19 Must-See Attractions on the Great Ocean Road in Australia

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The Great Ocean Road is famous around the world as one of the best scenic drives on the planet, and it’s certainly one of the best road trips in Australia.

The landscape is so scenic, that no one ever drives from one end to the other without stopping. It would be sinful to do so. Some of the attractions along the way are so iconic, it would be like driving past the Grand Canyon and not stopping for a photo.

Beginning one hour outside of Melbourne in Torquay, The Great Ocean Road stretches over 250 kilometers to Allansford, a small town near Warrnambool. It attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year.

family posing for camera with view of Twelve Apostles behind them
Enjoying the highlights of the Great Ocean Road in Australia

You’re going to need a solid two or three days to complete a Great Ocean Road trip, there’s that much to see. But what attractions are there? And what are the top things to do on the Great Ocean Road?

In this guide, we’ll be covering all the highlights along the Great Ocean Road and listing some of the unmissable attractions to check out, so you can complete this scenic drive without missing a thing.

Table Of Contents
  1. Is the Great Ocean Road Worth Visiting?
  2. How many days should I spend on the Great Ocean Road?
  3. Things to Do on The Great Ocean Road
  4. Tips for Visiting the Great Ocean Road Drive Australia
  5. The Great Ocean Road & Kangaroo Island Tour
  6. Before You Go
  7. More Resources for the Great Ocean Road Drive
  8. More Australian Inspiration

Is the Great Ocean Road Worth Visiting?

two girls sitting on loch ord beach
Loch Ard Beach

Is this even a question? It’s undeniably worth seeing the Great Ocean Road. Even if you are just planning on visiting Melbourne and only have a day to spend, it’s worth seeing at least some of it.

The road is most famous for its rock formations, which don the scenic coastal landscape. You will see stacks of limestone rock sitting comfortably off the shore – these are some of the most famous rock formations in the world.

Aside from that, you’ll pass by rural and quaint small towns and some truly unspoiled beaches. It’s always worth getting out of the city for some fresh air, and it doesn’t get fresher than this.

If anything else, it’s the most scenic way to travel between Melbourne and Adelaide.

How many days should I spend on the Great Ocean Road?

The Great Ocean Road Drive was high on our list of things to do in Victoria during our one-year road trip around Australia. We were prepared to take hundreds of photos and our expectations were HIGH.

Whilst the tour buses routinely drive this in one day, crazily, we had time on our side and took two weeks to appreciate the region for what it’s worth.

However, most people take two or three days to complete the Great Ocean Road, but we were fortunate to have more time.

Things to Do on The Great Ocean Road

Now you know why you should visit and how long to plan for, it’s time to take a look at the top things to do on the Great Ocean Road. It really is a stunning coastal drive and we highly recommend you place it on your Australian travel bucket list.

1. The Twelve Apostles

views of the The Twelve Apostles next to the cliffs

Just a couple of rocks jutting out of the ocean. Really, what’s all the fuss? These were our initial thoughts when planning to visit the 12 Apostles on the Great Ocean Road.

But the 12 Apostles are the star of the show. We got lucky with the weather the morning we arrived and after all the hype and expectations I’m happy to say we were left awe-struck!

These massive limestone structures tower 45 metres above the ocean and were formed some 20 million years ago as the sea gradually eroded the soft craggy limestone cliffs.

There are only eight of the twelve apostles remaining (the rest have fallen) and forming the backdrop are these magnificent cliffs up to 70 metres high.

Top Tips for Visiting The 12 Apostles

  • Arrive at the 12 apostles for sunrise – you’ll beat the tour buses and have the place almost to yourself.
  • Enjoy a sunset with a picnic or we grabbed a takeaway pizza from Port Campbell.
  • Walk the boardwalks around the cliff tops which provide various viewing platforms.
  • Don’t rush. You may only witness this once in your life.
  • Bring a tripod, use your camera’s self-timer and snap a family selfie.

2. Gibson Steps

man with two children walking on the beach with giant rock behind them

Just down the road from the Twelve Apostles Visitors Centre are the Gibson Steps. Walk down these steps to the beach for a close-up view.

Here you can experience a new perspective on the power of the waves and the height of the rocks. You can even touch the rocks and feel how easily they crumble away.

Take time to watch the water crashing around the base of the limestone stacks to understand the true power of the ocean and how it’s constantly shaping our earth.

Tip for the Gibson Steps:  Keep the tide in mind. It was coming in quite fast on us, so don’t walk too far around the corner as you may have a wet walk back.

3. Loch Ard Gorge

aerial view of Loch Ard Gorge beach

Loch Ard Gorge is amazing and only a few minutes’ drive west of The Twelve Apostles. It was one of the most stunning beaches on the Great Ocean Road

Loch Ard Gorge is named after the ship Loch Ard, which ran aground on nearby Muttonbird Island at the end of a three-month journey from England to Melbourne.

Take the stairs down to the beach and sit in wonder. And there are three easy walks you can take to discover the area and get viewpoints.

4. London Arch (London Bridge)

rock shaped like London Bridge in water

London Arch was formed by a gradual process of erosion, and originally was a complete double-span and was attached to the mainland.

The arch closer to the shoreline collapsed unexpectedly in 1990 leaving two tourists stranded on the outer part until they were rescued by a helicopter. Ha. What a story to tell. We don’t recommend putting that in your Great Ocean Road itinerary.

Prior to the collapse, the arch was known as London Bridge because of its similarity to its namesake.

There are three separate viewing areas and the main path branches off to these at different intervals.

5. The Grotto

hole in the rock The Grotto

The Grotto is basically a sinkhole. Take the steps down the cliff face to the bottom and look through and you’ll get visibility of the ocean beyond a pool at low tide.

It’s a pretty cool stop on your Great Ocean Road drive and has a cave-like quality to it.

6. The Arch

The Arch rock

This naturally sculptured arch stands 8 metres high and is located 6km west of Port Campbell. You’ll appreciate the swells and power of the ocean crashing in against the arch, it makes the drama of the place even better.

7. Walks in Port Campbell National Park

people hiking trail in Port Campbell National PArk

Port Campbell National Park is not just about standing at the 12 Apostles and taking your “I was here pic“. We arrived thinking we’d spend a couple of hours looking at the rocks, but we ended up staying all day.

The park has so much to offer with cliff-top tracks, gorges, short walks on the beach, and stories of shipwrecks to discover. It’s truly a fascinating and beautiful park.

Don’t be like the Great Ocean Road tour-bus masses. Take your time and appreciate all the sites within the Port Campbell National Park: 12 Apostles, Gibson Steps, Loch Ard Gorge, London Arch, The Grotto, and The Arch.

8. Bay of Islands

Bay of Islands rocks off the coast

The 12 Apostles are not the only magical rocks rising out from the ocean. Head a little further south to Peterborough and you’ll discover the mystical Bay of Islands and Bay of Martyrs.

Almost as beautiful, yet rarely talked about in a Great Ocean Road itinerary.

We didn’t get the nice weather we had at the 12 Apostles, but it adds to the drama.

9. Triplet Falls – Otways National Park

Triplet Falls cascading over rocks and framed by fern trees

Head into the Otways National Park to immerse yourself in an ancient land. Walk among tall trees and giant tree ferns, and discover beautiful waterfalls. This is the spot on the Great Ocean Road tour to move away from the gorgeous coastline and into a forest perspective.

Triplet Falls is one of the highlights of the Great Ocean Road. Platforms provide you with spectacular views of falls. The walk is about a 1-hour return loop, which we did it easily with our kids.

Read more: tips for hiking with kids

10. Kennett River – Wild Koalas

Koalas in a tree

Want to see koalas in the wild? The best koala-viewing spot is Kennet River, along Grey River Road, just in the middle of town. Otway Lighthouse Road is another popular spot.

I never knew the Great Ocean Road was a place to spot wild koalas. Yet another great reason to visit the GOR.

It’s not that common to find koalas in the wild, let alone sleeping in trees by the side of the road or in the middle of town. But this is the Great Ocean Road. Just look for the crowds of people and follow their gazes up for quick koala spotting.

11. Lorne

peopel walking on beach in Lorne

Lorne is a picturesque town situated Great Ocean Road coast and was our favourite town to stay in along the journey.

It has a certain charm with plenty of things to do, including great cafes, unique shops boutiques, and galleries, and Otway National Park is on your doorstep. Lorne is only 140 kilometres south of Melbourne and this place swells with people over the Christmas holidays.

Enjoy a walk on the beach, a bike ride along the foreshore out to the pier, have a coffee at Lorne Beach Pavilion and try a burger from The Bottle of Milk – delicious!

We stayed at the Mantra Apartments which were awesome and right on the beach.

12. Teddys Lookout

view from Teddys Lookout of the Great Ocean Road and ocean

A short drive up the hill behind Lorne is Teddy’s Lookout. This is a viewpoint that offers expansive views of the coast and the winding road.

To get there, drive up to the picnic area at the end of George Street and walk a short distance to enjoy the spectacular views of the Great Ocean Road from the lookout.

There’s also a 45-minute walk you can do here.

13. The Lorne –> Apollo Bay Drive

cliffs along the great ocean road

Our favourite stretch of road on our Great Ocean Road tour was from Lorne to Apollo Bay. Be prepared to stop for photos a lot.

This stretch of road has some of the most picturesque scenery in the region. The Great Ocean Road hugs the cliff face as it winds through the Great Otway National Park and rolling farmland.

14. Apollo Bay Eco Hostel

outside of the YHA Eco Hostel

Apollo Bay is perfectly positioned about halfway along the Great Ocean Road and surrounded by Otway National Park State Forest and rolling acres of green farmland.

Looking for an affordable and family-friendly place to stay? The Apollo Bay YHA Eco Hostel was a lovely place to base ourselves for a few days.

The hostel has a very homely vibe with great kitchen facilities, lounge rooms, and a rooftop deck to enjoy a sunrise. This is not a party hostel, no YHA properties are, and we met a lot of nice families and solo travelers here. It’s a wonderful option for your Great Ocean Road accommodation.

Our family room consisted of a queen bed and bunk beds.

15. Mariners Lookout – Apollo Bay

woman and girls sitting on hill overlooking Appollo Bay

Panoramic views of Apollo Bay’s town centre, the harbour, and beaches up and down the coast can be enjoyed from the Mariners Lookout, located at the northern end of town off Mariners Lookout Road.

16. Bells Beach

waves rolling in at Bells Beach
credit: clogwog

Bells Beach is one of Australia’s most famous and best surfing beaches. Bells Beach holds the annual Rip Curl Pro Surfing Competition which is a powerful point break of folklore. Heard of the movie Point Break? That’s our Bells!

There’s an impressive cliff-face and views from the cliff-top car park are spectacular and a great spot to watch any local surfers.

All dedicated surfers want to get down to the Great Ocean Road to ride the same waves that the pros do at Bells.

17. Shipwreck Coast

rusted anchors in rocks
Photo credit: Flickr

While the Great Ocean Road is safe to drive, there is a stretch of about 120 km that has an infamous past. But don’t worry, the dangers are further out into the ocean.

The stretch of road between Port Fairy to Cape Otway is known as the shipwreck coast, this is because of dangerous waters that have caused shipwrecks in the past.

In the 1700-1800s, these stormy waters were part of a popular trading route, but many boats ran into trouble when the sea was rough. Even Matthew Flinders, a famous explorer, was afraid of this coast.

It is estimated there are around 700 shipwrecks in the ocean, but only 240 have been discovered…so far.

The best place to see shipwrecks is from the aptly named, Wreck Beach, which has two anchors from wrecks on the beach, as well as Loch Ard, which is the most famous wreck on the coast. It was here that survivors, Tom Pearce and Eva Carmichael, washed ashore and spent the night near the 12 Apostles.

18. Memorial Arch

archway with Great Ocean road sign
Wooden gate and street sign of the Great Ocean Road near Lorne, Victoria, Australia

The Memorial Arch is often missed because it’s located at the very start of the Great Ocean Road. The arch and the statue were built to commemorate the soldiers lost during WWI.

It was made from wood, with the sides made out of stone and cement. The arch has been damaged many times since it was built in 1939, and was even considered to be removed in the 70s as the government feared it was a hazard to drivers.

Despite battling bushfires and stormy winds, the arch still stands tall today. This is a testament to the brave men the monument represents, who stood strong during the dark days of the war.

The sign on the arch is still the original from 1939.

19. Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery, Bellbrae

Come rain or shine, the Great Ocean Road Cholaterie is always open. But this is not just a place that sells chocolate and ice cream, they also run chocolatier workshops and classes for kids every now and then, which is definitely worth doing if you’re traveling with kids.

Sometimes it can be hard for kids to be sitting in a car for a long time, so make sure to take a stop by Bellbrae so the kids can take this yummy workshop. It’s certainly one of the best things to do on the Great Ocean Road for kids.

And mom and dad can enjoy an ice cream and some quiet time while they wait.

Tips for Visiting the Great Ocean Road Drive Australia

man carrying child on shoulders on Otways National Park trail
Otways
  • Don’t do the Great Ocean Road drive in one day – Don’t just rush to the 12 Apostles for your tourist snap. Slow down and appreciate all it has to offer. Visit all the rock formations and towns, walk on a beach and in the rainforest, see a waterfall and native wildlife, sit on a lookout and be present. I would suggest 3 days minimum – we took 2 weeks!
  • If you only have time to visit one section of the GOR, spend the most amount of your time in Port Campbell National Park.
  • If you only drive in one direction, drive from Torquay to Warrnambool (East to West). That way you’ll be on the left side of the road closest to the southern ocean and you’ll be able to pull over easier to all the viewpoints.
  • If you can drive, drive your own car, or rent a car from Melbourne instead of taking a Great Ocean Road tour. This road needs to be experienced from behind the wheel, and you need flexibility in where you stop and for how long. At each, turn you’ll discover something amazing.
  • If you’re visiting in the winter months, keep your eyes peeled for whales!
  • You may want to rent a unique caravan, motorhome, or camper to drive the Great Ocean Road. Outdoorsy is like the Airbnb of camper rentals, and they include insurance!
  • Fuel up your car – there can be large distances between petrol stations, so make sure you fill up.
  • If you do have to take an organized Great Ocean Road tour, we recommend these ones through Get your Guide.

The Great Ocean Road & Kangaroo Island Tour

The Great Ocean Road and Kangaroo Island Tour may be the best way for you to explore this area. Cosmos Tours are part of the Globus family of brands who we love! Be sure to use our exclusive discount below.

Food, wildlife and heritage; this 8-day tour through Victoria and South Australia comes filled with awe-inspiring scenery, heritage sites, top-notch cuisine and endless fun experiences along the way.

Beginning in Melbourne and ending in Adelaide, you’ll travel west along the Great Ocean Road towards Adelaide, with overnight stops in Warrnambool, Mt Gambier, Tailem Bend and Kangaroo Island.

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Before You Go

So there you have it, those are the top things to do on the Great Ocean Road Australia, and as you can see, there is plenty of stops to add to your GOR adventure.

Before you go, we have just a few more words of advice. First, book your car rental in advance to get a deal and save yourself money.

Second, don’t rush it. It’s a beautiful drive and one that should be savoured like a fine wine. Take it slow, and enjoy the views, the peace, and the serenity.

Happy travels!

More Resources for the Great Ocean Road Drive

If you need more tips and inspiration for the drive, check out these other useful guides:

More Australian Inspiration

If you’re planning to travel to other parts of Australia, then you might like to read these guides:

Have You Visited the Great Ocean Road? Tell us in the comments any tips you have, or what you most want to see?

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98 thoughts on “19 Must-See Attractions on the Great Ocean Road in Australia”

  2. Renuka

    I wish I get a chance to go there again! We did Great Ocean Road on a guided tour bus and as expected it was like ‘blink and it’s gone’ kind of a experience. When we lingered a bit longer at the 12 apostles, we were scolded by our guide!

    Reply
  3. Kathy Marris

    Your photos of the Great Ocean Road are amazing. It brings back very happy memories of two trips that I have taken on the road. We camped at a fantastic little remote surfing beach called Johanna which was incredible.

    Reply
    1. Craig

      I’m sure you could cycle the Great Ocean Road, depending on your fitness and experience. The road can get a bit tight so watching the traffic would be a concern.

      Reply
    2. Kathryn Davis

      You can safely cycle, enjoying a fully-closed Great Ocean Road in numerous events for professionals, amateurs and families. Cycling the Great Ocean Road has become more and more popular in recent years with the Cadel Evens Great Ocean Road Race (Cadel’s current Australian home is in Barwon Heads), The RACV Great Ocean & Otway Classic, Amy’s Otway Tour Classic (where Australia’s best female cyclists compete) and Amy’s Gran Fondo, which has 3 races (110km Wiggle Amy’s Gran Fondo, 40km Australian Unity Medio Fondo and the 14km Australian Unity Family Fondo) with a focus geared more towards families and enthusiasts then professional riders and a major focus on safety. There are also plenty of mountain bike trails. Just make sure you wear an Australian Standard bike helmet at all times (legal requirement in Victoria) and bring plenty of drinking water.
      http://www.cadelevansgreatoceanroadrace.com.au/peoples-ride/course-details/
      http://www.greatoceanotwayclassic.com.au
      http://amysgranfondo.org.au
      http://www.visitvictoria.com/Regions/Great-Ocean-Road/Things-to-do/Outdoor-activities/Cycling
      http://www.visitgreatoceanroad.org.au/cycling

      Reply
  5. Jen Seligmann

    One of my favourite parts of the world. I’d love to go back soon and show my husband the place that played a big hand in starting my travel obsession when I was a kid. Looks like you guys managed to cover it all and you’ve got some great shots.

    Reply
  6. Sarah Fazendin

    Amazing photos!! I’m totally inspired to make a family trip out of this, none of us have been to Australia yet. It looks like you did a combination of camping and hotels/hostels, correct? Is that what you would recommend? Thanks!

    Reply
    1. Craig

      Thanks Sarah. Glad we’ve inspired your trip!

      Yeah we stayed in a combination of accommodation options. The Apartments in Lorne (Mantra), the hostel in Apollo Bay (YHA at Apollo Bay) and in Port Campbell we stayed in a cabin at this place: http://www.pchp.com.au/

      Reply
  7. Carmen

    Looks great! Can’t wait to explore it on our road trip around Australia. Love the photos, they really bring the journey to life.
    Thanks for sharing,
    Carmen
    P.S. Did you receive our email?

    Reply
    1. Craig

      Definitely ad the GOR to your OZ itinerary. And give yourself a few days at least. Let me check on that email – what was the subject line?

      Reply
      1. Carmen

        Yep, it’s firmly added – you’ve inspired us 🙂
        I sent it via the contact form, so I can’t remember and have no way to check. But it was on the 18th of April and it was inquiring about whether you’re still taking guest posts from travel bloggers on your website. I’m sure ‘guest post’ was in the title somewhere.

        Thanks!
        Carmen

        Reply
        1. Caz

          Oh we’re drowning in emails at the moment and I usually delete guest post requests as we have in our contact form we’re no longer accepting them. Check back in a few months but at the moment we have no time to give to it. Thanks anyway

          Reply
  8. Sam

    That eco hostel in Apollo Bay looks really nice! None of the YHA hostels I’ve ever stayed at in the UK were that nice – all characterless, sterile places.

    Reply
  11. Lauren

    This post came at the perfect time – I’m in the middle of planning a trip to Melbourne and the GOR in June! I’m a little concerned about the weather in June, but hopefully we luck out and have some sunny days. Thanks for the great tips!

    Reply
  13. Sam @ Travelling King

    Fabulous list as always guys!
    This was one of my favourite drives as well!

    Sadly it seems we missed Teddy’s Lookout (boo!) and we didn’t get a chance to go down Gibson steps and onto the beach as it was raining so heavily.
    We also somehow missed Loch Ard beach area (mega boo!)

    Would love to go back again in a year or two.

    Reply
    1. Craig

      Yeah, we got real lucky with the weather at the Twelve Apostles. And over the 2 week period we can’t complain, had a few showers in different spots but otherwise great.

      Loch Ard Gorge was awesome.

      Reply
  14. SJ @ Chasing the Donkey

    Such fabulous photos, that road is on my list of things to do in Australia when my little guy is bigger. I had never heard of a few of these spots (don’t tell my anyone) so it was an extra great read.

    Reply
  16. Janice Stringer

    I can’t wait until I can drive the Great Ocean Road – Your country holds so many wonders to experience. I’m lucky enough to have driven from Darwin to Sydney and Wollongong up and yet I know I could spend years in Oz continuously on the move. Thanks for an interesting, inspiration, informative and family orientated post!

    Reply
  17. Anna

    This is a great post guys! The Great Ocean Road was my favorite part of my Australia trip! I wish I would have known about Teddy’s Lookout. I only had one day to do it, but thankfully it was not on a bus tour, but with a local who took me to beaches that buses do not stop at. I WILL be back to do it again and I agree that the drive from Lorne to Apollo Bay is incredible! Thanks for the tips.

    Enjoy your upcoming adventures!

    Reply
  18. antonette

    Been here twice and still want to come back. In the years I went, I was a backpacker and did those trips out of Melbourne for a day which I now totally regret, obviously. Great to see your pics that definetely brought back some memories!

    Reply
  19. Amanda

    Australia is so BEAUTIFUL! I really like this post, because I think most people hear “Great Ocean Road” and only think of the Twelve Apostles. You’ve proven that there’s so much more to see!

    Reply
  20. Jenna @ Green Global Travel

    I would love to take this drive–looks gorgeous!! I can’t imagine trying to fit everything into one day on a tour bus! The Grotto looks beautiful and it would be so fun to see a koala in the wild. The Apollo Bay Eco Hostel looks great as well!

    Reply
  21. We Travel Together

    Thanks for sharing these pictures. Australia is such an amazing country, so much to see and do. We loved our three weeks there, but unfortunately we didn’t have time enough to also see the Great Ocean Road. But we hope to go back someday because it is so much more we want to see and explore in this beautiful country 🙂

    Reply
  22. David Tiong

    You have travelled an amazing part of the world, and one of my favourite. Fantastic information and incredible pictures. If you live in Victoria and you haven’t been along the Great Ocean Road, especially around Port Campbell, then make sure you do. The views and the feeling of awesome is amazing.
    Stay in Port Campbell as it’s a beautiful place to go.

    Reply
  23. Toushka Lee

    My husband and I went to see the 12 apostles when I was pregnant with our first child. He is now six. Can’t wait to take our kids back there and spend more time there. I know they’ll love it.

    Reply
  24. TC

    I knew this was one of the must do drives in the world and I read about it several times. But you have done justice to it with this great post. Incredible pictures and nice tips. This drive will definitely go on my bucket list. Thanks.

    Reply
  26. louisa klimentos

    Fantastic photo’s and you really covered the great ocean road reaaly well.Some travel blogs that i read,state that the Great ocean road is uninspiring.They musn’t have taken the time to explore the region,to appreciate it’s beauty.Great ocean walk is a great way to absorb it’s stunning beauty

    Reply
  27. Brooke

    Love your photos and reading about your experience. This is something I definitely need to do and take the time to enjoy, like you recommended. I was glad you put ideas in this post about experiencing it from your own point of view and not just as a tourist snapping a quick picture. I’ve got to see and experience this in my lifetime for sure!

    Reply
  28. kc Wong

    i love your blog, give me so much idea to adventure Great Ocean Road, did you put up a night at Port Campbell ? If yes, where did you stay ?

    Probably, i will travel using inner road to Port Campbell so that i can enjoy sunrise at 12 Apostles next morning..

    Reply
  29. louisa klimentos

    You are right ,don’t rush it because two people from the Uk thought the GOR was uninspiring.The weather wasn’t good .The lady wasn’t well and after seeing the West Coast of New Zealand with her partner ,they kept comparing too much.They needed more time to explore the region and then they would appreciate it more.

    Reply
  30. Stephanie Seah

    Hi, Thanks for the very nice picture and good tips on GOR. Did you also visit Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Valley or the Dangenong area?

    Reply
  31. Ann Thurston

    Best road trip of my life! Thanks for the lovely photos. I travelled this road almost 15 years ago and all the photos I took died along with my 35mm camera 🙁

    Reply
  32. Lilian

    We had our best holiday so far and one of the highlight was our great icean road long drive… the view and the scenery was awesome.. we just went there just this month and my hubby who is a beach enthusiast wants to have another holiday there… your pics are all awesome! OZ is a beautiful country with beautiful people and lovely sceneries.

    Reply
    1. Kel

      How was it in July? We are planning a winter holiday and so much of info on Australian tourist presumes a summer trip.

      Reply
  33. Vikki

    I’m planning a trip to the Great Ocean Road next month and this blog post has been amazingly helpful!! Your photos are beautiful, thank you for sharing!! 🙂

    Reply
  34. Shilpa Balakrishnan

    Wow wow wow, I am doing this pretty soon. We drove upto Torquay but didn’t hit 12 apostles or even close. Hoping next time I drive all the way and also stay somewhere on the way :D. I hear you can even camp somewhere? Is that true?

    Reply
    1. Anna

      I have been doing some research about campings and as far as I know, you cannot do free-camping. There are plenty of camping aareas with low prices if you don’t use electricity (around 15-25$ per night), that’s it.

      Reply
  35. Diane

    My daughter is studying abroad in Australia and is talking about doing this by herself. Would this be safe? She wants to drive from Townsville to Melbourne. Any tips/advice would be greatly appreciated so I can pass it along to her.

    Reply
    2. Caz

      Yes she’ll be safe as long as she’s making safe choices. We have lots of posts on the blog for the East Coast of Australia. You can use the search box on the site to help you find what you need.

      Reply
  37. Anne

    Hi Caz and Craig,

    I’ve been a reading a handful of your travel blogs. I very much like that your love for Australia comes through in every one of them. I followed your blog when I was in Byron Bay! It was great to read the blog and see pictures before even going. Great tips!

    Now I’m planning my trip to the GOR and was wondering if you would recommend doing the whole trip from Torquay to Portland. I’m a little short on time and know that that the little time I have won’t do the GOR justice. Therefore, I am thinking of doing just a stretch rather than the entire GOR. Any places in particular you would recommend?

    Any thoughts from you would be appreciated!

    Many thanks 🙂

    Reply
  38. Amelia

    Hi,
    Thanks for sharing all the photos & tips.
    I plan to stay 4 nights along the great ocean road. Regarding one of your tips if one way drive from East to west, but my planning is from melbourne drive on highway all the way to port fairy (Wednesday) then slowly to Torquay (Saturday), due to we need to catch up the Queenscliff train for my son on Sun. Is the view a lot of different drive from west to east? I am worry I make the wrong decision :I

    Reply
  39. Jen

    This is such an awesome post! Thank you for sharing. I want to do a 3 or 4 day self drive of it in October…Do you have a suggested itinerary on how to break it up based on your recommendations in the post? (Hitting the Apostles at sunrise is a must to me based on your photos.) Thank you!

    Thank you!

    Reply
    1. Jane Dalgarno

      Hi Jen, did you ever receive a suggested itinerary on the self-drive tour of the Great Ocean Road. I am just starting to explore Australia for my next vacation and thought that this would be a great beginning. October is not far away, you must be getting excited. Jane from Canada

      Reply
  40. Jane

    Horse riding is another good thing to add to the list. We recently did a great ride with Blazing Saddles in Airey’s Inlet. They have bush rides and go down to the ocean beach and have a canter. Well run with great horses… I even bought one they were needing to sell!

    Reply
  42. Claire

    Hi,

    I’m planning to visit GOR (2 days 1 night) in this coming Sept, I will be renting a car to drive from Melbourne city. Can you recommend / suggest how should my itinerary and where should I stay (budget accommodation)?

    Thank you.

    Reply
  44. Anna

    Thanks for all these tips. I am doing the GOR at the end of August, I have rented a station-wagon for 8 days. Since is low season I did’nt book any camping.. the idea is to improvise using a “must” list. I am thinking about going the the Grampians national park on the way back… not sure. I am not at all an experimented driver, and less on the left. I got an automatic car and my idea is to take it easy. I am a bit concerned about the weather at late august…what do you think? any tip?

    Reply
  46. Mclyn

    Well Explained post with awesome scene. The Great Ocean Road is usually a slow moving, sad procession of tourists getting in the way of people who have to use this road for purposes more dreary than vacationing. thank you for sharing with us

    Reply
  47. Curt

    Thanks for your list, it was extremely helpful in planning our trip to the GOR. Unfortunately we only had 9 days in all of NSW, Victoria, and the Red Center, so we had to fit this destination into one day. I agree it’s a shame to pack it in to such a tight space, but if one is an experienced driver, it makes for an amazing day. I will always remember it. I hope very much to return with more time to see the things we missed. One thing we very much enjoyed, which is not on your list, was a drive up into Barnham Paradise near Apollo Bay. If time is very tight, like it was for us, this is a great way to get off the coast road and experience a bit of the nearby forest.

    Reply
    1. Caz

      Great tip Curt. Thanks for letting us know. We’ve not heard of this place. I’m glad you got to experience it and had a wonderful time. What a busy trip for you!

      Reply
  48. Patricia

    I have just come back from a 17 day holiday in Oz. The Great Ocean Road was probably the highlight of our holiday. We spent 3 nights in the resort of Lorne and only managed to do three quarters of the main highlights. Would love to do it again but take in what we didn’t see on first trip. Glad we did it as was well worth it.

    Reply
  49. Yvonne Dull

    Just finished the trip to the 12 Apostles and loved it. Those pictures are wonderful and your stories along with them are great. Many thanks. Yvonne

    Reply
  50. Di

    Hi Caz and Craig,

    Your post on GOR highlights is great, so great that we plan our GOR road trip based on your route. Thank you!!

    We are trying to do early planning to rent car in Melbourne, anticipating the popularity of GOR in the Summer. So far, we have been checking out the rentalcars.com, the price is great, but the online reviews are discouraging. We have never used any booking service for Auto Rental.
    Can you please share your experience with them, and some guidance to avoid any dispute/extra charge ( which lots of costumers seems to be having).
    Thank you..

    Reply
    1. Craig

      Hi Di,

      We haven’t had any issues with them personally, and have used their site to book cars in the US several times. When you make a booking, make sure the pick up address for the vehicle is at the airport in Melbourne, or you know it’s a location that is most practical for you! Also, read all the fine print for any extra charges, and print out any paper work displaying your booking info, type of car, insurance costs, fees etc and have that on hand when you pick up the vehicle so there are no surprises or disputes. RentalCars.com are owned by the Priceline Group, so they are a big company.

      Hope that helps.

      Reply
  51. Gary

    Really enjoyed this post as I’ll be looking to drive to make this drive with my family. How are the roads? Are there lots of single lane roads, is it challenging? Would it be similar to driving in Hawaii? Did you happen to have this mapped out? If I was to drive from Melbourne airport, which stop should I check out first and last? Thanks

    Reply
  52. Diogo Chiodini

    Thank you so much guys. Your post was really helpful. We spent just 2 days there but it was so beutiful… stunning nature. All the best. Cheers

    Reply
  53. Sharon

    We will be traveling the GOR, starting in Adelaide and traveling to Melboune. We intend to take three days to complete the drive. Can you recommend a few towns to stay along the way, so the drive will be broken up nicely for the driver(s)? You mention Apollo Bay, Lorne, Robe and Port Douglas as being great towns to stay, but I am not sure if splitting the evenings between these towns will make the drive (hours) easier. Thank you for any feedback you can give.

    Reply
  56. Robert

    Nice post. We’re going to Australia in November for a full two weeks. We ‘ll visit Sydney, then fly to Alice Spring, and after that, we were thinking to fly to Adelaide and drive from there to Melbourne, for the Great Ocean road. Is it doable? We can plan 3-4 days for this. Our flight to go back to Canada is actually from Melbourne. Or is it too much?

    Reply
    1. Caz

      It’s hard to say. I’m not sure how far the drive is from Adelaide to the start of the Great Ocean Road. If that’s not too long then it should be okay. I’d give yourself at least 2 days on the Great OCean Raod

      Reply
  57. Syafiqah

    Hi Craig!

    Your blog really helpful and i love the way you explain the places.

    my sisters and I are in the midst of arranging our itinerary for this coming September, we will arrive in Melbourne by 25th.

    GOR is one of the plan to drive there for at least 2days. We are from Malaysia and the diff of the driving rule make my half-confident gone. haha

    Can you provide other places that we could visit for 7days in Melbourne?

    Thank you. =)

    Reply
  58. Jenny

    Hi. I love your blog and pictures. Could you share with me your driving route for GOR, covering all the places you mention here? Planning a holiday for my family. Thank you.

    Reply
    1. Caz

      We started at Melbourne and ended in Port Campbell. It’s only one road so you’ll be able to easily find the stops we mentioned in this post on the map. We then went up to Grampians National Park so returned to MElbourne through the center of the state.

      Reply
  59. katie

    Thank you for posting all of this info! I am heading to Australia to visit my daughter who is studying abroad and you provided such great info about the Great Ocean Road and everything to see. Thank you!!! I cannot wait to see that gorgeous water and coastline in person.

    Reply
  60. ramon perry

    Great article. I’ve seen most of those, except Gibson steps, because you have to park on the side of the road, which is dangerous in itself. But for us the side of the road was full. Nowhere to park unless you want a long long walk. Better luck next time.

    Reply
  61. Erin Parker

    The Great Ocean Road is amazing! We’re heading to the 12 Apostles next weekend, it’ll be the kids first time. We are looking forward to exploring more of the area. This guide will be a great help.

    Reply

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