The Great Ocean Road is arguably Australia's most iconic coastal drive, winding 243 kilometers along Victoria's dramatic southern coastline. Built by returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932 as a memorial to those who died in World War I, the road itself is the world's largest war memorial. Today, it offers travelers breathtaking ocean vistas, lush rainforests, charming coastal towns, and the famous Twelve Apostles limestone stacks. This comprehensive guide will help you plan the perfect Great Ocean Road adventure, whether you're taking a quick weekend trip or a leisurely week-long exploration.
Planning Your Great Ocean Road Trip
When to Go
The Great Ocean Road can be traveled year-round, but each season offers a different experience:
- Summer (December-February): Peak tourist season with warm weather perfect for beaches, but expect crowds and higher accommodation prices.
- Autumn (March-May): Mild temperatures, fewer tourists, and beautiful colors as the forests change.
- Winter (June-August): Cooler and rainier, but dramatic ocean views with powerful waves and the chance to spot southern right whales offshore.
- Spring (September-November): Wildflowers bloom, waterfalls flow strongly, and the weather begins to warm up while avoiding summer crowds.
Our recommendation: Autumn offers the best balance of pleasant weather and smaller crowds.
Direction: East to West or West to East?
The traditional route starts in Torquay (near Melbourne) and heads west toward Warrnambool, following the coast on your left. However, there are advantages to traveling in reverse:
- East to West (Traditional): Follows the historic intent of the road and keeps you in the lane closest to ocean viewpoints.
- West to East (Reverse): Lets you visit the major attractions like the Twelve Apostles earlier in the day before the tourist buses arrive from Melbourne.
If you're short on time and primarily interested in the Twelve Apostles and other limestone formations, consider starting from Port Campbell and working your way back east.
How Much Time Do You Need?
While it's technically possible to drive the Great Ocean Road in a single day, we strongly recommend allocating more time:
- 1 Day: Very rushed, only suitable if you just want to see the Twelve Apostles and perhaps one or two other major sights.
- 2-3 Days: A good introduction that allows time for major attractions and a few stops in coastal towns.
- 4-7 Days: The ideal duration, allowing a relaxed pace with time for hiking, wildlife spotting, and exploring the hinterland.
Remember: The journey is as important as the destinations—allow time to stop spontaneously at scenic lookouts and hidden beaches.
The Route: Major Stops and Attractions
Torquay to Lorne (The Surf Coast)
The journey begins in Torquay, the surfing capital of Australia and home to the famous Bells Beach.
- Torquay: Visit the Australian National Surfing Museum and shop at surfwear outlets like Rip Curl and Quiksilver, which were founded here.
- Bells Beach: Watch world-class surfers tackle one of Australia's most famous breaks, or just admire the impressive cliffs and powerful waves.
- Anglesea: Spot kangaroos grazing on the local golf course and explore the beautiful heathlands.
- Aireys Inlet: Climb the historic Split Point Lighthouse for panoramic coastal views.
- Fairhaven Beach: Stretch your legs on Victoria's longest beach, perfect for a brisk walk or surf.
- Lorne: A charming seaside town with excellent restaurants, galleries, and the picturesque Teddy's Lookout providing spectacular views of the Great Ocean Road winding along the coastline.
Where to stay: Lorne offers accommodation options ranging from backpacker hostels to luxury apartments, making it an ideal first overnight stop.
Lorne to Apollo Bay (The Green Coast)
This stretch offers some of the most dramatic coastal scenery as the road hugs sheer cliffs with the ocean crashing below.
- Erskine Falls: Take a short detour into the rainforest to see this 30-meter waterfall cascading into a lush fern gully.
- Teddy's Lookout: A short drive from Lorne's center for stunning views where the St. George River meets the sea.
- Kenneth River: A reliable spot to see koalas in the wild—look for them in the eucalyptus trees along Grey River Road.
- Wye River and Separation Creek: Tiny coastal hamlets with great coffee shops and beaches.
- Cape Patton Lookout: One of the highest points on the Great Ocean Road with sweeping views over Bass Strait.
- Maits Rest Rainforest Walk: A 30-minute boardwalk through ancient, cool temperate rainforest with giant ferns and towering trees.
- Apollo Bay: A fishing village turned popular tourist destination with excellent seafood restaurants and a beautiful harbor.
Don't miss: The fresh seafood at the Apollo Bay Fishermen's Co-op, where you can buy direct from local fishing boats.
Apollo Bay to Port Campbell (The Shipwreck Coast)
This section contains the most famous landmarks of the Great Ocean Road, including the Twelve Apostles.
- Great Otway National Park: Detour inland to explore lush rainforests, waterfalls, and the historic Cape Otway Lightstation, Australia's oldest surviving lighthouse.
- Melba Gully: Known as the "Jewel of the Otways," this rainforest walk is famous for its glow worms visible after dark.
- Lavers Hill: A tiny township that marks the highest point on the Great Ocean Road.
- Gibson Steps: Descend 86 steps carved into the cliff face to the beach below for a ground-level view of the towering limestone stacks.
- Twelve Apostles: The most famous attraction on the route, these limestone stacks rise majestically from the Southern Ocean. Visit at sunrise or sunset for the most spectacular photographs.
- Loch Ard Gorge: Named after an 1878 shipwreck, this picturesque gorge tells a dramatic story of survival against the odds.
- London Arch (formerly London Bridge): A natural arch formation that dramatically collapsed in 1990, stranding two tourists who had to be rescued by helicopter.
- The Grotto: A magical formation that's part blowhole, part archway, and part cave, creating a window to the ocean.
- Port Campbell: A charming fishing village that makes an ideal base for exploring the limestone formations.
Photography tip: The Twelve Apostles are most crowded between 11am and 3pm. Visit early morning for the best light and fewer people.
Port Campbell to Warrnambool (The End of the Road)
The final stretch of the official Great Ocean Road offers more dramatic coastal scenery before reaching Warrnambool.
- Bay of Islands: Often overlooked in favor of the Twelve Apostles but equally spectacular and usually less crowded.
- Bay of Martyrs: Rugged cliffs and offshore rock stacks with well-placed viewing platforms.
- Boat Bay: A sheltered inlet with crystal clear waters, perfect for a refreshing swim.
- Peterborough: A small coastal town with excellent golf, fishing, and diving opportunities.
- Childers Cove: A hidden gem with dramatic rock formations and a secluded beach.
- Warrnambool: The largest city on the Great Ocean Road, known for its maritime history, whale watching (between June and September), and the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village open-air museum.
Officially, the Great Ocean Road ends at Allansford, just east of Warrnambool. However, many travelers continue to Port Fairy, a charming historic fishing village with beautifully preserved 19th-century cottages.
Practical Tips for Your Great Ocean Road Adventure
Getting There and Away
- Car Rental: Melbourne offers numerous car rental options. Book in advance during peak season.
- Public Transport: Limited public transport serves the Great Ocean Road. V/Line coaches connect Melbourne to major towns, but you'll need a car to explore fully.
- Organized Tours: If you prefer not to drive, numerous day trips and multi-day tours operate from Melbourne.
Driving Safety
- The Great Ocean Road is winding and can be narrow in places—drive cautiously and observe speed limits.
- Be aware of tourist traffic, especially near popular viewpoints where people may stop suddenly.
- Watch for wildlife, particularly at dawn and dusk when animals are most active.
- Take regular breaks—driver fatigue is a major cause of accidents.
- Mobile phone coverage can be patchy, so download offline maps before starting your journey.
Accommodation Options
The Great Ocean Road offers accommodations for every budget:
- Camping: Numerous campgrounds in national parks and commercial caravan parks.
- Hostels: Available in larger towns like Torquay, Lorne, Apollo Bay, and Port Campbell.
- Motels and B&Bs: Found throughout the region, ranging from basic to boutique.
- Luxury Accommodations: Exclusive properties with ocean views, particularly around Lorne and Apollo Bay.
- Holiday Rentals: A popular option for families or longer stays.
Booking tip: Reserve accommodation well in advance, especially during summer, school holidays, and weekends.
What to Pack
- Layers: Coastal weather can change quickly, and evenings can be cool even in summer.
- Rain jacket: The Great Ocean Road region can experience rain at any time of year.
- Sturdy walking shoes: For exploring beaches, rainforest trails, and lookouts.
- Swimwear: For beach stops and hotel pools.
- Sun protection: Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen—the Australian sun is intense, even on cloudy days.
- Insect repellent: Particularly useful for forest walks.
- Reusable water bottle: Stay hydrated and reduce plastic waste.
- Camera: You'll want to capture the spectacular scenery.
- Binoculars: Useful for spotting wildlife and whale watching (in season).
Beyond the Road: Side Trips Worth Taking
- Otway Fly Treetop Adventures: Walk among the treetops on a 600-meter long, 25-meter high elevated walkway through the Otway Ranges.
- Wildlife spotting in Tower Hill: This extinct volcano near Warrnambool is now a wildlife reserve teeming with kangaroos, koalas, emus, and native birds.
- Forrest Mountain Bike Trails: For adventure enthusiasts, this small town in the Otway Ranges offers world-class mountain biking.
- Cheese and wine trail: The hinterland behind the Great Ocean Road has numerous boutique wineries and artisanal food producers.
Responsible Tourism
When enjoying the natural beauty of the Great Ocean Road, remember to:
- Stay on marked paths to protect fragile ecosystems.
- Take all rubbish with you, even organic waste.
- Observe wildlife from a respectful distance.
- Support local businesses to contribute to the regional economy.
- Be careful with fire, especially during the summer fire season.
- Consider carbon offsetting for your journey.
The Great Ocean Road: More Than Just a Drive
The Great Ocean Road is more than just Australia's most scenic coastal drive—it's a journey through diverse landscapes, from surf beaches to rainforests, from quaint villages to dramatic limestone cliffs. By taking your time and veering off the main route occasionally, you'll discover hidden gems and create memories that last a lifetime.
Whether you're catching waves at Bells Beach, spotting koalas at Kennett River, marveling at the Twelve Apostles, or hiking through ancient rainforest, the Great Ocean Road offers experiences to suit every traveler. The road may have been built as a memorial to the past, but today it creates new stories for everyone who travels its winding path.
"The journey, not the arrival, matters." – T.S. Eliot
As you plan your Great Ocean Road adventure, remember that the most memorable experiences often come from the unexpected moments: a surprise wildlife sighting, a conversation with a local in a small-town café, or a perfect sunset over the Southern Ocean. Leave room in your itinerary for spontaneity, and you'll discover why this iconic Australian road trip continues to capture the imagination of travelers from around the world.
