Melbourne to Adelaide

Driving from Melbourne to Adelaide: Three Road Trip Ideas

Looking at a Melbourne to Adelaide road trip? Whether you’re looking to take a quick drive between cities or you’re after a coastal scenic adventure, this journey travels from one vibrant city to another through beautiful scenery.

Driving to Adelaide from Melbourne? There are three different routes you can take. Road tripping between Melbourne and Adelaide will pass through lots of different types of landscapes with plenty of opportunities for a pit stop, no matter which route you take.

There are three different routes you might want to take if you are driving from Melbourne to Adelaide:

• The Direct Route
• The Coastal Route
• The Mountain Route

The South Australian Border Rules

Remember to check the South Australian Border Rules before you travel! South Australia are quite strict on what you can and can’t take into the state. At the checkpoint, certain items are banned from entry. You won’t be able to bring fresh fruit, vegetables, honey or plants. You can get fined for bringing these items in, or attempting to – so it’s a good idea to give your vehicle a good check over!

Melbourne and Adelaide aren’t too far apart, although they might seem so. These two cities are the closest together in the whole country!

Don’t be too intimidated by the Border Patrol, though; there’s a big ‘Welcome to South Australia’ sign at the border that you should take a photo next to!

The direct route from Melbourne to Adelaide

Recommended time: 1 day

This route is a ‘no frills’ journey for those who simply want to get from A to B. This route takes eight hours without stops, and you’ll cut through the wheatfields of Western Victoria before you get to the border. This vast land is open and peaceful, and there are lots of bushland and open paddocks.

You might stop at…

• Ballarat: A historic Gold Rush town that’s perfect for a coffee break
• Horsham: A good spot to sit down for some lunch mid-journey

And if you’re looking to break up the drive during this route, stop off at Hahndorf just after the border crossing to visit a cute little German settlement town.

The Scenic Route from Melbourne to Adelaide

Recommended time: 2-3 days

If you’re looking for pretty views enroute to Adelaide, we’d recommend travelling the coastal route along the Great Ocean Road. This route travels across many different types of scenery, but it takes a little bit longer. It’s the most beautiful coastal drive between cities, and follows the iconic Great Ocean Road.

We recommend stopping at:

• The Twelve Apostles limestone stacks
• Loch Ard Gorge
• Surf beaches and rainforest walks

The Mountaineous Route from Melbourne to Adelaide

Recommended time: 4-5 days

This one’s for the nature lovers! This Melbourne to Adelaide route has a direct stop in the Grampians along the way. This route is great for combining inland driving with a dash of beautiful mountain scenery, waterfalls and plenty of panoramic viewpoints. The Grampians are a great spot for hiking trails, Aboriginal rock art sites, and lots of chances to see wild animals like kangaroos and emus. It’s a great way to break up the Melboure ot Adelaide journey, and you’ll get a healthy dose of the outdoors!