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Great Ocean Road

For jaw-dropping natural wonders, historic maritime villages and inspiring events, plan your trip on the Great Ocean Road.

By Bookastay staff

The Great Ocean Road winds along the coast for 243km.

Posted:
11-Feb-2012
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Categories:
Victoria
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438
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Also known as the ‘Shipwreck Coast’, this epic road winds around rugged cliffs along the south coast of Australia. It’s an awe-inspiring, 243km trip, travelled by thousands every year.

The road was the brainchild of one William Calder of the Country Roads Board around 100 years ago – he saw it as providing work for returned servicemen after World War 1.

Work began in August 1918 and Geelong Mayor, Howard Hitchcock took over the project. He had a clear vision of the road’s value as a tourist attraction, and also as a lasting monument to diggers lost in the war.

It was ridiculously hard work, using picks, shovels and horse-drawn carts. But the road was finally finished in 1932. It linked many small coastal towns that had been previously isolated, and those towns began to thrive.

The area has so much to see and do it’s hard to know where to start. But the biggest thing really is the road itself, and what you can see from it.

Natural wonders

The Twelve Apostles, close to Apollo Bay, are massive sandstone columns sculpted by millions of years of crashing ocean. Walk down Gibson’s Steps to feel deliciously dwarfed by their magnificence. Superb at sunset.

Cape Bridgewater has some of Victoria’s highest coastal cliffs set around the rim of an ancient volcano. It also boasts a spectacular blowhole and a colony of fur seals.

Human history

The south coast has a big backstory: Portland was Victoria’s first European settlement and sits on the edge of a harbour that was once busier than Melbourne. It houses the Portland Maritime Discovery Centre, when you can walk inside the ribcage of a sperm whale. Cape Otway has the country’s oldest lighthouse, continuously in use since 1848.

Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village is a living piece of history documenting 19th century life on a daily basis (it’s won four Victorian State Tourism Awards in four years). Over 180 ships have been wrecked on the Shipwreck Coast, and Flagstaff Hill documents most of these. Night brings the proverbial ‘multi-million dollar theatrical special effects experience’ that will give you the perfect starting point for your Great Ocean Road trip.

Surf and dive

If you’re on the GOR for the surf, check out the prizewinning Surf World in Torquay – the planet’s biggest museum of surf and beach culture. Immerse yourself in all things surf… and then immerse yourself in the real thing. Bells Beach is legendary for its right hand break but don’t be tempted unless you’re a pro.

For divers, the shipwrecks are a dream come true. Many dive companies are set up to help you explore them. And seals, dolphins and of course sharks are plentiful…

Rainforest

You may wish to put a little distance between yourself and the coast for a day or two. Head inland to the Otways and walk among ancient trees and waterfalls – Triplet Falls are particularly spectacular. There are glow worms for the kid in all of us at Melba Gully. You can do a number of walks and there are also horse or mountain bike riding options. Take your picnic rug and thermos - al fresco dining opportunities abound.

Food

Don’t forget your creature comforts – there are a number of hatted restaurants along the Coast Road and numerous fantastic cafés. Check out the Otway Harvest Trail, which documents the super fresh produce at farm gates and restaurants in the region. There are olives and berries, ostriches and chocolates to taste and buy.

You’ll find a tipple at either end of the Great Ocean Road to go with your produce. Winegrowing regions in Geelong and Henty are both becoming producers to reckon with.

Art

Creative juices flow on the GOR. Make sure you take time out to stop off and appreciate the art and crafts at galleries along the way. At the western end of the coast, Port Fairy has established a name for itself as an arty centre, as has Warnambool. Check out Saltmarsh Artful Living in the latter. It has a funky shop, art glass blown on the premises by master glass artist Glenistair, and excellent coffee and bikkies. Back in Geelong, good contemporary art can be found at Boom Gallery.

Children

Kids will delight in much of what the Great Ocean Road has to offer, but at the end of the day what they really want is a whopping great adventure park. This can be done: it’s in Geelong and it’s call the Geelong Adventure Park. With everything from a Tiny Tots Splashzone to Bonito’s Bay Pirate Adventure, Gold Rush Rapids, it’ll keep your little darlings entertained for hours.

The Otway Fly Treetop Adventure is definitely worth a day trip: you can stroll the treetop walkway 30m up in the forest canopy and ride flying foxes that will have you screaming with delight. There’s a Prehistoric Path included – kids can find a dinosaur around every corner.

Annual Events

If you’re planning to be around Lorne over New Year, book your tickets early to the Falls Festival. It’s one of the longest running music festivals in Australia and boasts world-class bands. And to work off its excesses, book yourself into one of the biggest swim events in the world – the Lorne Pier to Pub. Get in early for the Great Ocean Road Marathon; it’s in May and is voted one of the world’s top 100 races.

Port Fairy hosts the epic Folk Festival every March, and the legendary Blues Train runs from Queenscliff from August to May. Four carriages, four stops to changes carriages… and rockin blues musicians in every carriage. If you prefer something a little more classical, try Opera in the Otways at the Cape Otway Lightstation every spring.

Sporty stuff

Finally for you active types–well, there’s frankly an embarrassment of riches in this area. Golf, cycling, 4WD, horseriding, skydiving and fishing are all options. Many people take on the Great Ocean Track: 104km of National Park, deserted beaches and marine sanctuaries. There are various options from spa resort to hardened camp nut.

Amazingly, this is just the tip of the iceberg. For more info have a look at our links below. Take your time, and enjoy.