Route along the Great Ocean Road, what to see and tips

La Great Ocean Road route In Australia it is not just a drive, it is a journey between nature, incredible views and wildlife. During this road trip you will be able to see the famous rock formations emerging from the ocean, known as 12 Apostles. Also the spectacular Great Otway National Park and beautiful coastal cities like Apollo bay. Finally, you will have opportunity to see koalas, kangaroos, wallabies and other Australian animals in their natural habitat. Below, we share our best tips to make the most of your trip and the essential things to see on Australia's Great Ocean Road. Go!

Next we share all the tips and places to visit during the route along the Great Ocean Road o Great Ocean Highway.

On the Great Ocean Road: history and distance

The Great Ocean Road is a road that runs along part of the coast of the state of Victoria, in southern Australia. This route was built by returned soldiers from the First World War. It is a monument to bravery and a natural gift that is stretches for 243 kilometers along Australia's stunning southeast coast. From its inauguration in 1932, has captured the hearts of travelers around the world (including ours finally), becoming a symbol of the Australian adventurous spirit.

How to get to and travel the Great Ocean Road, Australia

El Great Ocean Road tour It officially starts in Torquay, not Melbourne. That is, about 90 minutes drive from the victorian capital. Therefore, you have to add about 100 kilometers to the 243 that we mentioned. If you prefer not to drive, take a look at this Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne with stops at the most notable points. If you are planning do the Great Ocean Road on your own This post will be of great help to you. As you know, this option allows you to stop whenever and wherever you want, as well as spend as much time as you want in each place. On the other hand, for hiking lovers there is also the Great Ocean Walk, a 105 kilometer track to explore the coast on foot along a path that goes from Apollo Bay to the 12 Apostles.

Best time to do the Great Ocean Road route

The route can be traveled all year round, but the best time is during the fall and spring months, when the climate is moderate and the landscapes are at their most picturesque. For example, we did it in November 2023 and the weather was perfect, without any heat and a little cool at night. Furthermore, it is when it is least crowded, since During the Australian summer (December-February) a lot of national tourism visits it. and, during the summer of the northern hemisphere, we already know how we fill the tourist destinations among Asians and Europeans.

What to see on the Great Ocean Road: essential stops

In the next sections we detail the Recommended Great Ocean Road itinerary with the most relevant stops. At the end of the post we also share a video of our road trip through Australia where we met several koalas, kangaroos and wallabies. We started!

1) Torquay beach, where the Great Ocean Road begins

Torquay is a beautiful coastal town ideal to make the first stop if you start the route from the city of Melbourne. Here you can Take the opportunity to take a walk along the beach just before starting the trip along the panoramic road. You can also visit the Australian National Surfing Museum. Here we stopped to eat Doc Huges overlooking Torquay beach. Super recommended. Next to the beach there is also a very pleasant promenade.

2) Bells Beach, a very surfy stop on the Great Ocean Road

The Bell's Beach, about 10 minutes drive from Torquay Beach, is known worldwide for its waves and being a surfer's paradise. Here The surf competition is held annually Rip Curl Pro Surfing Competition. Even if you don't surf, the sight of the waves crashing on the impressive rock formations is a spectacle to see on the Great Ocean Road.

3) Anglesea, towns to see on Australia's Great Ocean Road

Anglesea is a small town en route where you can also stop to stretch your legs while enjoying its beaches and with luck See kangaroos in their natural habitat. It's a perfect place to stop if you need a break from the car and enjoy panoramic views of the ocean.

4) Memorial Arch or Arco Memorial, a must-see on the Great Ocean Road

El Memorial Arch It is a tribute to the soldiers who built the Great Ocean Road. This iconic structure is worth a stop to get a photo and immortalize your memory of this trip through Australia. Next to the parking lot there is a small beach in case you have time and you can take a walk or even a swim (depending on the weather). This green wooden arch is the one we show you in the photo at the beginning of this article.

5) Erskine Falls and the village of Lorne

The waterfall Erskine Falls, just 15 minutes by car from the lorne beach, Is one of the stops to make along the Great Ocean Road route. To get to the waterfall you have to descend a perfectly marked path with wooden steps (approx. 15 minutes). This natural environment is ideal to try spot Australian animals. We had the lucky to see kangaroos and wallabies on the way by car. Furthermore, in Lorne also has a nice beach and various cafes and supermarkets if you want to recharge your batteries.

6) See Koalas at Koala Café and Kennett River

Another stop to make during your Great Ocean Road tour is in Kennett River. This area is known for having one of the Largest concentrations of wild koalas in Australia. Therefore, here you will have the first opportunity to see koalas during this road trip. We were lucky to see the first koala in one of the trees next to the Koala Café campsite. We also saw another one in the trail ascending to the other side of the mouth of the Kennet river. You have to be patient and keep an eye out because they are nestled in the trees as we show you below.

Next We show you a map of the area and with a star we mark where we saw them. If you enter the dirt track "Grey River Road" (known as Koala Walk) is where we saw the first one, we didn't have to walk far. It is the dirt road that we marked in blue and it goes between the cafe and the campsite. We recommend leaving your car at the cafe and trying your luck walking. Remember that When the sun goes down there is a greater chance of seeing them active on the ground, as happened to us at another of the stops that we tell you about below! Finally, Don't forget to respect the distance so as not to invade their surroundings.

7) Apollo bay, towns to visit on the Great Ocean Road

Another stop on the Great Ocean Road to make is in the town of Apollo bay. Also, if you have several days for this road trip, it is also one of the areas to stay during the Great Ocean Road. Here you will find a wide gastronomic and leisure offer, as well as beautiful beaches.

8) Tour the Cape Otway National Park to its Lighthouse (Lightstation)

El Cape Otway National Park is undoubtedly one of the essential places to see on the Great Ocean Road. There is a detour of about 15 minutes by car that leads to the Cape Otway Lightstation Lighthouse, the oldest in operation in Australia. Furthermore, it is another of the places where you will have the opportunity to see koalas, kangaroos and a diversity of birds. We recommend that you exercise extreme caution when driving, as there is a risk that animals may come across you. We We came across a koala walking through the park and it was incredible, the sun was already setting. We show it to you in the video at the end!

9) The 12 Apostles, Australia, the best to see on the Great Ocean Road

The 12 Apostles in Australia are, without a doubt, the most iconic attraction to see on the Great Ocean Road. These are immense limestone formations that rise from the ocean. They are a show of nature and, unfortunately They are disappearing due to erosion.So, it's time to visit them! He Access to its viewpoint is completely free and you can find it about 15 minutes walk along a comfortable path from the parking lot.

Another option to visit The 12 Apostles in Australia is with a helicopter tour. If your main reason for doing the Great Ocean Road is to visit this enclave, remember that there are excursions to The 12 Apostles from Melbourne. However, we always recommend doing the Great Ocean Road on your own.

10) The Gibson Steps, the path to the famous 12 Apostles beach in Australia

The Gibson Steps refer to the 86 steps carved into the cliff that take you to the 12 Apostles beach in Australia. Once you have passed these steps, you can walk the beach and admire the imposing rock formations and cliffs up close. To get to the Gibson Steps you can do it by car (there is parking up to the stairs) or from the main parking lot of the visitor center along a path of about 30 minutes between sheep.

11) The Razorback, the most impressive place to see on the Great Ocean Road

Once past The 12 Apostles, heading towards Adelaide, we recommend you visit The Razorback. It's about another impressive rock formation, characterized by its long and narrow limestone ridge. In our humble opinion, this natural monument is much more imposing than what remains of The Twelve Apostles, so be sure to visit it. We leave you a photo below, although it is impossible to reflect its immensity with a camera.

12) Loch Ard Gorge, an enigmatic site on the Great Ocean Road, Australia

Loch Ard Gorge It is a beautiful bay with a dramatic history. This site is named after the ship Loch Ard, which was wrecked here in 1878. Only two young people survived this wreck: Eva and Tom. Hence the name given to the two rock formations that overlook this bay and its viewpoint: Tom and Eva Lookout. The beach that we find right in front, surrounded by limestone cliffs, is beautiful and you can see it from different angles at the viewpoints in the area. If I'm not mistaken, you can go down to the sand, although when we went it was high tide and we didn't even try.

13) The Arch

The Arch is another stop during the route along the Great Ocean Road in Australia, also very close to the previous viewpoints. This natural rock formation, with its arch perfectly sculpted by erosion, offers a stunning view of the relentless power of the ocean and the geological forces that have shaped this coastline. When we traveled (November 2023), the viewpoint was closed for construction and we could not look out.

14) London Bridge, another essential on your itinerary along the Great Ocean Road

El London Bridge is another spectacular double arch formation that was once connected to the mainland. In 1990 it A part collapsed and now it is as we show in the following photo. When we went it was quite cool. Still, the panoramic view from the viewpoint, as well as the golden sand beaches are reasons enough to make a stop here. Without a doubt, this is another of the places to visit during the Great Ocean Road What surprised us the most.

15) The Grotto, another rock formation to see on the Great Ocean Road

The Grotto is one of the most photographed geological formations along the Great Ocean Road in Australia. It was one of the most crowded natural monuments we visited. This sunken cave partially filled with water offers a unique window to the sea and sky. To get here you have to go down a few meters by stairs, everything is perfectly marked from the parking lot.

More places to see on the Great Ocean Road route

Finally, if you have time, you can also explore the following places of interest, each with its own charm. From quiet beaches to rich historical heritage. We we slept in Port Campbell and only got to visit the Bay of Islands, but we have read that towns like Peterborough and Warnambool are worth it.

• Port Campbell (where we stayed)
• Bay of Martyrs and Bay of Islands
• Peterborough
• Nullaware (end of the Great Ocean Road)
• Warmbol

Now, if you like, we are going to resolve the doubts that we also had when planning our tour of the Australia's Great Ocean Road to see if we can help you on your next adventure.

How many days does it take to travel the Great Ocean Road?

Although it is possible to do a quick trip in one day, the ideal is dedicate at least 2 days to really enjoy the trip by car and discover all the corners that we recommend. Yes for whatever reasons you couldn't spend the night on the road or you wouldn't respect driving, don't stop book this day tour from Melbourne. Although if you could do the Great Oceanan Road on your own and spending the night one or two nights would be wonderful. Below you have more information about the Best areas to stay on the Great Ocean Road.

Where to stay on the Great Ocean Road

The cities of Torquay, Lorne and Apollo Bay are the most popular areas to stay during the Great Ocean Road. However, if you only have one night, we recommend that you find a hotel in 12 Apostles (or as close as possible). This is the most touristy stop on the route and if you are nearby it will allow you to get up early and visit it with fewer people. In the same way, this way you can spread the trip of more than 300 kilometers each way from Melbourne in two days. Keep in mind that there are not many options for accommodation in 12 Apostles, but without a doubt we recommend the cabins where we stayed: Summers Rest Units.

Are less than 10 minutes by car, they have private parking, mini kitchen and electric blankets (how good they came to warm up). We recommend you book in advance and if they do not have availability, try the following accommodation options near 12 Apóstoles.

Camper and car rental: Great Ocean Road route

As we tell you in our article about what to see and do in Melbourne, we rented the car in the city center. This way we saved several days of rental (the days we visited Melbourne), as well as the airport supplement that rent a car usually charge. It cost us almost €300 for two days (November 2023). You can look and compare all the car rental in Melbourne, including local companies, in this page. On the other hand, many travelers choose to rent a camper (camper van) or caravan to do the route. We considered it, but the prices seemed prohibitive to me and the bills worked out better sleeping in a cabin.

Travel insurance for Australia

If you still do not have your travel insurance for Australia, we recommend you hire a insurance that covers unforeseen events such as accidents, illnesses, loss or damage to luggage and flight delays. If you don't know any company, we always travel with IATI and, furthermore, we have a 5% discount on all your policies and destinations. Although the country is safe, one can always have accidents, need to go to the doctor, etc. Besides, Driving in Australia carries its risks: animals crossing, driving on the left, etc.

Unlimited data in Australia with Holafly

On the other hand, if your data rate does not include roaming in Australia, we invite you to give it a Take a look at the unlimited data plans per day that Holafly offers in Australia with its eSIM. And what is an eSIM? A virtual card that you can activate with a QR code before landing in Australia and that allows you to have internet as soon as you arrive al country. This way, you can see the route to get to your hotel, communicate with family, see where to eat, etc. without having to rack your brains looking for telephone providers upon arrival. It was great for us and, in addition, we have a 5% discount for your next trip to Australia and anywhere in the world. You can benefit by clicking on the link above.

Video: what to see on the Great Ocean Road and Melbourne

Finally, we share a video in the YouTube Channel with the indispensable and necessary places to visit on the Great Ocean Road and in Melbourne. Without a doubt, see koalas and kangaroos in the wild has been one of the highlights of our itinerary with the essentials what to see in Australia in 15 days. We hope we have done our bit to make your trip a success too!

The next destination on our trip to Australia It was the island of Tasmania. If you are interested, you have an article with the sites what to visit in Tasmania in our blog. It is just over an hour's flight from Melbourne and, as we see it, it is an essential Australian destination. For more inspiration, travel to Gran Canaria and discover all our guides to other incredible destinations, visit the more destinations section of our blog.

Ruth González

Hello! I am Ruth, Canarian with a traveling soul. With training and experience in the tourism and digital marketing sector. In this blog I tell you all the tips you need to get to know the most authentic side of Gran Canaria on your own. I also share my travel guides to all the places in the world that I am visiting so that you can discover the destinations like a local and save time planning. In addition to traveling, I love gastronomy and sports. I run and hike in the mountains with my “dog-children” (Silver and Plata). In all these adventures my partner accompanies me, Jorge, which you will also see a lot on this blog.