Where to Stay: Melbourne to Great Ocean Road - Accommodations for Every Budget

Melbourne is Australia's cultural capital and the perfect launching pad for your Great Ocean Road adventure. But here's the thing—you don't need to blow your budget on those swanky CBD hotels to experience Melbourne properly.

During my first visit for the Cricket World Cup, I stumbled upon the charming neighborhoods of Fitzroy and St Kilda, where accommodation prices drop significantly compared to downtown, but you're still connected to everything via Melbourne's excellent tram system.

For couples on a budget, I highly recommend The Nunnery in Fitzroy. This converted convent offers private rooms with character you simply won't find in chain hotels, plus you're surrounded by some of Melbourne's best cafes and street art. My room overlooked a quiet courtyard where I could do my morning stretches—essential after long flights!

Alternatively, St Kilda's Cosmopolitan Hotel offers clean, comfortable rooms within walking distance of the beach and that famous sunset penguin viewing spot at the pier. They also offer secure parking if you're renting a car for your road trip.

As a physical therapist, I always look for accommodations with good mattress quality—your back will thank you after those long driving days ahead. The travel pillow has been my faithful companion on these trips. It's compact enough not to take up valuable luggage space but provides crucial neck support for those inevitable car naps between stops.

After soaking in Melbourne's culture, it's time to begin your Great Ocean Road journey proper. Many travelers make the mistake of rushing straight to the famous Twelve Apostles, missing the charming gateway towns of Geelong and Torquay.

Geelong, just an hour from Melbourne, offers a perfect first-night stopover. The waterfront area has undergone an impressive revitalization, and accommodations here give you a chance to ease into your road trip rhythm. During my last visit, I stayed at the Corio Bay Motel—clean, affordable rooms with water views that won't devastate your budget.

Torquay marks the official start of the Great Ocean Road and Australia's surfing culture. As a physical therapist who's worked with athletes for decades, I've always been fascinated by the surfers here—their core strength and balance are something to behold! Even if you're not hitting the waves yourself, staying in Torquay connects you to this essential piece of Australian coastal identity.

The Torquay Tropicana Motel offers excellent value with spacious rooms and a location that's walking distance to beaches and dining options. Many rooms include kitchenettes, which helps stretch your budget by allowing you to prepare simple meals.

Before hitting the road each morning, I always do a quick 10-minute mobility routine to keep my body road-trip ready. Pack a resistance band set in your luggage—these take up minimal space but allow for a full-body warmup that will keep you comfortable during long driving days.

As you wind along the spectacular coastal road, the towns of Lorne and Apollo Bay offer the perfect mid-journey accommodations. These seaside villages strike that sweet balance between having enough amenities to keep you comfortable while maintaining their small-town coastal charm.

Lorne holds a special place in my heart. During my second Great Ocean Road trip, I stayed at the Lorne Bay View Motel and witnessed a southern right whale and her calf just offshore during my morning coffee. The motel itself isn't fancy, but the rooms are clean, many have ocean views, and the location can't be beat—you're within walking distance of everything in town.

For couples seeking a bit more privacy without the luxury price tag, Lorne's numerous holiday apartments offer great value, especially in shoulder season (March-May or September-November). Many include full kitchens and laundry facilities—a godsend when you're in the middle of a longer Australian adventure.

Apollo Bay, about an hour further along the coast, offers a similar laid-back vibe with the added bonus of being perfectly positioned for Otway National Park exploration. The Apollo Bay Waterfront Motor Inn provides clean, comfortable rooms with kitchenettes at reasonable rates. I've stayed here twice and appreciate their firm mattresses—crucial for maintaining proper spinal alignment after days of driving and hiking.

Both towns are ideal bases for exploring nearby rainforests and waterfalls. After a day of hiking, your muscles will thank you for a good stretch and recovery session. I always pack a massage ball for targeting tight spots after active days—it's become an essential part of my travel kit that ensures I'm ready for the next day's adventures.

If there's one strategic accommodation decision to make on your Great Ocean Road journey, it's staying in Port Campbell. This tiny town puts you within minutes of the crown jewels of the route—the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and London Bridge limestone formations.

Here's my insider tip as a three-time visitor: stay in Port Campbell and visit the Twelve Apostles for both sunset AND sunrise. While day-trippers from Melbourne crowd the viewing platforms during midday, you'll have these magnificent formations nearly to yourself at dawn. The changing light creates entirely different experiences, and as a photography enthusiast, I've captured some of my most treasured images during these quieter hours.

Port Campbell Parkview Motel and Apartments offers clean, comfortable rooms at reasonable rates. They're nothing fancy, but they're just a 10-minute drive from the Twelve Apostles and walking distance to Port Campbell's restaurants and the sheltered beach.

For the budget-conscious, the Port Campbell Hostel offers private rooms for couples at backpacker prices. During my first visit, I stayed here solo and was impressed by the clean facilities and communal kitchen where I could prepare meals while chatting with travelers from around the world.

After long days of coastal walking and climbing viewpoint stairs, your feet will need some TLC. I always travel with a foot massage roller that helps relieve plantar fascia tightness and improves circulation after active days. Just five minutes of rolling before bed makes a world of difference for the next day's adventures.

For those looking to stretch their travel budget even further (or who simply love connecting with nature), the Great Ocean Road offers excellent camping and holiday park options. As someone who's experienced this route in various accommodation styles, I can attest that camping along this coastline creates some of the most memorable experiences.

The Kennett River Holiday Park is one of my favorites, not just for its reasonable rates but for the resident koala population that frequently visits the eucalyptus trees throughout the property. During my last stay, I woke to find a mother and joey just meters from my cabin! They offer everything from unpowered tent sites to fully-equipped cabins perfect for couples.

For those who prefer proper facilities but want to keep costs down, the BIG4 Apollo Bay Pisces Holiday Park offers excellent value with spotless amenities. Their budget cabins provide a comfortable bed, basic cooking facilities, and access to the park's amenities at a fraction of hotel costs in the area.

If you're considering the camping route, I highly recommend investing in quality gear that won't let you down. A good sleeping pad makes all the difference between waking refreshed or with an achy back. As a physical therapist, I can't stress enough how important proper support is, even when roughing it.

Many of these holiday parks also offer communal BBQ facilities, which not only save you money on dining out but create opportunities to meet fellow travelers and exchange tips. Some of my best Great Ocean Road discoveries came from evening conversations around these shared grills!