OVERVIEW

Rivaling the Amalfi Coast, Pacific Coast Highway, and South Africa’s Garden Route, southern Australia’s renowned Great Ocean Road is one of the most scenic drives in the world.

The road winds its way along Victoria’s rugged coastline while offering stunning views of the area’s golden beaches, sheer cliffs, and iconic rock formations. You’ll travel through three of Australia’s most impressive national parks and have the opportunity to explore countless seaside towns and natural wonders.

We spent a month in Australia and had already explored Sydney, the outback, and the Great Barrier Reef from Hamilton Island and Port Douglas. Our trip would reach its conclusion in Melbourne and along the Great Ocean Road.

We spent three action-packed days traveling along the road, stopping at numerous cliffside viewpoints, rainforest waterfalls, and charming Australian towns. It was one of our favorite experiences in Australia, and no trip to the country would be complete without experiencing this amazing drive.

HISTORY AND STATISTICS

The official Great Ocean Road runs between Torquay and Allansford along the southern coast of Victoria for a length of 243 kilometers (151 miles). The road was constructed between 1919 and 1932 by soldiers who returned from World War I, as a war memorial for those combatants who lost their lives during the war.

Nearly the entire length of the road is a two lane highway. It travels between coastal towns and features several natural attractions, viewpoints, and stunning beaches. The section between Lorne and Apollo Bay hosts the Great Ocean Road Marathon and in 2004 the 104 kilometer Great Ocean Walk opened, which is recognized as one of the world’s most premier treks. 

Today, with over 2 million annual visitors, the Great Ocean Road has become one of Australia’s most popular attractions and a crucial element of Victoria’s economy and tourism industry.

HOW MUCH TIME TO SPEND

We were surprised to learn that many people traveling along the Great Ocean Road only plan it as a day trip from Melbourne. The one-way coastal route from Melbourne to Allansford alone is 350 kilometers and would take five hours to drive without stopping. Personally, I don’t think that would allow for much time to enjoy the numerous sites along the route.

We spent three full days driving the Great Ocean Road. This gave us the opportunity to visit various towns for souvenir shopping and dining, spend time on the beach, enjoy the viewpoints and walking paths, and drive at a leisurely pace.

3-4 days felt like the perfect amount of time to spend on the Great Ocean Road. If you’re getting tired of waterfalls and have seen enough scenic viewpoints, consider hiking a section of the Great Ocean Walk, try surfing in Torquay, or just relax at one of the marvelous beaches along the coast.

WHERE TO STAY

There are several small towns scattered throughout the Great Ocean Road, offering plenty of accommodation options. From primitive campgrounds to more upscale resorts, travelers of all budgets will find something to suit their lodging needs.

The largest town on the eastern side of the Great Ocean Road is Torquay. The Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park is a popular overnight stop for those camping or caravanning while the RACV Torquay Resort is a more luxurious alternative and boasts a golf course and spa.

Lorne, located 50 kilometers away, is home to the Cumberland Lorne Resort which offers spacious apartments. Alternatively, the Mantra Lorne is a popular beachfront resort with numerous amenities to keep its visitors comfortable.

Apollo Bay lies 40 kilometers further west and is one of the most popular towns along the Great Ocean Road. Consider staying at a boutique B&B such as Captains at the Bay or rather Sandpiper Motel, a comfortable and budget-friendly accommodation close to the beach.

Port Campbell is the closest town to the legendary 12 Apostles. Some popular lodging options here include the Southern Ocean Villas or the Port Campbell Motor Inn. Port Campbell is a small town, features several restaurants and cafes, and is a great base for accessing the attractions along the Great Ocean Road.

The Great Ocean Road comes to an end at Warrnambool. It’s a relatively large city with many restaurants and lodging options. We particularly enjoyed the natural hot springs and spa facilities at Deep Blue Hotel & Hot Springs. This was a memorable and relaxing way to conclude our trip along this amazing scenic highway. 

Many people choose to camp or drive campervans while touring the Great Ocean Road. Campground and caravan parks are found all throughout the route. We stayed at Skenes Creek Foreshore Caravan Park, Port Campbell Holiday Park, and BIG4 Warrnambool Figtree Holiday Park and had great experiences at them all.

GETTING AROUND

The best way of getting around the Great Ocean Road is by self-driving. This provides far more freedom and flexibility than an organized tour, which needs to stick to a fixed itinerary and accommodate the needs of several people. 

Generally, the roads along Victoria’s southern coast are in great condition and navigation is straightforward. However, if you venture further inland into Great Otway National Park, the road conditions may deteriorate, become gravel, and occasionally narrow to just one lane.

As with everywhere in Australia, be sure to monitor your speed closely. I received a speeding ticket for going just 7 km/h over the limit. Speed traps and cameras are scattered throughout the Great Ocean Road, and the fines for speeding can be very steep.

We planned to stay in a different town each night so a campervan seemed like the best means of transportation for our itinerary. We ended up renting a model called the Nomad Pop Top through Indie Campers in the suburbs of Melbourne and really enjoyed the experience. 

Campervan parks are found throughout the Great Ocean Road. We made advanced reservations at parks located in Skenes Creek, Port Campbell, and Warrnambool. The check-in process was seamless and the facilities were clean and convenient. It was a unique experience for the kids, added an adventurous element to the drive, and saved us the time of checking into hotels and constantly packing and unpacking our luggage.

The downside of driving a campervan is that its size can make driving along narrow coastal and forested roads a bit more stressful. However, this never prevented us from reaching our destinations; it just made the journey a bit more challenging.

OUR THREE DAY GREAT OCEAN ROAD ITINERARY

We flew into Melbourne from Uluru to start our time on the Great Ocean Road. We budgeted an extra day to recover from hiking in the outback and to see some of Melbourne’s main attractions.

Only having a day in Melbourne, we limited ourselves to the city’s bustling central business district. We admired the stunning street art in the city’s famed alleyways including spots like AC/DC Lane, Degraves Street, and Hosier Lane. Oliver and Maddie enjoyed posing with the murals and finding some of their favorite caricatures. 

We stopped for lunch at DoDee Paidang on Swanson Street, one of the seemingly hundreds of Asian restaurants in central Melbourne. The magnificent State Library Melbourne was right across the stress. Oliver and Maddie played a giant game of chess at its entranceway before we explored the enormous building.

There’s so much more to see and do in Melbourne, but unfortunately we were limited by time and the Great Ocean Road was calling our name. We settled in for the night at the wonderful Collins House Apartments, eagerly awaiting our epic drive over the next few days.

Day 1

After grabbing some breakfast, we hopped in an Uber which brought us to Indie Campers in the northern Melbourne suburbs. Here we met our home and transportation for the next three days, a cozy campervan with two beds (one being a pop up tent on the van roof), a bathroom, kitchen and small dining space. We didn’t want to lose too much time so we tossed our belongings in the van and hit the road toward Tourqay.

Torquay, Bells Beach, and Point Addis Beach

Only 100 kilometers from Melbourne brought us to the first stop of our Great Ocean Road itinerary, the lively surf town of Torquay. The seaside town has spectacular beaches, delicious seafood restaurants, and is a great location to learn how to surf. In fact, Torquay is heralded as the birthplace of Australian surfing and is home to some well-known surf brands such as Billabong and Rip Curl.

Another 10 kilometers down the coast was Bells Beach, Australia’s renowned surfing destination and venue of the annual Rip Curl Pro surfing competition. We strolled along the picturesque walkway, which provided breathtaking views of the coast and shimmering beach below us.

Our final stop in this area was Point Addis Marine National Park, where we took a break on the beach for a snack and swim. A short dirt path led from the parking lot down to the thin sliver of a beach, where Oliver and Maddie played around at the water’s edge.

Memorial Arch, Erskine Falls, and Teddy’s Lookout

Daylight was starting to get away from us so we jumped back in the campervan and drove further south toward Lorne. We of course had to stop and take the obligatory photo at the Memorial Arch at Eastern View, a landmark paying tribute to the servicemen who built the road after returning from World War I. 

Just 13 kilometers further south was the charming seaside town of Lorne, one of the most popular destinations along the Great Ocean Road. The town is home to charming boutiques, delightful cafes and restaurants, and a stunning beachfront complete with a scenic hiking trail. 

From Lorne, we drove north through Great Otway National Park and after 10 kilometers reached Erskine Falls. The thin 30 foot waterfall could be seen cascading into a fern-lined gully from both an upper and lower viewpoint. We spent about 30 minutes admiring the waterfall and its lush rainforest surroundings.

Before departing from Lorne, we made sure to visit Teddy’s Lookout, famous for offering one of the most impressive views of the Great Ocean Road. While we found the view to be fairly lackluster, the highlight of our visit there was seeing a large kangaroo with a joey in her pouch near the viewpoint.

Accommodations: Skenes Creek Foreshore Caravan Park.

Day 2

Apollo Bay and Maits Rest Rainforest Walk

The second day of our Great Ocean Road itinerary would be spent primarily in Great Otway National Park. After packing up the campervan, we drove west and stopped at another quaint town, Apollo Bay. We grabbed some coffee and a light breakfast at Waves Cafe before heading further west into the national park.

The road took us inland to the Maits Rest Rainforest Walk. This 800-meter long loop trail took us along an elevated boardwalk while winding its way through the cool temperate rainforest. It was a very immersive experience, being surrounded by ancient trees, gigantic ferns, and a diverse range of flora and fauna.

Several informational signs were scattered along the trail, and Shirlee snapped countless photos of the kids dwarfed by the towering mountain ash trees and moss-covered logs. It was a fantastic introduction to one of the most unique ecosystems found in southern Victoria.

Redwoods Otway, Hopetoun Falls, and Triplet Falls

The next few items on our itinerary took us even deeper into Great Otway National Park. We backtracked a few kilometers before driving north along Binns Road, a winding, gravel road only wide enough in most spots for one vehicle. The campervan handled the road better than expected.

We arrived at The Redwoods Otway, a stunning forest of California redwoods that were planted in the 1930s. We chased each other around the floor of the forest under these magnificent trees for an hour. Shirlee took some remarkable photos in the natural shadows of this tranquil forest.

Less than a kilometer further down Binns Road was our next stop, Hopetoun Falls. The powerful waterfall thundered its way 50 meters across the Aire River. Similar to Erskine Falls, there are two viewing platforms, the lower one being far more impressive. 

Before leaving Great Otway National Park and returning to the coast, we hiked the one-hour long Triplet Falls Rainforest Walk. The trail meandered its way through a dense forest until reaching the multi-tiered Triplet Falls. The hike was a nice conclusion to our time in Great Otway National Park.

Johanna Beach and Twelve Apostles

After leaving the rainforest we made a beeline for the coast before sunset. The dramatic coastline of Johanna Beach was great for beachcombing and we had the area completely to ourselves. The beach is a popular spot for surfers, but swimming isn’t recommended due to the often rough and unsafe conditions. 

On our way to the campervan park in Port Douglas, we stopped for an epic sunset at the most notable attraction along the Great Ocean Road, the 12 Apostles. We were joined by countless other visitors and photographers, hoping to capture the perfect picture of the iconic rocks under the setting sun.

Accommodations: Port Campbell Holiday Park.

Day 3

Twelve Apostles and Gibson Steps

We had breakfast at Cafe on Lords in Port Campbell and then began our last day on the Great Ocean Road. Although the sunset experience the prior night gave us a small taste of the 12 Apostles, we decided to return for a more in depth look.

There’s a visitor center across the highway with a parking lot for personal vehicles and the tour buses coming from Melbourne. Scenic helicopter flights depart from this area as well, providing a different vantage point for viewing the pillars.

Although you can’t access the beach near the base of the 12 Apostles, there is a large platform on the cliffside that provides a wonderful view. It’s worth seeing the rock columns at different times throughout the day, as their color changes between red, orange, and yellow based on the angle of the sun. 

Backtracking less than a kilometer east brought us to the Gibson Steps, where we could descend down to the beach and walk along the shore under the shadows of two more limestone rock columns. This was a beautiful beach, nestled underneath the seaside cliffs and offering amazing views of the coastline.

Interesting Fact: Despite their name, only 8 of the original 9 limestone rock formations still stand today. In 2005, one of the pillars collapsed into the ocean.

Loch Ard Gorge and Razorback Ridge

We spent the next several hours driving north along the Great Ocean Road, stopping at numerous viewpoints and short cliffside trails to look at the abundance of unique rock formations. The first such stop was at Loch Ard Gorge. 

Interesting Fact: The gorge gets its name from the Loch Ard, a ship that wrecked in the area in 1878, leaving only two passengers alive. They were dramatically rescued and their survival story added to the historical significance of the Great Ocean Road.

We strolled along the walking trails that were bursting with vibrant wildflowers while reading the informative displays about the shipwreck and survivors. A staircase led to the bottom of the gorge where we found a small cove and secluded beach.

As we proceeded further down the walkway, we came upon a long, thin rock formation resembling the edge of a razor. The appropriately named Razorback Ridge has been sculpted by the ocean waves over millions of years and was an impressive sight.

Arch, London Bridge, and the Grotto

We continued up the coastal highway, passing back through Port Campbell to the next viewpoints. Here we found a small archway connecting the limestone cliffs to the ocean floor.

The most iconic landmark at this location was London Bridge. The name can be misleading, as this isolated rock arch was once part of a natural double-arch bridge connected to the mainland. In 1990, the arch closest to the mainland collapsed, leaving just the single arch you see today.

Interesting Fact: Visitors used to be able to walk across London Bridge. When the natural bridge collapsed, two people became stranded on the lone remaining arch. They had to be airlifted off the rock pillar by helicopter, but fortunately survived. 

The final attraction at this stop was The Grotto. Accessible by stairs that lead to a tranquil rock pool, The Grotto is a unique combination of sinkhole, archway and cave. Viewing platforms above The Grotto are wheelchair-accessible and provide excellent vantage points to admire the site.

Bay of Martyrs, Bay of Islands, and Childers Cove

By the afternoon, Oliver and Maddie were getting a bit restless. Fortunately, our next few stops would take us to some of the most beautiful beaches in Australia. 

Situated in the Bay of Islands Coastal Park, the Bay of Martyrs is a beautiful 2-kilometer stretch of golden sand nestled along the rugged Victoria coastline. The Bay actually encompasses two smaller bays, Massacre Bay and Crofts Bay. 

Further west was the Bay of Islands, essentially a continuation of the dramatic cliffs, unique rock formations, and crystal clear waters that we saw at the Bay of Martyrs. This stretch of the coast, being more rugged and far less crowded than other areas along the Great Ocean Road, made these two bays one of the highlights of the trip. 

Childers Cove was the final stop on our 3-day Great Ocean Road itinerary. This off-the-radar attraction featured a pristine beach tucked away in a small inlet. It was the most beautiful beach we saw all week, and we had it all to ourselves for a few hours. 

Accommodations: BIG4 Tasman Holiday Parks – Warrnambool

FINAL IMPRESSIONS

This three day journey along the Great Ocean Road was one of our favorite experiences during the time we spent in Australia. It was also the perfect way to end our one month trip in this amazing country.

The breathtaking scenery was the highlight of our time on the coast. Stunning beaches, rugged cliffs, lush rainforests, and unique rock formations were just some of the incredible landscapes on the Great Ocean Road. We also really enjoyed the charming seaside towns that were sprinkled throughout the coast.

Unfortunately, we were traveling during Australia’s winter months, so the ocean was far too rough and cold for swimming. But the cool weather was perfect for hiking yet mild enough to still explore the beaches and inland rainforest.

Using a campervan for our transportation and sleeping arrangements was a convenient and adventurous way to tour the coast. We were also pleased that we opted for a three day itinerary as anything shorter would’ve felt very rushed.

If you’re also interested in embarking on one of the world’s most scenic road trips, look no further than the Great Ocean Road on the southern shores of Australia.