Updated on November 28, 2025
Melbourne to Adelaide Drive – 727 kms / 8 hours
The road trip directly from Melbourne to Adelaide can easily be driven in a day, though breaking it up into two days or even longer is a good idea as there is plenty to see along the way.
Driving down the Great Ocean Road is definitely worth considering; it will take longer, but it is highly recommended if you have time and haven’t seen this part of Australia. A side trip up through the Grampian Mountains could be included in an itinerary, too.
Driving from Sydney to Melbourne, whether via the coast or over the mountains, is another great road trip to add to an adventure.
Suggested Driving Route – 2 Days
DAY 1: Melbourne to Horsham – 300 kms/3.5 hours
Along the way:
- Kids will love to spend time at Kryal Castle, lots of fun to be had watching jousting and joining in with some wizardry, and they have some funky accommodation too.
- Ballarat – Stop in at this historic gold-mining town with beautiful buildings, including the Sovereign Hill Museum & Gold Mining Town.
- Grampian Mountains National Park – Lots of fabulous walks and waterfalls. A couple of nights here would be ideal to explore the area.
- The Giant Koala – A little bit ‘Kitsch’? Perhaps, but it is a good laugh and a welcome stop, especially for kids. Located midway between Stawell and Horsham in the tiny community of Dadswell Bridge, the giant koala was built in 1988 by a sculptor named Ben van Zetten, who was commissioned to design and construct it. The Koala dominates the car park and is 14 m high, weighing about 12 tonnes.
Day 2: Horsham to Adelaide – 427 km / 4 hours 40 mins
Along the way:
- Painted Silo Trail – This drive would require an extra day, as it is not on the most direct route. I think it is well worth including if you have time, though. A drive along the Silo Trail and up to Lake Tyrrell is a great road trip.
- Hahndorf – The oldest surviving German settlement in Australia, Hahndorf is certainly worth stopping to visit.
Adelaide
Known as the City of Churches, Adelaide has lovely beaches, and the nearby Adelaide Hills is a pretty drive. The city has plenty of great accommodation options and is large enough to be a city, but still has the feel of a large country town in some ways.
Kangaroo Island
Another fabulous place to visit when exploring South Australia is Kangaroo Island and a charming accommodation option on the island is Lathami Lodge, with stunning views, which is ideal for anyone, including families.
Flinders Ranges & Uluru
Driving north of Adelaide, a trip to the Flinders Ranges or further afield to Uluru/Ayers Rock is a ‘must-do’ Australian Road Trip.
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