How can one parent pace a Melbourne and Great Ocean Road trip with two children?

Confirm child-seat requirements, farm-stay arrival times and any wildlife or beach safety advice before leaving. A spare city day is useful if weather disrupts the coast.

Give the coast short driving days with playground, meal and beach stops. Check the inland return route and choose one break rather than treating it as a nonstop transfer.

Keep the first city days car-free and collect the rental when the coastal drive starts. That avoids parking while you recover from the flight and explore compact city areas.