Great Ocean Road: Things to Do and Best Stops
Planning to visit the famous Great Ocean Road in Australia? Read our road trip guide that includes the best things to do, must-visit places, driving tips, best stops, top viewpoints, and tips on where to stay.
There probably couldn't have been a better place where to start our Australian road trip than driving the scenic Great Ocean Road, listed among the world's most beautiful drives. This iconic road is 243 km long and stretches between cities of Torquay (104 km from Melbourne) and Allansford in the state of Victoria.
Being so close to Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road receives a large number of one day visitors, but you can also easily split the drive into couple days with plenty of accommodation options along the way.
There is just so many things to do and see along the Great Ocean Road!
Ideally, rent a car rent a car and self-drive the whole stretch of the road.
First of all, you'll be fully in charge of your itinerary so you'll be able to plan your day and stops accordingly and secondly, it will also give you the advantage to pick the best traveling time and avoid crowds.
If you cannot or don't want to rent a car, do not despair, you can still enjoy it in its full glory.
One option is to check message boards in hostels, people very often look for travel mates who would share fuel cost, or you can take a Great Ocean Road Tour - there are tons of travel agencies to choose from.
When we planned our 4-weeks Australia itinerary, Great Ocean Road adventure was high on our bucket list, and it didn't disappoint, the scenery was simply breathtaking and we had a great time.
After we stayed for 1-week in Sydney, we’ve finally arrived to Melbourne and spent one whole day along this scenic coastal drive as there was no need to rush at all.
We also created a guide on Cost of Travel in Australia to give you an idea how much we’ve spent on our road trip.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD
Speed limit anyway varies between 50 km/h to 100 km/h, and switchbacks prevent drivers from speeding.
We took breaks very often, and to be honest, we can't see how some people are able to make the trip in one day from Melbourne all the way along the Great Ocean Road and back.
While the absolute majority of visitors drive the road to savor the incredible scenery, you should be still aware that it is a common road and it is necessary to pay attention and follow traffic rules.
What's the story behind the construction of the Great Ocean Road? The road is war's memorial built by approximately 3000 return servicemen between 1919 and 1932 reminiscent and dedicated to soldiers killed during World War I.
What we loved the most about the drive was the feeling of freedom emphasized by the ubiquitous ocean, waves, cliffs, and sun.
Another plus was that we could have stopped (almost) whenever we wanted, and often the best places with the most fantastic views were not even marked on the map.
WHAT TO PACK FOR GREAT OCEAN ROAD
Sydney has many various things to do, and when packing for the city break, you need to take it into account as well as a fact, that it can be windy at times, and sometimes even chilly when visiting Sydney in the winter (from May to September).
Here's a quick guide on what to pack when traveling to Australia's metropole.
- Sunglasses | Having a good pair of sunglasses for a road trip is essential. Stop squinting and protect your eyes.
- Comfortable Shoes for Him & for Her | You don't need hiking shoes, but you need comfortable shoes for all day driving and walking.
- Camera | We never set of for holiday without camera, although nowadays many people make do with a phone.
- Protection Against Sun - Sunglasses, Sunscreen, Lipbalm with Sunscreen, Hat | Sun in Australia can be harsh, do not walk outside without proper protection.
- Windproof Jacket for Him & for Her | It can be windy along the Great Ocean Road, so pack a windbreaker to keep warm, just in case.
GREAT OCEAN ROAD BEST STOPS
Let's have a look at the list of the Great Ocean Road highlights and best things to do along the way!
SPLIT POINT LIGHTHOUSE
Fabulous and long ahead seen from the main road, this historic lighthouse also offers stunning views from its top, 66 meters above sea level. You can make a reservation for a guided tour.
A short bush walk leads to the point with views over the inlet.
SCENIC VIEWPOINTS
Stopping at the scenic viewpoints along the Great Ocean Road was probably one of our favorite things to do.
They emerged behind every turn unexpectedly, so we always pulled over the road and took a photo break. Some of the viewpoints are more known and were named, some are no name spots, but to be honest, it didn't matter to us, we enjoyed every single one.
Be aware of sneaky overgrown ants in the area and look under your feet. They bit us badly.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
OTWAY LIGHTHOUSE
A short detour from the main road took us to the southernmost point of the Great Ocean Road region. By the way, this lighthouse is Australia's oldest working one.
The highlight for us was the drive itself because we could see koalas in the treetops.
GIBSON STEPS
Just before you reach the famous 12 Apostles make your way down (86 steps carved into the cliff) to admire 70 meters high limestone from the nearby beach and be drifted away by the power of the ocean hitting cliffs.
If you decide to walk further on the beach, keep in mind the tide, otherwise, you could be cut off on the way back.
TWELVE APOSTLES
No doubt, 12 Apostles is the most famous attraction and the best stop along the Great Ocean Road, and even though we saw it many times before on pictures, we were awe-struck anyway.
Although nowadays there are only 8 Apostles left (the ninth collapsed in 2005), it is still incredible show to watch.
The extreme ocean weather conditions caused limestone cliffs erosion 10 - 20 million years ago of the mainland forming the isolated (45 meters above sea level high) limestone formations.
This is the Great Ocean Road at its best!
LONDON BRIDGE
Also known as London Arch, this is a natural rock formation once connected to the shore, but the first span connected to mainland collapsed in 1990 leaving the only isolated arch in the ocean.
London Bridge is one of those stunning attractions, that make the Great Ocean Road one of the best scenic drives in the world.
WHERE TO STAY ON THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD
When visiting from Melbourne, extend your stay along one of the world's all-time best scenic drives, the Great Ocean Road.
There are several towns where you can find great accommodation, and we've handpicked the best places to sleep in after a long day of exploring the area. Here's where to stay!
Lorne | Cumberland Lorne Resort - Everything you need. Beach, wildlife, clean rooms and corner bath spa in every room.
Apollo Bay | Apollo Bay Waterfront Motor Inn - It's one of the best values in Apollo Bay, and you will love ocean view balcony, clean rooms, and comfortable beds.
Warrnambool | Deep Blue Hotel & Hot Springs - Great place to rest after a long drive. Rooms are spacious and have a gorgeous interior design.
Alternatively, search for your accommodation via Hostelworld.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
