The Great Ocean Road is the best scenic drive in Australia, and one of the country’s most famous travel destinations. The Great Ocean Road stretches for 600km+ between Torquay and Port Fairy, and is home to famous sights like The Twelve Apostles in Port Campbell National Park, beautiful waterfalls in Great Otway National Park and lots of laidback beach towns to stop at along the way. It’s a great 3-4 day trip from Melbourne.
The Great Ocean Road was built by more than 3000 returned soldiers after World War I. The Great Ocean Road is a memorial to the diggers who lost their lives in the war, making it the largest war memorial in the world.
I’ve visited the Great Ocean Road twice, stayed in Lorne both times, and found entirely different things to see & do both times!
Where is the Great Ocean Road?
The Great Ocean Road is a coastal region in Victoria, in Australia. It starts at Torquay, which is 1.5 hours’ drive from Melbourne, but most of the famous sights are farther west, approximately 4 hours’ drive from Melbourne. It ends in Port Fairy, not far from the state border with South Australia.
How long to spend on the Great Ocean Road?
There are tour operators which offer Great Ocean Road day trips from Melbourne, but I’d recommend spending a minimum of 3 nights in the area. Otherwise, you’ll spend most of your time driving!
How to get to the Great Ocean Road?
It’s best to drive, so you have more flexibility with visiting waterfalls, beaches and other sights. It’s a regional area, so I wouldn’t plan on relying on public transport. If you don’t have your own car, I’d recommend joining a tour.
Where to stay on the Great Ocean Road?
Lorne. There are holiday apartments, motels and campsites near small towns all along the Great Ocean Road, including Apollo Bay, Airey’s Inlet, Torquay and Port Campbell, but my favourite spot by far is Lorne, a laidback beach town. I love Lorne, there is just something really special about it. There’s a main street with enough cafes, surf shops and importantly, a fish & chip shop and a book shop, and there’s a beach.
On our most recent trip, we stayed at the recently renovated Lorne Hotel, which we loved & highly recommend!
The Best Things to Do on the Great Ocean Road
Explore Port Campbell National Park
Port Campbell National Park is home to the Twelve Apostles, but they’re just the beginning! There are plenty of stops along the road as it winds through Port Campbell National Park, so make sure you take the time to stop & stretch your legs along the walking trails. Some other beautiful spots are Loch Ard Gorge and the natural bridges.
Chase waterfalls in The Otways
The Great Ocean Road is home to Great Otway National Park, which is inland from the coastline. The roads wind through the towering rainforest, which is home to a number of staggering waterfalls like Triplet Falls, Hopetoun Falls, Beauchamp Falls & Erskine Falls to name a few.
Plan to be out of the Otways before it gets dark – the roads are poorly lit, and driving here even at dusk had me on the edge of the passenger seat.
Spot koalas in Kennett River
Koalas sleep most of the time, so you’ve got a solid chance of spotting them snoozing in the trees around Kennett River.
Towns on the Great Ocean Road
Torquay
Home to Bell’s Beach & the annual Rip Curl Pro surfing competition, Torquay is Victoria’s surf capital. It’s the start of the Great Ocean Road, and only 1.5 hours from Melbourne. However, if you’re planning on seeing the Twelve Apostles & more of the Great Ocean Road, I’d recommend staying further along the route.
Lorne
Lorne is my favourite beach town on the Great Ocean Road. It’s got everything you need for a stay on the Great Ocean Road: accommodation options, a patrolled beach in the centre of town, and a small village strip of shops, bars and restaurants. We’ve stayed in Lorne twice, and I’d love to go back again. It backs onto Great Otway National Park, which has ten waterfalls which are within ten minutes’ drive of Lorne. It’s a 1hr 45min drive to the Twelve Apostles from Lorne, so when we stayed here we did a day trip from Lorne to the Apostles & Port Campbell National Park. Lorne is a 2 hour drive from Melbourne.
Apollo Bay
Apollo Bay is a popular holiday destination on the Great Ocean Road, with a small village & lots of holiday rentals. Apollo Bay Beach is beautiful, with relatively calm water, which makes it popular with families. I prefer to stay in Lorne, but Apollo Bay is worth a stop for a swim, lunch & taking in the breath-taking view from Mariners Lookout. Apollo Bay is 2hrs & 40 mins from Melbourne, and 50 minutes’ drive from the Twelve Apostles.
Port Campbell
Port Campbell is the closest town to the Twelve Apostles, which are found in Port Campbell National Park. If you take the scenic coastal road, it’s approximately a 4 hour drive from Melbourne, or less than 3 hours if you take faster, less scenic inland highway. Port Campbell has a lovely beach & village, and is worth a stop. We had lunch here after seeing the Twelve Apostles.
Where to Eat & Drink on the Great Ocean Road
Ipsos, Lorne
If you make one restaurant booking, make it Ipsos. This is a divine Greek restaurant, which is everything I love about hospitality. Gorgeous food, family-run, warm and stylish interiors that create a true sense of place. I wish it was closer to Melbourne so I could visit more often!
HAH: Health & Hire Lorne Beach
What a spot! Right on the beach, HAH serves coffee & healthy, veggie-ful breakfasts. Grab a table on the edge of the beach for the best possible start to the day.
Doc Hughes, Torquay
A beautiful beachfront restaurant and bar, with a large courtyard and gorgeous interiors. We stopped at Doc Hughes for lunch on our way back to Melbourne, and loved it. A fresh, seasonal menu in a beautiful setting.
Have I missed anything? Would you like to visit the Great Ocean Road? Let me know in the comments!