Great Ocean Road

Torquay

The Great Ocean Road officially starts at the coastal town of Torquay, 22 kilometres south of Geelong.

Torquay is a popular holiday spot with great beaches and plenty of shops to purchase beachwear including Surf City Plaza where big name surfing companies have outlets.

Bells Beach, a little further along the coast from Torquay, is famous for the Rip Curl Pro surfing event which attracts competitors from around the world.

Lorne

One of Victoria's favourite beachside holiday towns, Lorne overlooks Loutit Bay and enjoys a stunning backdrop of the lush and mountainous Otway Ranges. Lorne can get quite busy during holiday time, so if it's summertime action you want, then this is the place to be.

Wye River

You won't be able to stop thinking about postcards and travel shows when you leave Lorne and head south-west along the Great Ocean Road towards Apollo Bay. The road hugs the coastline for much of this section of its journey and there will be an overwhelming desire to stop at each and every parking bay along the way. Enjoy panoramic coastal views from lookouts at Mount Defiance, Point Sturt and Cape Patton.

Stop at the scenic village of Wye River with its sandy stretches of beach and bushy mountain backdrop. The local hotel overlooks the beach and is a great place for a drink or a meal. Further along the coast are more secluded villages including Kennett River which is noted for its prolific koala population.

Apollo Bay

When arriving in Apollo Bay, you will be hard-pressed to resist a trip to the local bakery, well-known for its irresistible fare, or take a turn at the golf course that has caused many to spend much longer than first planned in the location. Visit the tranquil Apollo Bay harbour and try your luck with the local anglers or take a swim at the beach right near town.

Apollo Bay visitors find the location to be the ultimate seaside escape, and as part of the Great Ocean Road region, the area is a good excuse to pause for a few days before you continue on your explorative journey.

Just out of Apollo Bay is the popular spot of Marengo - known for its sheltered family-friendly beaches.

Cape Otway

Heading further westwards, you will notice the tall-timbered ranges of the Otway Ranges and may be enticed to take a short detour to visit Cape Otway.

The Cape Otway Lighthouse, built in 1848, still stands proud, and you can enjoy views of the tiny whitewashed cottages and take in the panoramic views across the coast from the top of the lighthouse. You can choose to stay within these converted cottages, or just visit the cafe for a bite to eat.

Lavers Hill

Past Cape Otway, the Great Ocean Road hits the coast at Glenaire with its scenic valley views and popular beach at Castle Cove.

Next stop is Lavers Hill, a town located at the highest point along the Great Ocean Road. Enjoy a break at one of the town's cafes, or take a 15 minute drive further inland to the gorgeous tree-top walk known as the Otway Fly. Several waterfalls are located near Lavers Hill including the stunning Triplet Falls.

Princetown

The Great Ocean Road rejoins the coast at the small community Princetown, where the Gellibrand River meets the ocean. This river is a fishing wonderland for keen anglers and is often called the "Home of the Blackfish".

Princetown is also a great place to begin your search for the maritime disasters that peppered the coast in years gone by and may be visible along the rest of your journey - earning the area its name of Shipwreck Coast. There are 150 shipwreck sites marked by roadside signs along the remainder of the Great Ocean Road route.

12 Apostles

There may only be 8 of them left, but as you pass Princetown on the Great Ocean Road you will be hard-pressed to miss this wonder of the world. The remaining apostles tower above the ocean, with viewing areas allowing visitors to capture the best photo opportunities they can muster.

The apostles are made of limestone and over the years the stacks have eroded in the surf, but keen visitors may like to book a helicopter flight above the remaining apostles to ensure they get the best possible bird's eye view.

Loch Ard Gorge

One of the 150 wrecks that is signposted along the Great Ocean Road, Loch Ard sure stands out from the crowd.

Not far from the 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge was named after the ship that was beached on Muttonbird Island in 1878 - the ship was called the Loch Ard. Only 2 of the 51 passengers and crew on the Loch Ard survived - they were ship's apprentice Tom Pearce and Irish born Eva Carmichael - both have become household names in the halls of Australian history.

A birdwatchers paradise, the Loch Ard Gorge is a great place to witness the process of erosion in action - as you can see where the violent sea has carved out a perfect gorge.

Port Campbell

Further along the Great Ocean Road is Port Campbell, a town towards the western end of the journey and a bustling little seaside village.

Visitors may choose to stay a while in the well-stocked location, enjoy boat tour activities surfing or diving adventures that begin in the location. There are accommodation options in Port Campbell to suit all tastes and budgets.

Warrnambool

The Great Ocean Road now heads inland across grazing land, joining the Princes Highway at Allansford, 12 kilometres out of Warrnambool, marking its official endpoint.

Warrnambool is the largest city in south-western Victoria with great shops and fantastic beaches. There are many attractions for people of all ages including the huge Lake Pertobe Adventure Park, Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village and the historic Warrnambool Botanic Gardens. It is an ideal beach holiday destination where you can even catch a glimpse of whales during their calving season.