great Ocean Road itinerary and Australian road trip since it's a convenient airport and offers a plethora of must-do activities. The well-known Australian metropolis is the ideal place to start when trying to get a taste of Australia.

A three-day weekend is ideal for acclimating to any potential time differences you may encounter if you are just arrived in the country down under. While there are many activities in Sydney to keep you occupied, these are some of my top picks:

• Sydney Harbor Bridge: Cross the bridge by foot, or, for those with more courage, use BridgeClimb to ascend to the top of the structure.

• Sydney's Taronga Zoo is the ideal location to view some of the distinctive animals that makes Australia famous. Koalas, crocodiles, and Tasmanian devils can be hazardous and challenging to locate on your own. You have to ride a gondola to the park, but from there you'll get some really great views of the skyline.

• Bondi Beach: Take a stroll to enjoy the sun at Bondi Beach. Make sure to stroll a portion of the Bondi to Coggee trek while you're at Bondi. Sydney's rocky shoreline is encircled by a walking trail that provides multiple views of the well-known beaches.Pro Tip: At Australian beaches, the advice to "stay between the flags" is frequently given. In order to keep people safe and away from surfers, lifeguards at most beaches place red and yellow flags indicating where beachgoers can enter the ocean.

• Sydney Opera House tour: Everyone wants to take a picture of the famous Opera House, but taking a tour will teach you about its fascinating past. Discover backstage and the process of putting together a production here.

• Attend an Australian football match: Sports are a true reflection of Australian culture. Try to obtain a ticket for any Australian Football matches that are taking place while you are in Sydney. The game, often known as "footy," is a chaotic activity that everyone in the nation adores. With players from all around the world, the game combines elements of rugby, soccer, and handball to create nonstop, intense action.