The Great Ocean Road with a Baby End of March - Travel Advice

Lshopping4love on 28/02/2020 - 10:56

Hi everyone!

My husband and I were meant to be travelling to Japan for 3 weeks at the end of March with our 8 month old son, however have now reluctantly decided to cancel our plans. We hope to do Japan in 2021 instead when hopefully the coronavirus situation is handled.

Since we have the time booked off, we’ve decided to do a more local trip of Adelaide to Melbourne return via the GOR. It’s on our bucket list so even though we are sad to not be going to Japan, there is still some excitement of discovering new places along this journey.

Do you have any tips for us travelling with our baby son?
Have you done this before and have recommendations?
What towns should we stay in?
Any ‘must eat’ spots?
Is it okay to drive our own car or should we hire instead? (Want to keep this trip low cost)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I’m a bit overwhelmed with the information on Google so would like some guidance from the OzB community.

Thank you!

Travel

Comments

  • 87percent on 28/02/2020 - 11:15

    I would be taking your own car, but i would be stopping over in Geelong as one of your spots. https://www.museumofplayandart.com.au/ is excellent, and also the "Hot Chicken Project" makes (IMO) the best wings in Melbourne/Geelong

    • o53djz7qTPY4der on 28/02/2020 - 14:18
      +1

      HCP is awesome. Evil wings are the best.

    • shopping4love on 29/02/2020 - 08:40

      Thanks for your recommendations! MOPA does look really good! Also hubby and I love wings so this is perfect. Will add to the list!

  • GG57 on 28/02/2020 - 11:41

    Take your own car.
    I assume you are prepared for travel with an 8y.o. (as you had planned overseas travel). Obviously, allow plenty of time per day for child care as opposed to tourism.
    View a map and plan your distances around where accommodation is available. End of March is nearing Easter, and the Bells Beach surf competition is on around then, so plan ahead. I wouldn't rush each day, but plan to spend lots of time looking around; you could base yourself at Port Campbell, Apollo Bay, Lorne, for a day or so at each, if accommodation is available.

    • EightImmortals on 28/02/2020 - 11:44
      +1

      I think it's 8 months old. :)

      • GG57 on 28/02/2020 - 11:58

        Yes, thanks.

    • shopping4love on 29/02/2020 - 08:41

      Thanks for your advice! Also I didn’t realise there was a surf comp on so that’s good to know for my planning.

  • one man clan on 28/02/2020 - 12:04

    As a parent of an 8mo old a driving holiday doesn't sound particularly fun to me.

    I guess you'll have to structure your driving around your 8mo old (maybe nap times). How far do you plan to drive each day? I wouldn't want to do to long as long drives would be boring for babies and he is going to get restless unless he's asleep. But if you're driving for a couple hours each day then setting up for a few days it could work.

    • Ash SA on 28/02/2020 - 12:34

      Went to phillip island in same situation and it was not THAT fun. lol.
      Babies, once troubled by travel, are very hard to calm down. Take multiple stops and do little walks/pram to calm the baby.

  • JimmyF on 28/02/2020 - 12:36

    Is it okay to drive our own car or should we hire instead?

    It depends on your car. Is it roadworthy, reliable and comfortable to do the trip? or is it a 20 year old banger held together with tape and cable ties?

    • shopping4love on 29/02/2020 - 08:42

      I should have specified my car type in the description, haha. Thank you for your input

  • dust on 28/02/2020 - 13:01

    Does your son travel well (i.e. can fall and stay asleep) in a car? If not, that's going to be a lot of stopping to sooth/breast feed him!

    • shopping4love on 29/02/2020 - 08:44

      We drove long distances in QLD when he was about 6 months old - he managed that holiday quite well so hoping it’s the same for this trip. We shall see!

  • bluesky on 28/02/2020 - 15:03

    Driving your own car is fine. These are must-see at Mount Gambier: Blue Lake near Mount Gambier, as well as the Umpherston sinkhole. It is also a good place to break your journey, and stay overnight.

    Robe has good waterfront accommodation - the thing I remember most about it was the fresh seafood – savouring that while enjoying the stunning views and sunset from within the beachside cottage accommodation. But of course, the seafood and its price could be seasonal.

    • shopping4love on 29/02/2020 - 08:46

      Thanks for your recommendations! I have been to MG a couple of times and visited those places, but would’ve mind doing it again as a family. I’ve never been to Robe so will look into that… we love seafood :)

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