Billed as one of the world’s most spectacular road trips, the Great Ocean Road runs from Torquay to Allansford along the southern coast of Austraila in the state of Victoria. Despite its name and impressive coastal views, much of the drive is inland through temperate rainforest, offering wildlife spotting opportunities. Unlike many of the long stretches of Australian roads, the Great Ocean Road self drive should be savoured, drank slowly like a fine wine.
We took two days, stopping to see each of the Great Ocean Road highlights below. If you don’t have a car, don’t worry, City Discovery can take you from Melbourne.
Key Stops: Great Ocean Road Victoria Australia
Table of Contents
- 1 Key Stops: Great Ocean Road Victoria Australia
- 2 Day 1: Torquay to Apollo Bay
- 3 Day 2: From Apollo Bay to Point Fairy
- 4 Where is the Great Ocean Road in Australia?
- 5 Great Ocean Walk – One of the Great Walks of Australia
- 6 Practical Tips on the Great Ocean Road Self Drive
- 7 What’s your favourite spot along the Great Ocean Road?
Day 1: Torquay to Apollo Bay
Bells Beach (Australia’s Famous Surf Beach)
Easter weekend brings the world’s best surfers to Bells Beach for the annual Rip Curl Pro. However, on the calm day that we visited it was difficult to imagine that this is one of Australia’s most famous surf beaches. The annual surf event has been held here since 1961, converting to a professional competition in 1973.
Bells Beach was the first stop on our Great Ocean Road self drive adventure. From the carpark, we had two options: Bells or Winkipop Beach (another of the popular Great Ocean Road beaches).
Bells Beach, home to the annual Rip Curl Pro surf competition
There are about 100 steps down to Bells Beach
Views From the Boardwalk at Point Addis Marine Reserve
The short boardwalk at Point Addis leads to expansive views of the Point Addis Marine Reserve. This protected reserve covers 4,600 hectares of ocean and extends from Bells Beach to the town of Anglesea.
View of the Point Addis Marine Reserve from the boardwalk
Split Point Lighthouse
There is something romantic and quaint about a lighthouse, and the one at Split Point was no exception. It was built in 1891 in an area originally called Eagles Nest Point.
Split Point Lighthouse
View from behind Split Point Lighthouse
Memorial Arch at Eastern View
Possibly the most important, yet probably the most obscure fact about the Great Ocean Road is that it is the world’s largest war memorial. It was built between 1919 and 1932 by returned soldiers to honour their fallen comrades. The Memorial Arch at Eastern View is a tribute to the soldiers who constructed the road.
Memorial Arch at Eastern View
Lorne Australia: Erskine Falls and Teddy’s Lookout
There are two must-see stops in Lorne, Erskine Falls and Teddy’s Lookout. Lorne, an artist community, is a popular place to stop for the night.
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Erskine Falls
St. George River outlet viewed from Teddy’s Lookout in Lorne.
Sunset
We enjoyed the sunset as we drove, finally stopping to capture this shot between Lorne and Apollo Bay.
Great Ocean Road Accommodation
We opted to stay in Apollo Bay. If you are travelling in winter, you can fairly easily take the gamble that you will find accommodation wherever you find yourself at sunset. However, in peak season you will probably fail if you try this. There are several great options ranging from resorts to hostels. We highly recommend booking ahead if you are travelling the great ocean road in spring, summer, autumn, or during Australia school holidays.
⇒ Find the best prices for Great Ocean Road accommodations at Hotels Combined
OR
⇒ Check pricing and availability at Booking.com
Day 2: From Apollo Bay to Point Fairy
If my photos from the first day of our Great Ocean Road self drive adventure didn’t inspire you to hop on a flight to Australia, perhaps the next portion of our journey will. Day two took us from Apollo Bay to Point Fairy, just beyond Allansford, the end of the Great Ocean Road.
Maits Rest Rainforest in Great Otway National Park
Maits Rest in Great Otway National Park is named for the area’s first forester, Maitland Bryant, who rested his horses here between his patrols.
Wild Koala spotted from the road to Cape Otway Lightstation
TIP: Bring binoculars. It makes the search for the koalas much easier.
Koala spotted from the road to Cape Otway Lightstation
The Twelve Apostles in Australia
Twelve Apostles in Port Campbell National Park are a quite impressive collection of limestone stacks rising from the sea. They are the most famous site on the journey, however, they were not our favourite. Once called the “Sow and Piglets,” some say the name was changed to increase tourism. I guess it works. This was by far the most crowded destination we came to along the Great Ocean Road.
Twelve Apostles in Port Campbell National Park
The view to the east from Twelve Apostles lookout
Loch Ard Gorge
The Loch Ard Gorge was named after the clipper ship Loch Ard that ran aground at a nearby island in 1878.
Razorback
It was impossible to capture the true magnitude of the Razorback. According to the signage, the sharp edges and bumps along the back are caused by wind-blown spray. It was one of my favourite stops on our Great Ocean Road self drive. 
The Arch
The Arch is another site worth hiking down to see.
The Grotto
The viewing platform is a 350-metre walk from the carpark, but the real magic of the Grotto is seen from down at sea level. There is a labyrinth of stairs and walk paths to bring you there. The Grotto is a sinkhole (although completely different from the sinkhole we saw in Oman). Once at the bottom, it was my favourite of the rock formations we saw on the day.
View from the Grotto viewing platform
The Grotto from sea level.
We went beyond Allansford, the westbound end of the Great Ocean Road to the charming fishing village of Point Fairy. From there we turned inland to the Grampian Mountains. Then we completed the loop heading back to Melbourne.
Where is the Great Ocean Road in Australia?
Great Ocean Walk – One of the Great Walks of Australia
If you are into hiking and outdoor adventure, perhaps you should try the 7-day, 104 kilometres Great Ocean Walk. Walking 10 to 15 km per day and sleeping in hike-in campsites, you will travel from Apollo Bay to the Glenample Homestead (near the 12 Apostles, Victoria). The walk meanders through the Otway National Park along high cliff tops and sandy beaches.
Do it yourself, or go with a guide. For an even bigger, yet more luxurious adventure, check out this guided Great Ocean Road Walk including eco-luxe lodging and meals. You’ll walk from Apollo Bay to Cape Otway Lightstation in only four days and be rewarded with a helicopter ride over the 12 Apostles, Australia at the end of the tour.
⇒ Check the itinerary and availability of the 4-Day Twelve Apostles Walk
Practical Tips on the Great Ocean Road Self Drive
- As a straight drive, one could travel from Torquay to Allansford in about two hours, but you will miss some of the best scenery in Australia. Our advice, don’t try to do a Great Ocean Road day trip. Instead, stay at least one night. There is a full range of options in the area.
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- Stop often and be prepared to walk. We easily walked 10-15K steps each day.
- Bring insect repellent. Lots of it.
- Bring a light jacket, the weather is very changeable.
Want it all, but don’t have a car?
If you have two days, this tour from City Discovery is for you.
If you want to do the Great Ocean Road as a day trip, go with one of these tours from Viator, A Trip Advisor Company:
- Full-Day Great Ocean Road and 12 Apostles Sunset Tour from Melbourne
- Great Ocean Road Trip Tour from Melbourne
- Great Ocean Road Small-Group Ecotour from Melbourne
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What’s your favourite spot along the Great Ocean Road?
Your road trip will be really fun if this is the places and activities you will experience along the way.
What magnificent views! I’ve seen photos of the 12 Apostles, but I had no idea that the road was so beautiful and had such a fascinating origin. I hope to make it there sometime.
My favorite photo is the one of Erskine Falls — I love that slow shutter speed effect. What a memorable drive with stunning coastline views! The memorial arch history was especially fascinating to me.
If I ever return to Oz I’ll be popping back for these fab tips!! The views are spectacular
Wonderful shots of this spectacular place, Rhonda.
Thank you for taking part in the Travel Tuesday meme!
This would be a bucket list item for me. Stunning photos of stunning scenery – how about that Erskine Falls? wow. And the koala, too. Looks like it was a fantastic trip and doing it in 2 days would be preferred.
Wow what an extensive guide! This will certainly come in handy as I’d love to see just about everything! Pinned!