The Great Ocean Road is one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives, spanning 243 kilometers along the southeastern coast of Australia from Torquay to Warrnambool.
Following the B100 route through the southern Victorian coastline is easy, well signed and filled with long stretches of beaches, spectacular sea cliffs, stunning national parks, incredible ocean views and lush green rainforest.
Driving off in our little rented Hyundai from Melbourne city, we had a splendid 5 days in the Great Ocean Road.
We’re lucky enough to spot wild koalas, wild kangaroos, cockatoos and Southern whales along the Great Ocean Road.
There is so much to see and do here. To inspire your next trip, here are the top 14 things we did on our road trip.
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14 Must-Stop Places on the Great Ocean Road
1. Lunch at Torquay
Traveling from Melbourne, this is the first scenic view that makes you feel like you’ve arrived.
Torquay is the official start point of Great Ocean Road, famous for being the birthplace of iconic brands Quicksilver and Rip Curl.
Here you can enjoy the stunning ocean view from vantages points along Surf Coast Walk or stroll along the sandy beaches beneath towering cliffs.
For us, we prefer to enjoy the great coastal view from the comfort of a local restaurant.
Kickstart our Great Ocean Road adventure with a delicious fresh fish and chip at Fisho Torquay.
If you’re in the mood for seafood, stop in at Fisho Torquay. They serve some of the best fresh local seafood on the coast, from gummy shark to snapper, calamari and warehou.
2. Ride a wave at Bells Beach
Bells Beach is one of the most famous surfing beaches in Australia and is located 7km west of Torquay. Every year Rip Curl Pro will hold a surfing competition at Bells Beach.
Even if you aren’t good at riding the waves, it’s still a great stop to grasp the spectacular ocean view from the cliff-top car park.
You can spot local surfers hang ten in the sea throughout the year, including winter months June to August.
3. Pay Tribute to the World War One Soldiers at Memorial Arch, Eastern View
Did you know the Great Ocean Road was built by returned servicemen following WW1?
I didn’t know that part of history well until I saw this Memorial Arch along the journey.
This Memorial Arch was actually built to honor the 3000 soldiers who have worked and built the road from 1919- 1932.
You can find a commemorative sculpture of two men working on the road and commemorative plaques built for the 50 and 75th anniversary of the road.
Spend some time to read about the information and don’t forget to take some pictures at the Arch, you’ll appreciate the beauty of this great road even more.
4. Lorne
It’s has been raining the whole day at Lorne…As you drive along the road, you’ll come to this charming little town of Lorne. It was our favorite place to stay along the journey.
You can easily explore the town on foot.
Strolling along the sandy beach, walk along the foreshore out to the pier, have a picnic in the park with cockatoos and seagulls!
Or simply soak up the beauty and great vibes of Lorne!
We stayed here for two nights at Grand Pacific Hotel during our return journey back to Melbourne.
Having some extra time on hands, we made a short drive to Teddy’s Lookout to enjoy the magnificent views of the Great Ocean Road and Erskine Falls to indulge in the beauty of nature.
Catching double rainbows arch over the ocean from Teddy’s Lookout
5. Go Koala-spotting at Kennett River
It’s quite a challenge to take a perfect shot of a wild koala up on the tree.
Want to see wild koalas?
Just 30-minutes drive from Lorne, you will come to the township of Kennett River, it’s the best place for koala viewing in Australia!
Thanks to the hundreds of koala colonies that make their home in the gum trees (Eucalyptus) line along the main road. It’s pretty easy to spot some koalas sleeping in the trees or if you’re lucky you’ll see them climbing branches and feeding on the leaves.
Keep your eye peeled and look at the gum tree branches, that’s where koalas like to hide.
If you see a crowd of people gather under trees, just follow their gazes up and probably you will find some wild koalas.
Another great place to spot wild koalas along the road is Otway Lighthouse Road. We spotted 3 wild koalas resting on the gum trees while driving along this road heading to the Cape Otway Lighthouse.
6. Lorne to Apollo Scenic Drive
The weather wasn’t perfect. But the cloud just made the Victorian coastline scenery looked more mystical.
The Drive from Lorne to Apollo was our favorite stretch of road on GOR. Make sure to pull over at some of the viewing points to enjoy the astonishing view and take some photos too.
7. Mariners Lookout Apollo Bay
When the sea meets the blue sky…I get lost into that deep.
By the time you reach Apollo Bay, you might need a place to rest.
Apollo Bay is another little picturesque town. We stayed at Beachcomber Motel for our first night.
One of the must-see places of Apollo Bay is a short trek up to Mariners Lookout.
We went up there in the morning after sunrise and have the whole place to ourselves and few other sheep. But they’re all busy munching grass!
It’s one of the best views that I’ve ever seen, where you can see the sea meets the blue sky! From the lookout, you will able to enjoy a 180-degree stunning view over Apollo Bay and its surrounding countryside.
Apollo Bay is truly paradise by the sea!
8. Gibson Steps
Take the staircase down to the sandy beach and walk along the shore, this is where you can really get up close and personal with limestone stacks offshore from Gibson Step.
The two giant limestones situated closest to the shore are called Gog and Magog by the locals, but they aren’t part of the 12 Apostles.
Take this staircase down the cliff face, leading to the beach and offshore limestones
While climbing up the stairs back to our car, we saw few people pointing out to the ocean and that’s where we spotted our first Southern Whale at Great Ocean Road. Even though we can’t really see the whales, there’re big sprouts of mist shooting up into the air. It’s simply amazing!
9. Twelves Apostles
That’s it! The Twelve Apostles.
No trip to the Great Ocean Road is complete without a visit to the iconic 12 Apostles.
Formed twenty million years ago, 12 Apostles are the main highlight of Great Ocean Road.
Every year, it attracts millions of tourists from all over the world to see this natural rock formation.
As you’re reading now, there are only 7 left standing as few other apostles have collapsed due to erosion.
We arrived at noon and we’re glad that it wasn’t crowded.
We followed the great walkway. Within minutes, we’re standing at the edge of the viewing platform, admiring the majestic 12 Apostles. I was wonderstruck!
The Southern sea sparkled under the midday sun. Strong waves hitting the apostles continuously one after another.
This spectacular view is definitely worth the visit.
10.Loch Ard Gorge
Loch Ard Gorge from the top viewing platform
Just 3 minutes drive west of The Twelves Apostles, you’ll come to this picturesque gorge.
Loch Ard Gorge is named after a ship called Lord Ard, which ran aground on nearby Muttonbird Island in 1878. Sadly, of the 54 passengers, only teenagers survived, Tom Pearce and Eva Carmichael.
It’s a perfect place to wander a bit.
Overlooking the Loch Ard Gorge directly from the beach
Take the stairs leading down to the beach and bright blue sea. Overlooking the gorge from this viewpoint can really put the whole thing into perspective- It must have been a terrifying experience.
There are a few easy trails to discover the area and some scenic viewpoints too.
11. London Arch (formerly London bridge)
London Bridge was falling down in 1990, leaving 2 tourists stranded on the outer span before a helicopter came to rescue them.
Now, this offshore natural arch is known as London Arch.
There are two main viewing platforms at different elevations. Check out both lookout points for different perspectives.
12. The Grotto
The Grotto is a naturally formed sinkhole in the limestone. It’s a very impressive rock formation, part-cave, part-archway, part-blowhole.
Walking along the cliff top path, you can see the astounding ocean and the Grotto below! It’s absolutely stunning!
To explore it eye-level, take the decked staircase down to the cliff face to the bottom.
At the lower viewing platform, you can see the rock pool, the open cave, the horizon and the water reflection all at once.
This random snap of a young couple standing inside the sinkhole just made the shot looked so perfect and surreal.
13. Bay of Islands
Stretching over 30kilometres along the coast between Peterborough and Warrnambool, Bay of Islands offers some of the most glorious ocean views and a collection of stunning offshore limestone stacks and cliff faces.
Equally as beautiful, yet not many people make the Great Ocean Road tour to this far.
You can enjoy the magnificent view almost to yourselves from viewing platforms at Bay of Island and Bay of Martyrs.
14. Go Whale-Watching at Logan’s Beach
Image by Simon Yeo
And we are so close to the end of the road or the beginning if you are starting in Warrnambool.
This is an extra bonus.
I have never thought that we can see whales from the shores of the Great Ocean Road. We’re lucky enough to be traveling at the end of June, which is the whale-watching season.
Go to Logan Beach Whale Watching Platform if you’re traveling between June to October.
Every winter, the majestic southern right whales will migrate to their nursery at Logan’s Beach to give birth and raise their calves.
Wooden deck viewing platforms at Logan’s Beach offers an amazing ocean view. Keep a watchful eye out to spot some Southern Right Whales moving in and out the water.
To have a better view, you might need to bring your binoculars.
We spent the whole evening at Logan’s Beach,
When the crowds were gone, leaving the two of us watching the sunset in the west and moonrise in the east– it’s the night of a full moon!
It’s such a special and memorable moment! A great way to end the Great Ocean Road tour.
Watching the Full Moon rises from the east
Conclusion
Have you visited the Great Ocean Road?
What’s your favorite spot on the Great Ocean Road?
Do you have any favorite spot or things to do that I didn’t mention in this post?
Feel free to share with us in the comment below.
Want to see the famous 12 Apostles but short of time? Not sure if you want to explore the Great Ocean Road by self-drive?
Here are some tours that will sort out your Great Ocean Road itinerary with just a click away.
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