The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s most famous coastal drives, located in the state of Victoria. It runs along the southern coastline, hugging cliffs, beaches, and rainforest between the surf town of Torquay and Allansford, near Warrnambool. The route is famous for its ocean views, rugged limestone formations.
The road itself is about 243 kilometres (151 miles) long. It officially begins at Torquay, around 100 km southwest of Melbourne, making it an easy day-trip starting point from the city. From there, it winds westward through popular towns such as Lorne, Apollo Bay, and Port Campbell before ending at Allansford. Many travellers continue a little further to Warrnambool, which is often treated as the practical end of the journey.
The Great Ocean Road was built by returned soldiers after World War I and opened in stages between 1919 and 1932, making it the world’s largest war memorial. Today it’s not just a road—it’s a major tourism route, drawing visitors for scenic drives, hiking, wildlife spotting, and access to beaches, waterfalls, and rainforest in places like Great Otway National Park.
While you can drive it in a day, most people spend 2–3 days to enjoy all the highlights properly. I personally recommend that you take a little longer, as there are lots of places to visit that are just a bit off the Great Ocean Road. For example, the Otway Fly, where you can do a treetop walk or a zipline tour.
Towns on the Great Ocean Road
Aireys Inlet
- Split Point Lighthouse
- Allen Noble Sanctuary
- Bark Hut Reserve
- Fairhaven Beach
- Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch
- Reef Lookout
- Lands End Lookout
- Great Ocean Road Mini Golf
Allansford
- Cheese World
Anglesea
- Point Roadknight
- Coogoorah Reserve
- Surf lessons – Go Ride a Wave
- Loveridge Lookout
- Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery
- Anglesea Heath
- Self-Guided Scavenger Trail
- Anglesea Golf Club (Kangaroo tours)
Apollo Bay
- Artworks of Foreshore
- Old Cable Station Museum
- Bass Strait Shell Museum
- Wildlife Wonders
- Apollo Bay Arts Gallery
- Kayak Seal Tours
- Surf & Kayak (Surf school)
- Apollo Bay Distillery
- Otway Herbs (nursery & cottage gardens)
- Apollo Bay Fishing Charters
- Apollo Bay Aviation (12 Apostles helicopter flights)
Bellbrae
- Great Ocean Road Chocolate & Ice Creamery
- Bellbrae Estate (Wine tasting)
Campbell
- Port Campbell Beach
- Campbells Creek
- Twelve Apostles
- Saddle Lookout
- Loch Ard Gorge
- The Arch Day Visitor Area
- Loch Ard Gorge Geology Walk
- Blowhole Lookout
- Living on the Edge Walk
- Wreck Beach
- Sparkes Gully Lookout
- Muttonbird Island
- Port Campbell Discovery Walk
- Newfield Bay Walk
- Gibson Steps
- Glenample Homestead
- The Arch
- London Bridge
- London Bridge Day Visitor Area
- The Grotto
- The Grotto Day Visitor Area
- Great Ocean Road Wildlife Park
- Sow & Piglets Brew Pub
Cumberland River
- Cumberland Falls Walk
Cape Otway
- Cape Otway Lighthouse
Glenaire
Johanna
Kennett River
- Kennett River Koala Walk
- Cape Patton Lookout
Lavers Hill
- Melba Gully
- Madsen’s Track Nature Walk
- Water Tower art
- Drift (sculpture)
Kennet River
- Point Hawdon
Lorne, VIC
- Live Wire Park
- Swing Bridge (Erskine River)
- Teddy’s Lookout
- Lorne Historical Society Museum
- Qdos Fine Arts
- Lorne Pier
- Great Ocean Road Heritage Centre
- Self-Guided Scavenger Trail
- Erskine Falls
- Kalimna Falls Loop Walk
- Cumberland Falls Walk
- Cinema Point
- Cathedral Rocks Lookout
- Cumberland River Trail
Marengo
- Hayley Point
Nirranda
- Childers Cove
Nullawarre
- Nullawarre Flora Reserve
Peterborough, VIC
- Peterborough Foreshore Reserve
- Peterborough Beach
- Curdies Inlet
- James Irvine Monument
- Bay of Islands Coastal Park
Port Fairy
- Port Fairy Historic Walks
- Port Fairy Wharves
- Griffiths Island
- Port Fairy Maritime and Shipwreck Walk
- Port Fairy Botanical Gardens
- Port Fairy Museum and Archives Centre (Old Courthouse)
- Mott’s Cottage
- Lady Julia Percy Island (Deen Maar)
- Mahogany Ship Walk (to Warrnambool)
Princetown
- Princetown Beach
- Gellibrand River Estuary
- Great Ocean Road Wildlife Park
Skenes Creek
- Surfing
- Swimming
Torquay
- Australian National Surfing Museum
- Esplanade (Torquay Foreshore)
- Arthur Leonard Long Monument
- Zeally Bay (Fisherman’s Beach)
- Sundial of Human Involvement
- Point Impossible
- Point Addis
- Yellow Bluff
- Point Danger
- Torquay Surf Beach
- Jan Juc Surf Beach
- Bells Beach
- Honu Honi Surf Camp
- Go Ride a Wave
- Great Ocean Road Surf Tours
- Tiger Moth World Adventure Flights
- Self-Guided Scavenger Trail
- Rocky Point Lookout
Warrnambool
- Warrnambool Heritage Trail
- Logans Beach
- Southern Right whales (Jun-Sep)
- Cannon Hill Lookout
- Lake Pertobe
- Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
- Lady Bay and the Beachfront
- Stingray Bay
- Middle Island
- Thunder Point Coastal Reserve
- Thunder Point Lookout
- Shelly Beach
- Hopkins River
- Hopkins River Lookout
- Warrnambool Botanic Gardens
- Fletcher Jones Gardens
- Deep Blue Hot Springs
- Wollaston Bridge
- Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve
- Last Volcano Crater Track
- Lava Tongue Walk
- Wagon Bay Loop Walk
- Koroit Water Tank Lookout
- Von Guerard Lookout
- Tower Hill Picnic Ground
- Tower Hill Circuit Drive
- Tower Hill Peak Walk
- Tower Hill Visitor Centre
- Hopkins Falls
Wye River
- Mount Defiance Lookout
Driving the Great Ocean Road
Driving the Great Ocean Road is spectacular, but it demands more attention than a typical highway drive.
1. The road is winding and slower than it looks on a map
- Even short distances can take longer because of tight bends, steep sections, and frequent photo stops.
- Average speeds are often around 50–80 km/h, and some sections are slower.
2. Stay left, and watch for tourists doing unpredictable things
- Many visitors are from overseas and unfamiliar with left-side driving. Expect sudden braking, illegal U-turns, and people stepping onto the road for photos—especially near The Twelve Apostles and Lorne.
3. Check the weather before leaving
- Conditions can change fast—sun, heavy rain, fog, and strong winds all in one day is common.
- Coastal wind can affect larger vehicles.
- Check VicTraffic for road conditions and closures before you go.
4. Fuel up early
- Petrol stations exist in towns like Torquay, Apollo Bay, and Warrnambool, but they’re not frequent in between.
- Don’t let your tank drop below half.
5. Mobile coverage can be patchy
- Especially through the Great Otway National Park area.
- Download offline maps before you leave or purchase a map.
6. Wildlife is a real hazard—especially during dawn/dusk
- Watch for kangaroos, koalas, and birds, particularly around forested sections near the Otways.
- Avoid driving tired or late at night if possible.
7. Pull over only in designated areas
- Road shoulders can be narrow or unstable.
- Use proper lookouts and parking bays—don’t stop “just for a quick photo” on blind corners.
Books
- Magnificent Great Ocean Road by Chris Munn
- Great Ocean Walk by Parks Victoria
- Great Ocean Road by Kornelia Freeman & Ulo Pukk
- The Great Ocean Road Touring Map. Plan Your Adventure Along Australia’s South-Eastern Coast by Collins
Websites
- Great Ocean Road: https://visitgreatoceanroad.org.au/
- Great Ocean Road: https://www.visitmelbourne.com/regions/great-ocean-road
- Guide to the Great Ocean Road: https://www.australia.com/en/places/melbourne-and-surrounds/guide-to-the-great-ocean-road.html
- Great Ocean Road: https://www.travelvictoria.com.au/regions/greatoceanroad/
- Great Ocean Road: Coast & Parks Authority: https://www.greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au/Home
- Great Ocean Road: Digital Guides: https://visitgreatoceanroad.org.au/plan-your-trip/digital-guides/
- Great Ocean Walk Resources: https://www.greatoceanwalk.info/resources/
- Great Ocean Road Ebook – Free: https://explorethegreatoceanroad.com.au/great-ocean-road-ebook-free-download/
- Self-Driving Itineraries for 1, 3 or 5-days: https://visitgreatoceanroad.org.au/explore/self-driving-itineraries-for-1-3-or-5-days/
- Port Campbell National Park: https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/port-campbell-national-park
- Great Otway National Park: https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/great-otway-national-park
- Bay of Islands Coastal Park: https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/bay-of-islands-coastal-park
- Anglesea 4WD Tracks; 4WDing on the Great Ocean Road: https://www.4wdingaustralia.com/travel-victoria/anglesea-4wd-tracks/
- Jamieson Track; a stunning Great Ocean Road 4WD Track: https://www.4wdingaustralia.com/travel-victoria/jamieson-track/
- Maits Rest Rainforest Walk; break on the Great Ocean Road: https://www.4wdingaustralia.com/travel-victoria/maits-rest-rainforest-walk/
- 9 Questions You Didn’t Know to Ask Before Driving the Great Ocean Road: https://visitgreatoceanroad.org.au/explore/9-questions-you-didnt-know-to-ask-before-driving-the-great-ocean-road/
- The Ultimate Guide to the Great Ocean Road: Must-See Stops and Tips: https://www.insideaustraliatravel.com/blog/guide-to-the-great-ocean-road
- Best things to do on the Great Ocean Road: https://travelthegreatoceanroad.com.au/best-things-to-do-on-the-great-ocean-road/
- Aireys Inlet, VIC: https://www.aussietowns.com.au/town/aireys-inlet-vic
- Allen Noble Sanctuary: https://www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au/Experience/Parks-and-reserves-listing/Allen-Noble-Sanctuary
- Anglesea, VIC: https://www.aussietowns.com.au/town/anglesea-vic
- Anglesea Learn To Surf: https://gorideawave.com.au/location/anglesea/
- Anglesea: https://visitgreatoceanroad.org.au/angleseaadventure/
- Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery: https://www.gorci.com.au/
- Lorne, VIC: https://www.aussietowns.com.au/town/lorne-vic
- Live Wire Park: https://livewirepark.com.au/
- Lorne Historical Society: https://www.lornehistoricalsociety.org.au/
- Qdos Fine Arts: https://qdosarts.com/
- The Cumberland River Trail Traverses Victoria’s Lush Otway Forest: https://weareexplorers.co/cumberland-river-trail-lorne-vic/
- What is there to do in Kennett River?: https://greatoceanroadmelbournetours.com.au/blog/what-is-there-to-do-in-kennett-river/
- Peterborough, VIC: https://www.aussietowns.com.au/town/peterborough-vic
- Bay of Islands Coastal Park: https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/bay-of-islands-coastal-park
- Bay of Islands: https://visitgreatoceanroad.org.au/visit12apostles/local-attractions/bay-of-islands/
- Port Campbell, Vic: https://www.aussietowns.com.au/town/port-campbell-tas
- Port Fairy, VIC: https://www.aussietowns.com.au/town/port-fairy-vic
- Port Fairy: https://visitgreatoceanroad.org.au/portfairyaustralia/
- Walking Trails: https://port-fairy.com/walking-trails
- Port Fairy Museum and Archives centre: https://visitgreatoceanroad.org.au/portfairyaustralia/activities/port-fairy-museum-and-archives-centre/
- Mott’s Cottage: https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/places/motts-cottage/
- Nirranda Travel Guide: https://www.expedia.com.au/Nirranda.dx6147308
- Lady Julia Percy Island: https://wildlifetours.com.au/blog/great-ocean-road/lady-julia-percy-island/
- Torquay, VIC: https://www.aussietowns.com.au/town/torquay-vic
- Australian National Surfing Museum: https://australiannationalsurfingmuseum.com.au/
- Torquay: https://www.visitvictoria.com/regions/great-ocean-road/destinations/torquay
- Honu Honi Surf Camp: https://www.honuhoni.com/
- Tiger Moth World: https://tigermothworld.com.au/
- Self-Guided Scavenger Trails on the Surf Coast: https://www.scavengertrail.com.au/
- Warrnambool, VIC: https://www.aussietowns.com.au/town/warrnambool-vic
- Warrnambool: https://visitgreatoceanroad.org.au/visitwarrnambool/local-attractions/first-time-visiting-warrnambool-heres-your-ultimate-guide/
- Don’t just learn about history – experience it: https://www.flagstaffhill.com/
- Penguin Protectors Warrnambool – Educational Experience: https://www.warrnamboolpenguins.com.au/education
- Warrnambool Botanical Gardens: https://wbgardens.com.au/
- Wollaston Bridge: https://www.warrnambool.vic.gov.au/wollaston-bridge
- Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve: https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/tower-hill-wildlife-reserve
- Tower Hill Visitor Centre: https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/tower-hill-wildlife-reserve/things-to-do/tower-hill-visitor-centre
- Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve: https://visitgreatoceanroad.org.au/discover-the-region/big-nature/tower-hill-wildlife-reserve/
- Princetown: https://visitgreatoceanroad.org.au/towns-and-villages/princetown/
- Wildlife Sanctuary Great Ocean Road: https://greatoceanroadwildlifepark.com.au/
- Apollo Bay, VIC: https://www.aussietowns.com.au/town/apollo-bay-vic
- Creative Village – Foreshore Sculptures: https://www.apollobayarts.com.au/creative-village/
- The Old Cable Station Museum: https://visitgreatoceanroad.org.au/visitapollobay/local-attractions/the-old-cable-station-museum/
- Wildlife Wonders: https://www.wildlifewonders.org.au/
- Apollo Bay Arts Inc. Gallery: https://www.artsincgallery.com/
- Sow & Piglets Brew Pub: https://sowandpigletsguesthouse.com.au/sow-and-piglets-brew-pub/
- Kangaroo Tours: https://www.angleseagolfclub.com.au/cms/kangaroo-tours/
- Seal Tour: https://apollobaysurfkayak.com.au/
- Soaring the 12 Apostles: https://12apostleshelicopters.com.au/
- Apollo Bay Fishing Charters: https://www.apollobayfishingcharters.com.au/
- Welcome to Otway Herbs: http://www.otwayherbs.com.au/
- Discover Cheese World: https://www.cheeseworld.com.au/
- Lavers Hill, VIC: https://www.aussietowns.com.au/town/lavers-hill-vic
- Madsens Track Nature Walk: https://www.visitmelbourne.com/regions/great-ocean-road/see-and-do/outdoor-and-adventure/walking-and-hiking/vv-madsens-track-nature-walk
- Lavers Hill Water Tower Art – Victoria: https://www.australiansiloarttrail.com/lavers-hill
- Cumberland River and More: https://bushwalkingvictoria.org.au/bwv_walk_directory/cumberland-river-and-more/
- Skenes Creek Travel Guide: https://www.expedia.com.au/Skenes-Creek.dx6051855
- First Taste of the Great Ocean Road: https://www.bellbraeestate.com.au/
- Beech Forest, Great Ocean Road: https://www.wayoutback.com.au/blog/beech-forest-great-ocean-road/
- Magnificent Great Ocean Road: https://hemamaps.com/products/magnificent-great-ocean-road?_pos=1&_sid=eee11d1e4&_ss=r
- Great Ocean Walk Booklet: https://hemamaps.com/products/great-ocean-walk-booklet?_pos=3&_sid=eee11d1e4&_ss=r
- Great Ocean Road: https://www.booktopia.com.au/great-ocean-road-kornelia-freeman/book/9781922779502.html
- The Great Ocean Road Touring Map. Plan Your Adventure Along Australia’s South-Eastern Coast: https://www.booktopia.com.au/collins-the-great-ocean-road-touring-map-collins-maps/book/9780008609191.html
- Building the Great Ocean Road: https://www.visitvictoria.com/regions/great-ocean-road/see-and-do/art-and-culture/history-and-heritage/building-the-great-ocean-road
- Great Ocean Road Story: https://visitgreatoceanroad.org.au/attractions/great-ocean-road-story/