Discover Melbourne & Victoria
Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road hugs the contours of the south-west coast, taking visitors on an amazing drive from Torquay, near Geelong, to Nelson. It’s an unforgettable journey through small holiday resort towns and historic villages, past lush rainforests, isolated lighthouses, rich farmland and dramatic cliffs and surf beaches.
Returned soldiers built the road as a monument to their colleagues killed in world War One. Maritime history – including navigation, defence, whaling, shipwrecks and smuggling – fills many of the museums along the road. There are many places to surf along the coast but Torquay is regards as Australia’s surfing capital and home to Rip Curl.
One of the most visited stretches of the road is Port Campbell. Buffeted by wild seas and fierce winds, the coastline around Port Campbell has been sculpted over millions of years to form a series of striking rock stacks that rise out of the Southern Ocean. Known as the Twelve Apostles, they are one of the most spectacular natural attractions in Victoria.
Things to see and do
- Visit the waterfront city of Geelong, a combination of bay attractions, art deco baths and restaurants, don’t miss the amazing range of brightly painted bollards.
- Drop into Torquay, home to the surfing mecca, learn to surf, or watch the pros at the annual Rip Curl pro surfing event at Easter.
- Explore the rainforest scenery on the Otway Fly Tree Top Walk, an amazing boardwalk 25 metres above the forest floor in Great Otway National Park.
- Take the drive of a lifetime – The Great Ocean Road. Hire a car and drive this famous road yourself, or take a short, small group escorted tour.
- The Great Ocean Walk. Take in the stunning scenery of the 91 km stretch from Apollo Bay to Glenample Homestead (near the Twelve Apostles). This is a fantastic walk designed for walkers to “step on and off” the trail, completing short, day or overnight hikes.
- Step back in time and take the Port Fairy Heritage Walk. Discover the town’s dozens of historic National Trust buildings on this easy walk.
- Don’t miss Tower Hill State Game Reserve which sits inside a dormant volcano, and is a wildlife haven for koalas, emus, kangaroos and many water bird species
- Re-live history at Warrnambool’s Flagstaff Hill maritime Village. Don’t miss the stunning “Shipwrecked” Sound and Laser Show. Climb Cape Otway Lightstation.
- Capture the rugged splendour of Port Campbell National Park on a scenic helicopter tour. Experience the majestic Twelve Apostles, Loch Arch Gorge, London Bridge, Bay of Islands and much more.
- Whale watch from the viewing platform at Logans Beach, Warrnambool, and view the Southern Right Whales as the whales migrate south in the winter months.
- Climb Cape Otway Lightstation.
- Luxury
- Boutique
- Coastal
- Food & Wine
- Wildlife
- Indigenous
Accommodation
GSTR - Chris's Restaurant & Villas
Overlooking Bass Strait, set high in the Otways above the Great Ocean Road, Chris's Beacon Point Restaurant and Villas has become the Mecca for gourmet travellers. Chris's passion for the food of Southern Europe combined with the freshest and purest produce has made his cuisine world famous.
from £95Book
GSTR - Beacon Point Ocean View Villas
High above the Great Ocean Road, Beacon Point Ocean View Villas offers spacious and stylish self-contained Great Ocean Road luxury accommodation with truly spectacular ocean and coastline views. Beacon Point villas are set in the glorious Otway Ranges on 13 secluded acres.
from £62Book
GSTR - Seafarers Getaway
Seafarers Gateway is a seven hectare rural property located on the Great Ocean Road, 3km east of Apollo Bay. It offers a choice of seven one-bedroom units and six twin-bedroom lodges close to the beach and six lodges higher up a winding road with views across the ocean.
from £71Book
GSTR - Mantra Erskine Resort
Mantra Erskine Beach Resort is located on absolute beachfront, in the historic seaside town of Lorne along Victoria's famous Great Ocean Road. Under two hours' drive from Melbourne, the resort is nestled between the crystal clear water of Louttit Bay and the Otway Hinterland.
from £37Book
GSTR - Athelstane House
Athelstane House was built in 1860, and is Queenscliff's oldest operating guesthouse. Its nine rooms have their own ensuites, eight with corner spa baths, colour remote TVs, panel heating, direct dial telephones, ceiling fans and all day room service.
from £70Book
GSTR - White's Beach Torquay
Whites Beach Torquay is a getaway to soak up the sun and relax to the sounds of crashing waves - all in the privacy of your own suite. Everywhere you look there is an unexpected touch that makes Whites Beach Torquay stand out from the rest.
from £70Book
GSTR - Cumberland Lorne Resort
Indulge in the ultimate escape - a leisurely 2 hour drive from Melbourne along the spectacular Great Ocean Road, experience the natural beauty and sophistication of Lorne while staying at the Cumberland Lorne Resort.
from £108Book
GSTR - Southern Ocean Villas
Ideally situated on the edge of the picturesque Port Campbell National Park, famous for its rugged beauty, shipwreck coast and spectacular scenery, Southern Ocean Villas are positioned in a tranquil, landscaped environment.
from £78Book
GSTR - Country Comfort Warrnambool
Warrnambool is located in the South West of Victoria and is one of the most spectacular destinations along the Great Ocean Road. Our professional and helpful staff provide excellent service and strive to exceed your expectations.
from £51Book
GSTR - Mantra Deep Blue
Mantra Deep Blue is situated on top of a large underground aquifer, which the resort takes full advantage of by using it to provide mineral rich, heated water for the Deep Water Bath House as well as for in-room showers, plumbing and room heating system.
from £32Book
GSTR - Oscars Waterfront Boutique Hotel
Oscars Waterfront Boutique Hotel is located in the picturesque fishing village in Port Fairy. Port Fairy has a vibrant art, cafe and music scene and boasts a variety of award winning restaurants.
from £86Book
GSTR - Seacombe House & Comfort Inn
Seacombe House is one of Victoria's oldest hotels and is ideally situated to explore the many attractions of Port Fairy, the Great Ocean Road and the Grampians National Park.
from £139Book
GSTR - Victoria Hotel
The Victoria Hotel is located in the heart of the historic village of Port Fairy. The Victoria Hotel offers a choice of accommodation styles from suites to self contained apartments.
from £73Book
GSTR - Crowne Plaza Torquay
Located on Victoria's surf coast. the Crowne Plaza Torquay combines ultra modern comfort with the stunning natural beauty of the Great Ocean Road. The Crowne Plaza Torquay enjoys a beachfront location and can be reached in just over an hours drive from Melbourne.
from £92Book
GSTR - Cape Otway Lightstation
Central to all the highlights of the Great Ocean Road, the Lightstation is a great spot to base yourself for a long weekend, a week or a fortnight. Explore the Twelve Apostles, the Great Ocean Walk, shipwrecks, beaches, waterfalls, rainforest and the beautiful Otways hinterland.
from £89Book
Tours & Attractions
GSTR Otway Eco Tours - 3 day Shipwreck Trek
Our 3 day/2 night Shipwreck Trek allows us to explore the more remote segments of the Great Ocean Walk to give you a taste of the unique variation of this rugged coastline. You will be inspired by the long sandy beaches and spectacular cliff top views.
from £413Book
GSTR Port Campbell Touring Co - Half Day Tour
Explore the Shipwreck Coast on our exciting half day tour departing from Port Campbell. Highlights include Port Campbell, Loch Ard Gorge, Twelve Apostles, Gibson's Steps Beach and Glenample Homestead.
from £27Book
GSTR Post Campbell Touring Co - 2 Day Tour
This two day/two night `walk and tour` package has been designed to provide visitors with an opportunity to walk a spectacular 14 km section of the Great Ocean Walk, combined with an unforgettable journey along the Great Ocean Road on the return back to Melbourne.
from £282Book
GSTR - Bothfeet
This wonderful 3 Day trip gives you the highlights of the Great Ocean Road on foot. Starting at a real local's favourite - Blanket Bay - and walk into a tour of the Cape Otway Lightstation. We encounter spectacular cliff tops and secluded beaches.
from £607Book
Tower Hill
See a koala snoozing in the fork of a gum tree or a family of kangaroos lazing in a clearing. Magpie geese, possums, wallabies and echidnas are just some of the birds and animals you might come across on one of the five self-guided nature walks.
from £28Book
Adventure Tours
Adventure Tours Leaving Melbourne we pass Torquay before stopping for morning tea at Bells Beach. Twist and wind along the spectacular Great Ocean Road enjoying awesome coastal photo opportunities and stop to spot cuddly koalas in the wild.
from £41Book
Great Ocean Road Day Tour
Our Go West - Great Ocean Road day tour covers all of the iconic highlights of the Great Ocean Road, with plenty of time allowed to explore this amazing coastal stretch.
from £42Book
2 Day Great Ocean Road Tour
Natural Treasures 2 Day Great Ocean Road tour explores one of the world`s best touring roads enjoying the amazing wildlife, history and stories of the region. Our small group tours move at a relaxed pace and thoroughly explore this stunning area. Price includes 4-star Ocean View accommodation.
from £229Book
Great Ocean Road ClassicTour
Explore and embrace the magic that is the Great Ocean Road on a spectacular one day tour with Bunyip Tours. Experience and enjoy the breath-taking stretches of broad, uninterrupted beaches, dramatic coastlines and the lush rainforests of the Otway Ranges.
from £49Book
3 day Great Ocean Road & Grampians
Experience a true Australian adventure of spectacular scenery, wildlife and glowworms! Our 3 day Bunyip Tours adventure will take you on a journey to discover the breathtaking coastline of the Great Ocean Road and the hinterland of the Grampians.
from £146Book
GSTR - Cape Otway Lightstation
The iconic lighthouse is the highlight of the Great Ocean Road, but there's so much more to see and do within the Lightstation grounds. You can immerse yourself in the extraordinary history of the lighthouse keepers, watch whales at play and soak up the natural beauty of the Cape.
Book
