How to get to Peterborough
305 km from Melbourne via inland highway (3 hours), 340 km via Great Ocean Road coast (5+ hours). Plus parking, EV options and onward routes.
Two routes from Melbourne
Princes Highway (recommended for direct travel). M1 west out of Melbourne to Geelong, then Princes Highway through Colac and Camperdown, then south to Peterborough. Total: 305 km / 3 hours direct. The default for travellers wanting to reach Peterborough efficiently.
Great Ocean Road coast (the scenic route). M1 to Geelong, then south through Torquay, Lorne, Apollo Bay, the Otway forest, and the full Shipwreck Coast to Peterborough. Total: 340 km / 5+ hours direct, more with stops. The trip-as-destination route.
Most travellers approach Peterborough via the coast outbound (treating it as a stop on the trip) and return via the highway. For travellers visiting Peterborough specifically (western Shipwreck Coast focus), the highway is the practical choice.
Peterborough distances
- Melbourne CBD → Peterborough (highway): 305 km, 3h
- Melbourne CBD → Peterborough (coast): 340 km, 5h direct
- Peterborough → Twelve Apostles: 30 km, 30 min
- Peterborough → London Arch: 5 km, 5 min
- Peterborough → The Grotto: 3 km, 4 min
- Peterborough → Bay of Islands: 5 km, 5 min
- Peterborough → Bay of Martyrs: 3 km, 4 min
- Peterborough → Port Campbell: 12 km, 15 min
- Peterborough → Warrnambool: 30 km, 30 min
- Peterborough → Port Fairy: 60 km, 1h
In Peterborough
Free parking throughout the village. The harbour cove has dedicated parking near the swimming beach. The Schomberg pub has a car park; the General Store has parking. Caravan park guests park within accommodation. Parking is rarely a constraint.
EV charging is limited — some accommodation properties offer slow AC charging. The closest fast DC charging is at Warrnambool (30 min west, multiple options). For EV travellers driving the full road, top up at Warrnambool before continuing east, or at Apollo Bay before the Otway-to-Shipwreck-Coast leg.
Getting to Peterborough FAQs
- How long does it take to drive from Melbourne to Peterborough?
- About 3 hours via the Princes Highway (305 km, the inland route) or 5+ hours via the Great Ocean Road (340 km, the scenic route). Most travellers approach via the coast outbound and return via the highway.
- What's the best route from Melbourne to Peterborough?
- M1 west to Geelong, then Princes Highway (A1) through Colac and Camperdown, then south to Peterborough. Total 305 km / 3 hours direct. The fastest route. For the scenic alternative, the Great Ocean Road coast route adds 2+ hours and is the trip itself.
- Can you take public transport to Peterborough?
- Limited. V/Line operates a coach service that runs along the Great Ocean Road but Peterborough services are sparse. The closest reliable V/Line stop is Warrnambool (3h 15min train from Melbourne, 30 min coach to Peterborough). Most non-driver travellers take a tour or hire a car at Warrnambool.
- Where can you park in Peterborough?
- Free parking throughout the village. The harbour cove has dedicated free parking. The Schomberg pub has a car park. The General Store has parking. Even at peak summer, parking is rarely a problem.
- Are there EV charging stations in Peterborough?
- Limited. Some accommodation properties offer slow AC charging. The closest fast DC charging is at Warrnambool (30 min west, multiple options). EV travellers should top up at Warrnambool before continuing east.
- How long is the drive from Peterborough to the Twelve Apostles?
- About 30 minutes / 30 km east via the Great Ocean Road. Most travellers stop at Bay of Islands and London Arch on the way (both within 5 minutes of Peterborough).
- Is Peterborough caravan-friendly?
- Yes. The drive in (highway from Melbourne or coast road from Apollo Bay) is uncomplicated for caravans. Peterborough Caravan Park accommodates caravans with full facilities. Wide village streets and free parking make caravan stays easy.