Touring the Great Ocean Road
Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road
Around the world there are many famous and scenic highways which are ideal for touring holidays, and Australia is no exception with its Great Ocean Road! Here you’ll find some fantastic scenery, many famous Australian landmarks, and a number of great little towns to stop in and explore.
Where is the Great Ocean Road?
The Great Ocean Road is situated in Victoria, in south eastern Australia, and runs for 243 kilometres (151 miles) between the cities of Torquay and Warrnambool. The road mainly hugs the coastline which means it has many twists and turns, so you need to allow yourself plenty of time to get from town to town. We certainly wouldn’t recommend you try to cover the whole distance in just one day, as you really wouldn’t be able to fully appreciate this great stretch of road if you’re rushing!
What is the Great Ocean Road?
The Great Ocean Road was constructed between 1919 and 1932 in memory of those who were killed in the First World War. In a fitting tribute to their comrades, the road was built by 3000 of the servicemen who were lucky enough to return with their lives.
What will you see on the Great Ocean Road?
There are literally hundreds of things to see and do on your tour of the Great Ocean Road, so many in fact that we’ve just included some of the highlights of our tour here!
Coastal Landscapes – With much of the Great Ocean Road hugging the coast you’re in for a treat in terms of the magnificent coastal landscapes you’ll see here. Views are aplenty of the Southern Ocean and Bass Strait and then there are the famous coastal rock formations: London Arch, the Grotto, Elephant Rock and probably the most famous of them all, the Twelve Apostles.
Mountains and Forests – If you can tear your eyes away from the views of the coasts you’ll also enjoy the beautiful mountains and forests which are just inland. These areas can’t be fully appreciated from the road, so make the most of them by driving inland a little and visiting places like Erskine Falls near Lorne. One stretch of the Great Ocean Road passes right through Great Otway National Park giving you the opportunity to see some of Australia’s last remaining temperate rainforests.
Towns and Cities – All along the Great Ocean Road you’ll come to towns and cities of varying sizes, each with their own charm and appeal and a range of tourist attractions which will likely convince you to stay! The larger towns you’ll pass through (from east to west) include Torquay, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet, Lorne, Apollo Bay, Lavers Hill, Port Campbell, Peterborough and Warrnambool.
Our best advice for touring the Great Ocean Road is to make sure you allow yourself enough time. The appeal of the Great Ocean Road is not just the road itself but the whole area, and you’re really encouraged to stop at every opportunity and get out of the car to walk and enjoy the sights and sounds at a more relaxed pace. We’re sure you’ll be very happy that you did!
Our website has a fantastic list of Great Ocean Road Accommodation including Bed and Breakfasts, Holiday Houses, Self-Contained, Motels and Hotels all along the way.
‘Touring the Great Ocean Road’ by Claire Bolgil
