Melbourne's Great Ocean Road is considered one of the most beautiful highways in the world, making it a must-see attraction for many tourists visiting Australia. The breathtaking landscapes, coastal views, and charming towns along the way are all highlights of a Great Ocean Road journey.
But should you drive yourself or join a tour? How should you plan your itinerary? Should you opt for a one-day, two-day, or even three-day tour? What are the recommended stops along the way, and where can you find accommodation?
Today, I'll be sharing tips on transportation, itineraries, accommodations, and attractions along the Great Ocean Road, helping you quickly understand how to make the most of your trip!
(The Great Ocean Road is renowned for its beauty, with many advertisements filmed here. Among its attractions, the Twelve Apostles are the most famous.)
1. How to get to the Great Ocean Road?
The Great Ocean Road is located southwest of Melbourne's city center. There are two interpretations of its length: one starts in Torquay and ends in Allansford, covering a total distance of 276 kilometers; the other extends to Nelson, with a total length of 400 kilometers.
Regardless of which definition you choose, the transportation route from Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road remains the same. Since there are no public transportation options, the most common ways to get there are either renting a car for a self-drive tour or joining an organized tour.
If you want to explore the Great Ocean Road in just one day, you'll be pressed for time, with a typical trip taking between 12 to 15 hours (it's a long road!). In this case, there isn't much difference between a self-drive tour and an organized tour in terms of the number of attractions you can visit or the cost involved. Both options will likely only allow you to see the major sights.
For a one-day tour, I recommend joining an organized tour. However, if you're planning a two-day or longer trip, consider renting a car for a more in-depth exploration of the various attractions and easier access to accommodations.
Many local Australian travel agencies offer Great Ocean Road itineraries, with one-day tour prices ranging from around AUD 100 to 150, depending on factors such as meals, actual travel time, and attractions visited. You can also try the following reservation platforms, which offer clear information and often have attractive prices:
◎ KKDAY: Great Ocean Road Sunset One-Day Tour | Great Ocean Road & Otway Rainforest One-Day Tour | Great Ocean Road One-Day Tour
◎ KLOOK: Great Ocean Road One-Day Tour | Great Ocean Road Classic One-Day Tour | Twelve Apostles One-Day Tour | Great Ocean Road Twilight Tour
(Besides regular cars, some tourists also consider renting a camper van to explore the Great Ocean Road.)
2. What to see on the Great Ocean Road?
There are numerous attractions along the Great Ocean Road. Here, I've compiled a list of the top 7 most popular and recommended attractions, presented in geographical order: Bells Beach, Memorial Arch at Eastern View, Lorne, Apollo Bay, The 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and London Bridge.
The map above marks the locations of these 7 top attractions along the Great Ocean Road and shows the standard and classic route from Melbourne's city center, passing through Victoria's second-largest city, Geelong, before reaching each attraction. Feel free to save and share this map.
1. Bells Beach
Located near the starting point of the Great Ocean Road, in the small town of Torquay, Bells Beach is often the first stop for independent tourists. This beach is famous for being a top surfing destination in Australia and hosting the world's longest-running surfing competition. It has also attracted Hollywood films like Point Break to shoot on location. With its picturesque scenery, Bells Beach is the perfect place to kick off a relaxing Great Ocean Road adventure!
(Photo by JoanDragonfly via Flickr)
2. Memorial Arch at Eastern View (Great Ocean Road)
Instead of calling this a scenic spot, it's more of a "photo checkpoint." The wooden plaque with the words "Great Ocean Road" is a place where tourists will stop for a photo (haha). Apart from the arch, there's not much of a unique selling point here, so a brief stop is recommended!
(Photo by Bobak Ha'Eri via Wikimedia Commons)
3. Lorne
Lorne is a small town on the Great Ocean Road, where many Australians spend their weekends away from Melbourne. It's also a popular accommodation spot for tourists, famous for its beautiful seascapes. Although it has only one main street, there are various restaurants for visitors to taste different cuisines. The local Lorne Fisheries Co-Op sells delicious fresh seafood every morning, making it an ideal place to rest for a while!
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(Lorne is very clean and quiet, mainly consisting of restaurants and small shops. Overall, I find it quite charming, with many great design elements in small corners.)
4. Apollo Bay
Compared to Lorne, Apollo Bay is even livelier, offering more dining and accommodation options. Many tourists flock to the Apollo Bay Fishermen's Co-Op and other shops for tasty fish and chips. The nearby Apollo Bay coastline is another highlight, boasting beautiful beach scenery and a perfect spot for a relaxing vacation!
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(Before officially arriving at Apollo Bay, there is a small lookout point. Some say that this is where you can appreciate the most beautiful views and angles of Apollo Bay. However, the platform is tiny, accommodating only two or three cars, and can be easily missed. Be extra attentive if you want to stop by.)
(Apollo Bay is the most convenient town after entering the Great Ocean Road, with restaurants, supermarkets, visitor centers, gas stations, parks, etc. It's ideal for resting midway or even staying overnight.)
(Apollo Bay is located just next to the town, and it takes less than 2 minutes to walk to the beautiful beach.)
After passing Apollo Bay, continue driving to the Great Otway National Park. Some tourists and tour groups will stop here, but there is no specific stopping point. The park is known for its many wild animals, such as koalas, kangaroos, parrots, and even marine life. The Cape Otway Lightstation, the southernmost and oldest white lighthouse on the Great Ocean Road, is also nearby. Consider stopping if you have a two-day or longer itinerary planned.
5. The 12 Apostles
The 12 Apostles are a major reason why the Great Ocean Road is so famous. As a must-see attraction for all visitors, the erosion of rocks has created numerous caves and arches, which eventually collapse to form massive stone blocks. Currently, only 7 of the original 12 Apostles remain, but they are still breathtaking. Visitors can enjoy the sunrise and sunset here, admire the scenery from different angles at the viewing platform, or even take a helicopter ride to overlook the entire Great Ocean Road. This is a must-visit!
(The well-marked "12 Apostles" sign is visible next to the parking lot. The spot is only a 3-minute walk away.)
(We finally saw the famous Twelve Apostles! Originally, Australians gave it a cute name, "Mother Pig with Piglets" (Australia has many interesting place names, haha!). Although several of them have collapsed in recent decades, they still look quite magnificent in person!)
(There is a pedestrian walkway along the coastline, which leads to the outermost viewing platform, offering different views on both sides.)
(Actually, strolling along the walkway is very comfortable, and all the views are so beautiful!)
(When you reach the viewing platform at the far end, this is the view you'll see. I think this is the best vantage point, as you can take in the magnificent scenery on both sides.)
(If you have more time, you can walk to the nearby "Gibson Steps," the only beach in the Twelve Apostles area, for a different perspective of these two giant rocks.)
6. Loch Ard Gorge
Just 2 kilometers from the Twelve Apostles is "Loch Ard Gorge," also known as Loch Ard Canyon or Shipwreck Canyon. It features magnificent cliffs and beach views, but what sets it apart is its unique historical story. In the 19th century, a ship named "Loch Ard" sank here, and only one man and one woman (Tom & Eva) survived. The place is named in memory of the victims, shedding light on the maritime exploration stories of the time.
(Like the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge also has walkways connecting various viewing platforms, allowing visitors to enjoy the scenery from different angles.)
(There are three main attractions in the Loch Ard Gorge area: three large rocks standing in the sea, Mutton Bird Island, The Razorback, and Island Arch. Personally, I think the beauty of this place is not inferior to the Twelve Apostles, and it's worth a visit!)
(Visitors can also walk down the stairs to the beach below, where, in addition to the beautiful beach, there are also limestone caves and other geological formations to admire.)
7. London Bridge
London Bridge is a famous attraction in the "latter half" of the Great Ocean Road. Initially, it was formed by two circular holes (double arches) due to wave erosion. At the time, there was a walkway on the London Bridge for visitors to walk on, but in 1990, it collapsed, turning into what people jokingly call the "Broken London Bridge." However, even after the collapse, it's still very beautiful and worth a visit!
The above 7 attractions are the most visited, famous, and recommended spots along the Great Ocean Road. If you want to complete a "one-day tour" of these attractions, the schedule is already quite tight. If you have a two-day tour or more, you'll have more time to spend at each spot. Additionally, if you continue further, there are attractions like the "Bay of Islands Coastal Park," although fewer tourists visit these areas. I recommend going there only if you have more time.
The above is an introduction to the Great Ocean Road's transportation, attractions, and itinerary. The Great Ocean Road is a must-see for many tourists visiting Melbourne, and I personally love it too. I recommend that if you're visiting Melbourne, arrange a one-day or two-day tour of the Great Ocean Road to fully appreciate the magnificent beauty of Australia!
