It’s time to hit the Great Ocean Road, Australia’s ultimate road trip

If you’re looking for a great weekend away, it’s time to discover the striking scenery and diverse landscapes of the famous Great Ocean Road.

The Great Ocean Road is one of the best road trip destinations in Australia, and not without good reason! Spanning just over 240km from Torquay, just down the road from Armstrong Creek to Allansford along Victoria’s southwest coast, with plenty of stunning beaches, charming towns and an abundance of activities along the way, the drive is an unforgettable experience.

So grab the kids, pack the car and get ready to add this iconic route to your travel bucket list.

Flexible Travelling

One of the benefits of travelling along the Great Ocean Road is the flexibility it offers. Whether you just want to get out of town for a weekend or you’re looking for a more action-packed adventure, the region can cater to all types of travellers.

If you prefer a more relaxed pace, the Great Ocean Road offers plenty of opportunities to take in the stunning scenery and explore the local towns and villages, with plenty of opportunities to connect with nature and recharge. Take a stroll along one of the many secluded beaches, or hike through lush rainforest, taking in fresh air and peaceful surroundings. Take your time and stop at your leisure to admire the view or enjoy a picnic along the way.

On the other hand, if you’re chasing more excitement and adventure, there’s a range of activities like surfing, kayaking and hiking, providing a unique and exhilarating way to experience the natural surroundings.

Here are some of our favourite stops along the way.

Bells Beach, Torquay

The official start of the Great Ocean Road, Torquay is considered the home of Australian surfing making it a must-see stop and the no visit to the seaside town is complete without a visit to the famous Bells Beach. You can find surfers out catching some breaks year-round. There are some great lookouts along the cliffs and even the main car park offers a vantage point from where you can watch local surfers for hours. 

If you visit on the Easter long weekend, you can catch the world-famous Rip Curl Pro surf competition which draws pro surfers from all over the world. 

Point Addis Marine National Park

Point Addis National Park is known for its spectacular sandstone cliffs and sandy beaches with epic surfing spots. It’s located between Torquay and Anglesea on the Great Ocean Road. To get the best view of the surf coast, the Point Addis Boardwalk offers an incredible panorama in both directions and is best enjoyed at sunset. 

Aireys Inlet

Aireys Inlet is a popular seaside getaway between Anglesea and Lorne. It’s a great spot for budding surfers with plenty of great beaches nearby including the well-known Fairhaven Beach. It’s also home to the iconic Split Point Lighthouse. The lighthouse offers an incredible view across the coast and is a great spot to catch the sunset if you’re staying nearby.

Lorne

Lorne is one of the most popular spots on the Great Ocean Road. The trendy coastal town has plenty of boutique shops and fancy cafes along the main street. The beach in front of town is often packed with visitors on weekends and accommodation can be expensive and hard to come by in summer. But a stop here for lunch is still an essential thing to do on the Great Ocean Road and there are plenty of things to do nearby.

Erskine Falls

By far the most visited waterfall in the Otway National Park, Erskine Falls is a 30-metre cascade which is widely considered one of the most picture-perfect waterfalls in Australia. The car park is just 9km from Lorne and a short walk will take you to the first lookout spot across the falls. If you continue down the steps, you can reach the bottom viewpoint which is the best vantage point for a photo. 

Kennett River

The Great Ocean Road is home to plenty of native wildlife, but one of the real highlights is the chance of encountering a koala in the wild. The region has one of the largest koala populations left in Australia and Kennett River is considered one of the best places to spot one.

Apollo Bay

Apollo Bay is a laidback coastal town on the Great Ocean Road. Head up to Marriner’s Lookout, a short drive from town and a five-minute walk up from the car park. From there you can enjoy views right across Apollo Bay. It’s most popular at sunset time. The town is also the starting point of the Great Ocean Walk, a 104km long-distance walk that takes you all the way to the Twelve Apostles.

Cape Otway

The Cape Otway Light Station is considered the oldest working lighthouse in Victoria. It has guided ships along the Southern Ocean coastline since 1848 and is open to visitors. You can explore the lighthouse precinct from 10am until 5pm with an entry ticket. There’s also a café on-site and souvenir shop.

Johanna Beach

An underrated spot on the Great Ocean Road is Johanna Beach. This surf beach is popular with experienced surfers who come for its powerful swells. It’s also on the Great Ocean Walk trail and is the best campsite of the whole 104km walk. 

Port Campbell National Park

Port Campbell National Park is the world-famous section of the Great Ocean Road which includes the wind and wave-sculpted rock formations of the Twelve Apostles, the Lochard Gorge, London  Bridge and the Arch. The national park stretches from Princetown to Peterborough for 33km of the Great Ocean Road and has numerous stops and lookouts along the way. The small coastal town of Port Campbell is the central base for exploring this part of the road and is also a great place to stay in for the night.

Getting there.

The Great Ocean Road is best explored by car. The freedom of self-driving means that you can stop whenever you like and visit whichever sights and attractions you want to see. At just over 240km in each direction, you can easily tackle a road trip down the Great Ocean Road and back to Asbury over a two-day weekend.

Where to stay.

The Great Ocean Road is also a great place to go camping along the way. There is everything from free camps in the bush to paid public campgrounds and caravan parks for those looking for more comfortable amenities. But if camping isn’t your thing, there are plenty of places to stay in the pretty coastal towns. You can find everything from hostels and B&Bs through to waterfront guesthouses and luxury hotels, with something to suit every budget.