The most iconic sight and enduring image for most visitors to the Great Ocean Road, the Twelve Apostles provide a fitting climax to the journey. Jutting…
Pete Seaward
Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road (B100) is one of Australia’s most famous touring routes. It takes travellers past world-class surfing breaks, through pockets of rainforest and calm seaside towns, and under koala-filled tree canopies. It shows off sheer limestone cliffs, dairy farms and heathland, and gets you up close and personal with the crashing waves of the Southern Ocean.
Hunt out the isolated beaches and lighthouses in between the towns and the thick eucalyptus forest of the Otway hinterlands to really escape the crowds. Rather than heading straight to the Great Ocean Road, a fork in the road at Geelong can take you the long, leisurely way there, through the Bellarine Peninsula, with visits to charming Queenscliff and wineries en route.
Day-tripping tourists from Melbourne rush in and out of the area in less than 12 hours, but in a perfect world you’d spend at least a week here.
Explore Great Ocean Road
- Twelve Apostles
The most iconic sight and enduring image for most visitors to the Great Ocean Road, the Twelve Apostles provide a fitting climax to the journey. Jutting…
- Cape Otway Lightstation
The oldest surviving lighthouse in mainland Australia, Cape Otway Lightstation was built in 1848 without mortar by more than 40 stonemasons. There are…
- Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village
The world-class Flagstaff Hill precinct is of equal interest for its shipwreck museum, heritage-listed lighthouses and garrison as for its reproduction of…
- Split Point Lighthouse
Scale the 136 steps to the top of the beautiful 'White Queen' lighthouse for sensational 360-degree views. Built in 1891, the 34m-high lighthouse is still…
- TTimboon Railway Shed Distillery
One of the main reasons to stop at TImboon is this historic railway shed that's been converted into a vibrant whisky distillery and cafe. Inspired by…
- WWarrnambool Art Gallery
One of Australia's oldest art galleries (established 1886), WAG has a stellar collection of works by prominent Australian painters. Its most famous piece…
- AAustralian National Surfing Museum
The perfect starting point for those embarking on a surfing safari is this superbly curated museum that pays homage to Australian surfing. Here you'll see…
- FF Project Gallery
Set up in a former funeral home by local art collective the F Project, this contemporary gallery always has something interesting showing at its monthly…
- TTower Hill Natural History Centre
Managed by the Worn Gundidj Aboriginal Cooperative, this centre runs daily bushwalks led by Indigenous guides that include boomerang throwing and bush…
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Great Ocean Road.
See
Twelve Apostles
The most iconic sight and enduring image for most visitors to the Great Ocean Road, the Twelve Apostles provide a fitting climax to the journey. Jutting…
See
Cape Otway Lightstation
The oldest surviving lighthouse in mainland Australia, Cape Otway Lightstation was built in 1848 without mortar by more than 40 stonemasons. There are…
See
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village
The world-class Flagstaff Hill precinct is of equal interest for its shipwreck museum, heritage-listed lighthouses and garrison as for its reproduction of…
See
Split Point Lighthouse
Scale the 136 steps to the top of the beautiful 'White Queen' lighthouse for sensational 360-degree views. Built in 1891, the 34m-high lighthouse is still…
See
Timboon Railway Shed Distillery
One of the main reasons to stop at TImboon is this historic railway shed that's been converted into a vibrant whisky distillery and cafe. Inspired by…
See
Warrnambool Art Gallery
One of Australia's oldest art galleries (established 1886), WAG has a stellar collection of works by prominent Australian painters. Its most famous piece…
See
Australian National Surfing Museum
The perfect starting point for those embarking on a surfing safari is this superbly curated museum that pays homage to Australian surfing. Here you'll see…
See
F Project Gallery
Set up in a former funeral home by local art collective the F Project, this contemporary gallery always has something interesting showing at its monthly…
See
Tower Hill Natural History Centre
Managed by the Worn Gundidj Aboriginal Cooperative, this centre runs daily bushwalks led by Indigenous guides that include boomerang throwing and bush…
Featured videos
This trip through Victoria lets your tastebuds lead the way
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Guidebooks
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