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In this great ocean road guide, Vanz presents the must-see attractions and unmissable activities in the region to ensure you have the best possible experience along this iconic route.
The Great Ocean Road, stretching over 240 kilometers from Torquay to Warrnambool, has become an essential route for backpackers and road trip enthusiasts. It offers the opportunity to discover numerous spots and admire postcard-worthy landscapes that only Australia can offer. The road is divided into three sections: Surf Coast, Green Coast, and Shipwreck Coast. The names are self-explanatory: the first section is dotted with incredible surf beaches, the second is home to tropical forests and lush vegetation, and the last is known for being the site of many shipwrecks.
If you don’t have a car, it’s not a problem, as many companies offer day tours to explore the most beautiful spots along this route. They will pick you up in the morning from downtown Melbourne and drop you off again in the evening.
This route also has its equivalent for pedestrians: the Great Ocean Walk, which is 110 kilometers long. It doesn’t cover the entire road but starts at Apollo Bay and ends at the Twelve Apostles. It takes about a week to complete this hike.
Torquay is considered one of the ends of the Great Ocean Road, making it a perfect starting point or endpoint for your journey! It’s the largest town along the route and is famous for being the birthplace of two well-known surf brands: Rip Curl and Quiksilver, both founded in 1969.
We recommend visiting Bells Beach, a famous surf beach and a stop on the World Surf League Championship Tour. This spot is best suited for experienced surfers looking to ride the waves that are known worldwide! You can also enjoy stunning viewpoints along the cliffs that overlook the beach, a renowned surf hub in Australia.
Just ten minutes from Torquay, Anglesea is the next town along the Great Ocean Road. We recommend taking a walk along the Anglesea Riverbanks or venturing into Anglesea Heath, a nature reserve that is home to a quarter of Victoria’s plant species. You can also visit the Anglesea Golf Club and play golf surrounded by kangaroos that inhabit the club. For those with a more artistic soul, take the Anglesea Art Walk, a 2.5-kilometer trail that lets you admire six mosaic artworks along the way.
During your journey along the Great Ocean Road, you can stop to see Memorial Arch, which you will pass under anyway while driving. This arch was built in honor of the 3,000 soldiers who returned home and worked on the road’s construction during World War I. The road construction began in 1919 and was completed in 1932, spanning 243 kilometers! The original arch was erected in 1939, but it has been replaced twice due to a road accident and bushfires.
The government even considered removing the arch, as it could be dangerous for drivers, but fearing disrespect towards the fallen soldiers, it remains standing today. You can still view it from a small parking area on the side of the road. From this parking area, you also have access to the beach, perfect for a break! You can also see the famous sculpture of two soldiers building the road, installed for the 75th anniversary of the arch.
Lorne is one of the most expensive towns to rent in, but it is also known as a stopover for motorcyclists before they hit the pavement on the Great Ocean Road. We recommend making a stop there, especially during certain times of the year. Every summer, Lorne hosts the Pier to Pub Race, an open water swimming event organized by the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club to raise funds. As one of the largest ocean swimming races, it attracts thousands of participants each year. The race is 1.2 kilometers long, starting at Lorne Pier and finishing at the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club. The event welcomes swimmers of all levels and features various categories.
Apollo Bay is a charming town where life is pleasant, and tourist buses love to stop for a meal! In addition to its wide variety of restaurants, particularly the famous “pies” from Apollo Bay Bakery, the town has many other attractions. You can enjoy beaches like Apollo Bay Beach for swimming, relaxing, or even surfing! Or visit Marengo Beach, just 3 kilometers from Apollo Bay. The Marengo Reefs Marine Sanctuary is a place where you can observe fur seal colonies by taking a boat or kayak tour!
Kennet River Koala Walk is named as such because, as its name suggests, it is home to a large population of koalas. This spot is actually a special place where the chances of spotting koalas are higher than at other locations. So, don’t hesitate to take a stroll through this small eucalyptus forest and stay alert to find as many koalas as possible—they can be quite well hidden! There is also a place to eat on-site where you can stop and purchase souvenirs from your visit.
On your way along the Great Ocean Road, we recommend stopping at Maits Rest Rainforest Walk. This well-maintained trail allows you to wander through trees with unique stories and enjoy the beauty of lush greenery. You’ll feel like you’re in the heart of the rainforest while enjoying the comfort of a well-marked path.
As the most photographed location in Southern Australia, it has probably become even more famous since its name changed from The Sow and Pigs to The Twelve Apostles in the 1960s. Towering cliffs, steep rocks surrounded by waters, and an incredible view of the Ocean; in short, the perfect recipe to spend a great time admiring one of nature’s most beautiful creations. A little practical tip: it’s recommended to arrive early to avoid the large crowds of visitors who rush to witness this stunning sight.
For those who love places with more or less dramatic histories, we recommend visiting Loch Ard Gorge in Port Campbell National Park. This gorge gets its name from a shipwreck that claimed 52 lives in 1878 when the clipper named Loch Ard ran aground on Muttonbird Island. Two passengers, 18-year-olds Tom Pearce and Eva Carmichael, survived after managing to drift to this gorge.
This historic site is accessible via a long staircase leading down to the beach. There is also a small cemetery and a museum. The location is also remarkable for film enthusiasts, as it was used as a backdrop for an Australian musical made in 1982 by Ken Annakin, The Pirate Movie. It is also internationally known for being the setting for some scenes in Journey to the Center of the Earth. Numerous small hiking trails start from this gorge, leading to other must-see spots on the site, such as the Loch Ard wreck, Thunder Cave, and the Mutton Bird Island Lookout.
You are probably familiar with the English nursery rhyme “London Bridge is falling down.” Well, at the following site, the song has never been so true! Before it collapsed, London Bridge got its name because its natural shape, caused by erosion, eerily resembled a bridge. You can still see the London Arch, but this time from a distant viewing platform!
Warrnambool, a coastal town of 30,000 inhabitants, gets its name from the volcano (Mount Warrnambool) located 25 kilometers away, as well as from the Indigenous people who once lived on this land. The name is believed to mean “two swamps” in an Aboriginal dialect, referring to the town’s location between the Merri and Hopkins Rivers. In this town, you’ll find the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, a large outdoor museum where you can learn how people, especially the first European settlers, lived in the 19th century along this coastline. The site is filled with various activities and is also suitable for travelers with children.
After experiencing life in the 19th century without the disadvantages of the time, or watching whales during the winter season, you can climb to the top of Flagstaff Hill and then head up the lighthouse for a breathtaking view of the surrounding area.
Just a 15-minute drive further, you can stroll through the Tower Hill Nature Reserve, surrounded by emus, possums, and other Australian creatures. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to be guided by the Worn Gundidj Aboriginal cooperative in what has been Victoria’s first national park since 1892. It’s a chance to learn more about the area through the local community, which has been established here for decades and has witnessed the transformation of the place over time.
Cycling or walking is probably the best way to explore the town of Port Fairy. This former fishing village, with its charming scenery, offers not only beautiful landscapes but also many activities. You can learn more about the town’s history through organized tours or visit the Port Fairy Museum. To soak up the local atmosphere, take a stroll through the town’s Saturday morning markets.
Just a 40-minute drive from Port Fairy, stop by the Budj Bim National Park, formerly known as Mount Eccles. In this ancient volcanic landscape, you can observe Crater Lake or walk through an eucalyptus forest. Then, just a 10-minute walk from the lookout and barbecue area, the Lava Cave is one of the park’s most popular attractions. Grab a flashlight to explore Budj Bim’s Lava Cave.
We hope this great ocean road guide has inspired you to explore this famous Victoria route! All you have to do now is hit the road! The Great Ocean Road and its must-see spots are sure to leave you in awe!
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