Great Ocean Road begin and end

The Great Ocean Road is a Victorian icon famous for its ocean views, seaside towns and history. This 240km of Victorian coast takes you through some of Australia’s most beautiful landscapes. From big surf beaches and limestone stacks to tiny towns and natural wonders, the Great Ocean Road will be an adventure you’ll never tire of. No matter how long your Great Ocean Road trip is, the variety of this coastal road will make it one of the most beautiful in the world.

Famous Road

So we have what we now call the famous Great Ocean Road, which runs from Torquay to Port Fairy. It has sandy beaches, rocky shores, and a rainforest, amongst other things. It is famous for its coastal views. Some of the highlights to stop at on this journey are Twelve Apostles, the high-standing limestone columns that rise out of the Southern Ocean, Shipwreck Coast with its tall cliffs and shipwrecks, Marriners Lookout and Beacon Point for impressive views of the surrounding landscape.

Where does the Road start and finish?

It starts at Bells Beach in Torquay, a busy town that hosts the Bells Beach surf contest with epic waves famous for their barrels. The road winds its way along the western coast, giving you views of Victoria’s coastline. Along the way, there are many beautiful coastal towns, Lorne with a great atmosphere, Erskine Falls and Apollo Bay, where you can get seafood with an ocean view. Further on in Cape Otway, you’ll find the historic Cape Otway Lighthouse and Otway National Park with vegetation, and finally, in Port Fairy, you’ll find colonial architecture, cultural vibe and Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve with native wildlife and volcanic scenery.

History of the Road

The Great Ocean Road was built by World War I returned servicemen as a memorial to their mates who died. It started in 1919 and finished in 1932, making it one of the biggest war memorials in the world. Building this road along Victoria’s rugged coast was a big job because of the terrain. Building this section involved carving through coastal terrain which was even harder considering the coast line itself was rugged and one lane traffic.

Where does it start?

It starts at Torquay, which is a fun town famous for Bells Beach. As Torquay is the entry point to this famous route, you can surf, eat at local restaurants or visit nearby Eastern Beach, Ice Creamery, etc. From here, you hit the road and get to see the entire coastline and natural features of the Great Ocean Road.

When to Visit

The best times to visit the Great Ocean Road are spring and fall, September-November and March-May. The weather is mild, and fewer cars are on the road. Summer, December-February, is popular with beachgoers and surfers looking for famous surf beaches and sand. Winter, June-August, is less crowded with stormy oceans, but roads may be slippery with cool temperatures.

The Beachy Towns Along the Way

Torquay

From here, you will be surrounded by the beach culture of this coastal town, Torquay. It’s a mecca for surfers and beach lovers in general, as it’s home to one of Australia’s most famous surf beaches, Bells Beach. One of Australia’s most crazy surf beaches is perfect for people who want to see waves all day. On top of that is a heap of restaurants in Torquay town itself, boutique shops and cute cafes with a real Aussie beach vibe. Some lookout points around town have amazing views over the rugged coastline and southern ocean. Being the entry point for people to head up or down the Victorian coast has made Torquay very convenient.

Lorne

Lorne is on the Great Ocean Road and is famous for its views and proximity to natural wonders. What stands out in this town because of its looks alone is Erskine Falls, which cascades through the rainforest and is very pretty. For waterfall chasers, it means walking through these rainforests nearby, which will calm you down inside. Lorne has several great places to eat fresh seafood caught from local waters and taste this part of Victoria’s food. Its natural beauty, scenic roads, beaches and food experiences make Lorne a lovely spot on the Victorian coast.

Apollo Bay

Apollo Bay is a beautiful coastal town with natural charm and beachy vibes in equal measure. Johanna Beaches are great for swimming, surfing, and lying in the sand. The town is famous for its seafood restaurants which serve up fresh seafood from the Southern Ocean. And just after Apollo Bay, you’ll find the Otway National Park. Here, you can walk among treetops at Otway Fly Treetop Adventures and then visit Maits Rest, where you can see ancient giant ferns in their natural habitat. It’s a great spot to stop on this trip as it has both ocean and nature.

Cape Otway

A lighthouse and rainforest is what Cape Otway on the Great Ocean Road has. The highlights are Cape Otway Lightstation, which has great views of the ocean and coastline, and nearby rainforest walks, where you can see them up close. The area is part of Port Campbell National Park, where the limestone stacks are a great example of how nature has carved out rock over millions of years to form bridges like the Natural Bridge. With native wildlife alone, Cape Otway is a must-see tourist attraction.

Port Campbell

Great Ocean Road is the heart of the town, which is famous for its landmarks. The town has the Twelve Apostles limestone stacks and other natural bridges like the London Arch and Gibson Steps. There are many lookouts to check out and take in the views of the coastline. Port Campbell is a must-stop on this road, as you can access Port Campbell National Park, which has a rugged coastline and stunning ocean views. Great place to stay if you want to explore the natural beauty of the area and drive to other attractions along the Scenic Road.

Warrnambool

The next town past the Great Ocean Road is Warrnambool, which is steeped in history and culture. And it’s near the Shipwreck Coast with attractions like Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village where you can learn about the maritime history of the area. While in Warrnambool, don’t miss Logan’s Beach, where you can see whales. The town has lots to offer and is close to a rocky coastline, so it’s great to explore this side of Victoria.

Port Fairy

The last stop on the Great Ocean Road is Port Fairy, loved for its history and natural beauty. Colonial-style buildings throughout the town and Griffiths Island with local wildlife’s penguin breeding ground and more. Fresh seafood and beaches make Port Fairy the perfect end to the Great Ocean Road. Good photo opportunities, too, streets and historic sites to remember your trip along the Victorian coast.

More Spots

There are many more spots along the Great Ocean Road where you can stop and take photos or just check out the views. Marriners Lookout and Cathedral Rock are two lookouts with stunning views. The Bay of Islands and Childers Cove have offshore arches and stacks to see. The drive is broken up into several short walking trails, Triplet Falls, Phantom Falls and Sheoak Falls, each a natural wonder.

Also visit Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve which has Australian fauna and lake views. Koala trails and great koala viewing here. And this trip goes through the concrete reality of Victorian cities and small coastal towns inland. This section from Warrnambool to Port Fairy is a great example of how much variety and beauty you can see on one of Victoria’s most famous roads.

Summary

Great Ocean Road is an iconic road and a must-drive. This is where Victoria’s coastline and natural wonders are at their best. Originally built as a memorial to soldiers who died in war, it’s now one of Australia’s most popular tourist routes. On this road, you can have many experiences: world-class beaches and surfing, rainforests full of wildlife, quaint coastal towns, beautiful waterfalls and stunning national parks like the Otway Ranges, which have views over the coast.

FAQ

What are the top spots?

The main stops are The Twelve Apostles, London Arch, You Yangs Regional Park and Cape Otway Light Station.

How long does it take to drive it?

A full drive from Torquay to Port Fairy takes 4 to 5 hours, but most people take a day or more to see all the sights, beaches, villages and other natural wonders.

When to visit?

October to April, when it’s warm enough to swim or surf at Bell Beach in summer and fewer people in winter (June – August).

Can we see any wildlife along the Great Ocean Road?

Yes, see koalas at Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve or Cape Otway area where kangaroos are said to live among others like echidnas in the bush; Griffiths Island off Port Fairy coast has penguin nesting ground and other animal species like seals near the lighthouse that you can tour while you’re here too.

Can I do it in a day?

You can do the whole drive in a day but it’s better to take your time and stop in the towns and attractions along the way. You’ll see more of the views and natural wonders if you have more time here.