How To Go To Melbourne From Adelaide?

The drive from Adelaide to Melbourne is one of the most picturesque road excursions in the world. As you journey between two of the country's most vibrant cities, you'll cruise through South Australia's gorgeous coastline and Victoria for just over 1000 kilometres.

On the drive from Adelaide to Melbourne, you'll pass by quiet beaches, windswept clifftops, vast national parks, and attractive seaside towns.

The final leg of the journey will take you over one of Australia's most renowned sections of tarmac, the Great Ocean Road, and past stunning rocky vistas like the Twelve Apostles as you make your way into Melbourne.

Best Time To Road Trip From Adelaide To Melbourne

Some of Australia's nicest weather can be found along the southern coast between Adelaide and Melbourne, where the summers are warm, and the winters are pleasant.

You can drive between the two cities all year without worrying about getting stuck in the rain or blown away by a cyclone as you would if you were in the tropical north.

Visit between November and March to take advantage of the warm weather and sunshine. However, temperatures can soar in December into the forties, so be prepared. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen to stay hydrated and cool in the sun.

It is best to travel at the beginning or close of summer, while spring and fall tend to be less crowded with tourists and yet have pleasant weather.

It frequently rains after the summer, and the winters are pleasant but sometimes stormy. So if you're camping, you should bring a raincoat and several extra sweaters in case it gets chilly at night.

Things To Know About Driving From Adelaide To Melbourne

The distance between Adelaide and Melbourne is modest compared to some of the lengthier road excursions you may do in Australia, such as driving from Melbourne to Darwin or along the Nullarbor Plain.

That's fantastic if you want to cut down on travel time and spend more time experiencing the places you visit. In addition, each leg of the trip does not have very vast distances to cover so that you won't spend too much time in the car on any day.

Nonetheless, even in this urbanised part of Australia, the distance between Melbourne and Adelaide might be very daunting if you aren't accustomed to the immensity of the country.

Even while there are lots of rest areas and towns along the way, it's still a good idea to bring along some extra gas and water just in case.

Due to the abundance of wildlife along the highways, nighttime travel outside of populated areas of Australia is not recommended. Animals, and especially kangaroos, pose a serious threat in the event of a collision.

Before setting off on your travel from Adelaide to Melbourne, make sure you have adequate protection and roadside support. It's a good idea to make sure it's part of your car rental package, and if it isn't, it's probably worth the extra cost.

Flights From Melbourne To Adelaide

Many Australian carriers, such as Virgin Australia, Qantas, Jetstar, and Tigerair Australia, offer direct flights between Melbourne and Adelaide. Travelling from Melbourne to Adelaide will set you back at least $60. The maximum cost might be $250. You must arrive at the airport at least 45 minutes before your domestic flight.

However, you should arrive at the airport at least an hour before your flight is scheduled to leave. More than twenty planes take off from Melbourne bound for Adelaide every day. At 6:10 in the morning, the first flight takes off. Daily flights end at 21:20. The average flight time for a trip from Melbourne to Adelaide is 1 hour and 20 minutes.

When flying this route, most passengers choose Qantas. It operates five flights daily on average, with a two- to the three-hour gap between each. Each morning, midday, lunchtime, afternoon, and evening have flights available. Because of this, flying with them is as versatile and convenient as possible.

Even though it's only a one-and-a-half-hour trip, Qantas has received high marks for its hospitality because it serves complimentary food and beverages to all passengers. However, as you can guess, a Qantas flight ticket from Melbourne to Adelaide is far more expensive than other carriers.

From Melbourne To Adelaide By Train

You can use the train if you need to get from Melbourne to Adelaide or vice versa. There are two weekly rail departures. The train leaves Adelaide every Monday and Friday at 7:45 in the morning. Every Tuesday and Saturday at 8:05 a.m., the train departs Melbourne for Adelaide.

After checking in and accounting for potential delays, the train ride will take around 10 hours. But, of course, you've probably figured out by now that taking the train is not ideal if you need to be somewhere quickly for work.

Plan ahead, get your tickets early and arrive at the airport at least 30 minutes before takeoff. Depending on your ticket type, you may expect to pay between $63 and $189.

Red Seat tickets were $71 for kids and $139 for adults. However, a more substantial financial investment is required to secure the coveted red premium seat. The cost is $189 per adult and $121 per child.

Buses From Melbourne To Adelaide

On this route, the majority of the buses are owned by Firefly Express. Twice daily, buses run between locations. The earliest departure time is 07:30. A second bus will leave at 20:15. The first bus leaves Adelaide for Melbourne at 06:50, while the last leaves Melbourne at 20:15.

You should expect to pay between $60 and $75 for a one-way bus ticket on Firefly Express. However, compared to other transportation options, the cost is little.

It takes a little over 10 hours to drive from Melbourne to Adelaide during the day. It's probable that you'll have to put in an extra hour of travel time if you're doing so throughout the night (buses drive a bit slower at night due to the possible encounter of wildlife on the road).

Essential Things To Pack For Australia

Good Camera 

You should bring a high-quality camera to Australia, as you will likely be using it frequently to capture the country's stunning scenery. The Sony RX100 III comes highly recommended. In addition to being incredibly portable and lightweight, the picture quality is excellent.

Good Walking Shoes

Many people will be doing a lot of walking in Australia, so comfortable footwear is a must. The Nike Free 5.0 is the sneaker of choice in our household. You can wear them all day, and they won't weigh you down. We tend to have them on hand and use them frequently. Moreover, we climbed several mountains and volcanoes with them.

Good Guidebook

The Lonely Planet guidebooks are still our favourites, and the Australia edition of their book is extremely detailed and should be on everyone's must-have list before visiting Australia.

Good Water Bottle

Always keep a refillable water bottle on you because the Australian sun is strong. The water from the tap is safe to drink and costs nothing in Australia. Specifically, we like the Klean Kanteen Classic Stainless Steel Water Bottle.

Good Reef-Safe Sunscreen

Conventional sunscreen is harmful to the reefs, so please use a reef-safe sunscreen instead. The Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen performs similarly to traditional sunscreen but without potentially dangerous chemicals.

If you were to drive from Melbourne to Adelaide or vice versa in a straight line, the quickest inland route via the highway would take at least 8 hours, covering a distance of slightly under 800 kilometres from Adelaide to Melbourne.

However, that is not the greatest way to enjoy these two southern states, as the majority of the best sights are found along the coastline routes. Taking the coastal road adds 200 kilometres to the journey, and we recommend dividing it into parts to properly savour the view.

While you might cover the journey in 4 to 5 days with plenty of breaks along the way, if you can spare a week for the road trip from Adelaide to Melbourne, you can go at your own pace and even divert inland to explore the majestic and mountainous Grampians National Park.

The Ultimate Adelaide To Melbourne Road Trip Itinerary

From Adelaide to Melbourne is a little under 800 kilometres. Thus a nonstop journey between the two cities would take at least 8 hours by the quickest inland route along the highway.

However, that is not the ideal way to see either of these southern states, as most of the top attractions are located near the coast. In addition, taking the coastal route will add an extra 200 kilometres to your trip, so we suggest taking frequent breaks along the way to take in the sights.

You could drive from Adelaide to Melbourne in four or five days if you stopped frequently, but if you had a week, you can take your time and explore the gorgeous and hilly Grampians National Park.

Robe

The first leg of your trip from Adelaide to Melbourne will take you down the scenic Princes Highway to the small vacation resort of Robe. It's around 4 hours total driving time, but you're not going directly there because there's enough to see along the route.

The main draw is the Fleurieu Peninsula, just south of Adelaide, which is jam-packed with activities. You can stop at McLaren Wine Valley to sample local wines and products, head to the beaches and spend the night in Robe. It's a long first day of driving, but it's action-packed.

Mount Gambier

Continue along the coast from Robe to Beachport, which has one of Australia's longest jetties and multiple salt lakes. It's a short journey inland from Beachport to Mount Gambier, South Australia's second-largest city - but don't worry, it's still home to fewer than 30,000 people.

Mount Gambier is an excellent location for exploring the inland region, and it is possible to visit the Umpherston Sinkhole, a deep, natural sinkhole filled with a controlled, planted garden.

Visit the vibrantly blue and appropriately named Blue Lake, then spend the night at Mount Gambier before continuing your journey to Melbourne.

Grampians National Park

One of Victoria's biggest attractions, the Grampians National Park, is located about 2.5 hour drive inland. Include this detour if time permits; otherwise, keep going along the coast to Warrnambool.

The Grampians are a rough mountain range in southern Australia, and the journey inland from the coast is well worth it due to the range's steep valleys, stunning viewing places, and good trekking.

Warrnambool

Mount Gambier is the first stop after the Grampians, but if you don't have much time, Warrnambool should be your next destination. As of right now, you are officially on the Great Ocean Road, and you have arrived at the western star/endpoint of the route; from here on out, the scenery is only going to get more breathtaking.

A beautiful beach surrounds Warrnambool, but the sightings of a huge number of whales just off the coast have made it one of the most well-known tourist destinations in the area. You can go on a whale-watching excursion or drive to one of the vantage sites to look out over the water.

Twelve Apostles

The Twelve Apostles are a must-see along Australia's Great Ocean Road and one of the country's most iconic landmarks. Off the coast is a jumbled group of limestone stacks known as "The Twelve Apostles." Unfortunately, only seven are still standing, while the pounding waves have destroyed the other five.

You will constantly be pulling over to the shoulder of the highway to take photographs of this breathtaking coastline, which is a part of the equally breathtaking Port Campbell National Park and stretches along the route for several kilometres.