Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road stretches 243 kilometers past steep coastal cliffs and through lush rainforests. Adventure, freedom, and unique nature await you. Today, I will show you the most beautiful spots along Australia's most scenic coastal road.

Untamed, wild, and beautiful - these are the first words that come to mind when I think of this endlessly long coastal road. The Great Ocean Road is a paradise of nature and a magnet for all lovers of Australia, surfers, and backpackers.

Here, one feels free, carefree, and forgets the rest of the world.

As you travel along this unique road, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the ocean; turn your head in the other direction, and the rainforest unfolds before you. Here, one feels free, carefree, and forgets the rest of the world. Take some extra days to fully enjoy this highlight. You will make many stops anyway, as the Great Ocean Road is simply too beautiful to just drive through. Here, the journey is the destination!

The Great Ocean Road runs from Torquay, 100 kilometers southwest of Melbourne, heading west along the coasts and rainforests over Bells Beach, Lorne, and Apollo Bay to Allansford near Warrnambool. It's best to start your tour in the Australian metropolis of Melbourne, which you should definitely visit. In my travel magazine, you will also find the perfect Melbourne tips. Your flight should go to the international Melbourne Airport, from where you can easily take the Skybus into the city center of Melbourne.

Travel options

Self-drive road trip with rental car Book a tour (duration: 1-5 days) Hop on Hop off bus, e.g. Greyhound

It's best to book a rental car, as the best way to experience the Great Ocean Road is with your own vehicle. Campervans are particularly great for the trip - cruising along the coastal road in an old van is something really special and fits perfectly with the surfer and adventure lifestyle of this area. Camping also offers you the ultimate outdoor experience. Alternatively, you can book a tour that takes you to the most beautiful places along the Great Ocean Road.

Along the Great Ocean Road, you will find numerous charming coastal towns with hotels, private accommodations, and campsites. In the Great Otway National Park near Apollo Bay, you have the choice of countless camping spots. Here you can rent bungalows, pitch your tent, or simply sleep under the magnificent starry sky. On the following map, I have compiled a guide to the route and attractions, as well as an overview of the campsites for you.

The following map shows you the route, accommodations, and hotspots along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria.

The beautiful road can impress with its breathtaking views alone, but it also has many more destinations for you to discover: natural phenomena, national parks, and small villages are waiting to be explored. From east to west, I will now introduce you to all the highlights.

Bells Beach is the most famous surfing spot on the Great Ocean Road and an absolute legend, as stories have been written and heroes born here. Every Easter, the Rip Curl Pro takes place at Bells Beach - the event is the third stop on the WSL Championship Tour, the competition for the best surfers in the world. The beach belongs to Torquay, a town that is entirely dedicated to surf culture. At the Surf World Museum, you can learn all about the fascination of surfing and discover more about the history of this world-famous surfing location. Additionally, you will find a unique collection of precious surfboards shaped by legends. An absolute highlight for surf fans.

The popular holiday destination Lorne is the perfect stop for your journey: not only because there are many campsites and hotels here-but also because it serves as an ideal starting point for hikes in the northern part of the Great Otway National Park, for example, to the mystical Erskine Falls. In the small cafés, you can recharge to get ready for your next adventure. Treat yourself to a smoothie bowl at HAH Lorne Beach with an ocean view. Instead of just relaxing or hiking, you can also grab a surfboard and ride the waves, or enjoy the enchanting view of the coastal landscape at Teddy's Lookout.

Just an hour further southwest, the Great Ocean Road leads to Apollo Bay. It's best to set off before sunrise to head towards Kennett River, so you can witness the most beautiful sunrise that bathes the entire ocean in red light. Keep your eyes peeled to the left and right, as you might see koalas in the trees. Afterward, you can recharge with a delicious coffee and muffin at Hello Coffee in Apollo Bay - a new day of adventure awaits!

The hiking trail from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles offers you unique insights into the most beautiful spots of the Great Ocean Road.

A brief hike to Marriner's Lookout gives you an overview of the coastal town and the surrounding landscape. Little sheep will keep you company. If you're up for a lovely dinner, I recommend Chris's Beacon Point Restaurant & Villas, as they serve delicious, freshly caught fish. Local wines will also sweeten your vacation. In Apollo Bay, you will also find the over 100-kilometer-long Great Ocean Walk. This hiking trail is for experienced hikers, as it leads all the way to the Twelve Apostles, is uniquely beautiful, and provides special insights into the most stunning spots along the Great Ocean Road.

Just a few kilometers further along the Great Ocean Road, you find yourself in the heart of the Great Otway National Park. Suddenly, the coastal landscape transforms into a deep green rainforest, and it's time to head into the green. In the Great Otway National Park, you are surrounded by eucalyptus trees, towering ferns, and dense rainforests. Stop here and there, take a walk on the Maits Rest Rainforest Walk, and let nature envelop you. Now follow the route south toward Cape Otway, driving slowly past the eucalyptus trees, as you are likely to spot some koalas relaxing in the treetops.

Cape Otway Lighthouse: open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, entrance fee 19.50 AUD.

At the very end of the route stands the Cape Otway Lightstation. The oldest lighthouse in Australia rises 90 meters above sea level at Cape Otway and offers an incredible view over the vast ocean.

If you have heard of the Great Ocean Road, you have likely also heard of the Twelve Apostles.

Guru Tip: The best time to view the Twelve Apostles is early in the morning or at dusk. When the sun is low, the rocks shine in a particularly beautiful shade.

Bizarre rock formations rise several meters from the water, presenting you with a unique sight. They look majestic and justly belong among Australia's most popular photo spots. Before you start counting the limestone peaks and panic because you think you've miscounted - no, you haven't, there are indeed only eight giants left today. You must see for yourself what nature has sculpted over the years from the coast!

After visiting the Twelve Apostles, you will reach Loch Ard Gorge in about three minutes. Take the time to explore the coastal landscape surrounding you, as there are numerous caves and blowholes to discover that regularly spray large amounts of water.

A little further along the Great Ocean Road lies the London Arch. Unfortunately, this arch collapsed over 25 years ago. The large rock, separated from the mainland and lying in the sea, remains a true natural beauty. You will also find The Grotto and the Bay of Islands along the way. Small walking paths lead you to the most beautiful viewpoints-let your gaze roam over the landscape, enjoy the sea breeze and the feeling of freedom. Walk along the coast and be sure to look out to the horizon, as many whales migrate through here between June and October.

The Great Ocean Road is a memorial to the fallen soldiers of World War I. The road was painstakingly built by hand over 100 years ago - with just shovels, spades, and horse-drawn carts - today that seems almost unimaginable. This background, along with the conditions of nature, meant that the Great Ocean Road could only be completed in 1932. The stories and legends surrounding this world-famous coastal strip give the route a very special and mysterious atmosphere. The feeling of freedom that comes with a road trip along this fabulous coastal road, combined with the incredible nature and wildlife, makes my journey along the Great Ocean Road one of my most cherished memories!

I recently set out for Melbourne to experience the diversity of Victoria and its incredible nature and wildlife with my own eyes. You can see the highlights of my Australia trip, which naturally included the Great Ocean Road, in the following video:

Australia is vast, and there are thousands of ways to discover Down Under. In my opinion, the Great Ocean Road is an absolute classic and should be at the top of everyone's bucket list when traveling to Australia. This stretch of coastline is much more than just a road with beautiful scenery - it's a lifestyle full of drama, wilderness, and pure beauty!