3 days in your world away
Short break for couples
With tall trees, bold flavours, bucket list ticks, trails, and indulgence for days. Timboon has all the ingredients for a romantic short break wrapped up in a neat package just 17 kilometres north of Victoria’s Great Ocean Road.
Before you leave and when you return
Your holiday experience begins well before you arrive. Start following our social accounts for regional tempters, join in our live crosses to gain local insight or give our Visitor Information Centre a call for tips and tricks to make the most of your visit.
You know all the best adventures begin with a soundtrack. Tune into our Songs in the key of Timboon playlist for slow drifting, big flavoured spine tinglers and earthy artisan rocks to shake you up and get you in the mood for your world away.
Stop and play on the way
Timboon is located 217 km and 2 hours 40 mins from Melbourne via the Princes Hwy and 291 km and 4 hours 20 mins from Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road. It is also connected via a daily train and bus link (or train and rail trail link) from Southern Cross Station via Camperdown.
Will you meander along the Great Ocean Road or make a bee line along the Princes Highway for a stopover on Victoria’s Volcanic Lakes and Plains? No need to choose, you can always arrive one way and leave the other. Now where will you stop for lunch?
DAY 1
Morning
There is nothing like that sense of discovery when the sun comes up on the first morning of a holiday. The birdsong of every destination is unique and Timboon’s is a sweet reminder of the tall forest and rural valley surrounds.
Fancy a walk or run before breakfast? Check out this one Timboon Tall Timber Trail Run.
Order breakfast with all the trimmings at Fat Cow Food Co or the Timboon Provedore. When the dining is done it is time to get rolling! Why not pick up bikes and packs for a self-guided Picnic Ride on the Camperdown Timboon Rail Trail with Ride With Us?
Don’t miss the ruined bridges section between Glenfyne and the restored trestle bridge. Drop off the bikes back in Timboon and take a stroll through the town, feel like an ice cream or a sweet treat?
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Camperdown to Timboon Rail Trail
Timboon
Afternoon
Browse the shops and pick up some local supplies, Timboon Railway Shed Distillery, Timboon Provedore, and Bouchier’s Timboon Butchers carry plenty of treats ideal for an afternoon snack on the deck, a fireside treat or for a big night in! How about tonight or will the lure of a sunset to remember on the coast dictate fish and chips with a view or a sampling of eateries in Port Campbell or Peterborough?
The spectacular coastal trails and lookouts of Bay of Islands Coastal Park and Port Campbell National Park are just 17km south of Timboon. Spend the afternoon exploring sites to the west of Port Campbell, marvel at London Bridge and The Grotto and continue west to the lesser known wonders including Bay of Martyrs, Bay of Islands and Boat Bay.
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The Grotto
The Grotto Track, Peterborough
Take a leap to remember together with Skydive 12 Apostles. Enjoy post ride flavours at the Timboon ice creamery or rediscover the child inside with a browse and a sweet treat from a Little Bit O Sweet. Fish and chips on the beach or in a car overlooking the beach in Port Campbell. A round of golf in Timboon or Peterborough.
Take a lazy stroll on the Peterborough — Bay of Martyrs trail and prepare to explore secluded beaches only accessible from the trail. Check tide and ocean conditions with Port Campbell Visitor Information Centre and get ready to explore rock pools, secluded coves and idyllic beaches. Stay for sunset you won’t regret it!
Pack the runners take all the steps and get the heart racing together on one of our favourite trail runs check out our Peterborough Bay of Martyrs return video. If you’re here on a Saturday morning join with locals for a bit of puff and a chat along the rail trail as part of Timboon parkrun.
There is nothing like an afternoon snack or a fireside treat to reflect on an epic day. Why not cook up a storm together with fresh local produce? You will be spoiled for choice on the 12 Apostles Food Artisan Trail and can top up in town at the local IGA, Timboon Provedore or Bouchier’s Timboon Bouchers.
DAY 2
Morning
Sunrise and morning light in Port Campbell National Park is a must see on any visit to the region. Check cloud cover to plan the best morning to explore the section of coast between Port Campbell and Princetown including the iconic 12 Apostles and the expansive trails and lookouts of Loch Ard Gorge. Feeling the lure of the hills? why not head further east into the Rainforest and Waterfalls of Great Otway National Park.
Drop in to pick up supplies on the way back to Timboon on the western edge of the 12 Apostles Food Artisan Trail head inland towards Gorge Chocolates, Apostle Whey Cheese and Dairylicious Farm Fudge and then back towards Timboon via the gardens and deliciousness of Schulz Organic Creamery and Cafe.
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12 Apostles
Great Ocean Road, Princetown
Afternoon
You don’t have to be shy we know you’ve been looking forward to it and let’s face it you deserve it. How about a late lunch followed by a whisky and liqueur tasting at Timboon Distillery?
You know something caught your eye on your last trip through town was it at Milk and Honey or was it Wylde Home Timboon or Carramar Sage? Grab a book or take a snooze in the sun. It has been whispered on the wind down this way. If you want to feel the rush, you need to slow down! Listen to the wind.
Dinner tonight at the Timboon Railway View Hotel or Berry Good Thai or a tasty night in at your accommodation or choose nearby options in Port Campbell or Peterborough.
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Milk and Honey
Main St, Timboon
See the coast from the air with 12 Apostles Helicopters and gain an aerial perspective of one of the world’s most spectacular coastlines. Leave your car at the 12 Apostles and organise a transfer to the Gables lookout with Ride With Us for an epic 19km walk to remember on the Great Ocean Walk. Pick up binoculars and borrow equipment including anemometers and even a telescope from Port Campbell Visitor Information Centre. Enjoy an amazing close encounter with the Australian Dingo at the Great Ocean Road Wildlife Park and Dingo Awareness Centre.
Don’t miss the opportunity to take a morning stroll you will never forget (tide and ocean swell permitting) on the mighty Gibson Steps beach and stand beneath the hulking limestone giants Gog and Magog.
Pack the runners for an unforgettable run or walk on the edge of wild nature Loch Ard Gorge morning trails video. Brought the bikes? jump on your roadies and cut a couple of laps of the picturesque Timboon shorty circuit.
C’mon you have both been active right? Why not indulge your partner with a surprise massage at Timboon Natural Therapy Clinic or Claire Anderson remedial massage and energy healing? Perhaps an appointment at Mim’s Natural Beauty while you organise dinner? Loved our playlist? Considering an audio upgrade? Treat your ears and eyes to the acoustic and aesthetic bliss of Australia’s finest handcrafted micro speaker manufacturer Alderwood Speakers proudly made in nearby Cobden.
DAY 3
Morning
With a fair bit of indulgence on the plate today we suggest a light breakfast, grab a coffee from a local cafe to enjoy on a brisk stroll on the trails around town or check out our “extra salt” to explore the Childers Cove area.
Indulge your inner forager and pick fresh berries October to April at Timboon Berry World right on the edge of town next to the golf course.
A short drive north now to check out Keayang Maar vineyard and enjoy wine crafted from the fruits of a vineyard set on a crater rim overlooking volcanic plains to the north of Timboon.
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Childers Cove
Childers Cove Rd, Mepunga
Afternoon
We recommend exploring Loch Ard Gorge, Gibson Steps and the 12 Apostles in the two hours before sunset to witness the full colour spectrum of golden hour and sunset from a range of lookouts.
Dress warm if you want to stay after sunset to watch the little penguins arrive at the base of the 12 Apostles (year round) or take a short drive west to view the short tailed shearwaters arriving on mass at Muttonbird Island lookout within Loch Ard Gorge. (late September till mid- April) When it comes to local wildlife always be on the lookout, you never know what you might see.
Why not round out the experience with a local brewed ale and pizza at Sow and Piglets Micro-Brewery and Brewpub in Port Campbell for one of you to sample there and for the driver to enjoy when you return to your accommodation. Tonight, we suggest you dine in Port Campbell and choose from the Port Campbell Hotel, 12 Rocks Beach Bar and Cafe, Waves Cafe – Bar and Restaurant or REAL pizza, pasta and salads.
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The Razorback Lookout
Loch Ard Gorge, Port Campbell
So, you have been enjoying the riding together. How about an epic little downhill gravel ride on the western flank of the Otway Ranges? Hire bikes and/or organise a car shuffle to customize this epic little route with Ride With Us. Mount Mackenzie track video. Allow 4 hours.
Take the opportunity to walk and explore nearby coastal precincts including Sandy Cove, Murnane’s Bay and Childers Cove 30 minutes’ drive and capture some extra coastal shots for your social accounts. Observe the coast in zoomed in detail and pick up a pair of binoculars from Port Campbell Visitor Information Centre. (You can drop them back the next morning if you want to use to view penguins or short tailed shearwaters after sunset).
Rise early and drive north to treat yourself to a sunrise summit to remember at Mount Noorat. No time for running or walking this trip but keen to come back and hit the trails?
Top off 3 days in your world away with a few surprise no questions purchases, a bottle of local, wine, whisky or spirits or a must have from Wylde Home Timboon, Milk and Honey or Carramar Sage to remind each other of your first visit to your very own “world away’. Now how about those Alderwood speakers?
Head in the clouds, wind in your hair, salt on your tongue. Embrace a moment together at the sculptural interface of a seascape carved from ancient limestone. Feel the sand between your toes and tune in to the soothing rumble of sea on sand and stone.
