The Great Ocean Road is a legendary scenic drive that’s known for its breathtaking ocean views, pristine beaches, and lush rainforests. With iconic landmarks like the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge making it a must visit for anyone visiting Victoria.
Where is the Great Ocean Road located
The Great Ocean Road is 243-kilometers long running, between Torquay and Allansford in south west Victoria.
How to get to Great Ocean Road
Car: The best way to experience the Great Ocean Road is by car. Having a car will allow you to get the most out of your trip as it will give you the freedom to visit all the amazing places at your own pace. As well some of the off the beaten path areas that are more inland. If you don’t own a car you can hire one from Melbourne or Geelong.
Public Transport: If you are unable to drive it’s still possible to visit the Great Ocean Road by public transport. There is a bus that runs between Apollo Bay and Warnambool, that travels along the Great Ocean Road stopping briefly at the main sites like: the Bay of Islands, London Bridge, Loch Ard Gorge, and the Twelve Apostles giving you a short time at each stop to get out and have a look around. This service only runs 3 times a week so you will need to carefully plan your trip. To get to Apollo bay from Melbourne you can take a train to Geelong from Melbourne’s Southern Cross railway station. From Geelong, there’s a daily bus service to Apollo Bay. When you arrive at Apollo Bay you can change buses and get one heading to Warrnambool. You can buy tickets and check the timetables online from the V/Line website.
There are a few steps involved in getting to the Great Ocean Road and back by public transport but with some careful planning you can make it happen.
Group Tour: Alternatively if you are short for time you can take a group tour from Melbourne where you will be taken on a bus out to all the main attractions in one day. There are many companies that run the service. So just look online and choose the provider one you prefer.
When is the best time to visit Great Ocean Road
Summer (December–February): The peak tourist season, with warmer temperatures and longer sunny days with average temperatures between 12 °C (56 °F) – 21 (71 °F)
Spring and Autumn: Milder weather and less crowds with average temperatures between 10 °C (49 °F) – 20 (69 °F)
Winter (June–August): Cold temperatures, but fewer crowds with average temperatures between 9 °C (48 °F) – 14 (57 °F)
Our verdict: the great Ocean road is best enjoyed in the summer or late spring and early autumn where you have the best weather to enjoy this costal destination. In winter it cold, wet, windy and miserable.
Where to stay
There are loads of beautiful seaside towns and campgrounds along the Great Ocean Road and any of them are a good choice to stay. Here are Some suggestions for places to stay, especially if you are not familiar with the area and want to be close to larger towns.
Port Campbell: A beautiful little seaside town on the doorstep of the Twelve apostles and all the major attractions on the shipwreck coast like Loch Ard Gorge, London bridge and the Bay of islands.
Lorne or Apollo Bay: A couple of solid choices as they have nice sandy beaches to enjoy and here you will be on the doorstep of the great Otway national park with hiking trails and stunning waterfalls.
All these places have loads of accommodation options from caravan parks, hotels and holiday homes. So there are options for all budgets and preferences. You can see what is available with the booking.com affiliate widget below.
3 Day Itinerary
To get the most out of the great ocean road we would recommend spending 3-4 days exploring the area. We have come up with a rough 3 day Itinerary to help kickstart your planning.
Day 1: Torquay to Lorne
- Morning:
- Arrive in Torquay the beginning of the Great Ocean Road
- Visit one of Vicotrias famous surf beaches: Bells Beach or Jan Juc
- Indulge at the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery
- Beach stroll at Guvvos Beach or Urquhart Bluff
- Visit Split Point Lighthouse
- Pass by the Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch
- Afternoon:
- Check into your Lorne accommodation
- Relax on a local beach or hike in Great Otway National Park
Day 2: Lorne to Port Campbell
- Morning:
- Drive to the Shipwreck Coast
- Hike through Maits Rest
- Visit Cape Otway Lightstation
- Afternoon:
- Explore the Shipwreck Coast:
- Gibsons Steps
- Twelve Apostles
- Loch Ard Gorge
- Check into your Port Campbell accommodation
- Relax on Port Campbell Beach or hike to the scenic viewpoint
- Explore the Shipwreck Coast:
Day 3: Port Campbell to Melbourne
- Morning:
- Continue exploring the Shipwreck Coast:
- Bay of Islands
- Bay of Martyrs
- The Grotto
- London Bridge
- Continue exploring the Shipwreck Coast:
- Afternoon:
- Return to Melbourne, stopping at any missed spots along the way.
This itinerary will help you get the best Great Ocean Road experience, from its stunning coastal landscapes to its rich history and diverse wildlife.
Things to do in the Great Ocean Road
Twelve Apostles
The Twelve Apostles is the most popular and iconic stops on the great ocean road. The twelve apostles are a group of dramatic limestone stacks standing off the coast near port campbell and Despite the name, there have never actually been 12 apostles. Currently, only 8 remain standing.
Loch Ard Gorge
Loch Ard Gorge is famous for its dramatic scenery, including a stunning secluded beach framed by towering cliffs. The gorge is named after the tragic shipwreck of the Loch Ard in 1878. You can go down the steps and explore the beach and go for a swim. For a different perspective, there’s a couple of cliff top trails leading to different viewpoints in the area.
Split Point Lighthouse
The Split Point Lighthouse was Built in 1891, and is a vital landmark helping ships navigate the treacherous Bass Strait. Standing tall on the cliffs at aires inlet. You can climb the lighthouse for a breathtaking 360-degree views. Or walk out to the viewing platforms for dramatic views of the coastline.
Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands is a stretch of coastline just past Peterborough that’s known for its dramatic ocean views, sculpted by the Southern Ocean over millennia. The bay of islands features a collection of rock stacks, arches, secluded beaches and islands dotting the coastline. There are also clifftop walking tracks that give scenic views from the lookouts.
Great Otway National Park
The Great Otway National Park is a stunning natural area that stretches along the Great Ocean Road. The park is a paradise for nature lovers and for those looking to get away from the crowds where you can hike through lush temperate rainforests, explore hidden waterfalls or visit the historic Cape Otway Lightstation. The park is extremely beautiful and definitely add a couple of stops to your itinerary.
Tips for your visit
- Spend 3-4 days exploring the great ocean road. You can drive the entire road in one day, but to get the most out of it you need to spend a few days exploring everything this amazing place has to offer.
- Book in advance especially in summer and holiday weekends
- Twelve Apostles arrive early to avoid the crowds
- In Australia you need to drive on the left hand side of the road. But don’t worry there are loads of signs along the great ocean road to remind you.
- Add a couple of stops in the Great Otway National Park into your itinerary.
- Packing: Comfortable walking shoes, swimwear, sunscreen, hat, and a light jacket.
Where/What To Eat & Drink
There are loads of delicious food options along the great ocean road and here we have some options worth trying while visiting the Great Ocean Road:
Fish an Chips: Being right next to the ocean having seafood is a must!. You can try the classic Australian fish and chips! all the towns along the Great Ocean Road will have fish and chip shops. We tried the Lorne fish and chip shop and it was delish!
The great ocean road chocolatarie and ice creamery: For all the sweet tooths out there the great ocean road chocolatarie and ice creamery is a must visit. Here they have a wide variety of chocolate and ice cream that is all made on site. You can even see the chocolate making process as the kitchen is visible through a glass wall.
Sow and Piglet brewery: If you are looking for some adult beverages after a long day exploring the Sow and piglet brewery in Port Campbell is a solid choice. They have a wide variety of locally brewed beers on offer and also a surf board shaped tasing board! for those who want to try them all.
12 Rocks Beach Bar: Awesome restaurant with views of the port Campbell beach. The Chicken Parma was awesome!
Next Stop:
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