Highlights of The Great Ocean Road

Some drives are a way of getting from point A to point B. This isn’t one of them.

More than merely a way of reaching your destination, the world-famous Great Ocean Road is a bucket-list item in its own right.

Stretching an incredible 243 kilometres, the Great Ocean Road winds along the south-eastern shore of Australia, hugging the surf coast between Torquay and Allansford as it weaves dramatically among some of the country’s most impressive landmarks.

Whether you’ve always wanted to gaze in awe at The Twelve Apostles, or simply wish to navigate a road built by returned World War I soldiers, this is one road trip where the road itself is an attraction, and the highlights are as varied as they are wonderful.

Lorne

One of the most popular stops along the road, Lorne is a sophisticated spot to stay just two hours south-west of Melbourne.

Gorgeous pine-lined beaches with impressive waves invite water babies to play in Lorne. If surfing or angling are your thing, hit the main beach, or seek the calm seas of Louttit Bay for a quiet dip.

Stroll along Point Shipwreck Walk to Teddy’s Lookout for sweeping coastal views, or visit Erskine Falls – one of the 10 majestic waterfalls that lie within 10 minutes of the city.

Lorne not only offers immersion in nature but culture, too, so don’t miss Qdos Arts and the outdoor sculpture park.

Good to Know – The twists and turns between Lorne and Apollo Bay make for some of the most spectacular vistas of the whole drive, so passengers: make sure you’re glued to the window, not your phone.

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The 12 Apostles

Presenting one of the coasts best photo opportunities, the world-famous Twelve Apostles was originally – somewhat less poetically – named “The Sow & Piglets”. While the elements have eroded some of the original dozen, that just adds impetus to seeing those left while they last.

Take a short walk to the lookout to be rewarded with the drama of waves crashing against the seven remaining limestone stacks – a sight that’s even more spectacular at sunset, as the light bounces off the sea and illuminates the movements of Little Penguin families on the shore below.

After you’ve snapped the perfect shot, head into the lovely Port Campbell for a bite, where a number of cellar door tasting rooms showcase local wines.

Good to know – The Twelve Apostles is almost always busy, but crowds are thinner earlier in the day, so if you like solitude, make a sunrise date with the stacks.

Bells Beach, Torquay

If surfing’s your scene, don’t drive past Torquay without stopping at Bells Beach, home of Australia’s most famous pro-surfing championships.

Set against a dramatic backdrop of towering cliffs, Bells harnesses the epic swells of the Southern Ocean to deliver long waves, ideal for experienced surfers.

Even for non-surfers, Bells Beach delivers. A Marine Protected Area, it’s a spectacular place to see a wide range of fish, seals, and dolphins and explore limestone reefs and abundant rock pools.

Alternatively, the Surf Coast Walk is a more relaxing way to take enjoy the scenery. Stroll on the beaches or take a hike along the rugged sandstone cliffs for picture-perfect views of this magnificent coastline.

Good to know – To enjoy the best waves, head to the beach between March and October. The Easter weekend – when the pro-surfing championships take over the town – is the busiest, so avoid the area unless you’re a fan of the sport.

Great Otway National Park

It’s hard to imagine a more atmospheric location than Great Otway National Park, a 103,000-hectare paradise that encompasses Angahook-Lorne State Park, and houses many Victorian gems.

Here, you’ll step back into prehistoric times, surrounded not by dinosaurs, but rather some 170 bird species, including the peregrine falcon and rare crested penguin, as well as kangaroos, wallabies, possums, echidnas and bandicoots.

Mist from the many glistening waterfalls snakes through a verdant thicket of native trees, flanked by cliffs, coves, and beaches. Creeks and rivers ribbon through the gullies, while tempestuous waves lash Johanna Beach.

Take the famed Great Ocean Walk and immerse yourself in the lives that occupy the Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary rockpools.

Good to know – With so much to see and do, it can be tough to farewell Great Otway, but, thanks to camping and caravanning options in the park, you don’t have to.

Hopetoun Falls

Nestled within the above-mentioned national park is a natural wonder you won’t soon forget – Hopetoun Falls.

Descend a fern-filled valley into lush rainforest, following the sound of thundering water through gentle mist, to gaze on the imposing wall of water that plunges powerfully into the rocky pools of the heritage-listed Aire River.

Evoking a tropical paradise a million miles from Victoria, the drought-defying Hopetoun Falls is a stunning year-round attraction, that fills visitors with awe and covers them with spray.

Despite a steep trek down, visitors to the base can rest their knees, surrounded by the dense forest, which has an otherworldly quality. Keep an eye out for the shy platypus that lives in this waterway.

Good to know – Don’t forget your swimmers! The deep pool at the base of the falls offers intrepid explorers a chance to explore the depths of the ice-cold water.

Californian Redwood Forest

It’s hard to believe that the Otway Ranges could hold even more beauty than the spots we’ve already explored, but the majestic Californian Redwood Forest at its heart is real – and really spectacular.
Over 80 years old, the plantation – perched on the banks of the glass-like Aire river – is a peaceful, quiet place to picnic, and it’s both relaxing and humbling to wander amid the towering trunks of these octogenarian beauties – some up to 70 metres tall.

Here, disconnection from the hustle and bustle of life is guaranteed. In fact, birdsong may well be the only sound you hear as you navigate through the brick-red trunks and venture out onto the massive fallen redwoods that stretch across the crystal-clear river.

Good to Know: The Otway Redwoods are located deep in Great Otway National Park, a picturesque 2.5-hour journey from Melbourne CBD.

Loch Ard Gorge

Just a few minutes away from the Twelve Apostles, inside Port Campbell National Park, sits the postcard-perfect Loch Ard Gorge, an inlet of aquamarine water that reflects the two ochre mountains that rise over it.

Named after a ship that ran aground here, the structure is actually two parts of what was once an entire arch that has since collapsed into the sea. The remaining halves are now known as Tom and Eva, after the two survivors of the shipwreck.

Here, you can take a stroll along one of the walking tracks – Geology Walk – a loop that provides great views of the Razorback and Island Arch, the sheer cliffs, and abundant bushland.

Good to know: At 1750 hectares and offering everything from bird-watching to snorkelling the whole of port Campbell National Park is worth devoting some extra time to.

Threading its way along one of the most beautiful coastlines on Earth, punctuated by natural wonders, gourmet food and drink, and cultural experiences, a list of Great Ocean Road highlights has the potential to be as long as the Heritage Listed wonder itself.

The key to making the most of this trip is to plan a little and explore a lot. Some of the most wonderful moments on this journey come from making an unexpected stop or unforeseen detour, so fill up the car, crank the tunes, and start hugging this bona fide icon.

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