How long should I allow to do the G.O.R. ?

How long do I need to allow to do the 295km from Warrnambool to Queenscliff via the Great Ocean Road?

I'm heading over to the Superbikes that way, staying at Warrnambool the 1st night and want to  pre book the Queenscliff-Sorrento Ferry. 
I don't want to have to rush the ride and miss stuff so I get to the ferry in time for the booking, at the same time, I don't want to lob there with hours to kill before my booking.

Googles maps says it takes 4hr 39 minutes to travel that route (that seems a typical Google maps over estimate)
I've had a bit of a search on the net, most seem to agree it takes 3 hours plus time to stop and look around.

Would 5 hours be enough to do the ride, stop for a look/feed/fuel etc?

How full does the ferry get, other than a $5 discount for online bookings is there a need for me to pre book or should I just wing it?

Chook wrote:How long do I need to allow to do the 295km from Warrnambool to Queenscliff via the Great Ocean Road?

I'm heading over to the Superbikes that way, staying at Warrnambool the 1st night and want to  pre book the Queenscliff-Sorrento Ferry. 
I don't want to have to rush the ride and miss stuff so I get to the ferry in time for the booking, at the same time, I don't want to lob there with hours to kill before my booking.

Googles maps says it takes 4hr 39 minutes to travel that route (that seems a typical Google maps over estimate)
I've had a bit of a search on the net, most seem to agree it takes 3 hours plus time to stop and look around.

Would 5 hours be enough to do the ride, stop for a look/feed/fuel etc?

How full does the ferry get, other than a $5 discount for online bookings is there a need for me to pre book or should I just wing it?

I think 5 hours is heaps, unless of course your going to stop at say the 2½ apostles for sight seeing.
Mike and I did the GOR on the way to Edenhope, we started it around about Bells beach as we had come down through Geelong. Had a morning coffee break at Anglesea and another break at Warrnambool. Got to Hamilton around 5pm.

I've never pre-booked this ferry as it leaves every hour on the hour from 7am to 5pm.  There is a 6pm ferry but it's foot passengers only.  

I don't think the stress about having to get to the terminal at a certain time is worth the $5 saving, that's just one less cappuccino  

Edit:  Can you do the online booking from your phone whilst waiting for the ferry ?

Extra edit:  Just read that the pre-booking is valid for any crossing on that day, so that makes it worthwhile and you can now have that cappuccino

Thanks mm, I've booked on the 2:00 pm ferry, if I leave Warrnambool at 8:00 that'll give me a extra 1/2 hr up my sleeve to be at the terminal by 1:30.

barry_mcki wrote:I've never pre-booked this ferry as it leaves every hour on the hour from 7am to 5pm.  There is a 6pm ferry but it's foot passengers only.  

I don't think the stress about having to get to the terminal at a certain time is worth the $5 saving, that's just one less cappuccino  

Edit:  Can you do the online booking from your phone whilst waiting for the ferry ?

Extra edit:  Just read that the pre-booking is valid for any crossing on that day, so that makes it worthwhile and you can now have that cappuccino

A couple of others I've spoken to from Adelaide reckon they've had to wait at the terminal for a few hours with the additional traffic WSBK & MotoGP during weeks, I hate just sitting around so I'd rather be sure I'm on one at a certain time